See the Replies below for additional information.
I recently bought a few UB Funkeys figurines at the Swap Meet. The Funkeys are usually displayed with other kids toys for around a dollar each. The Funkeys are different from the normal action figure with odd but intriguing looking characters. At first I thought the larger white statue with the USB cord was just a Memory Stick. But why the metal contacts behind its head? The similar looking smaller statues piggyback on top of the larger white figure with the built in magnet contacts. Okay, this answered the metal plates, but why are there five contact points? A couple of the circular pins are larger and maybe are switches, certainly look like small silver push buttons. After some research, turned out to be more then a memory stick or toy action figure.
Mattel Funkeys Ad
Mattel Funkeys AdUB Funkeys first appeared in August 2007, produced by Mattel in conjunction with Radica Games and the software coded by Arkadium. An explore quest theme to collect objects and search out flash driven games to play. Tied in with software via a USB connection, a base station with a huge variety of add on modules to open up new levels of a game. This Hub unlock concept was used again years later by Activision for Skylanders. So why is Skylanders successful compared to UB Funkeys which failed and today is unheard of by many? Perhaps due to the target age and the game is only available on the PC and not on game consoles? Or that Mattel though huge as a toy manufacturer, does not have the marketing reputation as Activision for video games?
Mattel wrote: http://service.mattel.com/us/FAQ_Result ... odno=l7288
Important Information Regarding Online Support
As of January 2011 the online features of the U.B. Funkeys™ world are no longer being supported. We understand that U.B. Funkeys™ world has been enjoyed by many children and parents alike for the past several years. This is why we feel it’s important to explain to you exactly what will and what will not work in the U.B. Funkeys™ world.
The change in support only affects online features. Users will still be able to play with the main components of the software including character rooms, games, and shops. Players will also be able to access and decorate their cribs. However the following features will no longer be available.
Software Updates
Saving Progress Online
Funkey Trunk
Chat Figures & Rooms
Multi-Player Games
Crib Sharing
U.B. Funkeys™ website
Mattel no longer supports the online portion of the Funkeys game. This prevents just a few small features such as chatting and some additional online purchases. However, UB Funkeys can be played and progress saved offline. There is so much to do, a huge assortment of Flash games, multiple quest explore and even a bit of Sims in setting up your home.
UB Funkeys Tribes
Ingenious in the design of the Funkeys characters, just one mold is used for the action figures. The figurines vary simply by painting different colors, faces and even changing the ears to eyes for a different characters. Newer Funkeys have a couple of different castings, but most follow the same design as the Hub units.
Larger Blank Drawing - http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yqc7CcrQQKQ/T ... funkey.jpg
There are so many figurines to look for, some of which had a limited production run. Each character when placed on top of the Hub Unit unlocks a different building or area of the map. Most of the figurines have three different versions in a set including Normal, Rare and Very Rare.
FUNKEYS TOTAL COUNT
7 UB Hub Units - Possibly different revisions for Windows 7 64 bit
127 Funkeys - Up to 3 styles of Normal, Rare, Very Rare
There are also additional promotional Funkeys only sold at certain outlets. Target, KMart and even Wendys pictured below had exclusive Funkeys along with unique software.
Expanding the market a little, a few plushes, couple flash drives and a set of speakers were manufactured. These Funkeys are not designed to work with the Hub units.
OTHER FUNKEYS (Not part of Hub Set)
2 Memory Flash Drives
6 Plushes
1 set Speakers
As in Skylanders, collecting the Funkeys figurines to fully explore all the features of the game can get very expensive. As far as I can tell, any of the three stages of rarity in a character has the same affect in unlocking a given level in the Funkeys game. However, there must be a reason for the different stages of rarity to encourage a purchase, maybe hidden extras in the game? The figurines are also sectioned off in tribes, each group having access to an entirely different map. Best to first get all the maps unlocked by getting a one character of each tribe.
Right Click for a larger view
- UB Funkeys Flurry - Scratch - Nibble - Snipe.jpg (184.2 KiB) Viewed 63690 times
To unlock every single game in the Funkeys maps, depends on how much you are willing to collect and spend. Hit the kids toys sections at Swap Meets, the Funkey figurines can usually be found for around a buck. Although as an adult I do feel silly rummaging thru boxes of miniature action figures to get just one more Funkey. Ah well, I look at it as getting another permanent offline Flash game for only another dollar, some games are so so and some are very good.
I included links of various checklists to help in the search.
Tribes By Zone - http://www.spacecartoonsafari.eu/images/UBFunkeysperzone.jpg
Orange Checklist - http://www.spacecartoonsafari.eu/images/checklist_ubfunkeys.pdf
Series Checklist - http://webpages.charter.net/truezed/funkeys/UBfunkeys-checklist.pdf
1.0 Checklist PDF - http://ubfunkeys.thespeakeasy.com/files/checklist/UBF-Checklist-V1.pdf
1.0 Checklist PNG - http://ubfunkeys.thespeakeasy.com/files/checklist/UBF-Checklist-V1.png
2.0 Checklist PDF - http://ubfunkeys.thespeakeasy.com/files/checklist/FunkeysChecklist2.pdf
2.0 Checklist PNG - http://ubfunkeys.thespeakeasy.com/files/checklist/FunkeysChecklist2.png
3.0 Checklist PDF - http://ubfunkeys.thespeakeasy.com/files/checklist/UBF-Checklist-V3.pdf
3.0 Checklist PNG - http://ubfunkeys.thespeakeasy.com/files/checklist/UBF-Checklist-V3.png
3.1 Checklist PDF - http://www.kiwireviews.co.nz/files/UBF-Checklist.pdf
Software
The starter packs come with an installation CD. A full installation is done so the CD does not have to remain in the hard drive. The software can also be downloaded legitimately as ZIP or EXE files linked at the bottom of this post. Get the latest which is Paradox Green 5.0, it has the most features and fixes.
For example, you can instantly save anywhere without any issues. The earlier versions save as well, but sometimes the save option is not available until a game is exited. 5.0 also gives an indicator screen confirming your save is being updated.
To start a game, plug in the Hub Unit into a USB port. You can play with just the Hub Unit or place one of the smaller Funkeys figurines on top. These can be hot swapped at any time during the game.
Each time the figurine is swapped, the onscreen character matches it. Different tribes access different buildings and different portals. The portals work as a transporter to jump to new maps including Daydream Oasis, Funkiki Island, Hidden Realm, Kelpy Basin, Laputta Station, Magma Gorge, Nightmare Rift, Royalton Raceway, and the newest level; Paradox Green.
imgardien wrote: http://rufunkey.forumotion.com/t175-df- ... -ub-funkey
Funkeys Read Fix
If you place a funkey on the UB hub and you get a message saying "Something's wrong with the U.B. Funkey, can you check it for me?" try the following:
1) Unplug the UB hub from USB port and re-plug it in. You can also try plugging into a different USB port.
2) Make sure there is no dirt or dust on the contacts of the UB Hub - run your finger across or use canned air.
3) Check the contacts on the bottom of the funkey - be careful to not scratch the contacts as this may cause the funkey to not work at all. Use canned air or soft cloth to gently wipe contacts.
4) Press down on the head of the funkey sometimes works also and a little wiggle (but be careful not to scratch the contacts).
5) Take a Q-Tip, lightly dip it in rubbing alcohol and gently run it along the bottom of the funkey. Lay the funkey on its side. Give it about 2-3 minutes to dry. Then place it on the U.B Hub. This works better for me than jiggling the funkey.
Right Click for a larger view
- UB Funkeys USB Hub N2931.jpg (227.16 KiB) Viewed 63690 times
Funkeystown
Start out in a world called Funkeystown. Control movement of your character by clicking on a spot on the screen. A quick way to find out which Funkeys figurine is needed in a given area is to see which matching characters are standing nearby. Since I so far only have four add on characters, I'll concentrate the review on these sections. However, even with just a USB Hub Unit there is quite a bit to explore.
Large Funkeystown Description Map - http://www.spacecartoonsafari.eu/images ... %20Map.jpg
Funkeystown Crib - Any Funkeys
The home where your Funkey resides. The Hub Unit and any character can visit here. It is where you place items you have found, bought from various shops or won. Arrange furniture, paint the walls a new color, hang trophies and eventually collect all the games you come across, right in your crib. As you gain characters you can unlock various styles of Crib layouts to choose, some include two levels and even contain a garage.
PORTALS - Specific Funkeys required
Portals lead to other zones in the Funkeys world. A matching tribes of Funkeys are required a given portal. For example, the Basin Portal can only be entered by the Basin Tribe.
Museum - Any Funkeys (Museum Mahem)
Located in the museum, play a game very similar to Sega Swirl. Click any Funkeys faces that are connected together to score points.
Great Terrapina Library - Any Funkeys (Funkeys Codex)
Search the Funkeys Codex inside to learn of all the Funkeys characters. Picture and description of every Funkeys character.
The original inhabitants of Funkiki Island, Nibble have a deep love and respect for the ocean.
The Nibble have a natural affinity towards the ocean, preferring to spend more time at sea then on land.
In fact, they spend so much time in the water, they have permanent swimmers ear.
Their scary, chomping appearance is less about eating and more about clearing their ears.
They are always yawning and opening and closing their big mouths.
The yawning sounds like growling and the movement looks like biting so most visitors are first quite scared of the Nibble.
But once you get to know them, you'll dive right in.
Grand Funkey Station - Any Funkeys (Help Desk)
Mayor Sayso is located here at the help desk. Click for hints to the Funkeys world. There is also a tram to go to other Funkeys Cribs.
Pondering Park - Any Funkeys (Funkey Jong)
Play a Mahjong game removing tiles of Funkey faces. Remove matching faces to score points.
Angus Manor - Any Funkeys (Trunk Shop)
Here is where you first learn about a storage trunk and how to purchase items fron Angu's laboratory using virtual loot. Purchase the loot by going online and charging to your real credit card. An add on marketing strategy by mattel, get virtual loot to buy virtual items to fill your trunk. Angus is good for a look without buying anything. On older versions of the game, the Angus section can only be loaded by registering online. However, Angus can be viewed without registering online if running the newer game Paradox Green 5.0 version.
The purchase link still works to buy loot if one wants to take a chance, even though Mattel states the Trunk is not supported. This could be the reason why Paradox 5.0 is no longer offered by Mattel; 4.8 does not allow Angus to load offline. However, 5.0 does load Angus offline with no issues. Ah well, as long as no loot is purchased, it is safe to browse thru Angus's goodies and window shop. Maybe there might be an unlock cheat to obtain loot since officially the Trunk is no longer supported?
Da Scratch Club - Scratch (Mixmaster Scratch)
Match the falling notes similar to Dance Revolution by pressing the corresponding matching keys on the keyboard.
Funkiki Island
Only the Funkiki Island tribe can enter the island. These include NIBBLE, FLURRY, WEBLEY, SOL and REWIND.
Large Funkiki Description Map - http://www.spacecartoonsafari.eu/images ... %20Map.jpg
Chum Divers - Nibble (Pearl Diver game)
Swim around and scare fish into dropping pearls. Pick up the pearls while avoiding octopus, crab claws and water tornadoes. Swim over shells for temporary protection from the enemies.
Flurry Lodge - Flurry (Half-Pipe Havoc)
Snowboard on a half pipe and perform tricks while in mid air. Gain points for completed stunts, but do not wipe out since the score will go back to zero.
Nightmare Rift
Only the Nightmare tribe has access. These include SNIPE, PTEP, VLURP and SPROCKET.
Snipe HQ - Snipe (Pool)
The game really matches the Snipe character. I was envisioning a sniper shooting game, the pool game of aiming at just the right angles makes sense. Play a round of pool, the mouse control is well done. Aiming shows a line of sight and a short direction pointer line on the targeted ball. Not all the way to the pocket to make the game easy just a short direction indicator line. Pulling back further on the stick shoots the cue ball faster.
A lot of detail went into this Flash game, impressive for an overhead style Pool Game. Take a close look at the game screenshot below. The large cue ball icon can be clicked at any spot before setting up a shot. This applies "English" to spin the cue ball away from a pocket or in positioning the ball for a following shot. shock:
Transferring Save Files
I noticed that Funkeys does not allow backing up or deleting User Logins. Only eight User Logins are allowed. This can be a pain, especially if there are older logins from a downloaded Zip File such as the Paradox Green 5.0 version. A workaround to get rid of the older names is to install a full version first. Before creating a login, the "blank" users.rdf file can be backed up.
C:\Program Files\U.B. Funkeys\RadicaGame\data\system has the user.rdf file.
BACKUP LOGIN GAME SAVE FILES
1. Go to the folder C:\Program Files\U.B. Funkeys\RadicaGame\data
2. Copy the entire subfolder that has your login name which includes the file profile.rdf
3. Go to the folder C:\Program Files\U.B. Funkeys\RadicaGame\data]system
4. Copy the file user.rdf. This file will erase other logins on another installed game.
user.rdf = List of login names
profile.rdf = Progress in game
Unlock Codes
The Funkeys world itself has numerous items that can be found to uncover new features. There is also a way to quickly unlock various items and gain coins by entering an unlock code.. All these are entered at the Options Screen before logging in.
UB FUNKEYS CHEAT CODES
On the Main Menu, click Options. Type in the following passwords one at a time before logging in. Each unlock is only used once per account.
6786ALLLWORKANDNOPLAY - 50 Coins, Insane Flaming Hoop
BOGGLEDEN129 - 75 coins, Ghost Flame Toilet
BOGGLETHEMIND2256 - 50 Coins, Foul Smelling Chair
BONESCLUBHOUSE952 - 75 Coins, Velvet Coffin
DASCRATCHCLUB983 - 75 Coins, Platinum Record
DRIFT4SPEED5477 - 50 Coins, Invisible Engine
FALLOUTCOMPOUND358 - 75 Coins, Solid Gold Panel
FUNKEYSFOREVER456 25 Coins Mother Ship
FUNKEYSTOWN6767 - 25 Coins, Very Rare Living Gargoyle
FUNKEYSTOWNMUSEUM28 - 75 Coins, Chocolate Lava Lamp
GLUBGLUBGLUB9961 - 75 coins, Angelfish
ILOVEXENER2345 - 75 Coins, Invasion Chair
ILUVFUNKEYS345 - 50 Coins
JUSTANIBBLE4521 -
KELPYBASIN4564 - 75 Coins, Chocolate Seaweed
LAPUTASTATION4433 - 50 Coins Black Hole Deflector
LOTUSTHEGIVER9968 - 75 Coins, Woodland Friend
MAYORSAYSOSAYSSO951 - 50 Coins Very Rare Crystal Ball
PONDERINGPARK453 - 75 Coins, Sonic Shield Generator
RADICARULES4565 - 500 Coins, Diamond Treasure Chest
ROCKETWITHSPROCKET6588 - 25 Coins, Robot
SCRATCHANDMIX3362 - 50 coins, Black Turntables
SOLISVERYHOT6589 - 75 Coins, Rejuvenating Spa
SPROUTARBORETUM852 - 75 Coins, 5 New Wall Art
TIKIHUT327 - 25 Coins, War Totem
TIKIWUBBA1154 - 75 Coins, Heart Beat Drums
TWINXBLINX1152 25 Coins, Seabed
WARNINGFALLOUT4458 - 50 Coins, Anti Matter Generator
WASABIPAGODA992 - 100 Coins, Box Exploding Whizbangs
WATCH4WASABI7748 - 25 coins, Jade Koi Pond
WHOISBANDIT8854 - 75 Coins, Very Rare Chiefs
WEBLEYTHESPIDER4587 -
XENERLANDING657 - oins, Disintegration Chamber
----------------------------------------------------------
FUNKOPOTAMUS - Stitch's Password to begin quest at Magma Gorge.
Cheats - Play without a Funkeys Hub
In the installed game folders, I discovered numerous SWF files. A few of these can run independently of the Funkeys Hub Unit with a Flash Player installed such as SWF Player. I found a few games that can actually be played, a nice discovery since I do not have that many Funkeys figurines.
SWF Player Freeware - http://www.globfx.com/products/swfplayer/
Conclusion
I never cared for Activision's marketing strategy of Skylanders which would cost over 300 dollars to unlock all the features of the game. UB Funkeys is an earlier concept of utilizing a Hub and additional toy collection expense to see everything in just one game. Though the same idea with the collection Hub, Skylanders is more like Gauntlet while Funkeys is more like a flash game collection found by exploring various locations. The Flash games are done well, better then most online browser games. Though some of the Funkeys games have been played in other renditions before, others are addicting for repeat play such as the Pool game or the Mahjong tiles. In addition, the quest explore to discover the games and collect items adds to the fun. A good variety of games with so many more to discover and unlock later on.
Many of the Funkeys figures can now be bought cheaply in the right locations, but be careful some of the limited editions can get very expensive. Best to buy the "action figures" when discovering some on a toy table at the Swap Meet. I noticed that each of the Funkeys characters actually relate to the game it unlocks, this may help in deciding which to look for based on your gaming style preference.
Game Play Video ClipReferences
Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.B._Funkeys
Case Studies - http://www.arkadium.com/portfolio/ub_funkeys.aspx
Funkeys Description - http://students.cis.uab.edu/penick/project/cs101%20project.html
How Do Funkeys Work - http://ubfunkeys.webs.com/funkeysatwork.htm
RU Funkey Forum - http://rufunkey.forumotion.com/
Funkeys Are Fun Forum - http://ubfunkeysarefun.blogspot.com/
Funkey Fan Forum - http://funkeyfanforum.proboards.com/index.cgi
Funkeys Speakeasy - http://ubfunkeys.thespeakeasy.com/
Funkeyz Mania Blog - http://ubfunkeyzmania.blogspot.com/
OneWa80 Blog Archives - http://onewa80blog.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html
Funkey Obsessed - http://obsessedfunkey.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html
Funkeys PT Site - http://pt.ubfunkeys.com/
UB FunkNews Wendys - http://ufunknews.blogspot.com/2009/09/w ... isk-2.html
Funkeys FAQ - http://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/943710-ub-funkeys/faqs/50675
Funkeys Information (Maps) - http://www.spacecartoonsafari.eu/index. ... fo&lang=EN
Funkeys Character Locations - https://sites.google.com/site/ubfunkeys ... /Home/maps
Location Maps - http://ubfunkeys.thespeakeasy.com/maps/
Funkeys Codex Online - http://funkeyobsession101.blogspot.com/p/ub-funkeys-codex.html
Funkeys Cheat Codes - http://webpages.charter.net/truezed/funkeys/UB-Funkeys-Options.gif
Hub Patch Info - http://dk.ubfunkeys.com/driver.aspx
Backing Up Game Saves http://knowledgeconstructs.com/ub-funkeys-wth/
Paradox Install YouTube Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSHErel3np0
Video Reviews
Indexed Video Review - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3_aIkW-iMSOpTnrCkBck8spArHoWa1G_
PDF Files
Case Studies - http://www.arkadium.com/CaseStudies/ub_funkeys.pdf
Game Manual (Scandinavian) http://dk.ubfunkeys.com/downloads/misc/ ... _SE_FI.pdf
Install Instructions https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ser ... MGOUB4zkcA
Install FAQ - http://service.mattel.com/instruction_sheets/funkeyfaqdownload_install.pdf
64 Bit FAQ - http://service.mattel.com/instruction_sheets/funkeyfaqdownload_install.pdf
Mattel wrote: http://service.mattel.com/us/technicalp ... &catid=451
http://service.mattel.com/us/technicalproductdetail.aspx?prodno=l7288&siteid=27&catid=451
U.B Funkeys™ System Requirements
Windows® Vista or Windows® XP.
800 MHz Processor (1.3 GHz recommended)
512 MB Ram
1 GB of drive space
USB Port (cable included)\
32 MB video card (64 recommended)
8x CD or DVD Drive
Sound Card, Keyboard and Mouse
Adobe® Flash™ 9 (Included on disc.)
Broadband Internet Connection Recommended.
For 64-bit Systems download the 4.8 Software.
This Product is not Windows® 7 or Mac® compatible.
If you are just beginning to play with U.B. Funkeys™ and are unable to download updates for new characters, version 4.8 of the U.B. Funkeys™ software is still available for download. It can be found on the Technical Product Support page of service.mattel.com. Unfortunately, version 4.8 only includes updates for characters through Hidden Realm. The Paradox Green Realm is needed so characters Rastro, Tadd, Maul, Nectar, Ace, and Mulch will not be able to access portals in Funkeystown.
The Paradox Green File is no longer available at Mattel, but can be found at other sites. UB Funkeys runs fine in Windows XP or Vista. Mattel states that it will not run in Windows 7, which I confirmed that it does not on my Win 7 64 bit laptop. The software will not install fully due to having issues in trying to detect the Funkeys Hub. The unzipped version also tries to run but cannot pass the searching fo UB Hub screen. The issue is failure in detecting the Funkeys Hub Unit thru the USB port in the Win 7 64 bit environment. Even when running Virtual PC with Windows XP under Windows 7, it did not work in detecting the USB Hub Unit.
There is a 64 bit patch for Windows Vista as well as a Hub patch. Funkeys works in Windows 7, but only in the 32 bit version. I'll post an update as I find a way for Win 7 64 bit, for now Funkeys works just fine in Windows XP and Windows 7 32 bit.
CRTGAMER wrote:In order to get Paradox Green 5.0 to run, Adobe FlashPlayer ActiveX 10 or above must be installed. Paradox will bump over to the Adobe site, but to the Browser Plugin and not ActiveX. Search the Adobe site for the ActiveX IE edition. To verify if installed properly, go to Control Panel and open the Adobe Flashplayer icon. Open the Advance settings and note if the ActiveX 10 or above version is installed.
Downloads
64 Bit Patch ZIP - http://download.service.mattel.com/us/Funkeys/Funkeys_64bit_Patch.zip
UB Funkeys 4.8 EXE -http://download.service.mattel.com/us/funkeys/Setup%20111908.exe
UB Funkeys 4.8 ZIP - http://download.service.mattel.com/us/Funkeys/UB_Funkeys_4_8.zip
UB Funkeys Paradox Green 5.0 ZIP - http://depositfiles.com/files/idlic92kv
Right Click for a larger view
- UB Funkeys USB Hub and Character Figures.jpg (228.07 KiB) Viewed 63691 times
