Getting Started with U.B. Funkeys
Before accessing the U.B. Funkeys website, you’ll need to purchase a special starter kit. Each kit comes with a USB Funkeys base (shaped like a large Funkey) and 2-4 smaller Funkeys. Install the included software, plug in the base, and place a Funkey on top. You can then register on the U.B. Funkeys site and start exploring.
Funkeys Town, the starting spot for your visits, has a number of special buildings and games. Some of the buildings are accessible to everyone, while others are only open to certain Funkeys. You can switch Funkeys at any time by placing a new Funkey on the USB base. Your avatar, or online character, will immediately change to reflect the new Funkey. Funkeys Town also has some portals that transport your character to other worlds. These worlds are only available to certain Funkeys.
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.
Funkey Games and Other Fun Stuff
The Funkeys games are fun, but certainly not ground-breaking. They are primarily versions of puzzle games you commonly see online such as Mah-jongg. There are also variations of bowling and Skee-ball. At least one of the games involves mild violence (killing spiders), but they are generally appropriate for all ages. Each game you play earns coins that you can use to buy items to decorate your virtual "crib" (home). Your Funkeys can also collect special items they find in their travels, but it’s unclear what you can do with them.Communication and Internet Safety on the Funkeys Website
There is currently no chat, forums or ways to communicate, so this is a safe environment for kids in that regard. In fact, the other Funkeys roaming around on your screen while you explore are simply computer-generated characters. This will change in future versions of the product where you'll be able to purchase "chat" and "multiplayer" Funkeys that allow you to interact with other players online.
There is a U.B. Funkeys product site with information about the virtual world, including a list of available Funkeys and a description of the games. There is a forum area which is public, so parents should be aware of that.
The Bottom Line
U.B. Funkeys are fun, at least at the beginning. It’s easy to get stuck, since the Funkeys in your starter kit will only get you so far. Each Funkey allows you to visit at most one of the other virtual worlds and some currently don’t allow you to visit any. They also each have one game associated with them. There are a few games available to everyone, but you can see how you’ll soon want to add additional Funkeys to expand your exploration. If you’re buying this as a gift for someone, just go ahead and add a couple of extra Funkeys to the mix. They're going to want them.
U.B. Funkeys gets 4 stars for the unique take on virtual worlds and the design appeal of the characters (especially for boys). I also appreciated the problem solving skills involved in figuring out how to navigate and discovering some neat hidden items. Although there is a certain commercial aspect to the purchase of gear for the user’s “crib,” there are no other ads or encouragement to purchase more Funkeys while in the virtual world. The lack of communication between characters is both a pro and a con. The toy loses a star for the current limits of game play over all and for the fact that you must purchase quite a few figures to be able to fully explore. I’m not clear as to whether you need all of the figures, as some portals and buildings are accessible to more than one character. Either way, this could get expensive.
Only time will tell if this is a fad, or if it has some staying power, but it is fun while it lasts.
