The Boom Blox sequel, Boom Blox Bash Party has just been confirmed by EA, and it is going to have an online component that doesn’t require a friend code. One of the most hyped addition to the game is Create Mode, which allows players to create their own Boom Blox Bash Party levels. You can then take these levels and upload them to a server for others to play. This means that you’ll also be able to download new user-created levels.

There is also going to be a stronger focus on the multiplayer options in Boom Blox Bash Party, as there will be double the multiplayer challenges and team challenges. I guess this means that you’ll be spending more time with friends playing the game, rather than trying to tackle those single player challenges and puzzles…

Title: Littlest Pet ShopPrice: $39.99System(s): Wii (also available on the DS and PC)Release Date: October 14, 2008Publisher (Developer): Electronic Arts (Electronic Arts)ESRB Rating: “Everyone”Pros: A pretty good variety of pets, very simple controls for kids, kids can dress the characters up with lots of accessories and when you play a game, you actually play it with the selected pet.Cons: Overly structured in the beginning, you can’t choose which pets you want – you must unlock them in order and some of the animals really aren’t that cute.Overall Score: One thumb up, one sideways; 80/100; B-; *** out of 5

EA Casual and Hasbro have teamed up to blanket the video game market with a series of Littlest Pet Shop games based on the series of toys which have infatuated young children around the US. The Wii version of Littlest Pet Shop certainly wouldn’t be in my top 10 list of most wanted holiday games, but the target audience will likely express the same love for the game as they do for the toys.

Littlest Pet Shop is clearly geared towards the grade school set. In fact, anyone over the age of 10 may find themselves incredibly frustrated by the title’s simplicity and overprotective tutorials, not to mention the character art. Kids will likely adore it though, as the entire game is almost like the series’ toys brought to life…

Title: Poker for DummiesPrice: $19.99System(s): PCRelease Date: October 14, 2008Publisher (Developer): Electronic Arts (Electronic Arts)ESRB Rating: “Teen” for simulated gamblingPros: Informative, the odds calculator in the Practice section is handy and the quiz after each instruction section helps you remember information.Cons: No multiplayer, only three kinds of poker (Texas Hold’em, Omaha and 7 Card Stud) and more informative than fun.Overall Score: Two thumbs sideways, 73/100, C, ** out of 5

Poker for Dummies disappointed me. Not because of what it is, because it is an informative training tool which did teach me to play Texas Hold’em and Omaha. I’m disappointed with the game because of what it isn’t.

As it is, Poker for Dummies feels like half of a title. It has a respectable amount of games (Texas Hold’em, Omaha and 7 Card Stud) and does a wonderful job of providing detailed instructions and ample practice in actually playing the games. But, I found myself wanting more. I wanted to play against other, real players and I wanted perhaps a few other variations of poker to be included…

Title: Brain Training for DummiesPrice: $19.99System(s): PCRelease Date: October 21, 2008Publisher (Developer): Electronic Arts (Electronic Arts)ESRB Rating: “Everyone”Pros: Educational, 15 different exercises, can chart progress, informative and easy to navigate and play.Cons: Not much fun and you have to read directions for some games.Overall Score: Two thumbs sideways, 70/100, C-, ** out of 5

EA’s latest line of somewhat-casual games in the For Dummies series are designed to be educational, informative, lighthearted and most importantly fun. The only thing is, Brain Training for Dummies doesn’t quite hit all the points. It is a handy title, and has well designed exercises with simple controls to help build certain skills in players, but it isn’t really fun.

That doesn’t mean its bad. It just may not be for everyone. People accustomed to Nintendo’s Brain Age line may not be as crazy about Brain Training for Dummies because it doesn’t have the same zeal and appeal when it comes to the title’s presentation and tests…

The creation of games aimed at girls continues – this time the Littlest Pet Shop toys are fodder for a DS, PC and Wii game. EA Games’ casual game department revealed more information on the Littlest Pet Shop game at E3. It will be the first Hasbro/EA console collaboration, and has a tentative release date of Fall 2008.

The Littlest Pet Shop game is basically a pet raising sim. There are 32 different kinds of pets in the PC and Wii versions of the game, 20 in the DS entry and four environments for the pets to play in. Players can play 16 mini-games to earn Kibble Coins, which can be used to purchase pet accessories or playsets. The DS version will have an exclusive feature which will allow players to throw parties for their pets.

EA Casual, a newly launched arm of Electronic Arts, will be soon developing games based on popular Hasbro franchises. Hasbro and EA Casual have finalized a licensing deal. The games developer will churn out games for all conceivable platforms including consoles, web and mobile devices. This augurs well for EA Casual, as the label was born only in June 2007.

The quid-pro-quo end of the bargain means that even Hasbro would be allowed to make toys and traditional games based on popular EA games franchises. EA plans to release the first Hasbro-based games in 2008 though no word was given on when Hasbro will begin releasing EA-inspired toys.