I’m not a big fan of Carnivals in real life. But it turns out virtual Carnivals can be much more fun than the real thing! And a lot less expensive too. For only $39,99 for Wii’s New Carnival Games, my kids can now have a blast with all the classic Carnival games without being attacked nonstop with antibacterial wipes and me having to shush them as they ask a little too loudly in public “Hey Mommy, what happened to that man’s teeth?
What I love most about this collection is that there are so many different areas to play, skills to master and levels to unlock. There are over 30 games and 300 prizes and you can play with up to four kids (or adults) at a time. This translates to longterm play value.
Some of the games also include a ride-like experience. There is a game in “Mousy Alley” (my son’s favorite area to date) that has you shooting at ghostly targets while “riding” through the ride. It’s an awful like the experience on Buzz Lightyear at Disney, without the wait in line.
Another favorite for my son is the fishing game.
I’m sure we’ll be playing this game for months or yrs to come. It’s also a great game (either the Wii or DS version) to take along on holiday travels and a perfect addition to your holiday list for game-loving kids aged about 4 & up.
Bonus: we might not have to go to any real Carnivals any time soon.
See my detailed analysis of Wii Carnival vs Real Carnival experience below:
REAL CARNIVAL:Arrive at Carnival, spend $25 per kid on wristbands for rides.
Wii NEW CARNIVAL GAMES: Purchase for $39.99 at Target or your fave store
REAL CARNIVAL: Three rides in kids decide they are starving. You spend $15 per kid on fried things you never knew existed, snow cones, funnel cake and something with a fruit or vegetable in it so you don’t spend the rest of the day in a trench of complete self loathing.
Wii NEW CARNIVAL GAMES: Prepare your kids a healthy nutritious lunch while they are active and occupied playing games happily in the room beside you
REAL CARNIVAL: Kids decide the rides make their tummies feel funny. Might have something to do with the fried pickle they HAD to try. Kids want to play games. You spend an hour and $40 to win a really crummy little stuffed animal (species unidentifiable, but there will be neon).
Wii NEW CARNIVAL GAMES: After a break for lunch and bike ride around the neighborhood, your kids challenge the neighbors to come over & play their new game with them. Their mom is so grateful for the break and how much fun her kids had that she brings over dinner.
REAL CARNIVAL: Sugar Crash leads to emergency Cotton Candy purchase as you make your way towards the car. Stuffed animal, now sticky with cotton candy, is dragged along on the fairground, dropped someplace and lost forever. It all ends in tears before they kiddos pass out in the car.
Wii NEW CARNIVAL GAMES: After dinner your kids peacefully bathe (imitating the carnival fishing game in the tub) & go to bed. They tell you about all the silly “prizes” they won on the game. You’re glad that it makes them so happy. The fact that those prizes are not cluttering up your house and destined for a landfill makes you so happy. Shortly before they fall asleep, they ask if maybe they can play their new game again tomorrow.
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