U.B. Funkeys - The Boggle
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Meet Cyclops, or at least that is what we like to call our Lime Green The Boggle UB Funkeys character. Why Cyclops when he has three eyes and not just one? Who knows why kids name their funkeys what they name them - it’s all a virtual world game anyway!
The lime green model of The Boggle is the standard character. Remember how there are rare ub funkeys and even very rare ub funkeys? This guy is the normal one. For rare you need to find a black Boggle and the tan Boggle is a very rare funkeys indeed.
What do you need to know about The Boggle? Well so far we have learned that he unlocks Laputa Station - you need to complete it with Fallout, Vroom, Xener, and Boggle to complete the green crystal. Each will give you a shard.
So there you have it - if for some reason you don’t yet have the lime green Boggle then make sure to snag one either through Amazon.com or eBay - you can’t go wrong with either one. Get this cool funkey for you or your child (which one of you is playing this game, anyway?) and you’ll have that green crystal in no time!
U.B. Funkeys - have a funkey time!
Sibling Sharing UB Funkeys
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Last night I took the kids shopping at Target to spend some of their holiday money. My daughter had $15 to spend and one of the items she cast her eyes on were some Funkeys that were on sale for less than $5 each. She hasn’t starting playing UB Funkeys yet but she has watched her brother play on his. She toyed with the idea of buying a Funkey and then plugging it into her brother’s UB (that’s the bigger guy who is the main hub all of the Funkeys get plugged into), but I talked her out of it.
My understanding of the game is that it wouldn’t work to share a UB hub in this way, but I guess I could be wrong. In any case, Target didn’t have any U.B Funkeys Starter Kits
That wouldn’t work to share a UB would it?
UB Funkeys Review
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I found a good review of U.B. Funkeys here at About.com. Give it a read to learn more about the Funkeys and the Funkeys Town virtual world.
There were a couple of interesting points I learned in this review that I did not already know about:
There are 42 Funkeys available. Technically, there are 14 “species” of Funkeys, but they each come in rare and very rare color combinations. The rare Funkeys earn extra coins while playing games and provide bragging rights, but aren’t necessary for access to buildings, games and portals.
When I have shopped on Amazon.com for extra funkeys I have noticed that some were listed as “rare” and “very rare” but I didn’t realize they actual made a difference in the game. Based on this review, it certainly sounds like it will be worthwhile to purchase some very rare funkeys like Funkeys Bones (Very Rare)
Another thing I learned is that there is no way for the kids to interact with other players.
There is currently no chat, forums or ways to communicate, so this is a safe environment for kids in that regard. In fact, it seems likely that the other Funkeys roaming around on your screen while you explore are simply computer-generated characters. Since you can’t interact with them, it doesn’t matter either way. Unfortunately, the lack of communication possibilities may keep the site from gaining in popularity over the long-term.
I know many parents would like this feature. However, I do agree that it could mean the kids will lose interest with the game sooner. For example, a major part of the game is showing off your custom “crib.” How does one actually do that without interacting with anyone? I guess maybe just to show off when kids come over to play? I don’t know if that was thought through all the way and it wouldn’t surprise me if eventually communication gets added.
When my son gets home I’ll ask him what he thinks about not having communication with other players and post the results here.
So far I like what I see with UB Funkeys.
Video Demonstration of U.B. Funkeys
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This video is of Ken Rosenblatt, the CEO of Arkadium Games, the company who developed U.B. Funkeys. He gives a demo of the virtual world as well as talk in some detail about some of the technical challenges of developing the virtual world. Be sure to click the additional links to view all 4 of the U.B. Funkeys videos.
Links to all videos in the set:
Part 1/4
Part 2/4
Part 3/4
Part 4/4
I learned a few things from these videos about U.B. Funkeys that I didn’t already know. Here are a few highlights:
- U.B. is the name of the hub, the Funkeys are the characters you plug into the hub.
- Target market is kids aged 8-12.
- There are 42 total funkeys collectibles available!
- Every funkey has a game and a mart associated with it.
- Game is built using Flash.
If you are hesitent about buying a new toy like a U.B. Funkeys you should watch these videos to get some idea for how the game works. It will be good to see for sure that it is something your children would like.
U.B. Funkeys vs. Webkinz
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If you have a child in your house you have no doubt already heard of Webkinz. And no doubt spent a lot of money keeping up with your kids’ demands for more! If you don’t know, a Webkinz is simply a little cute stuffed animal that comes with a secret code. Once registered, the child can then go online to Webkinz World as that animal and play in a virtual world with other Webkinz owners. Webkinz are centered around caring for your pet, but where they really get you is it is apparently quite addicting for the kids to have other animals they see their fellow gamers playing. So of course they will ask to buy more. Probably a lot more - I think my kids have almost 30 now.
U.B. Funkeys are a similar kind of toy to Webkinz, although instead of cute stuffed animals the characters are funny, imaginative figurines. They sport cool names like Bones, Vroom, The Boggle, Scratch, Twinx, Deuce, Lotus, Wasabi & Xener. The interesting thing about the Funkeys world is that you will actually be restricted from going to certain areas if you don’t have the correct figurine! And since those rooms will contain interesting items you’ll need to customize your crib, kids who are serious about this game will want access to all the rooms. And hence will need to buy all of the figurines.
Here is how the game maker describes this:
Each Funkey has a different virtual world Game Room that he can access. As you explore the different Zones, you will come across these Game Rooms that you are denied access to. To get inside and play that U.B. Funkeys™ game you will need to change into the Funkey that has access (Hint: pay attention to who is going in & out!) Once inside the game room, you have two choices: play the game or buy new items at the store. To play the game, walk to the gaming platform where you will be transported into the game. You will be rewarded with coins based on your play. The more you play, the more coins you earn.
To buy items at the store, walk over to the counter. The shop-keeper will greet you, and let your Funkey scroll through the various items to purchase with the coins you have earned playing games. Whether it is a Chocolate Jellyfish Beanbag or a Wild Pet Alien, you will find it in these stores. Once you purchase the items, you can use them to customize your Crib!
Both U.B. Funkeys and Webkinz are addicting new children’s games with virtual worlds to keep them engaged and interested. Parents, be ready to shell out the dough to support your kids’ new habit.
It is worth every penny to keep them happy!
What are U.B. Funkeys?
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When my son asked for a U.B. Funkeys for Christmas this year I will admit I had never heard of them. He described them as a new toy that permits access into a virtual world filled with games and items. He said you buy a base unit, which Radica calls a Hub, and then you buy a variety of different figurines - each unique and cool. Then this hub gets connected to your computer via USB.
From there the real fun begins - there are games available online where you can play as your character and earn virtual coins which you can use to upgrade your “crib”, which you can then show off to other players.
Still confused? Here is the description from their site:
U.B. Funkeys™ is the exciting computer game that transports you to the fun and funky world of Terrapinia – a virtual world and home to the Funkeys. Each new Funkey that you collect gives you access to a new zone, and new games within. Play each Funkeys game and earn coins to buy cool new items to customize your Funkeys crib. Once you have it decked out, upload it to share with your friends and family. But watch out! In this virtual world, Master Lox™ and his evil henchmen are lurking about; waiting to steal your coins and stop you. Unlock the Funkeys Zones….Play the Funkeys Games….and defeat Master Lox™, bringing peace to the Funkeys!
I ended up buying the Radica U.B. Funkeys Specialty Starter Kit
I haven’t heard much about this interesting new game and there doesn’t seem to be much information available on the Internet so I thought I would start this UB Funkeys blog to try and provide real information on this exciting new product. Once I get everything setup I will include reviews from a real 10 year old so you can hear from the horse’s mouth how cool the U.B. Funkeys world is.
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