PS 3 Move goes to a 'Carnival'
— -- Families who own the PlayStation 3 and have invested in the Move controller (which uses the PlayStation Eye camera) will find a lot to like in the charming Carnival Island.
This game lets families go to a carnival and explore all of the midway offerings without breaking the bank. With over 35 minigames and attractions, this virtual carnival has a cute story mode and a great multiplayer mode for families to play together. It features classic midway games such as ring toss, skeet ball, coin toss, hoops, milk bottle knock-down and a shooting gallery as well as a funhouse mirror feature. But the fun doesn't stop there. In addition to classic arcade games, Carnival Island also presents clever variations which are highly original.
From the main menu, players can choose to play through the story mode, unlocking new games to explore by meeting specific challenges . Or they can play all of the games that have a multiplayer mode by selecting the Party mode, where all of the games are available from the get go, with no unlocking required. Up to four players can play in the Party mode, using either one or two Move controllers.
The story mode involves a dilapidated carnival that has been so neglected that it has lost all of its color and vibrancy. Two children, a girl and a boy, find two tickets to this island carnival. When they step up to the ticket booth, they meet Happy Jack, the moderator and story-teller of the park. Happy Jack explains that by playing the games at the carnival, the kids can bring the magic back to the park. Players become either the girl or the boy and play the games, and as they do, the carnival transforms from a grey, dull park into one that is pulsing with color and filled with friendly animal companions.
In the story mode, kids get to visit the park's four locations, playing two different carnival games in each area. A map makes it easy for you to travel everywhere in the park -- all you have to do is click on a desired location.
When you select a carnival game, the carnie talks to you and shows you how to play the game by playing a short video. Each game has nine challenges. The challenges vary greatly but all involve how you go about scoring points. For example, in a ring toss game, one challenge may be to ring two pins with one ring. By completing one challenge, you earn an adorable pet animal who wanders around the park with you and will cheer for you while you play games. By completing two challenges, you unlock the next variation of the game. Most games have between four and five variations. Even if you don't complete a challenge, you can earn points by playing the game. Points are turned into carnival tickets.
Kids use the carnival tickets to purchase fun prizes at Granny's Prize Booth or one of 30 different balloons at the Balloon Cart. Some of the prizes will follow you around the park, such as cotton candy, a balloon or a foam finger. Some of the souvenirs, such as a remote-controlled airplane, can be played with during the game.
Carnival Island is one of the better mini-game compilations using the PS3's Move controller. With the Move controller, kids feel as if they are really playing the midway games. For example, when they pick up a virtual ring, they can fling it as if it were a Frisbee, or simply toss it as if they were throwing a ball .
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