Orlando’s New Great Big Game Show!

Have you ever wanted to appear in a TV game show? You know, with full audience participation and a variety of games? Well, you are now in luck if you visit the The Escape Game on International Drive, which has imported the next level of interactive fun alongside its collection of escape game offerings.

The result is the all-new Great Big Game Show, a one-hour romp into the realm of a variety of typical TV game programmes, mostly of the American variety but some which will also seem familiar to British visitors. It all takes place inside a specially-designed “TV soundstage” and includes its own live host to keep things ticking along and adjudicate on any arguments.

You can play with as few as two contestants, but it is much more fun with more, and this version of the telly contest can accommodate up to 14 players at a time in a seven-aside format of button pushing, wheel spinning, dice throwing and much, much more. In all, there are 18 different mini-games within the overall one-hour setting, and most games will get to sample at least five (two of us actually managed eight).

The attraction was created by the same company that built and designed The Escape Game, and it is also in 20 other locations around the US. It makes for a great setting for birthday celebrations as well as team-building exercises, but works equally well for families and friends.

How does it work?

Once players are divided into two teams, the host cues the start of the action with the first of the rotating mini-games, which include strategy, trivia, speed games and more. The games come up at random but also have a whole array of variations in each one, which means that you can always come back to play and find different challenges each time.

Each mini-game kicks off with a video from on-screen assistant Chip that explains all the rules for each game and then it is over to the contestants to duke it out with games like Common Bonds, where you have to guess the connection between three photos on screen; Major Miners, to guess the least popular answer to various survey questions; and Build It Up, where teams have to stack a variety of blocks as high as possible in one minute.

Another typical game is called Letter Roll but will actually seem like you’re playing the well-known Wheel of Fortune TV show, where guests need to guess a well-known phrase, place or saying from a limited number of letters (like an interactive version of Hangman).

How do you win?

Each game qualifies the winners for a certain number of points, and those points carry forward into the next game, meaning you steadily build up a big total, with the obvious aim to be the team with the highest total at the end of the one-hour overall game session.

Some mini-games involve physical challenges like Blaster Blitz, which requires a certain amount of foam-firing chaos as you grab your blaster and burst as many on-screen targets as you can before time runs out; and Drawing In The Dark, a madcap challenge for contestants to guess what a blindfolded team member is trying to draw from various clues. Our favourite was Spin Out, a chance to spin the giant wheel to earn points while trying to dodge the ‘Lose it all’ zones, which requires a good deal of strategy – and luck!

One we didn’t get to try but which we’d definitely go back for is Trivia Temple. Here, players face a high stakes quest through five locked rooms. Answer the question in each room correctly to advance. But, beware – a single wrong answer and you leave the temple with nothing. Can your team conquer the temple and claim the treasure, or will you plummet to the dungeon? That’s definitely our kind of game!

Check out the details

There is a lot to like and enjoy about the Great Big Game Show, especially from the trio of livewire hosts they have for their games (if you get Sunshine, you’re in for a treat!). Their interaction and ability to keep things moving along in an entertaining manner are crucial to the smooth running of the games and the banter between the teams, which is actively encouraged.

There are no obvious cameras involved (although you’re free to take your own), but the big screen that mimics the TV control booth and then transforms into the source of all the games is a central feature of the Game Show and definitely has that TV vibe. The fact it all builds to a suitable climax with the final game, and then a confetti shower for the winners, ensures everyone is immersed in the fun until the very end.

For more details, and to make a booking, look up https://greatbiggameshow.com/orlando. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes early for your booking to allow time for the pre-show briefing and paperwork. There is no age limit, but it is recommended for children six and up, and every game’s difficulty is tailored to the ages of the participants. A paying guardian (18+) must participate with anyone 14 or younger, and anyone under 18 will need an adult to sign their waiver. It’s also good to know there is free parking behind the venue on I-Drive.

Have you tried any of Orlando’s Escape Games or other activities? Tell us about them on our social media!