ICarly 2: iJoin the Click!

Lore & Background

iCarly 2: iJoin the Click! was announced in July 2010. It was developed by Big Blue Bubble, a company that had previously worked on a Windows game called iCarly: iDream in Toons in 2009. The game was released for the Wii and Nintendo DS in the US on November 16, 2010, alongside a line of iCarly toys from Playmates that included in-game codes. In a press release, actors from the show commented on the game: Nathan Kress said it has 'a much more in-depth feel' than the original, and Miranda Cosgrove remarked, 'It's so exciting to see the end results for the video game and hear my own voice come from my animated character.'

In the game, players begin as a new student at Ridgeway Secondary School and can interact with main characters Carly, Sam, and Freddie at locations from the show, such as Groovy Smoothie, the Pacific Place Mall, and Carly's apartment. Gameplay differs from the original, allowing players to create an avatar who can explore an open world from a third-person perspective. While the main cast—Carly, Sam, Freddie, Spencer, and Gibby—are voice acted, other characters speak in gibberish.

The game received limited critical reception, not earning enough reviews on Metacritic for either platform to have a score listed. Common Sense Media called it 'a messy, sometimes incomprehensible mish-mash of a game,' citing its dialogue as the only redeeming quality for fans of the show.

Reader's Guide

iCarly 2: iJoin the Click! represents a notable entry in licensed video games based on popular Nickelodeon television series. Developed by Big Blue Bubble and published by Activision, the game expanded on its predecessor by introducing an open-world environment and customizable avatar, a shift from the original's gameplay. Its release alongside a line of Playmates toys with in-game codes illustrates a cross-promotional strategy common in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The involvement of the show's cast in voice acting and promotional remarks, including Nathan Kress's comment on the game's depth and Miranda Cosgrove's excitement about hearing her voice in the animated character, highlights the integration of the TV series' talent into the gaming experience. Despite limited critical reception and a negative review from Common Sense Media, the game's existence underscores the enduring popularity of the iCarly franchise and the efforts to extend its brand into interactive media. Its legacy is tied to the broader trend of TV-to-game adaptations during that era, serving as a time capsule of licensed gaming practices.

Did You Know?

• The game was developed by Big Blue Bubble, which had previously worked on a Windows game called iCarly: iDream in Toons in 2009.
• It was released alongside a line of iCarly toys from Playmates that included in-game codes.
• Nathan Kress said the game has 'a much more in-depth feel' than the original installment.
• Common Sense Media called the game 'a messy, sometimes incomprehensible mish-mash of a game.'