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.
Game Review: The Backyardigans (DS)
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Posted on November 12th, 2009 by
The Backyardigans is a popular computer-animated TV show on Nick Jr. Pablo the penguin, Tyrone the moose, Uniqua the pink, uh…bug …thing, and the rest of the gang play outside in their backyards and use their imaginations to go on wild adventures. Along the way they’ll sing songs, do dances, and all before snack time. Now your child can join in on The Backyardigans’ adventures on the Nintendo DS.
Game Review: LEGO Rock Band (360, Wii, PS3, DS)
Posted on November 10th, 2009 by
For the past couple of years, families and friends have gathered around the TV and game systems to jam together with the Rock Band series of music video games. Now the rockin’ group fun of Rock Band has been stacked up with the whimsy and humor of the LEGO brand of toys and video games for all the major consoles (Xbox 360 version reviewed here). Best of all, even the youngest rockers can enjoy LEGO Rock Band along with the big kids.
Game Review: Guitar Hero 5 (PS2, Wii, 360, PS3)
Posted on November 9th, 2009 by
The first of its kind, Guitar Hero has spawned an entire genre of rhythm video games played with fake instruments. (OK, technically there were games using Maracas and/or Bongos first, but Guitar Hero was the first to go mainstream – primarily due to the rock-focused music selection.) The newest Guitar Hero, #5, has been out for a few months. While each title in the series adds a little bit more to the options available, this new edition has the most family-friendly options and gameplay modes of the lot – especially on the Wii version.
The Retro Challenges of Game Center CX 2
Posted on November 8th, 2009 by
Retro Game Challenge came out earlier this year, and it was a collection of made-up 8-bit games and you had to pass certain challenges in each game to go onto the next. The beauty of this game is all the 8-bit titles were actually really good, and would’ve been able to stand on their own had they been real games to begin with. In Japan, they made a sequel: Game Center CX 2, and I found it on sale and imported it. So now here are the games on Game Center CX 2!
Game Review: iCarly (Wii, DS)
Posted on November 8th, 2009 by
iCarly is a popular sitcom on the kids’ cable channel Nickelodeon. Teenager Carly runs her own Web site and she and her friends make crazy videos to post online. While filming, the gang goofs off, learns a lesson or two, and sometimes they’ll go on the occasional adventure. Now you can join in and help make crazy iCarly Webisodes, too, with iCarly for the Wii and DS.
Game Review: Adventures To Go (PSP)
Posted on November 5th, 2009 by
Finn Courtland is a warrior-in-training who helps out his struggling family by taking on odd jobs in town. Luckily for him, a new facility for training warriors just opened up. At Adventures To Go, you order what kinds of enemies you’ll fight and what types of land you’ll explore, then wizards will conjure up whatever you ordered. Finn uses Adventures To Go to help him make money and complete the odd jobs collected in town. Join Finn and his ragtag ream of adventurers as they make a profit and maybe even save the kingdom in the process.
Guest Review: Afrika (PS3)
Posted on November 4th, 2009 by
Afrika is a wildlife photography game on the PlayStation 3. Featuring lush, realistic graphics and animation, Afrika has more than 70 African animals to discover over 100 photography missions. We’re going to do something a little different with this review, though. I actually didn’t write the meat of this review. A co-worker and good friend of mine enjoys playing PS3 games with his son, James Kessler, so I decided to have 9-year-old James review it (plus I don’t have a PS3). So read on for his take on the game:
Free Wallace & Gromit Game!
Posted on November 4th, 2009 by
Normally I don’t like putting press releases up here on this blog page, but if it’ll help you folks get a free PC game, I don’t mind. In honor of the award-winning clay animated duo Wallace & Gromit’s 20th anniversary, TellTale games is offering one of their episodic Wallace & Gromit games this week for free! They’re excellent, family-friendly, point and click PC adventure games, so read on to find out how to get your free episode as well as other Wallace & Gromit goodies and tidbits.
Track IR – Head in the Clouds
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 by
Some who’ve followed my career believe that I’m a sucker for gimmicks. That I like doo-dads, gadgets and most of all, weird controllers. I’m the type of guy who when he heard about the Wii, he almost fainted. But the main reason I love them is that I see video games as fantasy play. Doing virtually what you can’t in real life. Controllers enhance that immeasurably. more…
Game Review: Tales of Monkey Island: Episode 4: The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood (PC, WiiWare)
Posted on November 2nd, 2009 by
When we last left Guybrush Threepwood: Mighty Pirate™, he had narrowly escaped the jaws of a giant manatee, only to be double crossed by the lady pirate hunter who teamed up with him in the first place. Now, back at the island where he started from, Guybrush faces a court trial not by law-abiding citizens, but fellow pirates with false accusations! Now Guybrush must do a bit of Phoenix Wright courtroom drama—pirate style, so he can continue his quest to rescue his wife and rid the Caribbean of the Pox of LeChuck!
