JI GA ZO
Created by Hasbro
About the product
Ji Ga Zo is revolutionizing the puzzle category! This awesome puzzle has 300 pieces that you arrange to create any face — even your own! Start out with any digital image and upload it using the Ji Ga Zo software. The software figures out the placement of each piece and builds a unique icon map. Then, it’s up to you to arrange the pieces according to the icon map and watch your own special image come together! These 300 pieces are specially created with unique colors and shading that let them interlock to create almost any face image you upload. The possibilities are virtually endless and the “face-making” fun goes on and on! CD-ROM includes icon maps for Mona Lisa, a collie dog, a kitten, a panda bear and MR MONOPOLY.
Includes CD-ROM with software and instructions, 300 puzzle pieces and assembly grid.
Adult installation required.
Note* PC system minimum requirements:
Windows XP/Vista/7, 2 GHz, 1 GB memory, 600 dpi printer, 4x CD-Rom or Macintosh OS X 10.4.11, 1.83 GHz Intel, 512 memory, 600 dpi printer, 4x CD-Rom.
Ages 8 and up.
My Thoughts 
I always loved puzzles. From a young age I was doing some and learned to be patient while trying to put the pieces together. With time, the number of pieces of my puzzles became larger and I even did some 3D puzzles. But since I have children, I don’t have much time to do puzzles anymore. Maybe it is also because having a puzzle out takes some space and having the dining table busy with puzzle pieces is not an option… But I found myself missing the time I spent in the past doing puzzles. So when I had the opportunity to take a look at a new way of doing puzzles I jumped on the opportunity.
Looking for a new way to spend time with your kids? Have you thought about doing a puzzle together? I am asking because there is a new type of puzzle on the market; Ji Ga Zo. Ji Ga Zo is different in the sense that not only it allows you to take your own pictures to bring to life in a puzzle but it is versatile. Take any pictures from your PC and upload it on the software that comes with the puzzle. Within seconds, the program will determine which pieces should go where and suggest a special map for you.
The first picture I decided to upload was a recent picture that we got taken for our daughter for her passport renewal. I had scanned the picture before sending it for the renewal. Because of it’s white background, I thought this would be a great first picture to work with the puzzle.
Within seconds, the software has a map offered to me. The map tells you where to set the puzzle pieces. The map works with letters and numbers for example, the ladybug piece has to be put at the junction of L and 6. All you have to do is place the piece the way it is shown and then flip it so that the sequoia color is facing up.
The second step for us was to separate all the pieces of the puzzle from their cardboard frames. As you can see there are four colors – pink, blue, yellow and green. Each piece has a specific image on it. Find the image on your map to determine where the piece go.
My son Alexandre helped me to begin the puzzle. He enjoyed doing this with me a lot. He finds that it is a good activity to help you pass some time. Alexandre’s love language is to spend time with us. And doing a puzzle together was a wonderful way to fill his love tank like we say.
After spending some time at putting the pieces together, we could see the image taking form on the grid.
Finally, this afternoon, my son went in the basement and decided to continue working on it. The first thing I knew is that he brought me the puzzle upstair when it was completed.
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect with Ji Ga Zo. I am quite impressed with the result. I am planning to experiment more with this puzzle and upload more pictures of our family.
This type of puzzle is definitively out of the ordinary and quite entertaining. There isn’t too many pieces to discourage us and it will bring fun time with your kids if you decide to remove the icon showing what it would look like. Make it fun and let them discover the image without knowing what picture has been used as a model. Just the fact that the kids have to search where a piece go will help them to develop the skill of observation. I find that the price attached to it is also quite reasonable.
GREAT NEWS!
Hasbro has offered a Ji Ga Zo to win.
To participate, go to the Ji Ga Zo Instructional Spot and tell me which animal is showed at the end of the spot. This entry is mandatory. Don’t forget to include your email address in the comment.
EXTRA ENTRIES
1) Subscribe to my feed on the left side of this blog and let me know about it.
2) Like Canadianladybug Reviews! on facebook and tell me about it.
3) Follow Canadianladybug Reviews! on twitter and like me you twitter name.
4) Follow Canadianladybug Reviews! with Google Friends on the left side of this blog and tell me about it.
5) Tweet about this contest and give me the link about it. (One entry per day!)
6) Blog about this contest and give me you link (3 entries) – Give me your link and enter three times in the comment section.
Don’t forget to include your email for each steps. No email means I will have to pick someone else. I need to be able to contact you if you win! Random.org will be use to determine the winner. You will have 24 hours to contact me and give me your mailing address so I can send it to my contact at Hasbro Canada which in turn will ship the Ji Ga Zo to you!
Open to Canadian residents ONLY.
Deadline: March 1, 2011.
Ji Ga Zo is available for the price of 24.99$ at a toy store near you!
Disclaimer: Thanks to Hasbro Canada for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
