Ravensburger Tower Bridge 3D Puzzle

Ravensburger Tower Bridge 3D Puzzle (Toy) Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program (What's this?) This is my second Ravensburger 3D puzzle, the first being London's famous Big Ben which is considerably smaller and simpler to assemble than the Tower Bridge puzzle. That said, I'm very happy to say that my wife and I had a great time assembling this puzzle and it's a welcome addition to my basement where it's on display on top of a long bookshelf.

For those new to these types of 3D puzzles, what you're getting in essence is a series of plastic pieces that are numbered on the back and have the image on the front-side. This puzzle contains two bags of pieces that are intermixed and labeled from 1-to-216. Corner pieces in this puzzle bend and contain an interlocking element that snaps the piece in its correct position. The puzzles are built in numerical order and even come labeled with an arrow indicating which direction the following piece should be placed in. The two bridge towers are the only pieces that require actual detailed assembly. The rest of the puzzle including the bridge supports, drawbridge, pylons are all large plastic pieces that slide into slots on tower portion or in the case of the pylons, support the towers themselves. Every preset piece interlocks with the tower and the bridge once completed is surprisingly sturdy.

A few tips:
(+) Consider the dimensions of this puzzle before assembly. The puzzle completely assembled is almost 4 feet long and 16-inches tall. Moving the completed puzzle once fully assembled is very challenging. Though it is easy enough to break down into smaller pieces for final assembly if you plan on displaying it.

(+) This puzzle can be completely assembled without the use of the numbers on the back of the pieces. Having assembled one of the towers and my wife the other we agreed that it would be quite challenging not to use the numbers as assembly is really tricky and cumbersome at points given the shape of the puzzle. Still for those looking for a fun challenge this is definitely one way of getting it.

(+) The plastic pre-built support pieces are held securely in place by sliding the tower caps on. This serves to increase the rigidity of the puzzle.

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What I like:
(+) Very fun to assemble and using the numbered pieces this can be completely assembled and displayed in about an hour.

(+) Can be completely assembled without using the numbered side increasing the difficulty for those that want it.

(+) Attractive and a cool display piece for those inclined to do so.

(+) Once assembled the puzzle is quite strong and sturdy.

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What I don't like:
(-) Can be quite challenging to get the tower portions square. Constantly truing up the pieces is a must or you'll get a leaning tower or rhombus-like shape.

(-) Not really a knock against the product but this puzzle will attract the attention of visitors - and especially kids. So be prepared for the potential for pieces to fall off.


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