Pentago Goes Multi-Player, Multi-Dimensional

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Mindtwister USA is ratcheting up the mental pyrotechnics of its popular, award-winning Pentago game with the introduction of a multi-player, multi-dimensional version. It continues the story of a successful company determined to challenge people’s minds in a fun way.

FROM SIX TO SENIORS

Invented in Sweden in 2003 by Mindtwister AB, the deceptively simple Pentago has become a huge hit, captivating players from 6-year-olds to seniors. Mindtwister USA was founded in 2006 by Tony Mag and Mathias Ringstrom, who licensed the game for promotion and distribution in the United States.

“It's a game that can be played by 6-year-olds all day long, on account of its simplicity and ease of learning,” Monica Lucas, VP of operations, told TDmonthly Magazine. “But it's also steeped in enough strategic depth to keep an old chess dog playing it for years.”

Traditional Pentago is designed for two players, who strive to get five in a row to win. The twist, literally, is that every time a player places a marble on the board, he also turns one of the game board pieces one 90-degree notch.

“It’s a whole lot of strategy into one little box,” said Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Co. in Denver. She added that the game is very popular among her customers, and the company is a good vendor to work with.

Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys in Scottsdale, Ariz., agreed that Pentago is a steady seller.

“We all love Pentago; the way it plays is awesome!” she raved. “Just when you think you have a strategy figured out, someone moves a quadrant where you least suspect! The Pentago CE (Cruise Edition) version with the lid is great for travel.”

TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Lucas is excited about the impending launch of Pentago Multi-Player. She described it as “totally unique and revolutionary ... more of a family-style strategy game, in that you can play two, three or four players, as individuals against each other, or as teams.”

She explained, “On one hand, the Pentago play movement, place and twist, is dramatically enhanced if you're playing it one on one, like a regular strategy game. But it becomes more casual, if you're playing four people against each [other]. A little bit of luck and chance is introduced at that style and then you have several options in between. The movement of the game blocks is also so unique, it's patented. We feel that it's a no-brainer homerun, especially since the response from Europe has been fantastic, as Pentago MP was launched there in 2009.”

BEYOND PENTAGO

Mindtwister USA has capitalized on the success of Pentago and introduced other fun and challenging games, including Sushi Roll, Quadrago and Element. Seven Card Samurai, also debuting his year, is a family card game set in feudal Japan during the era of the Samurai. It depends on skill, strategy and planning.

All Pentago products have primarily been designed in Sweden by Mindtwister AB.

“The other products are either developed by us,” Lucas explained, “or by an independent game designer that works exclusively for Mindtwister USA. We test all games ourselves.”

ENDURING QUALITY

Part of the games’ appeal is their “robustness and completeness,” Lucas told TDmonthly. “Our games are made to last forever and be very complete in their design, meaning nothing is left out. We don't take shortcuts to make a game a little bit cheaper. Our printed instructions are well written and don't leave anything to chance. Both Pentago games also have tips on strategy and not just the basic rules.”

Lucas admitted that being a small company has made it challenging to market products to consumers. Nevertheless, Mindtwister USA is passionate about its mission to “bring happiness and joy to people's lives and, along the way, challenge their minds a bit.”

See products from Mindtwister: