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Packaging - ***
The oddly die cut box allows for you to use the Try Me feature, and the
exterior gives plenty of basic info on the game itself so you can get
an good idea of what you're getting into before you plunk down your
hard earned cash. It's definitely old school mass market stuff, but it
does the job intended.
My
one gripe is around that old school look - they are clearly going for a
'hip' feel to the marketing for this game, yet the packaging lacks
anything resembling 'hip'. Yea, I hate that word too, but you know what
I mean.
Game
Play - ***
There are seven different ways to play, although this is the sort of
game where you could easily make up your own variations on the basic
games quite easily.
Each
game has three levels, each progressively harder than the last. You are
rewarded with a score at the end based on your overall performance.
Most
of the games are designed for a single player. You can either follow
the pattern created by the game ala Simon, or you can try to keep pace
with the game as it quickly blinks through a continuous series of
lights and sounds.
There are head to head games for two players
as well. One version is the basic Simon game, but the machine keeps
track of each players score so you can see who does better.
One
of the more interesting two to four player games is a Follow the Leader
design - each player lights the light previously picked by the other
player, then adds one of their own. The next player must match the
pattern, and then add another. This continues until one player fails
three times.
One of the unique features is that the game can be
used as an independent musical instrument. Since there are ten
different combinations you can create (4 single light, 6 double light),
it allows enough notes to play rudimentary rhythms. Several of the
games employ this musical aspect, and one such game is purely
you
going all freestyle on it.
If that sounds like it might not work, check out this video
from the Mattel 'beat boys',
a group of five guys that create a sort of industrial hip hop using
just the Loopz. I've got some additional links to other videos of these
guys in the Related Links section below.
Is it fun? Yes. My kids
and I spent several days trying it out before I sat down to write this
review, and they thought it was a blast. The simple light and sound
memory game Simon was always popular because it is a highly addictive
past time, and other games like Bop It have worked this same principle.
If you've played those, then you have the basic concept of Loopz, but
Mattel's addition of the musical aspect certainly sets this one apart.
The
only down side is that games like this do get a bit old after awhile,
and parents may find themselves going batty after the 100th time they
hear the music. Thank God for the volume control!
Sound/Light Feature - ***1/2
Obviously, the game uses bright lights and changing sound patterns as
its basis, and these work great.
The
LED lights will last for ages, and the battery compartment is
relatively easy to get to. You have to pop off the red feet on the
bottom, but it's not too difficult. And as you'd expect, batteries are
included.
There's a volume button on the
front as well (the big red one) with four or five different settings.
The
speakers for the sounds and voice commands is located in the center,
where you see the Loopz logo. The speaker is clean and sharp, with no
distortion.
To fit in better with the
musical aspects, the game
has a TON of different sounds. Again, check out one of the Beat Boys
videos to get an idea of the multiple types of electronic noises this
game can make.
Fun Factor - ***
Think Simon or Bop It, and add in the ability to use the game like a
musical instrument - that's Loopz. It's solid fun, and something that's
quick and easy to play. Memory games are always good, and the portable
nature of the game makes it workable on the road as well.
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Value - **1/2
Considering the electronic features, the game is priced about right
with the current market.
Things to Watch Out For -
You have to place your hands in the loops flat to get the best response
from the motion sensors, and you don't want to hover there, lest it
picks it up as a double hit.
Overall - ***
I love good family games, especially those that can be pulled out and
played with little set up or time. It's well known that memory games
add an extra brain boost no matter what your age, and Mattel has an
interesting hook with the added musical feature. For me, the basic play
is the best part of this game and the instrument add on is mostly
fluff, but for kids with a musical make up, I could see this game
getting double duty.
Score Recap:
Packaging - ***
Game Play - ***
Sound/Light Feature - ***1/2
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **1/2
Overall - ***
Where to Buy -
Your best bet is your local Target or Toys R Us, where Loopz retails
for $20 - $25.
Related
Links -
I mentioned these earlier in the review, but check out one of these
videos for some interesting Loopz action - video 1,
video 2, video 3,
and video
4.
Discussion:
Want to chat about this
review? Try out one of these terrific
forums where I'll be
discussing it!
Enjoyed this review? Be sure to head back to the main page to find
thousands more just like it!
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