Mastermind is a simple code-breaking board game for two players, invented in 1970 by Mordecai Meirowitz, an Israeli postmaster and telecommunications expert. It was played as a pencil and paper game called bulls and cows at least as far back as the early 1960s. One player becomes the codemaker, the other the codebreaker. The codemaker chooses a pattern of four code pegs. Duplicates are allowed, so the player could even choose four code pegs of the same color. The chosen pattern is placed in the four holes covered by the shield, visible to the codemaker but not to the codebreaker. Board colors will vary from board shown. Ages: 8 + Manufacturer: Pressman

The classic game that brings together a code maker and a code breaker.

Classic game of logic an deduction.

This new and improved edition features a translucent game board.

For 2 players.

Ages 8 & up

Average Customer Review: ( 71 customer reviews )
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The game consists of multi-colored pegs and a board.One person arranges several pegs(which are hidden from view) in any number of color schemes. The other player has several chances to guess the pattern by arranging the pegs in different orders until he guesses the correct scheme or runs out of chances. The first player indicates how many correct colors are displayed. Using the process of elimination is the key to winning!

It's a great game to take along when traveling or visiting (much easier to pack up then a computer and video games!). The pieces are very small so I would reccommend keeping it out of reach of toddlers.

It will really make you think!(I like to see my kids thinking, it's such a rare treat!)...Have Fun...Laurie

37 of 38 found the following review helpful:

Forget kids' version - get this one!Nov 25, 2005
By A. Smith
I've had the original Mastermind for about 30 years, and it's a great way to hone logic skills. My 5-year-old recently got Mastermind for Kids as a gift, and I was disappointed. I guess it's "cute" to make the game look like a bowl of Lucky Charms or something, but in the kids' version there are NO PEGS - the pieces get scattered everywhere, ruining the game, with one false move. Tedious and very frustrating, especially for little ones. The kids' version is a bit simpler as it allows for only three combinations, not four like the original; BUT you can just as easily decide to do the same with the original version anyway. GET THE ORIGINAL, IT's GREAT!

30 of 32 found the following review helpful:

Good for a while...Mar 01, 2000

Mastermind is a classic game, and I still play the occasional game even after having owned it for 15+ years. The premise and rules are simple, so it is easy to learn how to play. But that simplicity works against it in the long run- most of the time, I slip into the same optimum strategy and inevitably break the code. Since the game lends itself to this mechanical play, I can't give it more than 3 stars for fun. Before you find the strategy that works best, though (or, if you don't mind applying the same strategy over and over again) the game is great fun.

Common durability problems among the several sets that I've owned include lost color pegs and broken password covers- of course, improvising solutions to these can add to the fun factor ;-/

The toy is excellent educationally. The game stands out for encouraging the codebreaker to apply rigorous thought to potential solutions. I remember busting my brain over this game as a kid. The mix of logic and creativity necessary to come up with satisfactory solutions make it a great game for budding minds.

23 of 24 found the following review helpful:

"minutes to learn, a lifetime to master"Feb 14, 2001
By wakeningdreamer
that is the sales pitch barely legible still on the well-worn box that my copy of mastermind came in. i honestly cannot remember when i first learned to play this intriguing game, only that i am very grateful for the amazing woman who gave it to me. i still have the original box, becuase i plan on one day passing down this game to my children & their children. this wonderful toy is simple in design yet fosters critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and creativity without inherintly emphasizing competitiveness. i grew up playing it with my dad & it was something that inspired me to excell; we enjoyed one another's accomplishments (either one coming up with an "unbreakable" code, or the other being able to solve it) and didn't feel that one could only win at the expense of the other.

also, i recently saw a version made out of wood; so perhaps a few adjustments to the design could increase the durability factor (though my little plastic version has lasted 15+ years! & i simply put the pegs in zipper bags to keep them from getting lost)

~enjoy~

18 of 19 found the following review helpful:

Great Logic & Intelligence...Nov 09, 1999

This game is the best logic IQ indicator I've ever encountered and, considering it is a hobby of mine, I have encountered a good deal. It is art in simplicity. Not so ''durable'' because of the very very small parts. Almost everyone I know loves this game.

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