We had a chance to preview and get some info on a new game acquired by Lighthouse Interactive called Pirate Party: Adventures of the Black Corsair.

This is the latest Wii-based family-friendly party game chock full of mini games and innocent mischief.

It’s set for release early next year, also on the DS, as Lighthouse promises big things on the horizon.

“2009 will be a significant year for us,” said Steve Wall, vice president of business development for Lighthouse Interactive. “Pirate Party has a wonderful mix of Adventure and party-style gameplay that gamers will love.”

Game summary:

Pirate Party: Adventures of the Black Corsair invites players to become a marauding buccaneer in 17th century London. Double-crossed by their pirate Captain and branded traitors to their country, players will face countless perils as they struggle to clear their names and become the most famous Black Corsair “" defender of the Crown. A fantastic new adventure is about to begin!

Game features:

• Family friendly fun
• User-friendly and accessible for everyone
• The only ‘party’ game that allows gameplay in versus, single, cooperative, and story modes
  Explore 3 vast worlds, including: London City, The Tower of London, and The Royal Court
• Interact with a cast of humorous characters
• Conquer mini-games to unlock special game features
• Easy-to-use In-Game HUD featuring a diary, log, map, inventory, and puzzles
• Save Points and Check Points are spread throughout each level
• Simple navigation made possible by positioning the main character on the Map

We also got a first look at some new screens from the upcoming game:

For more info, visit www.lighthouse-interactive.com

Zoo Hospital is a plot-driven collection of mini-games that makes you a summer intern at your aunt’s zoo

The adventures unfold as you learn how to treat 40 kinds of animals including mammals, reptiles and birds. It’s your job to diagnose and treat the creatures and return them to their habitats healthy and well-adjusted.

Features:

• Explore the amazing world of animals and learn about animal care, and endangered and exotic species. Budding vets can become experts on their favorites!
• Use the Touch Screen and stylus in medical mini games to treat varied illnesses. Administer injections, apply ointment, pull teeth, remove deadly microbes, X Ray organs and much more!
• Treat 40 different patients from the bird, mammal and reptile families. Start with 10 unlocked animals including: eagle, kangaroo, jaguar, zebra, chimp, panda, hyena, male lion, fossa and cobra.
• Discover how best to calm stressed species through soothing touch.
• Develop new skills via observation, problem solving and motor control that help you successfully decipher a patient’s body language, perform a thorough examination and then determine the most appropriate treatment.
• Consult the Doctor’s Observational Computerized Clipboard (DOCC) to learn what’s ailing your patient while checking vital signs and statistics.
• Get help from, or help a friend in, 2-player cooperative multiplayer!
• Earn award plaques for your trophy room as you become an expert vet.

Get to work from tigers to mearcats as Zoo Hospital tests the DS’ touch screen capabilities in this fun-for-everyone title.

Quick hits:

Publisher: Majesco
Developer: Majesco
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Strategy/Mini-game collection
Players: 1-2
Launch Date: October 23, 2007

Playability: 4 out of 5 stars
Learning Curve: 4 out of 5 stars
Sound: 4 out of 5 stars
Graphics: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Bubblegum pop princesses Aly and AJ Michalka make their video game debut on one of what appears to be hundreds of Nintendo DS games launching this holiday season.

The Aly and AJ Adventure is a collection of 15 minigames that take you throughout London, Tokyo, New York and Hollywood, including a dance-off multiplayer mode.

The girls need a new assistant, and that’s where you come in, helping the girls sing their way through a series of adventures.

It’s a cute game, very kiddie. It follows the mantra of “mini games are all the rage” that we’re seeing late.y

This is a benign game that’s great for tweens — it’s 100 percent for girls, so make sure that when your son asks for Orange Box or Halo 3, you don’t grab the game with the two pretty blond girls by accident.

Features:

• 15 Unique Mini-games
• 4 exciting locations – London, Tokyo, New York, and Hollywood
• Help record a music video or rehearse a new song, while Aly & AJ dance and sing on the top screen
• Free-form play allows you to play whatever you’d like – and replay to achieve high-scores
• Go head-to-head with a friend in a “Dance-Off” in multiplayer mode
• Use the stylus for all mini-games
• Fans and new-comers will love the Aly & AJ music and imagery
• Creative art style will be appreciated by the whole family
• Bonus Features include 7 Aly & AJ songs that can be enjoyed anytime – songs include the hits “Chemicals React”, “Insomniatic”, and “Potential Breakup Song”

Quick hits:

Publisher: DSI Games
Developer: DSI Games
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Mini-game collection
Players: 1-2
Launch Date: October 15, 2007

Playability: 4 out of 5 stars
Learning Curve: 5 out of 5 stars
Sound: 4 out of 5 stars
Graphics: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

A new promo video has been released for Com2uS’s Mini Game Pack mobile phone game.

“With seven easy-to-learn and engaging mini-games, Mini Game Pack is one-button gaming at its best,” the company said in a statement. “Mini Game Pack challenges players to run, jump, race, smash, skip, drive and dodge their way to victory, and features different characters, each of whom have different abilities to tackle the gauntlet of games.”

Mini Game Pack can be purchased here.