Arabian Nights Island, Guest Posts, Jade Scarab Island

Comparing Dream Islands: Jade Scarab VS Arabian Nights ๐Ÿชฒ๐Ÿงž

Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post by Invisible Ring. Enjoy!

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

A)  More Invisible Ring guest posts?
B) The second half of my pirate movie?
C) Poptropica to be revived in all its former glory: Monkey Wrench, Realms, classic common rooms, etc.

I wish! Donโ€™t we all…

Unfortunately, Iโ€™m not a genie, so wish C is beyond my power to grant. I AM a poptropican with a magical craft table though! So, while I keep concocting the difficult spell of wish B, I shall now grant to you wish A.

From the scribe that brought you my comparison of the dream islands Fairytale Island and Goofball Island, comes the final dream island post, Jade Scarab vs. Arabian Nights– which are the first and last dream islands in Poptropica’s history!


Comparisons

Both of these islands are absolutely โœจmagicalโœจ, filled with magical secrets and deep-rooted legends from different parts of the world. They’re also both full of rich culture and beauty while also being challenging and exciting like most popular Poptropica islands. They even share some of the same musical soundtracks!

There were only four episodic adventures ever made, and Arabian Nights is the last of its kind. Similarly, there were only four Dream Islands ever made, and Jade Scarab is also the last of its kind! Talk about a coincidence.

Contrasts

Jade Scarab was one of the three 2020 Dream Island winners that eventually launched in 2022, while Arabian Nights was the 2013 Dream Island winner that launched in 2014. While Jade Scarab is one complete island, Arabian Nights is an episodic adventure that is split between three parts.

Fun fact: Arabian Nights is the only dream Island with any common rooms in it! ๐Ÿค“ Jade Scarab doesn’t have one, however.

The medals are all different too! All of the dream islands have a different medallion and a different story to tell. 

The Fairytale medallion has a royal purple strap and an etching of the mysterious villain Rumpelstiltskin, which leads me to believe Rumpelstiltskin himself dropped the medallion when he turned into smoke and escaped the fairytale castle.

The Goofball medallion has an indigo strap and a picture of a piรฑata. With a dull color and a fun picture, this medallion embodies the balance of goofiness and dullness that is ultimately delivered on Goofball Island.

The Jade Scarab medallion has a jade green strap and an etching of the islandโ€™s magical mascot, the Scarab. Need I say more?

The Arabian Nights medallion shows up at the end of each of the three island episodes. Three medallions? Thatโ€™s as many as the rest of the dream islands put together! All three Arabian Nights medallions all look exactly alike too. They each have a blood-red strap and a sword. Surely these bold and deadly medals were either worn by thieves, made for thieves, or even made BY thieves! Heck, they couldโ€™ve even been stolen by thieves too!

But enough about fun facts and medallions. How do the actual quests compare and contrast?

Each quest revolves around an expedition to find a special treasure; an archeological expedition to find the Jade Scarab and an infiltration expedition to finding the Arabian Nights genie lamp. Each treasure has its decoy, but only the one on Arabian Nights has a dangerous curse if you don’t find the real treasure.

There’s a curse on Jade Scarab Island, too, but it only happens to the bad guys who try to stage fake curses and lock people in caves. It’s really just the supernatural Jade Scarab guardian protecting the treasure and punishing the thieves for their shenanigans.

Arabian Nights has a supernatural being too, Samhal the genie. But he was no guardian. He was a dangerous trickster, granting wishes with cruel twists everywhere he went.

But what made the Arabian Nights quest even MORE dangerous were the villains. While Jade Scarab had one or two thieves, Arabian Nights had 40 of them! Among the thieves was the most ruthless one of all, Scheherazade: leader of the thieves and the infamous genie of destruction. Yes, Arabian Nights was one among many of the scary and suspenseful islands that were coming out from 2013-2015.

Jade Scarab, however, stayed true to the traditions of the first dozen or so islands from the early days of Poptropica. It’s a lighthearted, humorous, and not too serious island that has a fun quest and a museum where you can learn lots of cool stuff in the process!

So why is one island so serious and the other is not?  In my opinion, it all comes back to the two treasures, the lamp and the Jade Scarab. 

As you play these quests, you learn that the Jade Scarab is good and must be protected in the museum. But no good came from the Arabian Nights lamp. That treasure wasn’t going to any museum. It had to be eliminated.

And that brings us to the biggest (and best) comparison. There are happy endings to both islands! Curses are broken, towns are restored, amends are made, and all peoples have a chance to get a new start and a chance to be prosperous again.

Aww, what nice stories for both islands! Which one do you like better? Better yet, which of the four dream islands is your favorite one of all?

Feel free to leave a comment below, and if you want more dream island comparison posts, then you are welcome to share with me your own dream island adventures from the dream island contests of long ago. (If I receive readers’ entries, I will try to be as fair as I was in my comparisons of the official dream island winners.)

Thank you for reading, and I hope to pop to you all again real soon!


Hope you enjoyed this guest post by Invisible Ring. If you did, you might also enjoy watching her full-length Poptropica fan movie, Battle Morale!

The Poptropica Help Blog welcomes interesting Poptropica insights from anyone in the Poptropica community with thoughts to share. Interested in writing for the PHB? Weโ€™d love to hear from you!

Astro-Knights Island, Big Nate Island, Islands, Reviews

2009 Island Showdown: Astro-Knights VS Big Nate

Howdy Poptropicanos, it’s LJ in your faces again! ๐Ÿคช To commemorate the 15th anniversary of Astro-Knights Island and Big Nate Island this year, I thought it’d be fun to conduct a comparison between the two where I evaluate the fundamental elements of each island to determine which one is the better option. (Pretend that the outcome isn’t obvious, alright?) Let’s begin!

For the gameplay discussion, my emphasis will not be on the plots as I intend to reserve that topic for the story portion that will come later. Instead, my focus here will be on the technical dimensions of the islands.

Big Nate Island

This island encompasses a plethora of key features that are emblematic of Poptropica islands such as locating a multitude of paper pieces scattered everywhere, piecing the papers together, swimming underwater, mixing liquids, and playing a few of minigames (racing an opponent, hangman and table football). I appreciate all of these elements, particularly the minigames. I wouldn’t have minded a few more to be honest. One negative thing I will say is that I was not a fan of Nate following my character around everywhere I went. Was that just me? So anyway, how does Big Nate compare to Astro-Knights?

Astro-Knights Island

The time required to complete Astro-Knights is about double that of its rival, which I find absolutely delightful! In the early stages, the gameplay is more or less similar to Big Nate involving the typical exploring and item collecting. However, upon reaching space, things really get exciting.

We get to build a custom spaceship, which, while not having a substantial impact on the island’s tactical gameplay, remains an entertaining feature. Navigating through space, avoiding asteroids, luring space sharks, and fighting against enemy ships were indeed challenging tasks, yet they were not overwhelmingly stressful.

The most challenging parts of Astro-Knights Island are the four significant battles that resemble “boss fights,” including the three misleading encounters (the Mother Phoenix, the Tigercopter, and the Dragotank) and the final showdown against Mordred. Besides the Mother Phoenix, I experienced a fair share of difficulties with all of these. Nonetheless, these battles greatly eclipse even the most engaging gameplay that Big Nate Island has to offer. Honestly, the absence of such difficulty is sorely missed. Any islands for that matter, but that ship has unfortunately passed.

Which one wins?

It seems I may have gone a little overboard in my discussion of the gameplay in Astro-Knights Island. ๐Ÿ˜… There was just so much to unpack! It’s quite obvious which one I was more enthusiastic about and which island takes the first round: Astro-Knights!

The differences in the characteristics of these two islands are strikingly apparent. Let’s get into it.

Big Nate Island

Big Nate Island’s appearance presents a whimsical and joyful ambiance. As you walk through the island, your eyes are treated to or tortured by vivid, colorful illustrations, all accentuated by thick black outlines, which enhance the sensation of really being inside a comic book.

I find the comic book aesthetic highly appealing, and I’m someone who is very attracted to bright colors. Also, the school, the playground, and the klassic komix store bring back memories of my IRL childhood, creating a comforting atmosphere.

Astro-Knights Island

While traversing the landscapes of Astro-Knights, we come across an obliterated medieval kingdom, black holes, space sharks, lava-controlled platforms, a mechanical ecosystem, and an actual asteroid belt. The array of locations on this island is truly breathtaking.

The stark contrast between the setting reminiscent of the Middle Ages and the advanced, futuristic planets in outer space (with completely different climates from one another) contributes to the island’s diverse appeal, making it more captivating than many others.

Which one wins?

This round was somewhat more of a tossup. Each of these islands had a viable chance of winning, as I appreciate the styles and moods of both of them. Ultimately, I opted for Astro-Knights Island as the victor for this round, primarily because it offers a higher number of scenesโ€”which can never be a bad thing in Poptropica!

Big Nate’s pivotal concern revolves around the possible destruction of a middle schoolโ€”a cause certainly worth caring about. In Astro-Knights the story is much more out of the ordinary, however. Time to elaborate!

Big Nate Island

The plot of Big Nate is a bit lackluster. It seems to be a step back in terms of intricacy. In comparison to previous islands like Nabooti, 24 Carrot, and Spy, it feels excessively straightforward.

From my perspective, the characters within this island are not developed enough. The storyline is interesting; however, I don’t believe it was executed to its maximum potential in the plot we were offered. As a child, I found it okay, but looking back now, I am not as wowed as I am with Astro-Knightsโ€”which still holds up with the ageing fanbase in these more recent years.

Astro-Knights Island

It goes without saying that the lore and mission in this island are exceptional. A princess, intrigued by the vanishing of a scientist who has gone missing in space, finds herself abducted by aliens. Our job is to launch into orbit to rescue her. Additionally, the once noble scientist has transformed into a malevolent cyborg, and we are tasked with locating three knights who have vanished on various planets while in pursuit of the lost princess. This dramatic tale is filled with so many compelling elements, it’s unreal.

This island presents two noteworthy characters, Elyana and the more celebrated Binary Bard/Mordred. Heck, he took the gold in Pop’s villain showdown back in the day and has remained popular ever since! Since I was not aware of the Big Nate comics when the island was released, I had no insight into the characters. Their minimal development within the island led to them feeling somewhat forgettable to me. Astro-Knights has little to no issues with this.

It’s also worth noting that Astro-Knights demands a certain level of investigation to grasp the situation at play, unlike Big Nate, where the problem is presented immediately upon arrival.

Which one wins?

There is no question that Astro-Knights has once again triumphed in this round. The story is just so exceptionally engaging, and when I reflect on its awesomeness, I envision its potential to be adapted into an outstanding feature length film! Wouldn’t that be epic?


Big Nate Island had a tough day being demolished by Astro-Knights Island with a score of 3-0. To be honest, it was a bit of a mismatch given that Astro-Knights is widely regarded as the favorite among the community.

Iโ€™d love to know your thoughts on both islands! How would you rate them overall? Iโ€™d say Big Nate deserves a 3 out of 5 peanut butter crackers, and Iโ€™d give Astro-Knights a perfect 5 out of 5 force shields! Thanks for reading and pop on folks. ๐Ÿ€

Uncategorized

The Multiplayer Room Games: My Least Favorite to Favorite ๐Ÿ•น๏ธ

Howdy, Poptropicanos! I’m pleased to present yet another ranking, this time focusing on the eight classic multiplayer room mini-games.

While many of the games were removed with the introduction of the Blast-Off Arcade in 2018, a select few have remained. I found that the multiplayer games contributed to a heightened sense of interactivity with fellow Poptropicans, making our parties all the more enjoyable.

Without wasting any more time, let us delve into this ranking, shall we?

#8: Balloons ๐ŸŽˆ

In the unfortunate position of last place, we have Balloons. *sad trombone* The premise of this game is not very innovative, as it essentially replicates the mechanics of Connect 4, failing to offer a sufficient enjoyable challenge for me. While I do not wish to sound overly critical, I believe this one could easily have been among the five games that were removed, and its absence would not have been greatly felt. Also, I’ve noticed that a significant number of my games tend to conclude in draws, which I find somewhat unsatisfying. ๐Ÿ˜ฌ

#7: Pathwise ๐Ÿ’ง

It’s quite ironic that I’ve placed Pathwise so low on my list, given that it was my very first favorite multiplayer room game a long time ago, if my memory serves me right. Pathwise is not a terrible game by any means; however, I tend to feel a bit bored during my goes at it. I do not find myself particularly eager to play again immediately after completing a round with another player. Consequently, it will remain at 7th place. ๐Ÿ˜›

#6: Hoops ๐Ÿ€

Hoops is ranked 6th on the court, as I majorly stink at this game! ๐Ÿ˜€ While I certainly value a good challenge, I get a bit annoyed with consistently losing around 80% of the time. However, I do relish the dynamic and fast-paced nature of this one, particularly in contrast to games like Balloons and Pathwise (shots fired). Therefore, I feel that its placement in the lower-mid tier is appropriate.

#5: Sky Dive ๐Ÿช‚

Next on the list is a game that appears to be a popular choice among players: Sky Dive. In my opinion, this game lacks substance and could use an extended gameplay; however, I can’t deny its addictive nature. The rush of adrenaline I experience right after landing encourages me to immediately replay the game. Remember when it was possible to fall through the floor? That was iconic. I’m going to have to remove some points for the change of that detail.

I could easily make around 20 dives from the clouds before I decide to exit the game, unless my opponent becomes disinterested and leaves first. As I said before, I do wish that each round could be longer and feature obstacles, though โ”€ similar to many of the ad games we saw in the past.

#4: Paint War ๐Ÿ–Œ๏ธ

We now arrive at the games that have more of an umph factor. Paint War takes its place at 4th, for its fun and competitive essence. The vibrant mess left in the wake of the game only enhances its allure. Although Paint War is comparable to Hoops, I experience a much higher level of joy while playing this game. The idea of operating a paint gun is far more appealing to me than basketball or any other sport for that matter. Am I alone in experiencing a peculiar sense of satisfaction when the paint bubbles burst? ๐Ÿ˜„

#3: Star Link ๐ŸŒ 

The top trio of games I have picked are those that have always been enjoyable to me. The first among these remarkable selections is Star Link, a game that remains accessible to us even today. It’s always my go-to option for PHC parties nowadays (which we may or may not be having soon ๐Ÿ˜‰). Not to toot my own horn, but I can confidently say that I do quite well in this game. Although I have experienced a few pathetic defeats ahem, thanks for that Smart Icicle, my overall win-to-loss ratio remains pretty impressive. Additionally, I appreciate the game’s visually appealing celestial setting, which adds to its charm. ๐ŸŒŒ

#2: Sudoku ๐Ÿ”ข

My selection for the 2nd place position may raise some eyebrows, given the opinions I’ve seen expressed by various community members; that being Sudoku. Sudoku ranks among my favorite games to occupy myself with both on and off Poptropica, since I’m a huge nerd. ๐Ÿค“

The thrill of competing against an opponent to fill the grid as efficiently as possible can be somewhat anxiety-inducing, yet it mostly served as a super fun experience for me. I often found myself pleasantly surprised when I surpassed my own previous high scores. ๐Ÿ˜ Without a doubt, this was the common room game in which I excelled the most during its time in Poptropica. Good times…

#1: Soupwords ๐Ÿฒ

Soupwords has claimed the 1st place spot as my favorite multiplayer game, just barely surpassing Sudoku. Although it is fundamentally similar to Boggle, the game does not need to be unique, as its entertainment value is really that great. I have a fondness for games that engage the mind and promote mental sharpness, and Soupwords effectively does just that. I found the concept of using alphabet soup as the game board to be quite clever too! While I may not have been an expert at this game, I’d say I performed decently and thoroughly had fun every time I played, which is what is most important.


I really miss the feeling of winning at Sudoku and Soupwords! Sure, I had my fair share of losses too, but honestly, I would gladly lose over and over just to have the opportunity to play those games again.

Which game did you enjoy the most? Feel free to share your own rankings and memories of these games in the comments section! I appreciate you reading, and I’ll catch you in the next one. Pop on! ๐Ÿ€

Arabian Nights Island, Islands, Mission Atlantis Island, Monster Carnival Island, PHB Series, Pop 5, PoptropiCon Island, Survival Island

Pop 5: Ranking the Islands of 2014

Howdy doodly Poptropicanos, it’s LJ! ๐ŸคŸ Despite the seemingly grim future of Poptropica, we hold dear the memories of its earlier days. Today, I invite you to travel back in time with me as I reveal my Pop 5 ranking of the islands from 2๏ธโƒฃ0๏ธโƒฃ1๏ธโƒฃ4๏ธโƒฃ!

The year 2014 marked the emergence of episodic islands, with islands being unveiled in parts referred to as episodes, which became available at intervals of several weeks or months. Apart from Monster Carnival, the episodic island era consisted of Survival, Mission Atlantis, PoptropiCon, and Arabian Nights.

The concluding episodes of PoptropiCon and Arabian Nights were launched in 2015. Nevertheless, I will include every episode in my assessment of the islands for the sake of the ranking process. These islands as a whole are still regarded as 2014 releases on the Poptropica Wiki, given that they made their debut during that year.

Before we go any further, I’d like to warn you that many spoilers are present ahead. (Most of these are still playable for free if you want to give them a go!) The links to the synopses and any past reviews of these islands will be included throughout the commentary for more understanding if you need it. ๐Ÿค“


#5. Mission Atlantis Island ๐Ÿฆˆ

Mission Atlantis was released on April 17 for members and May 15 for all players.

Although certain animations were visually appealing (particularly the visions and the concluding cut scene in episode three), they aren’t enough to boost this island’s standing on the list. The story pretty much failed to engage me at any given moment. The experience in Mission Atlantis is mostly solitary, and while this approach can be effective in certain islands, such as Steamworks Island, it didn’t resonate with me here. There was only a slight spark of interest for me at the end of episode two but as I progressed into episode three, I found myself feeling somewhat disinterested and bored once again. The “hockey game” segment where we’re supposed to maneuver the power disks felt more tedious and redundant rather than challenging. ๐Ÿ˜’

Had I not been a completionist, I likely would have abandoned this one during the second episode and never returned to finish it. I realize that my critique may seem overly critical, but this island ranks among my least favorites in general, and I suspect many other Poptropicans would share this opinion. ๐Ÿ˜ฌ (Check out this older review from another PHB author with a differing perspective!) Positioned at the 4th spot, we have…


#4. PoptropiCon Island ๐Ÿ—ฏ๏ธ

PoptropiCon marked the 41st island to Poptropica, with its release for members occurring on August 28 and for everyone else on September 18.

I regret having to rank this island so low on the list, but the fierce competition this year forces me to do so. (2014 was truly the last year with more hits than misses in my opinion.) At the time of its initial release, I didn’t have a particular interest in PoptropiCon. I didn’t have any aversion to it; rather, I just simply didn’t give it much consideration. It was many years later that I came to genuinely appreciate it. ๐Ÿ™‚

I find nearly every aspect of this island appealing, particularly the convention setting both within and outside the convention center. Although I’m typically not fond of using the costumizer on an island (like in Time Tangled Island) I believe it was effectively employed in this instance. It was contextually relevant, and the experience of scouring around for costume parts to embody different characters was actually quite enjoyable. ๐Ÿ‘

Letโ€™s talk about the fun factor! Playing The Mighty Action Force card game in episode 2 and then using all their superpowers in the final episode was such a blast. And those jaw-dropping cut scenes in the last episode? I canโ€™t forget the moment you enter Omegon’s dimension and transform into Alphaon. Thereโ€™s just so much greatness packed into this islandโ€™s gameplay! ๐Ÿคฉ (While we don’t have a full review for PoptropicCon, the last episode was reviewed by a past author.)

PoptropiCon has introduced us to amazing characters like The Mighty Action Force and Omegon (who took over the PHB in 2015) who’ve all become iconic. I adore their designs, along with the hench-bots. Itโ€™s amusing that for a convention called Poptropi”Con,” there are so few cons to mention! Alright, let’s tackle number 3.


#3. Survival Island ๐ŸซŽ

The initial introduction of Survival Ep. 1 occurred on March 20 for members, followed by its release to everyone on April 17. The 5th and final episode was made available to members on September 11, with a subsequent release for all players a few weeks later in early October.

The episodic releases of this island extended over the longest duration throughout the year, thus it is undebatable that Survival Island represents a significant moment of 2014. (Check out the series of mini reviews we call PHB Quickies of episodes 1-4!)

I believe that the first two episodes somehow could’ve been effectively combined into a single cohesive episode since the gameplay lacks any eventful excitement and sort of drags out. The isolation in the first few episodes is somewhat akin to that of Mission Atlantis; however, I have a greater appreciation for the setting in Survival. It’s quite enjoyable to engage in roleplaying as if one were truly part of the scenario, even if the thrill is absent at first.

Each episode ends with a strong cliffhanger that entices players to proceed to the next chapter. The island’s appeal significantly increases upon entering MVB’s cabin and trying to escape in episode four and continues onto episode 5 as we’re being hunted down. As you navigate the challenges of the wilderness in the early stages, the final episode completely redefines the concept of “survival”. The climax was climaxing for sure. ๐Ÿ˜ตโ€๐Ÿ’ซ

Now you might be curious as to why this island is positioned higher than PoptropiCon based on my evaluations. To be candid, the distinction comes down to personal preference rather than actual technical excellence. ๐Ÿ˜… There also is an element of bias at play; as previously mentioned, I didn’t play PoptropiCon extensively when I was younger. I completed it only once in its entirety back then, while I have revisited Survival on numerous occasions throughout the years. Because of that, it holds a greater sense of nostalgia for me. ๐Ÿ˜Š The competition for the 4th and 3rd place rankings was quite competitive though.

Now, let us proceed to the next island on our list, shall we?


#2. Arabian Nights Island ๐Ÿ•Œ

Arabian Nights first appeared on the map for members on October 2 and then for all players on October 23. I must admit that my younger self felt somewhat salty when this island was initially launched, as I was disappointed for not taking part in the Create Your Dream Island Contest myself. ๐Ÿ˜… However, I am more than pleased that this submission emerged as the winner!

In terms of gameplay, Arabian Nights may not be of the highest caliber, but still this island effectively fulfills its purpose. I have always found trading in Poptropica to be enjoyable, and I appreciated its prominence in most of the episodes. Exploring the underground caves of the thieves in episode two and going through the secret door in the royal palace in episode three were thrilling and reminiscent of an epic movie. I also valued elements such as the “Donkey Kong” segment, the utilization of the magic sand bomb, and the experience of soaring on the magic carpet.

Arabian Nights features an exceptional storyline; it’s probably one of the best in the entire game actually. The characters, including Scheherazade, the princess and leader of the thieves, Samhal the genie, and Brutus the henchman contribute to a great ensemble, each possessing their own character development, whether significant or minor. The touching moment shared between Scheherazade and her father at the end was executed beautifully. It really highlighted the profoundly negative impact of greed on both oneself and those in oneโ€™s vicinity, which I believe is the main theme the creators were trying to drive home. They delivered with incredible finesse here. ๐Ÿ‘

If that wasn’t all enough, I feel that I must draw attention to the extraordinary atmosphere that this island offers. I’m obsessed. ๐Ÿ˜ The beautiful Arabian architecture and traditional clothing, together with the mesmerizing soundtrack (created by Jeff Heim), immerse me in the rich culture and make me feel pure bliss. (Here’s a review from right after the final installment came out by Slanted Fish & Slippery Raptor who share my sentiments.)

I’m really curious about how the final outcome compared to Sarah/Magic Eagle’s initial entry. Given that the contest was exclusively for participants aged 8 to 12, I find myself intrigued by the capabilities of such a young child, and I hope that doesn’t come off as patronizing. I’m simply amazed.


#1. Monster Carnival Island ๐ŸŽก

The highly anticipated Monster Carnival Island officially launched on February 21 for members, followed by its release to all players on March 20. This had the fandom shook to its core! (Read about the mystery revolving around Monster Carnival Island.)

With the exception of the ending, which I’ll address later, I genuinely admire nearly every feature of this island, much like my appreciation for PoptropiCon and Arabian Nights.

Ringmaster Raven is probably my favorite villain ever, which is saying a lot given the plethora of remarkable villains in Poptropica. The soundtrack also ranks highly among my favorites, particularly the piece known as Monster Carnival Main Theme by Jeff Heim. The composition possesses a unique blend of jubilance and eeriness, forming a compelling juxtaposition. ๐Ÿ˜ As a matter of fact, I think it effectively captures the essence of the island hinting at a darker reality lurking beneath the lively and colorful festivities of the carnival. ๐Ÿ˜ˆ

Monster Carnival is another island that notably excels in its storytelling compared to many others. The gradual transition of the setting from day to dusk and then to night during the gameplay is a nice touch in foreshadowing the terror of what’s to come, and the frightening transformation of the carnival workers into monsters as night descends is both unsettling and strangely satisfying. It gets even better with the revelation of Raven’s backstory through a series of newspapers which kind of make you feel pity and compassion for him. ๐Ÿฅบ

Now for the ending…The original ending left many individuals within the community feeling displeased, and I find myself in agreement. It’s important to recognize that Ringmaster Raven’s attempt to hypnotize the townsfolk into slavery was indeed a serious wrongdoing, for which there is no valid justification that I can think of. Yet, the notion of reducing this manโ€”who has suffered from bullying, dehumanization, and social rejection throughout his existenceโ€”to a state where he believes he is a chicken, thereby subjecting him to a life of embarrassment as a “funny” circus attraction, strikes me as equally distasteful. ๐Ÿคจ The ending was revised in 2022 with the re-release of Monster Carnival on Steam. Some individuals including myself still find the current narrative to be unfulfilling.

Again, while I do not condone Raven’s actions, my ideal resolution would involve him receiving comprehensive counseling in a facility designed to provide a safe and supportive environment where he is treated with dignity and respect during the process. Ya know, like a human…(or Poptropican in this case?) I mean, it’s possible these events could’ve happened off-screen at Erewhon Prison after the conclusion of the island’s events, but that we’ll never know. ๐Ÿซ 

Additionally, I believe that everyone in the town who played a role in his suffering should offer him a direct apologyโ€”something I’m confident he would reciprocate. I sincerely wish that Raven could have experienced a redemption arc; if not on the island, then perhaps through a mini-quest or at least a statement from the creators. ๐Ÿ˜” Something about Raven really touches me.

So, after a six-year anticipation, Monster Carnival Island undoubtedly fulfilled my expectations, despite its flaws. (A reader of ours once shared her thoughts on this island that somewhat resemble mine. ๐Ÿ˜‰) I strongly suspect that the island we ultimately received is far more impressive than it would’ve been had it come to fruition in 2008 as intended.


Well, that concludes my ranking of these islands that are now pretty much a decade old.ย It’s incredible to think about how much time has flown by. What are your thoughts on my list and what isย your ranking of the Poptropica islands of 2014? I encourage y’all to sound off in the comments! Thanks for reading everybody. Props if you made it to the end. I know this was a super long post. ๐Ÿซฃ Until next time, pop on! ๐Ÿ€

PHB Series, PHB Specials, Pop-over

PHB Pop-over Special: Saved by the Bell ๐Ÿ””

The main cast from left to right: Zack, Kelly, Jessie, Slater, Screech, Lisa

Howdy doodly Poptropicanos, and welcome to an all-new Pop-over special. It’s been some time since we’ve done one of these, so for those who need a refresherโ€”a Pop-over special is where we merge the world of Poptropica with another intellectual property. Basically, the name “Pop-over” is derived from the combination of “Poptropica” and “crossover.” Now, let’s get into it!

This pop-over centers on the iconic NBC sitcom, Saved by the Bell, which ran from 1989 to 1993. The show garnered immense popularity which led to the creation of two TV movies, two spin-off series, and a revival series in 2020. On top of all that, it was recognized in the past as one of the “20 Best Shows of All Time.” (Check out their banger of a theme song.)

Anyway, I crafted the outfits shown in the top graphic by assembling different garments and hairstyles from our wonderful Avatar Studio Gift (ASG) page. I then converted these finalized designs into my own ASGs, allowing you to replicate the looks with greater ease.

To access these designs, simply open the ASG Machine and input the username of the character you wish to clone, followed by your account username and password. (Please note that your login information will not be retained; it is solely utilized for the ASG process.) The usernames for the characters are provided below:

  • To look like the mischievous & impulsive Zack Morris, type the username ZackMorrisASG.
  • If you’re feeling like a loveable goofball, ScreechPowersASG‘s look might match your energy.
  • KellyKapowskiASG will transform your appearance to resemble that of the preppy, kind-hearted popular girl.
  • Stay too cool for school like Slater with ACSlaterASG‘s workout-ready apparel
  • Look no further than JessieSpanoASG if you’re aiming for a charming and modest look.
  • If you’re intrigued by the extravagant style of Bayside’s ultimate gossip queen, Lisa, then you should definitely try LisaTurtleASG.

Saved by the Bell revolves around a group of six teenagers as they journey through their high school years at the fictional Bayside High School, located in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, California. While the show does delve into serious topics such as environmental issues and women’s rights from time to time, the primary emphasis remains on comedic and light-hearted content.

Hope you enjoyed this crossover of Saved by the Bell ร— Poptropica! Have you ever seen the show before? I must admit I’m a fan. I’ve watched every episode and both movies at least twice. While Saved by the Bell aired long before my time, it brings to mind several Disney Channel shows I enjoyed during my childhood, which, while somewhat campy, still possessed a certain depth and emotional resonance. I really feel like the show set the tone for kids & teen programming that was yet to come. What are your thoughts on Saved by the Bell?

Thanks for tuning in! I appreciate your guys’ time and look forward to chatting with you all again soon. Pop on! (P.S. Check out our Poptropica Look Book for more outfit inspo.)

๐ŸŽถ Zack Morris is trash ๐ŸŽถ iykyk