One of the more interesting activations outside the San Diego Convention Center during Comic-Con this year was the one put together by Brawl Stars. Located at the 5th Avenue Landing behind the San Diego Convention Center, Starr Park is an attraction open to the public. Attendees had the choice of booking an appointment online or braving the standby lines for this roughly 45-minute experience. We were lucky enough to attend a preview of the activation, and we’re happy to report that it was fantastic.

Before I jump into it, I have to mention that I’ve never played Brawl Stars. There were quite a few people in line with me that were really big fans who were definitely young adults. Throw in myself (36), along with a couples families, and we had a nice mix of people of different ages. I felt a little out of place when I was asked who my favorite character was, and I just picked the coolest name I heard other people say. In this case, I went with Spike. That’ll be important later.

Wait, this is a ride?

Upon the start of the activation, attendees are given a lanyard with an ID holder along with a stamp/sticker card that’s used to redeem for swag at the end of the experience. Before long, we were greeted by activation staff who accompanied us as we boarded a boat.

From there, we entered the “Starr Rail” with a travel guide who was just way too happy in several menacing situations during the ride. The “windows” on the monorail were actually screens showcasing zany situations featuring various Brawl Stars characters while flashing buttons decorated the interior, ready to push, which kids happily obliged to.

Eventually, we reached our destination, and as we exited the Starr Rail, we were pleasantly surprised to have arrived at Starr Park. When standing in line at the activation, the actual boat Starr Park was on is different from the monorail, so it looks like the boat actually did move a little bit to make this happen. For the Disney Parks fans, leaving the boat was reminiscent of what it was like when getting captured in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. It was pretty clever.

Carnival Vibes At Starr Park

Brawl Stars is all about the gems, and Starr Park is no different. The venue was adorned with carnival games and photo-ops for people to enjoy. Every game nets players a gem, and those that did specifically well are awarded with a sticker. The sticker goes on the stamp card mentioned earlier, and guests with at least two stickers can spin the wheel at the end of the activation for a big prize.

With all that said, it was time for me to play, and I started off with Mike’s Mine. There wasn’t much to this game. All you had to do was set off some TNT and hope you got an explosion, and I did. I was awarded a sticker, and it was time to try something else. Then it was off to Frontier World, where you have to play ring toss with some lassos and moonshine bottles. I hit one on my first try and failed with the other, but this was also enough for a sticker. At this point, I had enough to be done, but since no other attractions had lines, I figured I’d try them out.

After that, Piper’s Pie Shop featured a wheel that you have to spin, and hope you land on the spot you picked. That didn’t happen for me, so after I got my gym, they also gave me a Feastible Brawl Bar and a cupcake. Yay, free food! The next and final activity was at Frank’s Hammer Drop, which was pretty much a test of strength. You needed to hit a six or above to get a sticker. I was really confident about this because I do tire hammer workouts all the time. Unfortunately, I hit a five. No sticker. Weak.

Prizes & Verdict

Since I had the two stickers needed to spin the big wheel, it was time to do that. I also quickly noticed one thing that caught my eye. One of the prizes on the wheel was for “floafers.” I literally found out what these were the day before, because my friend wanted to grab some for her son. Of course, I had no idea where or if they’re being sold.

So imagine my excitement when I spun the wheel and won a pair of floafers, Spike’s floafers to be exact.

All in all, the activation was great, and I’m not somebody that typically enjoys these things. The staff did a good job. The ride was enjoyable. The activities and games were fun. The prizes were even better! Would I stand in line for this? Sure, but maybe for no more than an hour.

Kudos to the Brawl Stars team at Supercell and the Mr. Beast team for a job well done. This is probably the best off-site SDCC activation I’ve ever taken part in!