Tag: Wii

Epic Mickey Launches Today

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The much-anticipated game, Epic Mickey from Disney Interactive officially debuted today, and the kid and I were onhand in Times Square for the launch event. We got up bright and early, before the sun was even up, and kid and I made our way to the Disney Store in Times Square for the festivities.

In addition to demos of the game with the creator and developers of Epic Mickey, in Disney fashion, there were celebrities onhand: Kyle Massey and Jennifer Grey, both of whom just finished up Dancing with the Stars.

I’ve been anticipating the release of this amazing video game, which is exclusively on the Wii platform. I had the chance to check it out at the Disney Media preview this summer, and I’ve been smitten ever since.

The incredible graphics, cool premise and overall family appeal of the game are reasons worth checking out Epic Mickey, and seriously, the only reason why I was up at 5am this morning…and randomly made a brief appearance in the audience as part of the Good Morning America’s coverage of the launch.

Since we haven’t had time to play the game to appropriately review this title, I’ll leave you with a quick vignette of Epic Mickey from my coverage this summer.

Gift Glossary: great video games

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

In the video game sector, titles and technology are constantly evolving. With many new handheld titles and fun family titles to choose from, I had a tough time narrowing down NKT picks. I could go on and on with this exhaustive list for great family video games, but I chose many of the ones below because I had the unique chance to experience them first hand. For the ones that I didn’t try out myself, I felt that their family-friendliness and entertainment value coincided with NKT’s scope.  And as far as giveaways go, this is a biggie!  Enter for a chance to win these recently released video games and NKT picks!
So, here they are:

51zxuPNAUVL._SL500_AA280_Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom
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It’s Game On for Kai Lan

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

This holiday season, Ni Hao, Kai-lan will take on a new adventure as she joins the ranks as one of the latest video games for preschoolers. Available for the Wii, Nintendo DS and PlayStation2, like the popular Nickelodeon show, the Ni Hao, Kai-lan video game by 2K Play will infuse learning the Chinese language and culture, with a bit of action and adventure.

kailan
I’m so excited about Kai Lan, simply because she’s a non-princess Asian cartoon character that our family identifies with–you know, because we tickle the sun and sing with tigers on a daily basis.  Hooray for Ni Hao, Kai Lan becoming such a hit.

Up video game hits shelves today

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

upgraphicThe video game, Up, based on the Disney-Pixar film of the same name, is hitting shelves today. Up, by THQ, follows the adventures of Carl and his young sidekick, Russell, as they embark on a journey through the  jungles of South America. The four main characters of the video game are the same from the movie — Carl, Russell, Dug the dog and Kevin the prehistoric bird. The characters must work together to navigate jungle terrain, combat animals and avoid being captured by a villain and his army of talking dogs.

Rated E for Everyone, the game is available for Wii, DS, Xbox 360, Playstation 2 and 3, PSP, Widows and Mac and retails for $39.99.  Here’s the trailer for the video game.

The game has already been taken for a spin by video game reviewers, and it sounds like it’ll be a big hit with kids.

I’ve got kids and they sat still and quiet while I was playing UP, so I know this game will do well with children, it’s bright and colorful and cute, all of the things a kids games should be.

said Kristofer Brozio of TestFreaks. For a thorough review, complete with screenshots, be sure to check the Testfreaks.com blog. For more information on the movie, Up, which hits screens on the 29th, head on over to the official site.

New release: Boom Blox Bash Party

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram
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Spielberg holds a copy of Boom Blox Bash Party (Photo: BW)

Boom Blox Bash Party for Wii, another anticipated release for the week, is hitting stores today.  The follow up to last year’s Boom Blox game for Wii features almost twice as many multiplayer challenges as the original, hence the Bash Party. Players can play with or against others in co-op, versus and new team-based challenges.

Boom Blox Bash Party is the sequel to the critically-acclaimed Boom Blox which is an EA and Steven Spielberg collaboration.  The new release features cool themed worlds including Space, Pirate, Heroic and Show Time where kids can check out action puzzle game play in zero gravity and underwater.

Boom Blox Bash Party has more than 400 new levels and players can also download new levels for free with an Internet-connected Wii.

Be sure to check out Boom Blox Bash Party on Facebook and the trailer on You Tube.

Punch Out!! launches this week

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s a big week for video game releases, with tomorrow’s launch of the new Punch-Out!! game for Nintendo’s Wii as one of the most noteworthy.
punchoutlogoLittle Mac is back with other existing characters from the existing Punch-Out!! with the only new character called the Disco Kid. The video boxing game, that was loved by many since the NES days, was reinvented with the Wii’s motion-sensitive Remote and Nunchuk controllers. The appeal of a retro game, combined with new technology, has a lot of original Punch-Out!! fans talking.
There are various reviews out on the new Punch-Out!! but one that I found incredibly comprehensive, complete with graphics is over on ign.com. And from what it sounds like, the new Punch-Out!! is a big hit.

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Wii MotionPlus, Sports Resort to hit shelves soon

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Take note Wii fans: the new Wii MotionPlus is set to hit shelves on June 8th.  The Wii MotionPlus, which was unveiled last year, is said to take select Wii games to the next level.  The MotionPlus, which costs $19.99, can tracks players’ movements with even more detail—precise motions are replicated on screen with the slightest turn of the wrist.  Check out the press conference to see it all in action.
Wii

Nintendo said this add-on will be available well before the July 26 launch of the Sports Resort game. The Sports Resort game is a beach-themed follow-up to the Wii Sports game, which comes packed with the console. Each Wii Sports Resort game will be bundled with a single Wii MotionPlus accessory.

The Sports Resort game will introduce a new set of summery activities, like cruising on a water scooter, dueling with swords and throwing a Frisbee.  The Wii Sports Resort and Wii MotionPlus will be sold together for $49.99.
If it’s possible, dueling with fake swords just got a little cooler.