Mincraft at Best Buy @BestBuy @Minecraft #ad

December 14, 2016 by 7 Comments

Minecraft is one of the my son’s favorite games.  My husband, not as much, but he is learning (and also learning how much of an old man he is sometimes).  You can build and explore exciting new worlds with Best Buy’s assortment of Minecraft games and collectibles.

Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures.  Where players can use their imagination, they can bring anything their digital heart desires to life. This translates into a robust level of online shared works to explore.  Visit randomly generated worlds as well as build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles.  Minecraft is less of a game and more of a digital revolution.  Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources, or mine deep in Survival Mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off dangerous mobs. Do all this alone, or with friends.  Co-Op mode is a blast with a family member or a friend.  My husband honestly didn’t see the point in Minecraft until he sat down and played Co-Op with the kiddo. The games are very family-friendly, and great for kids and adults of any age.  The toys and collectibles make great gifts for anyone already into the game or just getting their feet wet.

Best Buy carries a large assortment the assortment of Minecraft products – this includes an Xbox One S console bundle, additional Minecraft games, and Minecraft toys and collectibles.  The coolest being (of course) the Xbox One S console bundle, which includes not only the Xbox One S 500GB console, but also Xbox Wireless Controller, Minecraft: Xbox One Edition Favorites Pack, Minecraft Builder’s Pack, Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta,  and also 14-day Xbox Live Gold trial.  The Xbox One S is the same as an Xbox One but is now powered up with 4K Blu-ray, 4k video streaming and HDR all this while being 40% smaller.

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Moana: The Movie, the Games

December 8, 2016 by 1 Comment

moana app

Moana, the newest animated film from Walt Disney Pictures, is still filling theaters around the world. It’s one of the top-ranked movies of the year, beloved by critics and audience members of all ages. If you haven’t already taken your children to see it, I confidently recommend doing so. Older children, teens, and thrill-seeking adults can enjoy Moana in 3D, which offers an entirely next-level type of entertainment. However, the story and 2D visuals are captivating enough that the non-3D movie is very much worth seeing.

After watching Moana at the theater, a great way to stay connected is through video games. These days, sites like Poki offer countless web games for free. On Poki, each game is sorted into categories, which makes it easy to find exactly what you want. Today, I’d like to share what my child has been playing lately: Moana games from Poki!

The Moana games on Poki are a subsection of the movie games category, which includes hundreds of titles. Some of the most popular movie games are based on Frozen, Cars, or Spider-Man. But the hit film of today is Moana, and there are many exciting adventures to discuss.

Moana Waialiki is a Pacific Island princess. To be more specific, Moana is Polynesian, and she is beautiful. When the movie was first announced, there was much discussion surrounding this new type of Disney royalty. Feminists and open-minded citizens everywhere praised the choice to showcase diversity on the silver screen. As a result, we have a movie and now many games that center around the proud Motunui native. The Moana dress-up games on Poki highlight her unique culture and clothing. The fabrics, dress styles, and jewelry are all based on authentic island fashion. Players will learn about Oceania while playing, as these games take place 2000 years in the past, just like the movie.

There are also different types of Moana puzzle games, including hidden-object and jigsaw challenges. In Moana Hidden Letters, players will use a magnifying glass to find the alphabet on the beach. In Disney Moana Puzzle, gamers must unscramble memorable scenes from the movie. Every puzzle piece is a small part of the big picture. This type of gameplay lets us relive iconic movie moments with Moana and Maui.

Have I mentioned that the Moana soundtrack was co-written by Lin-Manuel Miranda? That’s right—the award-winning composer and star of Hamilton helped pen the music for Moana. Best of all, some of Poki’s Moana games feature real music from the movie. When playing Kakamora Kaos, gamers are bound to be inspired by the movie’s original soundtrack. The orchestral symphony will charge the coconut-wearing pirates on their massive ship. Instead of playing a game on the computer, it will feel like you’re a part of the film!

After watching Moana, playing these games is the next best thing. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, the Moana titles on Poki are so much fun that they stand tall on their own. It’s time for your children to play with the Polynesian princess and her demigod companion Maui.

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Pokemon Sun and Moon for the Nintendo 3DS

December 7, 2016 by 2 Comments

If you have been under a rock for the last few months, Pokemon is back and in a big way.  With the recent release of Pokemon Go and the most recent release of Pokemon Sun and Moon, all your gaming needs can be met trying to catch them all.

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In Pokemon Sun/Moon, you follow along a young trainer as he or she moves to a new region the Alola region, which looks like a tropical Pacific Island.  Upon moving here, you quickly start your adventure to become a Pokemon trainer, and one of the best ones there is at that.  You first pick out your starter Pokemon, choosing from Rowlet (Grass-Flying), Litten (Fire), and Popplio (Water). Each of these are cute little critters who pack a mean punch.  Whichever you pick, you are in for a good time, so no need to stress over this first choice.  As you progress through the game, you learn some new moves called “Z Moves”, which are a way for trainer and Pokemon to act in unison and perfect harmony to release devastating attacks on your opponents (which there are many of).  Your opponents range from the evil Team Skull, to wild Pokemon hidden in the tall grass and waters of the area, to other trainers- there are more then enough chances to try out your new moves.

This game is fun for gamers of all ages, although reading is needed in order to progress and make heads or tails of the story, so be aware those very young will not be able to get too far without some help from mom or dad.  Early readers should be ok with the game, however, the reading is not overly advanced.  Game play is also easy to pick up and understand, as the main mechanics are catch Pokemon, battle Pokemon, and continue on with your quest.

There are many side quests available along the main character’s journey, such as finding specific Pokemon in certain areas, to helping find special items or people in one place.  In regard to which game you should pick up (Sun or Moon) the real decision is which legendary do you like more- the sun based Solgaleo or moon based Lunala?  Other then that, the games are identical in story line and players from either version can trade with one another.

Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon retail for $39.99 each and certainly should not be missed.

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Jotun Valhalla Edition and Axiom Verge for Nintendo Wii U

November 8, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Today we are going to look at two of the plethora of cool Indie titles for the Wii U, Jotun Valhalla Edition and Axiom Verge.  An epic Norse adventure game and a mind bending side scroller which questions your trust in the programmers of the game.

nintendo games

First up is Jotun, Jotun Valhalla Edition follows the story of Thora, a Viking warrior who has suffered an inglorious death.  This means she can not enter Valhalla. As such, Odin offers her another chance to prove herself worthy of Valhalla by battling various gods and defeating them.  You begin the game in Ginnungagap, a Norse limbo which acts as your central point between various levels.  Each has lush hand drawn designs and characters.  Every level acts as a puzzle in itself, as well as an exploration chance to find a God’s weapon.  These weapons then make each boss battle easier to get through, some times, later in the game these are even necessary to defeat some tough baddies.  This game has a “new school”, artistic vibe and an old school, boss rush game play. It is perfect for new gamers as well as older ones.  What I really like about this game is its lush settings, designs, and the Norse driven story which is a relatively fresh area in gaming.

Axoim Verge video game

Next up is Axoim Verge.  Axoim Verge, looks familiar at first glance, a 2d side scrolling Metroid-vania style game where the hero explores a huge area piece by piece.  But that is where the similarities end. With nine massive non linear areas which are unlock-able,  tons of weapons, tools, and equipment (the most memorable of which is a glitch-er tool which, when used, causes game elements to break and either open up new areas, turn enemies into health power ups, or even have enemies turn into assistants).  This not only opens up new elements of game play and gives players a new way to analyze an area, but also opens up new portions of the area and has you question where this game’s setting is. Is it the future, an alien world, or a glitch virtual reality world?  Either way, we had a great time exploring it and can’t wait to unlock more weapons, areas, and tools.

Jotun Valhalla Edition is available now for $14.49 and Axoim Verge for $19.99 through the Nintendo eShop on the Wii U.

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Pele: Soccer Legend

November 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment

soccer games

Want a more wholesome game for your kids to enjoy? Pelé: Soccer Legend is a new, free-to-play sports game on Poki. It’s got 3D graphics that look good on every computer—even on budget laptops. The gameplay is fun, and you only need to press one button to play. What’s not to love? From what I’ve experienced, Pelé: Soccer Legend is nothing short of amazing.

The Athletic Premise
Pelé is a hero to millions of soccer fans. Even those who didn’t watch him in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s know of his greatness. In Pelé: Soccer Legend, your kids can experience the early days of Pelé’s career. That’s because this game actually takes place on the streets of Brazil! Instead of competing on a typical soccer pitch, players get to score goals in back-alley “arenas.” This is a fresh way of reinventing the soccer genre, because it looks different than every other game. And it feels quite different, too. When kicking towards the goal, you can bounce the ball off of anything nearby! It’s really fun to aim at the wall and try to ricochet the soccer ball into the goal. There’s also a car behind the net, which you can aim at for funny surprises.

So Many Kicks
Pelé was an innovative athlete. He didn’t just kick the ball like everyone else. In Pelé: Soccer Legend, your children can learn all of Pelé’s memorable moves, like the mind-blowing bicycle kick. At certain points during each level, players will have the opportunity to try a new type of shot. There are more than a few ways to kick the ball towards the goal. At the end of the round, you’ll be asked to complete a bonus shot. This challenge is extra fun and worth extra points!

Another really cool feature of Pelé: Soccer Legend is the star himself, Pelé. During the game, the Brazilian legend will give you tips on how to score! His picture will appear on the screen with special advice about kicking the ball, outplaying defenders, and using bonuses. For young fans, this can be really inspirational.

Easy to Hard
Learning the basics of how to score is simple: swipe to kick. But, as you might expect, Pelé: Soccer Legend has some very hard levels that you can play here. In the beginning, inexperienced players might score easily during their first few attempts. That’s because the first couple of rounds are designed to teach you how to play. After getting a grasp of the different kicks, players will encounter entire teams of defenders. That’s when things get tough. Thankfully, there are a bunch of power-ups that make winning much more attainable. Older players might not need the power-ups, but they help a great deal.
A Fantastic Goal
Pelé: Soccer Legend is more than just a sports game. It’s designed like some of the most successful mobile games, with addictive levels, unlockable items, and fun surprises. Even if your kids aren’t fans of Pelé just yet, they’re destined to enjoy the action in Pelé: Soccer Legend.

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Skylanders Imaginators – The Newest #Skylanders Video Game

October 27, 2016 by 2 Comments

new skylanders game

Skylanders are back with Skylanders Imaginators, and this time they need some of your imagination to save the day.  Kaos is once again causing problems in the Skyland, and Eon needs you to defeat him and the Magic Mind he used to create new Doomlanders.  This Skylanders differs from previous iterations in the series in a pretty cool way- you can now create your own Skylanders. Nothing but your creativity will hold you back with your new Skylander creations. With the help of Senseis in game which specializes in one of ten different techniques, you can also train your Skylander to defeat Kaos and his minions.  As with other games in the series, all previous Skylanders can be used with the Imaginators game including Super Charger vehicles and traps (both of which are functional in race mode).

new skylanders game

In total there are 31 new senseis to collect, as well as Creation Crystals which save the Skylanders you create. This allows you to call upon their help whenever needed.  In addition to new Skylanders, there are also a few surprises. You can now use Kaos in game, and purchase his collectable toy as well.  In addition to Kaos, Crash Bandicoot is making his first Skylanders appearance with his own unique fighting abilities including his whirlwind spin, TNT crates, and yo-yo Sky-Chi attack.

The main concept behind Imaginators is the ability to build your own Skylander Imaginator.  This Imaginator can be customized in appearance, ability, sounds, and even appendages.  Each edit is done on the fly in game through a series of easy to navigate menus.  Scattered throughout each level in the game itself are items which can be used to build and rebuild your character as you please.  Use an air horn for an ear, a snake for an arm, even a chain for a tail and s’mores for a staff. Choose to have color coordinate everything to fit together nicely, or simply mix it up to make your Imaginator your own.  The gameplay is easy to pick up and play, hack and slash gaming where exploration is encouraged and villains are colorful and different.  Each level has a theme, and each level has an end boss who must be defeated to progress.

The starter set includes a portal, the game itself and a minimum of 2 senseis and an Imaginator crystal to make your own Skylander.  The start set retails for $74.99 and is available nationwide now.

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Yo-Kai Watch 2 Fleshy Souls/Bony Spirits for the Nintendo 3DS

October 5, 2016 by 5 Comments

yo kai watch games

Yo-Kai watch is the newest phenomena to hit our shores from Japan.  The newest games in the series are Yo-Kai Watch 2 Fleshy Souls and Bony Spirits.  The main story follows around our protagonist Nate as he solves mysteries involving the spirit world through the usage of his Yo Kai watch.  These newest games dig deeper into the origins of the Yo Kai watch, and brings players into the watch’s humble beginnings.

When two mischievous spirits steal away Nate’s memories and his Yo-Kai watch, the game begins introducing new players to the mechanics and play style of Yo-Kai watch.  Players search around town for spirits and befriend them in order to call upon them later on to battle other spirits in their name.  Battles are predominantly played as more of an armchair rather then an active fighter, where you can power up the Yo-Kai soultimate moves with screen taps or spins. For the most part, your Yo-Kai battle on their own.  This can be either off putting or make game play easier for younger players, giving the player a different way to view a battle.

This is more as a preparation and couching experience then an interactive eb and flow type experience.  There is also an online multi player where players can fight their Yo-Kai against one another in battles which is great fun and breaks up the story nicely.  The story in Yo Kai Watch 2 is interesting and fun- it  ultimately brings to head a war between Yo-Kai of historic proportions while also helping out various townspeople with mini quests along the way, as well as bug catching.  Not only is the story engaging, but the Yo-Kai themselves are also quite odd combinations including a snot nosed character, a character who is literally all leg and a hat, and of course the cute cat-based spriti Jibanyan.

If you are looking for a fun, easy to pick up and play RPG with monster collecting for between those bigger pocket monster collecting titles, Yo-Kai Watch 2 is perfect to cleanse your pallet. If you are a fan of RPG’s in general and are looking for something with an odd flavor this works as well.  Of course, any fan of the TV show will enjoy the game. Yo-Kai Watch 2 is not to be missed by fans of the series, my son  is having a blast trying to catch as many Yo-Kai as possible (and telling me all about the little creatures the entire time).

Yo Kai Watch 2 Fleshy Souls  and Bony Spirits is available now for the Nintendo 3DS and retails for $39.99 each.

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Metroid Prime Federation Force for the Nintendo 3DS

October 5, 2016 by 2 Comments

metroid federation force

Metroid has long been a favorite among Nintendo fans.  Amid quite a bit of controversy when first announced, Federation Force is an interesting spin on a familiar game setting and characters.  The controversy surrounded Nintendo’s decision to work on a release of this game instead of continuing the Samus saga in the Metroid Prime universe.  If you are looking for a continuation of the Samus story line, this is not the title you are looking for.  Instead, this title is a spin off of the federation force, which picks up after the events in Metroid Prime 3 Corruption.  This game follows the federation force in their pursuit to clean up the galaxy by battling Metroids and Space Pirates as well as various other alien creatures, causing problems across 3 familiar planets.  Each planet consists of various missions, totaling about 60 in all.  Each mission takes place in a different setting, some of which include ice and desert areas.  But fear not Samus fans, the familiar armored maiden does make an appearance as a non-playable character in the game.

This game also differs from other Metroid Prime installments in its emphasis on team work and group based shooting instead of exploration, as well as the removal of the touch screen based elements of Metroid Prim Hunters, and the scanning ability of Metroid Prime.  Players can be a few different specialties based on the choosing of their weapon load out before each mission, including a healer weapon and heavy fire missiles.

Federation Force also includes and arena style combat soccer mode called Blast Ball.  Players using their mechs and working as a team of three must shoot the ball into your opponent’s goal, while defending your own goal from offenders.

Both game modes are available now with the purchase of Metroid Prime Federation Force which is available now in both retail stores and the eShop for 39.99.

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