Boom Blox Bash Party was officially announced on January 28, 2009 and was developed right after the completion of its predecessor, Boom Blox. It was released on May 19, 2009 to North America and on May 29, 2009 to Europe under the genre of Physics-based puzzle game with an ESRB rating of E for Everyone. The game was developed by EA Los Angelas and published by Electronic Arts for the Nintendo Wii video game console. As with its predecessor, this sequel was also designed by film director Steven Spielberg. In contrast to Boom Blox, Boom Blox Bash Party features more than 400 new levels as well as the ability to download new levels and upload their own custom-created levels to share online. In terms of gameplay, Boom Blox Bash Party features one that is similar to its original’s with the addition of new mechanics such as a slingshot mechanic, and with less emphasis on the shooting mode. There are also new environments including underwater and outer space, new block shapes such as cylinders and ramps, as well as a more extensive multiplayer mode. In addition to that, players can also upload levels as well as download levels made by other players and Electronic Arts for this sequel, all of which have been reviewed by Electronic Arts themselves to filter out any inappropriate content. Players can also share downloaded levels made by any of their peers on from their Wii Friends list. Included among some of the levels uploaded by EA are the original levels from the original Boom Blox which are free for players to download.
Reviews
Boom Blox Bash Party is the sequel to Boom Blox that features additional levels, a variety of modes and addictive multiplayer action. Throughout the whole game, players aim at only doing one thing: destroy blocks. Boom Blox Bash Party adds a twist to the simple child-like game by incorporating a single-player mode that unfolds across a cheerful amusement park with areas that feature a different theme and variety of games through out the way. There are also different objectives for each respective level including knocking down a number of blocks within a time limit or accumulating as many points as possible in a limited number of turns which in turn rewards you with a bronze, silver or gold medal. As compared to its prequel which emphasized on careful Jenga-style block removal, Boom Blox Bash Party leans towards the destructive variations, including games such as knocking down certain blocks with baseballs or bombs and using the blocks themselves in a new slingshot mechanic. Not only that, there are also a new bunch of blocks of various shapes and materials, as well as a virus ball which infects certain blocks and spreads the deterioration among other pieces. These new additions add variety to the game, and results in more challenging puzzles.
“Bash Party is not a revolutionary sequel. This is still recognizably Boom Blox. However, it’s as though EA injected the experience with a serious supply of steroids. A ridiculous amount of fantastic new levels complete with unique attributes like varying physics, great new blocks and tools, a remade presentation complemented by a robust achievements system, a Boom Bux currency to buy upgrades, and more. And, of course, the same throw-and-break mechanics that made the original so much fun are back in full. You’ll be playing the title for months with friends. And the best part is, you could potentially be playing well into next year because of the superb editor and online integration. Wait until you see how easy it is to create and trade levels. If more developers took the time to approach Wii software this way, the online state of the console would be in a very different, altogether better place.” (IGN, 2009)
