New Carnival Games

On 02/01/2019 at 07:28 PM by KnightDriver

Linked to Article Series: Blog a Day 2019

It’s February and so, in my plan, it’s the decade of the 1910s. I’m reading various books that summarize the events of the decade this month and thinking about gaming and what people might have done to game during those years. I stumbled across the midway at carnivals.

The midway is the place at a carnival where you could play various games of chance and skill. Sounds like a video game arcade, doesn’t it? So, I got excited and found some video games that involve such entertainments. One such is New Carnival Games for the DS.

You create a character and walk into the carnival from a third-person isometric view and enter various attractions. I entered the arcade and played Going Bananas. This is a 2D shooter like Space Invaders. Apes march in from the left in a line and descend line by line until they hit your sailing ship and end the game. You shoot as many as you can before that happens. Get enough hits and you get tickets to spend for character upgrades and probably other things I haven’t found out about yet.

Is there a real-life game like Going Bananas people played back in the 1910s? Probably not, but it’s a lot like a shooting gallery or tossing game that did exist then. And I'm sure the carnival barker's were just as annoying as in this game.

Jamie Alston Staff Writer

02/01/2019 at 11:41 PM

Your description of Going Bananas kinda reminds of the twin stick shmup mini game in Ape Escape. I need to fire up that game again.

KnightDriver

02/02/2019 at 10:26 PM

You know, shmups as mini games are kinda good. I like them better that way than as standalone games. They tend to be easier and the screen less crowded with colorful bullets and explosions.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

02/02/2019 at 05:47 AM

That Bananas game sounds bananas!

02/02/2019 at 09:51 PM

I guess the monkeys are trying to get in your boat and you have to throw bananas at them to defend yourself. Weird idea, but maybe there's a movie in it? ha ha

Cary Woodham

02/02/2019 at 09:44 AM

You know, there have been TONS of Carnival Games in the series and they would be perfect for me to review at GamerDad.com, but I've never reviewed a single one! I've requested review copies, sure, but they never respond.

You know, you could still look up Little Nemo stuff for 1910 as well.

02/02/2019 at 09:43 PM

That's too bad. I have the two for DS so far. I almost got the one for Xbox 360 but I found out it was a Kinect game and I didn't want to do that. I'm considering the Wii version though. I don't mind the motion controls on the Wii but the Kinect is a pain with that whole body interactivity. It's tiresome. Then there's a new one came out a few months ago. I may go get it but it's still ful price at $40. I wish it was $20.

Yea, I will probably get around to seeing what comic strips were popular in the 1910s. I wish my library had the Little Nemo originals, but I noticed they are viewable online 'cause someone scanned them.

02/03/2019 at 09:23 AM

One of the first modern VR games I ever played was Carnival Games VR. I played it at PAX. Got a t-shirt, too.

Yeah if you can't get a Little Nemo book, try and look up some of the strips online. Really interesting stuff.

02/04/2019 at 12:48 PM

Oh they did a VR game too? Neat. So far I'm liking the series and will probably pick up the Xbox One version soon.

PixlBit