Getting Your Game On

Disclosure: In any review for a product or service, products or compensation may have been provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” and "Terms of Use" tabs for more information.

Looking to add on to your world of gaming?  Check out these fun playthings that will keep your little one (OK, you too) entertained through the long winter months.

Got a little gamer?  The cute 7.5 inch plush from Nintendo are soft and great for bedtime cuddles (or anytime).  You can find them in characters like Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Link, Red Pinkmin, and Yellow Pinkmin for about $8 in stores like Target and Toys R Us.

Again, good for the younger gamers among us (and some of the bigger players who are young at heart) is JAKKS Pacific’s Hero Portal.  The latest additions of the Plug It In and Play TV Games come in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers (each console comes with 2 heroes). These are simple to use-  since the games are built into the controller, there is no additional gaming console needed. The Hero Portal just plugs into the A/V jacks of any standard TV and contains all games with no additional consoles, wires, or software needed.  Just pick your Hero, place him or her on the portal, and begin battling your way through 6 stages and 18 missions in each game.  You can also unlock secret missions and characters with booster packs. Available for $40 at stores like Amazon.  Additional characters and consoles sold separately.

Angry Birds Telepods are a lot of fun for any fan of the game- and by now, we are guessing that’s nearly everyone.  The latest sets come in Transformers or Stella (the pink lady bird) variety.  There are so many options of sets and characters available, that we will focus on the Telepods as wholes rather then any one set.  With many price points and sized sets (some even have play houses) available, there is one that is right for every budget and every fan.

Let’s begin with Angry Birds Transformers- yes, still angry birds (and pigs) but with the addition of the awesome (and timely) Transformers characters.  Your favorite Angry Birds are now robots in not so much of a disguise as they battle the pigs to save the day- the loser crashes as the winner takes all!  The game is now played both “in real life” as well as on your tablet with the figurines and telepods base, which take them right into the Transformers app (included).   It is basically the same as the online app; place pigs on perches and launch the birds at them to knock them off.  The difference is in the toy figures and the accessories which liven up the game and add on some fun. My son loves both Angry Birds and Transformers, so this is a giant win for him.  The addition of actual figurines he can hold and play with as well as use for the game?  YES.  How has this not happened sooner?  Win!  Epic win.

Angry Birds Stella is definitely aimed at the girls, but oddly, the boys seem to like the sets as well. The same theory applies to these sets as transformers, but the sets are more feminine.  Stella has playhouses, swings, food playsets, and the like. Download the app (included) and scan your figures and play sets into your device/app.  You can play as anything you download, so don’t forget that part.  It’s great that the girls were not left out of these games and toys, since many companies are boy-centric in their gaming. With Angry Birds being as popular as it is, the girls are glad to represent with the lovely Stella (who is also available as a plush toy in Justice stores).