Release Date:
1989
Developer:
Tomy
I used to love these type of water games as a kid and the Tomy ones are some of the cutest and well polished ones I’ve seen. The Water Wonderland ones are some of the biggest and most detailed ones. I love all forms of play, so I wanted to have at least one of these in my collection.
Each game is a challenge enclosed in a clear plastic container filled with water. The base contains one large button. When pressed, the button will create a stream of air bubbles that will move the contents of the container through the water. With some patience and a bit of luck, using the little pump the contents can be finessed to complete the challenge.
Several Water Wonderland games were released;
Bedtime Bunnies
Christmas Magic
Playful Penguins
Playtime Kittens
Tumbling Teddies
Christmas Magic
Christmas Magic has a red base. The inside has images of snowy Christmas trees and snow covered houses. At the front is a bar with a large snowman with a green scarf and hat, a small snowtree and a reindeer with sleigh and Santa in it. When the button is pushed, the snowman moves, which pulls the bar and makes the reindeer with sleigh move. On the large Christmas tree image is a carousel with 3 baskets, which spins.
Inside are 4 figures, 1 snowman with a blue scarf and hat, 1 snowman with a red scarf and hat and 2 elves in red and white santa clothing. They have a little weight in their bottom to keep them upright.
I have seen variants where the big snowman and the snowman figures colours were swapped.
The back is plain, as the game should really be looked at from the front only. The branding is on here, reading Tomy © TOMY · CHINA.
On the bottom is a small stopper. Here the container can be filled in by pouring water in, and closing it with the stopper.
Gameplay
The game has one button on the right. When pushed it pushes air on the left inside of the container, creating a force in the water. This makes the figures inside tumble and shoot upwards to the right.
The challenge is to place all 4 characters, 1 in the sleigh and 3 in the carousel, by manipulating the water currents with this pump. The idea is to place it on a table and only use the button, shaking is cheating!
Development
The initial releases of Water Games of Tomy were in 1976 and revolved around simple carnival-style games, like ring or ball toss. Due to their popularity they branched out into two player options (often based around sports) and licensed characters like Pac-man. Several lines were made. In the 80’s these got more detailed, with character and nice rounded cases.
Localisation
These water games have been localised in other countries where the names changed. For example I’ve seen “Playtime Kittens” as “Catch-a-Kitty”, “Bedtime Bunnies” as “Bouncing Bunnies” and “Tumbling Teddies” as “Bear Family”. I’ve also seen them called “Waterfuls Follies” as well as simply “Aqua Jeux” which is French for “Water Game”.
Packaging
I bought mine second hand and therefor don’t have the packaging, but they came in a cardboard box. “Fill with water for hours of fun” is one of the taglines on the box. It mostly depicts the container inside.
Accessibility
- Visual
The game requires you to see the figures and container inside, so you know where to place them or when you’ve completed the challenge. Environment inside can move, but this is very simplistic, like a spinning wheel or a moving bar. The figures can tumble freely however. - Fine-Motor
The game only uses 1 button, which is quite large and placed on the front. This button can be hard to press though, as it’s basically a pump and has some resistance. It’s easier to press if also holding the side of the container, so it doesn’t move or slide away. The way the button is pressed (slowly in 1 push, or rapidly in a row for example), changes the flow of water. I found carefully and slow steady pushes were better than frantic button bashing however.
It can be tricky to fill the container with water properly due to the small hole, the vacuum it pulls and the middle section splitting the container essentially in two. - Auditory
The game has no audio. Due to the water, you won’t hear the figures rattle either. At most, you can hear the air pressure in the pump, but this won’t aid other than the fact you know the button has been pressed. - Cognitive
The game is quite simple in nature. Depending on your use of the pump, the characters can move quite quickly. The game can also be quite frustrating.
Power Up
I love “old” games that were so prevalent before video games took over. They are usually “simple” in nature, and its this simplicity I love. Based on one good mechanic, you could have hours of fun with these.
These water games are like one button games, and I find those often so clever. To make a fun game that only requires one button is quite hard! It also relies fully on physics and no electronics, which I also find quite impressive nowadays.
These Tomy Water Wonderland ones are so nicely done. They are larger, more detailed versions of the Tomy Water Cuties, with moving parts inside as well. They have such cute characters. The container is a nice shape with large rounded corners, adding to its cuteness. They are a decent size, and therefor also look good as a display piece. The whole thing just screams pick me up and play with me; the best quality in a toy and game I believe.
I had those early simple water games as a kid, where you had to stick rings on a stick and such. Cheaply made and not very interesting, despite entertaining me for hours. They also tended to leak after a while, or maybe I just had bad luck (and brothers!). But when I saw these Tomy Water Wonderland ones I instantly fell in love. It was still the same game / mechanic, but so much better! I’m just in love with that whole aesthetic.
I played hours with it trying to get all the characters in the right spots. Proves how addictive and fun these games are!
I have to say though, they can be quite a pain to fill. The center with the images splits the container, and it’s hard to get all the water in the front so there’s no large air bubble in the top here. It also tends to draw a vacuum when filling it, preventing more water from getting in. I find holding it on a side and dripping it in worked best, then jiggle every once and a while to get the water on the right side.
What’s worse though is emptying it! The majority you can get out easily, but there’s always some drops staying in and it takes forever for it to fully be dry. Also you have to press the pump as water gets stuck in here too. I’m scared mould will occur if it doesn’t fully dry, and I can already see some on the base of the tree and large snowman. This is also why it’s so hard to find any in a decent condition. Either the pump is broken, the container leaks or there’s mould.
The box also recommends distilled water, and not to leave the water in for longer than 2 weeks in a row. But most people will have used tap water (myself included) and may have left the water in for a longer time.
Despite these “issues”, I still love them. Most vintage games require some care, and these are no different.
I’ve been keeping my eye out for them since. So when I saw this one in working condition for a decent price on a vintage toy Facebook group, I snagged it up. I’d love to get them all, but not sure if I will. Some are quite expensive. I’m in love with the Penguins though (seems the most appropriate one for water as well!) so hoping I can find that one at the very least.
Recommendation
If you like old, vintage, simple or analogue games, you’ll like these. If you like cute aesthetics, these are perfect.
If you like more complicated or newer games, you probably quickly get bored with these.
And of course, they can be pricey now which could also turn you off of these.
Do you have any Tomy Water Wonderland games? Are you thinking of playing with this (again)? Is there any information you’re missing? Let me know in the comments below!