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.
Cary’s Best Games of 2021 SO FAR Awards Show!
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Posted on July 2nd, 2021 by
I’d like to say this year’s been better than the last, but it really hasn’t. Even though it’s improved, we’re still having to deal with a lot of COVID crap. And then we found out my mom had breast cancer late last year and we had to deal with the surgeries this year. Luckily she’s cancer free now, which is a miraculous and wonderful thing, and I thank God everyday for that. But man it sure was rough for a couple of months there. You have no idea. But anyway, around this time of year I like to make a list of my best games SO FAR, because usually the AAA titles are released later in the year during the holiday season, and the titles that came out earlier tend to be forgotten. So here’s when those games get their due. Keep in mind that this is my list only and no other outside opinions contributed. And if a game isn’t on this list, it either just didn’t appeal to me as much or I haven’t had a chance to play it yet. Ok with that out of the way, let’s begin!
Fishing Fighters (Switch)
Posted on June 30th, 2021 by
Fishing Fighters is a Switch exclusive fishing game with an emphasis on story and multiplayer. In the main Story Mode, you play as Kaito, a young aspiring fisherman who gets a letter in the mail from his long lost dad. Inside the letter is a ticket to a fishing tournament, so now he’s off to compete and be the best angler ever. He’ll meet anime inspired characters like a busty professor lady that teaches him the ropes, as well as a host of other friends and rivals.
Dreamworks’ Spirit: Lucky’s Big Adventure (Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Posted on June 28th, 2021 by
I have a younger cousin who lives in Alabama who just loved horses as a kid. One time when I came to visit she had a N64 and a copy of Ocarina of Time and wanted me to help her get to the part of the game where she could ride the horse. So I played to that point and gave the controller to her and that’s all she did! A few years later when I came back to visit, there was an animated movie in theaters that we took her to see called Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and she loved it! Bottom line is, kids love horses. And why wouldn’t they? Horses are pretty cool animals. And now there is a computer animated spin-off series of Spirit on Netflix, plus a new movie based on the Netflix show out now in theaters. And now you can play a game based on the new movie and Netflix series with Dreamworks’ Spirit: Lucky’s Big Adventure. It’s available on nearly all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on Switch here.
Cary at E3 2021
Posted on June 25th, 2021 by
Hey folks, guess what? After many years of being denied a press pass into E3, I finally got in again! But then, this year’s show was only virtual, so I think pretty much ANYONE with a gaming site should’ve gotten a press pass. But I’ll make the best of the situation and write an article about it anyway! So here it is!
0 Degrees (PS4, Switch, Xbox One)
Posted on June 23rd, 2021 by
You are a climber exploring snowy mountains, and you have the power to create ice blocks. Solve platforming jumping and block pushing puzzles in this 2-D action game available for most current consoles but reviewed on PS4 here.
Rift Racoon (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, PC)
Posted on June 21st, 2021 by
You are a raccoon who has free reign to walk around a science lab. Maybe this animal is a pet or mascot, as one of the scientists in the lab gives you a hug when you walk past. Although you can knock down beakers and break computers when you go by. Anyway, shortly after you start, you find a wrist device that lets you warp a few feet in front of you, and these same scientists are ok with letting you test it. So as a raccoon, you’ll run, jump, climb walls, and warp between them as you make it to the end of super challenging 2-D platform levels. For a while their spelling of ‘racoon’ in the game’s title bugged me to no end, but apparently it’s also a correct way to spell it. I’m still using two C’s for my review outside the title, though. Anyway, Rift Racoon is available to download on nearly all current game consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Unplugged: Spintronics – Electrical Circuits via Belts and Gears
Posted on June 18th, 2021 by
Spintronics is a mechanical model of electrical circuits using gears and belts to simulate the flow of electricity. As the final hours of the Spintronics kickstarter winds down (act fast), I thought I’d take a moment to comment on the possibilities of the nifty system. I’m fairly enthusiastic about its possibilities. At a later date I’ll provide my thoughts on its older brother, Turing Tumble, which simulates computer logic circuits using small metal balls falling through see-saws.
Cary’s Favorite Golf Games
Posted on June 18th, 2021 by
With Mario Golf: Super Rush on Switch coming out at the end of this month, I thought I’d make a list of my favorite golf video games in honor of that. I usually don’t dabble in sports games, but golf games translate pretty well to video games and can be very arcade-y and cartoony, so I tend to gravitate to those. I’m also doing this list in honor of Father’s Day this month as well, since my dad likes to play golf and has enjoyed at least one of the games on this list. And the games on this list aren’t in any order of preference or anything, so keep that in mind. OK, let’s tee off!
Very Very Valet (Switch)
Posted on June 16th, 2021 by
Boy they’ll make a game out of anything nowadays! There are games where you’re a cook, a lawyer, and now you can play one where you park cars! Valet parking, more specifically. Very Very Valet is a madcap multiplayer game where you must drive and park cars, and then deliver them back as quickly as possible.
Incredible Mandy (PS4, Switch, PC, Mobile)
Posted on June 14th, 2021 by
A brother and sister live in a fantasy world and must solve tricky dungeon puzzles based on their childhood fears. And I’m assuming the sister’s name is Mandy but I’m not really sure as you play as the brother in this one. Had I not read the press release before writing this review, I wouldn’t have been able to glean so much information about the story, as it’s not really presented in the game at all. Something about the boy losing his hand in an accident or something? I don’t know. But what I do know is that you play as the boy who wears a metal glove which gives him the power to unsheathe swords of light that you can use to solve puzzles and defeat bosses in Zelda-like 3-D dungeons. It’s available to download on some current consoles, PC, and mobile devices, but reviewed on PS4 here.
