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.
NERF Legends (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
1 Comment
Posted on February 18th, 2022 by
The NERF line is one of the most popular toy brands out there, earning nearly half a billion dollars annually. It includes not only foam sports balls, but also toy blasters that shoot out foam darts and other safe projectiles. And now you can play a first person shooter game based on the blaster toys. You are selected to compete in NERF challenges on a futuristic island. Go at it alone in obstacle filled challenges where you must zap robots, solve puzzles, and bypass obstacles. Or you can challenge others online in multiplayer matches. NERF Legends is available on nearly all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Flow Water: 3-D Fountain Puzzle (Mobile)
Posted on February 16th, 2022 by
One of my favorite puzzle games is Pipe Dream. In that game, you placed different shaped pipes to lead a path of water around. Flow Water: 3-D Fountain Puzzle takes that concept and adds 3-D visuals and gameplay to the mix. It’s available free-to-play on mobile devices, but reviewed on iPad here.
Cake Invaders (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Posted on February 14th, 2022 by
There’s a kind of German cake called Baumkuchen, and you bake it by rolling batter on a spit and spinning it around. I’d like to try it, but it sounds like a pain to make! Because of how you make it, the cake looks like it has rings, like the ones you find in trees. In fact, the direct translation of Baumkuchen is ‘tree cake,’ Baum meaning tree and Kuchen meaning cake in German (my German classes in high school and college finally paying off). This kind of cake is also popular in Japan for some reason. And I learned all of this by playing Cake Invaders. Who says video games don’t teach you anything? Anyway, in Cake Invaders, you must protect slices of Baumkuchen from waves of aliens in this classic arcade styled shooter. It’s like a cross between Space Invaders and Missile Command, and it’s available on nearly all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
One More Quest (Tabletop RPG)
Posted on February 13th, 2022 by
One More Quest is a unique entry into the world of tabletop role playing games. When I say it is a dice-chucking RPG, I mean it LITERALLY is a dice-chucking game. The value of the die rolled is not as important as where it lands on the table. Players must toss one or more 6 sided dice onto the table, trying to get them to land in the center of a target ring. Rolls closer to the center represent a better outcome. As with most RPGs, players create characters with abilities and skills which give them advantages to specific situations. What brings particular levity to the game is the requirement that players must toss their dice in a certain way, depending on the situation. Are you doing a stealth check? Make your roll crouching low to the table? Some sort of intelligence check? Bounce it off your forehead, etc.. Players’ skills provide bonuses, but also incur a “cost” such as a ranged attack requiring rolls from a step away from the table. These can be combined so one might end up rolling extra dice with bonuses, but throw them backwards, with your off hand, and they must bounce twice before hitting the target. Clearly the game is not going to provide a dark, long-term strategic RPG, however it can provide a night of hilarity as long as everyone knows what they’re getting into. I’m posting a note about the game because it is currently up on Kickstarter for just a few more days. If it sounds like it might be your cup of tea, feel free to check it out! Read on to find further thoughts I’ve had about the free playtest copy that is available.
Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! (Mobile)
Posted on February 11th, 2022 by
There is a music synthesizer called Vocaloid that can replicate singing voices, and in Japan, they’ve created characters to go along with those voices. Probably the most popular of those characters is Hatsune Miku, an anime styled girl character with long blue pigtails. Pretty neat character designs on these Vocaloids, really. And now you can play a game where you help Miku and her friends play music, perform in band groups, and help others in this free-to-play mobile title (reviewed on iPad here).
Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Switch, PS4, PS5, PC)
Posted on February 9th, 2022 by
In the land of Picnic, which is full of talking anthropomorphic animals, there is one special individual who wields a paintbrush. This ‘Wielder’ is in charge of all the colors in the land, and the brush has been passed down from generations. The new wielder is a rabbit named Chicory. But you don’t play as her. You play as her janitor, a little dog named after whatever you put as your favorite food. So in my game you played as Pizza. One day while cleaning, all the color disappears from the world so you go check on Chicory. She’s locked herself in her room, but the brush is outside. So you take the brush and become the new wielder, but all of a sudden, black corrupted plants fill the land and you must use your new brush powers to stop them and find out what’s happened to Chicory. Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a top down viewed adventure game that combines elements from classic Zelda games with paint and drawing puzzles like Okami. And since every screen is black and white at first, you can color in every single area like a coloring book if you like! The game is available on Switch, PlayStation consoles, and PC, but reviewed on Switch here.
Queeny Army (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
Posted on February 7th, 2022 by
An evil dictator has taken over and kills the Dean of an influential university. The dictator’s corrupt police force traps the female college students there, but they fight back and steal their weapons. Join the resistance in this run and gun 2-D action platformer. Queeny Army is available for PlayStation consoles, Switch, and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Pizza Pixel Podcast: Episode 6: Top Five Favorite Educational Games
Posted on February 4th, 2022 by
For some reason, educational kids’ games are near and dear to my heart. So I decided to have that be the next topic for my podcast! And since my brother Jared seemed to be the most prolific when talking about this subject, I decided to have him with me for this episode. So check this one out if you want to learn more about educational games for both kids and adults!
Windjammers 2 (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Stadia, PC)
Posted on February 2nd, 2022 by
Windjammers was an arcade game from 1994, also released on the NEO GEO. It was developed by the now defunct game company Data East, who made such classics as Burgertime, Karnov, Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninjas, and many more. Five years ago Windjammers was finally released on the PS4, and I reviewed it here. Windjammers is a sports game where you and an opponent toss flying throwing discs at each other, trying to score goals at the opposite end of the playfield. It’s a mix of air hockey, Pong, and a bit of Super Dodge Ball. And now there’s finally a sequel on most current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Breakneck City (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Posted on January 31st, 2022 by
Breakneck City is a throwback retro styled side scrolling beat ‘em up with low poly graphics. Play as a guy or a girl in single or two player co-op as you beat down thugs who are trying to shut down your favorite video rental place. Punch and kick your way through city streets, night clubs, factories, and more. It’s available on nearly all current game consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
