Pop-up Pirateis a popular luck-based game for children manufactured byTomy.It originated inJapanin 1975 under the nameOne Shot Blackbeard Crisis(Japanese:Hắc ひげ nguy cơ một phát,Hepburn:Kurohige Kiki Ippatsu)and has seen many iterations over the years.

Pop-up Pirate
ManufacturersTomy
Players2–4
Age range3+
SkillsLuck

Rules

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The pirate is placed into a spring-loaded barrel and rotated to randomize the unlucky slot. Players must take turns to insert plastic swords into slots in the side of the barrel. If a player inserts the sword into a specific slot (which changes randomly every time the game is played), the pirate is launched out of the barrel, and the player is eliminated. The last player remaining after all others have been eliminated wins.

Educational value

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According to Dominic Wyse, a professor of early childhood and primary education atUniversity College London,the game improves children's motor skills, as well as in common with other games promoting turn-taking and having fun together with others.[1]

Variations

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Themed version
Alternate versions replacing the pirate with other subjects have been released. One of the earliest was a Mario-themed version released exclusively in Japan to advertise the gameSuper Mario World.[2]Many versions followed in Japan, includingHard Gay,Monkey D. Luffy,The Good Dinosaur,Like a Dragon,a Buzz Lightyear–themed version to promoteToy Story 4,and many others replacing the pirate with different characters. One of the first variations of these to be released in America was aDarth Vader–themed version called Pop Up Darth Vader.[3]Other variations of the game includeFrozen,Despicable Me,Jurassic World,andCurious George.[4]
Pop-up Pirate Treasure Island
A variation of Pop-up Pirate, Treasure Island adds board game elements by having players race to be the first person to collect six gold coins from a treasure chestBlackbeardis guarding. Only one key opens the treasure chest though.[5]

Video game

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Party Fun Pirate
Pop-up Pirate!
Publisher(s)Tomy
Platform(s)Wii(WiiWare)
Release
  • JP:November 25, 2008
  • NA:April 13, 2009
  • EU:February 13, 2009
Genre(s)Other
Mode(s)Single-player,Multiplayer

Tomy has also released avideo gameversion of Pop-up Pirate.[6]Available as aWiiWaregame, it was released in Japan on November 25, 2008,[7]and in Europe on February 13, 2009. The North America version is titled asParty Fun Pirate,which was released on April 13, 2009.

The game is essentially a digital version of the game, but also includes a single player logic puzzle mode. Players are also able to replace the pirate with one of their ownMiis.[8]

References

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  1. ^Dominic Wyse,How to Help Your Child Succeed at School.Pearson, 2007. p 31.
  2. ^"Super Mario World Pop-Up Pirate".Retrieved2019-12-17.
  3. ^"Pop Up Darth Vader packaging".Retrieved2019-12-17.
  4. ^"Pop-Up Pirate - Don't let it pop!".90nostalgia.2019-07-20.Retrieved2020-06-20.
  5. ^Treasure Island
  6. ^WiiWare-World: Pop-Up-Pirate! Upcoming game
  7. ^"Hắc ひげ nguy cơ một phát Wii".nintendo.co.jp.Archived fromthe originalon 2008-12-10.
  8. ^Pop-Up Pirate Springing On WiiWare Next Week
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