Super Mario Galaxy - Rated E for Everyone because of: Mild Cartoon Violence.
Does Nintendo really need any more pumping for the Wii and Super Mario? Probably not, it's been clear to me for ages that these games ROCK! However I'd like to introduce people who have not always been gamers to the ease and Glory of the Wii format, as well as Super Mario Galaxy!
The premise for this game is that once again Bowser has kidnapped the Princess (AKA Princess Peach) and Mario is going to rescue her. You have to go through various levels and use a myriad of moves, and skills to get to her, and rescue her once again! Most people who have been gaming for a long period of time have grown up with Mario, and possibly have even grown bored with it (How dare you!) However the Wii introduces an intuitive control scheme as well as co-op play, which makes the game easier. Co-op play allows for another person to jump in and aid the first player. This position is perfect for the new player, someone who is new to gaming (like a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc) to get used to playing, and it's great to include more people while playing.
As a mother, I would let my daughter play this game as soon as she was capable. There is very little realistic violence, no blood, and no one ever (to my knowledge) has died in the Mario Universe. They just keep on ticking. My 8 year old nephew has no problems playing this game, though he does enjoy playing together. I would say if your child has done well with previous Mario games, or even other Platformers (ie Spyro, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, etc) they may enjoy this game.
Remember, to discuss with your children any issues you see in these games. Really Super Mario Galaxy shouldn't raise too many issues. Be sure to discuss how to solve issues through other means besides violence. Encourage your kids to explore their imagination, what would it be like if you could really turn into a bumblebee? (Obviously if you ask your teenager that,they might look at you like you're completely nuts.) Try to include yourself in their Video game time, since this is co-op mode, ask to play with them for a little while. Kids of any age like to teach their parents, it makes them feel smart. ;)
<3/Video Game Momma
Friday, December 21, 2007
Dead Rising (M) - Capcom
Dead Rising - Rated M for Mature for the following reasons: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Use of Alcohol. Only on the Xbox 360
This Game I will admit, Is a personal favorite. Blending some of my favorite themes of video gaming all together. Zombies, the unsuspecting newcomer (a visitor to the town) and violence. You play as Frank, a photojournalist who is coming to Willamette to cover supposed riots. As he enters the town, he finds there are NO riots as previously reported, but zombies! You gain points by taking amazing pictures with your Camera. An interesting point to this game is that nearly anything can be used as a weapon. Toys, lawnmowers, golf clubs, chainsaws, as you stroll (run maniacally, whatever) through the Willamette Mall you find a variety of survivors you can either help rescue, or let them die. You have 72 hours to stay alive, so that you can meet the helicopter who dropped you off on top of the mall.
As a mother, I can tell you straight up, that I would not let anyone under the age of 16 play this game. That's a personal choice, and everyone can make it for themselves... I didn't see anything in it particularly that made me just want to roll over and die as a person. You don't kill anyone randomly (only Zombies) you even get the option to help save people. However there is a high blood and gore factor. Lots of guns, lots of random and weird weapons. Shopping Cart? Yes? It was awesome. This isn't a little kid game though, and that's why they tacked a big ole M on it. If you enjoyed, and your child has played any Resident Evil, Silent Hill, they'll probably enjoy this game as well. Take the time to discuss with your child proper behavior related to the game. Would it be ok to run people over with a shopping cart normally? Do you have Zombie swarm guidelines currently in place, somewhere you'd meet up if seperated in a zombie horde and you were able to escape alive? Also have you discussed what might happen if someone was bitten and infected as a zombie?
Seriously though, Discuss with your children what makes the behavior in the game ok, and why it wouldn't be ok outside of the game. I seriously Don't recommend this game for young children, IMO 16+, the ESRB recommends 17+ (just like a rated R film) If you'd like to read more about the ESRB, please click here, or go to http://www.ESRB.org
This Game I will admit, Is a personal favorite. Blending some of my favorite themes of video gaming all together. Zombies, the unsuspecting newcomer (a visitor to the town) and violence. You play as Frank, a photojournalist who is coming to Willamette to cover supposed riots. As he enters the town, he finds there are NO riots as previously reported, but zombies! You gain points by taking amazing pictures with your Camera. An interesting point to this game is that nearly anything can be used as a weapon. Toys, lawnmowers, golf clubs, chainsaws, as you stroll (run maniacally, whatever) through the Willamette Mall you find a variety of survivors you can either help rescue, or let them die. You have 72 hours to stay alive, so that you can meet the helicopter who dropped you off on top of the mall.
As a mother, I can tell you straight up, that I would not let anyone under the age of 16 play this game. That's a personal choice, and everyone can make it for themselves... I didn't see anything in it particularly that made me just want to roll over and die as a person. You don't kill anyone randomly (only Zombies) you even get the option to help save people. However there is a high blood and gore factor. Lots of guns, lots of random and weird weapons. Shopping Cart? Yes? It was awesome. This isn't a little kid game though, and that's why they tacked a big ole M on it. If you enjoyed, and your child has played any Resident Evil, Silent Hill, they'll probably enjoy this game as well. Take the time to discuss with your child proper behavior related to the game. Would it be ok to run people over with a shopping cart normally? Do you have Zombie swarm guidelines currently in place, somewhere you'd meet up if seperated in a zombie horde and you were able to escape alive? Also have you discussed what might happen if someone was bitten and infected as a zombie?
Seriously though, Discuss with your children what makes the behavior in the game ok, and why it wouldn't be ok outside of the game. I seriously Don't recommend this game for young children, IMO 16+, the ESRB recommends 17+ (just like a rated R film) If you'd like to read more about the ESRB, please click here, or go to http://www.ESRB.org
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Video Game Momma
After hearing, time and time again, Video games being slandered in the media, I have decided to be ONE mom against the rest, and say I love video games. I'm going to write this blog about Video games, what I think of them, and review some of them... AS A MOM!
Now, as a new mom (tiny totling I have) I only have older games to play, but I find that other mothers are probably in the same boat, and are not getting their kids (necessarily) the Latest and greatest games. Personally, I love Survival Horror games (Resident Evil, my Number one game, Love the entire series! Ok, except Zero....) I have owned, and hopefully will own again, all systems. Between my husband and I, we are a lean Mean, playing Machine. I hope to write each week a new review. I can't say for sure, because some games are easier than others, and I think we can all agree that some games you just want to huck the controller at the tv because it's so dang hard (Devil May Cry Three here people?) And since my hand eye coordination is on the level of most children (ages 5-10) I think I'll do a fairly good job reviewing if the game would be difficult for youngerlings. Also, I have LOTS of siblings, who have children! Yay!
My experience over all, just so you know my qualificiations are: I was born in 1984, I have owned an atari (my family did, how quaint.) I have played an NES, SNES, all of em, up to a Wii, I have worked (in the past) for a Major Gaming Company for 6 years (they stole my soul.) If I had the guts, and the drive, i would have worked 7 more and moved to their company owned magazine and worked there, Only if I could. But as some of you may know, life is what happens when you're busy making other plans... I have been playing games, and watching them be played, and then discussing, since I was a tot. I have four older brothers, who live and breathe video games. I have friends in the industry, I have the 411, I am going to rock this. I have played PC, I have played console games. I intend to let my daughter, and any subsequent children, play video games. It's in my Blood!
INDEED! By next Christmas I hope to have 52 (if not more!) game reviews, ready for my adoring public. *coughs* Ok, so there isn't an adoring public yet. But I hope to review video games and post so that parents can have a place where someone on the same level as them can tell them HONESTLY how good it is for their children. I'm not paid by anyone. I have a Full time job, I'm also a full time mommy. So I'm not taking any sort of Trickle down here-- I'll tell you what game is awesome, and no one can fire me.
I hope this helps parents become more aware of video games. Just because it's game doesn't mean it's for kids. (JUST LIKE CARTOONS!) Please aquaint yourself with the ESRB ratings... they are important! (www.esrb.org)
<3/Video Game Momma
Now, as a new mom (tiny totling I have) I only have older games to play, but I find that other mothers are probably in the same boat, and are not getting their kids (necessarily) the Latest and greatest games. Personally, I love Survival Horror games (Resident Evil, my Number one game, Love the entire series! Ok, except Zero....) I have owned, and hopefully will own again, all systems. Between my husband and I, we are a lean Mean, playing Machine. I hope to write each week a new review. I can't say for sure, because some games are easier than others, and I think we can all agree that some games you just want to huck the controller at the tv because it's so dang hard (Devil May Cry Three here people?) And since my hand eye coordination is on the level of most children (ages 5-10) I think I'll do a fairly good job reviewing if the game would be difficult for youngerlings. Also, I have LOTS of siblings, who have children! Yay!
My experience over all, just so you know my qualificiations are: I was born in 1984, I have owned an atari (my family did, how quaint.) I have played an NES, SNES, all of em, up to a Wii, I have worked (in the past) for a Major Gaming Company for 6 years (they stole my soul.) If I had the guts, and the drive, i would have worked 7 more and moved to their company owned magazine and worked there, Only if I could. But as some of you may know, life is what happens when you're busy making other plans... I have been playing games, and watching them be played, and then discussing, since I was a tot. I have four older brothers, who live and breathe video games. I have friends in the industry, I have the 411, I am going to rock this. I have played PC, I have played console games. I intend to let my daughter, and any subsequent children, play video games. It's in my Blood!
INDEED! By next Christmas I hope to have 52 (if not more!) game reviews, ready for my adoring public. *coughs* Ok, so there isn't an adoring public yet. But I hope to review video games and post so that parents can have a place where someone on the same level as them can tell them HONESTLY how good it is for their children. I'm not paid by anyone. I have a Full time job, I'm also a full time mommy. So I'm not taking any sort of Trickle down here-- I'll tell you what game is awesome, and no one can fire me.
I hope this helps parents become more aware of video games. Just because it's game doesn't mean it's for kids. (JUST LIKE CARTOONS!) Please aquaint yourself with the ESRB ratings... they are important! (www.esrb.org)
<3/Video Game Momma
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