Wii — MomStart

JumpStart Get Moving: Family Fitness

June 14, 2010 By Momstart 322 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.

Enter to Win:

JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness for the Wii

To Enter:

Give me a tip on getting kids to be more physically fit.

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

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:

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.

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

•    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

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

Pony Friends 2 Wii and Nintendo DS 5 Copies #giveaway

February 20, 2010 By Momstart 415 Comments

On February 23, Eidos Interactive is releasing the sequel to the top selling DS Game Pony Friends, Pony Friends 2. I am not receiving anything for this giveaway so I’m just going to be posting the information and photos they sent me. I’m happy to do this, and look up the game before saying yes. There are some great reviews of the first game and the new one. Here are a few Examples:

metacritic Pony Friends review – one of them is from a 13 year old girl that loved the game.

Gamespot Pony Friends 2 review – not a lot of reviews because it isn’t even out yet.

Overview

PONY FRIENDS 2 allows players to create their perfect pony and take part in a comprehensive range of fun activities. Featuring 12 ponies (four new breeds), each with different personalities, players can customize every aspect of their appearance. Taking special care of their pony to keep it clean and healthy, players can take it on trail rides across different landscapes and environments. Grab the reins, photograph wildlife and unlock countless secrets on the journey.

PONY FRIENDS 2 features an exciting competitive mode across all formats. Players can compete in races and trick competitions alone or with friends on Wii and DS. Trade ponies and even talk to them on Nintendo DS!

Features

Race, compete and trade with your friends: Enter race and trick competitions to win trophies! Experience multiplayer racing and trick competitions on Wii.
Explore 25 diverse trails, befriend wild ponies and photograph wildlife to discover secrets: Take the reins and ride your pony on a range of trails and through open areas, alone or with a friend. Photograph a variety of wild animals and earn the friendship of wild ponies.
Earn new accessories and create a special look for your pony: Choose and personalize your ponies and trade with friends!
Discover the PONY FRIENDS world and get to know your ponies at your own pace: There’s always something new to explore. Groom and take care of your pony to keep it happy. Talk to your pony on DS and watch how it responds to your voice!

Screenshots:

PONY FRIENDS 2 is rated E (Everyone). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. PONY FRIENDS 2 is now available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $29.99 for Wii and $19.99 for DS. The official website can be found at http://www.ponyfriends.com/.

Pony Friends 2 is available on the PC, DS and Wii. I have 3 DS and 2 Wii copies to giveaway.

To Enter:

Please visit Eidos Interacltive and tell me what other game they make you would love to play.

Extra Entries:

Advertise this giveaway on any giveaway site, blog, or facebook and tell me where you advertised it (include link to giveaway). 5 Extra Entries for each one you do
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The contest will run until March 8th 11:59 pm Pacific. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Eidosinteractive is providing the copies of the game for the giveaway.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: DS, Eidos Interactive, giveaway, Nintendo DS, PC game, Pony Friends 2 review, Pony Friends review, video game giveaway, Wii

Video Game Gift Guide

November 27, 2009 By Momstart 3 Comments

I work with quite a few different video game companies right now and wanted to do a Holiday Gift Guide just for them.

Scholastic:

Meet Winter the Dolphin Winter’s Tail:Take an exciting journey on your Nintendo DS and learn about the real-life story of Winter the Dolphin. Based on the Scholastic Book from the #1 New York Times Best Selling Authors of Owen & Mzee, the game includes the fully interactive book “Winter’s Tail” read by the authors Juliana, Isabella and Craig Hatkoff. The game will tell Winter’s story in a variety of ways – both in storybook format and by using mini-games to illustrate important points

HerInteractive Games:

Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy, players become Nancy Drew as she heads undercover at an elite all-girls boarding school to discover the culprit behind threatening notes and dangerous accidents that seem to be targeted towards the academy’s valedictorian candidates. Immersing themselves in the boarding school culture, players will explore the campus, help other girls with projects and navigate the social scene. To build the case, players will also surreptitiously snoop through dorm rooms and snap cell phone pictures of evidence they come across.

The Hardy Boys Treasure on the Tracks

Code masters:

Dragonology, the video game, will bring the book’s magical world of dragons to life in an absorbing and exciting interactive adventure for younger gamers. Embarking on a journey to become a Master of Dragonology, players learn ancient dragon tracking techniques and travel to exotic locations to study, protect and preserve these dangerous and secretive creatures. Through 16 exciting mini-games, gamers can play with and fly their own rescued European Dragon while discovering five other rare species of dragon, including the Frost, Asian Lung and Mexican Ampithere.

D3 Publisher

Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow, developed by tri-Crescendo, the studio behind the acclaimed Eternal Sonata, will be available exclusively on Nintendo DS in the Spring of 2010. The game continues the series’ contemporary approach to traditional Japanese role-playing games and is set two years after the original 2007 Blue Dragon story. You can find out more about Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow by visiting www.d3publisher.com.

Based on the new TheCW4Kids live action TV series, Kamen Rider Dragon Knight is an intense action-packed hero game where players will have the opportunity to experience the exciting Kamen Rider adventure firsthand. The players will be able to play as all 13 Kamen Riders, each with their own unique Advent Cards and unique abilities in multiple game modes allowing the players to fight head to head or fight tons of enemies as you explore Ventara and stop the menacing plot of General Xaviax.

The Secret Saturdays: Beasts of the 5th Sun

Family Party 30 Great Games: Outdoor Fun: Martial Arts Mania! Be a Karate expert!
Team Sports Minigames! Home run derbies, quarterback skills challenges, and soccer scoring challenges. Individual Athletics! New climbing, running, and balance games
Incredible Variety! Mazes, Martians, and much More!

Astro Boy: The Video Game ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME, players become the iconic hero, Astro Boy, and take to the streets and skies on an epic adventure to save Metro City from the clutches of the evil President Stone and his robot army. Utilizing Astro’s entire arsenal of iconic weapons and abilities–Finger Lasers, Arm Cannon, Butt Machine Guns and Drill Attacks, players will battle hordes of robot enemies and colossal bosses including some never-before-seen enemies across Metro City and the mysterious Surface. Using an intuitive combat system that adds depth to gameplay, players will experience classic platform action and exhilarating flight combat levels as they use Astro’s unique rocket boosters to hover, avoid enemies and zip out of the way of danger. For more information on ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME, including game features, screenshots, and videos, please visit: www.AstroBoytheVideogame.com.

Ben 10 Alien Force Ben10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks

EA

Nerf N-Strike Elite. Much improved over the first Nerf video game by EA. This one has more of a purpose as you and your partner reach goals to get to the next part of the game, using your nerf gun.

SimAnimals Africa Wii Lions Sims Animals. Journey to the heart of Africa where you control the wild kingdom! Interact with exotic animals in the wild including lions, elephants, gorillas and more as you explore the jungles and savannas of Africa. Discover the animals’ secret abilities. Solve challenges to earn new items, animals, and levels. Collect unique items to receive badges. Get in touch with your wild side and discover the ultimate secret of the kingdom with SimAnimals Africa!

Littlest Pet Shop Friends video game on Nintendo DS and Wii brings the party to you with a new cast of quirky pets and their best friends. You’ll get to deliver invitations, serve up cake and ice cream, and style out your pets as you prepare for the LPS party of the year!

Littlest Pet Shop Online is an exciting, safe, all-new virtual world where your kids can play fun games, customize their pets and decorate their pets’ home, connect with friends, and make new ones too! Your kids will experience LPS like never before!

Boom Blox Bash Party. Explore exciting new themed worlds with unique physics and dramatic visuals. Create chaos, watching puzzles and explosions unfold, while drifting under water, or floating in zero gravity. For even more strategic destruction, BOOM BLOX Bash Party also features all-new Blox, tools and characters. Experiment with the explosive and infectious Virus Blox, or the ever-moving Conveyor Blox. Experiment with new shapes like Cylinders and Wedges, or use the new Cannon and Slingshot toys to sling and launch blox. Even the new cast of characters is in on the action. Grab hold of the characters and send them flying. They are just like Blox now, so you can topple, bash and sling them like never before.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Like earlier video game releases in the Harry Potter franchise, the action in Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince the Video Game revolves around the exploration of Hogwarts and the action that results from what you uncover. The game features a variety of play modes and unique features. During their adventures, players will have a chance to engage in exciting wizard duels, mix and brew magical ingredients in potions class and take to the air to lead the Gryffindor Quidditch team to victory. Players may even get sidetracked by Ron’s romantic entanglements as they journey towards a dramatic climax and discover the identity of the Half-Blood Prince

Spore Hero. My whole family liked trying out the game and creating your creature is the most part of the game. As you go around the planet and discovering things and fighting other creatures (most of them just need to have the affects of the red meteor removed) you gain more body parts. As you gain more body parts you gain more powers and abilities. Each body part is capable of doing something else a hero needs the ability to do. My 2 year old’s only compliant was there was not enough purple. It is much more fun that Spore for the PC.

In The Sims 3, get inspired by the endless creative possibilities and unexpected moments of surprise and mischief! I think they have made it easier to play. I liked setting up my sim or rather watching my husband do it. He created our entire family, and my daughter of course picked out as much purple as she could. You can create lifelike Sims with a unique personality and take them anywhere in the neighborhood. Select from dozens of personality traits such as brave, artistic, kleptomaniac, clumsy, and romantic.

Need for Speed NITRO delivers the thrill of high-speed racing to all types of gamers with exciting gameplay, accessible controls, and competitive multiplayer events including four player co-op career mode. Featuring an incredibly deep yet intuitive visual customization system, Need for Speed NITRO lets players hit the streets in style with their personalized dream car. Recently crowned IGN’s “Best Racing Game” on the Wii and Nintendo DS at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, Need for Speed NITRO is this holiday’s most fun and exciting arcade racing game.

GI Joe Rise of Cobra. G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra for all major video game consoles will feature an exclusive storyline that picks up where the live-action movie, from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment, in association with Hasbro, leaves off, allowing players to re-create and re-live the greatest moments from the film, cartoon series and action figure toy line. The game will feature 16 playable characters – including 4 unlockable COBRA characters – each with unique abilities and weapons. Adding to the adrenaline rush will be an intense single-screen co-op mode allowing two players to easily unite as a team in a classic struggle between good and evil to defeat the powers of COBRA.

Filed Under: christmasguide, Video Games Tagged With: Codemasters, DS, EA Video Game Guide, EA Video Game Holiday Guide, Her Interactive, Holiday Guide, Nintendo DS, review, video game, Video Game Christmas Guide, Wii, XBOX 360

Jumpstart Escape from Adventure Island on Wii review and giveaway

November 10, 2009 By Momstart 4 Comments

The new jump Start Escape from Adventure Island game for the Wii is perfectly marked for the age group it is reaching out to. I believe it is marketing to ages 5 and up. We put the game in and gave it a go. You get to create your character and I think they did a good job with the creation engine, it’s just enough for a child. Not too detailed and the best part is that when you are in the game it looks the same. The graphics don’t change.

So you start out in a balloon and your balloon crashes. You end up on Adventure Island but you can’t leave until you earn enough sand dollars to pay for the repairs.

This is where the learning comes in. You scour the island and ocean following riddles, math problems and letter recognition. They can be as simple as matching numbers to the number representation to identifying the correct letter. The level can be chosen, light, medium and hard and you can choose the type of activity.

I chose one of the underwater games and my daughter seemed to really enjoy it. She liked swimming.

“Mommy, I’m a fish. “

The number recoginition is beyond her but we might work on her letters more tomorrow with this game. She sang her alphabet to her daddy today while I was at the Doctor. Makes me sad that I missed that.

Lots of Chances to Win one

Contest Details

Enter from 11/2/09 to 11/16/09.
Each person will be allowed two entries into the contest (details on contest page)

The theme of the contest is “Time to Escape!”

We want to hear how your family uses imagination to escape the everyday and turn life into an adventure! Tell us your story for a chance to win.

Prizes

50 winners will receive a copy of JumpStart Escape From Adventure Island
3 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS will receive a family Escape Pack (over $1000 value)!
- 1 Nintendo Wii Console
- 1 copy of JumpStart Escape From Adventure Island
- $250 in spa gift certificates
- 1 JumpStart branded flip camera
- 3 lifetime JumpStart memberships (1 for winner, 2 to share)
- 500 virtual coins for JumpStart.com
- 4 JumpStart pirate hats & 4 JumpStart kids T-shirts
Enter HERE

Escape from Adventure Island

Filed Under: review Tagged With: Escape from Adventure Island, giveaway, Jump Start, Wii

Astro Boy Video Game Review for the Wii

November 2, 2009 By Momstart 680 Comments

You know what I like about Astro Boy? He has a shirt on, all of the older versions of Astro Boy he is shirtless and now he is sporting a jacket and shirt. Very funny I know.

D3 Publisher, imagi studios and Bink Video present Astro Boy: The Movie for the Wii.

This was another one of the games that they demoed at the Family Event hosted by D3 Publisher. My husband is interested in trying out the game on the Wii. I think he spent more time watching the demo as it was one of the last things we did that day. I was so tired.

I know that it is side screen scrolling and that you rotate between flying and land levels. You fight bad guys by shooting, out the front and the rear. One of the favorite lines from the movie is “I have guns in my butt?” or something along those lines.

About Astro Boy

When the futuristic Metro City finds itself facing new and unprecedented peril, there’s only one figure to whom it can turn: Astro Boy. The creation of a brilliant scientist, this daring young robot is imbued with a variety of amazing powers, from lasers and arm cannons to super speed and flight. Now he must prepare to face his destiny, summoning all of his powers in defense of everything he holds dear.

You can also look here for my Astro Boy Movie Review.

Product Description:

Astro Boy

Synopsis
Enter the world of the exciting CG-animated film with Astro Boy: The Video Game. Experience the world of this intrepid young hero as you wield amazing powers to battle hordes of enemies and gargantuan bosses. Using your super strength, flight, drill attacks and more, you’ll propel your way through an exhilarating platforming adventure filled with gorgeous graphics and compelling action. Will your efforts be enough to save the denizens of Metro City and help you become the hero you were meant to be?

Key Game Features:

Play as blue energy-powered young robot Astro Boy as he attempts to save Metro City
Protect the city by wielding your amazing powers, including super strength, flight, arm cannons and drill attacks
Pit your abilities against waves of enemies and colossal bosses
Embark on an adventure featuring exciting platforming action and air combat
Share the superhero fun with a friend in side-by-side two-player co-op mode

(Product Description taken from Amazon.com)

To Enter:

Tell me who your going to give this to, it’s ok if it’s for you.

Extra Entries:

Advertise this giveaway on any giveaway site and tell me where you advertised it. 10 Extra Entries
Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Blog about the giveaway include a link to me and to the sponsor for 10 extra entries
Tweet the giveaway (every time you tweet you get an entry) Link to the giveaway please!!!
Comment on any other non giveaway post and come back and tell me you did
Use any of the Share options at the bottom of this post: Dig, Stumble, or fav me on Technorati (two entries for each one)
Add my button/blog to your blogroll/friend list 3 extra entries
You can vote for me too for five entries:

Leave a comment for every entry

The contest will run until November 23rd 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

D3 did not pay me for this post but they did provide my family a vacation.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Astro Boy, D3Publisher, The Movie, video game review, Wii

The Secret Saturdays Beasts of the 5th Sun Video Game on the Wii Review

November 2, 2009 By Momstart 435 Comments

When I was on my Trip to Los Angeles with D3 Publisher they gave us a pre-copy of this game on the Nintendo DS. I have not had time to play it much. I like the side screen movement like Mario and the controls are simple enough to learn. You are helped along the way with tips and instructions. Secret Saturdays was brought to the video game screen from The Cartoon Network, D3 Publisher, and Bink Video.

All of the actors stayed the same for the video game as do the video graphics. It’s just like the cartoon only you get to solve puzzles and use your brain to beat each level.

The Secret Saturdays Beasts of the 5th Sun Video Game is out on the Wii Nintendo DS, PSP, and PlayStation 2. You can find all of these for purchase.

Secret Saturdays Beasts of the 5th Sun

About the Secret Saturdays

Secret Saturdays: The Official Cryptid Field Guide The Secret Saturdays are a family of super hero scientists that know about all the urban legends and keep them from everyone else. Well, they protect the world from all of the cryptids also known as urban legends, from harming us every day. We were shown the cartoon while sitting on the van in traffic. I really enjoyed the behind the scenes, the dad of the Secret Saturdays is the Martian on Smallville. Makes me like the Secret Saturdays even more. So Mom, Dad and their son who has a power over all cryptids are saving the world.

Product Description

THE SECRET SATURDAYS game is an action-packed adventure platformer filled with dozens of challenges and mysteries to uncover. The player takes control of Zak Saturday and his family the Saturdays, scientific explorers dedicated to protecting the secret artifacts and mysterious creatures known as Cryptids located through the world. Zak’s power to influence Cryptids gives him access to dozens of different play styles and abilities that he’ll need to locate hidden Cryptids and discover the evil plans of V.V. Argost.

They have provided a copy for one of my readers as well as an official copy of a Cryptid Field Guide.

To Enter:

Tell me who your favorite character is on The Secret Saturdays.

Extra Entries:

Leave a comment for every entry

The contest will run until November 23rd 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

D3 did not pay me for this post but they did provide my family a vacation.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Beasts of the 5th Sun, The Secret Saturdays, Wii

Dora Dora Dora, Christmas CD, Saves the Crystal Kingdom DVD, Toys and mora #giveaway

October 12, 2009 By Momstart 282 Comments

Dora’s Christmas CD
Available: 9/15
Preschoolers can share the holiday spirit with Dora and her adventure-loving pals as Nickelodeon and Sony Music Entertainment release the CD, Dora’s Christmas. Available in stores nationwide and on iTunes on Tuesday, Sept. 15, this perfect stocking stuffer includes 16 new holiday songs performed by the world’s most beloved Latina heroine, Dora the Explorer. The disc features classic carols with a Latin twist, including “Deck the Halls,” “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Coming Aquí!” The CD also includes bonus songs from Nickelodeon’s upcoming TV special, “Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure.”

Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom DVD
Available: 9/22
Enter the magical, musical world of the Crystal Kingdom in the all-new Nickelodeon feature-length adventure Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom. Along with this never-before-seen title episode, the DVD includes two additional adventures from the top-rated preschool series.

Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom , Dora continues her magical storybook adventure from last fall (“Dora Saves the Snow Princess”), when the magic crystal that the Snow Princess gave her brings to life another character in her storybook – Allie of the Crystal Kingdom. A greedy king has stolen the crystals that give Allie’s kingdom color. Dora and Boots must help Allie locate the crystals and turn the pale gray kingdom back into a colorful wonderland before it’s too late.

Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom Wii Video Game

A Greedy King has taken all of the crystals that make Crystal Kingdom colorful and without them the Crystal Kingdom is starting to lose its color! Join Dora, Boots and Allie on an adventure through storybook lands to recover crystals and save the Crystal Kingdom!

Dora and friends jump, climb, swing, slide and explore their way through the Crystal Kingdom!
Authentic character voice of Dora and other characters from the Dora the Explorer TV Show!
Grown-ups can join in using the Helper Feature and a second controller.
Help restore the color to the Crystal Kingdom by finding all of the color crystals throughout different locations like a butterfly cave, cloud castle and dragon land! Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom
Kid-Tested approval by children and moms for age-appropriateness, fun-factor and quality!

Dora’s Explorer Girls – Dora Links

The Dora Links doll is the cornerstone of the entire new Dora’s Explorer Girls collection, featuring an older Dora who lives in a rich online world with her new friends and attends school in the big city. An exciting addition to the realm of ever-popular, preschool-focused Dora the Explorer dolls and products that are available, this brand-new doll line by Mattel features dolls and accessories that allow girls to interact with and influence the online adventures of Dora and her new friends. This new collection, based on characters and storylines created by Nickelodeon, is innovative, diverse, wholesome, bi-lingual and entertaining. At www.DoraLinks.com, girls can explore, play games, customize and–most importantly–solve mysteries with Dora and her friends! By plugging the Dora Links doll into a computer, girls can access Dora’s brand-new, exclusive interactive online world. And, through this exciting new innovation in computer-connected play, as girls are playing with Dora in her online world, they can customize their doll and watch as she magically transforms right before their eyes. $59.99/ 5+

The Dora Loves Puppy line
Today Kmart and Nickelodeon announced the launch of "Dora Loves Puppy" – an
exclusive apparel, toy and specialty goods line designed around top-rated
preschool series, Dora the Explorer. Available exclusively at Kmart stores
nationwide and at www.kmart.com beginning today, "Dora Loves Puppy" takes
kids on a new adventure with Dora and her canine companion Perrito, and
opens up a brand-new personalized online experience at www.dorapuppy.com.
The product launch follows the storyline of Dora’s adoption of her new pet.
Kmart will offer deals and free offers at the launch of the line, including
a free "Dora Loves Puppy" poster personalized with their child’s favorite
picture courtesy of Shutterfly.com (from Sept. 13-26), and the "Dora Loves
Puppy" DVD for $4.99 with a $20 Dora Loves Puppy purchase (from Sept.
27-Oct. 10). Mom Start's Christmas Guide

We were sent Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom on DVD and Dora’s Christmas CD to review. I think my daughter is now in love with Dora and I don’t find Dora so annoying anymore. I didn’t used to like her, maybe it was because I always wanted to take a nap and her singing always woke me up.

I love Christmas music and was happy that I could add another children’s Christmas CD to our collection of Christmas Music. Zoe loves it too. She always requests it when we are in the van and when I put it on the other morning she didn’t like that mommy added some other CD’s to the playlist. She only wanted to listen to Dora, not even our Mickey Mouse Christmas CD would do.

I have one copy of the Dora saves the Crystal Kingdom DVD to giveaway and one copy of the DVD to giveaway.

To Enter:

Tell me something about one of the other Dora Products listed above.

Extra Entries:

Vote for me for 5 extra entries

Comment on any other post and come back here and tell me you did.

Non-bloggers get an extra entry for every e-mail they send out linking to this giveaway cc louise@looksblue.com (be sure to leave a comment for every person you e-mail, for example if you e-mail 10 different people leave 10 different comments)

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Blog about the giveaway include a link to me and to the sponsor for 10 extra entries
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Leave a comment for every entry

The contest will run until November 2nd11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

Filed Under: christmasguide, giveaway Tagged With: Christmas CD, Christmas Toy Guide, Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom DVD, Dora the Explorer, Wii

Spore Hero Came out let’s celebrate with a Spore #giveaway

October 8, 2009 By Momstart 370 Comments

This is the big reason why EA and Maxis studios invited me out to play with them for the weekend. The brought me, my husband, my daughter and my son to San Francisco. My Sister-in-law lives there so it was an amazing opportunity to not only spend time with family that we don’t see very often but to play games before anyone else gets to see them.

I did write about my family vacation once, but I feel that since this is the reason we went there I should mention it again with this giveaway.

I don’t have a copy of Spore Hero yet but I played it there and it was so much fun. You get to make all kinds of heroes and my kids got to play. Zoe created the most purple monster/hero she could make. It’s great to see her have fun with her dad. So this vacation was awesome and we’ll have very fond memories of it forever. Now, I’m not going to tell you too much because I’m going to do a giveaway for Spore Hero in a week or two. But one thing I want to mention is that Spore Hero is for the Wii and they also released a game for the Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DS, unlike most games that are released at the same time is a completely different game. Spore Hero Arena.

Create your own Hero with over 150 parts and powers, now for the first time in 3-D on the DS!
Fight dangerous enemies in arenas across the galaxy, from all – out 4 creature "Battle Royales", to capture the crown "King of the Planet" challenges, and much more!
Summon over 15 devastating Bio-Power attacks, from lightning strikes to deadly ground stomps!
Brawl with your friends in 4 player wireless and 2 player Wi-Fi action!

Play an original Spore story, in the same galaxy as Spore Hero for Wii. Travel to a variety of planets, completing missions, and challenging opponents who have been corrupted by an evil power. Fight to become the ultimate Spore Hero and save the galaxy!

I will write more about both games next week. For now, I’m going to write more about Spore. When we were at EA Studios with EA Play they didn’t have copies of the game we came to see because it wasn’t done yet. I mean we were playing on test machines. It was above AWESOME. So, they gave us a copy of Spore and the expansion pack. My husband wanted to know what we were going to be looking at so right before we went on our trip he purchased Spore.

I want to give one lucky reader the copy that EA gave my family.

I haven’t played spore, but I met some of the artists and creators. They were very nice and informative and said that in creating spore knowing your math skills is an understatement. You can create everything in Spore from you creatures to your civilizations. We saw people that made spaceships and themed creations. There is an on-line network where you can share your spore creations and download others for your game. It’s similar to The Sims in my opinion.

This game has really low reviews on Amazon, but it’s more about creating than playing. I mean it’s loads of fun if you are creative. Spore Hero is quite a step up from Spore but Spore is in my opinion from watching my husband play with my daughter a fun creative game.

I know that if I devoted more time to game playing I would enjoy it too.

Product Features

Edition: Standard

Epic journey from the origin and evolution of life through the development of civilization and technology and outer space exploration
Play any way you choose in the five evolutionary phases of Spore: Cell, Creature, Tribe, Civilization, and Space
Grow, evolve, interact with and battle other cultures, and conquer the planet
Visit literally millions of planets full of other player’s creations
Single-player game provides unlimited worlds to explore and play

To Enter:

Tell me what your themed civilization would be? (be creative, Simpsons, Star Wars, go crazy)

Extra Entries:

Vote for me for 5 extra entries

Subscribe to my blog
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Blog about the giveaway include a link to me for 10 extra entries
Tweet the giveaway (every time you tweet you get an entry) Link to the giveaway please!!!
Add my button to your blog/blog roll 10 extra points if it is on your homepage
Dig, Stumble, or fav me on Technorati (two entries for each one)

Comment on any other post and come back here and tell me you did.

Leave a comment for every entry

The contest will run until October 26th 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: DS, Nintendo DS, spore hero, Spore PC Game, video game review, Wii

Family Party: 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun on the Wii

October 7, 2009 By Momstart 582 Comments

Family Party: 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun has something to offer everyone. It is exclusively on the Wii and has a wide variety of engaging and addictive party games featuring team sports, individual athletics, and challenging brain games. You can choose from over a dozen cute characters, participate in up to four player competitive action, and unlock games and challenges to achieve the highest score and win medals. The Publisher D3 sent me this game to try out and sent me one to giveaway.

Family Party 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun for the Wii

The game reminded my husband of Fusion Frenzy that we used to play on the Xbox except it was a little bit harder because the Wii controls are harder to use. I always have a hard time with which button is supposed to be hit when and our Wii bar has never been that great. I honestly haven’t spent that much time trying the game out yet either. This is just my basic overview so that I can host the giveaway.

Game Description:

Play 33 Awesome party games featuring outdoor fun! Fun addictive games for only $20!

Martial Arts Mania! Be a Karate expert!
Team Sports Minigames! Home run derbies, quarterback skills challenges, and soccer scoring challenges.
Individual Athletics! New climbing, running, and balance games
Incredible Variety! Mazes, Martians, and much More!

Play with up to 4 members from friends and family!

Medal system and multiple gameplay modes

Proven blend of simultaneous and turn-based games

Play against human or computer-controlled competition

Play in Wii optimized style!

All-new unlockable levels and characters

Over a dozen colorful and iconic characters from whom to choose

Made exclusively for Wii!

To Enter:

Visit D3 and tell me what other game you would love to try.

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The contest will run until October 26th 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: D3Publisher, video game review, Wii

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