Kung Fu Panda

Xbox 360’s game of the month is Activision’s, ‘Kung Fu Panda.’ Kung Fu Panda is rated E 10+, for everyone 10 and under, and a demo is now available in the Xbox Live Marketplace for free.

In the demo, gamers can play as ’Po’ the cuddly Kung Fu Panda, and can explore colorful locations throughout the East. There are chances to battle enemies, collect coins, eat dumplings, and build up chi. After gamers collect enough coins, there is opportunity to dress up characters, earn new moves, and even upgrade weapons.

In the full-length game, players can play as Po, Shifu, or the Furious Five, and can play locally, or with friends on Xbox Live. The Multiplayer action allows gamers to battle one-on-one, against a large group of fighters, and even play a multiplayer puzzle game.

Kung Fu Panda is available on Xbox 360, Playstation, Wii, Nintendo DS, and the PC. And if gamers want to get a little more Kung Fu Panda action, head on over to kungfupandagame.com to play Kung Fu Fireworks Toss, build up skill in the Training Hall, download videos, grab icons, wallpapers, and more!

- Mommy DX

Run, Indy, Run!

I love viral advertising ALMOST as much as I love YouTube. Can you guess the video game these guys are promoting?

Indiana Jones – The Original Adventures

June 3rd! June 3rd! June 3rd!

That is the release date for THE family game of the year – ‘Indiana Jones – The Original Adventures.’ LucasArts and LEGO, the duo that brought you both ‘LEGO Star Wars’ and ‘LEGO Star Wars II,’ team up once again to bring the building block version of the Indiana Jones movies to your console.

According to LucasArts.com, ‘Indiana Jones – The Original Adventures’ will include all the features gamers love about LEGO Star Wars, such as mix-and-match characters, LEGO building ability, an authentic soundtrack, and extensive humor that makes players Laugh Out Loud. And as with previous LEGO titles, the game can be played cooperatively, which means the gameplay is even better when shared between friends.

Incidentally, ‘Indiana Jones – The Original Adventures,’ is rated E 10+, and will be available June 3rd on the Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, and the PC. For those who like to try games before they buy; there is a downloadable demo available at gamesforwindows.com, or if gamers want to get their hands on some virtual LEGO Indiana Jones goodies, head over to LucasArts.com to hunt for treasure that unlocks Treasure Points. There, points can be traded for Indy-themed wallpaper, avatars, stickers and more.

Happy hunting!

- Mommy DX

SEGA Superstars Tennis

 

 

The Xbox 360 family game of the month is SEGA Superstars Tennis. This title is rated E 10+, for ages 10 and up, and according to Xbox.com, includes several mini-games that can be played on ten-brilliantly themed tennis courts.

 

Additionally, Sega Superstars Tennis also features four tournaments that can be played by up to four people simultaneously either locally or on Xbox Live. Sonic, Shadow and Tails from the Sonic the Hedgehog series, AiAi from Super Monkey Ball, and Alex Kidd – SEGA’s unofficial mascot of the late 1980’s, are just a few of the familiar characters from which children can choose, and there are a total of 16 playable characters in each game.

 

Parents can download a demo of Sega Superstars Tennis from the Xbox Live Marketplace, or view a trailer for the game here. However, this game is not limited to just the 360; it can also be played on the Wii, Nintendo DS, Playstation 2 and Playstation 3.

 

- Mommy DX

Spring Break Savers, Part III

 

By: Mommy DX

Choosing video games that are age-appropriate for children is not always easy. If your child is an avid gamer, you may have your game-choosing criteria all figured out, but what do you do if you have to make game choices for other people’s children?

Usually, Spring Break means a house full of friends and classmates, both ranging in age and maturity. And if you have forgotten to ask the parents what games are acceptable for their kids to play, then you are often left to make the choice alone.

Of course, the no-brainer is to stick with titles that are ESRB rated ‘E’ for Everyone. However, the majority of these games are single-players, which means children will have to share a console, and that almost always ends up something breaking, or someone getting hurt.

Incidentally, a great way to avoid the next Wrestlemania being held in your living room, is to let the children play in the Xbox Live Arcade. (XBLA) There are so many great, multiplayer games to choose from, that are not only fun, but challenging and youth-friendly. Most games will cost a few Microsoft Points, or about $5.00, (Microsoft Point Converter), which can be purchased right from the Xbox 360 console, or with a pre-paid card from the local game store. Some of the titles that are sure to be kid-favorites are Bomberman Live, Feeding Frenzy, Boogie Bunnies, and one of XBLA’s newest releases, Mr. Driller Online. However, there are many more titles from which one may choose.

Additionally, one of XBLA’s greatest features are the game demos. Parents can easily preview most game content, and children can play a sample of each title before buying, which is great if you want to make sure the game will hold your child’s interest. And if you’re very fortunate,  the demos might actually keep the kiddies entertained a while for free.

Overall, XBLA is a huge resource of family-friendly entertainment, and the next time you have a houseful, spread out the controllers, select the Xbox Live Arcade, and enjoy a little fun gaming between friends.

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Spring Break Savers

“Let the wild rumpus start!” – Where the Wild Things Are

Ahhh – hear that? It’s the gleeful cheers of giddy children being released for Spring Break!! In my household, not only does Spring Break signify more time spent outside, but it also means our game consoles and PC’s are going to get a hefty workout.

For parents who game, choosing game titles and/or websites for their children may be a no-brainer. But for the majority of parents who don’t game, a trip to the local game store, or searching the web for kid-friendly sites can be a major source of frustration.

So, for the next few days, i’ll be listing Spring Break saving video and online games that are child-friendly and virtually worry-free.

Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Online - Some people may save the best for last, but I had to share this gem with you first! Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Online game is an amazing, FREE, multiplayer game for the PC. Note: If the game is made by Disney, then it is probably kid-friendly. The Pirates of the Caribbean Online game is no exception and it actually won Gameindustry.com’s 2007 Online Game of the Year.

In this game, players have the chance to create their own pirates, go on various adventures, and dig for buried treasure. There are also mini-games throughout the island that include finding members for a virtual crew, scavaging for goodies, or repairing a boat for a sail across the virtual sea.

Players have the option to roam the island alone, or can ask others to join their online crew. Now, if the thought of your child playing online with others makes you wary, please note that communication between live players is not required, and may not even be noticed by younger children. That being said, if you have a tween that can type, they will be able to chat with other players. So, as with all online chat features, parents may want to be in the room while their older child chats online with others.

Incidentally, this game requires registration, and there is an option for paid membership. However, the game can be played just fine for free, and creating an account is completely worth the effort. Overall, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Game Online is loads of fun, and the best part is that it will keep your Spring Break’er nicely entertained and out of trouble.

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Shake your groove thang

 

It’s no secret – one of the biggest reasons why parents dislike gaming, is because their children sit for hours in front of their consoles and televisions. With childhood obesity hitting an all-time high, inactivity is certainly a valid concern.

Incidentally, the gaming industry has picked up on these parental cues and developers are now creating new and innovative ways  to incorporate real, physical activity into the games themselves. For example, the hit game, ‘Dance, Dance Revolution,’ (DDR) is not really new, but is still extremely popular with younger children and tweens.

Incidentally, our family received DDR as a gift a few months ago and it truly is a good workout. The best part about the game is that it is adjustable enough, so that anyone can play. Dancers can either take turns on the dance pad, or do like we did, and purchase two dance pads so two people can play together.

Don’t worry, you don’t have be as good as this little guy, because there are several dance modes from which one can choose. Even the most novice of dancers, (like me!), are able to play along, and the kids will get a kick out of mom/dad shakin’ their rump on the virtual dance floor. 

Other cool features of the game include a workout mode and calorie counter, so if Jr. needs to work off his after school snack, just adjust the settings accordingly and watch him bust a move. Or, if mom or dad missed their trip to the gym – don’t be afraid to hop on the dance pad yourself. Trust me, you will work up a sweat!

Now, don’t grab DDR expecting a whole lot in the way of graphics or design. In fact, for the next generation of DDR, we would really like to see customizable characters, current songs, and maybe even some downloadable song content on Xbox Live or the PS3.

Regardless, if your child’s time spent in front of the console is getting you down, ‘Dance, Dance Revolution’ is the perfect parental pick me up. 

Game is rated E10+, for children age 10 and up. However, I let my 7 year old play this game with confidence.

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