--- product_id: 611457879 title: "Dice Hanayama Metal Brainteaser Puzzle Mensa Rated Level 3, for Ages 12 and Up" brand: "bepuzzled" price: "$39.67" currency: USD in_stock: true reviews_count: 9 url: https://www.desertcart.us/products/611457879-dice-hanayama-metal-brainteaser-puzzle-mensa-rated-level-3-ages store_origin: US region: United States of America --- # Compact 4.75 x 3 x 0.1 in size Mensa-rated Level 3 challenge Premium cast metal build Dice Hanayama Metal Brainteaser Puzzle Mensa Rated Level 3, for Ages 12 and Up **Brand:** bepuzzled **Price:** $39.67 **Availability:** βœ… In Stock ## Summary > 🧩 Unlock your genius with style β€” the puzzle that’s as smart as you are! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Dice Hanayama Metal Brainteaser Puzzle Mensa Rated Level 3, for Ages 12 and Up by bepuzzled - **How much does it cost?** $39.67 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.us](https://www.desertcart.us/products/611457879-dice-hanayama-metal-brainteaser-puzzle-mensa-rated-level-3-ages) ## Best For - bepuzzled enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted bepuzzled brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Durable Elegance:** Crafted from premium cast metal, this puzzle is built to last and impress on any desk. - β€’ **Portable Puzzle Power:** Slim and lightweight design lets you carry brain-teasing fun anywhere, anytime. - β€’ **Sophisticated Brain Workout:** Mensa-rated Level 3 difficulty ensures just the right mental challenge for sharp minds. - β€’ **Conversation-Starting Design:** Intricately engineered with a sleek, modern aesthetic that elevates your workspace vibe. - β€’ **Perfect Gift for Millennials & Teens:** Ideal for ages 12+, blending intellectual stimulation with stylish collectible appeal. ## Overview The BePuzzled Dice Hanayama Metal Brainteaser is a Mensa-rated Level 3 cast metal puzzle designed for ages 12 and up. Measuring a compact 4.75 x 3 x 0.1 inches and weighing just under 4 ounces, it offers a balanced mental challenge with premium durability and a sleek design. Perfect for both new puzzlers and collectors, it doubles as a sophisticated desk accessory that sparks conversation and sharpens cognitive skills. ## Description Hanayama of Japan, maker of the world's finest cast puzzles, chooses from designs by master puzzle inventors for their challenging line of cast metal brainteaser puzzles. Hanayama are known for their extreme attention to detail, high finish quality, and creative, clever and innovative styles in six degrees of difficulty from easy to expert. Complete the first task of taking the puzzle pieces apart, then try to figure out how to get them back together and return the puzzle to its original state. Can you take it apart? Now try and put it back together! Review: Awesome Desk Toy - This is by far one of the coolest puzzles I have ever seen. Even after you solve it, it makes an awesome desk toy; it's immensely satisfying to simply play with and move the gear around. While it isn't super difficult to solve this by accident after moving the gear around randomly for a long time, coming up with an actual solution (by which I mean, a full movement algorithm, with which you could reliably move any tooth of the gear into any of the six faces of the cube in any desired orientation) will take quite a bit of thought. For someone new to the puzzle scene, this is probably the best place to start. Like all Hanayama's puzzles, it's built rock-solid and will never bend or break unless you're really trying to, so it'll basically last forever. And it only has two pieces (which are pretty big), so it'll also be pretty tough to loose one of the parts. If you're seeking a serious challenge, this is decidedly NOT going to be it. This is just a casual puzzle that's pretty to look at and fun to play with. I honestly couldn't recommend this enough for someone who's either new to puzzles, or just wants an awesome desk toy. For people who have experience solving these types of puzzles, this one is admittedly going to be pretty easy to solve. HOWEVER... finding the "optimal" solution to this puzzle (i.e., the solution which removes the gear in the fewest possible moves, starting from the position with the two slotted teeth of the gear resting in the face with those two grooves) is indeed extremely challenging, even for advanced puzzlers. So, if you've finished solving this puzzle and are looking for an extra challenge to keep you occupied, see if you can reason out the most efficient solution! Although I have never seen Hanayama's official solution to this puzzle, I can tell you with confidence that the 'minimum' number of steps needed to solve this puzzle is 10. (Or alternately, 17 steps, if you choose to count 'twisting the gear' as a step.) If your solution involves more than 10 movements of the gear, it is not the optimal one. **Note: I found this solution computationally, so I'm fairly convinced that it's the correct one. (Writing a computational model of this puzzle was an awfully fun challenge in and of itself... I invite you to try it!) However, if you've found a solution that involves fewer than 10 steps, please let me know! Or, if you're interested in seeing my solution, just ask and I'll send it to you.** Review: Hanayama is amazing - This was a great puzzle for my 8-year-old, not too hard but definitely not too easy. I personally depend very heavily on reviews that are posted on desertcart, as do many other consumers. I not only read what reviewers say, but look to see what their pictures reveal about a products true quality and description. I aim to not only feature the products I review in many different aspects, analyzing many qualities, I also provide my own opinions on ALL the good AND bad experiences I have with the product I review. I take time to learn and use a product as it was intended before I review it, and I have used this specific product thoroughly. My rating system: 5 - Met all my expectations. Was described and pictured perfectly. Exactly what I wanted and needed. Extremely useful product and a great value. Would recommend to family and friends. 4 - Very good product. Exactly as described. May have a minor flaw, mentioned in the review, that does not detract from the products perceived value. Would recommend to family and friends. 3 - Average product. Not exactly as described, or misleading advertising or product pictures. Possibly substandard build quality, or something else explained in the review. Would mention as an option to family and friends, but not recommend. 2 - Wouldn't recommend this product. Poor build quality, not close to being as described. Flimsy and fragile. Difficult to use due to product flaws. 1 - Do not purchase whatsoever. Usually only given if product lasts only a few hours/days/etc. I do not leave 1 star reviews without contacting the seller. I will be returning the product. I did NOT receive ANY discount for this product. I simply enjoy reviewing every one of my purchases. ## Features - Intricately Designed: This metal brainteaser boasts an intricate and captivating design, adding a touch of sophistication to your collection. - Challenging Entertainment: Enjoy hours of stimulating entertainment with this Mensa-rated brainteaser, perfect for individuals seeking a mental challenge. - Premium Quality: Crafted with precision and attention to detail, this collectible item is made with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity. - Ideal for Display: Elevate the aesthetics of your shelf or desk with this elegant and eye-catching collectible, sure to be a conversation starter. - Wide Age Range: Suitable for ages 12 and up, making it a versatile and engaging gift for both teenagers and adults who enjoy brain-teasing puzzles. - Expand Your Collection: Collect them all to create a unique and diverse assortment of brainteasers, each offering a different level of difficulty and visual appeal. - Mensa-Rated Challenge Levels: Elevate your cognitive prowess with a brainteaser that holds the distinguished Mensa rating, featuring a tiered difficulty system from level 1 to 6. - Portable: Compact and lightweight design allows you to take this captivating brainteaser with you anywhere, ensuring entertainment and mental stimulation on the go. - Check out our video to see the puzzle in action! ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B0C3G11K5Q | | Best Sellers Rank | #199,989 in Toys & Games ( See Top 100 in Toys & Games ) #472 in Assembly & Disentanglement Puzzles | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,241) | | Item Weight | 3.84 ounces | | Item model number | 30755 | | Manufacturer | University Games | | Manufacturer recommended age | 12 years and up | | Product Dimensions | 4.75 x 3 x 0.1 inches | | Release date | February 18, 2025 | ## Images ![Dice Hanayama Metal Brainteaser Puzzle Mensa Rated Level 3, for Ages 12 and Up - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61n8B0sXRKL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Awesome Desk Toy *by D***W on December 7, 2010* This is by far one of the coolest puzzles I have ever seen. Even after you solve it, it makes an awesome desk toy; it's immensely satisfying to simply play with and move the gear around. While it isn't super difficult to solve this by accident after moving the gear around randomly for a long time, coming up with an actual solution (by which I mean, a full movement algorithm, with which you could reliably move any tooth of the gear into any of the six faces of the cube in any desired orientation) will take quite a bit of thought. For someone new to the puzzle scene, this is probably the best place to start. Like all Hanayama's puzzles, it's built rock-solid and will never bend or break unless you're really trying to, so it'll basically last forever. And it only has two pieces (which are pretty big), so it'll also be pretty tough to loose one of the parts. If you're seeking a serious challenge, this is decidedly NOT going to be it. This is just a casual puzzle that's pretty to look at and fun to play with. I honestly couldn't recommend this enough for someone who's either new to puzzles, or just wants an awesome desk toy. For people who have experience solving these types of puzzles, this one is admittedly going to be pretty easy to solve. HOWEVER... finding the "optimal" solution to this puzzle (i.e., the solution which removes the gear in the fewest possible moves, starting from the position with the two slotted teeth of the gear resting in the face with those two grooves) is indeed extremely challenging, even for advanced puzzlers. So, if you've finished solving this puzzle and are looking for an extra challenge to keep you occupied, see if you can reason out the most efficient solution! Although I have never seen Hanayama's official solution to this puzzle, I can tell you with confidence that the 'minimum' number of steps needed to solve this puzzle is 10. (Or alternately, 17 steps, if you choose to count 'twisting the gear' as a step.) If your solution involves more than 10 movements of the gear, it is not the optimal one. **Note: I found this solution computationally, so I'm fairly convinced that it's the correct one. (Writing a computational model of this puzzle was an awfully fun challenge in and of itself... I invite you to try it!) However, if you've found a solution that involves fewer than 10 steps, please let me know! Or, if you're interested in seeing my solution, just ask and I'll send it to you.** ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hanayama is amazing *by S***Y on January 21, 2022* This was a great puzzle for my 8-year-old, not too hard but definitely not too easy. I personally depend very heavily on reviews that are posted on Amazon, as do many other consumers. I not only read what reviewers say, but look to see what their pictures reveal about a products true quality and description. I aim to not only feature the products I review in many different aspects, analyzing many qualities, I also provide my own opinions on ALL the good AND bad experiences I have with the product I review. I take time to learn and use a product as it was intended before I review it, and I have used this specific product thoroughly. My rating system: 5 - Met all my expectations. Was described and pictured perfectly. Exactly what I wanted and needed. Extremely useful product and a great value. Would recommend to family and friends. 4 - Very good product. Exactly as described. May have a minor flaw, mentioned in the review, that does not detract from the products perceived value. Would recommend to family and friends. 3 - Average product. Not exactly as described, or misleading advertising or product pictures. Possibly substandard build quality, or something else explained in the review. Would mention as an option to family and friends, but not recommend. 2 - Wouldn't recommend this product. Poor build quality, not close to being as described. Flimsy and fragile. Difficult to use due to product flaws. 1 - Do not purchase whatsoever. Usually only given if product lasts only a few hours/days/etc. I do not leave 1 star reviews without contacting the seller. I will be returning the product. I did NOT receive ANY discount for this product. I simply enjoy reviewing every one of my purchases. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Well made, fun to operate *by P***Y on January 1, 2013* This puzzle requires you to maneuver the gear around the cube, rotating it from a hole in one side to the hole in an adjacent side and twisting it in a hole until a certain cog of the gear is in a certain hole and the gear can be removed. The reader is warned that the solution is not included with the puzzle. I did not see that the "key word" provided was any help. One way to find a solution is to identify all the states in which the puzzle can be. Then create a graph where each node represents a state and draw a line with an arrow from one node to another exactly when it is possible to get from that state to the other state. This will allow a systematic search of all the paths through the states, eventually leading to a solution. The solution can also be found via a web search, as can other information about puzzles, their classification, and ways to solve them. This puzzle is made of sturdy metal with an attractive finish and looks great. The cube is about 1 3/8 inches on a side and the whole has a height of about 3.25 inches. I found it pleasant to handle the puzzle and maneuver the gear around the cube. I think it is worth the price whether you have a solution or not. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.us/products/611457879-dice-hanayama-metal-brainteaser-puzzle-mensa-rated-level-3-ages](https://www.desertcart.us/products/611457879-dice-hanayama-metal-brainteaser-puzzle-mensa-rated-level-3-ages) --- *Product available on Desertcart United States of America* *Store origin: US* *Last updated: 2026-07-17*