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.
The Games of SEGA Genesis Classics Part 1
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Posted on July 20th, 2018 by
Recently SEGA released a collection of Genesis titles on current consoles. I love classic game collections so in this blog we’ll go over all the games on here. Back in the 16-bit days I was a SNES guy so I missed out on a lot of Genesis games so many of these titles aren’t as familiar to me. There also a lot of neat features in this collection like trophies and challenges, online play for certain games, and the whole setup is like you’re in a gamer’s bedroom from the 90’s, complete with SEGA posters on the wall! Speaking of which, the game even comes with a poster with Golden Axe on one side and Streets of Rage on the other. Anyway, since there are so many games on this collection, we’re going to split this blog into two parts. So let’s get started with the first set of games!
Thunderstone Quest (Boardgame)
Posted on July 19th, 2018 by
The fantasy-themed deckbuilder, Thunderstone, has reappeared with some minor improvements and the option of (mildly) story-based campaign play in the form of Thunderstone Quest. Initially launched as a Kickstarter, a second Kickstarter has just begun with previous and new offerings. As with other deckbuilders, Thunderstone has players purchase cards from a central tableau to improve their starting deck of cards, but it also introduces an area for players to use their cards to defeat monsters for additional points. Thunderstone Quest is the third version of the game, polishing up a few rough edges and introducing a story-based campaign mode to link a series of games together.
SEEDS: The Magic Garden (iOS, Google Play)
Posted on July 18th, 2018 by
So there’s this caterpillar/beetle bug thing that likes to grow plants. But his garden mysteriously dies so you must help him grow it back in this free-to-play color matching puzzle game called SEEDS (reviewed on iPad here). The game also gives you a chance to grow a real tree, too! Read on to find out more!
Yoku’s Island Express (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC)
Posted on July 16th, 2018 by
In this game you play as a dung beetle named Yoku who has set out for an island to start his new job as Postmaster. But when he arrives he soon learns that an evil being has scratched and scarred the guardian of the island, leaving it for destruction. Now it’s up to the little dung beetle to deliver summons to the leaders of the island so they can perform a ritual of healing and save the day. But how can a little dung beetle who can’t even jump do that? Well, like all dung beetles, Yoku rolls around a ball of…well, let’s just say it’s sand since it’s all white in this game. This island has pinball-like flippers scattered all over the place, so you’ll flip and toss Yoku and his clump around like a pinball! So yeah, it’s a pinball-platformer hybrid and very similar to Sonic Spinball. So if you enjoyed that one, you’ll definitely want to read this review. Yoku’s Island Express is available on nearly all current consoles, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Runbow (Switch, PS4, PC, Xbox One)
Posted on July 14th, 2018 by
Runbow is a fun, hyper-quick competitive platformer recently released on the PS4 and Switch (Switch version reviewed here, you can also read Cary’s excellent Wii U review.) Players (up to 9 online, 4 in local play) are placed down in a short platforming level and must race to be the first to touch the final trophy. It’s main shtick lies in the constantly changing solid color background. Most of the platforms are colored, and if they match the color of the background (essentially becoming invisible) the platform won’t support anyone. Players compete against each other in a series of short races to win the title for that series. Runbow is a fast playing game with minimal controls that manages to provide some great, intense multiplayer competition in nice short bursts.
Cary’s Best Games of 2018 SO FAR Awards Show!
Posted on July 13th, 2018 by
Can you believe this year is already half over? What I like to do this time of year is write about the best games of the year so far. Everyone is all excited over recent E3 announcements, and most of the really good titles come out during the Christmas season at the tail end of the year, and the games that come out earlier tend to be forgotten. So this is where those games get their due. Keep in mind that no outside opinions went into the making of this list. It’s just my own picks. And if a game is missing from my list, it either didn’t appeal to me as much, or I just simply haven’t played it yet. Can’t play all the games out there, you know! Anyway, without further ado, welcome to Cary’s Best Games of 2018 SO FAR Awards Show!
Ozobot Evo and the Avengers!
Posted on July 11th, 2018 by
Anyone remember those car toys where you could draw a black line on paper and the car would follow it? I think they first came out in the 70’s but I’m not sure. Well now those kinds of toys have reached the 21st century with Ozobot Evo. Not only does this robot follow black lines on paper, but it can also detect other colors as well. And when those colors are in certain patterns, they act as a code to tell Ozobot what do to, like turn directions, go backward, and much more! But that’s not all. Now you can get limited edition skins for Ozobot based on Marvel’s The Avengers characters, which give the little robot even more personality. Click here to read more!
Star Trek Ascendancy – Borg Assimilation (Boardgame)
Posted on July 10th, 2018 by
Star Trek Ascendancy is a civilization building wargame. Previously only a competitive affair, the Borg Assimilation expansion adds in a Borg race that runs rampant through the galaxy. Players can cooperate to defeat it, or risk being assimilated (and taking over the Borg race themselves.) The expansion now allows a solo play version of the game (win before the Borg takes over) but if more than one player is present the game remains a competitive one (although with a common enemy.)
LEGO The Incredibles (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC)
Posted on July 9th, 2018 by
The Incredibles 2 is Disney-Pixar’s latest hit animated movie, and the longest wait for a Pixar sequel (14 years!). Now you can relive the fun of BOTH The Incredibles movies in LEGO form with LEGO The Incredibles. Play as the entire super family: Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Violet, Dash, and even Jak-Jak as well as super friends like Frozone as they save the day from bad guys. The game is available for nearly all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Pokémon Quest (Switch, Mobile)
Posted on July 6th, 2018 by
You discover an island full of treasure and Pokémon, but everything here is cube-shaped! It’s up to you and your new cubic Pokémon friends to explore the island, battle rival Pokémon, and find all the treasure. Pokémon Quest is free to download on Switch and later mobile devices, but reviewed on Switch here.
