Joystiq

Hasbro and Zynga make a deal, toys and games incoming

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:45:00 EST

Hasbro has struck a deal with Zynga to produce toys and games based on the social developer's catalogue of rich, nuanced IPs, which is great news if you've ever found yourself wishing you could somehow continue to give Zynga all of your money, even when you're away from your computer and smartphone.

Now, Hasbro's definition of "games" is more board-oriented than Zynga's, and while the licensing arrangement allows for "co-branded merchandise," it doesn't allow Zynga to make games based on Hasbro brands. The first products will hit store shelves sometime this fall, and while no specifics toys or board games have been announced we've got a feeling that My Little Ponyville and Ouija With Friends aren't that unlikely.

Continue reading Hasbro and Zynga make a deal, toys and games incoming

Hasbro and Zynga make a deal, toys and games incoming originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Zombies!!! for XBLA shambling in Spring 2011

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:30:00 EST

The last we'd heard of Zombies!!! for Xbox 360, an Xbox Live Arcade adaptation of the killer board game, it was seeking a new developer after the prior one lost its head. Turns out the Xbox Live Arcade version is still alive and will be handled by Babaroga, the same developer that just brought the game to Windows Phone 7.

According to Twilight Creations, creators of the tile-based strategy board game, the XBLA version should be out sometime in the first quarter of 2011. Three years after it was first announced, it would seem the game is finally headed for a console release. Considering it's a game about classic zombies, we understand that development can shuffle along slowly.

[Thanks, Andrew O.]

Zombies!!! for XBLA shambling in Spring 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hasbro Family Game Night 3 coming this fall with five more board games

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 12 May 2010 10:11:00 EST

Once again, it's time for us to play a quick round of "One of These Things is Not Like the Others!" Our contestants are the five titles that will be added to your ever-burgeoning collection of digital board games this fall, with the release of Hasbro Family Game Night 3 for Wii, 360 and PS3. Okay, here goes: The Game of Life, Clue, Mouse Trap, Yahtzee Hands Down and ... Twister. We'll give you a second to think. Here's a hint: We separated the weird one from the other ones using an ellipsis.

Twister? We can logistically see how the other four games could be adapted into a video game format, but ... Twister? Will Hasbro Family Game Night 3 come bundled with a polka-dotted floor mat peripheral? Regardless, we'll have to find out when Game Night 3 releases this fall, as the games will come bundled in a single retail package this time around, and, well -- we just have to get our hands on a video game version of Mouse Trap.

Hasbro Family Game Night 3 coming this fall with five more board games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 May 2010 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

'Game Table' turns your iPad into exactly that

JC Fletcher — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST

When you saw the iPad, did you imagine it as a virtual board game repository, able to summon checkers and such at a moment's notice? Well, if you didn't, you might now because that sounds really neat. And you can buy just such a thing! Game Table is a collection of board and card games including checkers, chess, poker, solitaire, and even a virtual deck of cards for other games. Developer Label Interactive plans to add more games to the app, like backgammon and go, through updates.

We don't mind saying that this game is noteworthy almost entirely because of the iPad interface -- but we imagine that's exactly the kind of thing people with iPads are looking for right now. And no, we're not going to write a post every time someone makes a board game app -- but it's novel right now.

Game Table ($.99):

Gallery: Game Table (iPad)

'Game Table' turns your iPad into exactly that originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

XBLA's Hasbro Family Game Night adding Pictureka!, Connect 4x4 and Jenga

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST

EA's Hasbro Family Game Night collection on XBLA will receive three new titles this summer: Pictureka!, Connect 4x4 and Jenga.

It's relatively easy to imagine how the Xbox 360 interpretations will work with Pictureka! and Connect 4x4. Pictureka! is a hide-and-seek visual game, whereas Connect 4x4 is a twist on the classic title, which supports more players and includes a "super squares" mode with power-ups on the board. As for Jenga -- and its real-world repercussion of creating a mess once your block tower topples -- EA might just capture some of that Boom Blox magic in HD. Although, we still posit that playing Jenga on a computer screen is about as suspect as clothed Twister.

XBLA's Hasbro Family Game Night adding Pictureka!, Connect 4x4 and Jenga originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EA Hasbro games sold eight million units at retail in 2009

David Hinkle — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:30:00 EST

Not since The Bushwhackers have we seen such an excellent pairing of two entities. EA and Hasbro's partnership has paid off in dividends, as a recent press release boasts that eight million copies of Hasbro titles have been sold in the US alone at retail last year. The eight million figure applies only to retail releases, not digitally distributed titles across consoles and mobile -- which admittedly have also been successful.

The release has some other interesting tidbits, like how the combined efforts of the two have seen 20 different Hasbro brands released on 18 major digital platforms. EA attributes the success of these games to three things: the rise in popularity of family-friendly video games; a demand for games targeting girls; and the popularity of Hasbro's well-known toys and games.

Any way you slice it, we're glad it's been such a fruitful venture for both companies, because we'll soon get to play Risk on our Xbox 360. It's only about a billion years too late, but hey, we'll take it! And we'll also take Asia - you'll never stop us now!

EA Hasbro games sold eight million units at retail in 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

We'll take three copies of Resident Evil: Monopoly

Justin McElroy — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST

We're not really sure we understand the impulse to stop playing one of your favorite game series long enough to build some cool tschochke devoted to it -- but we're certainly glad it exists. For without it we wouldn't have amazing items like Nicholas Endean's Resident Evil: Monopoly, the creation of which is laid out completely right here.

We'd love a copy of our very own, even if we'd hate to see the friendship-ending, nuclear-level arguments at Joystiq HQ over who gets to be the shopkeeper.

[Via Capcom Unity]

We'll take three copies of Resident Evil: Monopoly originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Best of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009

David Hinkle — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:15:00 EST

Resident Evil 5
I've long been a fan of the Resident Evil series, and while the campaign here has problems and should never be played solo, the Mercenaries mode is what kept me coming back. Those action-packed levels spent trying to survive while running low on ammo and health were some of my most chaotic, yet highly enjoyable, experiences of 2009.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009

Best of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Battleship now syncing on iPhone

Randy Nelson — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:00:00 EST

Adding to its growing roster of Hasbro board games retooled for board-less play, EA has christened the iPhone / iPod touch version of Battleship on its maiden voyage to the iTunes App Store. The game distinguishes itself through an animated play field, cutscenes depicting the damage being done to the enemy fleet and the fact that people won't stare at you on the train like they used to when you broke out the physical board game and started playing with friends.

Priced at $2.99, Battleship supports pass-around and local WiFi / Bluetooth multiplayer. We do not support playing the game near water, as Apple's touch-based devices have a moisture sensor to rat you out when you tell the Genius Bar you don't know why they stopped working.

Battleship ($2.99, EA Mobile):

Battleship now syncing on iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EA bringing Battleship, Connect 4, Monopoly to iPhone

David Hinkle — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:30:00 EST

EA is getting good mileage out of this Hasbro deal. The latest platform to be assaulted with family-friendly adaptations of classic board games is the iPhone and iPod Touch, with Battleship, Connect 4 and Monopoly Classic en route from EA Mobile. There's no word on prices or release date as of right now, but we'll be sure to pass that news along once it's available.

In the meanwhile, feel free to head into the gallery below to check out screens from each title. If you're reading Joystiq on an iPhone, you can totally pretend you're playing the games!

Gallery: Connect 4 (iPhone)

Gallery: Battleship (iPhone)

Gallery: Monopoly (iPhone)

EA bringing Battleship, Connect 4, Monopoly to iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Reminder: Hasbro games 50% off this week [update: Sorry! discounted too]

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EST

Update: We've confirmed with Major Nelson that Sorry! should have been priced at 400 as well. The price will be updated on XBLM "very soon."

Just a quick reminder here to let everyone know that this week's XBLM Deal of the Week is discounted prices for nearly all of the Hasbro Family Game Night collection on Xbox Live Arcade. All this week, Gold Live members can pick up Boggle, Scrabble, Battleship, Yahtzee, Sorry! Sliders or Connect 4 for 400 ($5) each (half off the usual 800). Curiously, one game, the original Sorry!, has not been discounted and remains at 800.

Still, if you've been waiting for a reason to pick up one of the other titles, this week looks like a good time to take the plunge.

Browse the Hasbro Family Game Night collection on XBLM (sign in to see discounted prices)

Reminder: Hasbro games 50% off this week [update: Sorry! discounted too] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hasbro Family Game Night 2 arrives on Wii in October

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST

Hasbro Family Game Night 2 hits the Wii (ever so gently) this October with more family-friendly games based on real-world Hasbro titles. The latest installment delivers: Operation, "Boppit," Jenga, Pictureka and Connect 4x4. It also includes Mii integration and a "Family Game Show" mode that allows multiple players to face off in a game night competition.

For those with a collection itch, playing the various titles found in the game will unlock a slew of items for hosts Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head to wear -- and unlike at home, the items aren't stored up their ... oh my, let's just end here.

Hasbro Family Game Night 2 arrives on Wii in October originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spell the day away with Boggle on iPhone

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:30:00 EST

EA Mobile certainly hopes your fascination with crafting words from letter-filled grids on your iPhone hasn't waned -- the developer recently released a port of Hasbro's Boggle onto the App Store. Though it lacks Word Scramble's robust multiplayer system (and free-ness), it does possess one feature that justifies its $2.99 price tag: Achievements. Lots of achievements. Seriously, wordsmithing hasn't been this rewarding since you won those tickets to Dollywood in your fourth grade spelling bee.

We take it back. This is way more rewarding than that.

Boggle ($2.99, EA Mobile):

Spell the day away with Boggle on iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Risk: Halo Wars gets a bombastic, gameplay-free trailer

Kevin Kelly — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:00:00 EST

There's enough fanfare in this trailer to make Michael Bay proud. Actually, make that a pre-CGI Michael Bay. Probably a film school-era Michael Bay. It has all the bombast and fanfare of a Michael Bay movie, just without all of the extremely fast intercutting and multiple explosions. We talked about Risk: Halo Wars back in January, and it's slowly but surely becoming a reality.

According to the game's website, it's due out in August 2009 -- which is right now, last time we checked the calendar. One word to the creators: give us a trailer showing some actual gameplay, and not just rotating views of the gamepieces and some concept art. Maybe you can even hire an aging celebrity to be in a commercial for the game, just like Milton Bradley did with Dark Tower back in the day.

Just a thought.

Continue reading Risk: Halo Wars gets a bombastic, gameplay-free trailer

Risk: Halo Wars gets a bombastic, gameplay-free trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Joystiq interview: the EA/Hasbro game agreement

Kevin Kelly — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:00:00 EST

When it comes to the realm of board games, Hasbro is quite the ... player. Over the past couple of decades, it has absorbed Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley, Avalon Hill, Wizards of the Coast, Cranium, and others. Chances are that any board game, not to mention toys, you used to play with as a kid are now owned by Hasbro.

In 2007, Electronic Arts signed an exclusive agreement with Hasbro to produce games based on some of the items in its vaults, and so far we've seen Scrabble, Hasbro Family Game Night, Trivial Pursuit, and more. EA also just announced Hasbro Family Game Night 2 for the Wii and DS, due out later this fall, which will add Pictureka, Bop-It, Operation, Jenga and others to the mix.

But where are the titles like Risk, Axis & Allies, and Dark Tower? We spoke to Steve Flege, Senior Marketing Director for Hasbro Digital and Kyle Murray, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Electronic Arts about the deal, the first games we've seen, the pricing structure, and what's coming up next. The good news: we might be getting Risk on next-gen consoles. It's been on the PC, the PS1, the PS2, and the original Xbox, so it's about time. Roll those sixes!

Gallery: Hasbro Family Game Night: Xbox 360

Continue reading Joystiq interview: the EA/Hasbro game agreement

Joystiq interview: the EA/Hasbro game agreement originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Zombies!!! looking for new developer

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST

It appears that Zombies!!! is in search of new brains to develop its video game adaptation. Speaking to Big Download, Zombies!!! license holder Twilight Creations stated it is currently looking for another company to develop the game and "cannot disclose the status of [former developer] Big Rooster."

Wait, what? Who asked about Big Rooster?

Big Rooster is the Madison, Wisconsin, developer that had the video game adaptation of Talisman pulled from it, publisher Capcom later stated there was a "misfire" in its development. We've reached out to Big Rooster to find out if the company had any comment, but apparently Big Download had the same experience contacting the developer as we did, with emails yet to be returned and the phones being "disconnected."

[Image: BoardGameGeek]

Zombies!!! looking for new developer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Hasbro Family Game Night

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: X3F TV

The shortest, easiest way to say it: Hasbro Family Game Night lets you play Hasbro board games on your TV. There's not much more to say, really. Oh, each game will cost you 800. Before the anger starts flowing, you should know that most of these games cost more in the real world. Check out the latest XBLA in Brief and decide if Hasbro Family Game Night deserves a shelf in your digital game closet.

Download Hasbro Family Game Night

[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.
[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).
[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[M4V] Download the M4V directly.

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Hasbro Family Game Night originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mr. Potato Head presents: Hasbro Game Night Achievements

Dustin Burg — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EST

A list of Achievements has made its way online for this month's release of Hasbro's Family Game Night collection of Xbox Live Arcade titles.

The list of 70 milestones totals 1400 Gamerscore points, which may seem like a Gamerscwhore's dream, but know that the sum is calculated using all seven separate XBLA games. Mathematically, that's seven classic board games (which we're told will cost 800 each) multiplied by the Arcade's standard 200 Gamerscore, which gives us the 1400 total. That said, Evel Knievel Mr. Potato Head still approves of the digital board games.

Mr. Potato Head presents: Hasbro Game Night Achievements originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hasbro Family Games to release mid-March, include Avatar support

Dustin Burg — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST

Nestled in a press release announcing the inclusion of Yahtzee in Hasbro Family Game Night (something we already knew) is confirmation that four Hasbro games will be releasing on Xbox Live Arcade sometime this March.

Scrabble, Connect Four, Battleship and Yahtzee will be the first four Hasbro titles made available when Xbox Live's special Family Game Night Destination launches next month. Boggle, Sorry! and Sorry! Sliders will release later this year.

The press release also confirms Avatars will be supported and that each title can be purchased individually for 800 ($10). If that wasn''t enough information, we're told the Family Game Night Destination lets players launch Hasbro games from their own customized game room. This uniquely decorated space accommodates Mr. Potato Head, can be shared with friends and sounds to be somewhat inspired by Home.

Hasbro Family Games to release mid-March, include Avatar support originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Want to control the Flood? Play Risk: Halo Wars

Xav de Matos — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST

Last week, the folks at USAopoly revealed that they had nabbed the Halo license and planned to release a special, themed edition of the board game Risk, soon after the retail release of Halo Wars. Set to hit the street in July, Risk: Halo Wars features three playable factions (UNSC, Covenant and that pesky Flood), 42 territories with six sectors and 250 plastic playing pieces that represent each of the three factions. The themed set has a MSRP of $39.99.

It may not be the new Halo announcement many were hoping for, but a Halo-themed Risk set has, "Yes, please," written all over it.

[Update: Image gallery now includes a snap of the game board and pieces.]

Want to control the Flood? Play Risk: Halo Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Warm Up: Card and board games (without the cleanup)

David Hinkle — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wii Warm Up

The news that Uno would be gracing WiiWare came as a pleasant surprise to us. We love card games, board games, and anything of the like, but we're just not big fans of cleaning them up. Or, in some cases, setting them up (looking at you, Axis & Allies).

What card/board games would you want to see grace WiiWare? Do you think a WiiWare is due for some Texas Hold 'Em or something?

Wii Warm Up: Card and board games (without the cleanup) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Scrabble is XBLA bound, Hasbro channel coming soon

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Xbox Live Arcade

After it was first rumored nearly a year ago (along with Monopoly), EA has announced that Scrabble is indeed heading to Xbox Live Arcade. The company also announced the creation of a brand new Hasbro Family Game Night "channel" in Xbox Live Arcade. The channel will serve as a "digital game closet," according to EA Hasbro general manager Chip Lange, where players can quickly access various Hasbro games without leaving the channel. Players will be able to "earn virtual trophies, furniture and themes" to decorate their closets by playing Hasbro games. In addition to Scrabble, other titles planned for the service include Sorry!, Sorry! Sliders, Battleship, Connect Four, Boggle and Yahtzee.

The Hasbro Family Game Night channel is set to debut this spring, though no specific dates have been given for any of the individual game releases. Oh, one more thing: No Monopoly mentioned, folks. Sorry.

[Via Joystiq]

Scrabble is XBLA bound, Hasbro channel coming soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

XBLA receiving Hasbro game channel; EA's Scrabble coming to handhelds, consoles

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:23:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, Microsoft Xbox 360

Electronic Arts announced today that Scrabble will make its way to the DS and PSP in March, and to Xbox Live Arcade at a later date. Beginning in spring, XBLA will not only receive the perennial wordsmith board game, but also Boggle, Battleship, Yahtzee, Connect Four, Sorry! and Sorry!Sliders.

In a very interesting development, XBLA will also receive a branded "Hasbro Family Game Night" channel. Chip Lange, general manager of EA Hasbro, says it'll allow players to easily find family-friendly digital board games. We only wish that Microsoft would extend such a courtesy to the high-quality European board games that are also available on the service.

XBLA receiving Hasbro game channel; EA's Scrabble coming to handhelds, consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

DS Fanboy's DSiWare screen round-up

Chris Greenhough — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

Thirteen DSiWare titles will be released to Japan's DSi Shop on December 24, so we thought we'd construct a one-stop post where you can gawk at games most of us can't have. Past the jump, you'll find screens for all launch titles, as well as the price and size of each. How would you spend the free 1,000 DSi Points you get with the system?

Because we love the series, we'll kick proceedings off with a look at A Little Dr. Mario (500 DSi Ware Points, 29 blocks required):

Continue reading DS Fanboy's DSiWare screen round-up

DS Fanboy's DSiWare screen round-up originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Off the Grid + Joyswag: Donkey Kong Jenga

Kevin Kelly — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Features, Retro, Puzzle, Strategy, Joyswag, Competitive Gaming

Update: Entry period for the giveaway has ended. Saria the Cat was randomly selected, and here's her winning entry: "Ticket to Ride expansion using the Ocarina of Time Hyrule map. Yeah, I know I'm creative. Not." Congrats to the winner, and you can still read our impressions of the game below!

It's been awhile since we've brought you an Off the Grid post, and we're returning with a special edition where you can actually win the game we're talking about. During the final rounds of this year's Omegathon at PAX '08, Jenga was one of the most exciting things to watch. Which block would they pull out next? Who would topple the tower? Is it cheating to use two hands?

USAopoly has been putting out branded versions of popular board games since 1994. They currently produce eight different versions of Jenga including Casino Jenga: Las Vegas Edition, and the timely Jenga: Halloween Edition. The most recent version of the game is Donkey Kong themed, features different colored Marios, pink girders, a spinner, and Pauline (not Princess Peach) who was the damsel in distress in the arcade game. Read all about it after the break, and steady your hand before commenting so you can win one of your very own.

Continue reading Off the Grid + Joyswag: Donkey Kong Jenga

Off the Grid + Joyswag: Donkey Kong Jenga originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gaming to Go: Clubhouse Games

Matthew Madeiro — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:54:00 EST

Filed under: Gaming to Go

Remember checkers? How about chess? And blackjack? What about dominoes? And Shogi and Ludo and Hasami Shogi and Koi-Koi and -- ahem. Don't recognize those last few names? No worries! I didn't know them either. There's still time to learn, however, and this is where Nintendo's Clubhouse Games comes to party.

It contains 42 -- yes, 42 -- classic games for your enjoyment, running the gamut from bowling and billiards to Mahjong solitaire and Pig. An incredible amount of variety exists in this tiny DS cart, making Clubhouse Games one of the most involving titles the DS has seen in recent years. The mind-boggling amount of games also makes it ideal for this week's edition of Gaming to Go. Sure, I might not recommend starting up a game of chess on your next lunch break, but why not go for a quick game of Connect Five? Whatever your mood fancies, Clubhouse Games has you covered. Want to hear more? Click that big grey button there to see what you've been missing.

NEXT >>

Tick tock of the clock ringing in your ears? Tell your timepiece to shove it! We live busy lives, but remember this: there's always time to game. Check back with Gaming to Go every week for the latest and greatest titles you should spend your precious few minutes with.

Gaming to Go: Clubhouse Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Clubhouse Games and Hotel Dusk: new Player's Choice?

JC Fletcher — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

We've been hearing word recently of restocks of Clubhouse Games and Hotel Dusk: Room 215, but as CAG forumite worrybomb reveals, the new cartridges are more than a simple reprint. Hotel Dusk has been labeled as a Touch Generations game, for one thing, and both games now sport orange banners with content descriptions (the real one, by the way, is posted after the break, as is the new Clubhouse Games box).

Could this be the new iteration of Player's Choice? Both games are now selling for $19.99, and the orange bar evokes the yellow bar of the GameCube/GBA Player's Choice line. It's pretty smart to maintain consistent budget-rerelease marking while also providing info about the games.

[Via NeoGAF; the CAG link requires registration]

Continue reading Clubhouse Games and Hotel Dusk: new Player's Choice?

Clubhouse Games and Hotel Dusk: new Player's Choice? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

PAX 2008: Count all the pretty pieces in the tabletop gaming gallery

Kevin Kelly — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Puzzle, RPGs, Strategy, Casual

One of the best things about PAX is that it's not just all about video games. There are legions of people who still enjoy doing it old school, and that includes board games, tabletoppers, and RPGs. We witnessed people playing everything from the massive, sprawling, plastic-fest of Twilight Imperium to the simple wordplay of Apples to Apples. Heck, even the final elimination round of the Omegathon was a Jenga showdown.

Check out the gallery below that's filled with people who still love how a pair of dice feels in their hands. To those about to roll, we salute you.

Gallery: PAX 2008: Tabletop Gaming

PAX 2008: Count all the pretty pieces in the tabletop gaming gallery originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Joystiq hands-on: Hasbro Family Game Night

Kevin Kelly — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Retro, Nintendo Wii, Casual

Stepping into Electronic Arts' "EA3" event last week, we made a beeline for ... Hasbro Family Game Night, passing up the likes of Dead Space, Mirror's Edge, Mercenaries 2, and Tiger Woods Golf 2009: Busted Knee Edition along the way. We know, we know. But who can resist the lure of Battleship, Connect Four, Yahtzee, Boggle, Sorry and its new sibling Sorry Sliders? (Answer: you maybe; not us.)

Gallery: Hasbro Family Game Night

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Hasbro Family Game Night

Joystiq hands-on: Hasbro Family Game Night originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Family Game Night is fun for the family

Candace Savino — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Remember when your family used to put one night of the week aside to play board games, so that you'd grow closer to one another amongst bouts of innocent fun and mayhem? Yeah, neither do we. Hasbro does, though, which is why the company is bringing six of its most popular board games to the Wii, in one small package.

Called Family Game Night (not to be confused with Wii Fanboy's Game Night), this title includes the following classics:

Connect Four
Yahtzee (not the one that curses a lot)
Battleship
Boggle
Sorry!
Sorry! Sliders (who wants to tell EA and Hasbro that this doesn't count as a "sixth" game?)

We know that going digital is the wave of the future, but is anyone else slightly against the entire "board games turned video games" genre? Call us old-fashioned, but when we cheat at Battleship, we want to cheat with style -- not by looking at a TV screen.

If you think differently, though, keep an eye out for Family Game Night, which will hit European Wiis this fall.

[Via press release]

Family Game Night is fun for the family originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EA announces Hasbro Family Game Night for Wii, PS2

Jason Dobson — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:50:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii, Puzzle, Simulations, Casual

Electronic Arts has finally revealed the fruits of its recent partnership with board game evangelist Hasbro, announcing Hasbro Family Game Night, a collection of classic board games for the Wii and PlayStation 2. Shipping this fall, the game will include a wide assortment of Hasbro properties -- six in all -- from Battleship, Yahtzee, Boggle, and Connect Four to Sorry! and its more recent incarnation in Sorry! Sliders.

Purists will be happy to know that they'll be able to play the classic games as they remember, though EA notes that new versions will also be included as well for those looking for a different way to play. In addition, the collection will let players build and decorate a virtual game room, earn trophies, and play various mini-games once they tire of sinking each other's battleships. However, even with support for between two and four players, we doubt the compilation will have us tossing out our boxed favorites just yet, though at least with this game we know we'll never have to go searching though couch cushions for missing pieces before we can play.

EA announces Hasbro Family Game Night for Wii, PS2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Eidos goes on a Brain Voyage

Jason Dobson — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Puzzle

The brain training bandwagon has gotten increasingly crowded over the last year, with everyone and their brother seemingly thinking it's their duty to churn out interactive tools to help the cerebrally infirm. The latest company to climb on board is Eidos with Brain Voyage, a new "stylish and challenging" noodle puzzler coming to the Nintendo DS later this year.

For board game enthusiasts, the game features "ingenious" puzzles designed by noted German game designer Dr. Reiner Knizia, known for such board games as Amun-Re, Modern Art, and Lord of the Rings. As for what sorts of puzzles we can expect, Eidos notes that the game will feature a sort of globe trotting mechanic, as players ponder 80 different geographically-relevant puzzles "ranging from easy to elaborately ambitious." Details remain cloudy on how exactly these puzzles will work, though that could simply be a side effect of our mental faculties being on increasingly shaky ground.

Eidos goes on a Brain Voyage originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hudson has Wii Chess in check

JC Fletcher — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Imports, Screens

Nintendo just got schooled at their own quickly-made-board-game game. Hudson's Wi-Fi Taiou Genzen Table Games (Wi-Fi Correspondence Table Game Selections) contains ten classic board games (to Nintendo's one). Each game in the collection can be played against computer opponents of varying skills, or human opponents, or in a series of short, increasingly difficult, challenges.

Backgammon, contract bridge, go, hana-awase, shogi, daifugo, mah-jongg, renju, reversi, and, yes, chess are available for play on- and offline in this collection. We hope that, despite the preponderance of Japanese games, Hudson sees fit to undertake the minimal localization required for a U.S. release (even if they chose not to do so with the DS version). More games is better than fewer games, after all. And we've learned from experience that table game collections with nice online features can be revelatory experiences.

Hudson has Wii Chess in check originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Warm Up: Board games

Alisha Karabinus — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wii Warm Up

With the recent news and media from Wii Chess, we can't help but cast our eyes toward board games lately. While we certainly aren't against playing board games on a console, Wii Ware seems like the logical choice for release, not regular retail titles (though we're in favor of the budget price) ... you know, sort of in the spirit of XBLA releases. Then again, we've seen full-fledged retail versions of XBLA titles before, and they worked just fine, so we can only assume that current-gen board games can fly as well. Our question today is: what would you actually like to see in a retail board game (as opposed to a downloadable title)? Which games with what features? Perhaps a version of Settlers of Catan with options for all the expansions, or games we've enjoyed on consoles before, like Risk, that are nice in electronic form because you don't have to bother with all the pieces. But will any board game really be enough to take us away from all the other Wii games that are already so much fun to play in live groups?

Wii Warm Up: Board games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Analysts: Board games are the next big thing

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Business

Gamasutra got a cadre of analysts together to look into crystal balls, read tea leaves, and guess what the next big breakout genre will be following the rhythm game's ascension with Guitar Hero and Rock Band. The analysts' guess? The board game. Yes, the humble board game put on a TV (or in the case of Scene It?, being tweaked a bit) is what the group thought would be the next über genre.

Jesse Divnich of simExchange believes that Scene It?, which released last month, will be a "moderate success" and Ben Bajarian of Creative Strategies uses the term "social gaming" to describe this genre of titles. He says that families are still looking for a "board game" to play together, with the natural evolution being to do so on a console. It probably doesn't hurt their hypothesis that the board games we've seen translated to consoles so far (Scene It?, Carcassonne, Catan) have been very effective. With any luck, European games like Alhambra and Puerto Rico will become digital experiences to be enjoyed by those who missed out on them in America. Oh, and would someone get on Scotland Yard and Café International, please?

Analysts: Board games are the next big thing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Culdcept Saga demo now on Xbox Live

Justin McElroy — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:45:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Puzzle

Whenever someone tells us that they don't like video games, it's moments like this that we look back to. You may have noticed already, but, in case you haven't: There's a new demo on Xbox Live for Culdcept Saga. We started reading a hands-on over at our sister site Xbox 360 Fanboy. But we're going to be straight with you dear reader: We couldn't make heads or tails of it.

Honestly, we were about two minutes in before we started daydreaming about owning our own wallpaper store. We think we heard something about a board game mixed with a card game, we just can't be sure. Now, we know there are probably some of you out there who have already made a beeline to your 360 to start downloading, and that's great! It's a fantastic reminder that video games are an incredibly rich and diverse tapestry made of a nigh-infinite number of threads ... even if we'd rather spend eight hours in a carpet store than hear about some of them.

Culdcept Saga demo now on Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wi-Fi Table Games: like Clubhouse Games but smaller and more competitive

JC Fletcher — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wi-Fi, Screens, Imports

A new Game Night contender is on the way to Japan. Hudson released some screenshots of Selected Wi-Fi Table Games, a collection of six classic games in the vein of Clubhouse Games. And by "in the vein of Clubhouse Games" we mean "pretty much the same as Clubhouse Games." The major difference seems to be nationwide ranking, which is admittedly pretty cool.

The included games are Go, Renju, Reversi, Hanafuda, Mah-jongg, and something called Oodomi that uses Western playing cards. The bottom screen shows the game board or table, while the top screen displays character avatars and score information. At the risk of editorializing too much, the online competition had better be mind-blowing to make up for the severe lack of selection.

Continue reading Wi-Fi Table Games: like Clubhouse Games but smaller and more competitive

Wi-Fi Table Games: like Clubhouse Games but smaller and more competitive originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Metareview: Clubhouse Games

David Hinkle — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Reviews, Nintendo Wi-Fi, Metareview

Featuring more than 20 classic board, card, and party games, Clubhouse Games allows gamers to play alone or take things online via Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connect service and is the latest entry in Nintendo's Touch Generation line of games. Released in Europe as 42 All-Time Classics, the gameplay of both titles is identical. Featuring plenty of gameplay and a budget price, Clubhouse Games has plenty to offer. Is what it offers worth the price of admission, however?

IGN - 80%: "The entire package is about casual, portable pick-up-and-playability when you've got some time to kill. That being the case, the variety on offer here is simply staggering. The fact that Nintendo's poured so much energy into ensuring everything is solidly entertaining - with particular props going to the multitude of mulitplayer and online options - just sweetens things further."

Cubed3 - 80%: "Whilst games like Billiards border on the unplayable you will cherish that cart next time you are stuck in a tunnel on the way home from work/uni/college/school and can pull out your DS for a quick game of blackjack or solitaire. Or to see if you can finally get 3 strikes in a row for the bowling mission. It this is a highly personal choice for any gamer as strictly speaking these games are nothing new; but in terms of affordability, replayability and downright fun we feel it's worth it."

Nintendo Power - 70%: "If you plan on playing with your friends, it's indespensible; if you'll be going at it alone, there's a fair amount to do but you may lose patience with the scoring and lack of single-player variety. [Nov. 2006, p.87]"

The points made that many of these games can be played for free via several different online outlets is certainly a valid one, however with the convenience of clumping all these games together for a small price, along with Wi-Fi Connect support, we certainly feel the package is worth the price. What about you, fine reader?

Metareview: Clubhouse Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Oct 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nintendo confirms Wi-Fi play for '42 All-Time Classics'

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, Online

Before you confuse the DS title 42 All-Time Classics for a compilation of Nintendo's best of yesteryear, know that it's merely a collection of popular card, board, and parlor games. Also known as Clubhouse Games (in North America), the latest entry in the 'Touch! Generations' series has finally been confirmed to feature Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection play, with the ability to "PictoChat" in-game. Its bland presentation won't appeal to all gamers, but for anyone who has remote interest in card games (or chess, backgammon, etc.) and also has wi-fi access, 42 All-Time Classics is a must-have.

42 All-Time Classics is scheduled for release in Europe on September 29 for an estimated £20. Clubhouse Games will follow in North American on October 9.

[Thanks, cringer8; via Nintendojo]

Nintendo confirms Wi-Fi play for '42 All-Time Classics' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments