Whac-A-Mole has become the latest Mattel toy property to receive the TV treatment as the television production outfit, Fremantle, prepares to develop a new game show based on the title.

The move comes amid a slate of TV licensing announcements from Mattel, including the most recent partnership with Propagate to develop a game show based on the family card game UNO.

According to reports, the Whac-A-Mole game show will turn the popular Mattel title – and regular fixture of the arcades and amusement park scene – into an elimination competition during which opposing teams will use their skill, strength, and endurance to become the ultimate Whac-A-Mole champion.

The unscripted series will incorporate life-sized Whac-A-Mole, races and obstacle courses.

Whac-A-Mole popped into life in 1976 as an arcade game before being turned into a tabletop game in 2009. This year, Mattel will be re-releasing the tabletop game and launching a new card game Whac-A-Mole Match-A-Mole.

“Whac-A-Mole is a beloved, action-packed arcade game with a deep fan following, and the interactive nature and comedic energy of the game makes it a great franchise for episodic television,” said Adam Bonnett, executive producer, Mattel Television.

“Jayson and the team at Fremantle have had unparalleled success creating iconic reality television series and are the perfect partners to help us bring this classic game to life in new ways.”

Jayson Dinsmore, president of alternative programming and development, Fremantle, added: “We’re so excited to have the iconic Whac-A-Mole brand as our newest playground.

“Partnering with Mattel to bring this classic game to television in a dynamic and synergistic life-sized world is a dream come true.”