Princess Debut -- Rated E for Everyone with no restrictions or cautions.
Welcome to the world of Princess Debut, only for the Nintendo DS. You get to play as a girl (you can choose her name and sign, but it will default to Sabrina.) who wishes her life were a bit more like a fairy tale. Low and behold she's whisked away into a magical land of Princesses and Princes via her wardrobe (Hey, C.S. Lewis wants his Idea back!) and she wakes up in a land where everyone knows how to dance. EVERYONE!! (except for the princess who you're taking the place of, apparently she secretly sucks.) SO. What kind of game is this? Who is it for? This game is a bit of a mix of a dating simulation (as you are looking for a dance partner) and a dancing game. Wait. I hear you saying it... "Dancing game? how do you dance in a game? I don't get it." Well during your tutorial period where they teach you 'how' to dance in the game you learn you follow a ball on the touch screen. Pretty easy right? Well I have to say the waltz is pretty straight forward, but as you learn more and more dances it gets harder and harder. You also might be saying "Dating sim? What is that? That sounds just plain wrong!!" Well, it isn't. I love dating sims, so few of them are ported to America since so many of the Japanese dating sims are dirty... but push that far from your mind, this is on par with most 2nd grade crushes. You meet five princes and you get to talk and go on "dates" with them (most of the dates are walks to various locations on the game's map. It's really very vanilla. In fact, it really teaches you manners. You can be rude to people and say horrible mean things, or you can be nice. I made an effort in my playing to be nice as possible to all the characters, but two of the princes made it quite hard, as my reflex response to some of their actions was anger. Like one of the princes gives you a present. I got all excited, like a School Girl and opened it, and found it was worms. What a jerk. Anyway. I told him so, an example of being impolite.
The game was fun, but for me quickly lost it's shine. After you get a partner you can't switch, something I didn't realize, so I was stuck with my unideal dance partner. I wanted one Prince, but got another through error. So I started over. The game doesn't really raise any issues, maybe you want to chat with your kids about being polite and why it's a good thing to be nice to people even when they're mean to you. I'll admit this is a girl game. It's just as girly as buying your daughter Barbie's Horse Adventure... but I would consider this game more fun than that kind of game. I would say before playing this game your child should be able to read well, and should have fairly good motor coordination. (IE, if needed they can stay inside the lines on a maze, which is kind of like the dancing) I really recommend this game. It's fun to pretend you're a princess. Oh, Also, Sound is needed for this game (You need to hear the music) so either invest in earbuds, or have your kids play in another room if the sound grates on your nerves.
<3/Video Game Momma
Showing posts with label E For Everyone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label E For Everyone. Show all posts
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday, August 4, 2008
Wii Fit -- E For Everyone
Wii Fit, Rated E for Everyone - Some Comic Mischief.
Let's start off by saying that Nintendo doesn't guarantee that Wii fit will help you lose weight. Also, PLEASE don't jump on your Wii fit board. Uh Duh. It'll Ruin your board. Ok. Now that I've gotten that out, I'd like to say I have had a limited experience with Wii Fit. I played the Ski Jump and Hula Hoop Mini Games, and had a RAGINGLY good time. Our group ranged in ages from Mid Fourties to around five. We all played each game, a few times. The Ski jump is a bit tricky and remembering not to hop on the board until the game loads is a bit tricky for younger children, but it just takes a few tries for everyone to get the hang of it. You reach a certain point and you are supposed to extend your legs to make the board feel like you jump. Let me emphasize that you do not actually Jump, you can't let your feet leave the board (the game won't understand what to do... My husband tried this, he failed to extend, because the board didn't sense his pressure anymore) One of the younger kids did fairly well, though I don't think anyone beat my fourteen year old brother in law. We moved on to the Hula hoops, where no one wanted to go first... except for me. I hopped on when the game said I could, listened to the little machine groan at my weight (so we assumed, every time you hop on, no matter who it is, or what their size, it says "OH!" like you're squishing it.) and went for it. I did only 36 hula hoops, but it was my first try, I was quickly beaten by my husband, and then he was beaten by his best friend. Who I couldn't stop laughing at as, despite what the game thinks, could not hula to save his life. No offense to him, but I think of that night every time I feel down, and then I giggle. It was a great party game. I didn't get to experiment with any of the yoga section but I was assured it was great, and efficient. I would enjoy having my own game (as this was owned by a friend of the family)
Please note that playing wii fit will get your heart racing, it definitely has the potential to. I got to sweating quickly. Talk to your kids about the importance of exercise and even activities outside of playing video games. Balance is important in all things. Be sure to consult a doctor before starting a new fitness regiment. Also some parents have found that Wii fit has told their children that they are "obese" please keep in mind that the BMI index is being consulted. If you would like to consult one of these charts, I would recommend Going to Google.com searching for BMI and inserting your children's information as requested. It's important to know about your children's health, as well as your own. If needed consult a doctor regarding your BMI index results. Be Happy, Be Healthy!
<3/Video Game Momma
Let's start off by saying that Nintendo doesn't guarantee that Wii fit will help you lose weight. Also, PLEASE don't jump on your Wii fit board. Uh Duh. It'll Ruin your board. Ok. Now that I've gotten that out, I'd like to say I have had a limited experience with Wii Fit. I played the Ski Jump and Hula Hoop Mini Games, and had a RAGINGLY good time. Our group ranged in ages from Mid Fourties to around five. We all played each game, a few times. The Ski jump is a bit tricky and remembering not to hop on the board until the game loads is a bit tricky for younger children, but it just takes a few tries for everyone to get the hang of it. You reach a certain point and you are supposed to extend your legs to make the board feel like you jump. Let me emphasize that you do not actually Jump, you can't let your feet leave the board (the game won't understand what to do... My husband tried this, he failed to extend, because the board didn't sense his pressure anymore) One of the younger kids did fairly well, though I don't think anyone beat my fourteen year old brother in law. We moved on to the Hula hoops, where no one wanted to go first... except for me. I hopped on when the game said I could, listened to the little machine groan at my weight (so we assumed, every time you hop on, no matter who it is, or what their size, it says "OH!" like you're squishing it.) and went for it. I did only 36 hula hoops, but it was my first try, I was quickly beaten by my husband, and then he was beaten by his best friend. Who I couldn't stop laughing at as, despite what the game thinks, could not hula to save his life. No offense to him, but I think of that night every time I feel down, and then I giggle. It was a great party game. I didn't get to experiment with any of the yoga section but I was assured it was great, and efficient. I would enjoy having my own game (as this was owned by a friend of the family)
Please note that playing wii fit will get your heart racing, it definitely has the potential to. I got to sweating quickly. Talk to your kids about the importance of exercise and even activities outside of playing video games. Balance is important in all things. Be sure to consult a doctor before starting a new fitness regiment. Also some parents have found that Wii fit has told their children that they are "obese" please keep in mind that the BMI index is being consulted. If you would like to consult one of these charts, I would recommend Going to Google.com searching for BMI and inserting your children's information as requested. It's important to know about your children's health, as well as your own. If needed consult a doctor regarding your BMI index results. Be Happy, Be Healthy!
<3/Video Game Momma
Friday, December 21, 2007
Super Mario Galaxy (E) - Nintendo
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
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
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