Remember the games you used to play back in school? Dodgeball, Tetherball, even that game where you raced paper airplanes across the classroom? While some of us may be old enough to look like complete dummies in trying to get back to that simpler, more fun-oriented time in our lives, Electronic Arts certainly doesn't think it has to be that way for long. Wee see that and more of this screenshot update of the upcoming DS and Wii title, EA Playground.

From the more mean-spirited games like Spitball and Dodgeball, to the more sedate, competitive ones like Paper Racers and Bug Hunt, EA Playground offers quite a wide variety of activities to choose from in both console and portable versions of the game. Some activities are also unique to each version, as stated in a previous news update - but they're definitely both equally engaging in terms of gameplay and wholesome fun.

With cute, superdeformed graphics, a selection of games kids from seven to 77 will have fond (and not so fond) memories of, unique and easy-to-master controls on both consoles, EA Playground looks to be a winner. Check back here for more updates about EA's latest sports title for the Nintendo Wii and DS.

The rest of the screenshots after the jump!

We've got a new trailer of the upcoming EA Playground from Electronic Arts. Like the title suggests, this game is a collection of classic playground games played by kids. The setup and controls were inspired by the insanely popular Wii Sports, and this one looks like a lot of fun, too.

Some of the games confirmed for EA Playground are dodgeball, tetherball and a new game called "Kicks" which is a derivative of the Southeast Asian sport "Sepak Takraw". Kicks is best described as a soccer-volleyball hybrid which looks incredibly fun to play.

EA Playground is set for release on Nintendo platforms Wii and DS. A release date hasn't been given out, so keep it here for more updates on this light-hearted prospect.

Electronic Arts just announced that EA Playground (Wii, DS) is set for release on October 23 in North America and November 2 in Europe. With a plethora of playground games and other activities, you are sure to find what you're looking for.

Both Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS versions will utilize the strengths of their respective platforms. Playable games may slightly differ, but EA promises hours of fun from both. Grabbing a copy of the console version will give you access to these playground games and activities:

• Dodgeball -  Up to four players of solid dodgeball action. Dodge, catch and throw lighting fast balls just like in real life.
• Paper Racers - Pit your paper planes against each other in a race, collecting power ups and other bonuses along the way.
  
• Kicks - Soccer meets volleyball in this ball game.
  
• Dart Shootout - Shoot your way through the final boss.
  
• Wall Ball -The speed of the ball increases with each powerful shot, making a more strategic wall ball experience.
  
• Slot Car Racing - Up to four players go at it in classic slot car racing.
  
• Tetherball - Thetherball like in real life, where you wrap the tetherball around the pole before your opponent does.
• Freethrows - Shoot people around to earn marbles.
  
• Bug Hunt - Catch some bugs to earn rewards.
  
• Dribbling –Show off your dribbling skills for more marbles.
  

There's still enough playground action on the Nintendo DS. Some games are unique to the handheld, integrating touch screen and voice command features. Among the fun stuff you can do are:

• Dodgeball - Knock all the other kids out before they do the same to your team.
• Hoops - Your classic basketball game.
  
• Hopscotch - Musical rhythm game of Hopscotch
  
• RC Racers - Put your cars to the test in tracks with power ups.
  
• Bug Hunt - Collect butterflies while avoiding bugs.
  
• Kicks - Free for all Soccer match where the objective is to score more points than your opponent
• Skate & Sketch - Connect the dots to do tricks.
  
• Spitballs - Blow into the microphone to spit at your opponents.
  
• Trampoline - Jump using the trampoline to pop balloons above.
  

  

A lot of hype has been building for EA Playground, but who can blame those of us who have good playground memories that we want to relive?

Electronic Arts Canada has been tasked to develop the game, and it's off to a good start considering the emotional reactions people get just from reading the title.

EA Playground focuses on casual gamers, and it shows. Set to be released for both the Wii and Nintendo DS, the game is said to take advantage of the unique control mechanics of both systems. Some good examples are using the Wiimote to play a game of tetherball (my personal favorite playground game) or even blowing into the Nintendo DS mic to fire spitballs (another personal favorite).

The press release said that "every [version of the] game brings its own twist to the controls for the ultimate, all-ages, party game," and we actually believe it.

While EA Playground looks to be focused on the multiplayer experience, the guys at EA have said that it isn't the case. Single player mode has you exploring the playground and entering different locations, unlocking new activities, making wacky in-game friends, and collecting rewards and stickers which provide ability upgrades.

By the way the screenshots above are for the Wii, just to clear up any confusion it may cause. Be sure to keep checking back here for more updates on EA Playground.

It seems that a lot of hype has been building for Electonic Arts latest video game, EA Playground. Currently being developed by EA Canada, it's slated to be released for the Nintendo Wii and DS. Dave McCarthy, the executive producer for the game, was recently interviewed by IGN and had a lot to say about their project.

He discussed four things: what the game is about, the controls, multiplayer, and surprisingly the storyline. The game, McCarthy said, is intended to capture "the sheer fun of being a kid." Set in a playground, they filled it "full of interesting characters, cool collectables, and most importantly, a mix of easy to pick up and incredibly fun playground games." He even mentioned a single-player campaign mode, but we'll go into that later.

With regards to controls, he assured that the Wii and DS versions of the game would take advantage of the unique controls of both systems. He mentioned of the use of the stylus in the DS for a game he called Bug Hunt and the microphone for Spitballs. He also said that there are a lot of other games but he "won't get into all the games and mechanics quite yet." Oh phooey.

With regards to multiplayer, it seems that this title is ideally a party game, and it is "the ideal way to play EA Playground. Whether you do four-player local parties on the Wii or wireless sessions on the DS, you'll find that all games are multiplayer supported and that frantic simultaneous play is the order of the day." This could be interesting considering that Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Party 8, and DK Jet are all set to be out this year as well.

The full article awaits after the jump!