Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016

What if there was a way to skip years of hard work and practice and actually play in the Olympics.  Iinstead of the incredibly talented athletes actually competing, you get to actually play as some of your favorite video game characters like Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario.  Sounds good, no?

pic3

Well, your dream have come true Mario and Sonic At the Rio 2016 Olympics Games lets you live out your Olympic dreams.  In the proud tradition of Mario and Sonic Olympic games, this game features tons of events, a total of 14, ranging from table tennis, to BMX, hurdles, Golf and even football, which we call in the states soccer.  Each event features different characters to pick from and has different game mechanics to play all of which take advantage of the 3DS’s many features like its gyro, touch screen and of course careful button mashing.  Of the events featured you can rest assured each is fun and well put together with easy to pick up and play arcade controls.  The favorite in our house is definitely boxing- there is nothing quite as entertaining as controlling a punching Donkey Kong.

pic4

There is also a training mode, “Road to Rio”, where you pick which gym to train in Sonic or Mario and work through a story line and level up your Mii. You get to unlock outfits and character suits as well.  In addition to single player, there is also a multiplayer function via download play for up to 4 people to compete with one copy of the game, players can pick either a single event or a mix of a few events to see who comes out on top.  The pedometer function of the 3DS is also used with this game where you can walk a virtual marathon.  Each step not only getting you out and about but also unlocking prizes in game as well.  Amiibo’s can also be used once a day to power up your Mii and give you that slight edge that can br the difference before first and second.

Mario and Sonic At the Rio 2016 Olympics Games is available now for the 3DS as stores everywhere and online at the eShop, for $39.99.

Star Fox Zero for the Nintendo Wii U

Star Fox has quickly become one of the fun Nintendo staples for each of its consoles, from his debut on the Super Nintendo right on through to the Wii U with Star Fox Zero.

pic5

Each one builds upon the familiar,  rails shooting style to open area dog fights, while building up on new vehicles as well as mechanics.

In addition to the familiar Arwing, which is Star Fox’s memorable space craft, there are also the Walker which is a bird type running hopping transformation of the Arwing.  The Land master is a tank design which can also perform on ground rolls from side to side adding much needed mobility to the force of destruction.  The newest addition is the Gyrowing and Direct-i.  This combo vehicle includes a slow moving but very mobile helicopter feeling hover craft which is attached to a small drone type robot which can collect items as well as hack computer systems.

Star Fox has also brought some classic friends along for the adventure this time around as well, including the tough guy falcon, Falco Lombardi, the troublesome Slippy Toad, and the tactician Peppy Hare.

The enemies are varied and a blast to mow through a galaxy of more then 9 locations.  Also Star Fox Zero interfaces with the Fox McCloud Amiibo as well as the Falco Lonbardi figure.  Both of which unlock new Arwing designs for Fox to use.

The controls do take some learning to master, but with the proper amount of trying and learning the game mechanics are easy to get into. My son was more drawn to the Star Fox Guard game, while Dad liked Star Fox Zero.  For fans of the series you are going to have fun, for new comers this is also a nice way to get your feet wet in the gorgeous graphics and fast paced gameplay of a Star Fox dog fight.

Star Fox Zero is out now for the retail prices of $59.99 and includes a second tower defense type game called Star Fox Guard.

Fire Emblem Fates Special Edition for the Nintendo 3DS

Disclosure- We received this game in order to review it.  All opinions are our own and honest. For more, see “I Disclose”.

pic1

This is a game for adult players. While there is no outright “acts”, there are some allusions that in my opinion make this not the best game for young gamers.  My husband played this game, enjoyed it, and has reviewed it below.  There are interactions with other characters in the game that are a bit grown up, such as blowing on them, touching faces, flirting, and other things of that nature. Nothing major, but a little to adult for kids for my personal taste.

Fire Emblem is the long running RPG with tactical movements on a grid environment.  Each environment has various obstacles and story line elements from Dragon Veins to deep canyons.  The series spans over 15 games and often refers to a weapon or shield seen as the power of war and dragons.  Each character has a turn in your party and then the enemy gets a turn for each of their characters.  There are also ally characters who you help and defend throughout the course of the game.  The most striking element of this game is the story line.  It starts out as many role playing games do, with a lost main character just trying to fit in.  From there, it spins out of control and an important decision must be made- stay with the family that raised you, side with you biological family, or choose neither.  Depending on your pick is which game you will play each with its own unique story which weaves your player into some interesting adventures and situations.

pic2

Fire Emblem Fates : Birthright has you side with your biological family, Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest with the family which raised you and Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation has you side with neither.  Each story is fun to play and is in its own right a fully developed tale, but to get the true entire story all three games should be played.  This can add up to quite a bit of money if each game is purchased separately, but if purchased together in the Special Edition bundle you receive not only all three games on one cartridge on game release without having to wait for Revelations to become available but you also receive a 3DS carrying pouch and a hardcover art book featuring some of the stunning artwork from the game.

Fire Emblem Fates Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates Conquest retail for $39.99 each and the Special Edition with all three games retails for $79.99.  And will be available 02/19/16.  While Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation will be available for download on 03/10/16 for $19.99  or on 02/19/16 with the Special Edition.

Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon for the Nintendo 3DS

pic4

The Pokemon games have been known the world around for their fun role playing Pokemon collecting fun.  Where the action is more directed via third person through a trainer.  There are a series of RPG Pokemon games where you play not the human trainer, but a Pokemon exploring a dungeon filled with other Pokemon to battle, adventures to have, and lots of action and treasures.  This game is called Pokemon Mystery Dungeon and the most recent game in the series is Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon for the Nintendo 3DS.

In this game you pick your character as well as your “friend” Pokemon, and are transformed into a child’s Pokemon. You must explore dungeons to help solve a mystery which is effecting Pokemon by turning them to stone.

Throughout Mystery Dungeon, it is possible to meet all 720 known Pokemon (even rare and mega evolved Pokemon) with whom you can befriend and who can help you in battle.  There also many ways in to interact with this game as well, Wonder Mail players can receive special items via code of QR codes.  Street Pass is also available in Mystery Dungeon, where when you pass another player their Pokemon or assist in the next adventure.  If all your Pokemon faint, it is also possible to be revived to a local player as well, who will bring you back to life without the loss of any items collected.  These features bring a fun multiplayer aspect to the game which is both highly accessible and easy to use.

What we enjoyed most about this game is the ability to play as some of our favorite Pokemon, including Pikachu and Squirtle.

Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon for the Nintendo 3DS is available now for $39.99 in the e Shop as well is at retailers everywhere.

Mario and Luigi Paper Jam for the Nintendo 3DS

Mario and the crew are back for a brand new adventure that pairs the 3 dimensional Mario with his Paper version, Paper Mario, and his world of characters in the new Mario and Luigi Paper Jam.  The story of the game involves Paper Mario pages to come out of a book which exists in the world of Mario and Luigi.  The characters brought over are both friendly and not, ranging from Paper Mario to Paper Bowser.

mario

The action in this game is played out in role playing style where the player takes turns attacking with various skills to defeat the enemy.  What sets Mario and Luigi apart from classic role playing games is that they include player interaction by either bouncing like an acrobat on an enemy or tapping as many fireballs volleys as you can (etc).  Battles are action based rather then waiting for your next turn.  This makes the game accessible to both younger players as well as more experienced players.  The 3DS is the perfect console for this type of game, because with it you can just put your game to sleep and come back to it at any time.  I do have this word of warning- once you start playing, you are not going to want to stop.  With funny dialogue and silly interactions, the game is accessible and engaging to all levels of player.

Paper Jam also supports Amiibo’s as special power ups that can be used in battle.  Each Amiibo can store character cards, and during battle the player can call upon these cards via the Amiibo to get powers like temporarily improving your stats, healing your characters, and even making your enemies easier to defeat.  Amiibo’s definitely make the game more interesting and are highly suggested, as they are used across multiple current generations of Nintendo systems from the new 3DS XL to the Wii U.

Mario and Luigi Paper Jam is available now for the Nintendo 3DS retailing for $39.99 and available at both the eShop and retail locations.

Fun New Video Games

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

If you are looking for fun new video games, here is what is in our systems right now.  Check them out, they are great picks for kids of all ages.

pic4

The Pokemon games have been known the world around for their fun role playing and Pokemon collecting fun.  The action is more directed via third person through a trainer.  There is a series of RPG Pokemon games where you play not as the human trainer, but as Pokemon exploring a dungeon filled with other Pokemon to battle, adventures to have, and lots of action and treasures.  This game is called Pokemon Mystery Dungeon and the most recent game in that series is Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon for the Nintendo 3DS.

In this game you pick your character as well as your “friend” Pokemon, and are transformed into a young Pokemon who must explore dungeons to help solve a mystery which is effecting Pokemon in a terrible way- by turning them to stone.

Throughout Mystery Dungeon, it is possible to meet all 720 known Pokemon -even rare ones and mega evolved Pokemon.  There also many ways in to interact with this game as well, with Wonder Mail players can receive special items via code of QR cods.  Street Pass is also available in Mystery Dungeon, where when you pass another player their Pokemon assist in the next adventure.Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon for the Nintendo 3DS is available now for $39.99 in the e Shop as well is at retailers everywhere.

pic5

A little something for the dads- Fire Emblem is the long running RPG with tactical movements on a grid environment.  Each environment has various obstacles and story line elements from Dragon Veins to deep canyons.  The series spans over 15 games and often refers to a weapon or shield, seen as the power of war and dragons.  Each character has a turn in your party, and then the enemy gets a turn for each of their characters.  There are also ally characters which you help and defend throughout the course of the game.  The most striking element of this game is the story line.  It starts out as many role playing games do, with a lost main character just trying to fit in.  From there is spins out of control and an important decision must be made, stay with the family that raised you, side with you biological family or choose neither.  Depending on your pick is which game you will play each with its own unique story which weaves your player into some interesting adventures and situations.  There are some “interesting” situations, like stroking your loved one’s face and blowing on them to “cool them off”, which make me say that this game is for mature players only.

Fire Emblem Fates Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates Conquest retail for $39.99 each and the Special Edition with all three games retails for $79.99.  And will be available 02/19/16.  While Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation will be available for download on 03/10/16 for $19.99  or on 02/19/16 with the Special Edition.

pic6

Mario and the crew are back for a brand new adventure that pairs the 3 dimensional Mario with his Paper version. Paper Mario and his world of characters in the new Mario and Luigi Paper Jam.  The story of the game involves Paper Mario pages that come out of a book which exists in the world of Mario and Luigi.  The characters brought over are both friendly and not, ranging from Paper Mario to Paper Bowser.

The action in this game is played out in role playing style where the player takes turns attacking with various skills to defeat the enemy.  Battles are action based rather then waiting for your next turn.  This makes the game accessible to both younger players as well as more experienced players.  The 3DS is the perfect console for this type of game, because with it you can just put your game to sleep and come back to it at any time.  I do have this word of warning- once you start playing you are not going to want to stop.  With funny dialogue and silly interactions, the game is accessible to all levels of player.

Paper Jam also supports Amiibo’s as special power ups that can be used in battle.  Each Amiibo can store character cards and during battle, the player can call upon these cards to get powers. Amiibo’s definitely make the game more interesting and are highly suggested as they are used across multiple current generation Nintendo systems from the new 3DS XL to the Wii U.

Mario and Luigi Paper Jam is available now for the Nintendo 3DS retailing for $39.99 and available at both the eShop and retail locations.

pic7

Mario Tennis has been an evolving franchise since the Nintendo 64, and with each iteration the game gets prettier with slicker graphics and tighter game play, as well as a few new bells and whistles.  Mario Tennis Ultra Smash is the newest iteration in the series.

The most prominent addition the Ultra Smash is the Mega Mushroom, which makes your character explode in size to tower over everything at least triple your original size.  This can be both a blessing or a curse depending on how well good you are in the game.  There are a total of 16 characters available in Ultra Smash, some of which are unlocked through playing the game and completing specific tasks.  The game also sports the ability to level up your Amiibo to the best tennis partner ever, improving both their stats and giving them new skills.

Mario Tennis Ultra Smash is available now for the WiiU from both retail stores and in the eShop.  The game retails for $49.99.

Today is is MAR10 (Mario) Day! #Mar10Day

pic7

Celebrated by Mario fans each year, the 10th of March is a special day to remember his impact on pop culture, thanks to how the day on the calendar resembles the beloved character’s name. Nintendo is celebrating with fans by listing some of the famous mustached hero’s achievements throughout the past year and by asking fans to participate by tweeting their favorite Mario moments using the #Mar10Day hashtag. So get your tweet on, and tell the world how much you love this feisty Italian plumber.
Mario’s Year in Review:
  • Mario had a big milestone in 2015! He celebrated 30 years since he leaped his way into people’s hearts in 1985’s Super Mario Bros. Fans across the country celebrated with him in this fun video.
  • Nintendo launched Super Mario Maker, a game that lets fans create and share their own Super Mario Bros. levels. So far, 6.2 million levels have been created by fans!
  • Facebook’s engineers celebrated Mario by creating their very own Super Mario Maker levels for fans to play. Check them out here.
  • A special 30th Anniversary Mario amiibo was released in a classic 8-bit design. The limited-edition figure was a tribute to the original Super Mario Bros. game that launched for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985.
  • Mario hit the courts with the launch of Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash for Wii U. In the game, fans play as Mario and friends in intense tennis competitions.
  • For the first time, Mario teamed up with his paper version, Paper Mario, in the colorful action RPG Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam for Nintendo 3DS.
  • With the help of his voice actor, Charles Martinet, Mario celebrated the grand opening of the Nintendo NY store in Rockefeller Plaza.
…and Mario will have more to celebrate in 2016! Competing with his friends in the Olympic Games, Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is coming to Nintendo 3DS on March 18 (with the Wii U version launching this summer).

Animal Crossing Amiibo Festival for the Wii U

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are out own and honest. For more, see “I Disclose”.

pic4

Animal Crossing has been a fan favorite series of games where players try to make their character as happy as possible through a regular routine.  This includes helping friends, making friends, fishing, gardening, and even home designing.  The most recent entry in the series is Amiibo Festival which is described by Director Aya Kyogoku, ” we just wanted Animal Crossing Amiibo [toys]”. We wanted the company to make Animal Crossing Amiibo, so that’s why we made a game that works with them.”

In this regard it is a success- there are eight character amiibos in the Animal Crossing line so far, they include Isabelle, KK, Tom Nook, Mabel, Digby, Lottie, Reese, and Cyrus.  In addition to amiibo compatibility, you can also use the amiibo Animal Crossing cards as well to unlock more game modes and characters in the game.

pic6

This game is similar to Mario Party, but it has a much slower pace so little ones can keep up and follow the action on screen without getting lost in game play.  What we really like about the game is you can save your “happy points” to your amiibo and use them to unlock more costumes.  Also, if you happen to have designed your amiibo’s home using the Happy Home Designer for the Nintendo 3DS, your home design shows up in game as well.

My son loves this game because of the cute animal designs and the ability to carry over your game data from Happy Home Designer into this game.  It has become one of his favorite games- it’s up there with Pokemon if you can believe that. There is precious little he enjoys more then animals, and in this game, it’s all about making them happy and being cute.  What’s better then that?

Animal Crossing Amiibo Festival is available now for the Nintendo Wii U. It is sold everywhere games are sold for $59.99 and includes 2 amiibo Animal Crossing characters bundled with the game itself.