GamerDad and family 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.
Hire GamerDad / Media Guide

Roogoo Reviews: Roogoo Twisted Towers (Wii) & Roogoo Attack! (DS)

roogoowii_boxEver heard of the phrase: “You can’t fit a square peg in a round hole?” Well that’s the basic premise of two new video game puzzlers: Roogoo Twisted Towers on the Wii, and Roogoo Attack! on the DS. Both are based on the original Xbox LIVE Roogoo title, but each adds new features and gameplay modes.

more…

Cary’s Best Video Games of 2009 SO FAR Awards Show!

klonoaiconCan you believe the year is half over already? At the end of the year, everyone does a ‘best games of the year’ article and oftentimes, the games that were released at the beginning of the year are overshadowed by the big holiday titles that come out near the end. So I like to take some time in the middle of the year to give recognition to the best games of the year SO FAR. Now, keep in mind that this is my list only, and no other outside opinions are present. This means my list may be a little unfair because of my tastes in games (so stuff like MadWorld, InFamous, or Prototype won’t be on here). And plus, I’m only one person so I can’t play ALL the games. But enough with the introductions, please sit back and read about my picks for Best Games of the Year SO FAR!

more…

GamerDad at iVillage Again!

Another slideshow, this time a bit more fun. iVillage also asked me to handle the writing portion for another slideshow, this one about classic games.

10 Classic Videogames (That Are Still Awesome!)

more…

GamerDad in iVillage.com

How many ways are videogames GOOD for kids?  Let me count them.  Or just click on the link below to see how many ways iVillage wanted for the following slideshow (hint: it’s in the title).  Remember, it takes an iVillage to raise a child. (iVillage is a publication of NBC/Universal and is one of the most popular communities for mom-age women who are likely suspicious of gaming.)

10 Ways VideoGames Are Good for Kids

more…

Tiger Woods PGA 10 for Wii

boxart_eur_tiger-woods-pga-tour-10Q: Is Tiger Woods for Wii any better than last year? Does the new Motion sensor make it better? – TWood

Yes and yes. Golf eludes me. I mean real golf, it eludes me. Oh its not that I can’t find it – Milwaukee has an admirable number of cheap yet beautiful courses of varying difficulty – and its not completely due to any lack of money, the reason I don’t play much golf, I think, is because I’m pretty bad at it and have no interest in devoting to time to getting better – right now. Yet in spite of all that, I do like it. Since video games are all about doing something virtually that you can’t do, uh, nonvirtually, I do like me some video game golf. I’ve been playing video golf since the days when Links ruled the world, Golden Tee hadn’t dominated the arcade world and EA Sports’ Tiger Woods was just an upstart cub.

more…

Game Review: Tales of Monkey Island: Episode 1: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal (PC)

monkey_introArr, Matey! This be the typical, hackneyed way to start off a pirate-y game review! One of the most beloved point and click adventure series is back with Tales of Monkey Island for the PC (and later WiiWare). Join bumbling Guybrush Threepwood, Mighty PirateTM, as he rescues his wife Elaine from pirate demon LeChuck’s clutches. But when a voodoo concoction makes Guybrush’s magic cutlass go awry, his left hand gets possessed by LeChuck’s spirit and everyone gets shipwrecked and separated. Can Guybrush escape the winds of Flotsam Island, keep his possessed hand from getting him into trouble, AND save Elaine? Find out in the first episode: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal.

more…

Plants vs. Zombies

plants-vs-zombiesTwo … tastes, that taste, er, tasty together! Everyone seems to have caught on that a zombie apocalypse is inevitable and I highly recommend Max Brooks’ Survival Guide (did you know that Max is Mel Brooks’ son?). Popcap is smarter than most, they realize that the ultimate weapon against the hordes of undead are neighborhood plants. All hail the gardener! This is one terrific strategy game!

more…

Game Review: Treasure World (DS)

treasure_boxHave you ever heard of Geocaching? It’s a hobby that my dad and some of my little brothers are into. Basically you use a GPS device to hunt hidden treasures around the world left by other fellow Geocachers. Treasure World for DS isn’t quite like that, but it does share a few common traits with Geocaching. Both games have you hunting for treasure out in the real world using today’s technology, and you actually have to go outside to find it! But in Treasure World’s case, you pick up Wi-Fi hotspots to unlock virtual treasures in this very unique treasure hunting game.

more…

Game Review: Little League World Series Baseball 2009 (Wii, DS)

baseballwii_boxYou know what’s strange? I find baseball a very boring sport to watch both on TV and live. But whenever one of my little brothers or cousins ever had a Little League game, I would never pass up the chance to go watch them play. The kids were always more entertaining than the pros. It was great seeing my little brothers out there on the field having fun and learning valuable lessons on teamwork without too much pressure to win (or make money). And now you can enjoy all the fun of Little League with Little League World Series Baseball 2009 on the Nintendo Wii and DS.

more…

Fight Night Round 4

fightnightI was impressed with Fight Night, I complained a lot but liked Fight Night 2 (I was told the reason there wasn’t clinching was because it was impossible to implement in a fun way) Fight Night Round 3 added clinching, and it was fun, and I liked the game. But Fight Night Round 4 is the best of the series and among the best fighting games ever made.

more…