Mega Brands Magnext iCoaster (New 2008 Model)

Experience fast-paced magnetic fun with the MagNext iCoaster from Mega brands. With lights, sound and the ability to plug your iPod into it and customize the background beat, this 64-piece set features a stunt-packed track that can be configured 10 different ways. This construction set provides a creative outlet for kids aged six and up. Small pieces make it inappropriate for small children who require constant supervision.

Seven stunt pieces add drama to each iCoaster ride. View larger.

A magnetic elevator takes metal rider balls back to the top of the coaster. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Track can be reconfigured for long-lasting fun The Bad: Small parts may get lost In a Nutshell: The iCoaster is a unique building set for action-loving kids. At a Glance Ages: 6 and up Requires: Four C batteries

Ten Extreme Configurations
The 64-piece iCoaster set comes with a booklet that illustrates 10 extreme roller coaster layouts to choose from. With 10 towers and seven hyper stunt track pieces, the possibilities seem endless. Each piece is identified by a symbol at both ends so that assembly is a straightforward process that encourages little engineers to be precise in building the suggested tracks. When they've mastered these layouts, they can unleash their creative instincts and invent new ones.

Once a coaster has been constructed, five 15-millimeter magnetic rider balls act as cars, zipping around the track, providing a serious adrenaline rush. Before the action starts, an adult will need to use a Philips head screwdriver to install four "C" batteries, which power the lights, sounds and cool magnetic elevator.

Lights, Music and Speed
Stunts that can be incorporated into the track include a bounce jump, vertical loop and magnetic slide. One of our favorite features was the sleek, magnetic elevator that transported each metal ball back to the top of the iCoaster at the end of a ride. Two flashing lights can be placed in any tower to complement the neon track pieces and add visual interest every time a ball goes whizzing by.

The plug & play control box features 10 music backgrounds, 10 sensor beats/sound effects, and a jack where you can plug your iPod or other MP3 player in and customize the sounds behind your roller coaster. You need to provide your own connector cable and music player to take advantage of this feature.

Durable and Educational Design
The plastic pieces seemed quite durable, and they snapped apart just as easily as they snapped together. Our only concern about the iCoaster was the potential for losing or damaging small connector pieces, but even these held up well in our construction and reconstruction of the track.

It's easy to see why the previous iCoaster was recognized by The National Parenting Center and Parents Magazine as an incredible building toy. This version retains all the great qualities of its predecessor and is bigger, stronger and faster.

The construction oriented iCoaster encourages kids to build with determination, helping enhance their ability to focus and their fine-motor skills. It also promotes understanding of magnetism, inspires creativity and helps kids develop problem-solving skills, adding an innovative dimension to play.

What's in the Box
Magnetic elevator, 10 towers, 10 tower bases, 11 track pieces, 7 stunt pieces, 17 connector pieces, 2 light-up sensors, plug & play control box with speaker, 5 15-millimeter magnetic metallic rider balls, and illustrated instruction booklet.

Build your own thrill-filled coaster. Watch the 10MM spheres go through cool loops and pass by the magic Magnetixbridge. Use the iMixer to create your own background music. Choose from 10 different beats and over 20 sampletracks. Requires 4 "C" batteries, not included.

My 9 year old loves this toy. Putting it together required patience and the ability to see the parts in the pictures. He loved the music that went with it and added his own magnetix balls so there were always some moving through the coaster. Only drawback was finding a cord to hook his ipod to it and storage of course is an issue if you want to keep it up. Good toy. I would get it again for him.

My son has ADD and gets easily bored way to quickly. He is 12 now and we got this for his birthday hoping he would enjoy this. It exceeded our expectations. To our suprise he figured out how to put one of the roller coaster layouts together without our help despite the directions being so poor and giving such bad descriptions of 'how to'. There are 10 ways to make different variations of the coaster. It stays together very well and the light and mp3, sound effects are an awesome touch! He loves playing with this and the fact it makes the child think to put it together as well. Its one of the funnest toys ever I believe. Way to pricey in my opinion but worth it for one of them. Id love to buy the other one they have but there is no way Id ever pay that price.

My almost 6 year old son got the icoaster for Christmas. We've both been having a blast with it. Since Christmas I think we've built a different coaster just about every day. It does require my help, but I'm slowly teaching my son how to read the directions and the letters on the pieces of track.

We also have two kittens that can't get enough of it. Everytime they see us building a coaster they sit there waiting for us to get it going. Then they get in the middle and chase the balls! It's hilarious to watch.

My 7 year old son really wanted the iCoaster for Christmas. None of the negative reviews on the previous version or this version turned me off, and I'm glad.

We were a bit skittish with the instructions at first, but after careful review were able to understand them, and my son had a great time "deciphering" the instructions (i.e., use the tower with 18 notches and put the track bracket on notch 15). When assembling, a good rule of thumb is, if you're having to use force, you've got something upside down.

My son absolutely loves it. It's got great music and sound effects. The biggest problem is getting him to remember not to fiddle with it too much while it's running, because (no surprise) once part of the construction gets knocked off balance, things stop working smoothly. It's another good lesson for him. Now I'm hoping to find some extension kits so we can build a gazillion different tracks!!!

Honestly one of the best toys we have ever bought. Very durable. No problems.