Panic at the Pitstop (Vivid Imaginations Roary the Racing Car Pitstop Panic Game)

Member Name: yellowroses

Product:	Vivid Imaginations Roary the Racing Car Pitstop Panic Game
Date:	04/03/09 (247 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I didn't pay for it

Disadvantages: My son has it

My son recieved this game on his 4th birthday. He had watched the cartoon Roary the Racing Car on TV as part of the channel 5 Milkshake programme and enjoyed. It wasn't however one of his favourites.

**** Who is Roary ****

The cartoon of Roary the Racing Car last around 10 minutes and is aimed at children from around 2- 6 years. It is bright and cheerful and based at a racetrack so would probably capture any young boy interested in cars. It probably wasn't one of my sons favourites because at 4 he considered it too babyish. I'm not sure if this was due to his love of superheroes or if it wasn't the 'in' thing at nursery. Yes even 4 year olds feel the need to follow the crowd.
Based at Silver Hatch Racetrack, Roary is the main character. He is bright red
and full of character. I forgot to mention that all the race cars can talk -a bit like Thomas the Tank engine. Anyway Big Chris is the mechanic at the track and keeps the race car in line. Roary probably has the character of an energetic young boy, always keen to please but often getting up to mischief and into stick situations as a result. Peter Kay is the voice of Big Chris but don't expect a level of humour that will have you rolling on the floor, although there are some funny moments. It does have storylines involving the importance of sharing, exercise a healthy diet so your child may learn some things from it.

***** The Game ****

This game is also neither one of my favourites or indeed my sons, in saying that though we have kept it (along with games such as buckaroo and elefun) for occassional play on a rainy day.

In the box there is a grey plastic ramp with a timer. The timer is just a dial that you turn that starts when you press a button, simple enough for a child to use after showing them once. The ramp is the platform upon which you attempt to build Roary before the time runs out and the ramp jumps. Roary comes in 9 parts - the main body of the car, 4 wheels in 2 sizes, the exhaust system, the engine (i think that is what it is), the back of the car, and baseball cap.


****Play ****

To setup push the ramp down. In my opinion this is really tricky and takes some fiddling with to get it to sit. Unless our one is faulty. Then turn the timer. There are colours around the timer but they don't mean anything in relation to where it stops or starts (that i can see anyway)
Make sure you have all the Roary pieces to hand then press the red button to start the timer. First place the biggest part of Roary - the main body of the car, then the engine and hood followed by the wheels, exhaust and baseball cap. The timer lasts for about 20seconds before it 'pops' and roary falls apart.
The aim of the game is obviously to beat the clock and build Roary. You can press the button to stop the timer when you have finished so it doesn't fall apart. This game is designed to be played with 1-4 players. In all honesty I don't think you would be able to play with 4 players there isn't enough time for children to take turn in the 15 seconds they have.

****Learning ****

Children learn about the make up of a car- ie 4 wheels, exhaust, steering wheel and where they go.
Learn to play quickly.


**** The good bits ****

It was a present so I didn't waste my money (sorry)
It has entertained my son for a few minutes
It doesn't need batteries, the timer is simply a wind up one
The box is sturdy enought to keep it in (can you tell I'm stuggling)

**** The not so good bits ****

15 seconds is just not long enough (Yes I get the idea its a pitstop ie you have to do it quick but 15 seconds for a 3-4 year old to put together a car?)
The ramp is fiddily It is meant to just be pushed down into itself and stay there but 98% of the time it doesn't stay
Not really educational - Boys who like cars will know where pieces go
It really is not a game where you can teach children to share or take turns. My son tried to play it with 2 friends and world war 3 broke out because so and so wasn't quick enough.

Like I said we have had this game for 18months and it hasn't reached the charity shop or Ebay yet. I definately would not buy this or reccomend it to anyone even if they are real Roary fans. In my opinion a wate of money and plastic.

If however you do want one (I'll sell you mine!) It is on Amazon for £9.78.

Summary: Not one I would reccomend