There are quality racing games abound, but not with the comedic antics of Nickelodeon’s Ben 10 gang. The latest PSVita version looks and sounds more real than ever, with 25 tracks and the ability to unlock additional cars. You can play as Ben, or one of the 15 aliens. Content includes 25 grand-prix tracks from five planets. Even if you don’t like the show, you’ll like the game. Teaches: racing, fine motor skills. D3Publisher of America, Inc.. www.d3publisher.us, $40. Best for ages 6-up.
Rating: 
or .9%
Based on themes in the last three Harry Potter books and the final four films, this single game, for nearly every platform, takes you through Harry Potter’s adventures in such places as Privet Drive in Little Whinging to Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, as well as new locations like Grimmauld Place. As you explore and collect LEGO parts, you prepare for the ultimate battle against Lord Voldemort. The game builds upon the gameplay, lessons and potion-making skills learned in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 to equip you with the tools necessary to challenge new and old enemies (including He Who Must Not Be Named). Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This virtual racing game lets you battle against friends or evil spirits. Content includes 100 DaGeDar racing balls to unlock, collect and trade, as well as special limited edition characters. Each ball carries abilities of acceleration, top speed, defense and attack modes. There are 30 tracks and DeGeDar points at the end of each race for rewards and bonuses. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This one player problem solving adventure features Milli, Geo, and Bot from the Umizoomi Nickelodeon show. In order to rebuild a submarine, children move through 25 activities that consist of mazes and puzzles, some of which involve using your voice as an input. There are two modes: adventure (move through the games in the context of the story) and team training (choose one of the 25 mini-games individually). Curriculum is based on the Pre-K and Kindergarten math skills, which includes counting, sorting, matching, identifying, sequencing, adding, subtracting, dividing, measuring and comparing. Developed by Black Lantern for 2K Play. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
The fourth in the Professor Layton puzzle series, this game is set three years before the events in Professor Layton and the Curious Village. In the story, Professor Layton receives a letter from an old schoolmate telling him that a mysterious giant is destroying his town. This time, the professor investigates with his young, smart new assistant, Emmy. There’s a wide variety of brain teasers and riddles; more than the others in the series. In the first, for example, you find a hidden clue by taking the first letter from each line, in a paragraph. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This mashup from vintage 1980 cartoon super heroes combines actual footage from the Power Rangers TV show with a well designed fighting format for one or two players. In the DS version you use your stylus, and in the Wii version your Wii Remote as your sword to morph into a Red, Blue, Green, Yellow or Pink Ranger. Each has different properties, required to defeat each enemy. There’s a lot to explore — You can unlock secret passageways, access hidden levers, and follow mystical pathways to get hints on how to defeat the MegaMonster. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Here’s a mix-and-match activity that turns you into the editor of a fashion magazine. You can dress your Moxie Girlz dolls by trying different outfits, hair, eye color and so on. Next, you stage a photo shoot, and take different photos, earning money that can be used to buy more accessories. Features include journal and diary options, Moxie Girlz quizzes and the ability to add your own photo to the game, providing you have a DSi (with a camera). Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Your child can help Dora and Kai-lan perform vet checkups, bathe, feed, groom, and potty-train the animals, who do tricks for thanks. Animals include bunnies, birds, puppies and kittens. Features include the ability to save up to three games. The microphone is also used (e.g., say hi to the new pet). Children can also play backyard games, dress-up the pets, and teach them tricks to earn treats, toys, and hats. Developed by Black Lantern for 2K Play. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This cartoon adventure contains excellent music and fast-paced sidescrolling, with plenty of fights in between. On the DS, all the dialog requires reading, which makes this a language enrichment activity, as well. Created by WayForward for Warner Bros. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Turn your living room screen into a hair and nail salon, with this mix-and-match type of creativity experience. In the story, Barbie is running an operation called Jet, Set & Style Inc. You will travel around the world on the Barbie Jet Salon to do hair, nails and to consult on fashion advice. As you play, you earn “fashionista points” which can be used for the chance to style Barbie herself, for a show in Milan. Developed by Game Machine Studios for THQ. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Skating/surfing and SpongeBob come together in game for the Kinect (we did not test the DS version). In the game, you must move down a hill (or a river ) and steer to avoid obstacles. In the story, the friends have strayed from Bikini Bottom and landed on a beach. The game features a two player mode that lets you surf or skate side-by-side. The DS version contains a wireless multiplayer function that we did not test (ratings apply to the Xbox version), and a single player mode lets you set off on a road trip with SpongeBob and friends. Content includes 12 courses (six waterways and six seaside streets). The DS version contains 24 boarding maps and 10 unlockable snowboarding stages. Developed by Blitz for Xbox ($50) and by Sabarasa for the Nintendo DS ($30). Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This toy/screen experience turns your Nintendo DS into a remote control for a robotic dog. Instead of using standard infra-red signals, however, this dog is controlled by sound, in the form of coded chirps that come out of your Nintendo DS speakers. A microphone in Wappy Dog can “hear” the chirps, which can be sent to Wappy Dog’s computer for different responses. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Based on the children’s line of plush pillows from CJ Products, the idea is to collect accessories for your pets by completing each level. You also help pets find their friends. The story idea works well. Content includes 16 Pillow Pets characters, levels that include “Fantasy Woods,” and “Rainbow Valley”, and the ability to accessorize your pets with 40 items. Developed by First Playable. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Now Moshi Monsters (the popular virtual world)can fit in your pocket, in the form of this one player Nintendo DS game. Your mission is to explore eight areas of the Wooly Wilderness to see if you can spot hiding creatures, called Moshlings. There are 52 Moshlings to find, and each has specific needs that are met by shopping, searching and combining various elements such as the string with a banjo. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
As with other I SPY titles, the riddles form the basis of the castle theme. They also hide 12 mini games and three logic puzzles. The more riddles you solve, the more items you collect. These, in turn, unlock more rooms. A hint system helps you find the most challenging objects. There are three sign-in slots, so three players can save their progress. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
We tried the Kinect version of Puss in Boots: The Video Game, and quickly became exhausted — in a good way — as we kicked, waved our arms, balanced, strummed a guitar, clawed and snuck our way through the first of what looked to be about four levels (we cannot confirm this). We also did not try the two player features. The PS3 Move compatible version lets you use your controller, or choose to use the Move remote and transform the gameplay into a full-motion sword fighting experience. In the Wii version, you use the Wii Remote to slash with Puss’ sword, the Nunchuk to dodge attacks, and button combinations to deliver damage to enemies. The handheld DS/DSi version continues the movie’s storyline with a new plot that has Puss engaging in swordfights, flamenco style dance battles, dozens of mini games, and rhythm-based activities. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Ms. Frizzle’s Magic School Bus comes to your Nintendo DS, complete with hundreds of ecology-related facts. The games are fast-paced and generally fun. For example, in one you try to find fish with spots as quickly as possible, while avoiding predators. In another, you sketch fish outlines. The game features seven games with just under 200 science interactions, and you will earn points to unlock ocean areas to explore and learn hundreds of facts about underwater life. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This playful baseball simulation features a roster of Nickelodeon characters that take on professional players from 30 MLB teams. The Nicktoons roster includes SpongeBob SquarePants, ZIM, Dudley Puppy, Fanboy, Chum Chum, and Ren and Stimpy. Major League players include Matt Holliday (St. Louis Cardinals), Andre Ethier (Los Angeles Dodgers), Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers), Jason Heyward (Atlanta Braves), Cliff Lee (Philadelphia Phillies), and Robinson Cano (New York Yankees). Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
In this one player game you navigate through the maze-like stages by learning a series of two-step swipes. For example, to get Kirby to float, you have to drag a star onto him, and then draw a line. In the story, Kirby is split into 10 pieces by an evildoer with a magic cane. You use the stylus on the DS touch screen to control a group of Kirby characters (up to 10) as they set off on a journey to return to their original form. The number of Kirby characters you control is important, because some challenges require a specific number of Kirbys in order to be solved. When the number of Kirby characters is increased, you can gain the upper hand. You can control each Kirby in a variety of ways, for example, a Kirby character can be launched into the air with a flick of the stylus, or you can make a swarm of Kirby characters dash to a given point by tapping on that spot on the touch screen multiple times. You can also swipe the touch screen to launch them in a mass attack against enemies, then tap the enemies into submission. The goal is to collect medals hidden throughout the various stages and to unlock additional minigames. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Here’s what you get when you cross a frozen Antarctic world full of penguins with a Guitar Hero theme. The musical rhythm adventure game for one or two players is inspired by the of the upcoming film Happy Feet Two. In the game, new dancers are threatening the penguin nation and everyone must work and dance together in rhythm to save them from extinction. How? By dancing, carefully matching the beat by tapping on your game controller or touching the screen (with the DS). Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This fast-paced shooting/fighting game gives you the fight you’d expect from a Transformer’s game. A new gameplay mechanic called Stealth Force lets you turn into a third, hybrid state that combines the weapons and firepower of Robot Mode with the agility and maneuverability of Vehicle Mode. Environments include Jungles of Central America, Siberian military facilities, Urban Cityscapes, and more, along with a diverse roster of Transformers characters to choose from as you try to save mankind. The PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii versions also allow for you to compete with or against friends around the world in multiplayer modes. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
A faithful adaptation of “The aMAZEing Labyrinth” board game, in which you slide in and out tiles to create and change a dynamic maze and collect treasures before the other players. The game comes with a single-player campaign and computer opponents, hot-seat multiplayer (with kids passing around the DS for their separate turns) as well as single-card and multi-card multiplayer with multiple DS’s. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
In this game, you play as Po (a panda) and try to become a Kung Fu master by taking on enemies that vary in ability. This requires carefully timed punches and kicks and, with the Kinect version, plenty of room for this type of activity. The Wii version uses the uDraw Tablet, letting you customize your environment and control Po using the stylus; the DS version also gives you the ability to level up and choose from an array of moves as you perform team attacks. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This sequel to “StarWars: The Force Unleashed” (2008) is a “hurriedly thought out excuse for you to plow through a bunch of Storm Troopers” according to Chris, our intern tester. He reported “if you wanted to, you could skip all the cut scenes and really not miss anything. And this is coming from someone who tends to like cut scenes.” Even if a game is lacking a compelling story, it can still be fun. There’s something cathartic about slashing your way through wave after wave of essentially defenseless enemies. Aside from learning a few new attacks here and there things can get old. The bottom line? This edition isn’t as good as its predecessor. While this game had its moments and might be worth a borrow, it’s hard to justify the investment.
Teaches: fighting, timing, logic. LucasArts. www.lucasarts.com, $30. Best for ages 8-up.
Rating: 
or .775%
This is the second Phineas and Ferb adventure for the Nintendo DS we’ve reviewed. Like the first, you can swap between characters to work your way through each level. Play patterns include skating, riding in mine carts, fighting aliens, and do surfboard tricks. Minigames include jet pack and X-ray goggles, along with a DSi specific camera controlled minigame. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This two-player drop in, drop out game lets you take on the role of one of four fantasy characters from the Gormiti cartoon. In the story, Razzel is cleaning the library and knocks some old books into a Portal. The books travel down to the Island of Gorm, where a battle between vast armies is going on. The books land at the feet of Magmion, the evil Lava Gormiti, who reads a book and learns the legend of five sacred amulets which have been scattered across Gorm. Once the amulets are reunited the holder will have the ability to open an inter-dimensional portal to Earth. The Lords of Nature need to use all their powers to stop Magmion and save Earth. Got all that? The story is explained with subtitles in an introduction. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This edition follows the same design formula as its two predecessors, as well as many of the other LEGO games. At its heart, it’s really a puzzle game. During each level, you control one of a small party of characters. At any point, you can switch which character you control with the press of a button. Different characters have specific attributes, which are needed to solve each puzzle and progress through the game. For example, you may need a Jedi character in order to move a large block into place. Another interesting thing about the game play is that if a character runs out of health, he or she simply jumps back up. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
The twin title to Pokémon Black this 2011 edition of Pokémon has an identical design and features, but different content, including a lush area called White Forest and 150 new Pokémon. Sharing features let you save game information to a remote server (in the cloud). When playing locally, you can also connect via video chat using the system’s camera. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
The legacy continues, with two more Pokémon adventures: Black and White. They share a nearly identical design, but offer different areas to explore. This version features a metropolitan area called Black City. Sharing features let you save game information to a remote server (in the cloud). When playing locally, you can also connect via video chat using the system’s camera. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This DS edition of Plants vs. Zombies has all of the gameplay of the original PC edition with added single or multi-card multiplayer options, five game modes, four all new mini-games and 14 achievements. In the game, a mob of zombies is about to invade your home and you must use strategically placed home guarding plants to stop them. Each plant has a different attribute, and they must be deliberately placed on the grid with the DS stylus in order to successfully stop each Zombie. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Based on the animated film, this game lets you take on the role of Yogi Bear in his efforts to save Jellystone Park from shutting down. The DS version is a traditional side-scrolling platformer for one player, where you try to steer Yogi through a maze, collecting food and parts to gadgets, while avoiding skunks, mean squirrels and tourists. There are three game-save slots, and progress is saved automatically. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This collection of 20 action, strategy, puzzle, trivia and card games has something for everyone. Most are variations on a theme of familiar casual games. In Feeding Frosty you move a snowman around the screen to see how big you can grow it, while avoiding bad guys. In Boxdrop, you create stacks of number blocks that add up to 21. If you don’t like a game, it’s easy to exit and play something else. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Designed to give future gymnasts a taste of competitive gymnastics, this is a collection of step-by-step exercises. After you sign in (progress is saved) to one of the three game save slots, you can take a tutorial, compete, or design your own routine. As the title implies, the game features Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson, in four events (uneven bars, balance beam, floor and vault). Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This maze game features four penguin characters featured in the TV series from Nickelodeon and DreamWorks (Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private). You start by picking one of three game save slots (progress is saved automatically) and then start with an easy maze, set inside a zoo. The idea is to get all four penguins in the same place in the maze. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This is a collection of 17 puzzles of six varieties. The most noteworthy and familiar are the I SPY-like, hidden object games, which have you searching the screen until your eyes ache. In the story mode, adapted from the modern Nancy Drew books, Nancy tries to help a wedding take place by finding all the items needed for the ceremony. You interrogate 15 suspects — reading required — and complete the games in order to solve the crime. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Put a reading teacher in your Nintendo DS, in this single cartridge title that can track up to three children. In the “Learning Track” mode, children work through 10 lessons, each taking about five minutes. The lessons first introduce the concept and later activities provide practice by way of multiple-choice games, a reading comprehension game, or a spelling drill where you drag and drop letters into place to spell words. The lessons are presented in sequence, not unlike the way they would be presented in a typical first grade classroom. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Pink, noisy (with the default settings) but potentially fun, this dog grooming program follows a tried-and-true simulation format. You start by choosing one of six fluffy-looking dogs and then earn money by brushing it, teaching it tricks, and then go shopping. All the dogs are cute and furry; there are no basset hounds in this program. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This single DS cartridge puts an entire 1980′s arcade — with 50 games, in your pocket. The titles, from both Atari arcade and Atari 2600, include Asteroids, Pong, Missile Command, and Space Duel. Each features the original sounds and graphics, but the controls have been adapted for the DS, and in some games, like Centipede, you turn the DS sideways. If you have a friend with a DS, you can compete in 20 of the games, which offer single card multi-player features (these include Space Duel and Pong). Multi-card play is available for head-to-head games, meaning your friend must also have a copy of the game. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Inspired from the animated movie with the same name, this game features two wolves, named Kate and Humphrey, who are featured in two games: Log Racing and Goose Golf.
The goal is to score in both games in order to bring peace to Jasper Park. There are 30 levels in each game. Teaches: fine motor coordination. Storm City Entertainment. www.stormcityentertainment.com, $30. Best for ages 8-up.
Rating: or .76%
We received this yesterday from Businesswire; cut and pasted in original format:
Jan. 19, 2011 22:48 UTC
ADDING MULTIMEDIA Nintendo 3DS Brings a Dimensional Shift to the World of Entertainment on March 27
Glasses-Free 3D Gaming System Comes Packed with Features at Suggested Retail Price of $249.99
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– The company that changed the world of video games with touch-screen gaming in 2004 and motion-controlled gaming in 2006 now pioneers the next dimensional shift. On March 27, Nintendo introduces portable entertainment in 3D – without the need for special glasses. The Nintendo 3DS™ system will be available in either Cosmo Black or Aqua Blue, and will have a suggested retail price of $249.99. Pricing outside the United States will be established by the local markets, but offer similar consumer value.
Read the rest of this entry »