Games Of Summer: Boom Blox

By Stephen Woodward
Special to the Herald Courier
Published: July 6, 2008

What do “Saving Private Ryan,” “Schindler’s List” and the recent action flick “Indiana Jones” have in common with “Boom Blox”? 
Well, they were all created by acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg. The concept of “Boom Blox” is deceptively simple: players knock down blocks by throwing a ball with the Wii Remote. The box office isn’t the only thing exploding this summer from Speilberg’s creative mind.
As a Wii exclusive title, the game requires players to use the motion-sensing Wii remote in order to throw balls at stacks of blocks. While it sounds exceedingly simple and childish, it is incredibly fun to play, whether you’re 8 or 80.
There are many different game types, but my favorite used a stack of point blocks, in which players competitively threw balls trying to knock off blocks for the highest score. Other game types include pulling out blocks Jenga-style, trying not to knock over the tower and shooting gallery games. Players can also play levels in cooperative or competitive matches with their friends.
However, my favorite part of “Boom Blox” is the Create Mode. After unlocking new features for it in the single-player mode, players can create their own block towers, and then knock them down however they see fit. 
You can also build a tower, set your own rules for the game and then grab a friend with a strong throwing arm to help you knock it down.
Spielberg said he got the idea for his first video game project from watching his kids play with blocks and felt inspired by the themes of creation and destruction. He also wanted this game to be something he could be play with his kids.
And trust me, family gatherings or late night summer parties will have a blast (and a sore throwing arm) playing “Boom Blox.” The game retails for $50 on the Wii console and is rated E for Everyone.