By: Spencer Bollettieri, lead freelance writer for Theme Park Magazine
Television has long offered an escape for fans shouting at the screen during Final Jeopardy! or brandishing a phaser alongside the crew of Star Trek. However, at Great Big Game Show and The Escape Game, that fantasy steps off the screen and into the real world. Guests man the lasers, bash the buzzers, and star in their own adventures, putting down the remote and putting their skills to the test in Times Square’s latest immersive experiences.
Founded in Nashville, Tennessee, The Escape Game has grown into one of the most recognizable names in themed entertainment. Today, the company operates more than 40 locations across the United States and employs over 1,300 people. Spanning 4,700 square feet, the Times Square site inside the historic Brill Building marks the brand’s latest expansion, joining its existing Midtown location in New York City.
“Times Square has always been synonymous with new technology and innovative experiential entertainment, so we are thrilled to welcome The Escape Game and Great Big Game Show to the district in the iconic Brill Building,” said Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance.
At Times Square’s Great Big Game Show and The Escape Game, the venue is split into two distinct experiences. Great Big Game Show casts guests as contestants, inviting groups to press their luck, test their knowledge, and show off their skills in a larger-than-life fantasy game show setting. The Escape Game, by contrast, is a narrative-driven adventure where visitors explore themed rooms and rely on quick thinking, cooperation, and imagination to progress.
Press Your Luck at NYC’s Great Big Game Show
NYC’s Great Big Game Show begins as guests are ushered onto a nostalgic set piece inspired by the golden age of television game shows. Blinking lights, colorful sets, and, naturally, a titanic wheel waiting to be spun set the tone for everyone. Armed with markers and magnetic nameplates, guests scrawl their names in classic Jeopardy! fashion before slapping them onto their podiums. Once everyone has taken their place at a buzzer and has been properly divided into the Blue or Red teams, the studio comes to life.
Outside, an illuminated “On Air” sign flashes as a screen at the center of the room pulls guests behind the scenes. An imaginary film crew informs them that they’re officially contestants and that the host is on the way. Encouraged to smile and bring their best game show energy, guests are introduced to two hosts: one a live, energetic member of The Escape Game staff dressed in traditional quizmaster attire; the other an animated computer named Chip, who channels the charm of icons like Alex Trebek and The Whammy. And on a particularly lucky day, guests may even be hosted by a real-life, record-breaking Wheel of Fortune winner and general manager Chorsie Calbert IV.
From there, the host explains that contestants will compete in a rotating lineup of classic and original games selected by Chip, inspired by TV favorites like Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud, and Jeopardy! Before each round, the rules are explained, and teams battle for points. For example, in “Build It Up,” a physical challenge reminiscent of Nickelodeon’s Double Dare, teams race against the clock to assemble the tallest tower possible. Meanwhile, in “Blockchain,” players answer trivia questions while forming patterns across a digital board inspired by Blockbuster. And, of course, no game show would be complete without a massive wheel: “Spin Out” lets players risk gaining or losing points, calling to mind reruns of Wheel of Fortune and Press Your Luck.
With over 15 minigames in Chip’s rotation, no two sessions play out the same, giving Great Big Game Show strong replayability and keeping each experience feeling fresh. Also, before the game begins, guests can list which games they’ve played at the front desk, increasing their chances of being assigned challenges they haven’t completed.
After completing the challenges assigned by Chip, each session culminates in a Final Jeopardy-style round, where teams can wager the points they’ve earned in a last bid for victory. Depending on how much is at stake, the outcome can shift in an instant, resulting in a jubilant win or a costly defeat.
While Great Big Game Show is undeniably competitive, it’s a competition rooted firmly in fun. Designed primarily for contestants ages 12 and up, the experience features only light physical challenges. Moreover, accommodations are available for younger players through simplified games and easier questions. Ultimately, it’s an experience designed for everyone. Whether guests grew up watching Legends of the Hidden Temple, The Price is Right, or Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Great Big Game Show taps into the joy of playing along with America’s favorite game shows, now as fully interactive, immersive, and right in the heart of Times Square.
Step Into a Story at The Escape Game
When it comes to The Escape Game, guests are invited to escape more than a room; they’re stepping into a story. Often described as “the Disney of escape rooms,” The Escape Game has built its reputation on exciting plots, detailed environments, and inventive puzzles that reward curiosity and imagination. When signing up for one of the many scenarios housed inside The Brill Building, guests shouldn’t expect the usual race against the clock, but a fully realized experience where innovation is encouraged, people become invested in the story, and discovery is part of the fun.
At the Times Square location, adventure takes many forms and offers a wide variety. Guests can blast off to save the galaxy in Cosmic Crisis, track the Abominable Snowman in Legend of the Yeti, clear their name in Prison Break, or dive into one of several other experiences developed through The Escape Game’s Nashville “Adventure Factory.” Each room has its own story, puzzle design, and difficulty level, most of which are clearly outlined in the lobby or online, allowing groups to choose the adventure that best suits them.
Once the experience begins, guests are ushered into the first room, where an attendant provides a brief overview of the rules, the setting, and the story they’re about to enter. Often paired with a short video introduction, this setup is quick and simple, making it easy to jump into the world being created. Before long, players find themselves scanning the room, not just for clues, but for context. Props and set dressing don’t just hide answers; they tell a story, rewarding observant guests with more than progress, but a deeper understanding of the world they’re exploring.
Each scenario at The Escape Game features multiple puzzles of varying difficulty, typically spread across three rooms. Although the challenges are designed to make players think, they never feel unfair. Meanwhile, players will find that quick action and coordination are sometimes needed as the clock ticks down, but few rooms require too much physical exertion. And if a team finds itself truly stuck, the hint button is always there to guide them in the right direction.
Most rooms are accessible to newcomers and experienced escape room fans alike, depending on the chosen difficulty. The experiences are generally best suited for teams of 2-8 players aged 12 and up, as younger children may struggle with the patience and problem-solving required by some puzzles.
The Verdict: A Great Play Experience in Times Square
Whether on TV or anywhere else, “Escape” is a word with many meanings: freedom, thrill, accomplishment, and at Times Square’s Great Big Game Show and The Escape Game, all of them can be found within the span of an hour. Ultimately, it isn’t about how many points are earned, how far a team gets, or whether every secret is uncovered. What matters is whether the fantasy created is one worth escaping to. Together, these experiences offer more than a challenge: they give guests something to believe in as they work side by side, a story to star in as they venture deeper into their imaginations, and a way to escape in New York.
Explore More: Videos
What is Great Big Game Show?
Explore More: Resources
- Website: The Escape Game NYC
- Global Website: The Escape Game
- Article: Step Inside Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building with New Immersive Escape Room Game (Theme Park Magazine)
Feature image showing guests participating in a game show experience (photo courtesy of The Great Big Game Show)
As a biologist, journalist, and writer, Spencer Bollettieri has written for sites such as CBR. Although mostly based out of New York, he’s traveled the world in pursuit of new stories.
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