The Blox That Rox- Boom Blox Bash Party Reviewed

Boom Blox Bash Party for the Wii. Developer: EA Los Angeles, Publisher: Electronic Arts

 
Regrettably, the Nintendo Wii suffered from a forlorn infancy. The console subsisted on an irregular first-party release schedule for the first two years of its life. While titles like Super Mario Galaxy, Super Paper Mario, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, lived up to their superlative moniker, most third-party releases weren’t close to securing a position within the gaming pantheon. One of the first games to challenge that notion was Electronic Art’s Boom Blox, an elegantly executed title that deserved a spot within every Wii owner’s library.

Whereas many Wii developers errantly converted their existing games to the Wii, adding halfhearted waggle control, Boom Blox was built around the functionality of the Wiimote. Much like Wii Sports, the game’s success hinged on the integration of physicality, as player’s hurled a virtual sphere into their television screens. It was one of the first third party games where the control interface became translucent.  Players didn’t have to learn a new, niggling control method- the wiimote seemed like a natural extension of the hand. Despite a nearly unanimous consensus of critical acclaim, sales of Boom Blox never reached the upper echelons of the NPD group’s sales figures, although the title did move enough copies to warrant a sequel- Boom Blox Bash Party.

Fans expecting a radical departure from the first game’s mechanics might be slightly disappointed- Boom Blox Bash Party offers only slight changes to the original’s magnificent gameplay. Instead the sequel offers a subtle refinement to the game structure and visuals, along with a plethora of new content. While some Wii owners overlooked the first game, neglecting Bash Party would be a critical gaming transgression.

For the initiated, Bash Party’s gameplay is easily understood- each of the game’s 400 levels offers structures composed of a small blocks. Players typically use a variety of mechanics to dismantle these constructions- from the aforementioned baseball throw, to methods that utilize a slingshot, cannon, and even a Jenga-like piece removal system.  Variety is the game’s strength- as players traverse through the title’s cornucopia of designs, each level offers a slight deviation from the previous. Eventually, the game will alter the physics model, requiring players to execute the block-busting in zero gravity or underwater environments.

To maintain the gamer’s interest, each level is ranked with a bronze, silver and gold medal, requiring completionists to return to levels with less than 14 karat ratings. In-game currency is offered for the successful completion of each round, which can be used to surpass those delightfully stubborn levels. Gamers no longer have to pass each puzzle in consecutive order, eliminating the frustration of seeing a batch of prohibited levels. The developers successfully created a feeling that there’s a continual amount of facets to explore in Bash Party’s world.

Once gamers tire of the title’s included puzzle set, a myriad of new content await in the game’s level editor. The tool creates a near-perfect balance of flexibility and ease- we were able to create a few Rube Goldburg-influenced puzzles with a minimal amount of effort. Players uninterested in level construction can easily download other’s creations without the hassle of friend codes. Gamers can sort through content by a number of variables- meaning that quality designs are only a few button presses away.

By combining accessible gameplay, a wealth of on-disk on content, and the ability to download a limitless amount of new levels, Boom Blox Party Bash is a no-brainer for Wii owners. It’s a wonderfully addictive diversion that offers a satisfying play experience rivaled by a few third-party entries for the system.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

39 comments

  1. I need to try this. Everyone I know seems to love the game.

  2. If I played through most of the first game, should I still pick this one up?

  3. Hey people, I just want to let you know that this will be at Target for $30 starting Sunday. No excuses not to pick it up.

  4. Wow, I always overlooked the first game. Now, I might have to pick up both if they are that fun.

  5. The first was one of my favorite Wii games. The way you said the controls disappear is right. I love how you dont have to think about what you need to do.

  6. Portland Gamer

    How much is the first one? Two for $40-50 would be awesome. EA should do a pack-in.

  7. I gotta ask- how many penis levels are there?

  8. $30 sounds sweet as icing!

  9. Previously Pwned

    Cute little boxy animals are just annoying- no wonder why the game didn’t sell.

  10. Thanks for the info.

  11. Al least there’s some decent third party games from Sega now. Madworld, HotD: Overkill and from what I’ve seen Conduit.

  12. Hey do you guys ever get to go to the EA office since you are in/near Los Angeles, right?

  13. The Slingshot feels lame with this one. and I don’t like they took out most of the shooting levels.

    The Bejeweled-like puzzle ones are great, though.

  14. This is next on the to-buy this for us. Good review, Deagle. You seem to be very busy these days.

  15. Alexander Grape

    $30 is just the right price point! Target here I come.

  16. Those screens look so messy. The OCD in me wants to clean up the ‘BLOX’. LOL.

  17. Me too! Get to work, Tech Gamers! and report on any testicles you see.

  18. Sound pretty fun.

    Man, you guys use some crazy language.

  19. 400 Levels for $30? that’s a steal. How many good levels are available for D/L?

  20. The first felt like a bland tech-demo with artificial animal personality to me.

  21. I rented the first one and got thru half of it. I’m glad you can unlock levels now

  22. If not, they a should and tell us whats cooking at EA.

  23. As a kid I loved knocked my blocks over, and as an adult this sounds therapeutic after a long day at work.

  24. Yeah, I just noticed that. Most Wii games I have to think about what I need to do.

  25. I bough the last copy today. I’ll price match tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up.

  26. Looks kinda weird, but everyone is saying is hella fun.

  27. I just bought Bom Blox a few weeks ago. I really need to open it up and take it out of the pile of shame.

  28. I went to Target and it was full price $40 no discount. Is that at certain stores?

  29. I’ll probably pick this up this week.

  30. Actually, don’t report on that 😉

  31. I heard the graphics are improved a bit. is that true?

  32. I JUST got my damn Amazon order. WTF is up with that?

    Game is great BTW, a real AAA wii game.

  33. I haven’t played my Wii in months. I should probably get this to see if it still works 😉

  34. Bought it yesterday and they look almost exactly the same.

  35. Can you maze very in-game level with the editor? That would be very cool?

  36. Yep, that’s my story right there!

  37. RocksontheScotch

    Should have titled it, “I like the blox that go boom”

  38. Not enough!

  39. 400 levels? WOW, they didn’t skimp..