Video Game Tips for Tweens and Teens

Aces High Main Arena- Is There Enough BANG! for your Buck

2007-09-25T14:39:00.000-05:00

If you think $15 a month is a lot of money to spend on a game, think again - it's only 50 cents per day. I end up finding that much under the couch each day. The monthly fee gets you access to the Main Arenas at Aces High and that is where all the action is!

Aces High is the best World War 2 game out there in terms of aviation.
The 300 player battles are better than 8 player could have ever been. There are toms of players on, and unlike 8 player, there is a bad word filter. The lag is greatly decreased, and there are no cheaters or hackers in them. Skins that you make or download from Aces High can also be used and seen by other people. In the MA's you can also join a squad, or create one.

Happy flying!

PS - Sign-up for Aces High now and compete for cash prizes in the Aces High Championship Shootout! Every month through March, the top 15 pilots are awarded cash prizes and qualify to compete in the Championship Shootout for the Cash Grand Prize! Visit www.flyaceshigh.com for complete contest rules.

Google Earth Top Secret Flight Simulator

2007-09-11T18:43:00.000-05:00

Just a short post, if you press Alt+I in Google earth you can get a flight simulator. It has no sound but you can choose an F-16 or an SR-22 (a small piston powered plane, not a fiction jet).
The throttle is the page buttons, landing gear is g, flaps down f; up shift f. You can fly with the arrows or the mouse . It's a fun way to explore and has great graphics. You can get Google Earth here if you don't have it already.

If anyone figures out how to add sound to it please post a comment.

America's Army-The Army's Next Generation Recruitment Tool

2007-09-04T19:28:00.000-05:00

A few years ago the U.S Army came up with a great way to get new recruits-A video game! It's called America's Army and it's a great first person shooter for tweens.

Pros:The blood can be turned on or off in case you dont like to see it. There are a ton of maps and it comes with a map editor. The controls can be reconfiured to your joystick and keyboard. four types of soldiers: Infantry, Airborne Ranger, Special forces and explosive specialist. The controls are a little hard to get used to but its fun when you do. Very realistic. Free download. Rated "t" so most tweens are probably old enough to play it.

Cons: One of the only things I didnt like was the training missions have to be completed before you can play any multiplayer or campaign mission. Huge file size ( 2 GB)

Download it from http://www.americasarmy.com/downloads/

In my opinion this is the most life-like first person shooter I have played.

Pokémon Pearl

2007-08-14T05:56:00.000-05:00

Pokemon Pearl Version is one of the games my 11 year old got this summer. Here are the things he likes and dislikes about the game - in his own words:

Thinks I like:

The game has Wi-Fi abilities for trading, battling and chatting
There are more than 150 new Pokémon to catch, trade, and battle
It is possible to catch all but about 50 of the 482 Pokémon between Diamond and Pearl
Pal park is a new feature that allows you to transfer and re-catch your Pokémon from GameBoy Advance games with master balls
There's a whole new region to explore - Sinnoh

Things I don't like:

To complete the national Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Pokedex: Prima Official Game Guide you have to have the other Nintendo DS and GBA games
You can't use the touch screen to move
Most legendaries have a 0.03 catch rate, so it's hard to catch them

Webkinz

2007-08-13T14:57:00.000-05:00

Webkinz is the latest craze in our house! It all started when my youngest was given a Webkinz while she was in the hospital this summer. She named her cute Polar Bear, Coconut, and she couldn't wait to get home and set up an account on Webkinz. It wasn't long before her older sister was wheeling and dealing for time on Coconut's user and then decided to save up her own money for a Webkinz of her own.

So what is all the fuss about? Each Webkinz stuffed animal has its own unique code that its owners can enter at the Webkinz web site. Once an account is created, the owner can name their virtual pet and start playing. There are games and activities to play for fun and Webkinz dollars. There are things you can buy or sell for your pets using your Webkinz dollars, too.

The real hook comes when the girls real world friends log-in and they can play games with each other. Yes, you can add friends that you don't really know, but for now, my girls prefer to play with kids they really know.

But for some reason, my girls are not happy with just one animal each! They are currently saving their money for additional Webkinz. Leading the pack are:

Dogz Fashion

2007-02-18T11:36:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for a cute game for the 5-12 girly set, we highly recommend Dogz Fashion for GBA.

My 8 year old daughter gives the game a glowing review. With Dogz Fashion you can pick a puppy, dress it in cute clothes, care for it, take it for walks and even enter it in contests. You earn points along the way as well. Some basic reading ability is needed.

According to Miss M,

"If you take good care of your dog, it's heart level will go up and when it is all the way up, your dog will be able to talk."

New Gameboy Micro Fits in the Palm of your Hand

2007-01-23T00:58:00.000-05:00

While waiting for his sisters to finish their gymnastics practice tonight, my son discovered a cool new handheld from Nintendo - the Game Boy Micro Black. His friend was playing it and let my son give it a try while the friend was in Karate class.

The Gameboy Micro is COOL. It is the size of a cell phone but has great screen quality. It plays all the GBA games, but not the old GB classic games. Still, that leaves tons of games to choose from. It also has a collection of skins so you can change your Micro's look with your mood.

My son was most impressed with the Micro's battery life. I think he played Kirby Nightmare in Dream Land for about 2 hours and he said the battery light never came on. I did some research - the battery should last 6-8 hours. That is perfect for long car trips and waiting for the sibs at sports practices.

The Micro is also less expensive than the other Gameboy models. You can get it for around $50.

Has anyone else given the Micro a test drive? What are your thoughts? Is it worth it or is a DS a better deal all together?

Nerf Wireless Controller for PS2

2007-01-20T07:54:00.000-05:00

Want to know the most requested PS2 accessory for the tween-set right now? It's the Nerf Wireless Controller. My son asked me to pick one up for his friend's birthday and then he couldn't put it down. I can tell my son really wants one too, because he asked how much it was, how many chores he needed to do, and where I got it.

The answer to those questions: I found the controller on the shelf at Target and it cost $29.99. I have yet to see it show up on Amazon yet, so it must be pretty new.

Even my husband said that he wanted one. It is pretty cool - the outside of the controller is Nerf material, making it easy to grip and it is soft (just in case one goes flying into another object). This one is still in the package, but I sure it will get "road tested" this evening at the party.

These Robots Rock

2007-01-14T13:01:00.000-05:00

Robots were all the rage at the CES 2007 in Las Vegas this past week. We have had so much fun watching all the videos of the different robots in their collection, including Elvis, the new Robosapien, Roboboa, and the pandas. We are sharing some of our favorite videos with you!

Playlibrary had a great PCWorld clip of the Robotis Bioloid Robot Kit.
PCWorld's blog featured a great highlight clip of many of the Robots in action.
Wowwee's Panda does not even have a remote - you interact with it through touch.
Engadget has a good clip of three new robots from Wowwee - the Roboquad, Robosapien media, and a singing Elvis
And there is also a video of Asimo running. Cool stuff!

What TechToys Did Santa Bring You?

2006-12-28T09:17:00.000-05:00

Did you get everything you wanted? TechToys received in this house included:

Lego Mindstorms
Palm Treo phone (for mom)
Multiple PS2 and GBA games
An iFlop dog for plugging the iPod into.

The Big Decision - GBA or DS?

2006-12-11T00:03:00.000-05:00

My daughter bought a cute pink GameBoy Advance in September for her birthday. Now she is regretting the decision and really wants a Nintendo DS instead. What should I do? Should I get her the DS for Christmas and hand the GBA down to her younger sister? Or should I just make her wait to upgrade later?

Are the games for DS that much better? Anyone care to shed some light on this for me?

Kids and Technology - Sound off

2006-11-17T11:19:00.000-05:00

Today we are having a carnival of sorts - not the old fashioned, pre-technology, cotton candy kind - but a new fangled, blog carnival. My pals at MomGadget are sounding off here today, but anyone is welcome! Just leave us a comment and a link to your post on kids and technology and you are in!

Technology is everywhere and there is nothing we can do to avoid it. Our kids were born with a mouse in one hand and a remote in the other. They are growing up in an environment, that as kids, we could not have even seen coming!

I must confess, our household is probably a bit on the technology extreme. After all, for a family of five, we have 6 desktop computers and two working laptops. The kids have the coolest playroom - one wall was transformed into their own workstation. We bought three kitchen cabinet bases, trimmed the bottoms, added a long countertop across them all and poof, we have a kids' office. We got three kid-sized swivel office chairs and now each child has their own computer, cabinet, and chair.

Now before anyone gets worried, I can see the playroom and all three computers from my office. All the appropriate filters are in place and rules have been set. Our kids are pretty busy with afterschool sports and homework that really the office is used most on weekends. Some pretty priceless moments have been overheard though. There is nothing like watching my 10 year old son coach his 4 year old sister through a Disney Princess game! My son and my 8 year old daughter play Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom (alot) and I have been very impressed with the site moderation. Yes, they each have email accounts, too. But, they are set up so that the only email allowed in is from people we put in their contact list.

I am very pro-technology. Our kids have to be tech-saavy - they need it for survival in the real world. It's not all games in our house. The kids use Word for homework. Both of the older ones have used Excel and Powerpoint in school and I have been teaching my son to use some of the graphics and HTML tools I used everyday in my business.

What's your take? Sounding off today, we have:

Gayla at Supernanny Rules - she seems to be of a slightly different attitude than me, but it is a great perspective!
HomeMom takes a few lessons from her kids when it comes to technology.
Jennifer is like me in that we just don't get all the PS3 madness (We aren't getting one! Not this year.)
Another must-read is the article Gayla sent me called "Parenting on Thin Ice" - a unique perspective on kids and their games!
Delphine chimes in with shopping for kids and technology.
And even my alter-ego Casual Keystrokes (yes, that's just another one of my blogs) has something to say in a rant about PS3.

Don't worry you are not too late to join in! Leave me a comment and I'll get you on the list.

You are invited! Technology and Tweens Blog Carnival

2006-11-13T07:32:00.000-05:00

Today's tweens - they were born with a mouse in one hand and a video game controller in the other. These kids have been playing computer games, video games, controlling the remote and playing with gadgets since birth. What do you think of it? Sound off this week on your blog and let me know (a comment would be perfect). We will be having a blog carnival here on Friday thanks to my pals at MomGadget.

I am looking for just about any posts that talk about tweens (or kids of any age) and technology. Like:

Do you/your kids play computer/video games too much? Too little?
What are the favorite tech devices in your home? Computer, PSP, GBA, X-box?
Favorite games or a review of a favorite game.
Strategies for monitoring and managing technology time?
Things kids say or other funny technology stories. Like the fact that my daughter could type www.pbskids.org before she could type her name.

Don't be shy! Jump in. Sound off. Share. It is sure to be a great time.

Fly Aces High - WWII Flight Simulation

2006-11-05T17:16:00.000-05:00

FlyAcesHigh.com takes the art and science of vintage WWII air combat and sets it in an online high intensity environment where hundreds of players can battle it out with and against each other. High fidelity air combat is the heart of Aces High, but it doesn't end there. In addition to flying a multitude of aircraft types, players can also man vehicles, boats, amphibs, gun batteries, and ships. It's the most diverse virtual arsenal available to players in this genre and it's constantly growing through frequent updates. In the air, on land, and at sea, the battle rages 24 hours a day with participants from around the world. And you can try it for 2 weeks for free! Click here to go to FlyAcesHigh.com

Microsoft Releases Flight Simulator X

2006-10-17T09:12:00.000-05:00

The day is finally here! My son has been eagerly awaiting the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator X. I have heard the countdown for weeks. When he announced it again last night (while watching Top Gun in surround sound with my husband), we suggested that it would make a great Christmas present. His response - "No way!" as he announced to us that he had this much birthday money left and this much allowance, and a gift card, so he was going to get it as soon as I would get him to the store.

You can download a trial version or get a screen saver for your PC at Microsoft's official Flight Simulator X page.

More Flight Simulator X reviews, info, and tips can be found at:

Leave us a comment and let us know what you think of this new game!

Gaming Try Before You Buy!

2006-10-10T10:52:00.000-05:00

We cleaned out the playroom over the weekend and got everything reorganized. In the process I noticed something - there are a lot of PS2 games down there that have not been played in ages. A lot of them I question as to whether we got our money's worth from.

I just found out about a service where you can rent unlimited games with GottaPlay.com.
It is kind of like Netflix for video games. Think of the money I could have saved!

Basically, you set up an account, decide how many games you want to rent at a time, pick your favorite games, and go. They send you video games. You play them as long as you want and when you are done, you send them back and they send you your next title. If you decide you really like the game you can just purchase it. How easy is that?

Product Review: Trinkies - Bling for your Cell Phone

2006-10-10T09:07:00.000-05:00

Now that more and more tweens are getting their own cell phones, we're seeing more products that let them customize their phones. Last week we found Trinkies. Let's just say they are bling for your "ring." We got two of them. A cute green shamrock for me and the sparkly pink fairy for my daughter.

Trinkies are like jewelry for your phone's antennae. Slip them on and off easily and change them out to match your mood, your outfit, or the seasons. You can even make your own custom Trinkies! They can make your own designs into cell phone antenna charm rings. Perfect for school or athletic teams or company promotional items.

We even found another use for them - my daughter and I have identical digital cameras. We figured that we could use the Trinkies to help us keep track of whose phone was whose by slipping the Trinkie through the camera strap.

Hit Parade from the Kid's Office

2006-10-05T08:44:00.000-05:00

What's hot right now? Based on the activity in the kids office these days, this is what I can figure:

DoSomethingAmazing - A must visit for anyone interested in the Air Force, airplanes, or the military in general. It is actually the Air Force's recruiting site, but it is COOL. You can watch videos of air refueling, the Thunderbirds, space command and more. There are also games on it like the very addicting Air Refueling game.
Cat Bowling - In the spirit of Halloween, bowl with a pumpkin and knock over the cat-pins. Lots of fun, great sound effects, and truly done with humor in mind.
Webkinz - My daughter got two of these animals for her birthday and they come with codes for registering them on the web. Once their codes are entered, you can play all sorts of games on the site.
Lego - My son is taking a Lego Mindstorms class and really likes this site. He has taken pictures of his creations to submit to their site.
Shockwave - They have so many games that our whole family loves. My favorite is Chuzzle.

What games/sites are making the charts in your house? We'd love to know!

Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe

2006-10-03T06:49:00.000-05:00

In the eyes of my tween, October 17 can not get here fast enough. He has been saving his birthday money and doing extra chores so that he can be one of the first to get Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe.

He loves flying planes and has gotten more than his money's worth out of Flight Simulator 2004. One thing he is looking forward to in the X version is the ability to fly actual missions. Other features according to Amazon.com include:

Fly 24 different airplanes, including Ultralites for when you don't want to deal with all the knobs and dials
Visit 24,000 of the world's airports, on all 7 continents
Authentic road layouts - fly over your home town and navigate by the streets below
Simulates advanced GPS technology
Deeply immersive world to providing more structured gameplay elements

Why get the Deluxe version? Rumor has it that it will contain more airplanes, more airports, a multicrew mode and software to make new planes.

Video Games - Keeping it in Perspective

2006-09-30T21:32:00.000-05:00

I'll admit it, our family spends an amazing amount of time on computers, video games, cell phones, iPods, playing with the GPS and other technology. We are tech-junkies. All five of us - ages 39, 38, 10, 8 and almost 5.

Maybe we spend too much time toying with these things, but are we being damaged in the process? I don't think so. I'd like to think we are able to balance our technology time with other activities such as sports, school and friends effectively. We have all the computers in common areas of the house - two in my office and three in the kids playroom which is visible from my office. And, we know what our kids are playing. We take the time to find out what their favorite sites and games are, and we check them out with them.

I just read an article at Games Industry Wire called What Every Parent Needs to Know About Video Games. The author does a great job of putting video games and their ratings in perspective. It is a recommended read.

I say let the kids play - you'd be surprised what they can learn from their games if guided properly and given some room to make mistakes.

Okay, do you agree with me? Sound off by leaving a comment.

What is Blogsvertise?

2006-09-03T09:31:00.000-05:00

What is Blogsvertise? It is a new service that matches advertisers with bloggers who write about the advertisers products and services.

How Blogsvertise works is that bloggers are assigned topics to post on and follow the guidelines set out by the company. The blogger must write about the assigned subject within seven days including a link to the website or product at least three times. They can review the site, compliment it, relate to it somehow in their daily life, or even complain about it. The post must be approved and be online before the blogger is paid via PayPal.

For additional details, or to sign up, go to Blogsvertise.com.

VMK Moderators Do Their Job

2006-09-02T08:24:00.000-05:00

Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom has definitely been a hit with the 8-12, afterall they have created 1.4 million avatars and there are somewhere between 3 and 4 million "rooms". The VMK staff has done a great job of keeping this area of cyberspace reasonably safe by limiting the hours that the game is open, setting specific guidelines of use, blocking the use of many words that kids could use to give out personal information, and moderating the site.

Now, most saavy kids will get around most of the word blocking - according to my kids, there is a whole VMK language. Am I surprised? No. But the moderators do their job! We know this first hand.

About three weeks ago my daughter was on VMK and her best friend that we see weekly was on too. Let's just say she had a blonde moment! She asked her friend to call her and her friend attempted to ask for my daughter's phone number. Why, we don't know. It's on her speed dial for crying out loud. Anyhow, let's just say that the Disney moderators banned my daughter, her friend and both of their brothers (because they siblings are tied to each other based on my email) for one month.

The tears began to roll, we explained why what they did was wrong, and my friend and I applauded the VMK staff for doing their job. We didn't try to explain what went wrong or that it was an innocent mistake. The kids have all learned a valuable life lesson - whether they wanted to or not.

So, just a few more days and VMK will let them back in and I hope they will not make the same mistake again.

Thank you Disney moderators!

Hi-ho, Hi-ho, it's back to school we go...

2006-08-22T21:08:00.000-05:00

Well, tomorrow is the first day of school in our county. It is here earlier than before, so technically we got ripped off this summer. Oh well. We had a great summer, but our video game time is about to be severely limited thanks to homework and mom.

Our favorite games this summer were:

So long summer and long hours playing our favorite games! What were your top games this summer? Leave a comment and let us know.

Looking for a Needle in a Haystack

2006-08-22T20:46:00.000-05:00

Okay, this post isn't really about the latest games or accessories, but how you find what you are looking for on the web. Let's say you want to find a site with tips on your favorite games. You go to Google and type in a few words and poof, you get pages of results. The page you really want to see may be hundreds of pages down.

Now, if you are the owner of the web site that is hundreds of pages down, how can you get it closer to the top of that haystack so people can find your shiny needle? You may need to hire a search engine marketing firm to help you reevaluate the set up of the site. You may also benefit from a new search engine Google is getting ready to debut which relies on how accessible your site is to users who are visually impaired. It combines their page rank formula with new technology that evaluates how easy your site is to navigate, resulting in higher rankings for some site. A strong search engine marketing firm can optimize your Website to ensure that your Website achieves and maintains high rankings for your keywords and in the Internet's leading search engines and directories (Google, Inktomi, Yahoo, AOL, MSN, etc.).

Review - Over the Hedge for PS2

2006-08-20T06:40:00.000-05:00

While we were on vacation we stopped at the gigantic Toys R Us in Times Square. That place was great! The kids were looking for a new game that they thought they might all like and they found it. We picked out Over The Hedge for PS2 and it was immediately opened when we got home.

The game is obviously based on the movie, which we've seen twice and loved. The characters are just as life like in the game. All three kids - 1 boy, 2 girls, ranging in age from 4 to 10, are loving the game, so it has great appeal and play value.

There is the basic story mode, which you have to go through in order to unlock some of the more fun features of the game - the mini-games. In order to unlock the mini games, you have to perform missions - like getting food into R.J.'s wagon for Vincent or rescuing Heather the 'Possum from "The Verminator". You can play as R.J., Verne, Hammy, or Stella. Some of the mini-games are:

RC Rally - Remote control racing on a track. Perfect for those who love driving games.
Range Driver - Identify enemies and swing your golf club at them. Not my favorite part of the game, but the kids think its funny.
Bumper Carts - This is the best part of the game according to my crew. You drive golf carts around the course and bump into each other. It is sure to get everyone laughing.

The game is rated E 10+ for mild violence - which comes across to this mom as silliness more than anything else. The weapons the characters have are creative; R.J. and Verne use golf clubs, Stella has a plunger and Hammy uses a boomerang. You can collect power-ups during missions to refill your health and energy bar.

What do you think of the game? Would you rent it or buy it or pass all together?

Review - Need for Speed Underground 2

2006-08-07T15:31:00.000-05:00

I guess you could call Need for Speed Underground 2 an oldie but a goodie that made its way into our game collection over the weekend. It was released in 2003 and is much like Grand Turismo - just a light version, but it has great play value and the price was right.

Things we like about the game:

It is more realistic than Need for Speed Most Wanted all the way down to the weather effects
There are no police in the game - good and bad
Lots of great cars and SUVs to choose from
Lots of cool upgrades and mods that you can make to the cars

Right now there isn't much we don't like, but then again, we are still figuring out all the ins and outs of the game. One hint - play in career mode. You can build up your reputation to earn new races. Get races and such by visiting the stores around town too.

Since we are new to this game, feel free to share your cheats and tips with us!

Fun Friday - RealArcade

2006-08-04T07:09:00.000-05:00

It's Friday and our brains are tired. It has been so hot this week we have either been in the pool or in front of our favorite games. But honestly, we're starting to get bored with some of our favorites.

RealArcade has a great deal going on right now - Get 2 FREE games with a 30 Day Free trial to GamePass. Get new games, try some out and stay cool at the same time! Don't forget to get your parent's permission first if you are under 18.

Another option would be to go somewhere nice on vacation! Say, a condo in Maui. A Maui Condo on the beach at Waikoloa Beach Resort would be spectacular. We could relax with a full-sized kitchen and expansive lanais on both levels, two master suites, a private wading pool, and a location so close to the ocean that you can frequently feel the spray from the ocean as waves break against the coastline. Okay, back to reality - we'll just play games.

Game Review - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004

2006-08-02T18:00:00.000-05:00

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight is one of the most realistic flight simulator games you can purchase. Test your skills flying the Wright Flyer or a Boeing 747 and everything in between. It features realistic weather, 3d terrain, interactive air traffic control and the latest graphics.

You may have to take flying lessons to master the default planes, but if you’re bored with those you can get add-on planes from various websites, like www.simviation.com, www.avsim.com, and www.flightsim.com, and www.justflight.com.

The basic way to install these is to unzip them, and put the last folder before you get to panel sound .air file ECT. in the C:/programs/Microsoft games/flight simulator 9/aircraft folder.

For scenery download the file, unzip, and then go into flight sim, go to scenery library, hit add scenery and select the folder. Then restart flight simulator and you’re ready to go.

Know of any more good add-on sites for Flight Simulator? Let us know by posting a comment.

Friday Five - Our Favorites for PS2

2006-07-28T08:50:00.000-05:00

Since its Friday and we'd rather be playing games today than writing about them, we thought we'd share some of our favorites with you!

Favorite Sports Game - NHL 2K6
Favorite Racing Game - Need for Speed Most Wanted
Favorite Flying Game - Ace Combat 5
Favoritie Adventure Game - Shrek 2
Favorite Movie Game - Cars

What are your favorites for each category? Post them in our comments section.

Game Review - Dance Dance Revolution

2006-07-24T16:34:00.000-05:00

What started out as a popular arcade game has become a great activity for kids of all ages - moms and dads, too. By following arrow cues on the screen and moving your feet in the correct sequence on the dance mat controller, you earn points. Make your moves correct more that four steps in a row and you earn combo points. Your accuracy is rated from BOO to PERFECT with a few levels in between.

DDR Extreme 2 is the best DDR to date and is the best one for beginners. It has a beginners mode in the Free Play area that is not too daunting for the average person. Once you have gained confidence at the beginner level, you can move up to Light, Standard and Heavy. This version has some great songs - ones you will recognize - like Genie in a Bottle, Play that Funky Music, and Pump up the Volume.

The Dance Master Mode is a lot of fun too. You pick from two songs and then try to perform the challenge - could be get a certain number of points, certain number combo, or similar. As you pass through the matrix it becomes progressively more difficult. As you complete sections of the course you earn the ability to unlock new songs. This is a great way to work out, moms!!

There is also a Workout Mode, but I prefer the Dance Master Mode if I am working out alone. For a fun afternoon of family fitness, take turns in Free Play mode. The person who's turn it is, dances on the mat for a score, and those who are waiting practice using an imaginary mat. One afternoon my daughters and I did this for about 3 hours - let's just say I was sore the next day.

Dance Dance Revolution is really a great family activity! It brings together fitness and fun that all ages can enjoy.

Game Review & Tips - Cars for PS2

2006-07-23T06:35:00.000-05:00

Rated E for Everyone, Pixar's Cars video game serves up lots of fun for all ages! Basically you relive the movie through the game. You can race in the Piston Cup, explore Radiator Springs, go Tractor Tipping with Mater, change Lightning's paint scheme and more. The graphics are just as good in the game as they were in the movie.

The game has multiple modes, including story mode, arcade mode, mulitple player mode and bonus games. Younger players may find the games confusing at first, but keep trying. Older, more experienced gamers may not find the games as challenging as some other race games, but overall, the game is a good value due to the quality of the graphics, variety of activities, and of course, the characters.

Tips:

You can play as Lightning McQueen, Mater, and other characters around Radiator Springs.
Go to Boostin' with Fillmore (when it’s unlocked) to get a boost canister. Use it to win the race and you can keep it.
When you have enough trophy points to do the next Piston Cup race, find Mack and go to the red circle. Then hit [].
Press down then up to jump.
In story mode, pick up the lightning bolts that appear, they are good for extra points. Different colors are different values.
Go to Ramone's House of Body Art to change Lighting’s color and style. Enter R4MONE in the cheats section and you get all the paint schemes.

Do you have anymore Cars tips or cheats? Post them here in our comments!

*****
Speaking of Cars, can you imagine what it might cost to insure those cars and drivers? Even if it was just temporary, I think I would want insurance for anyone driving my cars and would want to compare car insurance prices first. By choosing my state, various services and add ons, I would want to arrive at the lowest price possible.

Game Tips - VMK.com

2006-07-22T07:17:00.000-05:00

Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom is a great game for girls and boys from ages 7-16. It's interactive, but very well moderated. Here are some tips we have learned along the way:

There are Disney characters called NPCs, and they will give you 20 credits daily if you click on them. They are: the Yeti, Esmeralda the Fortune Teller, Shrunken Ned, Captain Blackheart, and the 3 Hitchhiking Ghosts.
The quests for special magic are located at Captains Quest Quarters, Autopia Quest Track, and Space Mountain Quest Deck.
Learn what is rare and what is not—if you can get it any time it’s not rare but if it in the specials in the emporium or you can’t get it any more then it is.
DO NOT trade your stuff to someone who says they will give something to you later! I did this once and lost all my stuff – lucky me I am good at the mini games!
If someone is being mean to you click his or her character and hit IGNORE.

Do you have anymore VMK tips? Post them here in our comments!

Game Tips - Burnout 3 Takedown for PS2

2006-07-21T05:55:00.000-05:00

Burnout 3 Takedown is a high energy game full of things boys like best - racing cars and crashes. Pick from 70 cars and 40 different tracks. Race your car to the front of the pack and take out your opponents along the way. The graphics are really good and it is full of action, but it is rated Teen.

For those who have the game already, here are a few tips:

During a race, Take Downs will slow down the other racers, and give you more boost to get you even farther away from the pack.

In crash mode, try to get the 2x, 4x, or crash breaker pick-ups.

To unlock the fire truck collect all 20 all crash headlines.

To unlock the oval racer special, collect all signature takedowns.

You can use impact time to steer your car whenever you crash to score aftertouch takedowns or get to places other crashers can’t reach (or get pick-ups) by using the R1 button.

Review - Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom

2006-07-20T14:02:00.000-05:00

Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom is an online place for tweens to hang out. Membership is free, no email address required. The game is moderated by VMK's staff and is only open certain hours each day.

Each user creates a screen name and selects a character. Once you have created a character, you select your own virtual room which you can decorate with items you pick up throughout the game. Earn virtual credits by playing games, doing quests, and participating in special events. Purchase virtual items in the shops using your credits. Users can chat with others, make trades and create a friends list.

The Disney team has done a great job with the security in VMK - many words are auto censored including numbers and other potentially personal info.

Look in Disney movies and other products for secret codes for rare and unusual items. You can also visit Disney theme parks for other specials.

If you go to Disneyworld in Orlando, check out an Orlando Vacation Rental and make it your home base while you visit the different theme parks. Orlando is the number one vacation destination in the US and one of the fastest growing communites, too. The Orlando area offers a wide range of life styles for all ages, including upscale gated neighborhoods; golf course communities; charming, old-fashioned towns, rural communities and areas with excellent schools. You'll be close enough to the 7 theme parks to catch all the action, collect your VMK codes, and see all your favorite characters.

Getting Started

2006-07-19T17:17:00.000-05:00

This is the debut of our Video Game Tips site. We will be providing tips, tricks, cheats, and reviews of online games, PS2, GBA, XBox, and other handheld games.