Prism for Nintendo DS

I picked up Prism for the DS for only $9.99 at GameStop, figuring that even if it wasn't all that great, I wouldn't be out much cash.

It's actually a pretty decent game. The puzzles are challenging, and there are a lot of them.

I ended up giving it to my son because it's not my kind of puzzle game (I like puzzles like Tetris and MahJong), and he loves it.

Well worth $9.99.

Noby Noby Boy Totally Crazy, Confusing, and Oh So Cool

Have you seen previews of Noby Noby Boy yet? It's from the creator of Katamari Damacy, one of the best games evah.

Don't ask me what Noby Noby Boy is about or what the point of the game is, cuz I don't know. But here's what I do know: I showed it to my husband and kids, and they were all ga-ga over it. My husband's eyes were sparkling over it.

And you can't beat the price? I don't think so.

Who says a game has to make sense to be fun?

Wii Fit No Good for Fitness?

There has been some criticism of the Wii Fit, saying that it's not a good tool for fitness because people don't stick to it.

First of all, any form of exercise is not effective if you don't stick with it. So duh.

But, beyond that, is it worth sticking to? Is it compelling enough?

Our kids certainly lost interest in it, especially when it was competing with Super Monkey Ball and Mario Kart.

So we bought My Fitness Coach, and told them it was part of their homeschooling. They could play My Fitness Coach or Wii Fit, but no other video games until they were done with their work.

Well, they like it so far! My Fitness Coach seems to have a lot more variety of exercises, but it doesn't have "games". So having both fitness programs gives them a choice.

So far, they are a good pair, and fun. I think that one could easily stick to a routine with one of these games if it fits their fitness interests, and they like to workout at home. And it certainly gets the kids off the couch and using muscles other than their fingers.

Pokemon Platinum

Well, we did it. We pre-ordered Pokemon Platinum. Shhh... don't tell my daughter.

Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure for the DS

I asked my son if there are any DS games he's looking forward to getting. "Henry Hatsworth," he said.

I had no idea what it was. In the most recent issue of GameInformer, there is a mini-preview of it, and a full-page ad. It is a cross between action and puzzle game that has yet to see the DS scene.

It's only $29.99, and it has a lot of promise. I'll be looking out for it in March at GameStop.

Little Big Planet Free Valentine's Day Bundle

Don't forget to download your free Valentine's Day goodies for Little Big Planet. There is no end date mentioned, but I'll guess it's either Valentine's day or soon after. Don't miss out!

Game Stop No Longer Accepting XBox Trade-ins

Our local Game Stop had a sign up letting us know that as of today, they will no longer accept the old XBox games or consoles as trade ins.

It started us thinking that we don't play our PS2 games anymore either. I wonder how long it'll be before Game Stop no longer accepts PS2 trade ins.

Three Free Games from Amazon: The Scruffs, Jewel Quest II, and Build-a-Lot

Amazon is launching a new online game download division. As part of the promotion, they are giving away three free games for Windows/XP; Build-a-Lot, The Scruffs (both real estate games), and Jewel Quest II. Enjoy!

Dogs, Video Games, and the Love of Pokemon

About a month ago, we got a dog.

Instead of playing video games, I've been playing with my dog. The kids, they like their dog, however, playing video games is still high on their list of favorites.

We got an awesome game called LittleBigPlanet. Have you heard of it? It's taken over our house. In fact, yesterday, hubby and the kids downloaded all of the LBP songs from itunes so we can listen to the music during our two-day cross country drive next week.

Even in the car I can't get away from LBP.

Since they were so into LBP, I was very surprised to hear from my daughter that she does not want LBP stuff for Xmas, but Pokemon stuff.

Pokemon stuff? Where did that come from? I thought she was done with Pokemon?

She wants the leafgreen pokemon game for the Gameboy (she does not yet have a DS), she wants the new expansion cards, and she wants pokemon books.

Well what do you know? She's still into pokemon.

I wish Santa had known that before he bought all of her Xmas presents.

Good thing her B-day is in January.

I'll Pass on World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

Only one week away until the new WoW expansion is released. There are so many things to do with the new expansion. It's very tempting for me to play again.

But, alas, I cannot. I must stay away until at least the end of November. I'm participating in NaNo, and it is impossible to do both. They both use far too much time.

So, WoW, you'll have to wait for me. Hopefully you'll still be there when I'm ready to come back.

Little Big Planet Is "The Best Game Ever"

I hope hubby decides to do a review of this game. Little Big Planet has taken over our house. The kids are saying it's "the best game ever." We have a lot of games, and they don't say that very often about a game. So, this one must be spectacular.

Hubby, you going to chime in about why this game is so awesome?

Wii and WiiFit

Well, my husband went and did it. He bought us a Wii and a WiiFit.

Needless to say, the kids love it. I have to admit, I like the WiiFit.

Will it have long-lasting replay value? That's what I want to know. And, can I get a genuinely good workout with it?

Also, I wonder, which games are a must-have for a 10 year old, 7 year old, and 4 year old?

World of Warcraft Addiction

Sometimes I wonder, "Am I addicted to World of Warcraft?"

I could compare myself to the die-hard WoW players, who raid for hours on end, and devote entire weekends to powerleveling, and forgo sleep. Compared to this crowd, I'm a WoW wimp.

But in my life, there are times I'll forgo doing something I should be doing in order to play WoW. An hour or two will fly by while running around Desolace whacking Slitherblades and Scorpashi. Turn ins here, running around there, whacking this monster, looting treasure chests, shopping the auction house, selling loot - it all becomes so compelling, it's literally a never-ending story.

If I played WoW hours like a raider, my life would fall apart - addicted or not, this kind of devoted game play isn't possible as a mom and a professional writer and speaker. Then if I add in all of my other interests, there really is very little time to play WoW and still get sufficient sleep.

Yet, I do. Sometimes I play WoW when the dishes are piled up, when the underwear drawer is empty, and when I have a deadline. "Just one more thing, then I'll camp out," I think. And that one more thing becomes two more things, then five, then ten. Before I know it, I have no time left to do those dishes, the laundry, the writing, before I'm forced to stop playing to feed my children or take them to a class.

So when is it an addiction, and when is it merely getting lost in the moment?

Just like food, alcohol, TV, and so many other pleasurable things in life, there has to be a way to find fun without crossing the line into obsession and mindlessness. The fine line between the two is hard to find in WoW, because the nature of the game requires a high level of participation in order to play effectively. Even a casual gamer has to spend at least a half hour or an hour in order to do anything significant. If you count running and flying time, the time it takes to find a safe place to camp, vending, turn ins, and all of the details that, individually, don't take much time at all, it adds up fast.

Having fun and being addicted are hard to separate in WoW, but I believe it's possible. If it's not, then I have to give up WoW, because after all, WoW is only one possible thing to do in life. And, I have a pretty good feeling, that it'll always be there to go back to.

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon - Explorers of Time

For Mother's Day, the family got me Pokémon Mystery Dungeon - Explorers of Time. Today, I finally got around to starting it up, and picking my pokemon.

After answering the questions, I ended up with Chikorita. I asked my daughter which companion pokemon would be the best, and she suggested Totodile.

We completed the first chapter, and sort of learned how to fight and use items. Now, we're at Wigglytuff's, in pokemon bootcamp.

So far, I'm liking it. Let's see what chapter 2 has in store.

Guitar Hero 4

Details for the upcoming Guitar Hero 4 have been released. It looks like it will be closer to Rock Band than the old Guitar Hero, with percussion and voice. In addition to the Guitar Hero goodness we all know and love, it will also have a studio mode, where a player can create his own songs and share them with friends.

That is going to ROCK!

Lego Factory - Online Lego Building Game

Lego's planning to go online. Can the magic of Lego really be captured by an online game?

Although this sounds kind of neat, and it makes sense that Lego would go this direction to stay in the game and toy market, it just seems...well...empty. The great thing about Lego is having the pieces in one's hand and manipulating them. When the structure or contraption is done, it's a real object to play with and enjoy.

But who knows, maybe they'll hit a sweet spot that can't be replicated in real life. In any case, I'm sure my hubby and the kids will at least want to give it a spin.

Webkinz Cheats

I saw a post today that listed the various Webkinz cheats, like ways to get money, get items, or get high scores in the games.

That just doesn't seem fun, or right, to me.

This is supposed to teach kids how to earn money, and then use it wisely. It's supposed to teach kids how to take care of their pet. How is giving them a forever healthy pet, or tons of money, making the game better for them?

As for adults who play Webkinz and have to cheat, there really are no words to respond to that.

Playstation 3 - Should We Get One?

We have a Playstation 2. We're thinking of trading it in, and getting a Playstation 3. So far, the only con we can think of is that we won't be able to use our Guitar Hero 3 guitars in the new Playstation. Oh, and it's kind of expensive. Although, since our DVD player died, it might be worth the money to have an all-in-one player.

The Gem of the Day

In Webkinz, there is a daily gem hunt. Everyday, there is a gem of the day. Yesterday, we found it. Everyone was jumping up and down with excitement.

I thought there would be fireworks or some kind of super duper prize. Nothing like that. Just a little extra cash if we decide to sell it. Some people have said that they were offered 800+ kinzcash. We were only offered 250.

Also, we're not quite sure what the legendary crown of wonder would give us if we manage to collect all the gems. I suppose, we'll just have to wait.

Pokemon Ruby for Gameboy Advance

For our 7-year-old's birthday, we gave her a used copy of Pokemon Ruby for the Gameboy Advance. It's interesting watching her play. She likes to take one pokemon and work his little fingers to the bone until he evolves. And she's willing to fight level 5 pokemon over and over to accomplish that with out having to go to the pokecenter too often. She's the pokemon master!