Gamer Mommy & Geek Boy

Animal Paradise: Puppies Without Poo

Kirby is Sweet Sixteen

Or is he?  Is the rosy-cheeked, sweet-smiling Kirby really nothing more than a troubled teenager?

Since he bounced into Dream Land in 1992, Kirby has been a pink puff ball on the path to international superstardom.  What's not to like about a denizen of Dream Land?  Disliking Kirby would be like holding a vendetta against Princess Lolly of Candyland.

It just isn't done.

But somewhere along the way, our sweet-faced pink power puff transformed into a a super tough with  some killer moves -- inhaling enemies and spitting them out as stars (wish I could do that!) and swallowing foes then copying their super-secret abilities.  Heck, he's even punch-drunk -- competing in punching contests.

A remake of the beloved Super NES game, Kirby Super Star, the DS version -- Kirby Super Star Ultra, released September 22, is a multi-player (up to four with download play) that features original modes with updated graphics as well as a ton of new fun.

"Run, float and fight your way through the adventure games... gobbling up enemies as you go" to experience plots ranging from Kirby's fight against King Dedede who is grabbing all the food in Dream Land to Meta Knight's quest to train for the ultimate battle. 

Rated E for Everyone. 

Nintendo Pre-Release Party

Nintendo World, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, is having a little pre-release party for Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir, Saturday, September 6, from noon to 2 p.m. at their Rockefeller Center Store.

And, yes, it falls in the category of my favorite word: FREE.

We'll skip the Top of the Rock next weekend and mash buttons instead.

Participants of all ages and gaming skill levels are invited to help crack the mystery of missing millionaire Phil T. Rich during a live interactive performance with characters from the game.

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir turns gamers into "professional sleuths." Using intuitive touch screen controls, players gather clues to crack the case of missing millionaire Phil T. Rich by finding their way through series of seek-and-solve scenes. The game's mix of seek-and-solve challenges. The multiplayer action game with memorable characters and brilliant graphics is rated E everyone.

Nintendo knows how to throw a party so expect food, fun, game kiosks and prizes to be won .

We like prizes, among other things, like fun.

I Don't Wanna Work. I Just Wanna Bang on the Drum All Day

Back in the Suzuki days, I scratched out Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with all the other pushy Moms who wanted their adorable offspring to be Baby Mozarts. 

My boy, who has perfect pitch, refused to play his  violin made of a ruler and a box of macaroni and cheese -- for a year.  He's no fool.  I was.  He knew the darn thing didn't make music and he wasn't about to scratch on it.  Meanwhile, all the tone deaf kids sawed away.

The boy still has perfect pitch, sings in the school chorus and plays keyboards and snare drum.  Mom's student violin is gathering dust, awaiting the day she starts lessons again. 

In the meantime, Wii Music is there for me and my Mii if we ever have the urge to reminisce.  The boy is going to be bored. 

This game is designed for the young 'uns and parents of the pre-school and early elementary set are going to love it for their kids -- unless they happen to be hipsters who load their iPods with music they like instead of music their kids like.  Yeah, all little kids have dreadful taste in music until they don't any more.  That's called exposure.

Wii Music is corny and not for everyone, but it's a cute casual game. Bang a drum, big people.

MillionHeir Mystery

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir is high tech I Spy.  We love it and you will too!

Nintendo reports the seek-and-solve game for NIntendo DS showcases "a multitude of beautiful, intricately detailed painted scenes in which players seek out cleverly hidden items to progress through an interactive detective story. There are 12 potential heirs to examine, 30 detailed scenes to peruse and more than 1,000 hidden objects to find."

It's a great game to pick up and play for a few minutes or a full commute. Get ready to sharpen your skills because this game is intricately detailed, a real scavenger hunt.  Rated E for Everyone!

The Campaign Begins

"Hey, Mom. This is Snudge."

"Hey, Snudge."

It cracks me up that he always identifies himself to me. While the proud parent in me loves his beautiful phone etiquette, I always find it comical.  How could I not know who's ringing me from miles across the globe. 

Snudge is in Tokyo with his Dad and he really, really, really wants a PS3. 

He likes to remind me about it, in case I might have forgotten somehow, so weekly we talk and he updates his wish list, which includes among other things, the PS3.

Ostensibly, he's calling because he misses his ever-loving Mommy.  I know he does!  I have no doubt when he asks me if I've googled information for him about the new Namco Bandai Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm for the PS3. Or if I've found out when the movie Star Wars Clone Wars is being released internationally. 

And, oh by the way, he was starting to play a PC game when he thought it might not be appropriate, so  navigated away from the site: click, click.

My son is either going to be a wildly successful negotiator, maybe a litigator, a lobbyist perhaps, or he's going to be a video game developer.  It's a toss-up.  He's been creatively negotiating (doggedly, I might add) since he could form complete sentences.  And when his nose isn't stuck in a copy of  PC Informer, he's  doodling  fantasy characters to rule the world.

The funniest thing he ever said to me (and quite possibly truest) is that he wants to rule the world when he grows up.  Who am I to stand in his way?

"I love you, Mommy."

"I love you, too, Snudge."