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.
Blazing Chrome (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC)
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Posted on July 15th, 2019 by
Back when I was a kid and teen in the 8- and 16-bit days, Contra was huge. It was a run and gun 2-D action game from Konami, and I remember playing it with my friends many times, whether we rented the ones on the NES or later Contra 3 on the SNES. Now an indie developer has recreated the feel of a 16-bit Contra style game with Blazing Chrome, downloadable on nearly all current game consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Role-Playing Accessories (RPG)
Posted on July 13th, 2019 by
So, you were intrigued by the recent reviews of Starfinder and the D&D Essentials kit and want to know what else you can spend your hard earned cash on. Look no further! Here’s a brief roundup of various other bits and pieces one can purchase to add a bit of zing to a night of RPG gaming.
Nintendo Labo VR Kit Wrap-Up
Posted on July 12th, 2019 by
Well all the Labo VR things are built and all my articles about each one are written, so I figured I’d put them all into one place for easy reference if anyone is interested in reading about them. Enjoy!
Dungeons and Dragons Essentials Kit (RPG)
Posted on July 11th, 2019 by
The newest edition of Dungeons and Dragons (known as D&D) burst on the scene in 2014 and this “5th Edition” released by the Wizards of the Coast has never looked back. Thanks to the rise of a large streaming culture, where gamers broadcast their games on Twitch or other streaming media, play of D&D has grown nearly 50% in each of the past two years. A recent announcement states that over 40 million people now play the game, with 9 million of those also watching streamers play their games. While the initial release of 5th Edition included a Starter Set, Wizards of the Coast has gone back to the drawing board and created a new entry-level experience to provide a better on-ramp to the world of Dungeons and Dragons role-playing.
Nintendo Labo Customization Set
Posted on July 10th, 2019 by
I’ve got a bonus Labo article for you! When Nintendo Labo first came out, they released a small Customization Set that I didn’t get then. It was only ten bucks, and came with supplies you could use to decorate your cardboard creations after you built them. Recently, a close relative of mine found them on clearance and bought them for me half off. So I figured that since I wrote about all the other Labo stuff, I might as well write about this, too.
Starfinder Beginner Box (RPG)
Posted on July 9th, 2019 by
Role-playing games are experiencing a huge renaissance, with gamers not only playing but watching other people play on Twitch and other streaming sites. The most popular genre remains high fantasy (think Tolkien or Harry Potter) while other genres, such as space or superheroes, tend to fade into the background. Starfinder is Paizo’s newest RPG, a conglomeration of their popular Pathfinder fantasy game with common tropes found in space operas. As with any complex game, the challenge lies in getting past the initial learning curve. The Starfinder Beginner Box is Paizo’s answer to easing gamers into the setting and rules. Containing everything a group of players need to get started, the Beginner Box is a great way to jump into the Starfinder game at a pretty good value.
Nintendo Labo VR Kit: Blaster
Posted on July 8th, 2019 by
The final thing you can build in the Labo VR Kit is the Blaster. It’s the most complicated thing you can build in the set. In fact, Nintendo even made a version where you just build the goggles and blaster only. So let’s take a look and see what it does!
The Worlds of Kingdom Hearts 3
Posted on July 5th, 2019 by
Well I FINALLY beat Kingdom Hearts 3. It’s getting harder and harder to get into these long games anymore! Anyway, I was impressed with the Disney worlds you tromp around in the game, so much so that I decided to write a blog about them. I will give a spoiler warning now, but don’t worry, I won’t spoil the plot for you as I think the storyline in Kingdom Hearts games are garbage and I don’t really play the games for the story anyway. I just like beating up baddies in Disney worlds. So if you haven’t played Kingdom Hearts 3 yet and want the worlds you explore to be a surprise, then don’t read this blog. Otherwise, have fun reading my opinions and observations of the Kingdom Hearts 3 worlds!
Rolling Gunner (Switch, PC)
Posted on July 3rd, 2019 by
Rolling Gunner is a 2-D horizontally side scrolling shooter available to download on Switch and PC (reviewed on Switch here). This game belongs in the sub-genre called ‘bullet hell shooters’ where you must dodge and weave through sprays of bullets as you blast the baddies. There’s a story behind all this, but all you really need to know is that you’re a futuristic flying craft and you shoot everything that moves.
Captain Cat (Switch, Mobile)
Posted on July 1st, 2019 by
Help a seafaring cat get the catch of the day in this simple fishing game downloadable for Switch and mobile devices (reviewed on Switch here). Steer the cat’s boat left and right at the top of the screen and press the button when you’re ready to drop anchor. When your anchor hits the water, it’ll swing back and forth. Hold down the button to make the anchor stop and move in the direction it was last pointing. Do this to nab treasure and avoid walls and harmful critters. Avoid hitting walls or having your line cut or else you’ll have to start the level over. Nab the fish at the bottom of the screen to reel it up and beat the level.
