Personal Trainer: Math for the Nintendo DS
January 30, 2009
How long has it been since you found yourself sitting in a math classroom? If you are like me, if has been ages. To me that is a blessing. You see, math and I don’t really get along. It goes back many, many years.
When I was in 8th grade, I was a math Super Star! I was taking high school Algebra and though it was easy. I had it down. I enjoyed it. I was proud of myself that I was good in math. Then came the final six weeks period of that 8th grade year. You see, my Algebra teacher decided that I just wasn’t “getting it” and that perhaps the previous 5 six weeks of classes just didn’t sink in for me. She told me that she didn’t feel I was “good enough” for the class and decided to remove me. That’s right. With one 6 week grading period left she suddenly decided I couldn’t cut it and removed me from the class. All of the hard work from that year was gone. I was moved to honors math and lost all of my Algebra credits. I was stung.
Something inside me broke when it came to math. In some twisted way my brain began to believe I was terrible at math. From that time on, math and I became bitter enemies. Not only did I lose my confidence in math, but in school. That one teacher took someone who was confident and excited about a subject and slammed it into the ground. Even today, I shudder at the words “Algebra” and “math” because, I just “couldn’t get it” like the smart kids.
Well, I am taking that back!
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Posted by Jenn @
9:17 am | |
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Monopoly for the Wii: Tradition Meets Gamer Fun!
November 26, 2008
Like many people my age, I grew up playing the game of Monopoly. I played with my older brother and sister many, many times. They knew that I had no idea what I was doing, so they were able to whip up on me every time. The upside? I could cheat. I mean, the bank money was right there and that way they could never bankrupt me. Also? They always took the coolest game pieces like the sports car or the Scotty dog. That usually left me with the thimble. That was just fine with me because I could then put it on my pinky and act goofy with it to annoy them.
I was ecstatic to hear that Electronic Arts came out with a Monopoly game. Now the world’s most popular board game is available in an all new fun and exciting way to play. Surely, now I was finally old enough to win! My kids and I have played several times since we received the game. I would love to tell you that I won at least a few of those times. I would love to tell you that but I can’t. I am still losing. But! I am having a lot of fun. A big pro to the game when playing with “cheaters” is there is no way to rob the bank. (Bummer for me, though!) Another change is since it is on a video game, I also can’t put the thimble on my pinky and act like a dork. (However because I am now the Mom, I can choose the sports car, baby!)
The Wii version of Monopoly stays faithful to its board game origins while offering a few extras to give new life to the age old game. The heart of the game, however, is a straight console version of the traditional board game. Up to 4 players can play. If there are fewer players, the computer console fills those players’ spots to keep the game active and fun. Speaking of fun, a digital version of Mr. Monopoly walks from player to player on their turn helping in his ever so cheerful voice. He is encouraging when you do something great and supportive when you do something, well, stupid that could cost you the game. And? He doesn’t even mock you when you land in jail. For the fifth time in one game.
As this is the Wii version of Monopoly, players are encouraged to shake their controllers in order to reproduce the sound of rattling dice before pressing the A button to throw. Of course, trying to convince my 7 year old that she doesn’t need to shake it 15 times to get a good roll, she loves the sound of the dice shaking and will stop at nothing less than a 15 shake roll. (In fact, you will soon find you don’t actually have to shake the remote, but where is the fun in that?)
There are two ways to play. ‘Monopoly Edition’ stays true to the standard game. There is even a way to change the ‘House rules’ on a per-game basis. And, that my friends can completely change the dynamics of the game. (Which may actually help me win a game once in a while.) In the ‘Richest Edition’ the game offers three options for quick play by limiting the number of turns each players makes. This version incorporates some “mini-games” based on the elements of the actual board games like ‘Get out of Jail’ and ‘Bank Pays You Dividend’. You have to unlock these features through game play, but once they are unlocked they are able to play them. However, with these mini-games, it will probably appeal more to the younger age set.
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Posted by Jenn @
6:36 am | |
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NeoPets Puzzle Adventure
November 20, 2008
I received an advance copy of the DS version of Neopets Puzzle Adventure from Capcom a couple of weeks ago and let me tell you something… I cannot put the game down. I do love me my Neopets Puzzle Adventure. I know the name may cause one to beleive that it should be geared more towards “kids” but frankly, my kids have very little opportunity to play with the game. I love playing it. I admit, it did take me a while to figure out exactly what I was supposed to do in order to advance, but the addiction of continuing to the next level and on and on has me hooked! (Thankfully, they do have it set up where you can
Neopets Puzzle Adventure from Capcom is an easy to play and hard to master single and multiplayer puzzle game (think Reversi, a token-based board game) coming this holiday season to the Nintendo platforms and the PC ($39.99 Wii, $29.99 DS, $19.99 PC). It’s based on one of the most popular virtual world destinations for youth on the Internet, Neopets.com, with more than 44 million users who speak 11 different languages around the world.
Created for fans and casual gamers alike, Neopets Puzzle Adventure lets players create and develop one of 12 Neopets characters by completing quests, playing mini-games, and battling others. Players embark on an epic story and travel through three Lands of Neopia with more than 150 quests, while collecting “PetPets” for special abilities. For the first time, Neopets fans will also be able to start a multiplayer match and be able to earn secret codes that they can redeem on Neopets.com for exclusive virtual items and accessories.
I am still trying to figure out how to get the secret codes and how to continue to unlock everything that you can unlock on the game. However, I can see that it is going to be a challenge. My kids offered to help me out, but really? That would involve handing over the game to them and letting it go. It will be a while until I do that.
So, if you want to have fun and play a game that is both fun and will give you literally hours of entertainment, I highly recommend Neopets Puzzle Adventure. It will be released on November 25th. This game is a must have for the casual gamer as well as kids who love playing games on their DS that can either be quick and short (one quest in the adventure) or when they want to be occupied for as long as possible. (Such as those long car rides when they want to keep themselves entertained for as long as the drive lasts!)
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Posted by Jenn @
7:48 am | |
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GameStop is my First Stop
July 27, 2008
I am no stranger to Game Stop. In fact, when my kids start in about wanting the latest and greatest, that is out first stop. I joke that GameStop is a second house of worship for my children. (And they range in age from 7-15.) We love GameStop not only because they have an amazing selection and great prices, but it their customer service is outstanding.
Shortly after the Nintendo DS lite was released, I went to GameStop to purchase one for my son. For some reason, it was defective (through no fault of the store), so I called the store and was told to come back immediately and they would fix the situation. Not only did the manager himself help me, he asked for my permission to open it and make sure it was working. Then, not only did he guarantee that it worked, he gave me a discount of a game for my troubles. What other store does that? None that I know of.
So when MomCentral asked if I would like to do a review of GameStop, I couldn’t answer them quickly enough to please pick me and make me the hero of my kids.
I went to a GameStop where we don’t usually shop. I parked the car and stood a store away and sent in my son. He is almost 15 but could definitely pass for 17. I told him to go in and pick out a rated M (for Mature) game and try to buy it. He went in, looked around, chose a rated M game and went to the counter to buy it. The salesperson would not sell it to him. He said it contained mature content and he was not going to sell it to him. I watched from outside and came in about that time.
The salesman was so kind to explain to me about the game and that he was not trying to be rude but that it was their policy to not sell games with that rating to minors. I just smiled knowing that would be exactly what would happen. Then, we I told him that I would buy it, he went on to explain to me in great detail why the game received a Mature rating and wanted me to be quite sure that I understood what all was in the game that could be inappropriate. You have no idea how much this mom appreciates that.
GameStop is more than a place to buy the latest releases as well as buy and sell used games, it is a store that insists that they are doing right by the people who shop there. I would never hesitate to send any of my children into GameStop to buy a game because I know that without my presence, there is no way they will come out of there with an inappropriate game.
They really saved me when I returned from a recent business trip where I forgot to pick up “souvenirs” for the kids. Before they could even begin to pout or gripe, I pulled out a GameStop gift card and all was forgiven. It was a beautiful moment.
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This review brought to you courtesy of a partnership with MomCentral.
Posted by Jenn @
7:14 pm | |
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GoPets! Vacation Island for the Nintendo DS
July 11, 2008
I must admit, when it comes to new Nintendo DS games, I usually fight my kids to play them first. (Truth be told, I usually lose that fight and have to go second.) The new game for Nintendo DS, Go Pets, Vacation Island was no exception. So as my daughter ripped into it and started, I watched eagerly over her shoulder for my turn to play.
GoPets is based on the online PC game GoPets. It brings the most advanced virtual pets created on the Internet to the most popular hand held entertainment system.
It is both a social network for kids and a cirtual univers, where pets created by each child feel like they are really alive- they have likes and dislikes when it comes to food (just like kids!). In addition you can watch you pet travel in real time between players all over the world!
My daughter loved creating her pets and naming them and treating them as real pets. (That I don’t have to clean up after. Bonus!)
It is also a great learning experience! Kids can win “shells” for performing acts of kindness to their pet or the pet of one of their buddies, allowing them to learn the value of good deeds. And in today’s world, that is a great quality for all of us to have!
The pets in the gam, either a dog or a cat, can be chosen randomly or matched to your child based on their interests. The pets names and appearanc, however, is completely up to your child. As your child amkes his way around the island, caring for his pets and meeting friends, he or she can trade purple shells he earns for different toys and pet suppoles. Your child can also interact with other characters and compete in mini games. Kids can also befriend new islanders, exchange gifts, and even unlocknew places to visit, all while increasing their ranking and the goal of acquiring the title of BIG KAHUNA, the most influential resident of Vacation Island.
Truth be told, I don’t know who had more fun with it, my daughter or me. All I do know for sure is that is it GAME ON in my house to see who can become the Big Kahuna first. My bet is on her, but my hope is with me.
This is a great game for kids as well as adults. It teaches children how to make friends online safely (which is a huge deal for me!) and they can add up to 250 players to their buddy list. I am not sure what it says that she has more friends that I do, but we both have made friends.
I highly recommend this game for anyone who enjoys their DS and virtual pets.
Other features that are a blast to enjoy:
- Customize and dress up your dog, cat, or pony in cute, funky outfits
- Collect over 700 world decorations, pet accessories, and food items
- Build a buddy list of up to 250 friends to exchange messages and gifts with
- Send your pet traveling when you’re not using your Nintendo DS, introducting you to more friends
- Create and send graphical IKU messages to other characters and players
- Play fun mini-games to earn bonus collectibles
- Chat and play with your friends in party mode
Now, I am off to buy my own copy. I can’t have HER become the Big Kahuna first, now can I?
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This review brought to you by Mom Central.
Posted by Jenn @
11:30 pm | |
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Boogie nights! Aint no doubt Wii are here to party!
September 7, 2007
It isn’t like you haven’t heard me talk about Wii’s Boogie before. I wrote an article about the game for EA (Electronic Arts) that has been featured on several sites. You can hear my official word on what the game entails with that article.
Wii brought back family game night to my house. Not only that, it is an active family game night. No more sitting on the couch and pretending to be involved. With titles that get all of us up off our seats and jumping, gyrating and hopping around, we found ourselves laughing, active and doing something we all enjoy together. To quote the fine folks at EA, “Wii is expanding videogames to untapped markets pulling in a new audience of gamers that typically did not play games in the past.” Finally, there is a company that understands that there’s a large market of people who are not the typical gamers but would like to join in the fun. They found that in my family. They found that in me.
Here on my Freshed Brewed Reviews you can read about the actual Family Fun it brought into our house. Times when I would completely get my groove on and make my teen “want to eat his own face off” because of the horror of my singing and dancing move. Apparently I was not busting a move but rather completely breaking it. Shattering it. Making it want to hide under the couch and no longer be “a move” that would be “busted.” But the fun? The fun rocks the house!
When we got our box from Parent Bloggers, my daughter and I ripped off the packaging because we wanted to be the first to Boogie in our house. The tween and teen acted as if they didn’t want to join us. (They were so faking nonchalance!) We fired up that bad boy in our Wii and began to shake it, sing it and create it.
I have to confess something, but it has to stay between us. I absolutely adore Karaoke. I used to go to Karaoke night to WATCH on weekly basis with a huge group of friends. Never, ever to sing. No. But suddenly I was handed a microphone and a master song list and I was Madonna Britney Spears Fergie. The moving the character to have the best dance moves. Trying to stay on pitch. (HA!) Trying to pretend to get the words correct. That is a lot of multi-tasking for me. But the fun and the laughter was contagious.
Before I knew it, my boys had joined us. Then my husband got home from work and became a part of the party, too. Family night was in the house!
I was slightly disappointed in the song list. I was hoping for more variation. Don’t get me wrong, there is variation, but I wish it had popular songs represented from more genres and generations. Hit songs that had more of a broad appeal. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being “Fergalicious” and busting out with “You’re the One That I Want” yet I wish there were more. Perhaps Boogie 2? (Wii? We love you. We love you so much we feel we can tell you that we think you should add more songs. We can help. We love you. Help us help you. I’m just saying.)
But honestly, the best part of the game is that we can all play it. From my 6 year old to my husband. We can dance and sing and laugh and have fun as a family. We each customized our Boogie and have face offs. (I am so the Queen here!)
We have had a blast with the Video Creator. We make our own videos showing off our mad skillz and then slam down a challenge to the next family member to top it. Competitive in its own right. You don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to enjoy this game. Just someone who wants to have fun, blow off steam and get active. Because take my word for it, you will have to be active to get into this game. And you will want to get into this game. It is fun. What more do you need? Fun. Family. Singing. Dancing. It’s like the Sound of Music. Only without Julie Andrews. And you don’t have to wear your curtains for play clothes. Other than that? Totally like The Sound of Music. Or in our house, The Sound of Howler Monkeys.
It’s hard enough for today’s family to carve out some quality-time between work, school and the million other commitments that keep us all moving so fast, so that quality-time needs to center around an activity that gets everyone excited and eager to play. And while some board games are fun for the whole family, there are only so many times you can play them. I found myself wanting to mix it up with something new and different. That is Boogie.
Posted by Jenn @
9:08 am | |
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