iT’Z a hit

On the way to a preview of iT’Z, my 11-year-old-son, Aidan, asked, “So, do they have laser tag like Mr. Biggs?”

“No, but they have lots of other cool stuff,” I told him.

“Really, no laser tag?”

He shook his head.

This affection for Mr. Biggs, the mega family fun center in Rockrimmon, was at least partially responsible for the death of so many other worthy family fun centers — JoyRides, Champions, Mountasia. But now the Bigg man has some serious competition.

Based on our team’s 2½ hours Tuesday night, we have to say that iT’Z offers at least as much fun as Mr. Biggs, but the look, the diversions, the food and the strategy are different.

iT’Z is like a cross between Golden Corral and Dave & Busters, placing its emphasis on the all-you-can-eat mega buffet and video games.

The food

The buffet at iT’Z is both a strength and weakness. It’s loaded with foods kids love: hot dogs, pizza, pasta, tacos, cookies, etc., and the quality is as high as you can expect in this kind of mass pig-out. My crew especially liked all the great varieties of pizza. (The beer counter, an important part of the buffet in my mind, wasn’t open for the preview but should be open today.)

The themed dining rooms are terrific. Our favorite was the Galaxy Drivein, which was playing “Remember the Titans.” Later in the night, when I was seeking some quiet (something not easy to find there), I discovered a peaceful booth and sipped some soda at the Hollywood room.

The only problem with the food setup is that it’s a requirement. You have to pay for the buffet ($2.99-$7.99) to get in, and that could vastly increase the cost of a couple of hours of fun.

The rides

The rides at iT’Z are on par with those at JoyRides. In fact, the Monkey Jump, which lifts kids about 30 feet in the air and lowers them in a series of quick drops, is essentially identical to a ride from JoyRides.

The bumper cars also resemble those from JoyRides in that they’re in a fairly confined area, so appeal more to kids under 10 years than those over 10.

One ride that’s different from anything at JoyRides is Kite Flyer. It draws the longest lines, and for good reason.

This is an excellent ride. It’s like a cross between Elitch’s Flying Coaster and a speedy carousel. You lie down on your belly and the ride lifts up, while you feel like you’re flying around and around Superman style. It’s actually smoother and, in some ways, superior to the Elitch’s ride, if not quite as scary.

The under-10 set also was loving the Speedway ride, mini race cars on a roller coaster track, with enough whiparound-the-curves action to keep them screaming.

The games

The mix of state-of-the-art skill games and conventional video games makes this easily the most impressive, modern arcade in the region.

It has all the hottest shooter games: “House of Dead 4,” “Aliens Extermination,” “Ghost Squad Evolution.”

It has the linked car and motorcycle racing games that allow all family members to race against one another. And probably the best, hottest racing game is the three-screened “Ferrari F355 Challenge,” which my 15-year-old-son, Eli, declared the most realistic racer he’s played.

Those who want to win tickets to redeem for prizes can find the usual Skee Ball, as well as basketball tosses and a great new football toss game.

The games and rides work on swipecards. It cost me about $30 to keep my kids going for the 2½ hours.

The layout

Beyond the large check-in area, iT’Z is divided into two main areas: one for dining, the other a huge room for the rides and games.

The advantage is that you up the excitement vibe by having all the flashing lights and screaming girls and alien-zapping boys in one place. The disadvantage is that the noise and chaos levels can get dangerously close to Chuck E. Cheese’s levels. (Again, looking forward to the opening of the beer counter.)

At least iT’Z never feels claustrophobic, as Mr. Biggs sometimes does. That’s because it has windows and skylights and high ceilings everywhere.

The bottom line

Getting the kids to leave wasn’t easy. They seemed to be Super Glued onto their respective video games.

After finally tearing them off, Aidan declared iT’Z to be at least on par with Mr. Biggs.

“But if they could just add laser tag. . .”

details

iT’Z

Where: 3035 New Center Pointe

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays

Cost: Adult buffet evenings and weekends, $7.99; children ages 10-12 $4.99; ages 3-9 $3.99; 2 and younger free; lunch $2.99-$5.99.

Eat-and-play combo (buffet, drink and 50 FUN points) $12.99-$17.99. (It’s a buck or two cheaper on weekdays.)

Contact info: 623-1550, itzusa.com