The battle was set between the Justice League and their archrivals, er, co-workers, the Simple Villains.
Seven software developers from Infinite Campus in Blaine wanted something more novel than a happy hour for a team bonding experience. They had tried bingo, WhirlyBall and an escape room. Then, they saw something new on Facebook called "Game Show Battle Rooms" in Golden Valley.
The business offers a sendup of TV game shows like the "Price is Right," "Family Feud" and "Wheel of Fortune" with "Name that Price," "Friendly Feud" and "Wheel of Phrases." Teams challenge each other in hourlong showdowns at a price of $30 per person.
"Name something you cringe at when you're behind someone in the buffet line," said Michael Wesely, the goofy, genial host rocking a handlebar mustache and red velvet blazer.
"Using your hands," blurted contestant Laura Sweet after good answers seemed to be exhausted.
Wesely did his best Steve Harvey-like eyeroll at the answer and shouted, "Show me 'Using your hands'! " A buzzer sounded, a thumbs-down emoji flashed on the large video screen, and the Justice League let out a collective groan.
Kevin Letnes and David Sauer started Game Show Battle Rooms after launching two other night-out experiences, a pedal pub venture and an escape room business.
"We think this has the most potential," Sauer said. "Pedal pubs launched in Minneapolis 10 years ago, escape rooms more than five years ago. We looked for the next evolution and asked ourselves: 'How is there not a game show experience?'"