Video Games — MomStart

Shrek Forever After Xbox 360 Video Game Review

July 30, 2010 By Momstart 3 Comments

Zoe loves Shrek, we had a Shrek party for one of our playdates and ever since then she’s just been all about Shrek and Fiona. So when we received Shrek Forever After for the Xbox 360, she wanted to play it all the time. We haven’t spent too much time playing it because the weather has been so nice. I have to take the kids outside when we have sunshine because living in the Pacific Northwest we never know when that pesky rain is going to come back.

Shrek Forever After The Game teams you up with Shrek and his friends. You can play as Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and Puss In Boots to out-smart, out-fight and out-play that crafty Rumpelstiltskin.

I watched as Zoe tried to play, she still has a little trouble with using the d-pad/joy stick on the controller. That’s fine with me though, I’d rather have her playing outside, but when the rain comes back, I’m sure she’ll improve her movement skills in these games we have.

I usually find Shrek to be quite annoying and well, that is his personality, but the game did not annoy me. I was able to play it and I love smashing up things. That is one of the highlights about playing the game is just the complete destruction factor and getting stuff for it. I also really liked how easy it was to switch between characters. That made Zoe happy because she always wanted to be Fiona. She knows that even though Fiona doesn’t look like the typical Princess she is still a princess.

The game features include:

Four play co-op mode. Nice for us as a family!

Character changes from Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, to Puss In Boots – Use each character’s unique abilities and fighting moves to save Far Far Away

Two Worlds to play in – Morph between Shrek’s normal world and his alternate reality for double the fun

Puzzle Mode or Combat destructive mode – The mix of problem solving and mash-em-up fighting game play creates a fun experience for everyone to enjoy!

As I said before we have barely even scratched the surface of this game and I feel this review is a little short-sided, but overall with what we have seen it’s a great family game. Zoe and I both enjoy playing it together.

I received this review as a member of the Game Review Network.

Filed Under: Video Games, review Tagged With: video game

Backyard Sports Sandlot Sluggers Xbox 360 Video Game Review

July 30, 2010 By Momstart 5 Comments

Backyard Sports Sandlot Sluggers was sent to us to review on behalf of The Game Review Network and Humongous, Inc. We were actually able to play this as a family of four. It was easy enough for the kids to play. Now, they couldn’t handle all aspects but on really great feature of the game is that we could place the kids’ characters to easy. Then it limited their actions to only a certain set of buttons. So we could tell them, hit A, hit the red button, or use the D-pad and of course their father has trained them in the ways of playing Xbox.

Another thing the kids got a great kick out of was picking their teams. Miles always wanted to be the Rockets, he got a kick out of saying “ROCKETS” and Zoe wanted to be the purple team and I can’t remember what they were called. It was a fun morning while we played Xbox 360 together. There aren’t a lot of games on the Xbox that are made for children and that are multi-player. This was great!

Sandlot Sluggers captured the kids attention and showed them all about baseball. They got to hit and pitch and then play a bunch of mini games. The games has messages about healthy, active lifestyles and positive social skills throughout the game. The game also contains a story mode, and super-power-ups that will keep them swinging for more. The Power-ups always helped the other child catch up when they were behind.

Miles Playing with me.

I received this review as a member of the Game Review Network.

Filed Under: Video Games, review Tagged With: video game, Xbox, XBOX 360

Kid Adventures: Sky Captain Wii Review And Giveaway

July 6, 2010 By Momstart 380 Comments

D3 has honored us with another video game review and giveaway. This time up for flight is Kid Adventures: Sky Captain for the Wii. Miles was really excited when I put in Sky Captain, he’s been watching his daddy play Mario over the past few weeks so he thought it was really cool that there was an air plane. He was just a little bit confused because the thought the character was actually Mario.

When you start playing you get to pick from a girl, or a boy avatar. I chose a girl for myself and the tutorial began. I’m very embarrassed to say that I suck at flying games. I always have, I get the up mixed up with the down and the left mixed up with the right. My husband says it’s because I need controls that can be inverted or something like that. So I found the tutorial to be difficult, but you have to also keep in mind that the Wii mote is not exactly my friend either, so that with my lack of being able to fly any flying game, the cards were stacked against me.

In Kid Adventures: Sky Captain, you get to fly planes in a bright, fun-filled, action flight game that enables you to fly in 40 different missions that include things like sky racing, stunt flying, target shooting, treasure hunting and unlocking flying machines such as jet planes and UFOs. Unlocking is the only thing that kept me going. I had to see what I could unlock next.

Map of the game!

One very strong point of the game is that you can play cooperatively, meaning, you can invite a friend into your cockpit and help each other or you can go against each other. There is nothing better than a little friendly competition between family members right?

KEY FEATURES:

• Over 40 Exciting Missions – Variety of missions include sky racing, stunt flying, target shooting, treasure hunting and more!

• Fun for the Entire Family – Enjoyable for all ages, especially for kids who dream of becoming pilots; players can improve their skills, increase scores and their rank every time they play.

• Fly Solo or With Friends – Players will be given the option of inviting a friend to fly cooperatively in any of the missions, or go head-to-head in multiplayer mode.

• Explore Vibrant Environments – The game allows players to explore colorful islands and discover pirate ships, marine life, dinosaurs and more, as they perform cool stunts and dart above the landscape without leaving the comfort of home.

• Unlockables Galore – Seven unique flying machines, including a gyrocopter, jet plane and UFO and customizable plane skins for each vehicle that can be unlocked when players increase their skill through missions.

Players can pick up Kid Adventures: Sky Captain in stores now for the suggested retail price of $19.95. Kid Adventures: Sky Captain is rated “E” for Everyone.

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Kid Adventures: Sky Captain Wii

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This giveaway Ends July 26th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

This is a sponsored product post and giveaway.

Filed Under: Video Games, giveaway Tagged With: D3 Publisher, Kid Adventures: Sky Captain, Wii

JumpStart Get Moving: Family Fitness

June 14, 2010 By Momstart 320 Comments

I’ve been working with JumpStart for over a year now and it has been quite exciting to see them progress and grow and move from on-line/computer gaming to the Wii.

JumpStart is an award-winning adventure-based 3D virtual world that is super-personalized, wildly imaginative and really fun, but don’t let that fool you – it also teaches math, reading, and critical thinking skills so kids get a real jump start in life.

They recently sent me their newest game JumpStart Get Moving: Family Fitness. The game will be in stores June 15th and it will be sold for $29.99. It has been rated E for Everyone with Comic Mischief by the ESRB.

We put it in last Friday to give it a test. The graphics immediately pulled Zoe and Miles in. They each wanted to play so I gave them a controller. We created avatars for each of them and I let them pick out all the colors. So of course Zoe was as purple as she could possibly be and Miles had a lot of orange. Creating your own avatar involved hair, eyes, smile, clothing, body color and shoes.

I love that two players can play at the same time so my children don’t have to take turns, and I love that Zoe was trying very hard to do the actions. Some of the actions were a little bit too complicated for her to do. For instance, in playing Volleyball you have to go up and in the direction of the bull’s-eye. Even i had trouble making both movements.

I did find that with practice though, it became easier and easier to accomplish the goal. There are quite a few different activities that you can do right away. I like picking one of the rotating activities that lasts a while. they are short and keep my kids attention and go from a running activity to volleyball, to baseball. Each activity involves movement. In total there are 11 exotic arenas/backgrounds to choose from and more than 15 sports challenges. It is fun and got all three of us through a rainy morning last week.

Some of the activities you can use the Wii Fit with, and some of them require the nun chucks to be plugged in. The running activity requires you to have the controller in the left hand and the nun chucks in the right hand and you go up and down with your hands like you are running. You don’t’ have to run in place but I’m sure it’s a good thing to encourage your children to do and it will burn even more calories.

Having two children that need to be more active than they are, I am so pleased that Jumpstart put together a game like this. Brook Burke is the trainer that shows you how to do each activity before it begins. You can practice with her before starting each activity.

As a mother of 4, Brooke Burke knows that raising healthy kids means worrying about their minds and bodies. That’s why she’s teamed up with JumpStart to create a game that gets families up, active and healthy together! She’s discovered it’s the perfect way to teach her kids that fitness doesn’t have to be a chore.

Access expert tips for more ways to stay healthy.

Train with Brooke to make the most of every motion.

Track calories burned to see your progress.

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JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness for the Wii

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I received a free product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own, JumpStart is also providing the giveaway copy.

Filed Under: Video Games, giveaway Tagged With: Get Moving: Family Fitness, Jump Start, Jumpstart, video game review, Wii

Ubisoft Video Game Release List

May 17, 2010 By Momstart 2 Comments

I’m overdo in an upcoming review for Ubisoft. Ubisoft sent me a very generous donation. They sent me five different DS video games to use in a gift basket in November. I’m quite excited about it. They sent imagine soccer captain, imagine artist, imagine boutique owner, imagine detective, Petz Dogz Pack, and Jewlery Design. They sent imagine reporter to use as the review and giveaway. So keep your eyes peeled for it coming up. For now look at all these new games released last month.

For the boys…

Battle of Giants Mutant Insects: In a far distant future, a gigantic asteroid went out of orbit and collided with Earth. This terrible catastrophe left only ruins in its wake, forever changing Earth’s landscape….and its inhabitants. Insects, the most adaptable form of life on Earth, have mutated to transform into massive giants and become the new rulers of the planet.
As one of four mutated insects, travel through the barely recognizable lands while battling gigantic enemies to find the source of the mutation. Your goal? Become the strongest mutant insect on the planet and survive the chaos!

For the girls…

Imagine Gymnast: Take the role of an up-and-coming gymnast who attends a gymnastics training academy for the summer. Your coach is Olympic Gold Medalist Shannon Miller. She will teach you skills in floor and vault routines, uneven bars, balance beam, and rhythmic gymnastics. As you progress you can ultimately compete in the World Championship Finals!

Imagine Party Planner: Join an agency that caters to the most prestigious clientele and meet with famous clients to plan out their specific requests, from a simple wedding cake to a spaceship for a party among the stars. Design décor, invitations, and more through fun mini-games as you expand the agency to be the premiere Party Planner in town.

Imagine Reporter: Uncover the latest news scoops as a journalist in Imagine Reporter. Build your career from a local newspaper reporter all the way to hosting your very own national TV show. Develop exciting news stories, track information in the field, and take photos. Interview movie stars, athletes and more, then report breaking news stories to your audience.

Imagine Sweet 16: Build your virtual friends network and boost your popularity by hosting parties for your classmates! Plan parties with any theme you want, select the decorations and interior design, choose coordinating activities and pick the right music to entertain your guests. Pay attention to your guests’ moods and make sure everyone has a rockin’ good time to boost your score.

Explore UbiWorld to find out more about these games and others like them.

Filed Under: Video Games Tagged With: battle of giants mutant insects, imagine gymnast, imagine party planner, imagine reporter, imagine sweet 16, ubisoft

Game Night Video Game Giveaway 3 Titles

May 1, 2010 By Momstart 1,410 Comments

Video games are a huge past time in this house, my husband and I get a great kick out of playing video games together after the kids go to bed. We play all kinds of games and are willing to try anything new. So when we receive new games to play we get quite excited. Hudson Entertainment released Rooms the Main Building to DS and Wii and they sent me a copy of both to review. Last December Warner Brother Games sent me Game Party 3 and Screenlife sent me Scene It? Bright Lights! Big Screen. Today, I’m giving a copy of all three games away to one lucky reader.

About Rooms the Main Building:

The Introduction:

There is a boy and he finds a gift. When he opens the gift it transports him to a new world and he runs into the book. The book is his guide and is going to help him reach the exit. The kid just wants to go back home but follows the instructions hoping to get done soon.

The Play:

The object is to get to the final room. It’s a puzzle game, you have to find a key to unlock rooms and then go from puzzle piece to puzzle piece until you can get to the exit. Each level adds a stage of difficulty and objects get in the way.

There are things to help you along the way but to continue to gain these you have to defeat more levels. With each level you get to a new room and closer to the exit. Just remember, if you enter a room with water in it you will drown. I died very quickly because I wasn’t thinking and entered a room full of water. The game is very addictive, once you start it is hard to put down.

Features

•    Designed for Nintendo: Point and Click Controls that are perfect for the Nintendo Wii Remote™ and the Nintendo DS Stylus™.
•    Play inside of intuitive and amusing rooms as you use objects and your wits to escape from it.
•    Over 100+ rooms to go through as you make your way through the buildings of this mystifying world.
•    Includes a Level Editor to create your own levels!

Platform Specific Features:

Wii

Two player competition. Square off against another player: Items in rooms are placed so that you are racing against the opponent as they try to exit the room first. Players cannot enter the opponent’s area but the exit for both players is the same. This is quite intense, or rather it can be a lot of fun if played with the right person.

Create AND share your levels: You have all the objects necessary to build your level from the beginning. Brag about the quality of the levels you’ve created by sharing them with your friends! I love the creativity you can enjoy with this.

About Bright Lights! Big Screen! Scene It?

Are you like me, do you watch a ton of movies? Scene It? Bright Lights! Big Screen! offers a wide variety of media-rich trivia that provides you with a party type game. It’s a great game to dig out when you have company. Trivia content in the game includes up to 2009 movies and goes back four decades featuring popular hits

Some Game Features:

- Thousands of new questions

- A new and improved single player option

- Party play modes

- Many new puzzle types

- 12 all-new player avatars

- A simplified game interface

- A new, very entertaining game host

- New, unique mini-game content

Scene It? Bright Lights! Big Screen! brings it all together and provides incredible fun for the whole family. Single-player mode challenges player speed and entertainment trivia know-how, while multi-player mode creates a challenging social gameplay experience.

About Game Party 3

This is your chance to play 19 different games. From Billiards, Bumper Pool, Miniature Golf, Smack-a-Troll, Bocce Ball, Croquet, Racquetball, to a remake of the arcade classic, Root Beer Tapper.

The most wonderful part about Game Party 3 is that four people can play. With 19 games and countless variations, there’s something for everyone!

Enter to Win:

All three titles for the Wii.

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Tell me what your all time favorite video game is.

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The contest will run until May 17th 11:59 pm Pacific. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Although each of these games was sent to me to review from each companies listed, it is my choice to use them as a giveaway

Filed Under: Video Games, giveaway Tagged With: Game Party 3, hudson entertainment, Rooms the Main Building, Scene It? Bright Lights! Big Screen!, Screen Life, Video Games, Warner Brothers Games

Catch The Poos

April 29, 2010 By Momstart 2 Comments

My Beloved Friends over at D3 are creating a new game called Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow. I have yet to see if first hand but with a photo titled, Catch the Poos! I just couldn’t resist posting about it. It is going to be an epic role-playing game that gives you the power to control phantom shadows that mirror the actions of their masters providing players with miraculous strength. Oh, and you’re going to get a few magical powers to go along with it. Here are some facts:

Poo Facts:

· Poo Snakes are made of piles of poo that have been infected with a parasite. These create a symbiotic being that is basically a sentient poo.

· Poo Snakes have short tempers.

· Poo Snakes love shiny things and rare minerals.

· More powerful Poo Snakes can transform into Metallic Poo Snakes.

· Poo Snakes often store items within their own bodies which they can release at will.

Lot’s of Poo, this character is even surprised by it.

Filed Under: Video Games Tagged With: Blue Dragon: Awakend Shadow, D3 Publisher

Master Exercise Kit for the Wii and Wii Fit

April 15, 2010 By Momstart 8 Comments

Thanks to The Game Review Network, I received Master Exercise Kit for Wii from CTA Digital.

Embark on a healthy Wii Fit™ workout regimen with the Master Exercise Kit for Wii from CTA Digital. With this basic yet handy bundle you’ll be able to properly use your Wii fit exercise games while you stay in shape.

That is the product description from CTA Digital. What is it to me? To me, it’s a great way to increase the workout that is already available from using my Wii Fit. I have the Wii Fit and the games that came with it, my favorite thing to do is the step aerobics and I have always wondered if there was a way to raise up the Wii Fit board safely.

What it contains:
Xertube Resistance Band
Calorie counting adapter for the Wii Remote
Yoga mat
Water Bottle
Balance Board Step cups

Compatible with the following Wii™ and Wii Fit™ exercise video game:
• The Biggest Loser™
• Daisy Fuentes Pilates™
• New U Fitness Focus™
• Your Shape™
• EA Active™
• Wii Fit™
• Wii Walk It Out™

What else has it been, it’s been a great helper to me in increasing the kids activity level during rainy days. Even Dad has been getting in on the fun. Everyone has been getting a turn on the Wii Fit lately and we don’t even always turn on the Wii.

The Calorie counter attaches to the end of the Wiimote. It’s just a simple calorie counter and it draws its power from the remote. It’s nice and simple. Works just fine.

The Yoga mat, is a green yoga mat that you place in the floor. It provides you with a little more comfort that just using the floor. The resistance band you have to attach the handles to it, but it’s a piece of cake. I think the entire Master Exercise Kit is a nice addition to the Wii Fit. It will increase your workout by adding resistance in multiple places. The bigger steps will work on the butt muscles that I so dearly need to get rid of.

Thank you to CTA Digital and Game Review Network for this review opportunity!

Filed Under: Video Games, review Tagged With: CTA Digital, Game Review Network, Master Exercise Kit, Wii Fit

Fitness Friday – Is Hasbro’s Scrabble in Family Game night Considered Fitness?

March 12, 2010 By Momstart 4 Comments

Are Scrabble marathons considered Exercise because if they are then I exceeded all my goals. This is what I’ve been doing whenever my husband has been home.

Photo Taken by Team Xbox.

We’re in the middle of a game of scrabble right now. It has been cutting into my productivity of my blog as well. I had hoped to post a few more giveaways this week. I guess I’ll have to try and get my but in gear this weekend, but that means more time with DH so I doubt it will happen. Maybe that’s why I’m so tired.

I did cut down on the latte’s I only had one even though today I really really wanted to get another one. Thank goodness I was able to tell myself, it’s after four, if you have one now you’ll be up all night.

I think I’m under 150, but I expect the scale to go back up, it’s just not enough to count, I’ve been hovering around the same number for two months, so I know the only way to change is to take drastic measures. I know that exercise gives you more energy, there is just something about cold and wet that makes me want to stay indoors.

Oh, I should say that I’ve been using my stair case. It’s been great. Which reminds me of a giveaway I need to go write up. It’s a great product that will help you exercise too.

Filed Under: Fitness Friday, Video Games Tagged With: family game night, Fitness Friday, Hasbro, XBOX 360

Rooms: the main building Preview

March 4, 2010 By Momstart 1 Comment

Thanks to Fortyseven Communications on behalf of Hudson Entertainment I received a demo copy of Rooms for the Wii. I popped it in and gave it a shot. This is my preview:

Game Description:

In Rooms, players use various items and the guidance of their host, Mr. Book, to navigate a series of surreal mansions. With the right combination of intellect, strategy and various objects, players must carefully shift pieces in the current room around, in a manner similar to slide puzzles, to keep moving forward. Players are also rewarded with a bonus if the background is placed correctly. With more than 100 rooms and a level editor to create even more, players will be enjoying their own unique puzzle adventure for ages to come.

Rooms: the main building launches March 23 for the Wii and DS for $29.99.

Playing the Game:

Rooms took me a little bit to get into. I felt like the introduction was just a little bit too long. I had to keep hitting the A button to continue the conversation.

The Introduction:

The Play:

There will be more options for play but they are locked down until later in March.

My Thoughts:

As I stated above, I didn’t like the feel of the introduction and almost put the game down. I’m happy that I didn’t though because I love puzzle games. I’m addicted to puzzle games. You know, I would be playing puzzle games all day long if only I didn’t have children or a life. My other thoughts are that this would be better on the DS, and it is available on the DS in addition to the Wii. I would prefer the closer screen and smaller play area for this game. I would also be interested in testing out the level editor. That sounds like a whole lot of fun.

Features

Platform Specific Features:

Wii

Create AND share your levels: You have all the objects necessary to build your level from the beginning. Brag about the quality of the levels you’ve created by sharing them with your friends!

Filed Under: Video Games, review Tagged With: DS, hudson entertainment, Nintendo DS, Rooms, video game preview, Wii

Shrek Forever After Xbox 360 Video Game Review

Backyard Sports Sandlot Sluggers Xbox 360 Video Game Review

Kid Adventures: Sky Captain Wii Review And Giveaway

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To Enter:

Extra Entries:

JumpStart Get Moving: Family Fitness

Enter to Win:

To Enter:

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Ubisoft Video Game Release List

Game Night Video Game Giveaway 3 Titles

About Rooms the Main Building:

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Catch The Poos

Master Exercise Kit for the Wii and Wii Fit

Fitness Friday – Is Hasbro’s Scrabble in Family Game night Considered Fitness?

Rooms: the main building Preview

Game Description:

Playing the Game:

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