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.
Dollar Dash (360)
1 Comment
Posted on March 8th, 2013 by
It’s a race for cash in Dollar Dash, a new downloadable multiplayer game for Xbox 360. Play as a bank robber as you try and nab as much loot as you can while leaving traps for the other burglars.
Bit.Trip Presents…Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (PC, PSN, 360, Wii U)
Posted on March 6th, 2013 by
The Bit.Trip games on WiiWare were some of the best downloadable titles for the Wii. Each one was different, yet they all had a few things in common. Like the retro 80’s look and gameplay sensibilities, and they all implemented music into the game somehow. Now one of the games in the series, Bit.Trip Runner, is getting a sequel! Commander Video is back and ready to run, jump, slide, and collect as much gold as he can and reach the end of the level in this 2-D platform action challenge. Bit.Trip Runner 2 (which is what I’m going to call it from now on since the title is a bit long), is available to download on PC, PSN, Xbox 360, and Wii U (Wii U version reviewed here).
Take a Trippy Trip with Bit.Trip Complete
Posted on March 4th, 2013 by
Last year, a couple of months before the Wii U was released, I wrote a series of blogs about my favorite games on the Wii. One of the categories I wrote about was game collections. One game missing from my favorite game compilations on Wii was Bit.Trip Complete. I hadn’t gotten around to buying it yet, and I wasn’t sure if I should get the Wii or 3DS version. After several people commented and recommended I get the Wii collection, I finally broke down and bought it a few months ago when I saw it on sale. So in honor of the recently released Bit.Trip Runner 2 (which I will have a GamerDad.com review posted on that in a couple of days, so watch for it), here is a short run-through of the games found on Bit.Trip Complete for the Wii.
Happy iBirthday, Dr. Seuss!
Posted on March 2nd, 2013 by
Yes, it’s the birthday of that grand old champion of fun, quirky, easy to read children’s literature: Dr. Seuss. As Dr. Seuss books are getting quite a workout in my household of late (I’ve got one early reader and one just starting to learn his letters), I thought I’d take a moment on this fine day to give a short rundown on some of our household’s favorites.
Brain Age: Concentration Training (3DS)
Posted on March 1st, 2013 by
One of the game series that helped the Nintendo DS have a unique voice was the Brain Age games. These educational titles had several activities to help ‘train your brain.’ And it was all backed up and hosted by a real doctor at a Japanese university. Now the newest in the series is available on the 3DS. This one features exercises to help your brain stay focused on the task at hand, instead of being distracted. Dr. Kawashima, the host of these games, says email, Internet, and cell phones are helping people lose focus, so that’s why this game was made. I hate it when I see people texting while driving or walking, so I guess that’s a good thing to feature in this game. Of course, I like the Brain Age games because of all the neat puzzles and mini-games included as well, so we’ll take a look at them in this big ol’ review!
Star Wars Pinball (360)
Posted on February 27th, 2013 by
A long, long time ago in arcades (sometimes no so) far, far away, there was pinball. Now the Force (of gravity) can be with you as you train to be a Jedi (pinball) master with Star Wars Pinball from Zen Studios. Star Wars Pinball is available on a variety of platforms; you can download it from the App Store and Google Play, or for Pinball FX2 on Xbox LIVE or Zen Pinball 2 on PSN (Xbox 360 version reviewed here). The pack comes with three different tables: The Empire Strikes Back, The Clone Wars, and even one featuring everyone’s favorite bounty hunter: Boba Fett.
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Decade Duels Plus (360, PS3)
Posted on February 25th, 2013 by
I gotta hand it to kids today. They’re a lot smarter than what we think they are. Case in point: I’ve been reviewing several Yu-Gi-Oh games over the years. It’s a popular long running trading card game by Konami. And even after all this time, I still can’t wrap my head around the complex rules of the game. But kids can pick it up seemingly easily! I’m also impressed with how long the card game has been around. It’s been like, what, about ten years? Wow! Anyway, the latest game based on the trading cards is a downloadable 360 and PS3 title called Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Decade Duels Plus (PS3 version reviewed here).
Reader Review: Special Forces Team X (PC, 360)
Posted on February 22nd, 2013 by
If you love first and third person shooters, here is a new downloadable one for Xbox 360 and PC (360 version reviewed here. According to my brother Jeff, it’s a mish-mash of various popular games in this genre. And since he’s an expert on this kind of thing, I’m going to have him review it! Click to read his take on Special Forces: Team X.
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories (PSN)
Posted on February 20th, 2013 by
Just a heads up and mini-review about NIS America’s PS2 classic Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories, which is now available to purchase and download on the PSN store for play on the PS3. The game is a strategy RPG with cartoony anime characters. Play as Adell, who lives in a cursed world where everyone has been turned into demons. To change his family back to normal, Adell summons Zenon, King of Demons. But the spell goes wrong and they get Zenon’s spoiled daughter princess Rosalyn instead. Now Adell and Rosalyn must go on a madcap adventure to confront Zenon and bash a few Prinnies along the way.
Review: Fire Emblem Awakening (3DS)
Posted on February 19th, 2013 by
While I was unfamiliar with the series, the first Fire Emblem to make its way to US shores was an exciting event for me. It arrived in the heyday of the GameBoy Advance strategy gaming, where strategy titles were just starting to appear for Nintendo’s portable systems. I jumped at a chance to review the game and was surprised to find a rich role-playing backdrop to a turn based strategy game. The game was difficult, but rewarded wise play. While it was a hit among hard core games, I felt the permanent death of battle casualties did not mesh well with the more casual style of play expected from a GBA gaming experience. Several titles and systems later, Fire Emblem Awakening appears on the 3DS as the first handheld version to appear since those bygone days of the GBA. Available as a cartridge or as a download, the game takes great advantage of the dual screens and has options to make it even more approachable to the more casual handheld gaming crowd.
