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.
Pikmin Bloom (Mobile)
3 Comments
Posted on January 28th, 2022 by
I like pretty much most every Nintendo franchise, but I’ve never really gotten into Pikmin. You’d think I would, since it’s a pretty cute and colorful series. But for whatever reason, I just couldn’t get into them. And the games in the series I did like, most other Pikmin fans hated. Like the 3DS Hey! Pikmin game that was more like a 2-D platformer. I liked that one because it reminded me of Kirby Mass Attack, but most Pikmin fans I’ve heard from hate it. But now there is another Pikmin game, and no it’s not Pikmin 4. It’s Pikmin Bloom, a mobile ‘game’ that counts your steps as you walk, and gives you rewards like more Pikmin and other goodies so you can spread Pikmin and flowers around the world! It’s made by the same folks who did the hit Pokémon GO game, and it shares a lot of similarities to that title. It’s available on mobile devices but reviewed on iPhone here.
Forest Island (Mobile)
Posted on January 26th, 2022 by
Cultivate your own ever-growing island with landmasses, vegetation, and wildlife in Forest Island, a relaxing endless clicker on mobile devices (reviewed on iPad here).
DIG!T (Mobile)
Posted on January 24th, 2022 by
This is a math puzzle number game where you are given a set of numbers, and must recreate the same number arrangement on the bottom of the screen. It has the subtitle of “Not Like Sudoku” but if you do like math puzzles such as Sudoku, you’ll probably like this one. It’s available on mobile devices but reviewed on iPad here.
SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash (Switch)
Posted on January 21st, 2022 by
Back in the late 90’s/early 2000’s, game maker SNK released a handheld called the NEO GEO Pocket Color, to compete with Nintendo’s Game Boy Color. I loved that handheld, and I’ve been super happy that over the past few years, many of those games have been re-released on the Switch. But every time I reviewed one, I would always want and ask in my review for them to re-release SNK vs Capcom: Card Fighters Clash on the Switch. That was my favorite game on the handheld. I liked it even more than Pokémon! I have a lot of great memories playing that game with my brother, and also playing it with SNK employees at E3 back then! So now I’m SUPER HAPPY that they’ve finally re-released it!
Rune Factory 4 Special (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Posted on January 19th, 2022 by
Story of Seasons, formerly known as Harvest Moon, is a popular long running series of farming life simulations. They’ve also had spinoffs in the Rune Factory series. These games combine the farming gameplay aspects with dungeon exploration and action packed battles in a fantasy setting. Nearly ten years ago, I reviewed Rune Factory 4 on 3DS, and now it’s getting a re-release with added features for current consoles and PC (but reviewed on PS4 here).
Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon (PS4, Switch, PC)
Posted on January 17th, 2022 by
The indie game Shovel Knight has really gained fame since its release. And for good reason, because it’s a great game! The 8-bit styled 2-D platformer has gotten spinoffs with playable bosses, a Smash clone with Shovel Knight Showdown, and has even gotten kids meal toys at Arby’s! And now Shovel Knight is starring in a puzzle action game! It’s available on PS4, Switch, and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Cary is Looking Forward in 2022
Posted on January 14th, 2022 by
At the beginning of every year I like to take a look at the games I’m looking forward to in the coming year and write about them. So that’s what we’re going to do here. Keep in mind that this list is by no means comprehensive, though. There will surely be games announced through the year that I will be interested in. And some of these games might be delayed, and there will be games I may not know about yet or have forgotten about. It’s hard to keep up with all the indie games I might want to play, for instance. But here’s my list anyway.
Match Three Pirates II (Switch, PC, Mobile)
Posted on January 12th, 2022 by
Help a kid build a pirate themed amusement park for his pirate friends in Match Three Pirates II. I’ve never played the first game so I don’t know what’s improved or changed in the sequel, but it’s your typical match three puzzle game like Candy Crush or Bejeweled. It’s available on Switch, PC, and mobile devices but reviewed on Switch here.
Horatio Goes Snowboarding (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Posted on January 10th, 2022 by
Horatio is a little blue ball guy with a moustache and goggles and he wants to go snowboarding! Guide him through the busy streets to the snowboard shop to pick up gear and then to the helicopter so he can ski down the mountain in this action game that takes elements from arcade classics like Konami’s Frogger and Taito’s Alpine Ski. It’s available on nearly all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Cary’s Best Games of 2021 Awards Show!
Posted on January 7th, 2022 by
Boy this has been one roller coaster of a year, with lots of ups and downs. But it’s the end of the year so you know what that means? It’s time for my “Best Games of 2021 Awards Show!” Keep in mind that this is my list only and no other outside opinions contributed. And if a game isn’t on this list, it either just didn’t appeal to me as much or I haven’t had a chance to play it yet. Ok with that out of the way, let’s begin!
