Whether you know it or not, you’ve probably played a Hasbro board game at some point or another. For good reason too, they’ve released some true classics over the past century and although video games have easily taken over as popular entertainment, they still have their merits. The problem is that, a majority of the time, they should stay separate entities because the physical nature of them are the most enjoyable. So already, Hasbro Family Game Night isn’t off to the best of starts.
The pack, which to EA’s credit is at a slightly reduced price, only includes a meagre five games. You’ve got your classic Connect 4 with some… well let’s call them interesting spin-offs on the formula. The “Original Connect 4” mode’s deceptive name actually has you playing two separate games of Connect 4 with three other players at the same time. It’s confusing to say the least and although it isn’t completely impossible, the frantic nature will result in your brain not being able to cope. Something, I’m sure, you could never envisage when talking about Connect 4.
The problem is we’ve been spoilt with Boom Blox over the past few years
Jenga is a hard one to judge because this is probably a fairly capable virtual incarnation of the block tumbling tower game. The problem is that we’ve been spoilt with the excellent Boom Blox over the past few years, so who’s to know? The remix mode adds a bit of replay value with different coloured blocks and the occasional double turn but it’s nothing compared to the variation we saw with Bash Party.
Operation is a classic that everyone loves and surely that can’t be messed up, right? After identifying the piece you have to remove, you’ll be warped to an extraction mini-game where you’ll have to remove the Funatomy part. Cure Cavity Same of his real life diseases like Texting Thumb, where you’ll have surgically remove the phone from his hand. Again the appeal of the game is lost when the actual piece extraction is bettered by an existing Wii release, Trauma Center. Everyone loves Operation but this game will probably deter people from playing the tense game of skill because this recreation is anything but.
Pictureka is easily among the cream of the compilation with its unique and frantically timed picture hunt affair. Randomly assigned tasks result in you having to find specific image or a categorised group of pictures within a specific time limit, something that’s easier said then done. The ever-looming ticking clock will keep you on the edge of your seat while you’re constantly dumbstruck by the appeal of this ridiculously simple game.
The final game is Bop It, which is marred by the technical limitations of a non-Motion Plus controller. Occasionally you’ll be let off by it’s inaccurate controls but what goes around, comes around and you’ll just as equally be punished by them. The glaring problem is that Bop It, along with Jenga and Operation, is to be enjoyed for it’s physical interaction, which doesn’t just translate.
Bop It is marred by the technical limitations of a non-Motion Plus controller
Throughout the game you’ll be rewarded with customisable pieces for the game’s host, Mr. Potato Head. His clever inclusion works well and you’ll feel immature for laughing the first time he starts doing the robot during a round of Bop It. But the whole thing is more of a reaction to achievements and you’ll probably just notice them while playing the games, instead of purposely going out of your way to unlock potato pieces.
In the box you’ll find a slip of paper exclaiming, “bring home the fun” by buying the real world counterparts of these incarnations. Frankly the enjoyment they’ll give you over these renditions will more than make up for having tidy up afterwards. Controller issues, incredibly simple games along with the tactile nature of the real games all result in a sub-par and underwhelming collection.
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