It Ain't Party Time Without A Party Game - Wario Ware Smooth Moves

When you think of a party (at least some type of parties) you must think of party games. Well ever since the development and use of motion controlers (ex. The Wiimote, the PS3 motion controller, and the Xbox 360 Kinnect) video game are easier and more fun to play at parties. Obviously they have to be multiplayer, but there are many other features a good party game needs, such as easy use, and a broad audience it appeals to. One of the older games and first of the better party games out there (i think) is the game Wario Ware Smooth Moves

Wario Ware Smooth Moves, follows the story of Wario and the other citizens in his world, as they deal with their problems, but you help them, by doing mini games classified under different poses you make while holding the Wiimote. Though it sounds strange (and trust me IT IS STRANGE) its very fun and comical. Having it at a party or family gathering makes it very funny and everyone can enjoy that.
Like the picture shows this game is for the Nintendo Wii. Since it is old, finding it may prove difficult, and the price will range from $20-$50. Overall i give this game a 8/10, because i had a blast playing it, and i still play it whenever I'm with family or friends.

Not Just Fun and Games - Wii Fit

In this day and age the number of genres and combinations of genres is almost limitless and still growing (obviously I'm exaggerating a bit). But one of the genres I thought would be the weirdest is the exercise games. In the older days exercise games were limited usually only to dance games. They were simple, you press a button with your foot as the indicator tells you to (trying not to go into too much detail). This day there are additional accessories you add to your home system to exercise. One of the most known and first to bring it to the home consoles was Wii Fit

With the Wii fit you do exercise games categorized under calorie burner, yoga, strength training and balance. It sounds a bit weird, but it really does get you moving. The games are fun, and you can record your progress and record improvements.

As the name implies it is for the Wii system. The only problem was that Wii Fit accessory and game cost about $100, and unless you keep yourself to it and want to do it, it can end up being a waste of money. Overall I give it a 7/10 mostly because it was able to draw me in and keep me for a while, but at the same time after running out of things to do, i stopped playing.

God of all Games - Okami

Continuing with the older game theme one of the best to suggest would be the game Okami.

Okami is a game about a sun goddess that takes the form of a wolf and must gain power in order to stop an evil creature from destroying the world. The game plays out as you travel the world gaining power and liberating certain parts of the world from darkness.
The game Okami originally came our for the Playstation 2 the predecessor to the Playstation 3, but it is also on the Wii. I bought mine at Frys Electronic store for about $20, but since it is old it may be hard to find and could range in price, but it is well worth it for the unique art style and gameplay it offers. Overall I give this game a 8/10 for good game-play, interesting storyline and interesting characters.

Racing, Isn't it Just that Simple? - Mario Kart Wii

Though there are many good games about to come out, I thought the next couple of posts would be about games that are somewhat recent and known to be good. Also trying to diversify with different games, the next genre, is the racing game. Like the name implies these games use some method (usually cars) to have different people race against each other. There are many different kinds of racing games from the cute and cartoony, to the gory and dark. It is usually a simple and straightforward game that not many people don't like, but it can get old fast. Here is one of the better racing games that appeals to people of all ages Mario Kart Wii, a game I had alot of fun with.

Mario Kart Wii is a game that lets you choose a character and car to race with then race three laps on a course. This game uses the characters from the Mario universe, (ex Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach etc. or you own Mii created from the Mii channel on the Wii menu) to race against each other using many different cars, and different locations from the Mario universe (such as Princess Peache's Castle and Bowser's Castle.) You also use the Wiimote like a steering wheel to drive your character through the stage (using the buttons to give the kart gas, or use the breaks). In addition to normal racing you can also use wireless internet to race other people online. It is a simple but fun game that doesn't need much explanation. 

So your curious and wondering how much right? Well it is $50 for the game available only on the Wii. I give this game a 6.5/10 for the fun racing, and being a game that can appeal to anyone, but after time it did get old for me, but I am not much of a racing game fan.

The New Portable Nintendo System

Today is a monumental day for gamers (kinda). Today the Nintendo company released their new portable gaming system the Nintendo 3DS. It is a system unlike any other, because it has a built in 3D system, that doesn't require glasses. It also, like its predecessor the Nintendo DS, has a touch screen on it. It is an amazing new system that offers an extreme amount of content to the user. I have yet to personally explore the different aspects of the system, but it already impressive based on the information given. It also has backwards compatibility with the previous Nintendo DS system, so any game that were on that system can also be played in the new 3DS system. The system costs $250 and comes on black and blue. It would be a great system to start with for portable gaming, but be aware of the safety and health issues concerning the 3D screen.

A Fantasy Unlike Any Other - Final Fantasy XIII

Trying to diversify with different game genres, I thought my next topic would be the RPG game, that is the Role Playing Game. Role playing games let you live out the life of a character (or characters), and help them through the storyline of the game. Role playing games are a diverse genre with many different takes on how to do it, but i think one of the best of Final Fantasy. Final Fantasy games combine humans, with other different species, in a fantasy world comprised of beautiful nature scenes, to advanced technological cities.The most recent of the Final Fantasy series was Final Fantasy XIII (13)

Final Fantasy 13 follows the story of Lightning, a sergent in a security group, Snow, leader of a monster fighting organization, Sazh, a man looking for his son, Hope, a boy who got caught up in a battle while on vacation with his mother, and Vanille and Fang, two girls who are unsure of their past and their future. It is an epic adventure of trying to save the citizens of their world while also trying to save themselves from the wrath of the powerful fal'Cie. For the game you make a team of 3 of the 6 players in any combination, and use their various skills to defeat monsters and travel the worlds.
This game is for the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360 and costs about $60 plus tax, but it is well worth the price, i would say its a definite 9.5/10

Duke It Out On the Virtual Plain - Marvel vs Capcom 3

One of the most popular categories is the fighting game. Like the name implies a fighting game is where two or more people choose their characters then fight against each other using the different mechanics of the game. It is an age old category that used to be nothing but two 2D sprites doing cheesy attacking actions toward each other until one lost. To this day there are a lot of fighting games, though not are all very good. However recently one of the most popular fighting game franchises came out with a game, Marvel vs Capcom 3 Fate of Two Worlds

Like the name implies Marvel vs Capcom 3 puts some of the most popular Marvel characters, such as Iron Man, Hulk, Wolverine, and Captain America, against some of the most popular characters from the Capcom Franchise, such as Ryu, Chris Redfield, Dante, and Amateratsu. Fighting games that follow arcade style game-play, meaning having six different attacking buttons and the movement pad or stick, usually are hard unless you spend the extra money (usually anywhere from $50-$100+ for an arcade style fighting controller, but you do get a more realistic arcade feel). Marvel vs Capcom 3, in all its brilliance, made a simplified control scheme, using a light, medium, and heavy attack button, along with an extra "Simple Mode" for beginners. (The usual fighting style controls, are light, medium, heavy punch along with light, medium, and heavy kick, and some other buttons that also allow you to do special techniques, YIKES) Along with being easy and fun to use, the graphics, gameplay and arcade mode are all beautiful and simple to use. In addition to that there is an online mode, which allows you to fight over wireless internet against friends or complete strangers. 

Marvel vs Capcom 3 Fate of two world, is for the Playstation 3, or Xbox 360 and costs about $60 plus tax. I would give it a 9.5/10 because it is really fun and easy to use and there are so many characters.

Gotta Catch Em All - Pokemon Black

I thought for the next game I chose to review I would do an actual video game, and one of the most well known at that. You may have heard of the name Pokemon, but didn't think very much of it, well that was a BIG mistake.

Pokemon is a great game where you play the role of a boy or girl (of your choice) who is just starting on his/her journey to explore the world of Pokemon and become the strongest trainer. You get to pick a pokemon to start with then catch more Pokemon and train them to become stronger. This game through out the years has also added new things such as the pokemon contest where you try to show off your pokemon to judges, and pokemon musicals where you dress up a Pokemon and put them in a musical concert. This game has so much to it that there are very few that wouldn't find something they like in it. The most current games are pokemon Black and White, but there are also Pokemon Heart Gold, Soul Silver, Pearl, Diamond, and Platinum, each having there own somewhat different storyline, and some of them even taking place in different regions.

This game is playable on the Nintendo DS and costs anywhere from $35 and less. It is a game that lets you travel and see the beauty of the Pokemon world and like the old saying says, catch them all. I would definitely give this game a 9/10

The New Form of Gaming - Cell Phone Games

I thought my first post about games would be the new up and coming, quick convenience cell phone games. For a long time I thought cell phone games were simple, boring, limited action gaming, which almost defines a bad game. After I got my ipod touch though, I saw that there was a lot more to it. This is one of my favorite games for my ipod touch, but it can also be played on the iphone. 

It is a simple game of trying to help your character survive, not letting him touch the fire at the bottom, or the spikes at the top. Seems too easy right? Well the platforms he lands on can either be safe for a little while, collapse once he touches them, or move him in the wrong direction.

Now there are more than just this one game obviously. I encourage cell phone users to find games they like, since they provide quick access and can pass the time when you have nothing else to do. Cell phone games are a growing branch of gaming that are getting better in quality and complexity.

I would give this game a 6/10 because its free, simple and fun, but it lack the complexity or details of a good game, but for obvious reasons

Where It All Begins

Before I start posting about games I thought I would start by saying what I plan to do with this blog. I have played video games for a long time so I know a good amount about it. There are games that appeal to everyone and I want to help people find those games by posting about the games I play and some other games I like or have heard good things about. Each post will have a genre of game, the platform you play it on, a description of the game itself, and may have some links to video and pictures that I believe are good representatives of it. I hope that everyone who reads this blog will find a game they like and will know more about the gaming world and their place in it.

I also want to mention the systems you play the games on, for those completely new to gaming. There are three big contenders for home gaming systems:

The Nintendo Wii

The Playstation 3

The Xbox 360

And for portable gaming there is:

The Nintendo DS

The Playstation Portable.

In addition to the common gaming systems there is also computer gaming, and cell phone games. Each having their own unique features and functions to offer.

Update: Check my new Start Here Guide for complete info