Archive for November, 2010

Game Review: Poker Night at the Inventory (PC)

When we turn off our video games for the night, what do you think the characters do while we’re away? Some of them probably get together and play poker! At least that’s what they do in Poker Night at the Inventory, a new downloadable PC title from TellTale Games. Play against Max the rabbit from the Sam & Max point and click adventures, Strong Bad from Homestar Runner, the Heavy from Team Fortress 2, and Tycho from the Penny Arcade Web comic!

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Game Review: Reload (Wii)

Reload turns your Wii into an authentic shooting training gallery. Aim at real life training targets and shoot all sorts of real firearms in this arcade style shooter. In Career Mode, you’ll go through all the stages sequentially, unlocking more when you get a high enough score. Some events imitate shooting galleries, police training, combat maneuvers, and skeet shooting.

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Game Review: iCarly 2 (DS)

iCarly is a super popular live action sitcom on Nickelodeon. Carly and her friends host their own Webcast, with plenty of laughs and lessons along the way. Now you can hang out with Carly and her pals and help them make their Web show with iCarly 2 on DS.

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Game Review: Tony Hawk: Shred (Wii, 360, PS3)

Last year, Tony Hawk: Ride took the video game world by storm. The game, based around a skateboard controller, polarized the gaming community as some loved the higher level of interactivity and others didn’t like the new direction the franchise had taken. I missed out on last year’s controversy, but was recently able to play around with the sequel, Tony Hawk: Shred. I don’t know what jaded, hardcore video gamers might have to say, but Tony Hawk: Shred is an excellent addition to any family’s gaming repertoire. I reviewed the game on the Wii console and its multiple casual play modes to skateboard or snowboard fit right in with the whole Wii gaming ethos. It is the “Rock Band” of skateboarding, immersing players in the fun and excitement of boarding without any of the effort and risk of the real thing.

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Game Review: Monster Jam: Path of Destruction (Wii)

Monster Jam: Path of Destruction for Wii lets you drive your favorite real-life monster trucks in various stadium events. But is the game a real car crusher or a stick in the mud? Read on to find out:

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Game Review: Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 (Wii)

Around this time of year, with all the feasts and candy and desserts, it can be easy to get out of shape and pack on some poundage. But now, fitness expert Jillian Michaels is here to help. Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 features Wii Balance Board and MotionPlus support, as well as an all-new Mission Mode.

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Game Review: Just Dance Kids (Wii)

As a follow up to the recent release of Just Dance 2, the folks at Ubisoft just released Just Dance Kids, targeted at the younger age set. With nearly the same gameplay as the previous titles, Just Dance Kids is a great game for families looking for a similar dance experience but with more age appropriate songs and lyrics. The disc features songs for the very young, like the hamster song, the chicken dance, and songs from the popular Wiggles and Yo Gabba Gabba shows. It also has broader classics that might even appeal to adults like YMCA and Surfin’ USA (although they are all rerecorded by kids singing.) With kid-friendly tunes and slightly easier choreography, Just Dance Kids is sure to be a hit in household full of kids, tweens, or even early teens.

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Game Review: Dora’s Cooking Club (DS)

Cooking video games are all the rage lately, but sometimes they can be a little frustrating for younger gamers. Now the littlest chefs in your family can have their own cooking game starring Nick Jr.’s starlet Dora the Explorer. Join Dora as she helps her family prepare for the Favorite Foods Festival in Dora’s Cooking Club for DS.

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Game Review: Art Academy (DS)

Nintendo continues to expand its line of non-game software for its portable DS system. The latest entry into the field is Art Academy, a program that provides drawing tools and a series of lessons on how to use them. While it is a recent release as a cartridge game, most of the content previously appeared in a pair of downloadable titles available for the DSi system. In Art Academy, users draw pictures using pencils of several levels of hardness as well as a full set of paints and brushes. Pictures can be created in a free paint mode, derived from photos taken with the DSi camera, or created with guidance through any of the series of lessons included with the program.

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It’s on like Donk…er, a Stubborn Monkey!

In honor of the recently released Donkey Kong Country Returns, I thought I’d do a retrospective blog on the big gorilla and his many games and other appearances.

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