EA twists the gameplay mechanics through the rest of the adventure. Sometimes, players need to slide blocks apart like a puzzle of dead-bolts, releasing a large platform from its obstructions. In other situations, players toss balls to clear the way for friendly, advancing creatures. The Wild West levels even include a shooting scenario.

Multiplayer games mostly have their own rules, too, like taking turns trying to knock blocks with the highest point value off a pedestal. But some remix the non-throwing game types from the adventure mode, or let gamers team up to attack the bears. Up to four players can compete with any number of Wii Remotes.

And the detailed Boom Blox level editor should let gamers find their own ways to play. EA demonstrated a few Rube Goldberg-like creations, with levers and other cascading ways to change the game's motion. 30 different block-like characters can twist these moments, since they have programmed behaviors. For example, chickens cluck around, laying explosive block eggs. Skeletons chase and kill chickens. Dogs throw baseballs at these attacking skeletons. Once a gamer creates or remixes a level, they can also share it with friends over Nintendo WiFi.

Boom Blox largely centers on tossing balls to knock down block structures. But the adventure mode, level editor, and multiplayer ways to play should make it last beyond the 400 levels included on the disc. Look for the Spielberg-executive-produced game May 6.