Top positive review
1 people found this helpful
Hungry hippo
By Shania turner on Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2025
A Hilarious, Hungry, Hippo-Sized Hit: Why This Classic Game Still Reigns Supreme Forget the latest video game craze, the intricate strategy board games that require a PhD to understand, or the trendy fidget toys that are yesterday's news. If you're looking for pure, unadulterated, laugh-out-loud fun for the whole family (and I mean everyone), then you need the Hungry Hungry Hippos game in your life. This isn't just nostalgia talking; this is a testament to a game that has stood the test of time and continues to deliver smiles and shrieks of delight. From the moment you crack open the box, the vibrant, chunky plastic hippos with their wide, expectant googly eyes beckon you. The simple setup – just snap the hippos onto the base, release the marbles, and you're ready to rumble – is a breath of fresh air in a world of complicated instructions and endless rulebooks. Even my youngest niece, who struggles with most games, grasped the concept instantly. It's beautifully intuitive: you press the hippo's tail, they chomp down, and hopefully, they gobble up some marbles. That's it. Pure, unadulterated, glorious simplicity. But don't let the simplicity fool you. Beneath the surface of frantic chomping lies a chaotic, exhilarating competition that will bring out the kid in everyone. The tension builds as the marbles scatter, the hippos’ jaws snap with increasing ferocity, and the room fills with the rhythmic "CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP" that is the game's signature sound. It's a symphony of silly sounds and competitive spirit. What makes Hungry Hungry Hippos so brilliant is its universal appeal. It transcends age barriers. I've played with kids as young as four and grandparents in their seventies, and everyone is equally enthralled. There's something inherently satisfying about watching those plastic hippos devour marbles. It's primal, it's silly, and it's utterly addictive. Even when you're not playing, just looking at the hippos lined up, ready for action, brings a smile to your face. Beyond the sheer fun factor, Hungry Hungry Hippos also offers some sneaky educational benefits. It helps develop hand-eye coordination, improves reflexes, and even introduces basic counting skills (whoever gobbles the most marbles wins!). But don't tell the kids that; they're too busy having a blast to realize they're learning something. Now, let's talk about the quality. This isn't some flimsy toy that will break after a few plays. The Hungry Hungry Hippos game is built to last. The plastic is sturdy, the mechanisms are robust, and I've had my set for years, and it's still going strong. It can withstand the enthusiastic chomping of even the most rambunctious players. Some might argue that the game is repetitive, but I disagree. Every game is different. The marble distribution is never the same, the other players' strategies vary, and the sheer randomness of the hippo's chomping action keeps things fresh and exciting. It's a game that you can pull out time and time again, and it will always deliver a good time. In conclusion, Hungry Hungry Hippos is more than just a game; it's an experience. It's a catalyst for laughter, a bonding activity for families, and a guaranteed good time for anyone who dares to unleash their inner hippo. It's a classic for a reason, and it deserves a place in every family's game collection. Five stars? Absolutely. If I could give it six, I would. Now, if you'll excuse me, I hear some marbles calling my name… CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP
Top critical review
9 people found this helpful
I miss the one I had as a kid, base feels cheaply made now
By Sam Barrese on Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2023
I feel like everything is made so flimsy. I like the little improvements from the original when I was a kid. The storage cup for the marbles is very nice. The detachable hippos is also nice. But the base is terrible. The hippos don't lock in when they are stored under the base. They are supposed to, you can see the tabs, but because the base is so flimsy and the tabs are so small, they don't lock into each other so the hippos just lay there and don't lock in. Makes it harder to get back into the box correctly. Also, our base was not put away properly last time and wasn't laying perfectly flat, now because the base is so flimsy, there is a permanent wobble because the base has warped and no longer sits flat on the table. I am tempted to throw out the base and try to 3D print my own. The poor base aside, the hippos seem to be pretty sturdy still. Haven't cracked a handle off yet. We have lost a couple balls already, but that isn't the games fault. The balls are also kind of cheap. They still have enough flash on them to make them not roll properly. Had to clean them up.
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