Imported from Japan, the Cological Marble Run Construction Set allows you to create custom courses for your marbles using mini rolling cars to whacking mallets to zig-zag tracks. When the marble reaches the end the flag pops up and plays a little song.
With 23 different mechanisms for moving marbles and 97 parts in total, the construction of custom tracks will keep you busy for a while. There is a manual included to get you off on the right foot but… you need to be able to read Japanese!
Suggested Price: $69.99
This looks so cool! Reminds me of a similar set made in Switzerland called Cuboro… I’d love to get it for the kids, but they’re expensive (probably even moreso with the dollar dropping like a rock).
Still, you can get a taste of the experience on the Cuboro website with their “webkit,” which is a virtual Cuboro building kit.
http://www.cuboro.ch/en/