Welcome to GamerDad: Gaming with Children. My name is Andrew S. Bub - the GamerDad - and I've been writing about videogames, movies, and children for over 15 years now. After working as a magazine journalist, I switched gears to write about how media violence affects children, educating parents about them, and working closely with magazines, newspapers, major retailers and even politicians. GamerDad is an internationally recognized expert in this field. Games, movies and media are fun, kids and families love them, they aren't going away. So join me in cutting through the hype and lets have a real conversation about the things that matter: Video Games, Violent Media, and their supposed effect on children and families.
Welcome to GamerDad: Gaming with Children. My name is Andrew S. Bub - the GamerDad - and I've been writing about videogames, movies, and children for over 15 years now. After working as a magazine journalist, I switched gears to write about how media violence affects children, educating parents about them, and working closely with magazines, newspapers, major retailers and even politicians. GamerDad is an internationally recognized expert in this field. Games, movies and media are fun, kids and families love them, they aren't going away. So join me in cutting through the hype and lets have a real conversation about the things that matter: Video Games, Violent Media, and their supposed effect on children and families.
GamerDad.com, Gaming with Childen since 2003!
LEGO Super Mario Starter Set
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Posted on August 12th, 2022 by
When I was a kid back in the early 80s, I loved going to arcades. But I didn’t always have easy access to them or the games. I might be able to see or play a game at a gas station or in front of a grocery store, but going to an actual arcade was a rare treat. So sometimes when I was at home, I’d play ‘pretend’ arcade games. One time I got a bunch of my dad’s dot matrix printer paper and spread it out from the front door to the back door. On one side of the paper I drew a Xevious map, and on the other side I drew a Zaxxon map. Then I got out my toy spaceships and played ‘pretend’ Xevious and Zaxxon with them. Of course I got in a little bit of trouble for using so much of my dad’s printer paper! Another time I cut out a paper chef’s hat and pepper shaker and played ‘pretend’ Burgertime around the house! And I think that aspect of pretend play is the main inspiration for the LEGO Super Mario sets. A couple of years ago, LEGO and Nintendo teamed up to make these, and there are tons of sets and expansions for them. I got the LEGO Super Mario Starter Set for Christmas and finally got around to putting it together with my brother Jeff, so let’s take a look at it!
Avenging Spirit (Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, X/S)
Posted on August 10th, 2022 by
Avenging Spirit was a 1991 arcade title by the now defunct Jaleco. Jaleco made mostly average games. I think their biggest claim to fame was the Bases Loaded series on the NES. Anyway, I had never heard of Avenging Spirit until the Game Boy version was brought to the Nintendo 3DS eShop around ten years ago! In the game, you are a ghost and can possess people, and then you can control them and have use to their various attacks and moves as you tromp through half a dozen 2-D side scrolling platform levels. This port of the arcade version is available on all current game consoles, but reviewed on Switch here.
Rayland (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Posted on August 8th, 2022 by
Use angled mirrors to reflect a laser so that it hits a crystal in Rayland. You’ve seen puzzles like this before in other games like Zelda dungeons and such. It’s available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Pizza Pixel Podcast Episode 9: Top Five Favorite Sports Games
Posted on August 5th, 2022 by
On this episode of the Pizza Pixel Podcast, my brother Jeff returns and we talk about our favorite sports video games. Neither of us are really into sports, but we do have our favorite sports video games here and there. There’s some unusual picks, so it should be an interesting discussion to listen to! So please check it out with the link provided below!
Quintus and the Absent Truth (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Posted on August 3rd, 2022 by
You are a down and out musician and your daughter has been kidnapped. Find items and solve puzzles in first person 3-D environments as you unravel the mystery. Your only companion is your pet mouse named Quintus, who can help you by crawling into tight spaces to reach things you can’t. Surprisingly, this game has some horror elements as well. It’s available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
The Jackbox Party Starter (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Posted on August 1st, 2022 by
If you have a bunch of people over to play games, but not enough controllers to play with everyone, then Jackbox has you covered! Their latest batch of party games is out, and it’s a smaller collection of some of their best titles. All you need are cell phones to play them! Just connect to Jackbox.tv on any phone and enter in the room code and you’re in! It’s pretty simple and works well, and in some games, even people who don’t have cell phones can be part of the audience and participate. The Jackbox Party Starter is available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here. Let’s take a look at all the games!
Capcom Fighting Collection (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC)
Posted on July 29th, 2022 by
Video game maker Capcom is recognized for a lot of their titles. But one thing they are known best for is their one-on-one fighting games. Sure there’s Street Fighter, but there’s a lot more they’ve made, too. So here’s a collection of some of Capcom’s other one-on-one fighters they’ve created over the years. And yeah, there’s some Street Fighter stuff in here, too. Capcom Fighting Collection is available on most current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here. So let’s take a look at what’s on here!
Parasite Pack (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S)
Posted on July 27th, 2022 by
Parasite Pack is actually two retro styled games in one! In Flea, you move around a constantly bouncing flea past obstacles and try to collect as many bottles of blood as you can. And Tapeworm Disco Puzzle focuses more on puzzles than action, as you must move a tapeworm around mazes collecting items and such. The pack is available to download on all current game consoles, but reviewed on PS4 here. Let’s take a look at the games!
Horgihugh and Friends (Switch, PC)
Posted on July 25th, 2022 by
This is a retro styled 2-D side scrolling shooter that takes inspiration from cutesy Namco titles like SkyKid and Ordyne. Take control of a cat or dog piloting biplanes as you shoot down enemies in this game for Nintendo Switch and PC (Switch version reviewed here).
Pizza Pixel Podcast Episode 8: Top Five Favorite Comic Book Characters
Posted on July 22nd, 2022 by
On this episode of the Pizza Pixel Podcast, my youngest brother Caleb and I talk about our favorite comic book characters. Should be interesting since I don’t really get into comic books much. So please excuse my lack of knowledge and feel free to correct my errors in the comments section. Click on the link below and check it out!
