As a child of the early 2000s, there was no greater joy than being treated to a McDonald’s Happy Meal. The combination of quick, delicious food and a toy to entertain you as you enjoyed your fries was simply unbeatable.
I can’t remember when I last had one of these before graduating to regular-sized meals. But being honest, it wasn’t something that frequently crossed my mind since. However, upon hearing that McDonald’s were introducing an adult version of the Happy Meal, my curiosity was instantly piqued.
What would the toy be? How many nuggets would be included? And crucially, would it be presented in the iconic M-shaped box? These questions swirled around in my head, prompting me to give it a go.
The meal in question is the limited-edition Minecraft Movie Meal, inspired by the upcoming film adaptation of the popular video game set to hit screens later this spring. While I’ve never been a fan myself, my younger brother was obsessed with it back in the day, so I have a vague understanding of what it involves.
Fortunately, you don’t need any prior knowledge of the Minecraft universe to understand what’s included in the meal. You have the choice of a Big Mac, nine McNuggets or four veggie dippers, accompanied by a side and a drink.
The toy is descibed as an ‘exclusive collectible’ designed specifically for adults, featuring classic McDonald’s items and characters that have been transformed into the distinctive blocky style of Minecraft.
I opted for the veggie dippers, chips and a Diet Coke, not forgetting the limited-edition ‘Nether Flame Sauce’ to accompany it. The apple cake McFlurry, another Minecraft-inspired addition, was also on my order list.
Upon receiving my food, I immediately noticed something amiss. The Happy Meal didn’t come in its iconic box – a disappointment, to say the least. I’m unsure if this was due to ordering via Uber Eats, but it certainly took away some of the fun.
Moving onto the food itself, the veggie dippers were a new experience for me. They boasted a pleasant flavour and their crispy exterior remained intact even after delivery. They actually reminded me a bit of aranci, thanks to the rice in the filling.
The chips were as expected, although noticeably less salty than they used to be. This is likely a healthier change, though perhaps at the expense of taste.
The Nether Flame Sauce was a shock to the system, and not in a positive way. It was overwhelmingly vinegary, spicy and sweet simultaneously – a chaotic mix that didn’t complement the meal.
I ended up throwing it away and I’m glad it’s limited-edition, because the sooner this is forgotten about, the better.
Thankfully, the McFlurry was there to soothe my tastebuds, offering just the right amount of tang from the apple sauce and pieces. Plus, in my view, nothing beats that style of soft-serve ice cream.
The toy, however, was another disappointing part of my meal. It seemed to be a blocky version of a burger, but how this has been ‘crafted for adults’ is beyond me.
Bring back the cuddly dogs with the massive noses or the music toy that would play Girls Aloud – it’s what the people want.
The adult Happy Meal starts at £8.19 for a medium, which is what I opted for. Out of curiosity, I checked the price of a regular veggie dipper meal without the ‘Happy Meal’ label.
It’s priced at £6.59, although prices can vary across the UK, which seems outrageous to me. In my opinion, it’s not worth the extra money, and I believe the nostalgia got the better of me on this occasion.
