Carnival Games

{{Infobox video game

|title = Carnival Games

|image = Carnival Games front.jpg

|caption = North American Wii box art

|publisher = Global Star Software (Wii)
2K (DS, iPhone)

|designer =

|engine =

|released = Wii
{{vgrelease|NA|August 27, 2007|AU|October 19, 2007|EU|October 26, 2007}}DS
{{vgrelease|NA|July 8, 2008|EU|August 22, 2008|AU|September 4, 2008}}iPhone
August 5, 2010

|genre = Party

|platforms = Wii, Nintendo DS, iOS (iPhone)

|modes = Single-player, multiplayer

}}

Carnival Games (known in Europe and Australia as Carnival Funfair Games) is a video game for Wii, Nintendo DS and iPhone, with a re-release for Nintendo Switch. It was the last game published by Global Star Software, before it was absorbed into Take-Two Interactive (and what is now 2K).

Despite mixed reviews by most gaming websites and critics, the game was a commercial success. The Wii and DS versions of the game sold over six million units as of June 2010,{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/16/e3-2010-new-carnival-games-preview |title=E3 2010: New Carnival Games Preview |last=Pattison |first=Narayan |date=June 16, 2010 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102181635/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/16/e3-2010-new-carnival-games-preview |url-status=live}} which, according to the NPD Group, was the third best-selling third-party game on the Wii.

As a result of the original's success, a follow-up for the Wii was launched in the fall of 2008, titled Carnival Games: Mini-Golf.{{cite web |url=http://ir.take2games.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=298663 |title=Step Right Up! 2K Play Expands Its Carnival Games Franchise With Carnival Games For Nintendo DS And Carnival Games: Mini-Golf Exclusive |date=March 11, 2008 |website=Take-Two Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313193317/http://ir.take2games.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=298663 |archive-date=March 13, 2008 |url-status=dead}} A proper sequel, New Carnival Games, was released on September 21, 2010, for the Wii and Nintendo DS.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/08/new-carnival-games-announced |title=New Carnival Games Announced |last=Reilly |first=Jim |date=June 8, 2010 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102181632/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/08/new-carnival-games-announced |url-status=live}} A new game for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, simply called Carnival Games, was released on November 6, 2018,{{cite web |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180628005117/en/2K-Announces-Carnival-Games%C2%AE-Nintendo-Switch%E2%84%A2 |title=2K Announces Carnival Games® for Nintendo Switch™ |date=June 28, 2018 |website=Business Wire |publisher=Berkshire Hathaway |access-date=June 28, 2018 |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110030209/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180628005117/en/2K-Announces-Carnival-Games%C2%AE-Nintendo-Switch%E2%84%A2 |url-status=live}} and for Microsoft Windows (Steam) on November 19, 2020.

Gameplay

The game consists of various mini-games with a carnival theme, such as Alley Bowling, Lucky Cups, Nerves of Steel, Hoops, Day at the Races, and Buckets Of Fun. These are set up through five different themed areas of the carnival. The player can even win virtual prizes depending on their score. There are many easter eggs hidden as well. The player can also play the multiplayer mode with up to four players by selecting a booth. Games includes ka-pow and hole in 1.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

|align = left

|title = Carnival Games (2007)

|DS = true

|WII = true

|na = true

|MC_DS = 48/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/carnival-games/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=Carnival Games for DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102215604/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/carnival-games |url-status=live}}

|MC_WII = 56/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/carnival-games/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Carnival Games for Wii Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102215603/https://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/carnival-games |url-status=live}}

|EuroG_WII = 5/10{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/carnival-games-review |title=Carnival Games Review (Wii) |last=Gibson |first=Ellie |date=November 11, 2007 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102231153/https://www.eurogamer.net/carnival-games-review |url-status=live}}

|GI_WII = 5.5/10{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/507703B7-3C7A-4001-9981-FB9B4FE349D0.htm |title=Carnival Games (Wii) |last=Reeves |first=Ben |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=175 |date=November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119124923/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/507703B7-3C7A-4001-9981-FB9B4FE349D0.htm |archive-date=January 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 2, 2022}}

|GamePro_WII = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/reviews/133048.shtml |title=Review: Carnival Games (Wii) |author=EmaWii |date=September 5, 2007 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118034701/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/reviews/133048.shtml |archive-date=January 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 2, 2022}}

|GameRev_WII = D{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/38757-carnival-games-review |title=Carnival Games Review (Wii) |author=Windy |date=September 25, 2007 |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910000602/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/carnival-games |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=November 2, 2022}}

|GSpot_DS = 5.5/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/carnival-games-review/1900-6196679/ |title=Carnival Games Review (DS) |last=Dodson |first=Joe |date=August 22, 2008 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102215602/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/carnival-games-review/1900-6196679/ |url-status=live}}

|GSpot_WII = 4.5/10{{cite web |last=Navarro |first=Andy |date=September 7, 2007 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/carnival-games-review/1900-6178422/ |title=Carnival Games Review (Wii) [date mislabeled as "September 17, 2007"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102215604/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/carnival-games-review/1900-6178422/ |url-status=live}}

|GSpy_WII = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/carnival-games/825291p1.html |title=GameSpy: Carnival Games (Wii) |last=Leahy |first=Dan |date=October 5, 2007 |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102231153/http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/carnival-games/825291p1.html |url-status=live}}

|GT_WII = 7.3/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=4877 |title=Carnival Games Review (Wii) |date=September 8, 2007 |website=GameTrailers |publisher=Viacom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006221640/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=4877 |archive-date=October 6, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 2, 2022}}

|GameZone_DS = 5.8/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/carnival_games_nds_review/ |title=Carnival Games - NDS - Review |author=Aceinet |date=August 20, 2008 |website=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226162558/http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r13196.htm |archive-date=December 26, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=November 2, 2022}}

|GameZone_WII = 6.8/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/carnival_games_wii_review/ |title=Carnival Games - WII - Review |last=Platt |first=Dylan |date=September 12, 2007 |website=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226034815/http://wii.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r13196.htm |archive-date=December 26, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=November 2, 2022}}

|IGN_DS = 6.5/10{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/26/carnival-games-review |title=Carnival Games Review (NDS) |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=September 26, 2008 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102215602/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/26/carnival-games-review |url-status=live}}

|IGN_WII = 6.5/10{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/17/carnival-games-review-2 |title=Carnival Games Review (Wii) |last=Birnbaum |first=Mark |date=September 17, 2007 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102215601/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/17/carnival-games-review-2 |url-status=live}}

|NP_DS = 4.5/10{{cite magazine |title=Carnival Games (DS) |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Future US |volume=231 |date=August 2008 |page=90}}

|NP_WII = 7/10{{cite magazine |title=Carnival Games (Wii) |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo of America |volume=220 |date=October 2007 |page=88}}

|PG_DS = {{Rating|1.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/carnival-funfair-games/carnival-funfair-games/ |title=Carnival Funfair Games |last=Jordan |first=Jon |date=August 31, 2008 |website=Pocket Gamer |publisher=Steel Media Ltd |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102231153/https://www.pocketgamer.com/carnival-funfair-games/carnival-funfair-games/ |url-status=live}}

}}

The Wii version received "mixed" reviews, while the DS version received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.

The former version received a "Double Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),{{cite web |url=http://www.elspa.com/?i=3945 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Double Platinum |website=Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520070249/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3945 |archive-date=May 20, 2009 |url-status=dead}} indicating sales of at least 600,000 units in the UK.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/elspa-i-wii-fit-mario-kart-i-reach-diamond-status-in-uk |title=ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK |last=Caoili |first=Eric |date=November 26, 2008 |website=Game Developer |publisher=Informa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=November 2, 2022}}

Sequels

A follow-up entitled Carnival Games: Mini-Golf was released in the United States on October 21, 2008.{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Gf-4DGkyeEf6WIFEb6gfqXe6eLqCwvw0 |title=Carnival Games Minigolf |website=Nintendo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025131413/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Gf-4DGkyeEf6WIFEb6gfqXe6eLqCwvw0 |archive-date=October 25, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 2, 2022}}

A proper sequel, New Carnival Games, was released on September 21, 2010 and published by 2K Play. New Carnival Games features over 30 minigames. It supports but does not require the Wii MotionPlus accessory. For the Wii version, there is a four player multiplayer mode, which involves cooperative and competitive gameplay.{{cite web |title=2K Play |url=http://www.2kgames.com/2kplay/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028191926/http://www.2kgames.com/2kplay/ |archive-date=2015-10-28 |access-date=2011-06-29 |website=2kgames.com}}

A virtual reality installment titled Carnival Games VR was released for SteamVR on October 28, 2016,{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/458920/Carnival_Games_VR/ |title=Carnival Games® VR |website=Steam |publisher=Valve Corporation |access-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111091919/https://store.steampowered.com/app/458920/Carnival_Games_VR/ |url-status=live}} and later ported to PlayStation VR on January 23, 2017.{{cite web |url=https://store.playstation.com/en-au/product/EP1001-CUSA05842_00-000000000CVRSCEE |title=Carnival Games® VR |website=PlayStation Store |publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment |access-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111013309/https://store.playstation.com/en-au/product/EP1001-CUSA05842_00-000000000CVRSCEE |url-status=live}} As of 2018, the series had sold over 9.5 million units.

class="wikitable"
Year ! Title ! Publisher ! colspan="3" \| Platform(s)
2008 \| Carnival Games: Mini-Golf \| 2K Play \| colspan="3" \| Wii
2010 \| New Carnival Games \| 2K Play \| colspan="3" \| Nintendo DS, Wii
2011 \| Carnival Games: Monkey See, Monkey Do! \| 2K Play \| colspan="3" \| Xbox 360
2011 \| Carnival Games Wild West 3D \| 2K Play \| colspan="3" \| Nintendo 3DS
2016 \| Carnival Games VR \| 2K \| colspan="3" \| HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, Valve Index
2017 \| Carnival Games VR: Alley Adventure \| 2K \| colspan="3" \| HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, Samsung Gear VR, Valve Index
2018 \| Carnival Games (2018) \| 2K \| colspan="3" \| Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One

class="wikitable"

Year

! Title

! Publisher

! colspan="3" | Platform(s)

2008

| Carnival Games: Mini-Golf

| 2K Play

| colspan="3" | Wii

2010

| New Carnival Games

| 2K Play

| colspan="3" | Nintendo DS, Wii

2011

| Carnival Games: Monkey See, Monkey Do!

| 2K Play

| colspan="3" | Xbox 360

2011

| Carnival Games Wild West 3D

| 2K Play

| colspan="3" | Nintendo 3DS

2016

| Carnival Games VR

| 2K

| colspan="3" | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, Valve Index

2017

| Carnival Games VR: Alley Adventure

| 2K

| colspan="3" | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, Samsung Gear VR, Valve Index

2018

| Carnival Games (2018)

| 2K

| colspan="3" | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One

=''Carnival Games'' (2018)=

{{Video game reviews

|title = Carnival Games (2018)

|MC = (NS) 49/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/carnival-games/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Carnival Games for Nintendo Switch for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |access-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103155200/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/carnival-games-for-nintendo-switch |url-status=live}}

|NLife = {{Rating|7|10}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/carnival_games |title=Carnival Games Review (Switch) |last=Reseigh-Lincoln |first=Dom |date=November 12, 2018 |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103155200/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/carnival_games |url-status=live}}

|NWR = 3/10{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/48842/carnival-games-switch-review |title=Carnival Games (Switch) Review |last=Ronaghan |first=Neal |date=November 5, 2018 |website=Nintendo World Report |publisher=NINWR, LLC |access-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128014326/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/48842/carnival-games-switch-review |url-status=live}}

}}

A new game in the series, simply called Carnival Games, was released on November 6, 2018, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, and on November 19, 2020, for Windows (Steam). It was developed by Mass Media Games. The Switch version received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to Metacritic.