Turtle Rescue - Ultimate Pool Game

I created this game because I wanted to bring even more excitement to pool time. Swimming is already fun, but adding a playful challenge makes it unforgettable. I’ve always loved turtles, so I built the game around them - something colorful, energetic, and full of personality. My goal was to design an activity that gets kids outside, encourages friendly competition, and gives everyone something to look forward to when they jump in the water. It’s meant to be simple to learn, fun to master, and perfect for anyone who wants to make their pool days a little more adventurous.

Both the turtles and the Rescue Zones drift freely across the water, so every round feels different. Sometimes a high‑value zone floats right toward you, and sometimes it drifts far away - players must quickly choose whether to secure nearby points or risk going for a zone farther out.

Once a turtle lands on a zone, that platform is claimed, and no other turtles can be placed there, so players race not just for points, but to block each other and grab the best zones before they drift away.
Getting all your turtles onto platforms takes real skill, especially when the water keeps moving everything around.

🧩 Game Setup

• Once you have 3D‑printed all the pieces, you’re ready to play. You don’t need to print every Rescue Zone, but having more zones and more turtles makes the game longer, more strategic, and way more fun.

• After printing, simply place all the turtles and all the Rescue Zones into the pool. Everything floats on its own other than the sinking scuba turtle  - no weights, no assembly, no adjustments.

• The zones will naturally drift around the water, creating new layouts every round. Sometimes a high‑value zone floats right toward you, and sometimes it drifts far away, making each game feel different.

• That’s it super easy setup, completely assembly‑free, and ready to play in seconds.

🕹 Turtle Rescue – Game Modes 

1. Classic Mode

1. Players begin on opposite sides of the pool, ready to race for their turtles. When someone calls out “Go!”, all players or teams, if you’re playing cooperatively move quickly to collect their turtles and place them onto the floating Rescue Zones.

2. Once a turtle is placed on a zone, that zone is officially taken. No other turtles can be placed there. Players may try to throw their turtle into a zone from a distance, but if it bounces out or misses, they risk another player reaching that zone first and claiming it.

3. When all turtles have been placed, players count their points based on which zones they successfully claimed. Each turtle has a distinct look, so players can easily tell which ones belong to them. If you want even clearer identification, you can print your turtles in different colors to match each player or team.

    

   This creates a fast, competitive, and strategic pool game where timing, accuracy, and quick decisions determine the winner. 

2. Speed Lap Mode

Race‑focused.

• Timer starts

• Hit as many zones as possible before time runs out

• Push your luck or play safe — your choice

Great for 1v1 or solo play.

3. Precision Drop Mode

For players who like accuracy.

• Each player gets 3 throws

• You must land directly in a zone

• No swimming, no pushing — just toss and hope

• Highest total wins

• Be careful not to break the turtles as they have light infill to float easily 

Perfect for smaller pools.

Meet the Turtles

This Turtle Rescue set includes a collection of themed turtles, each designed with its own personality, printing style, and gameplay feel. Every plate is labeled in the download, but this section explains each one clearly to avoid confusion and to show how each turtle was created.

Plate 1 – Classic Turtle (Single Color)

The first plate features the original Classic Turtle in a simple single‑color print. This version is clean, friendly, and easy to print on any machine. It’s the base model that all other turtles were sculpted from, and it floats perfectly in the water.

Plate 2 – Classic Turtle (Colored Shell)

Plate 2 uses the same Classic Turtle, but with added color to bring it to life. The shell can be any color you want, giving players a chance to customize their turtle’s personality. This plate requires an AMS to achieve the multi‑color shell effect.

Plate 3 – Classic Turtle (Full Multi‑Color)

Plate 3 is the fully decked‑out version of the Classic Turtle. Every detail is color‑mapped to make the turtle pop in the water — bright shell, expressive eyes, and layered accents. This version also requires an AMS, and it’s the most vibrant take on the classic design.

Plate 4 – Sinking Scuba Turtle

Plate 4 introduces the Sinking Scuba Turtle, one of the most unique pieces in the set. This turtle was sculpted from the Classic Turtle, but with added scuba gear and underwater details. It took extensive trial and error to get the look right, and even more testing to make it actually sink in the pool. After researching filament density, PETG Basic was chosen for its heavier weight, and the infill was adjusted to ensure the turtle sinks consistently. This turtle adds a new twist to gameplay and makes the pool action more dynamic.

Plate 5 – Ninja Turtle

Plate 5 features the Ninja Turtle, designed with a stealth‑inspired look. The eyes are bright white so they stand out sharply against the body, giving the turtle a bold, striking appearance in the water. The design is simple, clean, and instantly recognizable.

Plate 6 – Pirate Turtle

Plate 6 introduces the Pirate Turtle, a highly detailed themed character. This turtle took significant time to refine, with sculpted features and carefully shaped accents to capture the pirate style. The final result is a standout piece with a lot of personality and charm.

Plate 7 – Pirate Turtle (Full Color Edition)

Plate 7 is the fully color‑painted version of the Pirate Turtle. This plate was carefully color‑mapped in Bambu Studio to enhance every detail - bandana, shell markings, facial accents, and more. It’s a longer print, but perfect for anyone who wants the most visually impressive pirate turtle in their game.

How the Turtle Rescue Zones Work

Turtle Rescue is a risk‑vs‑reward pool game where both the turtles and the rescue zones float randomly in the water. 

Players choose which zone to go for based on which one is closest and how many points it’s worth.

 Once a turtle lands on a zone, that platform is taken  no other turtles can be placed there.

 This creates real strategy:  Do you secure a nearby low‑value zone, or risk swimming farther for a high‑value one before someone else takes it?

🛟 Life Buoy Zone — 5 Points

• Often used last to secure points after going for higher‑value platforms.

• Floats like a real life buoy

🌿 Lily Pad Zone — 10 Points

• A simple, nature‑themed pad that floats lightly on the water.

• Great for players who want more than 5 points without committing to the deeper zones.

⭐ Starfish Zone — 20 Points

• A solid mid‑range scoring platform.

• Players go for this when they want more points but don’t want to risk the 30 or 50 if further out.

• Star‑shaped platform inspired by a starfish.

🪸 Coral Wonderland Zone — 30 Points

• Designed to look like a coral reef ring.

• Adds color and theme variety to the set.

💎 Crystal Reef Zone — 50 Points

• The masterpiece of the set.

• Players often go for this first, because it’s the highest reward.

• Looks insane when printed in translucent filament - my print profile already has the perfect settings to match your real print.

🖨 How I designed it/ Tips

• Modeled in Fusion 360 and Blender

• Textured using BumpMesh.com

• My print profiles already has the right settings to make them look exactly like my physical prints

• If someone doesn’t have AMS:

  • They can set all colors to one color, or

  • Use layer‑height color swap

• Most rescue pads don’t use AMS anyway

All real words only AI enhanced for better clarity and better organization, idea was made by me, as well as most platforms and turtles.

This game took me a long time to design but Im so happy its ready, please give it a try its a fun game that the whole family can enjoy!

If you want to support me please boost on makerworld, this is the original!

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2989072-turtle-rescue-ultimate-pool-game#profileId-3357472

If you have any questions or concerns or feedback, Let me know I am more then happy to help you or problem solve with you!! Let me know just comment and I will get to you very quickly!