![]() One interesting development choice was that the single vs local multiplayer functionality was built into the main hub and not the individual games. There is also a custom function that lets you mix and match the game rules to suit your own tastes. As for the games, they seem to offer up the original board version, as well as a bit more challenging version with lots of play and finally a super-charged or tweaked version full of cool power-ups or twists on the original game rules. However, it really dawns on you that this isn’t your 1980’s board game when you fire up any one of the seven available titles and realize that there are no missing pieces and no choking hazards for the little ones or pets that will be scouring the carpet for something to put in their mouths. The main hub has such a robust feel to it without even getting into the games themselves. I suggest the first thing you do is choose the option to check out the room and everything in it as it can almost be described as a room-sized version of Sony’s Home application sans the idiots trying to seduce the women avatars in the courtyard. As you change the themes, the entire room decoration (even the view out the window by the game play area) change to reflect you new choice. The game also comes initially with two themes (the base and a Spy version), but several more are free to download, including Boys room, Girls room and Jungle versions. The room also is (or soon will be) filled with unlockable items from each game as you win and meet goals, including pictures, slippers, chairs and coffee mugs. However, he first ushers you to the master game board, which houses all of the games, options and activities you can do while in the Hasbro Family Game Night application. He will also be with you every step of the way, providing some simply priceless moments when he starts gasping, hanging his head in shame or jumping for joy while you are playing opponents. The dude is prepared to show you everything and anything, as he is decked out in his jetpack outfit, complete with goggles and helmet. As you move into the room, you are greeted by the one and only Mr. Also, I went online and priced all physical board games and it is a toss up, as some (Yahtzee, Connect Four and Scrabble) are cheaper with the board version, while others (Sorry Sliders, Boggle and BattleShip) are either the same or more expensive than the Hasbro Family Game Night version.Īfter firing up the game and making your initial player options (local, Xbox Live, etc), you step off the elevator into your penthouse gaming room, where you can see that the room is segmented into three alcoves that house what I can only describe as the master game board, the game play area and a trophy wall. The pricing structure is pretty straight forward, with the main (HFGN) hub being free, and each individual title listed for 800 MS points (currently). Every game comes with its allotment of achievements, but they are all grouped together under one main list within the hub. Since then, the remainder of the originally announced lineup (adding Boggle, Sorry and Sorry Sliders to the mix) has become available. These included Scrabble, Yahtzee, Connect Four and Battleship. Originally released to XBLA on March 18th, 2009, the main hub featured four of the seven announced titles ready for download. That was my first experience with the game (didn’t play it on the PS2 or Wii) and I was taken aback at how well the board games were transferred to a digital medium. ![]() After checking out the Sims 3, Sims Animal Crossing and Pictureka!, I stumbled onto a kiosk that was showing off the Xbox Live Arcade version of Hasbro Family Game Night (HFGN.) After spending about 20 minutes playing demos of Battleship and Connect Four, we actually headed back the next day to spend some more time with the other titles. While at CES 2009 last January, Sean and I had an appointment with EA Casual in the section of the show to take a look at some of their upcoming titles that were designed for families and kids.
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