So you’re searching for “eye eye kapitän” and probably wondering what the heck this game even is. I get it – the name sounds bizarre eye eye kapitän . It’s basically a kids’ board game where you’re collecting fake seagull poop with tongs while a robot eyeball rolls around messing everything up. Yeah, it’s as strange as it sounds, but my nephew absolutely loves it.
Let me break down everything you need to know before buying this thing.
What’s the Deal with Eye Eye Captain?
Ravensburger makes this game (product number 21470 if you’re wondering). The eye eye kapitän game’s basic story is pretty silly: seagulls have pooped all over a pirate ship’s deck, and the captain’s glass eye has fallen out and is now rolling around everywhere. Your job? Grab the poop piles with tongs before the rolling eyeball knocks everything around.
The “eye eye” part is a play on “aye aye captain” – you know, the pirate phrase. Except here it’s literally about an eye. Get it? The German version spells it “Kapitän” which is why you might see both spellings online.
What Comes in the Box
When you open this up, here’s what you’ll find:
The main thing is this electronic glass eye that actually rolls around on its own. Pretty cool tech for a kids’ game honestly. Then there’s the ship deck board, some railings to put around the edges, 12 little seagull poop pieces (they’re just colored plastic mounds, not realistic or anything gross), some chips for scoring, tongs to grab stuff with, and a color die.
Oh, and heads up – you need 3 AAA batteries and they don’t come with it. Really annoying when you give this as a gift and realize you can’t play it right away.
How You Actually Play This Thing
Setup takes maybe 3 minutes. You put the ship together in the box, pop the batteries in the eye, scatter the poop pieces around, and you’re good to go.
The gameplay is straightforward. You roll the die to see what color you need to grab, then use the tongs to pick up that colored piece. The twist? That stupid electronic eye is rolling around the whole time, bumping into stuff and potentially hitting the die to change colors. It’s chaos, especially with little kids screaming and grabbing.
There are three ways to play:
- Solo mode where you race against time
- Competitive where everyone fights to collect their colors first
- Co-op where you work together
Most games take 10-15 minutes. Perfect for short attention spans.
Who’s This Game Actually For?
The box says ages 4-99, but let’s be real here. Eye eye kapitän is designed for preschool and early elementary kids – probably ages 4 to 7 is the sweet spot. My nephew got it for his 5th birthday and played it nonstop for about two months.
Kids around 8 or 9 might still enjoy it but they’ll probably think it’s a bit babyish. The whole “poop” humor is really aimed at that younger crowd who think anything involving bathroom stuff is hilarious.
Parents can play along without wanting to poke their eyes out though, which is more than I can say for a lot of kids’ games. The different modes keep it from getting too boring too fast.
Where Can You Buy It?
Here’s the annoying part – this game goes in and out of stock constantly on Amazon. When I checked last, Amazon.com had it listed as “currently unavailable.” But here’s the thing: it pops back in stock pretty regularly, so check back or set up an alert.
Check if it’s back in stock on Amazon
Your other options:
Amazon Germany (amazon.de) usually has better stock since it’s a German game originally. The instructions are in multiple languages anyway, so it doesn’t matter where you buy it from.
You might also find it at Target or Walmart if you’re lucky, or check Board Game Geek’s marketplace where people sell their used copies.
What Does This Cost?
Expect to pay somewhere between $30-45 in the US, maybe €30-40 in Europe. The eye eye kapitän price jumps around a lot. I’ve seen it as low as $28 on sale and as high as $50 during the holidays when everything goes crazy.
My advice? Don’t pay more than $40 unless you’re desperate. Set a price alert and wait for a deal.
What Parents Actually Think
I looked at a bunch of Amazon reviews across different countries. Overall people give it about 4.3 out of 5 stars, which is pretty solid for a kids’ game.
The good stuff people mention:
- Kids genuinely love it (especially that 4-6 age range)
- It’s actually somewhat fun for adults too
- Setup is quick so you’re not spending 20 minutes before you can play
- Ravensburger quality means it holds up to rough play
- Three different game modes is nice
The complaints:
- Batteries die pretty fast (definitely get rechargeables)
- The rolling eye makes this clicking noise that can get annoying
- After playing it 15-20 times, kids start to lose interest
- Some people think it’s overpriced for what you get
One review I saw said “My 4-year-old nephew loved this for his birthday. The different game variants work great for different age levels.” Another said “Nice game for in between. After playing several times it loses some of the fun factor.”
Both seem pretty accurate to me.
Other Games You Might Want Instead
If Eye Eye Captain doesn’t work out or you want something similar:
Pop Up Pirate is cheaper ($15-20) and also pirate-themed. You stick swords in a barrel and whoever makes the pirate pop up loses. Way simpler, great for younger kids.
Disney Eye Found It is completely different despite the name. It’s a 6-foot long board where you search for hidden Disney characters. More educational, longer gameplay. Better if your kid loves Disney.
Marvel Eye Found It is the same thing but with superheroes instead of Disney characters.
Kakerlacula is another Ravensburger electronic game where you control a robotic cockroach with magnetic wands. Similar vibe, maybe better for slightly older kids (6+).
Tips If You Do Buy This
Get rechargeable AAA batteries. Seriously. The eye drains batteries like crazy and you’ll save money in the long run.
Mix up which game mode you play. Don’t just stick to competitive every time or it gets boring fast. Try co-op mode sometimes.
For really young kids (like 3-4), you might want to ditch the die and time pressure and just let them practice using the tongs to collect stuff. It’s actually good for developing their motor skills.
Store everything in the box when you’re done. The game is designed so the ship deck fits right in the base with all the pieces inside.
Common Questions People Ask
Do you need batteries? Yes, 3 AAAs. Not included. Buy them separately or you’ll be disappointed on game day.
Is it in English? The instructions come in multiple languages including English. The game itself doesn’t really need language since it’s all colors and actions.
How many players? Officially 2-4 players. You could do solo challenges or add more players if you make teams.
Is the poop realistic looking? No, they’re just colored plastic mounds. Nothing gross or realistic. Even squeamish kids should be fine.
Will older kids like it? Up to about age 8 maybe. After that it’s probably too simple unless they’re playing with younger siblings.
Can you play without batteries? I guess technically, but then it’s just a boring color-matching game. The rolling eye is what makes it fun.
My Honest Take
Look, this isn’t going to be your kid’s favorite game forever. Eye eye kapitän isn’t that deep or strategic. But for what it is – a quick, silly action game for young kids – it does the job well.
The electronic eye gimmick actually works and adds real unpredictability. The tongs are a nice touch for developing hand coordination. And importantly, it doesn’t make adults want to throw it out the window after the third time playing (looking at you, Candy Land).
Is it worth $35-40? If you’ve got a 4-7 year old who likes active games and thinks potty humor is peak comedy, yeah probably. If your kids are older or you’re on a tight budget, there are cheaper options out there.
The Ravensburger quality is legit though. This thing will survive your kids and be ready to pass down or donate when they outgrow it.
Bottom Line
Eye Eye Captain is a solid choice for preschool and early elementary kids. It gets them moving, laughing, and practicing fine motor skills. Just don’t expect it to be something they play for years and years.
If the Amazon price looks good and your kid is in that 4-7 sweet spot, go for it. Keep some rechargeable batteries handy and you’ll get plenty of entertainment out of it.
Ready to grab it?
Buy on Amazon (check current price and stock)
Try Amazon Germany if US is out of stock
Or browse more board games for young kids to compare options.
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This article has affiliate links. If you buy through them, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend stuff based on real research and reviews, not just whatever pays the most.
