What is U.B Funkeys? The History of U.B Funkeys.

U.B. Funkeys was a personal computer game and collectible figure set created by Mattel. It was created in 2007 until discontinuation of the toys in the United States in 2010. Play consisted of a personal computer game that worked together with collectible figures that represent characters in the game. There are over 45 different "species" of Funkeys. Each type of Funkey normally comes in three different types of styles which are normal, rare, and very rare.

Game play involves players placing figures in the hub, (A special USB unit shaped to look like a larger version of the small figures) which in turn appear in the game. Each figure, when connected to the hub, allows players to unlock new areas of the game. The hub is purchased in a starter pack with two of the collectible figures. It is required to play the game. It began in August, 2007 and ended in January, 2010. The product was exhibited by Mattel in February 2007 at the American International Toy Fair and designed by Radica Games. The game software was developed by Arkadium.



Funkeys are characters that inhabit a virtual world called Terrapinia. Players navigate a number of zones and portals where they play games to earn coins. With their coins they can buy items to decorate their homes, referred to as "cribs" in the game.

Users progress through the game as they collect different figures. Each "tribe" is able to access different areas, games and items. Most figures have two sets of alternate colors, and using these "Rare" or "Very Rare" Funkeys gives the player access to more items inside of their respective shops.
There are many portals to go through: Kelpy Basin, Magma Gorge, Laputta Station, Funkiki Island, Daydream Oasis, Nightmare Rift, Royalton Raceway, Hidden Realm, and Paradox Green. In order to use a portal, you had to use a Funkey with a game room in the given location. For example, Sol can access Funkiki Island because its game room, "Relaxation Resort," is located there. However, Sol cannot access Lapuatta Station because there is no game room there it can access. Regardless of tribe, any Funkey can return to Funkeystown.

In every zone, there is an enemy character who appears if you stay outside for too long. These are: Henchmen in Funkeystown, Magma Gorge, Lapuatta Station, and Kelpy Basin; Natives on Funkiki Island; Dali in Daydream Oasis; Goya in Nightmare Rift; Kane in the Hidden Realm; and the Henchmen 2.0 in Paradox Green. Encountering these characters will start a short minigame where the player can win or lose coins.

Throughout the game, the player hears of Master Lox, the main antagonist of the series. He locked the portals and game rooms, restricting access only for particular Funkeys. In addition, he created the Henchmen to steal coins in Funkeystown, Kelpy Basin, Magma Gorge, and Laputta Station and the Henchman 2.0 in Paradox Green to destroy the Gnomon Tree.

There was also a series of Wendy's Kids meal toys. Some of them include a Bobblehead, A backpack clip, A 3D board game and 2 CDs that have prototypes of the game.