Quick answer

Series 1 offers classic hand-illustrated scenes with a sunny, whimsical feel at a lower entry price, while Series 5 delivers a more surreal, psychedelic art style from a notable Adventure Time artist. Choose Series 1 for a lighter, more traditional puzzling experience, or Series 5 for bold, imaginative artwork that challenges your perception.

Artwork and artist background

Series 1 puzzles like The Sunny City feature original hand-illustrated scenes that explore a sunny, cheerful world. The artist behind Series 1 brings a whimsical, approachable style that suits casual solvers and families.

Series 5, on the other hand, features The Drippy Trip from Ghostshrimp, a visual artist known for his work on Adventure Time and The Midnight Gospel. The result is a kaleidoscopic, psychedelic dream world that appeals to fans of surreal, pop-culture-inspired art.

Price and value

Series 1 puzzles are priced at $18.49 (catalog comparison price $24.99), making them the more budget-friendly option per puzzle. Series 5 puzzles cost $17.49 (catalog comparison price $24.99), so the per-puzzle price is very similar.

If you want to collect multiple puzzles, consider the Series 1 Bundle (The Happy Isles, The Mystic Maze, and The Sunny City) which saves $10 compared to buying individually. Series 5 also offers a bundle with The Drippy Trip, The Golden Goose, and The Coveted Comet for the same $10 saving.

Series 1 vs Series 5: Tradeoffs

  • Art style: Series 1: hand-illustrated, sunny, whimsical. Series 5: psychedelic, surreal, pop-culture inspired. Choose Series 1 for classic charm, Series 5 for bold creativity.
  • Artist recognition: Series 1 artists are original but less widely known. Series 5 features Ghostshrimp, a well-known Adventure Time artist. Series 5 may appeal more to fans of modern animation and collectible art.
  • Price per puzzle: Both series cost around $17.49–$18.49 per puzzle, with bundles saving $10. Price is not a deciding factor; focus on art style and theme.

Product facts at a glance

  • The Sunny City: Explore the city's hand-illustrated scenes and reveal its sunny secret. Original art by Series 1. The hand-drawn style and sunny theme make this a relaxing, family-friendly puzzle that rewards close observation.
  • The Drippy Trip: A kaleidoscopic dream world straight out of a psychedelic toy box. Artist Ghostshrimp is known for his iconic world building on Adventure Time. The surreal, detailed art appeals to fans of modern animation and offers a more challenging, visually complex experience.

Which series should you choose?

Best for

  • Solvers who prefer cheerful, hand-drawn scenes and a relaxed puzzling experience (Series 1)
  • Fans of surreal, pop-culture-inspired art and a more visually challenging puzzle (Series 5)

Not ideal for

  • Those seeking the most complex or difficult puzzle (neither series is marketed as extra-challenging)
  • Budget shoppers looking for the absolute lowest price (both series are similarly priced)