Hasbro Family Game Night

Hasbro Family Game Night
Genre	Virtual board game
Developer	EA Bright Light
Publisher	Electronic Arts
Platforms	PlayStation 2, Wii, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
First release	Hasbro Family Game Night November 11, 2008
Latest release	Hasbro Family Game Night 4: The Game Show November 1, 2011

Hasbro Family Game Night is a series of Party video games published by Electronic Arts that adapt board games manufactured by Hasbro, and is named after the company's then-advertising campaign of the same name. There were four entries in the series, released yearly between 2008 and 2011.

Hasbro Family Game Night

Hasbro Family Game Night
PlayStation 2 PAL version cover art.
Developer	EA Bright Light
Publishers	Electronic Arts Encore Software (Windows)
Composer	Richard Jacques
Platforms	PlayStation 2, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Microsoft Windows
Release	PlayStation 2, Wii NA: November 11, 2008 AU: November 20, 2008 EU: November 21, 2008 Xbox 360 WW: March 18, 2009 (Xbox Live Arcade) NA: November 10, 2009 EU: November 13, 2009 [1] PlayStation 3 WW: October 29, 2009 Nintendo DS NA: October 26, 2009 AU: November 5, 2009 EU: November 6, 2009 Microsoft Windows NA: August 20, 2010 [2]
Genre	Party

Hasbro Family Game Night is the first entry in the franchise, developed by EA Bright Light. It adapts popular Hasbro board games into a single package, and is hosted by Mr. Potato Head.

Features

Console versions

The game is set within a simple game room where the games will form up when chosen, with Mr. Potato Head flying around on a jetpack. The games are chosen through a robotic-style menu featuring the cover art of the game, of which the design depends on the region.

The games all have traditional versions as well as "advanced" variants exclusive to the video game. The Wii version utilizes motion controls with the Wii Remote for its gameplay, while the other titles use standard button controls, which would follow on with all future installments.

The Xbox 360 version added online play through Xbox Live and widescreen support. The same applies for the PlayStation 3 version, but with its online play being through PlayStation Network.

Games	PlayStation 2/Wii	Xbox 360/PlayStation 3
Battleship	Yes	Yes
Boggle	Yes	Yes
Connect Four	Yes	Yes
Connect 4x4	No	Yes, added as DLC in 2010
Jenga	No	Yes, added as DLC in 2010
Scrabble	No	Yes, North American release
Pictureka!	No	Yes, added as DLC in 2010
Sorry!	Yes	Yes
Sorry! Sliders	Yes	Yes
Yahtzee	Yes	Yes

DS version

The DS version of Hasbro Family Game Night was released in November 2009, on the same day as its Wii-based sequel. The game contains four titles from each game - Battleship and Connect Four from the first, and Operation and Bop It! from the second.

Windows version

The Windows version was co-branded under EA's Pogo.com casual games site, and was published as a budget title by Encore Software in 2010. This version bears no resemblance to the other versions, instead being a package title containing six previously-released casual games previously made available on Pogo and casual game portals like Big Fish Games. The titles available in this version of the game are Clue, The Game of Life, Monopoly, Operation Mania, Pictureka! Museum Mayhem and Yahtzee.

Release

The game was first announced in May 2008 for a release in the Fall on the Wii and PlayStation 2. ^[3] The game was eventually released in November. ^[4]

In January 2009, Electronic Arts announced that the game would be ported to the Xbox 360 as a "channel" application on Xbox Live Arcade. In addition to the existing six games, Scrabble was added to the game selection for its North American release (due to Mattel holding the rights to Scrabble outside North America), with EA citing its popularity on Pogo.com for its inclusion. ^[5] It was released on March 18, 2009, and each title was available for 800 Microsoft Points each. ^{[6] [7]} In November 2009, a physical version of the game was released, including all six/seven games on a single disc. ^[8]

A PlayStation 3 version was released digitally through the PlayStation Store on October 29, 2009. While this version is a port of the Xbox 360 version, it differs from the former in that it is not a "channel" application, but rather the full game like the PS2 and Wii versions. ^[9]

The Wii version was re-released as a single-disc bundle with the second game on November 9, 2010, entitled Family Game Night Value Pack. ^[10]

Reception

The Wii version of the game received mixed reviews from critics. The review aggregator site GameRankings has an average score of 64% for the Wii version, based on 11 reviews. ^[11] IGN rated it as 7 out of 10 ("Decent"), and said that control and interpretation issues cause problems for some of the games. ^[12] Games Master UK magazine said: "Overall, this does everything you'd want it to (and no more)". IT Reviews concluded about the Xbox 360 version: "We would pass on Battleship, which just didn't hold our attention and had fairly weak variants. Connect 4 is worth a pop, though, with alternative play modes that really bring the game to life, and Yahtzee is certainly a little gem for the asking price". ^[13]

In February 2010, Electronic Arts announced that both Family Game Night and Family Game Night 2 had sold a combined one million units. ^[14]

Hasbro Family Game Night 2

Hasbro Family Game Night 2
Developer	EA Bright Light
Publisher	Electronic Arts
Platforms	Wii, Xbox 360
Release	Wii NA: October 26, 2009 AU: November 5, 2009 EU: November 6, 2009 Xbox 360 NA: November 1, 2011
Genre	Party

Hasbro Family Game Night 2 is the second entry in the series, once again developed by EA Bright Light. It was originally released for the Wii ^[15] and later for the Xbox 360.

Gameplay

Family Game Night 2 is once again set within a room-like setting, which is fully customizable to the player's content through unlockable objects that become available by completing objectives in the featured games. Mr. Potato Head returns as the game's host, and he can also be customized with unlockable clothing. The game supports Miis as playable characters, and contains five Hasbro board games - Operation, Pictureka!, Connect 4x4, Jenga and Bop It!. The Xbox 360 version is identical in content, but uses Xbox Avatars as playable characters instead.

The game also includes a game show styled party mode with Mr. Potato Head as the host.

While the game was not initially released for the Xbox 360 or the PlayStation 3, Pictureka!, Jenga, and Connect 4x4 were added as downloadable content to the original game on June 23, 2010.

Release

In May 2009, Electronic Arts announced that they would release a sequel to Family Game Night, effectively titled Family Game Night 2, in the fall for the Wii and Nintendo DS, of which the latter would be a "best of" compilation. ^{[16] [17]}

The game was re-released with the first entry as part of the Hasbro Family Game Night Value Pack on November 9, 2010, where both entries were bundled together on a single disc. ^[18] It was re-released again on November 1, 2011 as Hasbro Family Game Night Fun Pack ^[19] , this time with the third entry. It was also released on the Xbox 360, which marked the full game's debut on the latter system. ^[20]

Hasbro Family Game Night 3

Hasbro Family Game Night 3
Developer	EA Bright Light
Publisher	Electronic Arts
Platforms	Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Release	Wii, PlayStation 3 NA: October 26, 2010 AU: October 28, 2010 EU: October 29, 2010 Xbox 360 NA: October 26, 2010 EU: November 5, 2010 AU: November 18, 2010
Genre	Party

Hasbro Family Game Night 3 is the third entry in the series, once again developed by EA Bright Light, and released for the Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Gameplay

Family Game Night 3 takes place on an island, with a theme park style setting. This time round, the player can choose either Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head as their host, who is once again fully customizable with unlockable accessories and clothing.

Miis and Xbox Avatars return as the playable characters for the Wii and Xbox 360 versions, while the PlayStation 3 uses a custom avatar maker in its place.

Release

A third entry in the series was teased in EA's release cycle for the fiscal year 2011. ^[21] The game was officially announced in May 2010 for a fall release, as with the prior entries. ^[22]

The game was re-released as a single-disc package with the second entry as part of the Hasbro Family Game Night Fun Pack for the Wii and the Xbox 360 on November 1, 2011. ^{[23] [24]}

Hasbro Family Game Night 4: The Game Show

Hasbro Family Game Night 4: The Game Show
Developer	Wahoo Studios
Publisher	Electronic Arts
Platforms	Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Release	NA: November 1, 2011 AU: November 3, 2011 EU: November 4, 2011
Genre	Party

Hasbro Family Game Night 4: The Game Show is the fourth and final entry in the series, released for the PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360. This installment is a lot different than the previous entries, it was developed by Wahoo Studios instead of EA Bright Light, and was based on the series' TV game show adaptation on The Hub. Its host Todd Newton supplied the game's commentary.

Gameplay

The game is based on the first season of the game show, and adapts several games from it: Bop It! Boptagon, Connect 4 Basketball, Scrabble Flash/Boggle Flash, Sorry! Sliders and Yahtzee Bowling. ^[25] As with Family Game Night 3, the Wii and Xbox 360 versions use Miis and Xbox Avatars as playable characters, while the PlayStation 3 version uses its own avatars.

The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions add motion controller support (PlayStation Move and Kinect), of which the functionality was previously exclusively used in the Wii version using the Wii Remote, like with the prior installments. Unlike the previous entries, this one lacks an online mode due to the game being released as a $40 budget title and thus ineligible to be included on EA's online pass.

Reception

The game received mainly mixed to negative reviews. The Xbox 360 and Wii versions were the highest rated versions on Gamerankings, with scores of 37% ^{[26] [27]} while the PS3 version was slightly below them at 35%. ^[28] Push Square claimed that the game was much more fun with another person, but was still "a harsh drop off in quality compared to other Hasbro Family Game Night titles" and gave the game a 3/10. ^[29] Official Xbox Magazine UK gave it a 3/10, claiming that the games were poorly represented and saying: "This casts doubt on whether Hasbro understand what makes its non-digital games good. Whatever the reasons behind FGN4 - this is reprehensible". ^[30]

Successors

While Hasbro would continue to work with Electronic Arts for mobile games, Hasbro would sign a new console deal with Ubisoft in August 2013. ^[31] In October 2015 the company released a compilation title entitled Hasbro Family Fun Pack for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The title includes four games that had previously been released digitally: Trivial Pursuit LIVE, Monopoly Plus, Risk and Scrabble (Boggle for Non-NA releases). ^[32] It was followed up with Hasbro Family Fun Pack: Conquest Edition for the same systems in November 2016. It was identical to its predecessor but replaced Trivial Pursuit LIVE and Risk with Battleship and Risk Urban Assault. Another compilation for the Nintendo Switch was released in October 2018, entitled Hasbro Game Night, which bundled the Switch download versions of Trivial Pursuit LIVE, Monopoly and Risk.

References

1. https://web.archive.org/web/20091124031707/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hasbro-Family-Game-Night-Xbox/dp/B002RL88BI
2. https://www.amazon.com/Encore-24481-Hasbro-Family-Night/dp/B0040GCFV2/
3. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/16/ea-brings-family-board-game-favorites-to-the-wii-and-playstation-2-with-hasbro-family-game-night
4. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/13/ea-shakes-rolls-and-connects-with-the-launch-of-hasbro-family-game-night
5. https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/06/ea-hasbro-comes-to-xbla
6. "Family Game Night falls on XBLA". 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
7. https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/18/ea-delivers-hasbro-family-game-night-to-your-living-room-arcade
8. "EA Makes Family Game Night Easier Than Ever". IGN. 6 November 2009.
9. "EA Makes Family Game Night Easier Than Ever". IGN. 6 November 2009.
10. https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Family-Game-Night-Bundle-Nintendo/dp/B003VWGBF2
11. "Family Game Night review". GameRankings . Retrieved 2009-10-10.
12. Thomas, Lucas M (4 December 2008). "IGN Hasbro Family Game Night Review". IGN . Retrieved 2009-10-10.
13. "IT Reviews". Archived from the original on 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2010-04-14.
14. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/10/ea-sells-over-eight-million-units-worldwide-of-hasbro-branded-videogames-in-one-year
15. "Hasbro Family Game Night 2". 2011-12-13. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
16. http://www.ea.com/news/hasbro-family-game-night-2 EA Press Release, May 12, 2009.
17. https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/12/make-time-for-more-fun-with-eas-hasbro-family-game-night-2
18. https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Family-Game-Night-Bundle-Nintendo/dp/B003VWGBF2
19. https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Family-Game-Night-Pack/dp/B00559XGG6?th=1
20. https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Family-Game-Night-Fun-Pack/dp/B00559XGXO?th=1
21. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/08/new-dragon-age-shooter-from-epic-due-in-2011
22. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/12/ea-and-mr-potato-head-take-the-fun-to-the-amusement-park-in-hasbro-family-game-night-3
23. https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Family-Game-Night-Pack/dp/B00559XGG6?th=1
24. https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Family-Game-Night-Fun-Pack/dp/B00559XGXO?th=1
25. "Family Game Night 4: The Game Show". EA. 2011-12-13. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
26. "Family Game Night 4: Game Rankings Xbox 360". GameRankings . Retrieved 2014-02-05.
27. "Family Game Night 4: Game Rankings Wii". GameRankings . Retrieved 2014-02-05.
28. "Family Game Night 4: Game Rankings PS3". GameRankings . Retrieved 2014-02-05.
29. Mike Mason (15 November 2011). "Family Game Night 4 Review Push Square". Push Square. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
30. Jon Blyth. "Family Game Night 4 Review OXM UK". Official Xbox Magazine UK . Retrieved 2014-02-05.
31. Sinclair, Brendan (7 August 2013). "Ubisoft gets Hasbro console license". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
32. "Hasbro Family Fun Pack". Ubisoft. 2015-12-31. Archived from the original on 2016-10-07. Retrieved 2016-02-02.