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 Cuties ones come with a character that moves as you press the button, giving it a little bit extra. 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.
Two Water Cuties games were released;
Bubbly Bear
Cheerful Chick
Cheerful Chick
Cheerful Chick has an orange base with a large chicken next to the container. The inside has images of a farm; with a large barn, a picked fence, a hay wagon and a chick. 3 half egg shells are placed on this like baskets, placed in a triangle formation. When the button is pushed on the chicken, the chicken’s head moves to the side.
Inside are 3 figures, 3 little yellow chicks. They have a little weight in their bottom to keep them upright.
The back is plain, as the game should really be looked at from the front only.
On the bottom is a small stopper. Here the container can be filled in by pouring water in, and closing it with the stopper. The branding is also on here, reading Tomy® © 1989 TOMY CHINA.
Gameplay
The game has one button on the bottom of the chicken. 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 3 characters in the open half egg shells / baskets, 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. The Water Cuties added a large character to the side, making the pump more visually interesthing.
Localisation
These water games had 4 languages on the box; English, French, German and Italian. Probably sold in those countries.
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. “See mother’s head turn to watch the fun as her babies bounce into bed” is another tagline for this specific line of water games.
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. The environment / baskets inside don’t move. The figures can tumble freely however. - Fine-Motor
The game only uses 1 button, which is quite large and placed on the front of the figure on the side. 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 character, 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 Cuties ones are basically smaller, simplified versions of the Tomy Water Wonderland versions. The same characters and baskets are used. What the cuties lack in inside movement and size, they make up for with the large character on the outside of the base. Not only that, but its head moves with the pump, which is a nice touch.
They have such cute characters. The container is a nice shape with large rounded corners, adding to its cuteness. They are a decent size thanks to the added character on the side, 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 Cuties 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. 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 the Bubbly Bear too, but not sure if I will. These can be quite expensive. But it be nice to complete the set, as I only found these 2 of Cuties. If you know of any others, I’d love to know!
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 Cuties games? Are you thinking of playing with this (again)? Is there any information you’re missing? Let me know in the comments below!