"HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT 3," by EA Play, for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, rated E for Everybody, $39.95.
On a lazy Tuesday evening, after dinner is over and homework is done, what is there for a family to do?
Everyone loves to play a board game, but what about the hassle of setting it up and taking it down, let alone trying to keep track of the tiny pieces, which get lost in the carpet and eventually clog up the vacuum?
The solution is simple: Pop in "Hasbro Family Game Night 3" from EA Play.
Released in October, this game is the third installment in the series and is available for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. It includes five fun family games that children and parents can enjoy together.
With "Clue," "Twister," "The Game of Life," "Yahtzee Hands Down" and "Mouse Trap," there is always something new and different to do together.
"We are developing the premier interactive experience which brings timeless brands to life in new ways on HD platforms," Chip Lange, senior vice president and general manager of EA's Play Label, said in a statement.
Most of the video game versions closely resemble their boxed counterparts, although each also includes mini-games to spice up the action. The exception is Twister, which has been manipulated into a button-pushing rhythm game between players. Children will still enjoy it, but it is more like "Dance Dance Revolution" for your fingers than anything else.
"Yahtzee Hands Down" is a new combination as well. In this addictive blend of the two games, players draw cards trying to be the first to complete a certain hand — three of a kind, full house, etc. The first player to complete the required hand goes hands down and earns the points.
The player with the most points when time runs out is the winner.
The games can be played in either their full-length versions or in a short version if players have limited time. Each game also offers remix style play, which changes up the original rules and creates another unique experience to share.
As an added bonus, younger players might enjoy playing dress up with Mr. Potato Head, the adorable narrator. Different outfits can be earned through game play.
The games are entertaining and family friendly. Each of the three console versions of the game offers online play, but PlayStation and Xbox versions allow unmediated online chat, so parents should be cautious. However, the games are geared toward family interaction and designed to draw in players of all ages.
Melissa DeMoux is a stay-at-home mother of six young children and lives in West Valley City, Utah.