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.
Retrograde Arena (Switch, PC)
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Posted on July 12th, 2021 by
Retrograde Arena is a multiplayer twin stick shooter, with a retro vector visual style. It’s free for Nintendo Switch Online users, so I figured, ‘what the heck, I’ll give it a go.’ Like most twin stick shooters, you move with the left JoyCon and aim with the right. Fire your lasers with the Z trigger button. But from what I could tell, most weapons won’t kill you, but push you back farther. Firing your own weapon does that, too, so you can use that to your advantage to move faster. What you really have to watch out for are dangerous walls that you can bump into, that can ether bounce you around or outright kill you!
Summer of SNK: Part 1
Posted on July 9th, 2021 by
When I was a kid, (well, early teen I guess), game maker SNK came out with a console called the NEO GEO. The games on it were arcade perfect, which was amazing, but not really when you consider the cartridges were the same being used in the NEO GEO arcade machines that let you choose which games to play. The only downside was the home console was EXPENSIVE! The console itself cost more than 700 bucks, and each game was over 100 dollars! I didn’t know ANYONE back then who owned a NEO GEO! That’s why when I see a NEO GEO collection now for cheap, I feel compelled to buy it. It’s like retribution. Take that, SNK! I can afford your stuff now! So the fad in the past few years is to make mini game consoles with games already included on them. They’ve done it with the NES, SNES, SEGA Genesis, TG-16, and more. And now they’re doing it with the NEO GEO! But this one is different! Instead of being shaped like a tiny NEO GEO, it’s made to look like a little arcade machine! You can even play the games on a small screen, so it’s portable, too! But you can also hook it up to a big TV! I got one at a reasonable price, so let’s take a look at it!
Guilty Gear -Strive- (PS4, PS5, PC)
Posted on July 7th, 2021 by
While Street Fighter 2 is probably the most recognizable one-one-one 2-D fighting game series, there are plenty of others that have made a name for themselves over the years. With its anime styled characters and rockin’ soundtrack, Guilty Gear is just one of those series. Now the newest entry is out for PS4, PS5, and PC (reviewed on PS4 here). Is it any good? You’ll just have to read on to find out!
LEGO Builder’s Journey (Switch, PC, Apple Arcade)
Posted on July 5th, 2021 by
I have been fortunate enough to review nearly every LEGO game that has been released in the past decade or so (maybe longer). It’s been a true honor and it’s great because the LEGO games are fun and perfect for both kids and adults to play together! But there’s only one problem. Pretty much every LEGO game in the past 20 years has played the same. So much so that I can basically cut and paste parts of my reviews and change very little to meet the needs of each LEGO game review. Don’t get me wrong, this format of LEGO game is still tons of fun. But if you crave something a little different, this next LEGO game has you covered. Builder’s Journey presents small single screen areas made of LEGOs, and you must solve puzzles with real LEGO blocks in each one (kind of reminds me of Captain Toad in a way). Originally released on Apple Arcade, Builder’s Journey is now available on Switch and PC (reviewed on Switch here).
Cary’s Best Games of 2021 SO FAR Awards Show!
Posted on July 2nd, 2021 by
I’d like to say this year’s been better than the last, but it really hasn’t. Even though it’s improved, we’re still having to deal with a lot of COVID crap. And then we found out my mom had breast cancer late last year and we had to deal with the surgeries this year. Luckily she’s cancer free now, which is a miraculous and wonderful thing, and I thank God everyday for that. But man it sure was rough for a couple of months there. You have no idea. But anyway, around this time of year I like to make a list of my best games SO FAR, because usually the AAA titles are released later in the year during the holiday season, and the titles that came out earlier tend to be forgotten. So here’s when those games get their due. 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!
Fishing Fighters (Switch)
Posted on June 30th, 2021 by
Fishing Fighters is a Switch exclusive fishing game with an emphasis on story and multiplayer. In the main Story Mode, you play as Kaito, a young aspiring fisherman who gets a letter in the mail from his long lost dad. Inside the letter is a ticket to a fishing tournament, so now he’s off to compete and be the best angler ever. He’ll meet anime inspired characters like a busty professor lady that teaches him the ropes, as well as a host of other friends and rivals.
Dreamworks’ Spirit: Lucky’s Big Adventure (Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Posted on June 28th, 2021 by
I have a younger cousin who lives in Alabama who just loved horses as a kid. One time when I came to visit she had a N64 and a copy of Ocarina of Time and wanted me to help her get to the part of the game where she could ride the horse. So I played to that point and gave the controller to her and that’s all she did! A few years later when I came back to visit, there was an animated movie in theaters that we took her to see called Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and she loved it! Bottom line is, kids love horses. And why wouldn’t they? Horses are pretty cool animals. And now there is a computer animated spin-off series of Spirit on Netflix, plus a new movie based on the Netflix show out now in theaters. And now you can play a game based on the new movie and Netflix series with Dreamworks’ Spirit: Lucky’s Big Adventure. It’s available on nearly all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on Switch here.
Cary at E3 2021
Posted on June 25th, 2021 by
Hey folks, guess what? After many years of being denied a press pass into E3, I finally got in again! But then, this year’s show was only virtual, so I think pretty much ANYONE with a gaming site should’ve gotten a press pass. But I’ll make the best of the situation and write an article about it anyway! So here it is!
0 Degrees (PS4, Switch, Xbox One)
Posted on June 23rd, 2021 by
You are a climber exploring snowy mountains, and you have the power to create ice blocks. Solve platforming jumping and block pushing puzzles in this 2-D action game available for most current consoles but reviewed on PS4 here.
Rift Racoon (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, PC)
Posted on June 21st, 2021 by
You are a raccoon who has free reign to walk around a science lab. Maybe this animal is a pet or mascot, as one of the scientists in the lab gives you a hug when you walk past. Although you can knock down beakers and break computers when you go by. Anyway, shortly after you start, you find a wrist device that lets you warp a few feet in front of you, and these same scientists are ok with letting you test it. So as a raccoon, you’ll run, jump, climb walls, and warp between them as you make it to the end of super challenging 2-D platform levels. For a while their spelling of ‘racoon’ in the game’s title bugged me to no end, but apparently it’s also a correct way to spell it. I’m still using two C’s for my review outside the title, though. Anyway, Rift Racoon is available to download on nearly all current game consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
