Sunday, December 21, 2008

Ultimate I Spy Review

Ultimate I Spy

Ultimate I Spy
From Majesco Sales Inc.

Customer Reviews

OMG!4
This game is very fun and addictive. Some of the clues are very hard to find (I cannot find the skate in the auquarium level 4, any help?). Good times!

I Spy on steroids!5
My 4 year old son has already mastered all of the I Spy PC games and books and apparently they have stopped making new titles in either so we were hungry for anything new in I Spy. We got a Wii not too long ago and when we saw this we just had to get it.

The images are 3D and very realistic; you rotate your way around and through them to find the items. (one example is an aquarium that you 'swim' through) The images are very detailed and some of the items are very small so if you don't have a super steady hand it can get frustrating but I think it will get better for him with time. Also, my son sits in a bar stool type chair to play this because the 'mouse' kept getting stuck because of his height. This has never been a problem with any of the other games but with this one, he seems to need a boost.

Usually in each image there are 2 or 3 interactive items (out of about 6 or 8) that you find and interact with. (i.e. a paper heart that you cut out using the remote, a paper airplane that you fly and steer) These are actually quite tricky and take a couple of tries to get them right. This is great for paying attention to instruction as well as great hand/eye coordination.

All in all very fun (for everyone) and a MUST for any I-Spy fan!

Features
  • Great for kids 7-10 and perfect for family play
  • Multi player capability
  • 40 I spy riddles in 10 unique environments
  • Scavenger hunt games
  • 3D immersive environments
Wii for the Wii-Ones- Great Wii Games for Kids ages 3-8

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Carnival Games Review

Carnival Games

Carnival Games
From Take 2

Customer Reviews

Carnival Games for Wii3
My 6, 7, and 8 year old grandsons were not very interested in playing this game. I think the adults played only because it was there.

great game for the whole family5
We purchased the Wii game system for my 77 year old mother for Christmas but gave it to her early. She just loves it. She wanted a game that everyone could play before and after dinner on Thanksgiving day.
The whole time everyone was playing (ages 9-77) you could hear laughing and screaming going on. Everyone just loved it and had so much fun. There are so many different games to play just like at the carnival. I would recommend this to everyone.

Fun For The Whole Family - Recommended!4
"Carnival Games" is extreamly fun, with over 25 mini-games and hundreds of virtual prizes to win (including clothing and accessories for your avatar).

Just like a real Carnival, the games are divided into games of chance and skill. We really enjoyed "Alley Ball", "Clown Splash", and "Shooting Gallery". Some of the games may be too challenging for younger players, but most can get through the games.

We play this with our whole family, since up to 4 players can compete at the same time.

Highly recommended!


Wii for the Wii-Ones- Great Wii Games for Kids ages 3-8

Friday, December 19, 2008

Active Life Outdoor Challenge

Active Life Outdoor Challenge
From Namco

Customer Reviews

Now this is FUN for your Wii!5
OK, let me start this off by saying I'm a 55 year old woman. I do NOT like "organized exercise" - i.e., going to the gym, classes, videos like Pilates etc. In fact I rather detest them. All THAT being said - I LOVE this game!

It gets me jumping, literally. And I enjoy it. Who would have thought THAT! It's good not only for getting my heartrate up but it's also great for improving my balance. There are a lot of games included, for one person or two - my son and I enjoyed playing together and laughed a lot.

I also have the Wii Fit and between these two games I can get a workout without suiting up, driving anywhere, becoming bored or otherwise irritating myself. I highly recommend it for adults AND kids!

Excellent fitness for kids!5
My grand kids love this challenge. It gives them the exercise they miss in the winter months. I highly recommend this and have been in stores this season while others are pondering over buying it and I have recommended it to customers.
My grand kids are 6 and 7, and I have played it with them.

Very fun!4
Let's put it this way: this is a very fun game at first. The concept is awesome, most of the games are so fun that you just want to play them over and over. The only bad thing about this game is that, obviously, you get a pretty good workout, so the games (which usually get progressively harder during every "challenge") wear you out. And with up to six activities in one challenge (with no break), you begin to wonder why you're playing the game when you start losing more.

Regardless, however, this game is definitely worth buying. There are only one or two games (out of around ten) that I do not enjoy. Most of the games vary in concept, which helps you get a better workout. The only games that get annoying after awhile are the Sprint Challenge (in which you just act like you're running on the pad), the Timber Trail (same as the Sprint Challenge except you have to jump over logs), and the Roller Skating Challenge (same as Sprint Challenge except on roller skates and you have to look out for segments of the floor that randomly disappear).

Overall, I would say this is a game that deserves to at least be checked out, because it keeps you entertained with a single player mode (the "Outdoor Challenge"), Workout Mode, and Multiplayer mode. It is a good game and I look forward to future Active Life games in the future.


Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey Review

Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey

Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey
From Disney

Customer Reviews

a good game for my 3 year old3
I bought this for my 3 year old daughter (she'll be 4 in April) who loves anything princess. She get a little frustrated with the controls at times but over all she loves this game. She's happy that it's a game her older brother is NOT interested in and is truly all hers. She has not beat it, she gets too distracted and would rather just run around all the worlds twirling her wand (if you get the game you'll understand!). She's played it several days in a row for about 30 minutes at a time and hasn't bored of it yet.

The graphics are cute and good for a kids game and music can get a little annoying but I find that's sort of normal for anything.

Great game for little ones starting out!5
I know this game has mixed reviews but for us it is my 5 year old's favorite game! The princess never "dies" so she is able to just keep playing and she loves to customize what she looks like within the game. It is easy but it is perfect for us - even my 3 year old can join in to "wave her wand at the bad guys" to help.

great fun...my 3 year old granddaughter.loves it!5
Several levels of difficulty but my 3 year old granddaughter does pretty good with it...better than me!

Features

  • Befriend and interact with your favourite Princesses - Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White and Jasmine
  • Play as your own customizable heroine princess character, selecting her name, dresses, accessories, hair, skin tone and eye colour
  • Utilize unique, themed magic as you explore and adventure through four enchanted Princess worlds
  • Earn rewards for exploration and achieving goals to keep motivation high
  • Team up with a friend for cooperative multiplayer and play together throughout the entire game
Wii for the Wii-Ones- Great Wii Games for Kids ages 3-8

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree Review

Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree

Customer Reviews

Brain3
There is to much "chattiness". There should be a way to skip over all of it, especially if you have played it more than once. It gets old, takes too long, and is repetitive. That said, it's a fun game.

Big Brain for Wii4
This is our first Big Brain game at all.
I was hesitent after reading many of the previous reviews which were largly a list of "too bad it's not the same as the DS version."

I'm glad I didn't listen to them! The game is interesting and challenging. We have quite the competition between the kids and parents and the kids friends.

I only have two complaints about the game:
1-Way to much text reading in both set-up and follow-up of tests.

2-Why only 8 slots for people?? How does this promote competition if you can't have any number of people with records (this is the same complaint with WiiFit).

Other than that, get it! It is great for working on yours brains plasticity.

Good Family activity4
I've had this game for a couple of weeks. It's not quite what I expected but it's challenging and fun. The setup and data stuff is a bit tedious, IMHO. Also I don't like all the screen narrative after the game is over, but I don't like it on other WII games either.

This is a good family game and will be fun for kidergarteners and up. Within a family setting, even the high schoolers will have fun.

Buying A Nintendo Wii - A Parent's Guide/List

Boom Blox Review

Boom Blox

Boom Blox
From Electronic Arts

Customer Reviews

great for the whole family5
We bought this game on a sight unseen recommendation from a friend. When we got it home it turned out to be one of the most fun games we have played in a long time. WE have had it now for about 3 months. We still have fun with it. There are a few levels that we find impossible to pass. Those are frustrating, but we have played it in several different modes and enjoyed it every time. Finally one of those toss it and knock it down games that I can actually win at unlike the arcade games at fairs!

surprisingly fun, particularly in a group4
This game was better than we expected.
Its fun in a group (taking turns) for a few reasons ...
1) The turns are quick.
2) You don't have to have the control to participate. Everyone has ideas and suggestions on how to win the puzzle.
3) You can redo the previous puzzle to try it a different way or try to get a better score.

It's more of a thinking / logic puzzle than a skill-with-the-controls game.
I wouldn't rank it as a must-have or great game, but its fun.

Freakin great!5
Say you come home after a lousy day at work. A drink didn't help, and neither did the punching bag. Now what?! Easy! Queue up the Wii, pop in Boom Blox and prepare to unwind.

This is the funnest game I've played in a really long time. It makes me get off the couch, assess scoring situations, swing my arms, and try to knock over 'Jenga' like towers with baseballs (or bowling balls) getting as many points as possible. And this isn't the only type of game available. There's a regular Jenga-style game, where you pull the blocks; a storm the castle, and a bunch of others. Team play is even more fun!

I guess I should confess I'm not much of a thumb gamer (PS3, etc.), but it makes not difference. This game is totally addictive and by the time you're through, the smile on your face will say it all :)

Features

  • Use fun action gestures and crazy virtual tools (like bowling balls, baseballs and fire hoses) to destroy your way through over 300 brain-twisting challenges.
  • Fun for kids and the entire family, BOOM BLOX offers action-packed interactive activities that takes Wii play to a new level of creativity and fun with single player, co-op, and versus gameplay.
  • Tackle the action and interact with entertaining characters such as the Blox-laying chickens or the baseball throwing monkeys, who bring personality to the Tiki, Medieval, Frontier, and Haunted themed environments.
  • Unlock characters, worlds, blox, and props throughout the game and use to build whatever you can imagine in Create Mode. You can virtually build anything you can dream up. Remix any level and share what you create with friends via WiiConnect24.
  • Over 30 Wacky Characters set in 5 Unique Worlds, and up to 4 players at once.
Buying A Nintendo Wii - A Parent's Guide/List

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Mario Strikers Charged Review

Mario Strikers Charged

Mario Strikers Charged
From Nintendo

Customer Reviews

really fun game5
I never played the previous versions of this game, the Wii version was the first time I've ever heard of it. I bought this after being disappointed with the newest FIFA game for Wii. This game was suggested as a great soccer game. It is so much fun to play. It's a good challenge. I'm still having trouble winning all the cup games, which is good, it keeps me more interested. The controls are simple and the game is simple, but challenging. Very, very fun to play.

I can't compete4
My record online is 3-56. I can't beat anyone..and the one or 2 times i actually am winning..they shut off the game on me. It's only fun playing against friends.

Better than Game Cube4
This game is very addictive. My roommate had problems with the game cube version. When he would lose he'd swing his hands and ACTUALLY hit other people in the room. Now he can do that and hit them in the game. I haven't tried this online yet.

Features

  • Use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk Controller provide to win the ball, score unstoppable goals and take control of the goal keeper to perform spectacular saves
  • Each captain has their own set of skills, plus Mega Strikes where the iron ball splits up to five balls and flies at the goal
  • Each stadium has various characteristics and contraptions you can use to your advantage & dominate the pitch
  • Supports Nintendo WiFi connection service -- players can take part in tournaments with people from all around the world

The Top 10 Wii Games You Must Own!!!!

Mario Super Sluggers Review

Mario Super Sluggers

Mario Super Sluggers
From Nintendo

Customer Reviews

Fun and intense game5
I almost always break a sweat playing this game. It gets pretty intense playing against the CPU or against another player. I love the different characters in the game, as they all have their strengths and weaknesses out on the field or batting.

THE BEST BASEBALL GAME FOR YOUNG KIDS5
MY SON LOVE THIS GAME, ITS VERY FUN AND THE GRAPHICS ARE AMAZING, ONCE YOU COMPLETE ALL THE TASKS, YOU CAN UNLOCK LIKE 40+ CHARACTERS, THE KIDS LOVES WHEN HITTING HOMERUNS, WOULD RECOMMEND 500 %, FOR SURE

Potentially fun, but a frustrating disappointment3
Short Conclusion First: Rent it first, see how you like.

On to the review, I really liked the Gamecube version. The game had endurance in it, still play it. Super Slugger doesn't. The Wii-ness of the game is simple, but fulfilling enough. Throwing, running, batting are well done. I should say base running takes some time to get used to. Their choice of how to control base runners is logical, however, not necessarily how you will be used to controlling base runners. Also in Toy Field, playing aggressively is a little different as well.. not as logical. You need to press B to hit a person. In other games a simple nunchuck shake would do that. Don't know why they went that route.

The big disappointment from a single player perspective is the Challenge portion of the game. The "Challenge" portion of the game is quite juvenile and lacks any desire to continue on with it, once beaten (and it is real easy to beat). The Challenge seems more interested in training you into how to play the game (they already have well done tutorials) than for you to actually play a game. You only play Bowser's and Bowser Jr's team, instead of a bunch of teams as with the Gamecube game. You run around, do remedial tasks and even a little puzzle solving in order to make your team grow instead of earning players as per the Gamecube version.

The Mini-games play well. Some changes from the old Gamecube version mini-games help make this game familiar, but unique. Toy Field is rebuilt and different (would have been nice to have the classic Toy Field as well), but certainly fun. You can play with teams of 2 if you like. The game play in Toy Field is much more straight forward than in the Baseball game itself.

The Top 10 Wii Games You Must Own!!!!

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
From Nintendo

Customer Reviews

MUST BUY5
This is probably the greatest game that will ever be created for Wii. I own Ocarina of time and Windwaker and Twilight princess totally conquers them all. The gameplay and fighting is less difficult and technical. It is very long and really hard but the fighting is easier. I think that the normal enemies that live in the dungeons are harder to kill than the bosses. But never to fear, it makes the game more fun. The puzzles are very difficult to figure out. Lots of people criticise that this game needs better graphics and should add guns and crap but whats the point of that if the game is a medival RPG? Its fine the way it is. There are so many collectable items in the game that it isn't even funny. I've beaten the game twice and still haven't gotten all the items. Whats nice about this game is that when you're in a confusing dungeon, you can Oocoo out of it and work on the side quests and dungeons like the ever so famous cave of ordeals :P. This is a side quest you should start EARLY in the game.

I haven't really talked about the real content of what is in the game, so see for yourself.

great game, espescally if you like adventure games4
Overall its a great game. if you've wached your brothers play it isn't as fun but still it's pretty fun. You never get tired of the swinging and at first you dont know the hidden skill that makes you move your shield. The first fishing is preety boring (you just bob) but in hyrule field there's tons of secret places to go to. I am a Zelda fan and Ive played Ocorina of time, but this and the hourglass are the best so far.

Wife Loves it4
I bought this game for my wife. She loves the game. She tells me that it is addictive. I have not had time to play it much since I go to school full time and work full time. But the graphics are fairly decent. This is a game that you have to pay attention to when you are going through your training.

Product Description

The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess brings you back tot he land of Hyrule, as you uncover the mystery behind its plunge into darkness. Link, a young man raised as a wrangler in a rural village, is ordered by the mayor to attend the Hyrule Summit. He sets off, oblivious to the dark fate that has descended upon the kingdom. When he enters the Twilight Realm that has covered Hyrule, he transforms into a wolf and is captured. A mysterious figure helps him break free, and with the aid of her magic, they set off to free the land from the shadows. Link must explore the vast land of Hyrule and As he does, he'll have to enlist the aid of friendly folk, solve puzzles and battle his way through dangerous dungeons. In the Twilight Realm, he'll have to use his wolf abilities and Midna's magic to bring light to the land. Revisit classic and new characters - Link, Zelda, Midna and many others

The Top 10 Wii Games You Must Own!!!!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Reviews

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
From Nintendo

Customer Reviews

OK if you've got time3
The Super Smash Bro Brawl seems like a great game when you know what you are doing. I have had this for a while but due to lack of time I haven't mastered it yet. There are so many things that you need to learn in order to play this game, especially since there are many characters involved. I recently had a Wii Party with friends and we played this game. I can tell you that I was "killed" all the time; one of my friends has played this before - maybe on Nintendo DS. But overall I noticed that everyone else was just punching buttons on the remote hoping for sonething to happen. So I say the game is great if you have time to figure out how it works.

With that in mind, maybe it's not the game for kids because typically kids like a game that is ready to play out of the box without having to read manuals.

Campy and Fun!4
A very fun game. Basically all the Nintendo characters ever make cameos. It's great fun witha big group of friends playing. It ages a bit quickly though, not a lot of new adventures to keep it fresh. still a fun game and I definitely recommend it.

A 10 YEAR OLD KID'S REVIEW5
This game is really fun.I like it alot.I like it because you can choose lots of diferent characters like Mario,Peach,Bowser,DK,DideyKong,Meta Knight,Zelda,Link,Kirby,KingDedede,Wario,pikachu,Pit,Fox,Samus,Poke'monTr-ainer,Yoshi,Omalar,and Ice Climbers.There are also more characters to unlock like sonic,SolidSnake,Falco,and Gandorf.I also like that you can take pictures at different positions and scroll around while doing that.
Another thing is that you can have a team battle.For example,Link and yoshi ,the green team,Gandorf and bowser,the red team.You also get to win trophies,unlock stages and music.The best part is that you can brawl online!you can also use poke'mon from the kanto,jhoto,hoen,and sinoh.you can also use legendery poke'mon like kyogre.But when you throw a poke'ball,There is no telling what poke'mon will appear.Thats why I like Super Smash brothers brawl.

The Top 10 Wii Games You Must Own!!!!

Mario Party 8 Rviews

Mario Party 8

Mario Party 8
From Nintendo

Customer Reviews

Something for everyone5
A true party game with lots of activities for novice to the avid gamer. Parents this is definately a kid-safe game, but still fun for adults too.

We bought this a while back and play it when there are three or more interested in a multiplayer game.

The only annoying part is the intro screen. Tip: unlock as many games as possible before playing a multi-person game.

super smash brothers5
like always you guys are the best. the game arrived way before the estimated day. this is why i will continue buying from your company and tell all my friends to do the same

Features

  • Dozens of new mini-games, six new party boards and many new game modes
  • Extra large mini games like Star Carnival Bowling and Table Menace
  • With motion control you'll row your way through a river race, punch a statue to pieces, steer race cars, mopeds and go-karts, handle a balancing pole while walking a tightrope
  • Shoot at Boos in a haunted house, drag and drop toppings in a cake-decorating competition, select the correct answers in game-show challenges
  • Use the Wii Remote's Buttons - Jump and pummel your way through a football brawl, hop and run across a field of spinning platforms
Buying A Nintendo Wii - A Parent's Guide/List

Super Paper Mario Reviews

Super Paper Mario

Super Paper Mario
From Nintendo

Appeal: This game will please SEMI-SERIOUS and HARDCORE gamers as well as NINTENDO FANS. For children?: Maybe; it can be difficult. This innovative Mario title combines platforming and RPG elements (ask your kid what those are) with an entertaining story and some brilliant humor; one of the best games on the system.

Customer Reviews

Best Game in the World5
Super Paper Mario is an awesome game. You get to play as all the good chacaters: Bowser, Luigi, Peach, and of course Mario. You get to go into 3D where all sorts of hidden things are. And you have all these pixels that are awesome. I love it and I'm only 8!

Eh...3
I can fully see how Super Paper Mario charms so many people, but for me personally, the bad outweighs the good. I wish it were otherwise, but there's no accounting for taste. So here's my humble review.

The graphics are colorful and inventive, but no more so than you'd see in a regular Gamecube title. I like how the Wii remote is used sideways like a regular controller... that was cool. And the dialogue is so funny sometimes... but sadly, after a while it became the only real source of entertainment that I got out of the game. I'm a super-fast reader, so the amount of it didn't faze me... although I could have done without some of the more useless explanations and tidbits of information.

The one big thing that takes the cake for me in this game is: it's boring and tedious. It seriously takes out of the replay value for me, which is unfortunate, since I paid $50 for it straight up, at the store. The elevator music soundtrack and dragging gameplay is a good way to relax if you want to think about nothing important and just space out, though. And you get to look at pretty scenery while you're at it, too.

Maybe after I'm done with the game, I'll draw some Mr. L fan art. Along with Count Bleck, he (and Luigi, I guess, by default) is the coolest character.

Buying A Nintendo Wii - A Parent's Guide/List

Wii Classic Controller

Wii Classic Controller

Wii Classic Controller
From Nintendo

Customer Reviews

Wish it was wireless but works well....4
I bought the classic controller specifically to play donkey kong country on the virtual console. I like the setup on the controller but think it feels a bit cheap and that it might break if I drop it more than 2 feet. However, it works perfectly for the game. The one big thing I don't like about it is that the cord to hook up to the wii remote comes out from the bottom. This gets in the way much more than if the cord came out from the top like most controllers do. Other than that, and the fact that it is not wireless, this is a decent controller. Hopefully, Nintendo will come out with a wireless version soon!! (or something that keeps the wii remote and the classic controller together so it's not as hard to pass to someone else if you only have one controller!)

Weird button layout4
The controller works like it should but it is annoying that it has to be plugged into the wii remote for it to work. It seems kind of expensive for a simple add-on that has to be plugged into another remote.

We played Super Mario Bros. with the controller only to find out that if you want to play two player you need two controllers (even though you switch off turns). One person uses the controller, the other uses the remote. Definitely not buying another one.

Also the button layout is a little weird. On the top there are four buttons in a row instead of two behind the others, like playstation. Also there is no trigger button underneath for N64 games. I understand it is a very "universal" controller but I think it could have been designed a little better.

Product Description

The Wii Classic Controller recreates the classic Nintendo format you've been using for years now. For gamers who don't feel comfortable with the new Nunchaku or Wiimote controls, this is a familiar and comfortable alternative.

Wii HD Component Cable

Wii HD Component Cable

Wii HD Component Cable
From MadCatz

Customer Reviews

Works great5
This cable does what it's supposed to. It outputs the Wii signal at 480p to the TV. I have a widescreen LCD and the change is noticeable. But don't expect an amazing change, after all, we know about the limitations the Wii has. If you want to get an HD signal (720p or higher), buy an Xbox or a Ps3. This cable just provides an image that is a bit more clear.

Does what it, says it does5
A cheap and working alternative to expensive named brand hd component cables. Its a steal and looks lovely on my tv. Great Product!

Works, but cannot ever get 480p out of it3
Cable works with my Wii and my Sony Bravia, but I cannot get anything to come out at 480p, it always displays at 480i. Even though my menu settings in the Wii are for 480p, it just never seems to transmit that...or at least that is what my TV is reporting. I did read some other reviews where other people had this same problem and said it was the cable. I've also read where that somehow the cable tells the Wii that it is capable of carrying 480p and to "unlock" tha feature. I don't know if this is true or not. I guess I could do a test with the original cable that came with the Wii for I have yet to take that out of the packaging.

Product Description

If you're connecting your Nintendo Wii to a progressive scan television, then these component cables are a must have. The Nintendo Wii is capable of two graphic resolutions, 480i for basic TVs, and 480p for progressive scan TVs. The switch to progressive scan gaming on the Wii will result in a marked improvement in overall image quality, and you can only enable 480p on the Wii with a set of Wii Component Cables.