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EA Playground

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7.3 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 32 critic reviews
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Based on 25 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: EA Canada

Genre(s): Party

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: October 22, 2007

Summary

EA Playground features games that are easy to pick-up-and-play by fully capitalizing on the unique control mechanics of both the Wii and the Nintendo DS. Swing the Wii remote to excel in tetherball, blow into the Nintendo DS mic to fire spitballs or battle your friends and family in dodgeball. Every game brings its own twist to the controls for the ultimate, all-ages, party game. In EA Playground, you don't always have to be playing with your friends and family in order to have fun. Explore the world on your own as you enter different locations, unlocking new activities, making wacky in-game friends and collecting rewards and stickers to upgrade your abilities along the way. [Electronic Arts]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

DailyGame

EA Playground is probably the best multiplayer Wii experience since Wii Sports. Even with its eventual AI challenge, there's nothing complex about this game--and there shouldn't be.

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GameTap

For parents, it's nice to have a gaming option that's not tied to licensing for yet another TV show. And the gameplay that is there fun and simple, so when the young gamer in the house does want to play multiplayer, it'll be entertaining for everyone.

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Armchair Empire

Like youth, EA Playground’s single-player mode is fleeting, but still a fun romp through the schoolyard of mini-games.

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Worth Playing

The mini-games are actually quite fun, and only Tetherball and Wall Ball stand out as weaknesses. If you're looking for a great family game or something to hold the kids over until the next Spongebob or Naruto game, then EA Playground is a great choice.

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Play.tm

The visuals, music and effects aren't going to break the bank, but certainly do everything that's asked of them.

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The Wiire

The best way to explain the fun of this game is like a Mario Bros. game. Sure you can beat it in a half hour, the stages are simple, the gameplay can be repetitive for the number of times played, and the feeling is almost oversimplified after a few rounds, but there's still that something that keeps players coming back to it.

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NZGamer

Definitely not mentally stimulating but the games will require a good level of reflexes and hand-eye co-ordination.

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Console Monster

More of a stocking filler than an under the tree type of purchase.

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Cheat Code Central

Although EA Playground is obviously meant for children, it falls short severely in depth.

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NintendoWorldReport

While none of the games are quite as deep and compulsive as Wii Sports, they’re entertaining enough on their own to keep players waggling through the short single-player mode.

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Game Informer

It’s all decently fun, and the Wii controls are utilized to good effect. But, you know, there’s only so long something like this is going to hold my attention. If you’re of an advanced age like myself, say over 10, this is probably going to seem a bit dull.

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GameDaily

It may not contain the addictive "party" element of Nintendo's Wii Sports, but this Playground isn't a bad place for kids and their parents to hang out.

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Game Chronicles

The game could stand to have a wider range of mini-games, and I would have liked to see a bit more connection between the motion sensing capabilities of the Wii and the onscreen action as I felt a tad detached from the proceedings – if these items are addressed for a future sequel, we might have the next WarioWare or Cooking Mama on our hands.

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n-Revolution Magazine UK

Harmless, family fun. [Issue#17, p.91]

VideoGamer

This won't replace Wii Sports as the mini-game collection of choice, but it's another option should Wii Tennis and Bowling start to feel a little over played.

DarkStation

Although it wants to be like Wii Sports and be enjoyable by yourself or with others, it just doesn't get that far. However at the same token, EA Playground when played with others is a really strong experience and it's use of the motion technology comes together very nicely and makes for an enjoyable game to play through.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

We were 52% through the single-player game within 45 minutes of starting. [Christmas 2007, p.88]

GameZone

Unfortunately there are problems with the control scheme (seriously who let this game ship with only d-pad controls) and a lack of a real captivating mini-game. For what is presented, this will entertain your family (kids) for several hours on end.

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Gamers' Temple

Overall EA Playground can be fun for younger gamers, but it's not going to win them over like a new version of Pokemon would. It's basically a rainy day diversion when the weather keeps the kids off of the real playground.

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Game Revolution

It's a great choice for the wee Wii gamers in your life, but if you're old enough to get arrested for lurking around a real-life playground, you won't find the virtual version any more welcoming.

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IGN

There's no mini in EA Playground that's as fun, addictive (or, for that matter, deep, strangely enough) as Wii Sports bowling or golf.

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Maxi Consolas (Portugal)

Simple and accessible, with short games and a good use of the Wii Remote. It will please its target audience, the children. However, the other players will just consider it to be too limited. [Jan 2008]

GameSpot

EA Playground puts forth a family-friendly assortment of games with a few absolute gems.

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PALGN

EA Playground is an okay game with only seven or so mini games, but they are all enjoyable and quite a few people will find themselves coming back to dodgeball, so you could do a lot worse.

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Kombo

Truthfully, we were pleasantly surprised with EA Playground when we got our hands-on the final version. However, the number of activities in the game is subpar, leaving little to do and see once you've experienced each only a couple of times.

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G4 TV

There is some fun to be had with EA Playground, but it doesn’t do much to rise above the glut of mediocrity that has made a cozy little home on the Wii.

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Gaming Age

The lack of depth in the single player and the short variety of the multiplayer games will be hard to grasp to anyone who is not looking for that next party title for the Wii. With possibly more mini games, and especially more lengthy addicting games, EA Playground could see a second life.

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GameShark

While an older player will quickly get bored with this title, I think this is a great game for families with kids.

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Video Game Talk

If they can add some content and challenge and work a bit on the controls, there’s a definite place for a playground game in the marketplace. It does relate to the younger set and can encourage family play.

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Gamestyle

EA Playground is limited in its ambitions and the scope that the developer has applied to the project. Throwing seven mini-games into the mix does not make for a full game, especially when they have been executed with a five year old in mind.

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NGamer UK

Compared to this month's "Thrillville," EA Playground is severely lacking. Don't let the EA brand influence you - the kid in you will much prefer the theme park over the playground. [Christmas 2007, p.53]

Eurogamer

In short, EA Playground is fun for neither kids nor adults. The mini-games don't have the depth of those in Wii Sports or the quirky innovations of those in Wario Ware. The visuals don't have the appeal or charm of a Disney/Pixar game, or even that one about the puppets in the garden Tom likes so much.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.3 (out of 10) based on 25 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

William S. gave it a3:
I must admit that I was excited to play this game...before I actually did. Overall I was disappointed with the controls especially those when you are in single player mode. Moving around the playground can best be described as awkward and tedious. The actull mini-games were interesting enough but only kept my attention for about an hour total. I would say that this game is yet another mini-game compilation that does not take full advantage of the Wii controls. The most bothersome point for me is that there was no nunchuck use whatsoever. Some of the games such as wallball, kicks and dodgball could have been drastically better by allowing the player to control his/her characters with the nunchuck rather than the directional pad on the Wii remote itself. In my opinion this game is a definite rental but not worth the $40 price tag at the store.

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
Cool game! Easy to get into, fun to play, and addictive! Fun for kids and adults alike. Cute visuals, fun and easy controls, and cool sounds. I wish EA had more games like this.

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
Just needs more mini-games. But the mini games they do include are fun as ever!

Zontar gave it a1:
It's like a crappy WiiSports that costs 50 bucks.

Harkeerat M. gave it a10:
Great game. Great four player fun. I didn't really like the character designs (which seemed to be the producer's work) at first, but later, it flowed well with the game.

Carter C. gave it a9:
I don't know what IGN is talking about. Dodgeball is super fun especially when you have four wiimotes. This isn't a deep game but that's not what it's for. My friends and I were yelling at each other every single game and laughing the whole time. Wii sports is fun but in a more calm way. This game is great just for having people over and making them play. This is a keeper just for that reason.

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EA Playground

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