As a kid, was there anything better than playing the arcade games at your local Chuck E. Cheese? What if you could do it all again as an adult? The producers at Magical Elves, the same ones behind “Top Chef” and other reality shows, want to give you that chance.
Magical Elves is joining the nostalgia IP train by developing a Chuck E. Cheese style game show. In the show adults will be competing in large versions of the classic games found at the entertainment eatery. The whole concept appears to be in the same vein as the hit Netflix series “Squid Game,” just without the grizzly death if you fail.
“The format will feature stand-alone comedic physical challenges where duos of ‘big kids’ (a.k.a. adults) will compete over supersized arcade games – including pinball, air hocky, alley roller and the human claw. The top ticket earing duo will get the chance to exchange their tickets for prizes off the massive version of the iconic Chuck E. Cheese prize wall,” reads the official description. If they were open to suggestions we would suggest a large version of Spider Stompin’.
“Chuck E. Cheese is THE place where a kid can be a kid – but as grown adults, we still have dreams of ruling the arcade, taking on the iconic games we love.” says Jo Sharon and Casey Kriley, the Magical Elves co-CEOs. “We’re excited to celebrate these legendary arcade games plus the best of today all with a super-sized twist.” Hopefully the retired animatronics will find a new home involved in this game show.
For those unaware, Charles Entertainment Cheese got his start in 1977. Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnel founded the franchise under the name Pizza Time Theater. The company would rebrand into Chuck E. Cheese in the 90s, where it became THE place to have your birthday party. There are currently still 567 locations open across the country, despite their struggle to stay relevant.
Perhaps this new game show will breathe new life into the company. Some feel the choice to not lean into the popularity of a certain indie horror game involving animatronics is a mistake. The potential show marks CEC Entertainment’s first unscripted content since Blumhouse released the surprising hit movie “Five Night’s at Freddy’s.”
