Video Games | ParentSphere

LeapFrog products for your collection

January 25, 2010 By: Amy Category: Babies, Kids, Products

I’ve played with a lot of toys over the past four years and can honestly tell you that my favorite brand is LeapFrog. I really like the quality of their toys and I’m also very impressed by the technology they use in their products. Not to mention they are an extremely generous company.

We recently added the following LeapFrog products to our ever-growing collection:

Zippity

zippity 300x237 LeapFrog products for your collection

Zippity is quite popular with my preschooler right now. It is very easy for her to grasp the concept of how this gaming system works. She gets to use her whole body, which is a plus because I swear, the kid never stops moving. I like it that she’s on her feet playing the game, rather than staring at the screen while sitting on the couch. This is an excellent gaming system for kids around the ages of 4 and up.

I am somewhat of a technology snob and pay attention to graphics. The graphics and animation of the games for this system are exceptional, in my opinion. I am pleased with the look and feel of Zippity. Good job on this one, LeapFrog!

(Picture of Hailey using Zippity coming soon)

My Pal Scout/Violet

mypalviolet 260x300 LeapFrog products for your collection

Pictured above is My Pal Violet. Cute, cute, cute! We love this puppy. Once again, LeapFrog has outdone themselves with technology. Violet and Scout can be connected to your computer via USB cable and personalized. I’m not kidding, we walk around the house everyday singing the little tunes that come from this puppy. Violet says our baby’s name (which grabs her attention); she sings personalized songs (for instance, right now, Violet likes the color black and meatballs are her favorite food. For a while, it was bacon). I absolutely love that you can connect and change options any time you want. This is a stuffed animal that is worth having around.

IMG 1142 300x216 LeapFrog products for your collection

(Teagan and Violet)

Tag Junior Book Pal

tag junior leapfrog 300x200 LeapFrog products for your collection

I’ve been itching to use our Tag Junior with the baby. I can’t wait to see her chubby hands wrapped around this chubby reader. Even our preschooler enjoys the Tag Junior but ultimately, her favorite is the regular Tag reader and books. Tag Junior is less pen-like, compared to the regular Tag Reader. It is much easier for babies/toddlers to grasp in their little, uncoordinated hands. The board books are just the right size for the smaller hands, too.

(Picture of the girls using Tag Junior coming soon)

Before I close, I will also mention that LeapFrog has the technology to tell you what your child is doing/learning. It’s just a matter of connecting your LeapFrog products to your computer and checking out the LeapFrog Learning Path that gathers information from the activities your child does on his/her LeapFrog products and calculates their progress. This is a fantastic, educational tool.

As far as I’m concerned, LeapFrog is blowing their competition out of the water with their quality and technology. I love that I’m able to experience these learning products with my kids! They have been such a huge part of our lives. Thank you, LeapFrog, for taking the time to make products that will make a difference in a child’s life in the future.

http://www.leapfrog.com/en/play/information_center.html

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Tags: books for kids, technology, toddler, toys and games, video games

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Nintendo DSi

April 04, 2009 By: Amy Category: His and Hers, Kids, Products

img 7572 Nintendo DSi

I’m a sucker for electronics that keep me connected. Speaking of products that keep you connected, the brand new Nintendo DSi is here. It retails for $169.99 and it’s pretty sweet. Why I like it: it has a built in camera (and an SD Card slot), you can connect to the internet wirelessly (I’ve already “Twittered” from my DSi), you can download games from the DSiWare shop and play your other Nintendo DS cartridge games on it. It comes in two colors: matte black or blue.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a parent now or what but I like the “get-away” concept of hand held gaming systems. It’s easy to slip this portable gaming system into my purse and head out the door. Never a dull moment. When it comes to these little systems, Nintendo is and always has been tops on my list.

Nintendo DSi is available at retailers on Sunday, April 5th (Hello? That’s less than TWO hours, CST!) I have had my DSi for just over a day and already highly recommend it.

This won’t be the last time you’ll hear from me about the brand new DSi.

Wanna know where to get the new Nintendo DSi? Here is a list of retailers:

Amazon.com
Best Buy
Target
GameStop
ToysRUs
Sears
Walmart

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Tags: nintendo ds, video games

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Going Rechargeable

March 30, 2009 By: Amy Category: Products

Sometime in 2008, I realized how silly it was to continuously buy batteries that would die after their initial use. With a preschooler and a ton of toys lying around that require batteries, that just didn’t make much sense. We also have video games and cameras that require batteries. The obvious decision was to go rechargeable.

So, my first purchase was an Energizer Rechargeable Easy Charger and some double and triple “A” batteries.

energizer easy charger Going Rechargeable

We have since added other types of Energizer rechargeable batteries to our collection, as well as another charger, so they’re conveniently located in the rooms of our house where our electronics are located. The Energizer Easy Charger can be purchased for around $24 bucks and most major retailers and I’m sure you can find a good deal on it online somewhere. It just makes sense to go rechargeable.

Energizer even has a $5 rebate offer on their site when you purchase of one of their chargers.

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Tags: cameras, electronics, toys and games, video games

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Nintendo DS: Neopets Puzzle Adventure

March 05, 2009 By: Amy Category: His and Hers, Kids, Products

ds neopets box Nintendo DS: Neopets Puzzle Adventure

Honestly, I have not taken this game out of my Nintendo DS Lite for months. These puzzle games were a savior on the restless nights during my first trimester. I’m a big fan of puzzle games in my old age. Neopets Puzzle Adventure by Capcom is fun and I recommend it.

I’m not so much into playing the game in Story Mode but instead, I jump right into the Instant Action. I pick one of the four games: Battle, Forging, Training and Quick Draw. My favorite, by far, is Forging. Man it’s addictive. You can play it online and see for yourself:

Neopets Puzzle Adventure is also available for Wii and the PC. Definitely check it out!

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Tags: nintendo ds, video games

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VTech V-Motion

December 01, 2008 By: Amy Category: Contests, Kids, Products

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR V-MOTION WINNER!
*Sarah (#206)

Our winner has been notified via email

v motion VTech V Motion

We’ve been playing around with the V-Motion for several months and have lovingly deemed it our “Vii” or “Wii for kids”. This educational gaming system is geared toward the 3-7 year old age range. Our three year old easily grasps the concept of moving the controller up and down or side to side to get the characters to move where she wants them to go.

It’s all pretty simple, really. Place one of the Smartridges (over 40 popular titles to choose from) into the V-Motion, start up the game. Watch your child move and play. When he or she is done playing, take the V.Link (like a USB flash drive) and plug it into your PC’s USB port. Track your child’s progress and scores and access more online games at VSmileLink.com.

We’re giving away a V-Motion along with two popular game titles: Wall-E and Wonder Pets

v motion smartridges VTech V Motion

To enter: leave a comment on this giveaway post (comment section is located below the post, under “Category” and “Tags”. In your entry comment, let us know if you own any VTech products and if so, which one(s).

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes. Last day to enter is Friday, December 12, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification. This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

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*Take me back to the Holiday Giveaway Guide so I can enter more giveaways!
*Hosting a giveaway or posting a gift guide at your site? Make sure you link to it on Mr. Linky HERE
*Do you “Twitter“? We’d just adore you if you would “Tweet” about this giveaway!

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Tags: electronics, grade schooler, holiday giveaway guide, preschooler, video games

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PopStar Guitar for Wii and PS2

November 20, 2008 By: Amy Category: Contests, His and Hers, Kids, Products

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR POPSTAR GUITAR GAME WINNER!
*Taj K.

Our winner has been notified via email

popstar guitar PopStar Guitar for Wii and PS2

I have anxiously been awaiting this game to arrive on store shelves and now it’s finally here! Similar to Guitar Hero, this game lets you play along to your favorite pop songs like; See You Again by Miley Cyrus, Since You Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson and It’s Not Over by Daughtry just to name a few (more than 50 songs included).

airg PopStar Guitar for Wii and PS2

PopStar Guitar retails for about $60 and comes with the “AirG”, a peripheral that turns the Wii Remote™ into an air guitar. Here is some more info about the game:

PopStar Guitar features a single player Career Mode and two-player Co-operative Mode, along with single player and multi-player mini-games. The game takes the player on a musical journey that starts with forming a garage band to playing at 25 unique venues and eventually performing in the worldwide “Battle of the Bands” contest. Twelve playable characters are featured in the game and can be customized to give the band its own unique look. PopStar Guitar features over 50 pop songs, including several masters performed by the original artists.

We’re giving away a PopStar Guitar bundle for the Wii system. The bundle includes two AirG peripherals.

To Enter: Fill out the giveaway entry form below and click “SUBMIT”. If you have successfully entered, you should get an auto email response (Check your spam folder).

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes. Last day to enter is Friday, December 12, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification. This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

–
*Take me back to the Holiday Giveaway Guide so I can enter more giveaways!
*Hosting a giveaway or posting a gift guide at your site? Make sure you list it HERE
*Do you “Twitter“ ? We’d just adore you if you would “Tweet” about this giveaway!

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Tags: holiday giveaway guide, video games, wii

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LeapFrog DIDJ gaming handheld system

November 19, 2008 By: Amy Category: Contests, Kids, Products

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LEAPFROG DIDJ WINNER!
* Sarah H.

Our winner has been notified via email

leapfrog didj LeapFrog DIDJ gaming handheld system

I’ve “played” with enough LeapFrog toys over the past three years to tell you my honest opinion of this brand. I think they make phenomenal products. Any LeapFrog product that we have owned has more than exceeded my expectations for children’s toys. They have been made with quality craftsmanship and I love that as my little girl grows, there is a LeapFrog product that she can grow into, year after year.

We are entertaining the LeapFrog Leapster2 right now but the next gaming handheld (for school-aged kids, 1st through 4th) is the LeapFrog DIDJ (ages 6-10). What do I love so much about LeapFrog’s handhelds? They make educational games for them! Fun and education, hand-in-hand. As a parent, I like the ring of that.

We’re giving away a DIDJ gaming handheld system of the winner’s choice, along with these three games:

didj games LeapFrog DIDJ gaming handheld system

The brand new Hannah Montana custom-learning game (8-11 yrs), the brand new Indiana Jones custom-learning game (7-10 yrs) and the brand new Nicktoons Android Invasion custom-learning game (7-10 yrs).

To enter: LeapFrog’s Learning Path is an online experience that lets you see and shape your child’s learning. Include the answer to the following Learning Path question in your entry form:

“What are the three steps of LeapFrog’s Learning Path?”

(Hint: Click HERE)

Fill out the giveaway entry form below and click “SUBMIT”. If you have successfully entered, you should get an auto email response (Check your spam folder).

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes. Last day to enter is Friday, December 12, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification. This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

–
*Take me back to the Holiday Giveaway Guide so I can enter more giveaways!
*Hosting a giveaway or posting a gift guide at your site? Make sure you list it HERE
*Do you “Twitter“? We’d just adore you if you would “Tweet” about this giveaway!

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Tags: educational material, electronics, holiday giveaway guide, preschooler, video games

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Wii is way cool.

September 02, 2008 By: Amy Category: Family Fun, His and Hers, Products

wii Wii is way cool.

Nintendo’s Wii made its debut in our home earlier this summer and I must say, it’s just so cool. We love it. I have played my fair share of video games on various different systems but Wii takes the cake, hands down.

I have always thought the original Nintendo game console made a great family pastime, and now that I’ve experienced Wii, my love for Nintendo has been rekindled. I have already downloaded several old favorites from the Wii Shop Channel. Connecting to the internet from my video game console? Seriously? How freaking cool.

I love it that you actually have to get off of your butt to play some of these interactive games. Believe me, the first time I played tennis and boxing on Wii Sports, I broke out into a huge sweat and my legs and arms were sore the next day. I know, that says a lot about me, right?

We haven’t even used the Wii to its full capability yet, so you can bet this will be a product that is revisited many more times in the near future.

In the meantime, go get a Wii. It will not disappoint.

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Tags: electronics, video games, wii

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GoPets: Vacation Island (for Nintendo DS Lite)

June 02, 2008 By: Amy Category: His and Hers, Kids, Products

GoPets Logo

I have a Nintendo DS Lite and have been trying out some new games on it. One I’ve been playing lately is GoPets Vacation Island. It’s basically a kid-friendly introduction to social networking by way of virtual pets. My toddler is a bit too young to really understand the concept yet but she had fun creating her “pet” with me. We are the proud adopted parents of a purple puppy. In the game, your adopted pet roams around the island and meets other pets and plays games. If you connect using the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, you can meet other pets on the island and exchange “Iku” messages. These are picture-coded messages that you send back and forth with other virtual pet-owners. A game like this also teaches basic responsibility, because the child needs to care for his or her “pet”, as well as take initiative to care for someone else’s pet.

GoPets

This is a really cute game – perfect for the pre-school to grade school-age kids. The game is rated E for everyone and makes a perfect road trip/vacation companion. We really just started playing around with it and I realize there is so much more to explore. Playing a game like this just brings me back to grade school when we used to WRITE (with pencil and paper) to pen pals across the world, or even send balloon messages with a letter attached. Funny how things change. Now you have pen pals on your handheld game console.

Oh, one thing my toddler LOVES to do on the GoPets Vacation Island game is play the balloon popping game. She’s figured out how to use the stylus pen and shoot the darts up into the viewing screen to pop the balloons and get prizes. I had a hard time getting her to put down the game after she figured that one out.

Overall, I think this game is worth checking out. It provides a way for your child to use his or her imagination and become social in a safe and friendly setting.