Giiker Smart Four

Giiker Smart Four 3D

The classic "four in a row" game, only in three dimensions and with an electronic referee. Giiker Smart Four has a 5x5 board with 25 spaces. You can stack up to five pieces on each space, one on top of another, so the game is played in a 5x5x5 space. The first player to line up four of their pieces in any direction wins: horizontally, vertically, diagonally or across several levels at once. In 2023 the game received the Red Dot Design Award.

How to play

Each player picks a colour: the set includes 32 black and 32 white pieces. Players take turns. After placing a piece, you press the button under that space so the board records the move. A light shows whose turn it is. When someone wins, the triangular indicators along the edge flash to show where the four in a row is. In the 3D version this really helps, because diagonal lines running through several levels are easy to miss. The board also signals an illegal move, for example trying to place a sixth piece on the same space.

Game modes

• Head to Head: two players at one board. The electronics enforce the rules and announce the winner automatically.
• Play against the robot: a single-player mode. You can choose easy, medium or hard difficulty.

Who is it for?

The manufacturer recommends the game for ages 6 and up. On the easy level, younger children can comfortably start their adventure with strategy games. The robot's hard level and thinking in three dimensions are also a challenge for older kids and adults. Smart Four is not a puzzle to solve like a 3x3 cube, but a strategy game. Still, it is great for training spatial imagination and planning several moves ahead. You don't need a phone or an app to play.

Watch out for the similar name: there is also the Giiker Smart Four Connected, which has a built-in rechargeable battery and connects to an app. This version runs on AA batteries and works on its own.

Specifications

• Type: electronic "4 in a row" strategy game in a 3D version
• Manufacturer: GiiKER
• Board: 5x5 (25 spaces with buttons), up to 5 pieces per space
• Pieces: 64 (32 black, 32 white)
• Modes: two-player game and play against the robot with 3 difficulty levels
• Power: 2 x AA 1.5 V batteries (not included)
• Automatic shut-off after 10 minutes of inactivity
• Material: ABS plastic
• Board dimensions: approx. 24 x 22 cm
• Age: 6+
• Colour: white