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Activision’s Skylanders Swap Force Xbox 360 & Xbox One

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My kids played Skylanders Swap Force for the first time this weekend and they loved it. It’s the first game that my daughter has really truly enjoyed. Most games are more complex and the controls are hard for her to figure out, but Skylanders sucked her in with the story and then with the controls and game play. We have the game for the Xbox 360 but might just have to upgrade to Xbox One. I love how easy it is to play Skylanders between consoles, but mostly I was so happy to see my daughter actually get a kick out of playing a video game. Skylanders is made for kids young and old!

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The skylanders need your help:Embark on an exciting new adventure with the Skylanders and the SWAP Force. For generations, the SWAP Force protected the volcano that replenishes Skylands’ magic. That is until an epic battle caught them in an eruption that blasted them apart, sent them to Earth and gave them the ability to swap powers. Only you can mix and match their tops and bottoms, put them on the new Portal of Power™ and save Skylands.

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Miles and Zoe both wanted to play Blast Zone, he seems to be a very powerful player. It’ nice because as they go from level to level the game told them which power they needed and the kids had fun swapping the characters making new characters. I think I read that if you have all the characters you can create 256 different combinations of power, that’s awesome!!!.

An all-new team of characters can swap their bottom and top halves for unique gameplay experiences. Kids can even bring their older Skylanders in to join the fun – including Giants! The SWAP Force Starter pack comes with the game, two swappable Skylanders, one standard Skylander, and an updated Portal of Power.

 

Product Details

Includes:

  • 1 Video Game
  • 1 NEW Portal of Power
  • 5 Dark Skylanders Figures
  • 5 Character Sticker Sheets with Secret Codes
  • 5 Trading Cards
  • 1 Mega Character Poster

Activision Xbox 360 Better With Kinect ABC Wipeout Create & Crash

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Activision had an event in New York that I wasn’t able to attend but I did receive a few games to review try out and share with you guys. One of those games is ABC’s WIPEOUT Create and Crash. It’s better with Kinect. The competition begins now! Wipeout Create & Crash brings the fun and excitements of the popular Wipeout TV show inside your living room like never before with the all new Course Creator. Do you have what it takes to conquer the world-famous Big Balls? Go all in or you’ll WIPEOUT!

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This game is really fun. You can play with the controller or the Kinect in this one. In Wipeout Create and Crash you can create your own obstacle courses. You can also send those courses to your friends.
There are also 12 episodes you can play through which will take a couple hours. There are over 50 different obstacles the game will throw at you. Some of the obstacles are difficult while some are just too easy. The episodes were pretty fun and you should enjoy it!

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Game Features:

  • Create your own levels, and share them with your friends and family!
  • Crash the courses as either fan-favorite or all-new character including Patty Popstar and Zombie Zed!
  • Compete in over-the-top new courses like Prehistoric Panic and Wipeout?s Ahoy with all new themed obstacles!
  • Challenge your friends to reign supreme in side-by-side or team multiplayer!

Crash the courses as either fan-favorites or all-new characters including Patty Popstar and Zombie Zed!

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Wipeout Create & Crash brings the fun and excitements of the popular Wipeout TV show inside your living room like never before with the all new Course Creator. Do you have what it takes to conquer the world-famous Big Balls? Go all in or you’ll WIPEOUT! Create your own levels, and share them with your friends and family!

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Wipeout Create and Crash knocks it out of the park with fantastic modes such as Course Creator and Wipeout MAX, along with all new themed courses. I also love how you can compete on the course using either your controller or your Kinect sensor. Highly recommended and one of the best games out there.

Ubisoft’s Rayman Legends Now Coming to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

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Ubisoft announced that its forthcoming title Rayman Legends, already announced for the Wii U system from Nintendo, will also be released on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. All versions will hit shelves in September 2013.

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The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Rayman Legends are being developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, the same team behind the Wii U game. Rayman Legends has been praised for its stunning visuals and innovative gameplay by media around the world and labeled as one of the most anticipated platformers of 2013.

“We heard from many Xbox 360 & Playstation 3 owners and Rayman fans who told us they really wanted to play Rayman Legends on their current system,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft. ”We decided to give the fans what they wanted while at the same time broadening the audience exposed to this innovative and memorable game.”

Rayman Legends retains the fantasy appeal of its predecessor while adding a multitude of clever and entertaining gaming modes, new characters, new environments and a new soundtrack. The award-winning team of artists, designers and composers from Origins has also returned with an advanced UbiArt engine to include multi-dimension gameplay elements, an improved lighting system and updated game rendering that elevate Rayman’s graphics to the next level.

Xbox 360 Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure

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First thing that happens, is it creates you as a Pixar character, by scanning you in, and uses a little trick to duplicate the color of your clothing, into each of your characters attributes. But when we bought it 8 months ago it was really hard for our kids to make changes and interact with the system. They easily got frustrated and gave up on this game.  It uses KinectScan to transform you to a unique character you help your Pixar friends in five vibrant Pixar worlds. You can become a super spy in Cars, save the day as a robot in Toy Story, adventure through Paris as a clever rat in Ratatouille, stop Syndrome as a super hero in Incredibles, and help Karl as an intrepid Wilderness Explorer in UP. The attention to graphics is also incredible, as the game is being played, you actually feel like you are watching a Pixar movie. The concept of the game is quite simple, your character, is dropped at a Pixar camp, which you can freely roam around in. It’s much like the Disneyland Adventures game where the kids get to roam around the park there is just an emphasis on Pixar which we are all big fans of Pixar. I think since they like the Disneyland Adventures game so much that it now might be time to revisit the Kinect Rush game.

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imageExplore and discover:

Experience the sights and sounds of each Pixar world as you solve puzzles and uncover hidden secrets. Meet new friends and unlock adventures as you progress.

Cooperative gameplay:

Your living room is your new playground! Team up with friends and family to help your Pixar friends. Kinect allows anyone to instantly become part of the action. Share special awards and achievements online using KinectShare. When playing in co-op mode, there are many "team" objectives where one person has to do one thing and another has to do something else simultaneously in order to continue.

Key Features

    • Fast-paced Adventure
    • KinectScan – Play the leading role as a unique character in your own Pixar story
    • Full Body Movement/Gameplay
    • Puzzle Solving
    • Cooperative Gameplay with Pixar characters or another player
    • Explore faithfully rendered Pixar worlds (immersive worlds)
    • Unlock in-game content and characters
    • Collectibles

     

    We purchased this game ourselves.

    Training Your Bear Can Be Hard But Fun! Kinectimals Now With Bears

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    We’ve been playing Kinectimals for years now, the kids have it on the iPad too. We just recently received Kinectimals Now with Bears from the Xbox team to review because Kinectimals was featured in black Friday deals and it’s a former winner of the Parent’s Choice gold award and a hit for the youngest gamers in your household. And “Kinectimals Now With Bears” is available for the same incredible price.

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    The kids have always loved Kinectimals, playing and training the animals is fun for them. They love animals. Training your bear can be difficult. There are two pages in the instruction booklet that show you how to make your bear do tricks (motions you make so the cats roll over, stand on their hind legs, etc.) and use spoken commands to switch the play mode (grab a toy from the toy box, view the map, etc.). Advice I read on-line: Copy these two pages, laminate them and keep them handy. It’s hard for anyone (grown-ups included) to remember all of these maneuvers that are needed frequently throughout the game. Especially useful if you put the game down for a few days and forget these needed gestures. Here is Miles trying to train his bear!

     

     

     

    Zoe has a beautiful Build A Bear that we received last year at Time To Play and I saved the tag that you use to add the bear to the Kinectimals game, but I couldn’t find it. So when I find it I hope to add to this review all about how cool it was for her to play with the bear she loves to sleep with.

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    Drawbacks:

    Not a multi-player game Zoe and Miles can not play together
    You have to read the screen for children that can’t read yet

    Product Features

    • Explore lush islands and collect treasures and accessories for your cubs.
    • Enjoy new interactions and activities.
    • Embark on a journey of discovery and build a bond that grows every time you play.

    Your family gets bigger in this extended release of Kinectimals. Joining the original feline cubs, now play with cuddly bear cubs as you solve a new mystery on an undiscovered island! Share exciting adventures and fun challenges as you teach your best friends new tricks using your voice and body to interact naturally with them*. Explore lush islands and collect treasures and accessories for your cubs. Enjoy new interactions and activities. Embark on a journey of discovery and build a bond that grows every time you play.

     

    Samples received.

    Dance Central 3 Xbox 360 Kinect Video Game

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    imageThe #1 selling dance franchise for Kinect is back!  Dance Central 3 surprised me with it’s GREAT selection of songs because I know them, I went to school with them, I can sing them and hey, I made dancing them look so fun that Miles took over my game. I’m dating myself by saying I heart Backstreet Boys! I was transported back through time to learn the best dance crazes from across the ages, including disco moves of the 70’s, hip-hop moves from the 80s and the hottest moves on the dance floor today – all set to an electrifying soundtrack of 45 chart-topping dance hits. And you can import your songs from Dance Central 1 and Dance Central 2.  More friends can get in on the fun than ever before with a new multiplayer party mode for up to 8 players!! AWESOME! They can jump right into the game and get to dancing! Hot new moves, today’s top songs, and more ways to play. Check him out! He’s a little frustrated but he kept trying and I’m proud of him!

     

     

    When I first got Dance Central 3 out of the box to play, Miles practically threw a fit because he wanted to play LEGO Star Wars The Complete Saga and I said nope, mommies turn. Plus he hated Dance Central 1 because it was way to hard for him. This one is still hard but that’s because I didn’t change the dance level to easy for him. And I just love his dance moves. Dance Central 3 features great new ways to get the party started! Walk up and jump right in with “Party Time” which keeps the beats rolling and gets everybody dancing! Or team up and go head-to-head in “Crew Throwdown”, featuring new mini-games like “Keep the Beat” and “Make Your Move!” Battle head to head to prove your crew truly owns the dance floor!IMG_2051

     

    We had a few issues with the voice control system but that’s because I was learning what to say. I was trying to change the difficulty setting in the middle of his dancing. You can also use the Xbox glass app to DJ a party with this game, we love that app and have it installed on our phones and tablets. Between voice and the Kinect this game is controller free.

     

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    During my turn, I got my heart rate up really quickly, yeah, I’m out of shape and going to work on that more with this game and a few others we have now to play. It’s a great work out while having fun listening to music I love and moving to the beat.

    USHER EXTRAS

    Dance Central 3 has partnered with Usher to bring the global entertainment icon’s talents and passion to the most authentic dance game available! Fans can learn Usher’s routines for “Scream” and “O.M.G.” alongside the other 43 amazing songs on the soundtrack by practicing in “Rehearse”, where Usher himself provides voiceover instruction to help you along! Dance Central 3 and Usher are getting the world dancing this fall!

     

    We received a sample because of our relationship with Xbox.

    Activision ABC Wipeout 3 Xbox 360 Kinect Video Game

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    imageWelcome Back To Wipeout! Except this is my first encounter with the game and as I’ve looked at reviews of the older versions it looks like I’m lucky I started out with Wipeout 3. Of course, being in the tech field, I understand that it takes a while to get the programming with a new technology like the Kinect right. I’ve noticed with a lot of newer games they are a lot more forgiving than the older ones. It’s getting easier and easier for my kids to play, yes they are getting older and more coordinated but I can also see the forgiveness. If the kids can play it without getting frustrated then I’m satisfied and I’m satisfied with Wipeout 3. I love that this game’s activity level is active. It rains so much here it’s nice to have something for the kids to do indoors that keeps them jumping and moving.

    Game Play:

    You can just use your arms as you would as if you were running. To jump, you lift your hands up in the air. You can tilt your body backwards or forwards to adjust or when you’re in the air to go further or shorter. With the current Wipeout, you have 3 attempts to master that obstacle. At that point, if you failed the game would advance you past that obstacle.

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    Tackle the craziest courses ever, like Deck the Balls and the Wild west!
    Run the Wipeout course like never before with all new, 3rd person camera angles! 
    Battle your friends to reign supreme in Side-By-Side Multiplayer! 
    Compete in over-the-top Wipeout episodes and over 50 obstacles designed to test your agility, endurance and abilities!
     

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    Product Features

    • Complete with updated features, more wacky characters, and all-new epic wipeouts
    • Features split-screen multiplayer and team modes that support up to four players
    • 12 fresh winter and summer course themes

    Where things are wetter, wilder and wackier than ever! Wipeout 3 boasts all-new features and effects that catapult players into the most intense, body-contorting action yet!  Fans will recognize their favorite obstacles like the Sweeper Arms and the Big Balls, but will be blown away by 12 fresh winter and summer course themes with dozens of obstacles allowing for non-stop fun. Players will be running through wild, over-the-top challenges created exclusively for Wipeout 3, experienced through a fun over-the-shoulder perspective, and with a hilarious “Instant Replay” function that will have families and friends in stitches as they watch and relive their worst wipeouts over and over again.

     

    Sample received from Activision.

    Xbox 360 Kinect Disneyland Adventures Video Game with Miles

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    Kinect Disneyland Adventures:  Another Parent’s Choice Gold Award winner, this game will bring the magic of Disneyland into your living room letting your kids explore the park through the magic of Kinect.

    At first we didn’t purchase this game when it originally came out because friends of ours said their child didn’t like it. Oh man, we were so wrong not to get it. I just received it from Xbox since I’m working with them this holiday season and my kids adore it. Miles loves it even more than Zoe does because he can play with his favorite characters. He shoots up the bad guys with Buzz and he gets to fly and fight Captain Hook with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. Zoe is trying to figure out how to play with the Princesses and she did enjoy dancing with the characters in It’s a Small World. It’s interesting how each child plays the game differently and they both find different things to enjoy.

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    And here’s the happy boy playing with Buzz photo:

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    Video of Miles playing with Buzz in Kinect Disneyland Adventures:

     

     

    What I love about it?

    It’s easy enough for them to play without my help. The only issue we had was I had to help Zoe walk around the park initially but she was able to hunt down the princesses all on her own. And it’s very easy for Co-op play, jumping in and out for the kids is very easy, recognition is very easy and it harnesses the Disney magic like I would expect.

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    • Create Memories. Whether it’s your first time or hundredth time exploring Disneyland, relive your fondest memories or embark on a new adventures as you enjoy whimsical attractions and entertainment that has shaped the dreams of Disney fans, both young and old.
    • Discover Disneyland Park. Whether you want to go on an adventure in your favorite attraction or explore the entire Park, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures allows you to play at your own pace and customize your own Disneyland experiences right from your living room, whenever you want.
    • Explore the Attractions. Experience your favorite Disneyland attractions as immersive adventures – explore Neverland at Peter Pan’s side and take up your sword to fight Captain Hook, battle your way to the island in Pirates of the Caribbean or partner with a friend to escape the Yetis in the Matterhorn.
    • Meet the Characters. Share magical moments with your favorite Disney characters – hug your favorite princess, high-five Mickey Mouse, collect autographs and accept quests.
    • Collect and Unlock. Collect Disney-themed items, rewards and Xbox 360 Achievements as you make your way through the Park to discover new locations and game experiences, including themed parades and firework displays.
    • Friendly Competition. Partner with a friend or family member to explore the Park, have them jump in to lend a hand on difficult challenges and help you earn the most rewards. Designed to adjust difficulty based on skill, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures ensures that everyone is having fun and playing cooperatively.

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    Harnessing the controller-free magic of Kinect for Xbox 360, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures will allow children and Disney fans of all ages to explore Disneyland park, enjoy immersive adventures based on popular attractions, engage in challenging quests, and interact with beloved Disney characters using their full bodies and voices, no controller required. Kinect: Disneyland Adventures is your ticket to the magical world of Disneyland through Kinect, right in your living room.

     

     

    We received samples with our relationship with Xbox 360.

    Black Friday Xbox 360 & Video Game Deals

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    Each retailer has slightly different prices but these are the estimated retail prices most of you will be able to find nationwide. So enjoy your turkey day and the kickoff to shopping season, and get some great Black Friday Xbox 360 & Video Game Deals.

    Xbox-360-Kinect-Sensor-copy_thumbSelect Xbox 360 consoles and bundles:

    · Walmart will offer an exclusive special edition glossy white Xbox 360 4GB console and controller with “Skylanders” and exclusive “Skylanders” figurine, for $149.99.

    · Best Buy, Fred Meyer, Fry’s and Newegg will carry the Xbox 360 250GB console with “Skyrim” and “Forza 4: Essentials Edition” for $199.99.

    · Target, Amazon, Sam’s Club, Meijer, Kmart and Microsoft Stores will offer the Xbox 360 4GB console with Kinect and “Kinect Disneyland Adventures” for $199.99.

    Additional retailers will offer a variety of exclusive deals including:

     

    o GameStop: Xbox 360 250GB console with “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2” for $249.99

    o RadioShack: Xbox 360 4GB console with a wired headset for $169.99

    o Toys R Us: Xbox 360 4GB console with $50 gift card for $179.99

     

    imageXbox 360 game titles at participating major national retailers:

    · “Dance Central 3” for $29.99 (MSRP $49.99, a 40 percent discount)- as you saw Friday, it’s as low as $15 at some retailers like Wal-Mart

    · “Kinect Sports Ultimate” for $29.99 (MSRP $49.99, a 40 percent discount)

    · “Fable: The Journey” for $29.99 (MSRP $49.99, a 40 percent discount)

    · “Forza Horizon” for $39.99 (MSRP $59.99, a 33 percent discount)

    Buy a copy of the recently released “Halo 4” at Target (offer good Nov. 23 and 24), and receive a $20 gift card, or at Amazon (offer good Nov. 22 and 23) and receive a $20 gift card, plus $10 Amazon Instant Video Credit.

    Xbox LIVE subscription available at participating major national retailers:

    · 3 month Xbox LIVE Gold Subscription for $12.99 (MSRP $15, a 13 percent discount)

    Top Hand Rodeo Tour Kinect Xbox 360

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    Top Hand Rodeo Tour delivers all the thrills of being a professional cowboy competing on the rodeo circuit and is available exclusively at 3,400 Walmart stores in the United States and at Walmart.com for the suggested retail price of $39.96.

    imageTop Hand Rodeo Tour is the first authentic interactive rodeo video game where players can hop in the saddle and compete in a number of thrilling rodeo events like Bull Riding, Tie Down Roping, Mounted Shooting, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, and more with up to four players.  In addition, players can freshen up their competitive talents back at the ranch with fun skill building mini-games.  Offering a complete range of full motion controls with Kinect for Xbox 360; swing your rope, shoot your gun, and ride a bull like a pro using all the exact motions, skills, and technique required to be a Top Hand Champion! 

    Show your friends and family what it takes to be a true cowboy and compete against the best competition in the world.  Post your highest scores on the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network leaderboards in the only video game that offers you a complete rodeo experience.

    Live the cowboy experience!

    • Bull Riding: Stay on the bull with one arm up for 8 seconds!
    • Tie Down Roping: Chase, rope, dismount horse and tie down calf as fast as possible
    • Team Roping (with second player or AI partner): Two cowboys work together to rope a steer as fast as possible
    • Mounted Shooting: Negotiate course on horseback while shooting at targets
    • Barrel Racing: Maneuver around obstacles in course in the fastest time possible without knocking any barrels over

    Mini-Games: Add to your points with Speed Roping, Shooting Gallery, and Riding Fences

    Multi-Player: Compete against 3 others in turn-based gameplay

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    “Top Hand Rodeo Tour features all the best in-the-dirt events that the sport has to offer and takes the fun of the rodeo home to players of all skill levels,” said Peter Andrew, vice president of product development, D3P.  “Players will get a genuine cowboy and cowgirl experience in the first truly authentic rodeo game and take part in one of the fastest growing sports in North America.”

    For rodeo fans, enter the Top Hand Rodeo Tour Writing Contest for the chance to win (4) premium tickets to the Houston® Livestock Show and Rodeo 2013, March 16th, 2013 (Ticket Package worth $600).  One (1) winner will be chosen at random.  For all the contest rules and details to enter, please visit http://www.tophandrodeocontest.com/rules/.

    Top Hand Rodeo Tour is developed by Panic Button for SFC Rodeo Games and is rated “E10+” (Everyone 10 and up – Mild Violence) by the ESRB.  For more information on the video game, please visit www.d3publisher.us and find Top Hand Rodeo Tour on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TopHandRodeo.