This Full House Reviews

Nintendo Family Game Night: Purchase a Nintendo DS Lite at a New Reduced Price!

UPDATED 8/10/11: So happy to be able to share this awesome prize package with you, Angela Maa s (comment #9) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

I can't believe July is almost over and, for some of you, the countdown to back-to-school has already begun.  

[shiver]

We've been hiding indoors and, well, it's just been too HOT, for words, this week (what, you too?!?) however, as you can see, the kids are pretty comfortable, as is our Doofus-Dawg, too!

Aaaaand, yes, our new Nintendo DS Lite happens to match our couch, real nice, too.

I love this little gadget (I'm totally into playing Professor Layton and the Diaabolical Box) and now, you can purchase a DS Lite at a reduced price of $99.99 (from $129.99) how cool is that?

Do you have a DS Lite?  EXCELLENT!!!  I have Mario vs Donkey Kong (Mini-Land Mayhem) and Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story for Nintendo DS burning a hole in my pocket and I would love the chance to share them with one (1) of you.

Because, we roll like that!

Nintendo Family Game Night: Mystery Case Files - The Malgrove Incident Review & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be able to share this with you, Stephanie (comment #12) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

It's no secret, we've loved Nintendo products for a long time (i.e. since 2008, in gaming years!) and we also enjoy finding new video games and sharing fun ways in which to spend more time together, as a family (yes, on purpose!)

Llike, the new Mystery Case Files: The Malgrove Incident for Wii.

This week, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Golin Harris (who, my children lovingly refer to as, "The Nintendo People,") we had our own little Mystery Case Party!

So, if you're like me and like hidden object games that involve a lot of “seek and solve” puzzles...oh, and a little mystery on the side...I've got a video game, for you, right here.

Netflix Now Available on Nintendo Wii: Complimentary 3 Month Nextflix Membership

[CONGRATULATIONS:  LORI A. (COMMENT #21) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

It's no secret, we love our Wii and I personally have enjoyed working with Nintendo in bringing families (like mine) up to date on the latest and greatest stuff in video gaming.

Why?

In our house, Family Game and Movie Nights are one of the few times we get to spend, doing something we ALL like, together.

Have you heard about the cool new Netflix streaming feature available on the Nintendo Wii system?

Friday Family Game & Movie Night: Nintendo DSi XL Featuring, Flipnote Studio

My kids fight the UPS dude, for his attention, whenever we receive a box from our friends at Golin Harris.

"Me, me, me...give it to ME!"

No, not really.

[knock-knock-knock]

Thank goodness, my UPS dude delivers long before ALL my kids get home from school; otherwise, I'd NEVER get to play with anything!

"Thank, dude!"

This time, however, I'm pretty sure even my middle-schooler heard me, from all the way across town.

"SQUEEEEEE!"

Then, my oldest got home (she's 16) and, well, I was already late for work (l make it a general rule NOT to make the women who workout, at my club, angry) so, she was kind enough to put off starting her homework, and test out the new DSi XL, until I got home.

Wait until you see what IT can do!!!

Family Game & Movie Night: Endless Ocean Blue World - Sequel to Endless Ocean for Nintendo Wii

My oldest girl (she's 16) loves the water -- good thing we live on the Jersey coast, right?  However, I don't think she's quite ready for scuba diving (she hears the water is a bit murky, here in Jersey) so, when Nintendo came out with Endless Ocean, she dipped into her babysitting money and headed to Game Stop -- a modern day Cheers, for teenagers -- where everybody knows our naaaaaaame.

[sound of crickets chirping]

Aaaaanyway, she swam, I watched her play (I'm a cocktails by the pool sort of gal) and it was good.

This time, my friends at Golin Harris were kind enough to send us a copy of Endless Ocean: Blue World, the squeakquel!

SQUEEE!

"Look, I get to scuba dive all over the world!"

What can I tell you -- the girl loves to swim -- wanna see?

GameStop/ESRB Holiday LIVE Chat at 3 pm ET, TODAY Hosted Here on This Full House!

Last year, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) announced new video game rating summaries -- a FREE internet tool available to help parents (like me) figure out, you know, just what in the heck is in all those video games the cool kids are playing, these days -- and featured This Full House in the official press release.  

They came to my house, we locked the dog out in the yard and they filmed my kids playing their video games and everything.

My friends as the ESRB are at it again (helping parents, like me, I mean) by holding their first joint online press conference with GameStop.

Here is a quick rundown of the event:

• When: Dec. 17, Thursday, at 3 PM ET
• Who: Eliot Mizrachi, ESRB Director of Communications and Chris Olivera, GameStop VP of Corporate Communication
• Topic: Game ratings summaries & holiday gift shopping
• Prizes: Participants will be entered into a chance to win prizes including GameStop gift cards & a video game console!

Aaaaand, we have the pleasure of running the chat LIVE -- once it starts (3:00 p.m. est) you can join in at any time!

Eliot and Chris will be answering all your video game-related questions, so grab yourself a warm beverage and if you have any questions about ESRB's ratings or specific titles on your kids' wish lists, have them handy!

Feel free to add your email (will not be shared) and you'll be sent a reminder (up to 15 minutes before) when the chat goes LIVE!

Aaaaand, if you need me, I'll be upstairs, wrapping presents...YO!

 

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT, OR CONSIDERATION, OTHER THAN THE CHANCE TO PERHAPS HELP OTHER FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) KEEP FROM GOING A LITTLE NUTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF ATTENTION U.S.A. AND ESRB.ORG

Friday Night Family Movie & Game Night: Diner Dash - Flo on the Go for Nintendo DS

I must admit, Diner Dash:  Flo on the Go had me giggling like a 13-year-old.

"Aunt Flo...get it?"

[blank stare]

Apparently, my 13 year-old daughter thought, you know, my "real" age was showing and all she wanted to do was play the new Nintendo DS game that we recently received from our friends representing ZooGames.com.

"I play this game on my phone!"

[eyes go wide]

So, after I made a mental note to check the phone bill, I let her play.

Nintendo Family Game Night: Fossil Fighters, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

Summer is almost over (dangit) but, contrary to popular belief, my husband Garth [not his real name] and I spend more time, in the car, with the kids, getting them to, as well as from, school, not to mention after school activities, than we do...you know...in the summertime!

So, I know that someone's gonna get bored...real fast...any guesses and just which "someone's" gonna be first?

Thank goodness for small distractions, like brain teasers, puzzles and prehistoric creatures that come to life.

No, not me (ha, ha, real funny) I mean, a couple of new DS games the kids and I have been playing with, this week.

Nintendo Family Game Night: Wii Sports Resort

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I have never been to a tropical island.  Well, unless you count Manhattan in the middle of August, I mean.  So, Jamaica, Hawaii and Tahiti are on our "places to visit before we kick the bucket" wish list. 

You know, when the kids grow up, become successful, take up a group collection and send their parents (that would be us) someplace nice, other than Manhattan.

Until then, there's always Wii Sports Resort and I can at least pretend like I'm vacationing on Wuhu Island (okay, a little cheesy, still) besides, there are 12 different games you can play with and I'll break them down for you, according to my most/least favorites.

Nope, kids don't count...because, they pretty much can play anything, better their Momma, dangit.

If My Family Was A Video Game

Now for something totally different (and fun) I am entering the ESRB "micro-essay" contest on Facebook!

Why?

Three winners of the contest will receive a prize package that includes:

• A game console of the their choice (Xbox 360™, PLAYSTATION® 3, or Wii™) and three games for that system
• A trip for two and two "All-Access" passes to the first ever PAX East being held in Boston in March 2010, including an opportunity to meet Gabe & Tycho, the creators of Penny Arcade
• The opportunity to have their likeness immortalized in the ESRB's 2010 Penny Arcade PSA ads and to voice a radio PSA ad, both based upon their winning entry

Of course, I'd donate the game console to our local Ronald McDonald House (because, nice matters) and it's sort of fun to think of my family drawn as a character, right?

[the sound of crickets chirping]

To enter, copy the contest entry form below (erase my answers, first) paste it into a new "Note" on your Facebook page and follow the directions within:

Nintendo Game Night: I Love Beauty and the Ghost Busters Giveaway

[THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED:  CONGRATS TO BRIDGET 3420 (COMMENT #36) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

When it comes to games, there are two sides to our household - my 3 girls have always enjoyed dressing up and singing along with their Disney movies, while my son...well, let's just say...last week, when my youngest daughter's godfather suggested that they play Risk, instead, the boy positively squeed with joy!

Then, there are games that are both gender-friendly AND multi-generational.

Calling all Ghost Busters Movie lovers everywhere -- there's a new game in town for the Wii and it's pretty gosh-darned slimey, to boot!

I SPY, With My Little Eye, an A to Z Book Prize Pack Giveaway!

[THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED: WE HAVE OUR WINNERS - GRAND PRIZE TO JJFIJI (#125) RUNNERS-UP TO VERONICA (#121) AMY (#92) DONNA (#63) AND TERRA (#7) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Our family has enjoyed the I SPY series of books for years now and, just like my fellow Imperfect Parent writer ("While Mom's @ Work) we play a low-tech version of the game on our family road trips, as well sort of:

"I spy, with my little eye, something that issssss...GREEN!"

[grin]

"Um...wait a minute...I know this one..."

Did I mention, we've got a lot of trees and New Jersey is known as the Garden State, you know?

Still, my parents live at least 50 minutes away and we do visit with them almost every weekend, but our minivan doesn't have a dvd player, so I'm always looking for ways to break up the trip, without having to rob a bank, or anything.

We recently received the latest book release from the I SPY series called I SPY A to Z: A Book of Picture Riddles and were also offered the chance to share some pretty awesome I SPY products with you guys.

Want to see?

One Mother of a Nintendo DS and Wii Games Giveaway

[THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED: 1ST PRIZE GOES TO LEE (COMMENT #103 ON 6/16) 2ND PRIZE GOES TO PRISSY (COMMENT #3 ON 6/12) AND 3RD PRIZE GOES TO KASANDRIA (COMMENT #59 ON 6/15) CONGRATULATIONS ALL!!!]

My friends at Golin Harris have been busy, keeping up with all the new stuff Nintendo is constantly coming out with, which means my mailbox is filled with some really great news and new games for gaming families, like us.

Aaaand, much to the chagrin of my children, I'm just itching to share them ALL with you!

Family Game Night: New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat - No Bongos Required!

I remember, soon after my husband and I got married, when we bought ourselves a Nintendo 64 and would spend hours playing games like Zelda, Mario Bros., and Donkey Kong, just for fun.

Then again, we didn't have any kids and were able to call first dibs on everything, including our television set.

Today, our kids over rule us on...well...most everything, including the television shows we watch and the games we play.  Quite frankly, I'm not all that great with playing games that require the use of more than 2 fingers.

Then, Donkey Kong came out with those silly little bongos and, well, needless to say, we don't have any of those, either.

Instead, we received a copy of New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat for Wii (released on May 4) and I'm all, AT LAST, a game title I know and can already play along with, sort of.

Family Game Night: Wii Excite Bots Trick Racing - This is NOT your mother's racing video game!

I remember, back in the day, when arcade games first ruled the boardwalk, playing Pole Position with my friends and pretending that, you know, I really did know what I was doing.

[robotic voice]

Prepare to qualify...beep...beep...beep...BOOP!

Stupid stick shift.

Finding video games that both parents and kids can enjoy playing together is tough -- especially, since my kids pretty much kick my butt in virtually every gosh-darned game -- so, I was more than just a little hesitant when receiving a new off-road racing game for our Wii called Excitebots:  Trick Racing.

Prepare to get your butt kicked...