Zentomino
Common Sense says
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- $.99
- Board Games
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Zentomino is a game where kids arrange pentominoes to fill in a variety of puzzle shapes. (Pentominoes each have five units, but are all different shapes.) The app includes more than 250 puzzles to solve, and each puzzle allows a few hints if kids get stuck. If additional hints are needed, unlimited hints for the puzzles can be purchased. Kids rotate or flip any of the 12 included pieces to make them fit into the puzzles. Not all puzzles will use all 12 pieces. Puzzles need not be done in order; players can skip to any puzzle in the game. All the puzzles can be reset at any time to make them ready to solve once again. Users can share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional.
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What's it about?
Kids drag and drop the pentominoes into the puzzle shape without overlapping or leaving empty spaces. Players get a shaded puzzle shape and 12 pentominoes that somehow fit together to complete the shape, but all 12 pieces do not have to be used. Kids can rotate pieces by tapping or flip them by double tapping. They can get hints by double tapping in an empty area. Shaking the device clears the puzzle and resets all the pieces. The app includes more than 250 puzzles that can be worked in any order. Completed puzzles are saved but can be reset if kids want to solve them again.
Is it any good?
ZENTOMINO is a challenging puzzle-based app that is very well done and doesn't clutter up a simple concept with a lot of extras. Since the puzzles are often quite challenging and can take a while to solve, this app is a good value. The music in the background is meant to be soothing, but can be turned off if desired. Hints can also be turned off, and any pieces that are unused for a particular puzzle can be hidden.
Talk to your kids about ...
Kids who enjoy this app might like the traditional board game Blokus, a two- to four-player game using polyominoes, or the Blokus app, which can be played against an opponent.
Help kids with strategy and hints if they get stuck. The app includes a few free hints, but some puzzles are tricky and may require more.
App details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Subjects: Math: geometry, patterns
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: logic, problem solving, solving puzzles
- Price: $.99
- Release date: July 14, 2011
- Category: Board Games
- Size: 16.90 MB
- Publisher: Little White Bear Studios
- Version: 2.0
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 3.0 or later
- Last updated: November 11, 2020
Our editors recommend
For kids who love puzzles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.