Customer Reviews

Meatball Madness

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This game is a winner however you look at it - fun and economical. Priced at $19.99 and worth every cent if only I could get my hands on one......

We saw this displayed in an NYC store and had to wait in line for a turn. It was worth the wait! There are a bunch of meatballs on a grill and the object of the game is to get them through the obstacle course set up. You can configure the obstacle course yourself and change it for variety - another plus! Sounds easy? Well, it's not and learning how to make your meatball go through hoops by using the battery operated scooper that controls the meatball by forced air is a blast.

It is fun for all ages. Kids under the recommended age just enjoy making the meatball stay up with the scooper. The game was fun to play and involved skill (who knew?) in keeping the meatball up in the air, one, and two, getting it through the challenges. This made my boys giggle.

You need to set the game up before playing. You decide where to place the 3 obstacles and I would recommend parents doing this since the obstacle construction is not the sturdiest (when factoring in responsible handling and the low cost, not a deal breaker). For older kids, you could space the obstacles further apart to up the skill level. It's a timed game with the shortest time winning and note that players can only play one at a time. My husband wants two sets for one-on-one challenges.

I would recommend buying this toy for any child given the fun my boys had playing it. I would also recommend it for parties since you could set this up all over the house (or backyard) for lots of laughter and fun.

arrived on time and in wonderful shape. It was a sure hit at the birthday party..kids and adults wanted to play. We all liked the timer, so that one person cannot play for hours. It was just plain ol' fun in a box.

My favorite Christmas gift in 1977 was a similar toy where I guided a ping pong ball with an air blower through an obstacle course. I was thrilled to see Meatball Madness on the market because I had always wanted to find something similar for my 10 year old son to enjoy. He has coordination issues and I thought this would be a great way for him to improve them. He didn't "get" it when he first unwrapped it however after it was set up for him, he couldn't stop playing. We left it set up in his grandmother's house for our week stay there and it was in constant use by boy and girl cousins of all ages as well as adults. Definitely the surprise hit gift of the holiday.

my grandchildren played with it for about 30 minutes. the ladle would not stop blowing,when they took there finger off the trigger.
i still have it ,i don't know if i can sent back.
i haven't tried yet.
they loves the game while it worked. very disspointed when they could not play with it.
linda holt

I purchased this game as a fun side gift for my husband for Christmas because I thought it sounded funny. We like games so we tried it out. It took a little while to initially set up since you have to assemble the pieces to the boards. The directions are easy and the goal is pretty straight-forward: move a "meatball" from start to finish up and down through little hoops as fast as possible. You use a plastic device that blows air out of it (it sounds like a hairdryer) and floats the meatball (foam ball) several inches above the plastic thing. It was funny and we had a good time trying it out. It takes several tries to get the hang of floating the foam ball through the hoops and at first it is pretty frustrating because it seems like it will never work. It takes a very steady hand and concentration and then it works. It was fun to try it out just for laughs but it's not a game you'd want to play over and over as adults; a few times or even once is enough. It might be entertaining for a game night with several adults though. The game has a timer so you can time each player's speed at getting the foam ball from start to finish.

Kids would probably have fun playing it, however the age recommendation on the box says 5 and up. I can't imagine a 5-year-old being able to get the hang of using the plastic blower to float the ball. I think it's more for slightly older kids who also have some patience. If a child gets frustrated very easily this game is not for them.

Meatball Madness was originally intended for my brother for his fifth birthday; however, me and the rest of the family play it all the time, too (and I'm 14!) This game is a blast that the full family can enjoy. Much more entertaining than most board games and great for hand-eye coordination for younger kids, Meatball Madness gets two thumbs up from me.

Bought this game for my grandkids, but I think my their parents, my 18 year old son, my husband and myself enjoyed it just as much as they did!It was a lot of fun and good for coordination and balance.

My grandchldren, ranging in ages from 4 to 11, plus their mom, played dthis game, and really enjoyed it. This is a fun game that all ages can enjoy together.

I am really surprised at the number of 5 star reviews for this toy!! My daughter got it as a gift and we are both so annoyed at it, I wish I could return it. The gizmo that makes the balls float sounds like a hair dryer. Really loud, and you have to use it continuously throughout the game, so no quiet moments here. Also, there's no way to get the game pieces back in the box without taking the entire thing apart again, and even then, there are holes in the front of the box that the pieces can slip out through. Argh! Just not that fun for all the pain. It does, however, introduce kids to the idea of Bernoulli's principle (former physics teacher speaking here!!).

WHAT WAS THE MANUFACTURER THINKING???? There is only one "scoop" that is battery powered. Taking turns tests EVERYONE's patience (including mom and dad's). The scoop is noisy. And worst of all -- THERE IS NO STORAGE BOX to put the dang pieces in when you're done playing.

Honestly. What the heck are the parents supposed to do with over-sized plastic pieces, a timer, huge cardboard background stands and a "scoop" measuring 11.5" long with a curve to it -- so it won't fit inside a gallon size freezer bag. At this point, I am ready to trash the whole thing.

However, the kids DID enjoy the novelty for about 1/2 hour. Now *I* have to deal with where to put it. I am so ticked off -- I would *never* subject another parent to this blankety-blank toy.