Cooking Mama 4 for Nintendo 3DS #GamersGiftGuide2011

She cultivated your green thumb in Gardening Mama, turned your world into a work of art in Crafting Mama, and rocked the little ones to sleep in the innovative Babysitting Mama, but Mama’s talent is truly unparalleled in the kitchen. The original video game chef is whipping up all kinds of fresh fun in her 3DS debut. From new recipes and ways to play to exciting kitchen activities and dish combinations, the iconic kitchen cutie has some tricks up her sleeve that will magically transform kitchen newbies into master culinary artists!   

Features

• Use the stylus as your ultimate cooking utensil to chop, slice, stir, knead, roll, toss and more in more than 200 unique mini games.
• Use the 3DS gyroscope to cook in brand new ways:  crack eggs, balance plates of food, flip meals in a pan, grate cheese and more.
• Watch kitchen mishaps unfold in comedic 3D events and work to save your mistakes with additional activities on top of each recipe step.
• Create 60 mouth watering recipes including: Designer Cupcakes, Gourmet Popsicles, Takoyaki, New England Clam Chowder, Corn Dogs and Cherry Pie.
• Become a true kitchen master with new time-based activities that let you set the table, wash dishes, clean up, organize, decorate, and more!
• Recipes progress from simple to complex, from small to large dishes, so do your best to meet Mama's expectations and impress your friends. If your friends think your dish is delicious, you'll unlock another new friend!  
• Earn bronze, silver, and gold medals from Mama based on the quality of your cooking.
• Customize your kitchen & dress up Mama with fun earned outfits and accessories.
• Combine two recipes to make your very own delicious or unusual dish. A total of 416 different fantastic combinations.
• Cook off with up to 4 players in Challenge Mode.

My Thoughts on Cooking Mama 4 for Nintendo 3DS:

I was excited for a new Cooking Mama game with new dishes to master!  I wasn't sure how it would play in 3D but found that only the top, direction screen was in 3D so it was  fun but didn't make cooking more difficult.  Overall I felt that the dishes were actually easy to get perfect.  Others are saying that this is because the game is more sensitive/accurate than previous versions.  I got perfect scores on almost all the dishes I tried on the first or second try.  Some I had to redo because I didn't understand what I was supposed to do the first time around but did well the second time.  But the best part of Cooking Mama 4 is that there are more extras in this game that give lots of extra playing time!  If only I could cook this well in real life!!  At least I can have fun pretending!!


Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this game for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest personal feedback.

Frogger 3D for Nintendo 3DS #GamersGiftGuide2011

Frogger 3D is now available for the Nintendo 3DS™ handheld system. The excitement of Frogger's timeless run-and-dodge gameplay is back and better than ever, all in 3D and just in time for Frogger's 30th Anniversary celebration.

Featuring new graphics, novel levels twists and new friends to help Frogger make it across the way, Frogger 3D introduces the classic Frogger gameplay on an all-new platform. Using the tight controls on the 3DS, players can run, dash, and dodge past moving obstacles and enemies. Players can also team up with some of Frogger's special frog friends in certain levels to destroy obstacles, absorb damage or light the way in dark spaces.

Featuring 6 new worlds to explore including New York, the Far East and even Space, players can experience 60 uniquely challenging stages throughout the game. Gamers will have all new elements and environments to maneuver through as Frogger makes his way up skyscrapers, and even crossing a very lively sushi bar avoiding predators trying to put a halt to his progression. Frogger experts can also show off their skills in Street Pass battles, where the object is to avoid becoming road-kill by scooting past speeding vehicles zooming along multiple lanes of opposing traffic. In Forever mode, fans of Frogger will get Déjà-vu when looking at the maps as the friendly confines of Frogger's safety zones are removed and the goal is to traverse as many lines as you can!

As an added bonus, players can compete against each other in 4 player matches and progress through infinite boards as they try to attain Frogger immortality and land in the top spot on Street Pass rankings.

Frogger 3D is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is now available for the Nintendo 3DS™ for $29.99.

My Thoughts: 

As a child of the 80's, I played a LOT of Frogger. So when I saw the notice for Frogger 3D I KNEW I had to get my hands on this game!  And I am glad I did!  I think this is great combination of old school and new technology.  It requires just as much patience as the original game....waiting for just the right moment to hop into action.  As I progressed through the levels, each one required a little more thought to see the safe route.  I think most of the levels had more safe places to wait out the traffic than the original Frogger, which makes it a little less stressful.  However with the 3D element, as well as more non-moving obstacles, you really have to think more because it's not as straight forward as the original game.  I absolutely love this new twist on a old classic!  It's a great way to introduce my own kids to a game I loved when I was a kid without the eye rolls at outdated graphics etc.  And as a momma in my 30s I have to say Frogger is still as quick as he was 30 years ago!! This mom give Frogger 3D two thumbs up for sure.  

For more great gaming gift options check out our full Gamers Gift Guide!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this video game for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are my own honest personal feedback.

DECA SPORTS EXTREME NOW AVAILABLE FOR NINTENDO 3DS™ SYSTEM

KONAMI Continues the DECA SPORTS Legacy With 10 Complete Sporting Events in 3D Available Today for Fans of the Hit Franchise to Enjoy

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Sept 13, 2011 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced DECA SPORTS EXTREME is now available for the Nintendo 3DS™ handheld system. DECA SPORTS, the hit sports compilation series that has sold over 4 million units worldwide, has arrived for the Nintendo 3DS with 10 complete sporting events entirely in 3D that will take sports to a whole new dimension!

Players will kick, shoot, and bounce as they make their way to the top of the leader boards in 10 complete sporting events in 3D including Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Bowling, Snowball Fight, Sumo Wrestling, Snowmobile Racing, Blowguns, and Trampoline. This all-new handheld version includes several features never seen before in a DECA SPORTS game, like power-ups, where players will have to collect enough Power Stones during each event allowing them to unleash powerful bonuses. Some of the power-ups included in the game are a giant racket in tennis, a cannon dunk in basketball, and a rainbow shot in soccer. Players will also be able to unlock equipment in Champion Mode and customize their own team's home court and training room in Customize Mode. With 4-player multi-player available through download play or wireless play, there is always an eager challenger waiting to take players on.

Deca Sports Extreme is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now for $39.99 on Nintendo 3DS.

Deca Sports Extreme was the first game I experienced on 3DS and I was impressed. There are some games that I didn't think the 3D was too spectacular but others, like snowball fight, had me trying to peak around 3D barriers.  I appreciated the variety in difficulty of games because all though you win skill type points to award to your different team members to improve your team, some of the games seemed tougher to conquer in the beginning.  I think this will be a long time hit in our house because of the variety of games from sumo wrestling to soccer and basketball.  And my ever competitive boys can each create their own personalize team for bragging rights in competition!  Although this game is at the high end of my personal price range for DS games, it really does offer a ton of gaming choices within this one game which makes it better bargain than many others at it's price point.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this game for review purposes.