You might think that, once again, I’m wasting time covering a game like this.  After all, you’d think, everyone knows how to play Trivial Pursuit.  And again I say, that not only is this for the benefit of those two or three random people out there who’ve never seen a copy of Trivial Pursuit–and you’d be surprised; they probably do exist– but also because entirely new game modes have been added to this game, and those require discussion.

Of course, the standard mode is fully available to play right from the beginning, in which you and a collection of friends go forth to see who knows the most about the least relevant stuff in a series of different subclasses of knowledge including Arts & Literature, Games and Leisure, and of course, Entertainment.  Your primary goal is to collect six scoring wedges in your round playing piece with six notches capable of holding the wedges. Those of you who refer to the wedges as “pieces of pie” are not alone.

However, there is a new game mode available called “clear the board”.  Designed for the single player, you’re basically out to get as many scoring wedges as possible, and when you collect a wedge, all questions in that category are removed from the board.  Your goal therefore is to do exactly as the game mode is entitled and clear the board.  For each question you get right in a category, the number is added to a multiplier which in turn gives you a higher score for collecting that scoring wedge.  However, time is also a factor, and the faster you clear the board the better.

Once again I find myself bemoaning the lack of online capability with a game like this because it’s entire point is to be played with people.  And there aren’t always people around, so it’s good to have online capability so that you can find people to play with.  While the single player mode is not without its charms, it’s clear that this was meant to be a party game.  And if there is no party, or a party cannot be assembled around it, than the game’s value becomes somewhat limited.

This isn’t, however, to say that there isn’t fun to be had here– it’s just that the fun is somewhat limited when the game is not being used as is clearly intended.  Make no mistake, this is a party game.

There is plenty to like here; the graphics are fun and even single player gameplay is entertaining, plus the purchase price is a downright bargain especially if you’re the kind of gamer who loves to get together for a game.  Especially considering how easy it is to add questions to the game– one downloadable pack is already available full of movie trivia– it’s definitely the kind of game worth talking about if you’re the party gaming sort.

If you don’t get out of the house, however, this is one game that you won’t want to take out of the box.

While you’ll shell out eight hundred Microsoft points for the full version, and you’ll get a pretty nice array of games with it including Battleship, Scrabble and Connect Four, you’ll also have to shell out further points for the FULL versions of the individual games.  Unless I’m totally missing this concept, the initial eight hundred gets you the normal games described.  If you want to try the FULL versions of each individual game, with new options and gameplay modes attached, then you’ll have to shell out eight hundred Microsoft points PER GAME.

I know, that sounds a bit confusing, so here’s a fast summary as best I can understand it:

The demo is free.  With that, you get timed versions of the games currently available: Scrabble, Connect Four, Yahtzee, and Battleship.  The “full game” is eight hundred points and takes the timers off and such.  But then, you can pay out ANOTHER eight hundred per game to try things like Super Weapons Battleship and Wild Dice in Yahtzee.

See what I mean?  Backhanded value.  Sure, it’s great to pay ten bucks and get a host of games.  It’s NOT great, however, to pay on TOP of that to get the full games.  So while I’m enthused about having a host of casual classic board games available to play, I’m not so enthused to have most of their features locked up unless I pay massive ransom.  So while I can recommend the good half of the deal, it’s not without a serious finger wag to EA and Hasbro for the bit of gouging.

Digital versions of the Hasbro Family Game Night by Electronic Arts will now be available for download starting Wednesday thanks to the efforts of EA and Hasbro.

The HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT destination is one of many ways Xbox 360 is bringing families more fun and entertainment at a greater value than ever before. Xbox 360 puts the entertainment you love all in one place. Want to host a family movie night any time? Download or instantly watch one of the 30,000 movies and TV shows on Xbox LIVE.(3) Looking for a new twist on game night? Pick up one of the more than 200 family-friendly games that get everyone playing together on Xbox 360.

The HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT lineup takes full advantage of the latest features and innovations on Xbox LIVE. Play as your own custom avatar and use voice chat to declare, “I win!” in real time to friends and family around the world. You can show off your mad word skills, increase your Gamerscore, earn Achievements when you connect four in a row and compete for a top spot on the Xbox LIVE Arcade leader boards.

To ensure family game night is always family-friendly, Xbox 360 also offers robust and easy-to-use parental controls called Family Settings for both online and offline use. Family Settings help parents manage kids’ online interactions over Xbox LIVE, the types of games, movies and TV shows they have access to, and the amount of time they can spend on the console.

(Source) Press

LITTLEST PET SHOP Spring for the Nintendo DS, a game that is catered more towards little girls is now available at retail stores. The latest in the line of highly successful LITTLEST PET SHOP video games for girls ages 6 to 10, LITTLEST PET SHOP Spring is the perfect addition for girls who want to expand their LITTLEST PET SHOP collection.

Inspired by Hasbro’s popular girls’ toy brand, LITTLEST PET SHOP Spring includes all of the favorite activities from the previous LITTLEST PET SHOP Nintendo DS versions, plus brand new content and features unique to this latest release. In addition to playing with six new pets exclusive to LITTLEST PET SHOP Spring, including a Lop Ear Bunny, a Fox, a Jack Russell, a Dwarf Bunny, a Porcupine, and a Kitty, girls can now explore a new, spring-themed environment that features new play areas.

Girls can also make sure their pets head into spring in style by outfitting their pets in the latest seasonal fashions with new accessories. Additionally, with LITTLEST PET SHOP Spring, girls can play up to 20 mini-games, including four new games — Snack Sort, Volley Paws, Remember Me, and Fruit Fling.

LITTLEST PET SHOP Spring for the Nintendo DS carries a MSRP of $29.99. It is currently available at major retailers and is rated “E” for Everyone.

(Source) Press

If you get tired of dressing up your avatar or run out of things to watch on Netflix then you can get a friend or two gathered around your console for digital recreations of classic board game experiences. EA is bringing more games under the Hasbro Family Night banner to Xbox Live Arcade. They’re set to begin releasing in the Spring of this year, including classics like Boggle, Battleship, Yahtzee, Connect Four and Sorry. To keep things interesting there’ll be some new playing modes with mini-games, online play and achievements.