Product test

Hubelino Pi: A confusing deceptive package

29.5.2019

Translation: machine translated

What does the LEGO-compatible marble run have to offer? Unfortunately, not really much. But I still find the principle of the Hubelino Pi exciting.

When the product is pressed into my hand, I start to look forward to it. Because the pack packs a punch. Almost 60 centimetres long and over 30 centimetres wide. There must be a huge marble run inside. It even says "XL" on the packaging. Think again! As soon as I open it, I'm disillusioned. A packet of chips has a better content/air ratio than the Hubelino Pi. Barely half of the packet contains individual parts. In my opinion, this is a total waste of resources and a cheat pack.

When I took out the individual parts, I was particularly interested in the base plate. It looked deep black in the pictures. As Hubelino is compatible with LEGO, I would definitely have one or two uses for a black plate. I also assumed that the base plate in the XL version of this marble run would certainly be a decent size. Unfortunately, I was to be disappointed a second time.

Black is something else and it's not big either.

The base plate is not black, not even close. I'm also not happy with the size, as two plates are included in the set. I would have preferred a single plate that was twice the size.

Unclear assembly

I don't let this put me off and start with the assembly. The twelve-page instructions explain how to build the marble run in 21 illustrated steps. The number of different individual parts is limited, which is why the construction should be quick and easy. The first steps were also quite simple and easy for children to do. You can see what the assembly looks like in fast-forward in the following video:

About halfway through, however, I started to make a few mistakes, which I had to correct afterwards. The problem is the confusing presentation in the instructions. The parts to be installed are shown in full colour in each step. The parts already installed in earlier steps are shown slightly transparent. As many parts look almost identical, each step creates more confusion in the graphical representation.

Rather confusing representation from the building instructions.

Once you get the hang of it, it works reasonably well. But if you don't look closely and keep counting the studs on the base plate so that you don't put the part in the wrong place, you'll have a problem. Then it's time to dismantle. In the end, it took me a little over an hour to assemble. According to Hubelino, the marble run is suitable for children aged eight and over. I think it's doable, but with the support of an older child or an adult. Otherwise, the building fun quickly turns into a demotivated "throw it in the corner" moment.

Continuous fun looks different

Let the balls roll. I start at the top, let go and after about a quarter of the distance the magic fades. The first Gauss cannon doesn't trigger. Gauss cannons work in such a way that when a bullet hits them, another bullet is shot forwards. Theoretically. Unfortunately, this doesn't work for me. I tried a second, third and even fourth time. Without success. The frustration is written all over my face. Fucking Gauss gun. After several attempts, I realise that the gun has to be pressed very firmly into the track for it to work. Otherwise it can't pass on the power to the next ball.

In the centre is the Corpus Delicti. The Gauss cannon.

There are four of these Gauss cannons in the ball track. If one is not triggered, the ball does not make it to the end. Another obstacle to fun is that you can only lower one ball at a time, as the cannons only work with one ball. Once your ball has made one run, you can't send it through the track again straight away. You always have to "rearm" all the Gauss cannons first by repositioning the balls. Continuous fun definitely looks different.

Conclusion

The size of the packaging bears no relation to the contents, the base plate is not as black as I had hoped, the assembly instructions are confusing and continuous fun looks different. Actually a pretty devastating conclusion. Nevertheless, I find the principle of the Hubelino Pi exciting. Because the big advantage of this marble run is its modularity. You can create as many of your own constructions as you like, expand them to your liking and combine them with LEGO or other clamping bricks. However, you can safely leave out the Gauss cannons. These things only cause trouble.

Marble runs

CHF277.90

Hubelino Pi: XL Set incl. Gausskannone

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Ramon Schneider

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Ramon.Schneider@digitecgalaxus.ch

I get paid to play with toys all day.

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Hubelino Pi: A confusing deceptive package

Unclear assembly

Continuous fun looks different

Conclusion

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