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.
Fatal Frame (PS2 Classic on PSN)
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Posted on May 15th, 2013 by
Tecmo’s first in their classic survivor horror series: Fatal Frame, is now available to download from the PSN store for play on PS3. Originally on PS2, the first Fatal Frame game lets you play as Miku as she explores a haunted Japanese mansion in search of her missing brother. Miku is armed with a special camera that lets her fend off ghosts when she takes a picture of them. Help her search the spooky mansion as she solves the mystery of her missing brother and an underlying horrific ancient ritual. It’s supposedly based on a true story, as the title screen suggests.
Mini Ninjas (iPad)
Posted on May 13th, 2013 by
A few years ago, I reviewed a cute little 3-D platforming adventure called Mini Ninjas. Now the pint-sized ninjas are back in a continuously running 2-D platforming challenge available to download on iOS devices (iPad version reviewed here).
Poker Night 2 (PC, 360, PS3)
Posted on May 10th, 2013 by
TellTale Games is best known for their popular point and click adventures like The Walking Dead and Sam & Max. But did you know that one of their first titles was a poker game? They used it to experiment with making conversations between characters, an important skill they would use for their later endeavors. A couple of years ago, they got some of their most well-known characters, and a few other video game stars in a new poker game. And now they’ve returned to The Inventory with some fresh faces with Poker Night 2 for PC, 360, and PS3.
Candymeleon (iPad)
Posted on May 8th, 2013 by
Help a little chameleon eat lots of candy in this simple, free-to-play iOS game (iPad version reviewed here). Tilt the iPad to make your lizard move left and right on the bottom of the screen, and tap anywhere to make him extend his tongue high in the air. Do this to nab and munch as many pieces of candy as you can to boost your score.
Kung Fu Rabbit (Wii U)
Posted on May 6th, 2013 by
Evil forces have kidnapped all of Kung Fu Rabbit’s bunny disciples, and now it’s up to Kung Fu Rabbit himself to save them! Run, jump, and climb over and around obstacles in this 2-D platform jumping action game, originally released for iOS devices but is now a downloadable Nintendo eShop title for Wii U.
A Neighborly Welcome
Posted on May 5th, 2013 by
In about a month I’ll be moving to a new town. Oh don’t worry about me, I’ve done this before so I know what to expect. Once I get there, a raccoon will try to sell me a house. My neighbors will be critters like talking ducks and frogs. I’ll be buying my clothes from a pair of porcupine sisters and spending my Saturday nights listening to a singing dog. No I’m not insane; I’m just talking about Animal Crossing. The next installment will be on the 3DS and will be called Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Apparently, someone knows I’ll be moving there around June 9th, so they sent me a typical welcoming present (thanks Andrew). Click here to find out what it is!
Legend of the River King (3DS Virtual Console)
Posted on May 3rd, 2013 by
Game maker Natsume is best known for their Harvest Moon series of farming simulations that have been around ever since the Super Nintendo! They’ve had a few other hit titles, too, like the fantasy farming Rune Factory games. Another one of their less prolific series is Legend of the River King. Now you can enjoy the very first game in the River King saga via Nintendo’s 3DS eShop Virtual Console service. The original was released for Game Boy and Game Boy Color, and it’s more than just a fishing game. It’s probably the world’s first fishing RPG!
Mr. Runner 2: The Masks (iPad)
Posted on May 1st, 2013 by
Continuously running games seem to be racing rampantly on the screens of iOS devices everywhere, and now one more joins their ranks with Mr. Runner 2: The Masks (iPad version reviewed here). Fun, cartoony graphics and a dash of humor help this one stand out, though.
Piano Genius (iPad)
Posted on April 29th, 2013 by
Music and rhythm video games have allowed virtual performers to play electronic versions of all sorts of instruments. Guitars, microphones, maracas, even Japanese Taiko drums! Now there’s one that lets you play piano! But you don’t have to worry about a Baby Grand taking up room in your house, as Piano Genius is available to download on iOS devices (iPad version reviewed here).
Reader Review: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (3DS)
Posted on April 26th, 2013 by
The Mystery Dungeon series of games have a long running history in Japan and even here in the US, too! Also called Rogue-likes (because they’re a lot like an old PC title by the same name), these games have you exploring randomly generated dungeon mazes with tricks, traps, and enemies every step of the way. It’s your job to nab as many useful treasures as you can and make it to the exit alive so you can keep your stash. Many Mystery Dungeon titles use popular characters from other games, like Torneko and Yangus from Dragon Quest, Pokemon, and even an old Namco arcade game called The Tower of Druaga! My brother Jeff loved The Nightmare of Druaga so much as a kid that he even asked for a birthday cake of it (I do have a picture of that). So since Jeff loves Mystery Dungeon games AND Pokemon, I thought he’d be a perfect fit for this review.
