If there were awards for weird originality, then Pozzo - Jello Crusade, would surely win. In this game, you play the role of a janitor named Pozzo who works for a jello restaurant.

His dream is to save enough money to escape the hell he finds himself in but unfortunately his manager has found out that the local health inspector is dropping by for an unscheduled check. Your task is to clean up the entire premises of rotten jellos but here's the catch - Pozzo has no limbs and can't help eating all the jello he finds (I told you it was weird).

Pozzo cannot retrace his steps once he has eaten jellos off a tile which is about the only little "challenge" that the game seems to offer. However, the levels are quite imaginative even if the graphics certainly are not. New blocks and tiles appear from time to time which attempt to block Pozzo's way. In later levels, you have to be much more careful about the routes you take as the pitfalls grow deeper.

Poor graphics and a dodgy soundtrack combined with a bizarre concept make Pozzo - Jello Crusade one of the more unusual and less satisfying puzzle games out there.

Download Pozzo - Jello Crusade in Softonic

What do you get if you mix balls, puzzles and action and add your own level editor in their for good measure?

The answer is Axiebal 7 which sees you control a ball through a valley of torment and even allows you to design your own levels. Axiebal 7 works on a top-down view and scrolling levels to give you the feel of a hand held console game. Your aim is basically to guide the ball through several death defying levels while avoiding all kinds of obstacles and dangers that lie in your way.

On your way, you must collect flags until you reach your base again. However, the biggest danger you'll face is falling off a cliff so steering your ball to reach the craftily placed flags is not as easy as it may sound. There are also solid walls that stand in your way but you can blow them up with bombs to find your way home. Best of all however is the Axiebal 7 level editor which gives you the option to create your own challenges and courses when the default levels become too boring.

For a free fun game, Axiebal 7 is a decent time waster and offers a nice combination of action and puzzles.

Download Axiebal 7 in Softonic

Isanaki may only have six levels but it will surely be one of the hardest Sudoku games you've ever played.

The rules of the game are classic Sudoku. The aim is to fill the board so that each number appears only once in any row, column and block. However, Isanaki extends itself to 9x9 and 16x16 Sudoku boards, which can be extremely tough. The good thing is, if you simply can't work it out Isanaki will do it for you.

Isanaki also uses Wordoku boards which, while Sudoku boards contain only numbers from one to nine (and letters from A to G for 16x16 boards), Wordoku boards contain only letters. You don't really expect much in graphics from a Sudoku game although you can't help feeling the developers could have made a little more effort in this department. However, it's the intelligence and challenge of Isanaki that impresses - if you can handle this, you can handle any Sudoku variation.

Isanaki is only for those Sudoku (or Wordoku) players that really want to stretch themselves to new puzzle solving limits.

Download Isanaki 2.2a in Softonic

When I first saw Ratmania I though it would be something similar to Ratatouille, the videogame based on the Pixar movie. Unfortunately I must say the game fell short of my expectations.

Ratmania is quite an original puzzle game in which you're a rat. Yes, it's as creepy and nasty as it sounds. As a rat, you have to go through a series of labyrinths, following a specific route to the exit in the shortest time possible. The faster you are, the higher score Ratmania awards you.

The problem with Ratmania is that it all feels a bit too slow. The actual game takes ages to start, only after a long list of sponsors and a cinematic intro – a highly detailed, quite impressive one to say the truth. When playing, the rat moves too slow and you tend to desperately press the "run forward" key in hope that it'll make the animal run faster. Well, at least there are quite a few power-ups and bonus items to make each level in Ratmania a bit more exciting.

As for graphics, they're pretty elaborate – especially when you take into account that Ratmania is a project made by students – but not brilliant. In any case they're better than the perspective, which is a bit hard to judge and sometimes makes you lose sight of your way.

Ratmania is certainly not a Pixar game, but we appreciate the originality of the plot and the decent graphic work.

Download Ratmania 1.3 in Softonic

If you like puzzle games and fish tank screensavers, why not have both of them on your PC? Now it's very easy with Fishdom.

Fishdom is a colorful, addictive puzzle set under water, as if it was right inside a fish tank. Your aim is to arrange similar pieces in groups of at least three by swapping them with each other, so that they disappear from the screen. When all the golden-boxed pieces on the Fishdom interface are gone, the level is complete and you're given money as a reward.

The most original characteristic of Fishdom is that it's not limited to being a game. Pause the game at any time and you'll be able to use it also as a cute screensaver for your PC, making your monitor look like a relaxing yet lively fish tank.

The Fishdom screensaver is easily customizable with fish, plants and other decorations that you can buy in the game's shop with the money you earn by playing the game. However, you'll need to be patient because getting a really beautiful fish tank will take a while!

Fishdom is a very original and surprisingly addictive game which can also be used as a decorative fish tank screensaver.

Download Fishdom 1.0 in Softonic

Personally I detest creepy crawlies and there's nothing I hate more than walking through a spider's web and enduring the ensuing panic as I try to pull it all off my face before Incy Wincey comes along.

Someone told me the best way to overcome your fears is to confront them. I wasn't ready to dip my head into a big bucket of spiders though, so I thought I'd try out this game to improve my web-untangling skills without having to face a real-life arachnid.

When you first start out, TangledBugs seems a little complicated. You're faced with a tangled mess of spindles that you must unravel by moving around the bugs that each end is attached to. You can't move to the next level until none of the lines are crossing each other.

Once you've checked out the in-game demonstration it becomes easier to understand. You soon realise that when the lines turn green it means that they don't intersect another line, leaving you free to concentrate on untangling the rest of the web.

Of course, you could just sit there randomly moving the lines around until they all go green, but in the timed, sudden-death mode a little more logic is required in order to get out before it's too late. The graphics are pretty slick and being able to control the game using the touchscreen is a real boon, but ultimately I found the game gave be a headache because of the sheer complexity of some of the puzzles.

Nevertheless, TangledBugs is ideal for anyone who wants to keep their brain engaged during a wet lunchtime in the office.

Download TangledBugs 1.36 in Softonic

Now normally, the thought of getting a virus on my computer fills me with dread. However, as soon as I started playing HexaVirus I discovered a new passion for bugs.

That's largely because this game is just so darned addictive. You start out with a gameboard filled with different colored hexagons. The object of the game is to remove the hexagons by getting different viruses to eat them (obviously it's not based on the scientific nature of viruses, but that doesn't matter).

A colored virus appears in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. When you click to select it, all the touching hexagons of that color will be wiped away, freeing up more space on the gameboard. You need to select the color of the virus you want to lay down based on the position of the hexagons on the screen.

It sounds complicated but within a couple of tries of HexaVirus you'll understand exactly what's going on. You must clear the board within 30 moves, a challenge which becomes as infuriating as it is gripping. The sense of achievement once you've cleared the board is so immense that you'll be itching to go to the next level and try to clear it in one less move.

The graphics are fun and colorful and the animations of the little virus characters are cool too. Beware though that this PC version of HexaVirus has been ported from a Windows Mobile game, so the game screen is small.

Ultimately though, it's an innovative and thoroughly enjoyable puzzle game.

Download HexaVirus 1.1 in Softonic

Anyone who lived through the 1980's can remember the Rubik's cube phenomenon and if like me, you were totally rubbish at it, then unpack it from those dusty boxes and with this program, you'll solve it once and for all.

The program presents a three-dimensional cube which enables you to manipulate a Rubik's cube as you would in real life. You have to rotate the cube using Shift and function keys with the mouse which can be tricky but you soon get used to it. The point is that the computer can teach you how to solve a Rubik's cube in just a few minutes by showing you where it needs to go next form a certain position. The computer actually solves the cube by starting at the top right hand corner and then moving it in a counter clockwise direction. It then swivels the cube on a 360 degree axis to show you precisely where you should move next. It still takes some time to follow however because sometimes it's difficult to judge how the positions relate to real life so you'll have to spend some time carefully studying every move.

This is a complete cheat's dream although you'll be surprised at how tricky it still remains to solve the puzzle, even with the computer's help.

Download Gestel Cube 1.42 in Softonic

Azada is a refreshing and unusual take on the puzzle genre. If you're tired of the same old stuff or repetitive challenges, then this is worth your time.

There is an enormous number of puzzles encompassed by the game which is why it never really gets boring. It's also been bolstered by some excellent sound effects and soundtracks that keep the game lively and fun. For a puzzle game, the graphics are also surprisingly good.
There are around 40 different puzzles to choose from that are all interlinked through a narrative concerning the secrets contained in an old ancient text.

The narrative is that you are trapped in a cell and you can't escape and find the book until you solve the puzzles. The puzzles usually contain cryptic challenges involving objects in the room you are held - smashing vases to reveal other secrets, solving conundrums and working out riddles to reveal another part of the mystery. Then there are more traditional challenges such as jigsaws and memory tests.

Although Azada isn't an adventure game, it is a combination of the overall mystery narrative and the variation of games that really keep you going. Beware though that some of the puzzles are so tough, you'll be tearing your hair out before long.

A superb blend of mystery and challenging mind benders make this a puzzlers heaven.

Download Azada in Softonic

PegIt is a unique and challenging puzzle game. The game was originally inspired by the classic board game 'Peg Solitaire' which many people played regularly as a child. This version of the game includes many special features including A 'Blocker' onject which makes it impossible to jump over or land on.

There's also a 'Trampoline' feature which allows the PegIts to make multiple moves in a single jump, and a 'See-Saw' object which has the unique ability to propel other PegIts across the game board.

Download PegIt 1.1.6 in Softonic

TaMiGoN is a new and unique logic puzzle game. The game brings together game elements from the Chinese Tangram puzzles and mixes them with modern action puzzle ideas such as color and shape matching.

This game is a follow up to the popular BoXiKoN game but it's more like a 'sister game' than a sequel. The BoXiKoN game was based on a set of shapes known as Pentominos. The Pentomino shapes are well known for being used in the famous Tetris game.

TaMiGoN uses a set of shapes based on the Chinese Tangram puzzle. These shapes are made up of triangles and diamonds rather than blocks. TaMiGoN uses a set of 400 different Tangram style shapes!

Download TaMiGoN 1.1.9 in Softonic

Pyracubes is a new game puzzle which challenges you to build levels of blocks without blocking yourself in!

Your aim is to guide King Theban through 160 catacombs as you group the PyraCubes together and use their energy against them. You're assisted in your quest with Powerful Talismans which will assist you through the maze. To remove the blocks, you have to eliminate all those which are the same color. The problem is that you only have a few moves to do so which means the game is both challenging but incredibly frustrating at the same time. Furthermore, you also have to overcome obstacles that stand in the way of your blocks in your efforts to reach the next level. For a mind bending puzzle game, the developers have put an awesome amount of time on the graphics. The are some great special effects although the soundtrack becomes very annoying and you'll be better to play your own music whilst playing it.

This is probably one of the most visually impressive mind bending games you'll play although be prepared to take your time playing it as the difficulty level is high right from the start

Download Pyracubes in Softonic

Cindy's Sundaes is a game that, for the title, might resemble Diner Dash but nothing could be further from the truth, because Cindy's Sundaes involves the bizarre combination of solving puzzles whilst she serves customers. Basically, the challenge is to serve the most sophisticated ice creams to the most demanding customers to earn your crust.

Controlling the game is simple. You simply use your mouse to drag the balls of ice cream and get three or more inside the container. This is not as easy as it sounds when you're rushed off your feet and have a million customers breathing down your neck. It's great fun although the soundtrack is way too repetitive.

A fun little game to tickle your taste buds as well as your mind.

Download Cindys Sundaes in Softonic

Hamster Blocks is a puzzle game that follows the traditional scheme of this genre; that is, arrange falling color pieces in such a way that you put together at least three of them with the same color, so that they disappear from the screen and you earn points.

The main difference here is that instead of color boxes, jewels or any other geometrical figures, you'll play with little nice hamsters that will fall from the top of your screen while making funny noises. This circumstance makes the game great for children.

Each level in the game is finished after a given number of lines. At the same time, the game challenges you to complete a word by collecting the letters that some of the hamsters carry in their paws. However, since there's only one game mode, Hamster Blocks tends to become repetitive after a while.

An easy, fun puzzle, especially recommended for children to learn colors and new words.

Download Hamster Blocks in Softonic

The greatest Egyptian mysteries hide in the thousands of hieroglyphics and mosaics that they created and now you can attempt to decipher them all by reconstructing the most complex mosaic of all.

Mosaic: Tomb of Mystery is a puzzle that recalls the classic days of Tetris but with its own ancient Egyptian style that will test your wits to the limit. Mosaic: Tomb of Mystery consists of two modes - “Challenge” and “Relaxed”.

In the first mode, the difficulty level is particularly high and you'll be bombarded with pieces at an almost unmanageable rate. In relaxed mode, things are not that much easier but you can certainly make a game of it at least. The major difference between the modes is that in the former, pieces can be accumulated without limit.

This is a fast and furious game and fans of Tetris and the ancient world should get at least a few hours fun out of it.

Download Mosaic: Tomb of Mystery in Softonic

Path of Magic is a fun, addictive puzzle game set in a mythical environment, with gems, spells, enchants and other magical elements. I must admit I thought this would be the typical Bejeweled clone, but I assure you is not. Path of Magic is quite original and far more challenging –in fact, sometimes too challenging.

The game features three game modes: Quest, where you progress through the game levels by achieving certain goals, and Quick play, which lets you play just for the sake of it, either in endless mode or against time.

In any case the game is really fun, easy to learn but hard to master. Also, graphics are awesome for a simple puzzle game. Path of Magic includes special bonus and both the music and sound effects add a lot to the magical atmosphere. In all, a highly recommended timewaster!

Download Path of Magic Demo in Softonic

Like most children in the 80s, I always dreamed of becoming Indiana Jones, though I think I'd be better than him because I'm not scared of snakes. The main protaganist in ZoomBook reminds me a lot of the daredevil archeologist, so I was keen to show what I could do. The first few levels of the game disappointed me a bit due to their simplicity and I wondered how long the real Indy would be playing before he got bored and started messing about with his whip.

However, if you have the persistance, the game becomes much more challenging and thus solving the puzzles is more rewarding. There are even levels that subdivide into more parts, making solving the riddles all the more complex. The story progresses with some nice cut scenes and well-rendered graphics that immerse you into the plot. The music is not bad either, and I found it helped me to concentrate on the task at hand. Move over Harrison, there's a new kid in town.

Download ZoomBook: The Temple of the Sun in Softonic

Don't think that this is a kid's game just because it uses Lego characters. In fact, the higher levels in Lego Fever are so difficult that they will require all of your crafting abilities in order to arrange the Lego pieces in the right way.

Lego Fever presents us with two play modes, Story and Fever. The Story mode explains the mission we'll be entrusted with: add color to a world that's turned too dull to live in. This mission will be accomplished by solving different puzzles, which generally involve moving Lego pieces around and arranging them in a certain way. The Fever mode just gathers all the puzzles you've solved so far so that you can play them again.

Graphics are bright and colourful (as we could expect). Plus, puzzles backgrounds are designed with great care for detail. As for gameplay, the increasing difficulty in puzzles can drive you nuts, but I guess it's just a question of practice.

Download Lego Fever Demo in Softonic

It seems like Sudoku is the only game in town at the moment but this game will certainly test your powers of mental agility. Ingenious is basically a glorified version of Tetris. In it, you must conquer the board through the careful placement of rows of colors. With every move, you create new possibilities. The more colored pieces are placed next to each other, the more points you can gain.

This is one hell of a challenging game but at the same time, a hell of a lot of fun. The program is remarkably clever at giving you the most challenging moments just when you need it. I imagine it's most fun however when played against a friend across a network. Many users compare this game to Tetris, Knizia and other similar abstract strategy games in terms of the challenge it presents.

The graphics are simple but it's the gameplay and challenge that'll keep you hooked for hours and hours.

Download Ingenious in Softonic

A good puzzle game is a great way to while away a few hours, and this maze adventure sees you try to navigate your way around a series of twisting tunnels, collecting diamonds along the way. Maze-O-Rama is pretty good fun to start with as you roam around dodging Pac-Man ghosts and watching out for characters from other classic games.

The game is let down somewhat by a couple of niggling issues. Firstly, the repetitive MIDI soundtrack that plays incessently through and starts to drive you a little barmy after a while. Also, the fact that every time you die you need to start the maze again makes it pretty tiresome. Nevertheless, it's enjoyable for an hour or so.

Download Maze-O-Rama 1.2 in Softonic