These are the puzzles, which, in my view, will be fondly remembered as examples of late 20th Century mechanical puzzling. They are the ‘Oh, I used to have one of those’ of the middle of the 21st century.

I started compiling a list of ten classic puzzles, and then realised that all of the classics on my list, with the exception of Rubik’s Cube dated from before 1970, so I decided to restrict the Classics list to pre-1970, so Rubik’s Cube is now here while everything pre-1970 is in 10 Classic Puzzles.

I wanted puzzles that were widely available commercially and had not been around for a long time, that were not just modern reworkings of traditional puzzles, either by enhancement or by use of new materials or new manufacturing processes, or clever remarketing.

The Twins

Rush Hour

Rubik’s Cube

Rubik’s Rings

Oskar’s Cube

4-Piece Jigsaw