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 2024 SO FAR Awards Show!
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Posted on July 5th, 2024 by
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!
Pool Party (Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Posted on July 3rd, 2024 by
This isn’t the kind of pool party you’re thinking of. Control a billiard ball as you roll and bounce other players in sports themed mini-games, including pool of course. This madcap, pick up and play multiplayer game for up to four is available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on Switch here.
Roxy Raccoon’s Pinball Panic (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Posted on July 1st, 2024 by
Many popular video game franchises and characters eventually get their own video pinball game. Mario, Kirby, Sonic, Pac-Man, even Metroid! But Roxy Raccoon? Who the heck is that? Apparently it’s a 3D platformer that was released a few years ago. I think it was just on PC so that’s probably why I never heard of it. But now you can play a pinball adventure based on that game. It’s available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Rider’s Spirits (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S)
Posted on June 28th, 2024 by
Back when they were more popular and more relevant, I used to love reading video game magazines. I liked them so much it’s even what helped me choose my major in college (not such a good idea now, but that’s a 20/20 hindsight kind of thing). Some of my favorites included Nintendo Power, Next Generation, and Electronic Gaming Monthly. One of the cool things EGM would do sometimes was cover games from Japan that we’d never see over here. One of them I remember was TwinBee Rainbow Bell Adventure for Super Famicom, a cutesy 2D pastel platformer with characters from the TwinBee shooter series. Another Super Famicom one I remember was a motorcycle racing game that caught my eye because it looked similar to Super Mario Kart, one of my top favorite games of all time. And now you can play that game on all modern consoles (reviewed on PS4 here). In Japan the game was originally called Bike Daisuki! Hashiriya Kon. I think EGM called it “We Love Motorcycles,” which is probably a more direct translation of the first part of the title. But here it’s called Rider’s Spirits, which I think is more like the last part of the title.
Ginger the Tooth Fairy (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Posted on June 26th, 2024 by
Help a tooth fairy named Ginger, who also happens to be a rabbit for some reason, collect all the teeth in this basic 2D platformer. It’s available on PlayStation consoles, Switch, and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Ghost Teen: Escape from Limbo (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Posted on June 24th, 2024 by
Here’s something completely different. How about a 2D single screen precision platformer where you’re SUPPOSED to die? In Ghost Teen: Escape from Limbo, you control a kid character who must collect a key and unlock a door to pass the level. But if you get hit, you turn into a ghost and can fly and pass through certain walls. You’ll have to do this to solve puzzles and bypass obstacles, but you must touch a gravestone in the level to turn back into the kid so you can exit the door. The game has retro styled black and white graphics that remind me of the games I used to play on my Apple ][+ computer. It’s available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Goodbye to E3
Posted on June 21st, 2024 by
Earlier this year, the ESA announced they would be cancelling E3 yet again and they wouldn’t have it anymore. So I wanted to say my final goodbyes and reminisce on my favorite E3 memories here. The reasons why I didn’t do this earlier when they first announced it I was pretty busy at the time, and I figured I’d do it when E3 usually occurred around now.
Tokyo Cooking (Switch)
Posted on June 19th, 2024 by
Cook Japanese food for customers in Tokyo Cooking. It’s a first person cooking game for Nintendo Switch. Start by talking to the customer at the register and take their order. You can then view a recipe card on the bottom of the screen to see the steps to cook it. There is a workstation you can place ingredients and utensils, and once they’re all there, you can play a few cooking based mini games to prepare it. Once you’re done, give it to the customer and you’ll get paid based on how well you did.
Hotel Hustle (Switch)
Posted on June 17th, 2024 by
Help a couple of crazy cats run a hotel in Hotel Hustle on Switch. Check in guests, keep them happy, and clean the room when they’re done. Do this quickly and efficiently to earn points and stars so you can move onto the next level. Two can play at the same time, too! It’s similar to other time management games like Overcooked.
Unplugged: Blueprints of Mad King Ludwig (Boardgame)
Posted on June 15th, 2024 by
The boardgames of Mad King Ludwig continue to shrink. First we had Castles of Mad King Ludwig where players auctioned tiles, placing them to build their own personal castle. Next came the Palace of Mad King Ludwig (reviewed here) where all players work together to finish only a single castle. Now, there isn’t any building at all, only the blueprints. In Blueprints of Mad King Ludwig, players simply draw out their dreams on a piece of paper, in the hopes of catching the king’s eye and his favor. Players are still placing funny shaped rooms into a castle area, but gone are the auctions and money shenanigans of the original Castles of Mad King Ludwig. This slims the game down and keeps it moving at a quick pace. Your opinion of this “flip and write” game will depend on whether you are willing to give up the greater strategic depth of money auctions and associated shenanigans for a faster-paced and shorter over-all game.
Blueprints of Mad King Ludwig
Designer: Ted Alspach
Publisher: Bézier Games
Players: 1-5
Ages: 15+ (although easily played by a 10 yr old)
Time: 60 min
(review copy provided by publisher)
