DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Laura B
Another year, another flurry of magical Christmas toys to wade through online or in-store. It can all feel quite daunting, especially with Christmas only a few months away, and literally hundreds of shiny new toys filling our supermarkets and toy shops.
I know, as a parent, grandparent, or family friend, that it’s essential to stay informed, mainly because we are all aiming for the ‘perfect present opening moment’ on Christmas Day – which is where reviews and gift guides help keep us updated and aware of new products.
And, here is a totally original new toy for 2025. In fact, it is not a toy, as such, because it’s a game. And it’s a game that can be played by the whole family from age 8 to 80 (and potentially older!), it can be played by one person, in teams or as a large group. There are four different game modes – No Brainer, Expert, Party and Speed. And it’s a game that doesn’t involve lots of rules, or ‘faffing’ about to set it up, because it literally can be played straight from the box. Batteries are included (it takes 3 x AAA 1.5V batteries).
Basically, it’s a handheld interactive character with a big pink brain and it looks a bit like a ‘mad professor’. He has round specs, big eyes, bushy white eyebrows and a white moustache, he appears to be wearing a lab coat and he stands on two black shoes at his base. There is a green button at the front below his head that wakes up the device and one also at the back of the brain.
When pressed the ‘NO BRAINER’ handheld device states:
- “Grab my handle and shake me forward to play”
- “Yeah”
- “Press a green button to start”
- “Shake the brain forward to answer yes or tap the side of my brain for no. “
- “Too late score zero”
- “Big brain”
The first question we got was, “Things that people eat???”
“Pooh!”, “Pineapple”, “Batteries” and “Grandma” were among the options that the ‘No Brainer’ device gave us.
Guess what I scored… Zero, precisely 0, nil points. Each time I went to answer, I hesitated before I answered and I wasn’t fast enough.
On our next round, I scored a healthy 5 points, but I have to say you really do have to think quite quickly on your feet to the simple questions, before you react to the answer and it was clear that the younger members of our household definitely had an advantage with the speed of their reactions to the answers.
‘No Brainer’ says “See ya” when he is shutting down.
Some of the answers are quite random and funny, and they certainly got a laugh from everyone playing the ‘No Brainer’ game!
For such a simple concept it is in fact a brilliant game, very easy to play and the simple rules are straightforward.
‘No Brainer has been developed by Golden Bear Toys who have been manufacturing iconic toys for 45 years.
So if you are looking for a game that is addictive, fun and competitive then ‘No Brainer’ is the game for you and your family for Christmas this year. It will have all the adults and children engaged and wanting to win!
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £24.99 (currently £19.99 from Smyths Toys)
Available to buy from www.smythstoys.com