Video Games Archives

Kid Reviewer Miitopia Nintendo 3DS Game Walk Through

August 17, 2017 by Momstart 2 Comments

As part of the Nintendo Kid Reviewer program, Zoe and Miles are on their own. This is their thoughts on the Nintendo 3DS video game Miitopia.

By Miles Bishop:

Miitopia is a really fun game to play something that I like about the game is that there are a lot of customizations for the characters to choose from. The farther into the game that you get you can build your mii warriors’ relationships between each other. Another feature I like about the game is that you can choose the entire mii cast with your own miis.

Miles also created a video for us:

By Zoe Bishop:

Miitopia is fun game, but I don’t like that I had to delete my brothers game to start my own game. When you play, you can only have one game going at a time, so when it was my turn to play I had to just use his game. The boss levels are sort of hard and you only get to create four characters. I like the characters and that you get to customize them and their outfits I wish the outfits weren’t so expensive in the game. I like the raffle tickets and how you get to win things for your characters but how does that relate to the game otherwise?

Questions About Miitopia

What is your favorite game feature?

Zoe: the costumes

Miles: My favoriate game feature is how hard the enemies are

What is your least favorite game feature?

Zoe: the bad guys are to hard

Miles: I don’t know if I have one

What is your favorite character?

Zoe: the character I make

Miles: My favorite character is me and the mage

What does this game make you think of or remind you of?

Zoe: nothing

Miles: doesn’t really remind me of anything

Would you recommend this game?

Zoe: yes

Miles: Totally!

Zoe is 10 and Miles is 9.

Nintendo Ever Oasis 3DS Kid Review

August 8, 2017 by Momstart 2 Comments

As part of the Nintendo Kid Reviewer program, Zoe and Miles are on their own. So you will be seeing their opinions on games, written by them and videos by them. I imagine as time goes on, the videos and their reviews will get better and better. Here Zoe and Miles are giving Ever Oasis Game Play Tips

First Up is Ever Oasis 3DS Game

By Zoe Bishop:

Ever Oasis is a great game for kids. Its about creating life and helping others while also fighting bad guys. Its great for all different types of kids if your kid likes to fight bad guys or likes creating things they would love to have this game. I loved playing this game my favorite part was when you meet this sort of an ocean goddess/mermaid and when you meet her that’s when you build your oasis. You also get to design your character I like that part as well. I love helping others an in Ever Oasis you help others a lot another reason why I enjoy this game so much. I think Ever Oasis is a fantastic game for all different types of kids.

Kid Review Video of Ever Oasis Including Game Play Tips

Questions About Ever Oasis

What is your favorite game feature?

Zoe: The tornado wind blast.

Miles: That you can kill people with the sword

What is your least favorite game feature?

Zoe: How hard it is to battle the monsters.

Miles: How in the beginning when I slept it didn’t ask me to save, then when I died I had to start all over and that was frustrating.

What is your favorite character?

Zoe: The mermaid water goddess lady.

Miles: me

What does this game make you think of or remind you of?

Zoe: Nothing it really feels super new and not based of anything. Oh wait, a little like Zelda.

Miles: It reminds me a little bit of Zelda, but the map reminds me of pixelated games.

Would you recommend this game

Zoe: yes

Miles: certain ages yes

Zoe is 10, and Miles is 9.

Nintendo Parent’s Guide to Pokemon Feb 2nd

January 30, 2017 by Momstart Leave a Comment

My son knows everything there is about Pokemon. Sometimes I feel like my eyes are glossing over when he starts talking about Pokemon but I love that he knows so much. He knows every character where they are from what type they are and what they evolve into. We often play Pokemon Go togther, it’s one of the ways I spend one on one time with him. I like it because we get exercise together and he opens up to me and talks to me a lot. But this game Pokemon Sun and Moon are his new favorite, and he really likes the TV show on Disney XD right now that seems to go along with these games just a tad. But don’t take my word for it, I’m just a parent that needs help which is why Nintendo is offering……Parents’ Guide To Pokemon.

The YouTube Live session is on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 2 pm ET. To RSVP, sign up here: bit.ly/2kkP4fS.

Or you could watch my son as he made a video a few weeks ago. I just now got around to uploading it…..

Moto Racer 4 Xbox One and PS4 Giveaway

January 19, 2017 by Momstart 17 Comments

We’re so excited to share with you a new Xbox 1 game, Moto Racer. Moto Racer is a fun racing game with amazing graphics. I’m so impressed with video games these days and just how great the animation is and how realistic it looks.

Miles really enjoys playing this game. I have to remind him a couple times whenever it’s time for him to turn the game off. What’s fun about Moto Racer 4 is a challenging game that rewards you for risks. My son was playing this one level where he had to make this jump and it was almost impossible. He finally made it but wow what a crazy jump. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for the family to play multiplayer.

Moto Racer 4 still equally features Motocross and powerful motorbikes races on asphalt. The many challenges include speed and entertainment, aerial maneuvers and huge crashes. In a straight line, the racing cars can reach over 185 miles per hour, which could be very dangerous on busy roads. However, the more risks the players take, the more points they get to customize both pilots and bikes quickly.

We were given a copy of the game to try out. And we have a copy for you guys too!

Enter to Win: A Game Code for Xbox 1

To Enter:

Tell me who will play this game the most

Extra Entries:

Use the rafflecoptera Rafflecopter giveaway

Guitar Hero Adds Weezer, Queen and System of a Down Show Content

December 28, 2015 by Momstart Leave a Comment

We received a Guitar Hero and gave it to the kids as a Christmas present. It’s so much fun to see the kids playing and singing. And they are always adding new content. Last week exciting new content for the GHTV playable music video network in Guitar Hero Live was added. Activision is delivering a new set of live music experiences featuring performances by the ever popular Weezer.

“We’ve been a part of the Guitar Hero franchise since day one,” said Weezer. “It’s always awesome to see our songs take on new dimensions as part of these games.”

As you may have seen, one of the biggest innovations of Guitar Hero Live is the ability to get recent live concert recordings, note-track the footage with the trademark Guitar Hero gameplay, and then put the video in game to be playable in just a short amount of time. In late October, Weezer headlined the Guitar Hero Live launch event at the YouTube Space in LA, and played a special show at the iHeartRadio Theatre in Burbank. Kicking off their set with their fresh new single “Thank Goodness for Girls,” three Weezer tracks from these performances are now playable in the game, including:

· “Thank Goodness for Girls” (Live)

· “Undone – The Sweater Song” (Live)

· “Say It Ain’t So” (Live)

Additional music videos are also now playable in GHTV, including new playable tracks from Queen and System Of A Down via two new premium shows: The Champions and System of a Down Show. The tracks are:

The Champions

· Queen – “Fat Bottomed Girls”

· Queen – “Hammer to Fall”

· Queen – “I Want To Break Free”

System of a Down Show

· System of a Down – “Aerials”

· System of a Down – “B.Y.O.B.”

· System of a Down – “Lonely Day”

With Goji Play 2.0 Exercise Feels Fun #GetUpAndGojiPlay #AD #GetEmOffTheCouch

December 2, 2015 by Momstart 1 Comment

This blog post was sponsored by Blue Goji but the opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

We received the new Goji Play 2.0 to test out and review. Goji Play 2.0 is an interactive motivational tool for getting into shape. Goji Play is a fun, innovative way to get the family off the couch and interacting with one another. There are these two things that look like wrist bands but what they are is so much more. First you don’t wear them around your wrists because you have to use them as game controllers. There are two because you have one for your right hand and one for your left hand. You place the bands on either two sticks that come with the bands, or the moving handles of your exercise equipment. We like to use the elliptical. Then you have to download some apps to “play” because this is actually a gaming system. You might be thinking well how is it going to motivate me to exercise? The game stops running if you stop moving.

BLUE GOJI APPS:

· Goji Play :

Goji Play is an innovative set of game controllers purpose-built to be used with your cardio equipment and Goji Play 2 games. It transforms your exercise equipment into a world of games, making your cardio workout engaging and fun – the exact opposite of a typical distraction-based cardio experience! Goji Play works best with elliptical trainer, stationary bike, steppers, or nearly any piece of cardio equipment that you can control the speed of your own motion. For treadmill users, speed/hill walks are fun and easy to do with Goji Play.
The Goji Play 2 app is now iOS 9 compatible, and supports both the new and old Goji Play controllers. It continues to serve as the game hub for all Goji Play 2-compatible games so that you do not need to search for them in the AppStore. New Goji Play 2 and upgraded GP1 games are constantly being added — be sure to check the Games Tiles of the Goji Play 2 app often. For more information about the Goji Play hardware, please visit http://www.bluegoji.com

· GojiVerse :

GojiVerse tracks and rewards all GojiGo activities with GoCoins (short for Goji Coins) and connects friends and family who share similar health and wellness goals and game plays. Users earn GoCoins – our sweat currency – by doing various Goji Play and GojiGo activities they enjoy doing. Initially, user can use their hard-earned GoCoins for in-game purchases (e.g., unlocking levels or power-ups). Additional incentive rewards will be announced in time to support users’ New Year resolutions.

· GojiGo

6 GAMES:

· Speedbump

· Super Moto X

· Spin or Die

· Smash the Blocks

· Fisticuffs

· Kreature Krunch

The Goji Play becomes quickly a 30-minute workout making it feel like 5 minutes of non-stop fun. Not only is Goji Play motivational for yourself, but it turns exercise into a fun activity for the entire family to enjoy. It fuses exercise with video games and transforms cardio machines into fun game-playing equipment for all fitness levels. Kids above age six are able to actively use Goji Play. Because it’s meant for the entire family, Goji Play is suitable for a variety of fitness and gaming levels – there are games for everyone in your family and the workout levels vary. (my bet is that my kids will out-game me once I let them use it)

You should remember though, you do not need to be a gamer, nor do you need to be a fitness expert, to enjoy Goji Play! They have all kinds of different games. One of my favorite games is actually the puzzle type game. I’ve also liked playing the racing game. I found it harder to play while I was running in place than I did when I was on the elliptical. I would also like to add that the batteries died very quickly.

Goji Play is a great gift idea for anyone on your holiday list!

The Simpsons on Minecraft

January 15, 2015 by Momstart Leave a Comment

My kids love playing Minecraft. My son loves it more than my daughter, but he is the major gamer of the family. This morning when I opened my inbox I found that The Simpsons are coming to Minecraft, he was super excited to find that out. He’s never seen an episode of the Simpsons but he met them at Universal Studios and he’s played one of the Simpsons games on the iPad, Tapped Out. Tapped Out is a very addictive game.

Scheduled for release in late February 2015, the downloadable pack will include the entire Simpsons family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie— plus 19 of Springfield Elementary School’s beloved characters from the Emmy Award-winning animated show and the longest-running scripted show in television history.

“We have an active community of more than 17 million die-hard Minecrafters on Xbox Live enjoying the wide range of downloadable content on Xbox, and they have been clamoring for us to bring Simpsons characters to the game,” said Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox. “We are thrilled to partner with Twentieth Century Fox and Gracie Films to bring THE SIMPSONS to life on Minecraft Xbox 360 and Xbox One editions. I can’t wait to see what the community creates.”

“Like THE SIMPSONS, Minecraft is a true cultural phenomenon embraced by people of all ages, from every corner of the globe,” said Roz Nowicki, executive vice president of global sales and retail for Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products. “We know fans of the show will have a ton of fun bringing the colorful characters of Springfield into the intricate worlds they’ve been building in Minecraft.”

Minecraft is one of the most popular video games in history, with over 100 million downloads since its launch in 2009. Minecraft’s THE SIMPSONS downloadable content pack for Xbox will release in late February for $1.99 USD on Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Stay tuned for more information on THE SIMPSONS downloadable content pack on other platforms.

Cyber Monday Deals at GameStop

December 1, 2014 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Gift cards provided.

This summer, I got a major upgrade in the video game department when I won a Wii U at BlogHer’s closing party. So I’m excited to browse around GameStop and take advantage of their holiday deals as I snag some games for my new console!

As you know, today is Cyber Monday, which mean that online deals abound! GameStop has some sweet deals happening today and all through “Cyber Week”, including:

$70 off Xbox One Holiday Value Bundle ($329.99) and $50 off Xbox 360 500GB Holiday Value Bundle ($199.99) – Cyber Monday exclusive; online only
$20 off new video game titles for Xbox 360 and PS3: NBA 2K15 ($39.99), Borderlands the Pre Sequel ($39.99), WWE 2K15 ($39.99); and $10 off BioShock Infinite Complete ($29.99) – Cyber Monday exclusive; online only
Free Great White Shark and Bull Shark cards with purchase of PS3 Grand Theft Auto V video game ($30 value) – Cyber Monday exclusive; online only
$20 off Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider Racing Wheel ($79.99) – Cyber Monday exclusive; online and in stores
Wii console bundle (preowned) for only $89.99 and Nintendo DS bundle (preowned) for only $69.99 – all-week, online and in stores
Various preowned Xbox 360 video game bundles ranging from $9.99 – $34.99, and preowned PS3 video game bundles ranging from $19.99 – $59.99 – all-week, online and in stores

For a full list of Cyber Monday deals, click here! And don’t miss their Holiday Hub for even more ideas.

You even have a number of options when it comes to paying for your purchase: You can trade in old games for credit, take advantage of extended layaway, or even exchange unused gift cards from different retailers. And however you pay, make sure you use your PowerUp Rewards!

What deals are you shopping for today?

Cooking Mama 5 Nintendo 3DS Video Game

October 19, 2014 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Can we play it can we play it. This is what I hear when Cooking Mama 5 www.CookingMamaUS.com comes into the house. We received a sample from the brand and off we go to play. The original kitchen diva that created the cooking genre is set to school you with brand new mouth-watering recipes and household mini-games. Cook your way through classic fare, exotic cultural dishes and sweet treats to delight the palate! Fun stylus-based activities will keep you busy around the house and prove to Mama that you’ve got the culinary chops to play in her kitchen!

Zoe loves being in the kitchen, her play kitchen, mom’s real kitchen and even in any virtual kitchen she can find so playing this game is enjoyable to her.

Key Game Features include:

· The latest addition in the successful Mama franchise: 13 million+ games sold worldwide!

· Unlock 60+ recipes as you progress. Test your skills with new appetizers, drinks, main dishes and desserts including: pork cutlet rice bowl, chicken nuggets, BBQ skewers, pumpkin gratin, raisin bread, Hawaiian pancakes, gingerbread cookies and much more!

· Step out of the kitchen and help Mama with more than 30 new activities around the shop and house: feed the pets, deliver orders, make change, serve ice cream, wash dishes, pick apples, organize, draw and more.

· Six gameplay modes feature intuitive stylus-based activities:

o Let’s Cook: Create recipes step-by-step with Mama on hand to help you.

o Cooking Dojo: Earn medals in timed challenges that reward you for quick and accurate preparation.

o Help the Store: Work the register and play waitress at Mama’s Burger Shop.

o Help Harvest: Gather your recipe fixins’ before you cook.

o Let’s Help Mama: Step outside the kitchen and assist Mama as CEO of the household with fresh activities that make “chores” fun and rewarding.

o Let’s Study: Number and word games mix up the kitchen fun.

· Earn furniture and decorations via SpotPass to customize your menus and game screens. Make your kitchen your own with stained glass, wallpaper, picture frames, plants, holiday items and more. You can even customize Mama’s outfit!

· Single cart download play offers multiplayer cook offs for up to four players.

· Gyroscope and accelerometer support for certain recipes.

Leap Motion Controller For Mac or PC

July 19, 2014 by Carrie McKenzie Leave a Comment

Leap Motion Controller is a small, compact 3″ device that senses how your hands move in order to point, wave, reach and grab on your computer. You can flip through photos, play music by lifting a finger, and build or manipulate 3D objects. The device was easy to install and I liked that there were several Leap Apps that readily available to start using right out of the box. Apps fall into three categories Play, Create, and Learning. The whole family got in on the fun and was pushing to get their turn to try a new app. One cool insight that I learned in the set up process is that there are 29 bones, 29 joints, 123 ligaments, 48 nerves, and 30 arteries in just one hand. Leap Motion Controller takes skeletal tracking into a new direction as well as making it just plain fun for whomever uses it.

It is important to note that the Leap Motion Controller doesn’t replace your keyboard, mouse, stylus, or trackpad, but it does work with them. The Leap Motion Controller is a cool, new device with lots of possibilities; however, it does have some growth to do in order to get the refinement needed to use for even more applications. The good news is that the team at Leap Motion seem to be on a fast-track to adding new features and I always like companies that are close to developers and user communities. Leap Motion is excelling at that. Check out their website www.leapmotion.com. I highly recommend getting the Leap Motion Controller for the techie that wants to play with new technology as well as for kids that want to learn through interactive gestures.

Teachers around the world have purchased Leap Motion Controllers for their classrooms, and at $80, it’s also an affordable way to provide enrichment at home this school year.

Leap Motion comes with Airspace, an app store with access to educational apps for all ages across a variety of subjects. Here are a few examples:

Early Education

Curious Kids – Explore animal sounds, practice counting and even play the piano
TVOKids Caterpillar Count – Help your child learn to count with by guiding a caterpillar around the screen with their finger to collect numbers in sequential order

Geography

Google Earth– Soar above the cities, mountains, rainforests, and oceans on Earth, or discover new sights on the moon and Mars
Nokia’s Here.com – Fly above 25 world cities – from Barcelona to Vienna – with a tiny paper airplane

Science

Cyber Science – Learn how the human body works, pull apart and put back together portions of the body
Frog Dissection – Examine 3-D models of organs (no formaldehyde required!) and experience the lifecycle of a frog
Power of Minus Ten – Learn about the structures of key cells, proteins and molecules of the human hand

Music

AirBeats – Capture your natural air drumming movements and play in a variety of styles, with different kits and patterns
AirHarp – Reach out to pluck and strum a virtual harp, with quick access to a variety of musical scales
FingerTapps Piano – Tap out classic compositions on a virtual grand piano or electric organ, with play-along instructions to guide you through each song

Apps range in many different categories.