When I first heard about a balance board used as part of a video game for the Nintendo Wii, the reviews were less than glowing. I remember seeing videos that poked fun at it , and questioned why anyone would want to use a goofy looking plastic rectangle to find out whether or not they were standing still.
Early video - WiiFit Parody (July, 2007)
But, as months passed, I started hearing more positive reviews and before long I wanted one of those WiiFit contraptions.
I’m one of those parents who loves playing video games with the kids, so I really liked the concept of a workout game. I often talk to my kids about the importance of staying fit and exercising, yet I rarely make time to work out.
Would this thing actually motivate me more than the gym a couple of miles away?
I’ve been Twittering about how much I wanted a WiiFit and guess what?! I have one!
Even better than that simple fact, though, is the story about how I managed to snag one of these treasured new Nintendo gems.
After a long, exhausting day entertaining 30 people at my home while a couple of sick kids sat in my playroom all day long, I remembered that this day was the day the game would be released for sale at all of our local game stores. Rats! I had been so caught up in my party that I forgot my plan — because I did not pre-order the game, I intended to go to the store when it opened to try to get one of the extra games. I had been advised by one of the game store guys that they usually get a couple extras (beyond the number of pre-orders). But I blew it. Forgot to go. By the time I remembered, I was not at all in the mood to go out and drive to the store (and I didn’t think I had much of a shot at getting one so late in the afternoon anyway).
My kids and I found a couple of online games that are unusual and fun, although in very different ways. The first is called BP Gas Mania.
It’s part of the Miniclip.com collection of games (Club Penguin is the most well known and most popular of its games).
The BP in the Gas Mania site, unfortunately, stands for British Petroleum. I am one of the last people who would want to promote any kind of oil company, but if you can get past that connection, the game is really fun. You may have heard the little jingle, “Make Your Day a Little Better” and, indeed, that song plays in a loop while your child plays the game. The song gets incredibly annoying after a while, but in small doses it’s cheery and pleasant.
The gist of the game is that you control a little gas station attendant and give the customers what they want. Little cars drive up and you have to sort the customers according to the type of gas they want, accept their payment for the gas and then give them whatever else they might request (like, coffee or sandwiches). There’s something about it that kids love. It’s different, fun and can get a bit challenging.
If you like clues, mysteries and DS games that make you think a little, you’ll probably be intrigued by this new title (expected to be released on February 10). Here’s the official website.
Intrigued? Watch this:
This is the first Layton game to be released in the US (although other Layton games have been released in the Japanese market). I learned about it when I received this mysterious letter:
If you’re looking for a great video game to buy loved ones this holiday season but you’re overwhelmed by the myriad choices, then I have the perfect game for you - Super Mario Galaxy! Well, that’s if the person for whom you’re buying owns a Nintendo Wii (or will be getting one soon). I know that they’re often ridiculously difficult to buy (and I’m pretty disgusted by that fact–why can’t Nintendo be more reasonable about meeting the demand?). So if you’re not looking for a Wii game, then look at my earlier post about top video games or go with a gift card. Better yet, give the child some cash and tell him that it’s a donation toward his Wii fund…no, just kidding.
Since he was first introduced (way back in the early ’80s), I’ve been playing video games that feature Mario and I can tell you this one is the absolute best.
He’s gone from this:
to this:
I’m so excited about this game. When we were kids, the best video game we had was Pong. My hubby and I actually bought an Atari Flashback system (which plays Pong) in part, for its nostalgic value, but also to show the kids how far these video games have come. I mean, sure, you probably know that video games are nothing like Pong. Maybe you’ve even played a few. I’m telling you this one is not simply better than Pong, it’s better than anything out there.
Here’s the deal: he flies from planet to planet in various galaxies (each level is a different galaxy). His mission? To defeat his evil nemesis, Bowser, and rescue his true love, Princess Peach. That’s always been his objective, but it’s the way he does it that’s different…well, significantly different…in this title.
I think Nintendo put together the best of all its previous Mario games then vastly improved upon them, thanks to the breakthrough technology of the Wii system.
You really have to see it (or better yet play it) to understand (you can try it out at Target or Gamestop). If you’ve never played video games, or you haven’t played since Pong in 1979, and just don’t see what all the fuss is about, try this one and you’ll see. It’s just that good.
If you’ve seen the Nintendo Wii at the stores but (honestly) were too intimidated to try using the controller contraption, here’s a brief primer on how to do it: the wireless controller (with the nunchuck attached) makes you feel like you’re really part of the action. Sometimes you gently shake the controller, other times you click it or just point it at the screen (actually the sensor bar above the television is what’s receiving the signal from the controller). In your left hand, you hold the nunchuck (which has the control stick). Your left thumb moves the control stick around and that moves your character around the screen. As with all the older controllers, the right hand still has the “A” button which makes him jump. But when he jumps now it’s not like that ’80s Donkey Kong jump, rather, if you learn how to make him jump well, he can do a little cartwheel high in the air, spin around and so much more. You’ll also be using the controllers to make him fly in a bee costume, transform into a Boo and more. Oh, if you’ve never seen a Boo in Mario, watch this:
That’s enough information for you to go into a store and see for yourself how much fun this game provides! Or maybe you’ve seen enough here to convince you!
Girls like it, boys like it, moms and dads love it.
Go get it! You won’t be sorry.*
Updated 1.27.08 (see below for new info about Super Smash Bros Brawl)!!
As summer winds down and we find that our kids have played way more video games than we allow during the school year, our family decided to put together a list of games that we love to play.
We’re hoping this will help readers who are a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices. If you want to buy a gift for someone and have no idea what to get, maybe our list will narrow down your options.
So…
Here it is!
The first annualTop Video Games for Tweens(on 4 platforms).
(I know, it’s not the PS3. Sorry, I can’t speak to the PS3 because our family went for the Wii, not the PS3. And a lot of people agreed with us, y’know…)
Note: Both of the Kingdom Hearts titles may be hard to find. They’re a bit obscure but well worth it. I had never heard of them until a game store employee recommended them. I was initially skeptical because they were out of the mainstream, but my kids absolutely loved them both! These would be good for kids who have most of the well known titles, but you may have to get them started. Once they see what the game is all about, they’ll likely be hooked.
It’s great!! It’s a far cry from Pong!! I love playing it and even love just watching my kids play it! In fact, I think any parent who doesn’t usually play video games should try this one. What’s not to like? C’mon…find that inner child and have some fun! If there’s only one video game you try, make it this one!
This morning I read another article mischaracterizing the craze of the moment - Webkinz.
Haven’t heard of Webkinz? It’s a great website (www.webkinz.com) where you and your kids can turn purchased stuffed animals into virtual pets. The stuffed animals come with a code that unlocks a room and a virtual version of the animal. Then you go online to Webkinz world and can enjoy games, create rooms for the pets, earn Kinzcash, tend to a virtual garden, play trivia games, arcade games, old fashioned games (like checkers and go fish), compete in tournaments with other virtual pets, hunt for gems in the “Curio Shop,” send and receive gifts (and thank you cards) and so much more.
It is NOT comparable to Neopets which my kids found annoying. It’s also not like Beanie babies (which were about as bad as those ridiculous Mighty Beans) from a few years ago.
It’s a safe alternative to some fairly frightening online places your kids’ friends might be visiting or your kids might be tempted to visit.
Yes, I admit, I’m one of those adults who has been drawn into the Webkinz craze and will now confess to actually enjoying playing along with my kids.
Is it a chore (as described in so many recent articles)? Certainly not.
Do I have to feed and “care for” my kids pets? No!! The health, happiness and hunger levels will remain at 100 (full capacity) if you don’t go online for a month. It’s only while you’re playing that the meter starts to fall. So your kids could be away at camp or school all day or all week and never touch a computer, then come back and their pets would be exactly the same as they left them.
The only way a pet would turn green and have an ice pack on its head (with a low health meter) is if your child is playing online and completely ignoring the pet. My family has been playing for close to eight months now and I’ve never had a pet display these ailments. I tried to imagine how that might happen. Here’s all I came up with: Let’s say you play arcade games, participate in tournaments, perform your job in the employment office, hunt for gems in the Curio Shop, then spend a lot of time decorating your rooms and all the while never happen to notice your hunger meter going down, maybe, just maybe, the meter will get pretty low (I don’t think mine has ever gone lower than 50). But you’d have to play several days in a row, ignoring your pet each time you play (i.e., don’t bother tossing any food over to your pet) for it to get to the point of falling ill. And, by the way, you only play with one pet at time, so the neglect would only impact the one pet you’ve selected. Really, this emphasis on caretaking is simply unfounded. It’s not about the caretaking! I hardly pay any attention to the little guy while I enjoy the many activities the site offers. I do, however, slide over some food once in a while. It’s just not a big deal!
If nothing else, one might argue that it’s comparable to letting your gas tank get a bit low. If you drive all over town and don’t happen to glance at the gas meter, eventually you’ll find yourself in a predicament. But, after having one scare where my sister and I were driving across the country and almost ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere at nighttime, I generally make it habit to keep my gas tank above 1/2 full. I tend to treat my Webkinz health meter the same way. So, hey, you could argue that there’s a potential life lesson application for your kids (a stretch maybe?).
Anyway…
My bottom line here?
I wish folks would stop comparing Webkinz to Neopets, Tamagotchi and Beanie Babies and give Webkinz a try!!
