family video games Archives - Page 2 of 2

Super Mario 3D World

December 30, 2013 by Samantha 10 Comments

Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Mario comes in many different iterations from his first 8 bit adventure through his 16 bit days and beyond. His most recent is one of the most fun and social ways to play a Mario game that I can remember. Mario’s latest foray is in a 3D interactive environment full of bad guys of all shapes and sizes. The bigger the more fun to take down.

Family Video Game

Super Mario 3D World takes the familiar run and jump mechanics of 2D Mario puts them into a 3D environment AND throws in the fun of co-op with up to 4 players. Players can pick between Mario, Luigi, Toad and for the long awaited return of Princess Peach. Each player races to the end of the level, trying to collect more coins and rack up more point than the other players, sometimes working together, but at all times competing for those little gold coins.

The bad guys include fire flowers, turtles, and of course the big villain himself- Bowser. While progressing through each level, the players are rewarded with access to the next leading up to a boss battle, with one, sometimes more big guys who have a trick or a pattern to them, that once figured out makes the battles a breeze but is always fun to figure out, especially with a room full of people. The “Ah ha!”, moments are always entertaining.
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Filed Under: kids, technology Tagged With: family video games, Super Mario 3D World, Super Mario game, video games, video games for kids

Pikmin 3 Video Game

December 17, 2013 by Samantha 4 Comments

The Nintendo Wii U has been getting some attention recently with the recent release of its competitors new additions to the market the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox One. With such fierce competition Nintendo has to pull out the stops and release some stellar games for the Wii U. One such game is Pikmin 3. This game follows a space traveling group as they try to collect fruit to help their people and eh missing components of their space ship to actually get home. Along the way they meet some friends and some foes.

Pikmin are small plant based creatures who are incredibly loyal and incredibly useful on an alien world inhabited by a diverse and dangerous amount of bigger creatures, all of which seem to be hungry for Pikmin and space captains. In order to overcome these adversaries team work is needed. Their are various types of Pikmin which are each specialized in what they do best. An example is grey rock Pikmin are tough and fight well but are not easy to throw to reach far away spots, while yellow electric Pikmin are great and conducting electricity and being thrown about but are not the best of fighters. These are just two of the seven types of Pikmin. Each a cute little creature sporting either a leaf, bud or flower on their heads.
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Filed Under: technology Tagged With: family video games, holiday gift guide, holiday gift guide 2013, Pikmin 3, Pikmin 3 Video Game, video games, video games for kids

Game On!

November 13, 2013 by Samantha Leave a Comment

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

Looking to connect with the kids in a virtual way, but still hang out together in the “real world”? Check out these fun systems and games, perfect for rainy days, nights, and family fun for most ages.

Ouya started life as a Kick starter campaign, and quickly became fully funded and then some. Ouya is an android, 4.1 jelly bean, based micro console. The hardware does its job well and because of Ouya’s open source thought process has great potential for upgrades and do it yourself add-ons.
Currently there are over 400 games available for Ouya ranging from racing games to role playing to action games, all of which feature a free to play element in the form of free levels, free trials or being completely free. With the free to play element, you can actually try every game before buying it- meaning you will never pay good money for a not-so-good game with the Ouya.

The console comes packed with one Blue Tooth controller. Additional controllers can be purchased and other Blue Tooth controllers can be paired with the console in a pinch. Ouya retails for $99 and is available at fine stores everywhere as well as from Ouya.tv.

With every new console innovation a bright shiny new technology is expected, but with the Nintendo 2DS handheld system, some components are improved or altered. The handheld is based on the 3DS, but has tweaked it a bit to have a lower price point, and more accessibility to kids. This, in addition to a big design change, gives players a new way to play their 3DS and DS games.

The 2DS in comparison to the 3DS is now one solid unit, no hinge in the middle, which also makes it harder to break. Also it has a more tablet-like feel, with a slight tilt when put down, to rest easier on a hard surface. The 2DS can play most DS games as well as all 3DS games,with crisp sharp graphics and some incredibly fun games like Pokemon X and Y and Legend of Zelda, A Link Between Worlds, which makes the entertainment and value for your dollar quite high. With the reduction of 3D the price of the 2DS was also reduced, leading to a more wallet friendly way to get the newest system and games in the hands of you and your kids.
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