Mega Brands Magnext iCoaster

Build your own thrill-filled coaster. Watch the 10MM spheres go through cool loops and pass by the magic Magnetixbridge. Use the iMixer to create your own background music. Choose from 10 different beats and over 20 sampletracks. Requires 4 “C” batteries, not included.
Experience fast-paced magnetic fun with the MagNext iCoaster from Mega brands. With lights, sound and the ability to plug your iPod into it and customize the background beat, this 64-piece set features a stunt-packed track that can be configured 10 different ways. This construction set provides a creative outlet for kids aged six and up. Small pieces make it inappropriate for small children who require constant supervision.
Ten Extreme Configurations
The 64-piece iCoaster set comes with a booklet that illustrates 10 extreme roller coaster layouts to choose from. With 10 towers and seven hyper stunt track pieces, the possibilities seem endless. Each piece is identified by a symbol at both ends so that assembly is a straightforward process that encourages little engineers to be precise in building the suggested tracks. When they’ve mastered these layouts, they can unleash their creative instincts and invent new ones.

Mega Brands Magnext iCoaster Reviews:

I think this is a fun toy. Lots of fun ways to put together and the automatic marble tower makes it fun to watch the marbles go around and around. My 7 year old needs some help putting it together. But, I like helping him. It’s a great toy for me to play. All my kids

I have had two pieces break in the last 7 months. But the customer service is great and they have mailed me the broken parts quickly, no questions asked.
This is a very well-thought-out toy, and goes way beyond the usual marble run sets. The electronics really add to the fun rather than just being an afterthought (though of course you can leave them off if desired), and the elevator is a brilliant touch.

The set is a bit finicky to set up and maintain, entropy takes its toll pretty quickly so it requires periodic maintenance to keep it together. It would be great if they beefed up the connection mechanisms, making them positively latch instead of just pushing together. But unless your kids really tear it up then it should be fine given a bit of TLC from them and you. My twin 6-year-old boys are pretty rough on stuff but they do fine with this, especially since it’s pretty obvious that you need to give it some love to keep the fun going.

The set has a good variety of features. A few more curves and straights would give you more flexibility, but that’s a minor quibble. Overall a unique and very successful take on the marble roller coaster concept.