Fun New Video Games

October 7, 2015 by 5 Comments

As the days grow shorter and chillier, we look to some games that can be played indoors and well as some that can taken with you on the go for travel fun.  Check out these fun new video games, perfect for kids (and the kid at heart, too).

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Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer

In the newest incarnation of Animal Crossing called “Happy Home Designer”, players help design their very own Animal Crossing town, including exteriors,  interiors, and even gardens.

In beautifying your town, you are also helping the locals of Animal Crossing with various deign challenges.

Each challenge is different and requires the player  to use their own personal style and incorporate the clients requested items into the design.  With hundreds of clients to work with, the game is quite long.  Another great aspect of this game is its amiibo support.  Home Designer uses the new amiibo cards (similar to the figurine amiibo but these are cards, not toy-like figures) to unlock special characters in town who will give you unique design challenges.  Once the design challenges are complete you move on to the next one.

Animal Crossing is a great way to get into gaming.  The concept is understandable and easy to pick up . If you are in the mood, players can also explore and share their creations.

Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer is available in fine stores everywhere.  It is available by itself or as part of a bundle which includes a specially designed 3DS XL.

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Chibi Robo Zip Lash

In the world of Chibi Robo, aliens have invaded and stolen all the snacks.  Your job as Chibi Robo is to zip and whip obstacles at enemies.  Game play is mostly of the 2D platforming variety.  As Chibi,  you can quick throw and power throw through obstacles and enemies.  Plug in and Power up into both Fire Chibi-Robo and Ice Chibi-Robo.  These both add new gameplay elements to the game, and are fun as well.  Chibi also has amiibo support, and my son loves it.  When you Chibi Robo amiibo is tapped against the game, it unlocks Super Chibi Robo, collects in-game figurines, and unlocks bonus levels.

Chibi Robo is available in an amiibo and game bundle.  The bundle retails for $39.99, while the game by itself retails for $29.99.

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Skylanders SuperChargers

How do you put a new fresh face onto a game which has been updated four times now?  Easy- introduce Super Chargers.  Super Chargers includes vehicles which are used to traverse levels and race tracks.  Tracks also have puzzles and boss battles in order to win each race.  Vehicles can be upgraded with collectibles called Gearbits.  Also, if you purchase Skylanders for the Wii U, you can play as Donkey Kong and Bowser of Super Mario fame.  These figures also double as amiibos in other games, so it is almost as if you are getting 2 toys in one. My son absolutely loves the vehicle aspect, and was so excited about them being added.  I guess there is no bad thing about autos (and etc) in gameplay, is there?

The new Skylanders Superchargers start set sells for $74.99  and is available at stores everywhere for the Wii U, Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

Super Mario Maker

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One of the most recent trends in gaming is the so self creation, where users are the ones who make up portions of the game for either other people to play or just to share with friends to show off their building prowess.  On this same thread of games comes Nintendo’s Super Mario Maker.  In this game, users can either create new levels using components of various Mario games, or play levels made by other players.  The presentation is easy to understand and get into, but to make that perfect level will take practice.  A great way to get into the game is by first trying the level creator and messing around a bit, then trying other people’s levels to see how creative all those Nintendo fans really are. The answer is- incredibly.  From speed runs to super difficult to artistic expressions, all are present and its only getting better as people learn more.

This game also supports amiibo figures, where each figure unlocks a new power up for Mario to use in the level.  So if you put your Sonic The Hedgehog figure on the controller, Mario changes to Sonic and even the background music changes to reflect this as well. Super Mario Maker is available now for the Wii U and retails for $59.99 and is available at retail stores and also the Nintendo eShop.

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Super Mario Maker for the Wii U

September 29, 2015 by 5 Comments

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest.

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One of the most recent trends in gaming is the so self creation, where users are the ones who make up portions of the game for either other people to play or just to share with friends to show off their building prowess.  On this same thread of games comes Nintendo’s Super Mario Maker.  In this game, users can either create new levels using components of various Mario games, or play levels made by other players.  The presentation is easy to understand and get into, but to make that perfect level will take practice.  A great way to get into the game is by first trying the level creator and messing around a bit, then trying other people’s levels to see how creative all those Nintendo fans really are. The answer is- incredibly.  From speed runs to super difficult to artistic expressions, all are present and its only getting better as people learn more.

Each level can be built in a variety of Super Mario game styles ranging from classic Super Mario 8 bit designs to Super Mario 3, and even Super Mario World and and the New Super Mario Bros U.  Of these different styles, all the level creation elements change too to match the specific game where the question blocks have a pixelated 8 bit feel to them (like in Super Mario), but  these same elements have a 3D “cartoony” feel, more in the New Super Mario Bros U style.

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When using the creation portion of the game, the user builds each level one element at a time. With careful attention to detail, more and more of the game becomes available for usage, from villains like King Koopa to Turtles of all shapes and sizes.  Everyone has a role in this game, and if you wish they can all be in your level together.

This game also supports Amiibo figures, where each figure unlocks a new power up for Mario to use in the level.  So if you put your Sonic The Hedgehog figure on the controller, Mario changes to Sonic and even the background music changes to reflect this as well.

This game is perfect for Wii U owners of all ages and gaming experience- as a long time Mario fan, it is fun to see what goes into making a level, while my son enjoys plowing through easy levels and levels Dad has made.

Super Mario Maker is available now for the Wii U and retails for $59.99 and is available at retail stores and also the Nintendo eShop.

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Flare Kids app for iOS 8.0 or later, compatible with iPad @FlareKids

September 29, 2015 by 14 Comments

There are many sources for videos on the internet, and many have games, information, as well as tons of not-appropriate-for-kids videos.  Whether because of violence, nudity, language, or other some such nonsense, I would like to keep my son away from such videos for a s long as possible, but also still be able to take advantage of an Internet’s fun and educational aspects (as well as entertaining videos).

pic5There is an App available now for iOS devices including the iPad, which acts as a child friendly portal to all things kid safe. This includes videos on the internet from well known TV channels and important topics like the solar system, dinosaurs, sharks, weather, cultural exploration, and (of course) puppies.  Each has tons of videos especially for little ones.  There is also a customizable desktop available, as well as a timer and parental controls to keep your little ones from using the app more then you’d like them to.  I can appreciate parental controls which are easy to apply- most, as we know, are next to impossible to set up.

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A bit more about Flare Kids:

“Flare launched free video app, Flare Kids, which changes the playing field for kids’ mobile video. The Flare Kids app, available at the App Store, offers some of the most popular programming for kids aged three to eight that can be downloaded on any iPad. This new offers boasts the most secure functionality on the market, where parents can create custom profiles to control what kids are watching as well as set in app time limits. Kids can watch their favorite shows and the parents don’t need to worry about monthly fees.”

The interface is easy to navigate especially for kids, but its also simple to navigate for adults too.  Sometimes, they are smarter then us.  Admit it.

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I would definitely suggest this free app to all iOS devices owners who let their children use the devices as well.  It makes video watching a breeze and lets your kids enjoy the appropriate entertainment.

Be sure to check Flare Kids out today.  You can follow them on Twitter (@FlareKids) and Facebook as well.

Disclosure- The above is a sponsored post.  I received the above in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest.

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LBX: Little Battlers eXperience for 3DS

September 24, 2015 by 4 Comments

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest.

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LBX is one of the newest games for the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS.  In this game, you follow the adventures of Van Yamano.  Van is a little boy in a future where kids compete with LBX’s.  An LBX is a small, hand sized robot which is completely customizable and can be used to battle other LBX’s in a tournament style arena.  Van’s LBX is special though, and is one of the most powerful LBX’s available. As such, he gets into some rather sticky situations, the biggest of which is his battle to save the world from the evil corporation known as New Dawn Raisers.  The game is set up as a simple style action RPG.  This fits the game theme perfectly and makes for a fun gaming experiences for gamers of all ages and play abilities.

LBX

  • Collect and build your own palm-sized robot from more than 4,000 parts to create a one-of-a-kind LBX
  • Choose from more than 130 different complete sets of matching parts, or mix and match.
  • Customize both external parts and interior parts individually to enhance your LBX’s capabilities.
  • Battle as your LBX against friends and foes in third-person view with local wireless multiplayer mode.
  • Battle other LBX models in 20 different arenas with unique environmental characteristics.
  • In local wireless multiplayer play, up to six players can battle using a variety of different rules.

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This game is surprisingly good, to the point where even local play is a blast with friends.  We were given the opportunity to try out this game in person at the Nintendo Store in  New York City, and I can say from first hand experiences controlling and fighting other LBX players is great fun no matter the outcome.

LBX is available now for the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS and retails for $39.99, at retail stores as well as the Nintendo eShop.

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Stretchmo and Puzzles and Dragons

August 3, 2015 by 1 Comment

Available now for the 3DS system is a fun new free-mium game in the -mo series which started with Pushmo, then Crashmo and Pushmo world.  The newest in the series is Stretchmo.  This game starts out as a free download where a minimum of levels and the tutorial stages are available giving the player just enough game to want more and more is indeed available in the form of 4 new sections.  These sections are Playtime Plaza, Sculpture Square, Fortress of Fun and NES Expo.  All unlock a total of 250 Stretchmo puzzles ranging from animals to shapes and even familiar NES characters from their 8bit days.  In total, this game is a blast once you get the hang of it.  Getting into the proper state of mind to solve each puzzle can take some time, but once you figure it out, it is quite fulfilling. My son, who might not figure out each puzzle as quickly as Daddy,thoroughly enjoy the game because the controls are easy and the main characters are cute little creatures.

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Xenoblade Chronicles for the new Nintendo 3DSXL

July 27, 2015 by 8 Comments

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Xenoblade is a relatively unknown game series but not among those who are fans of RPG’s on Nintendo systems.  The game was originally going to be passed over for localization to the United States on the Wii, but instead was one of the shining gems for the Nintendo Wii.  The story follows Shulk and his friends as they battle Mechon killer robots with the help of the Monado sword.  The game play style is real time RPG which means there are heavy RPG elements but the action is there as well, so keep on your toes.  Xenoblade Chronicles is a huge open world game which emphasizes exploration.   The story is big and fun, with lots of drama, action and excitement.  I love it when a big RPG get a more accessible portable version making it easier to play on the go or at a few off minutes here and there instead of trying to carve up hours of time to enjoy with a TV screen.  The game also takes full advantage of the new 3DSXL.  In doing so it can ONLY be played on that system.  It uses the new ZL, ZR and C-stick for various controls as well as the added processor power to really move.  What I find most fun is the face following 3D effects.  Instead of setting and resetting the 3D view the system now follows the user’s face so immersion into the game is way easier.
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Swords and Soldiers 2 for Wii U

July 2, 2015 by 4 Comments

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As Real Time Strategy games go, there are lots of options available today.  There are quite a few of these fun games on the new Wii U system.  Today we are looking at one such game that takes the familiar real time gaming style and adds a 2D art direction.  This art direction also leaks out into a 2D way of playing a classic 3D game style.  Is that enough Ds for you?

Swords and Soldiers 2 picks up where the first leaves off, with an army of unique characters going after another army of unique characters who move toward your opponent until either the enemy loses or you do.  The game play sounds simple, but as your characters start to pile up and strategy start to rear its head in the from of different units with different abilities (such as flight) the game starts to shine.
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New Nintendo 3DS XL

June 15, 2015 by 8 Comments

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own and honest.

In the realm of gaming, the player always wants that slight edge. The fastest processor, the most responsive controller, the brightest and sharpest screen. With these things in mind Nintendo released their new and improved 3DS XL system, called easily enough the New 3DS XL.

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This system is unique for a few reasons, including more gaming power, faster hardware, improved 3D experience, and even a few new buttons thrown into the mix for more precise control. The 3D XL has been improved upon with face tracking abilities, so now the 3D view the player gets from having the system right in front of them can be seen when not in exactly the right place, adding to both the realism of the 3D as well as the sharpness of the picture.

In addition to the 3D the buttons added is a new c-stick, which acts as a sort of joy stick but is smaller and flat, as well as the addition of 2 shoulder buttons. This brings the grand total to two per shoulder, which is awesome. For those of you who are enjoying the new amiibo’s (and let’s face it who isn’t?) there is built in amiibo support. Something to keep in mind is the new 3DS XL is the future, so new games will support only the new system. So far one of the stellar titles available exclusive to this system is Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, which is an incredible game.  (Have you read my review?)

It also supports easy data sharing (You can transfer your photos, music, and other files between a PC and your system’s microSDHC card via a wireless network. No need to remove the microSDHC card! *as per Nintento) and has better browsing (*The new-and-improved Internet browser lets you watch videos and surf the Web with ease. You can even use the ZL/ZR buttons to switch tabs or zoom in with the C stick).

The new 3DS XL retails for $199.99 on sites like Nintendo and is available everywhere fine games are sold.

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