Dad of Divas' Reviews: November 2012

Friday, November 30, 2012

Toy Review - Air Hogs - Battle Tracker

About the Product
The all-new Air Hogs Battle Tracker delivers head-to-head interactive combat! Take command of the Disc-Launching Helicopter as the A.R.T (Automated Robotic Turret) tracks your every move. Prepare for evasive maneuvers as you dodge powerful missiles aimed to knock you out of the sky. Return fire and disable the A.R.T before it successfully lands a shot. Enter the heat of battle with both single and multiplayer modes:


  • Single Player: Auto Mode Take control of the heli and launch disks at the A.R.T antenna. But, beware! A.R.T tracks your every move while releasing a devastating payload of missiles. Don’t underestimate the advanced intelligence tracking system as you go head-to-head in battle. 
  • 2-Player: Manual Mode Easily switch to manual mode using the A.R.T remote control. Face-off against friends and see who will be victorious! Switch roles as you control 2 different advanced weapon systems and discover each of their advantages. 
  • Other Modes Both the A.R.T and Disk Shooting Helicopter can be controlled independently. Battle them against other 


Air Hogs vehicles and become the ultimate battle-ready sharpshooter. Disk Launching Helicopter Launch your way to victory with the high-powered disk launching heli! The resilient hard-plastic body is armored to withstand all combat scenarios.

Steady-Fly Technology™ software detects flight instability and auto adjusts rotor systems delivering superior, stable flight. The advanced disk release system lets you launch your payload in rapid or single bursts. Fire across massive distances and turn any room into an adrenaline fueled combat zone.

Automated Robotic Turret
The A.R.T is a state-of-the-art robot built with auto tracking technology and lock-on sequencing. It intelligently tracks and monitors flight patterns of the Disk Launching Helicopter and locks-on for fatal shots. The advanced missile load and release system launches missiles with precision and speed to challenge even the greatest of Air Hogs Pilots. Its built in sensor intelligence responds to disk impacts and recognizes when its been defeated. But don’t expect and easy battle as the robotic voice analyzes and speaks during battle to distract its opponents!

Bring home the most insanely innovative, interactive and indestructible aerial battle system ever built with the Air Hogs Battle Tracker!

Product Features

  • 3+ Ways to Play! Battle Tracker Can Be Played In Multiple Modes With Single or Multiplayer Missions
  • Intelligent Auto Tracking Technology Delivers Real-Life Interactive Battle Play
  • Built in Steady-Fly Technology? for Advanced Flight Stability
  • A.R.T Intelligence Acknowledges Each Situation With Spoken Comments
  • Includes: 1 Battle Tracker with Tethered Remote Control, 18 Missiles, 1 Disk Shooting Helicopter, 7 Discs, 1 Disc Removal Tool, 1 Helicopter Remote Control, 1 Instruction Manual


My Take on the Product
My daughter has one of the other air hog helicopters so she has some experience with these (but by far is not an expert and neither am I). When I received this though we were intrigued as this is the first air hogs product that I have ever seen that has items built into it that allows you to either fire from the helicopter or now from the Turret. The idea behind this is that you have to use the helicopter to fire on the radar dish on the radar, while being careful to not be shot down by the robotic turret which can be set on automatic and allowed to track the helicopter (and it actually does a very good job at it). As in the other air hog products that we have tried in the past, the helicopter has to be recharged after a short period because it does not hold a large amount of charge (and does not have a large independent battery pack either).

I have to say that in trying this out we were all quite impressed, and have to say that the system is very click and works quite well. I was impressed by how well the turret tracks the helicopter, but also how fun it was to try and aim at the target that you were trying to hit while being fired upon as well. If you have tried Air Hogs in the past you will find that this is a whole new animal, but that it is so much fun! All-in-all I highly recommend this to all, not only for it's interactive nature, but also for how fun it was overall, you will definitely not be disappointed!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Game Review - Temple Run Danger Chase Board Game

About the Game
From the sensational action video game comes the ultimate family version of Temple Run. Escape from demonic monkeys as you make your way across the infinite game board. The fast-action game play of Temple Run will keep you on your toes as you compete against family and friends to see who can survive the longest. Run fast and run hard with the all-new board-game version of Temple Run.

My Take on the Game
My kids are big fans of this app on my phone, so when I saw this I knew that our family would have to try it. The game itself does a great job at trying to incorporate the same concepts into the game itself. The game is fast paced and you have to stay alert or you will fall victim to the creatures that follow close on your heels. The game was fun and engaging and my daughters really enjoyed the game (and I did too). If you are a fan of fast paced games, or you are a fan of simply this app, you will love to have this game in your own home!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Hating Heidi Foster

About the Book
“Hating Heidi Foster”by award-winning scriptwriter, director and novelist Jeffrey Blount is a fictional, young-adult novel that explores the depth and impact of the connections between family and friends. Influenced by Jeffrey’s daughter Julia, “Hating Heidi Foster”is written to inspire readers to consider the value of their personal relationships.

The novel introduces best friends Mae McBride and Heidi Foster; two best friends who shared a close relationship since early elementary school. Their relationship seemed unbreakable until Mae’s father died while saving Heidi’s life. Blame sets in between the friends and Mae’s sincere feelings suggest that her father put Heidi before her, as she begins to unravel amid that blame and her uncontrollable and atypical anger.

Concurrently, Heidi is beset by guilt, falls into depression and stops eating properly; wasting away physically and emotionally as she determinedly waits for Mae to let her back into their treasured friendship.

A conversation between Blount’s daughter, Julia and her best friend, Emily piqued his interest to pen the novel. Watching the girls laugh, joke and share funny stories as high school seniors triggered memories of them growing up together. He realized that they would experience a slow separation as they entered adulthood.

“Hating Heidi Foster”was given as a graduation gift from Blount to his daughter and best friend. It follows the emotional journey of two young women and is written to encourage readers to reflect on their relationships and recognize the importance of each bond. “Hating Heidi Foster”is available at Barnes & Nobles, at Amazon.com, as Kindle and Nook downloads and at Barston’s Child’s Play in Washington, D.C.


About the Author
Jeffrey Blount is an Emmy Award-Winning television director and an award recipient for scriptwriting on multiple documentary projects. Born and raised in rural Virginia, he now lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Jeanne Meserve. They have two children, Julia and Jake.

My Take on the Book
Being as short as it was I did not expect this book to be as intense as it was! You can feel the emotion and strife that the characters are dealt dealing with as they have to consider how life will continue after tragedy strikes. The plot of this story is truly an emotional roller coaster and just the loss of a father is one thing, but the loss of him to save the friend is completely something else. The author a superb job at taking the reader on a journey that is heart wrenching at times, but so poignant and is able to develop such a memorable story that I have already passed this on (after reading it quickly) to another person, and I know that they too will do the same.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Picture the Dead

About the Book
A ghost will find his way home.

Jennie Lovell's life is the very picture of love and loss. First she is orphaned and forced to live at the mercy of her stingy, indifferent relatives. Then her fiancé falls on the battlefield, leaving her heartbroken and alone. Jennie struggles to pick up the pieces of her shattered life, but is haunted by a mysterious figure that refuses to let her bury the past.

When Jennie forms an unlikely alliance with a spirit photographer, she begins to uncover secrets about the man she thought she loved. With her sanity on edge and her life in the balance, can Jennie expose the chilling truth before someone-or something-stops her?

Against the brutal, vivid backdrop of the American Civil War, Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown have created a spellbinding mystery where the living cannot always be trusted and death is not always the end.

My Take on the Book
If you are a fan of the paranormal or the Civil War you will enjoy this book. Picking this up I expected to find a book that was a typical middle school ghost story, but instead I found a story that was very well written with strong plot and characters that were steeped in history and suspense. The author brings together a great tableau of war, mystery, paranormal activity and suspense to make a book that leaves you on the edge of your seat and wanting to some back for more! This was a great book that I would encourage all to read!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - A Bad Day For Voodoo

About the Book
When your best friend is just a tiny bit psychotic, you should never actually believe him when he says, "Trust me. This is gonna be awesome."

Of course, you probably wouldn't believe a voodoo doll could work either. Or that it could cause someone's leg to blow clean off with one quick prick. But I've seen it. It can happen.

And when there's suddenly a doll of YOU floating around out there—a doll that could be snatched by a Rottweiler and torn to shreds, or a gang of thugs ready to torch it, or any random family of cannibals (really, do you need the danger here spelled out for you?)—well, you know that's just gonna be a really bad day ...

My Take on the Book
I have never read any of this author's books in the past but I have been a fan of YA novels in the past so I was interested to see what this had in store when I read the overall description of the book itself. IN reading this I have to say that I was not disappointed. The book is one of those books that you cannot put down and you will find that even the smallest nuances are ones that you will want to explore further (or at least I did). Whether you know much abut Voodoo or not, this book will open your eyes and make you a bit squeamish in parts while laughing in others. The book provides a good balance between the two and with the strong characters and plot you too will be drawn in quickly to the story itself - wanting to find out what ultimately happens in the end. A great story that all will enjoy!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire

About the Book
You Won't Believe What Horrid Henry Will Do Next!

Henry knows that a class sleepover at a museum can only be on thing—boring!!

So he's invited a few party crashers to liven things up...Zombie Vampires!

Plus three other stories that will leave you screaming for more!

About the Author
Francesca Simon was born in the United States and attended both Yale and Oxford universities. A former journalist, she now writes full time. She lives in North London, England, with her husband, Martin, and her son, Josh.

Tony Ross is a prolific illustrator of books for children, including Martyn Beardsley's Sir Gadabout stories as well as his own. Tony has become one of the best known creators of original and traditional picture books and his work has been sold all over the world.

My Take on the Book
As always the author brings another fun and exciting Horrid Henry tales. As always you will be amazed at the adventures (or misadventures) that Harry gets himself into. In reading this with my own daughter I have to say that we had a number of great laughs and you will too! If you are already a fan of this book series, you will see that this is another great addition, and if this is your first you will see why so many love these stories!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Nano Speed Cars and Sets Provide Fun For the Whole Family

I was lucky enough to be able to try out a number of the Nano Speed items recently. I had never tried them before, but was asked to try out a set of their cars and the Super Vert Crash Set.

First off, I have to be honest and say that though you might initially think that this is only for boys, you would be incorrect because I can attest that girls love them too! My daughters are totally into matchbox cars and I have continually been brought into many extended play times where cars are strewn out everywhere, and this was no different.

The Nano Speed cars were so small, but so well designed, and with such great artistry! The cars are super fast and you can shoot them down any flat straight away quicker than other cars I ever owned myself. All you have to do is pull them back and they are off, and at the size of a quarter, they are tiny, but a lot of fun overall!

I was glad to play with these on flat surfaces, but even more glad to have something else that I could try these cars on. The Nano Speed Super Vert Crash Set provided that "other" way to engage the cars. I found that the set itself was easy enough to put together, and only running on two "D" batteries makes it a bit more manageable than some of the other toys that we have in the home that run on many more. Getting the cars aligned once set up was also not too difficult, though I will say that when I started to shoot the cars down the track, a number of them would shoot off the track instead of staying on for the duration.

For young children, you may need to assist them and help them to be patient as it does take a bit of time to get the hang of this, and with how fast the cars go, sometimes it is over before it begins, though this just means that the child can start right over again!

I was a bit concerned that you could not really add onto the set, as it would have been nice to have this option later to change up the overall set itself, but alas, it is not meant to be (at least at this point).

Overall, I was impressed with both the cars and the set. The set did have some design issues that caused me some concern, but overall, both were a lot of fun to play with and my girls have been having a blast trying them out and shooting the cars from here to kingdom come!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Game Review - Disney Princess Dazzling Princess Game

About the Game
Celebrate your favorite princesses and collect sparkling jewels to decorate your bracelet, ring, and tiara. Are you ready for the ball? Let your inner princess shine in this fantasy-filled dress-up game.

Promotes:
Counting and matching
Imaginative play
Turn-taking and playing together

Product Contents
4 Tiaras
4 Rings
4 Bracelets
1 Decoder Heart Gem
40 Jewels
200 Cards
1 Rules Manual

My Take on the Game
If you have someone in your home that just loves princesses this game is definitely for you! Players get to collect items to decorate your Tiara and Bracelet and turn yourself into a very beautiful princess. The game has some resemblances to the older game Pretty Pretty Princess, but is very different in how it is played. Also, the cards that you use and the connection to the Disney Princesses make this a game that I know my family simply loved! I also noticed that you do have to have some familiarity with the Disney Princess movies for a few of the cards that you are playing in the game itself. Overall, this was a fun game for any budding princess!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Game Review - Disney Princess Enchanted Cupcake Party Game

About the Game
You’re invited to a cupcake party with all your favorite Disney Princesses! Work together to make as many cupcakes as you can before it’s time for the party. Follow the recipe cards to pick the perfect fancy liner, frosting, and topper. Each cupcake creation is fit for a princess in this sweet game of mixing and matching!

Creative, social play at its best!
Standard play-dates are transformed into exciting parties filled with laughter and conversation, as players practice teamwork and cooperation to build as many cupcakes as they can before the time runs out. In this innovative game, each cupcake is uniquely designed to match one of the Disney Princesses, but there are lots of opportunities to get creative! Use the interchangeable cupcake pieces to make your own original cupcake creation- there are dozens of dazzling cupcake combinations.

How to play, snapshot!
As a team, players decide which color deck they will play. Each deck offers a variety of cupcake combinations. The pink deck has recipes for single princess cupcakes. The blue and purple decks have recipes that combine cupcakes featuring two or more princesses. When players flip all three of the Mix, Bake, and Decorate tiles, it's time to draw a Recipe Card and work together to build the cupcake. Players continue to draw cards and build as many cupcakes as they can before the sand timer runs out. Players build cupcakes until all four Clock tiles are flipped over. Then, it's time for the party!

Quality
Wonder Forge has won over 120 prestigious awards by creating good-for-you games that encourage positive attitudes, teamwork, healthy competition, and get-up-and-go active play! Disney Princess Enchanted Cupcake Party is a winner of 2012 Oppenheim Gold Award, 2012 Play Advances in Language Award, and 2012 Creative Child Game of the Year Award! Enchanted Cupcake Party stands the test of time with high-quality pieces and princesses that span many generations- from the timeless Sleeping Beauty to the modern Rapunzel!

What's In The Box?
40 Cupcake Parts, 30 Recipe Cards, 10 Tiles, 1 Sand Timer, 1 Game Rules Manual. The game is intended for 2 or more players, ages 3 and up.

My Take on the Game
Especially in a house of Divas, what is better than cupcakes and princesses? My youngest daughter just loves this game and we have played it over and over again the many times since we received it. The idea of the game is to build your cupcakes as a team. Yes, I said team, thus it is not a competitive game, but one where you work together toward a common goal. I love when I can find these games where at the end we all are winners (as we have no sad faces at the end then). Overall, the game was a ton of fun and my girls had a blast playing it (both my 4 and 8 year olds). The game is of high quality and the cupcakes are very well made and I can tell will stand up to a lot which will allow the game to stay with us for a long time to come!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Game Review - Richard Scarry Matching Game

About the Game
It’s the classic game of picture matching, now celebrating the playful world of Richard Scarry. Flip over two tiles and discover imaginative vehicles, fun Busytown places, and familiar faces like Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm. Did you find a match? If so, keep them in your scoring pile and take another turn. If not, turn them back over—but try to remember what pictures they had for later in the game. Collect the most pairs to win. I Can Do That. Games foster self-confidence by giving kids a chance to discover what they can do. Favorite Dr. Seuss, Curious George, and Richard Scarry characters come to life—challenging kids to run, slide, hide, seek, sort, explore—and more. By engaging kids physically, socially, and creatively, I Can Do That. Games provide endless hours of fun for the whole family.

My Take on the Game
My youngest daughter is a HUGE fan of Busy Town, so when we gave this to her she was ecstatic. We started playing and we literally had to pull her away form the game. The game itself is well made with vivid characters that depict some of the very well known characters and scenes from classic Busy Town cartoon episodes. If you are a fan of Richard Scarry or of Busy Town you will love this game - both for its' educational and entertainment value! Definitely worth the purchase!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Blu-ray Review - Finding Nemo

About the Movie
Disney•Pixar’s "Finding Nemo" dives back into homes this coming holiday in breathtaking Blu-rayTM. The must-"sea," must-own Oscar®-winning underwater adventure—featuring the unforgettable Marlin, his forgetful friend Dory and the lovable young Nemo—swims into living rooms for the first time ever in high-definition Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and Digital platforms on December 4, 2012.

The film fully immerses viewers in the stunning underwater world of Finding Nemo! From the creators of Toy Story and Monsters, Inc., Disney•Pixar’s critically acclaimed and heartwarming tale splashes off the screen with brilliant digital picture, high definition sound and breathtaking 3D bonus features that transport you beyond your imagination.

"Finding Nemo," first released in theaters in 2003, earned the Oscar® for Best Animated Feature Film and remains the fifth highest grossing animated film worldwide. In 2008, the American Film Institute named ―Finding Nemo‖ among the top 10 greatest animated films ever made, and it is the second highest grossing Pixar film to date (behind "Toy Story 3").

The Blu-ray 2D and 3D debuts mark the first time ―Finding Nemo‖ has ever been available in these hi-def formats. Featuring pristine high definition picture and sound, the Blu-ray creates an incredible at-home experience with a host of interactive features and bonus features including 3D Virtual Aquariums, 2D Virtual Aquariums, CineExplore, A Filmmakers’ Roundtable and more.

The hi-def home entertainment release of "Finding Nemo" will be available as a 5-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition (2 Blu-ray 2D + 1 Blu-ray 3D + 1 DVD + 1 Digital Copy), 3-Disc Collector’s Edition (2 Blu-ray 2D + 1 DVD), 3D Digital & High-Definition Digital formats.

BONUS FEATURES:

Blu-ray 3D Disc:

  • 3D HD Aquariums

Blu-ray Disc One:


  • Knick Knack‖ Theatrical Short Film (Rated: G)
  • Aquarium
  • CineExplore
  • Finding Nemo – A Filmmakers’ Roundtable
  • Reinventing the Submarine Voyage
  • Deleted Scene: "Alt Opening"
  • A Lesson in Flashbacks

Blu-ray Disc Two:


  • Aquariums
  • Art Review
  • Classic Content
    • Making Nemo
    • Exploring the Reef
    • Studio Tour
    • Old School
    • Outtakes
    • Deleted Scenes
  • Publicity Pieces
  • Mr. Ray’s Encyclopedia


DVD:


  • Knick Knack‖ Theatrical Short Film (Rated: G)


  • Finding Nemo – A Filmmakers’ Roundtable


  • Aquarium


Digital:


  • Knick Knack‖ Theatrical Short Film (Rated: G)
  • Finding Nemo – A Filmmakers’ Roundtable
  • Deleted Scene: ―Alt Opening‖
  • A Lesson in Flashbacks
  • Art Review
  • Classic Content
    • Making Nemo
    • Exploring the Reef
    • Studio Tour
    • Old School
    • Outtakes
    • Deleted Scenes
    • Publicity Pieces


SOCIAL MEDIA:

Those who would like to stay connected with the exciting "Finding Nemo" release are encouraged to:



Mr. Ray Sings His Lesson

The Drop Off



Fish Are Friends


My Take on the Movie
I have been a fan of this movie ever since it came out, so I was very excited to see that it was being re-released! In watching the Blu-ray, the wizards at Disney have done an amazing job at capturing the magic of this film is vivid detail. I was so impressed with the quality of the overall film and the sound quality and vivid imagery was pristine. I cannot say enough great things about this movie and how well it was done! If you are already a fan of this movie, or if you missed it when it originally came out, "just keep swimming" along to your nearest store and pick this up, you will definitely not be disappointed.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Game Review - Bratz: Fashion Boutique

About the Game
The favorite fashion divas are back in the all-new Bratz: Fashion Boutique video game. Join the Bratz gals that have a passion for fashion, Yasmin™, Cloe™, Jade™, and Sasha™, on a mission to save Stylesville’s local mall before it closes! Help run the hottest fashion boutiques to earn money and stop this fashion faux-pas. Start fabulous trends, customize outfits, and sell your personal clothing line to new customers to earn money and help save the mall!

Features

  • Accessory Essentials: With hundreds of clothes and accessories, players can craft endless collections in workshop mini-games. Cut and sew different fabrics, buttons, and colorful decorations to create unique, couture outfits.
  • Cool Catwalk: Hit the run-way and organize fashion shows to start the hottest trends and show off your best collections.
  • Beautiful Boutiques: Customize and decorate fashion boutiques, each offering a hip-new style unique to each Bratz doll. With gorgeous designs and creative layouts, attract new customers to your store and help save the Bratz Fashion Mall!
  • Fabulous Makeovers: Makeover your customers into stylish divas! If they love their style, your fame will rise and you will bring in more customers.


My Take on the Game
My eldest daughter has been "in" to Bratz dolls for some time so when I had the opportunity to try out the this new 3DS game I know that she would love it too, I mean what is better than combining her love of Bratz with technology, right? In trying out this game my daughter thought that it was very "cool" to be able to run your own boutique and put together endless clothes pairings and combinations. You can design your own designs with the fabric, buttons and such that are offered to you and then have the Bratz dolls show off the creations. This game puts you in control of fashion, which is definitely something that my daughter really enjoyed. When I tried it out I found the game to be interactive and engaging, and I found that the game controls were easy enough to use and that as a player you could definitely maneuver and make the creations that you wanted with ease. I would highly recommend this game to anyone who loves Bratz Dolls or who enjoys fashion or fashion design, as this combines the best of both worlds!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Game Review - Rise of the Guardians

About the Game
Let your imagination soar in Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game as you play as one of the classic childhood legends, including: North (aka Santa Claus), Tooth (aka the Tooth Fairy), Bunnymund (aka the Easter Bunny), Sandman, and Jack Frost. In this action-packed adventure game, each Guardian has their own set of upgradable and extraordinary abilities that will help you take on the evil spirit "Pitch" and his infectious nightmares.

Along the way, you'll unlock new powers and spellbinding special moves that will increase your character's strength and skills throughout the game, plus you can unleash cool team attacks with your fellow heroes. With drop-in-and-out multiplayer action supporting up to four players on consoles, you and your team of Guardians will work together to protect the hopes, beliefs and imaginations of children all over the world!

Game Features

  • Join Forces with Your Favorite Characters from the Film - Play as one of the classic childhood legends from DreamWorks Animation's upcoming feature film, Rise of the Guardians, including: North, Tooth, Bunnymund, Sandman, and Jack Frost.
  • Battle Pitch in an Epic Adventure - Take on Pitch and his evil nightmares in a deep and intuitive adventure combat game that includes new original enemies designed specifically for each Guardian's realm.
  • Unique Abilities and Upgrades - Unlock power-ups such as weapon upgrades for your character. Plus, earn unique new abilities including special combat moves like a snowball attack, summoning a swarm of miniature tooth fairies, and more!
  • Explore Legendary Guardian Realms - Experience the imaginative worlds from Rise of the Guardians, including: Tooth's Palace, North's Workshop, Bunnymund's Warren, and many more.
  • Team up in Multiplayer - Swap between any of the characters in drop-in-and-out four-player squad based multiplayer action on consoles.


My Take on the Game
This was a ton of fun and with the fact that you get to choose your character (based on the movie characters) my daughter and I had a blast. The game had great graphics and was interactive and engaging. I was impressed also with the overall story itself as it did follow a similar premise to the movie, but was also a bit different. I loved the differing areas in which you play this game and the creators have done a great job at creating an internal world that draws you into the game further. It does take a little bit to get used to the overall controls of the game, but once you do get ready for a fun game that will keep you entertained for a long time!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Game Review - Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why’d you steal our garbage?!!

About the Game
Holy Stuff! D3Publisher and Cartoon Network Enterprises Reveal Contents of Adventure Time™: Hey Ice King! Why’d You Steal Our Garbage?!! Collector’s Edition


Get ready to get mathematical! D3Publisher (D3P) and Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) today revealed the contents of the Collector’s Edition for the upcoming release of Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why’d you steal our garbage?!!, a video game based on the popular Cartoon Network series, Adventure Time. The Collector's Edition will be available for Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system and Nintendo DS™ hand-held system for $39.95 this fall.


The Collector’s Edition includes the following limited edition items:

  • Custom design of the Enchiridion on a premium SteelBook™ case
  • Limited edition replica stylus of Finn’s Gold Sword
  • Exclusive bestiary guide book
  • Bonus poster map of the Land of Ooo
  • Full version of Adventure Time™: Hey Ice King! Why’d you steal our garbage?!! video game


In the first-of-its-kind Adventure Time video game, best buds Finn and Jake wake up one morning to find their trash stolen by the Ice King! When they find out the Ice King is using their stolen goods to make a Garbage Princess, the heroes embark on a fantastical adventure to teach him a lesson! Journey through the Land of Ooo in an offbeat adventure and discover perilous dungeons and unimaginable treasures, while playing as Finn and Jake in a unique action-adventure experience.


Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why’d you steal our garbage?!!, is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. For more information on Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why’d you steal our garbage?!!, please visit www.d3publisher.us.


My Take on the Game
My kids and I enjoy watching this show on television, so I was intrigued to see what the game would be like once we received it. What was interesting about the game was that it had a great storyline and followed the cartoon quite well in regards to the characterization of the characters. The gameplay was interactive and the graphics were quite similar to what you would see in the show itself. If you are already a fan of Adventure Time, you are going to love this game, I know that my daughter and I both did!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Game Review - Ben 10 Omniverse

About the Game
D3Publisher (D3P) and Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) today announced that they will bring Ben 10: Omniverse™, the first video game based on the highly-anticipated, brand new animated series of the same name, to store shelves this fall. The series will introduce fans to an entirely different Ben 10 experience through an all-new character design that pays homage to Ben’s past and a fresh batch of aliens to battle. Ben 10: Omniverse will also mark the debut of Ben’s new sidekick Rook, a skilled but inexperienced Plumber graduate. The Ben 10: Omniverse interactive game from D3Publisher will release on the upcoming Wii U™ system from Nintendo, the Wii™ system from Nintendo, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system and Nintendo DS™ hand-held system.

In Ben: 10 Omniverse, players will be immersed in exciting action-brawler gameplay featuring the new art style inspired from the show. Gamers will have the power to switch forms and battle as one of 13 playable alien heroes, including never-before-seen aliens like Bloxx and Gravattack, as they work with either Ben or Rook to defeat the evil plans of a fierce villain, intent on destroying the world.

Ben 10: Omniverse gives fans the option to play single-player or two-player co-op mode (for all platforms except Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS), where one player controls Ben and his alien forms and the other can play as Rook with his Proto-Tool, a high-tech multifunction weapon designed to battle evil.

Ben 10: Omniverse is being developed by Vicious Cycle Studios for all platforms except for Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS, which are being developed by 1st Playable Productions. The game is currently rated “RP” (“Rating Pending”) by the ESRB. For more information in the coming months, please visit www.d3publisher.us.

My Take on the Game
I have been a fan of Ben 10 for some time now and have enjoyed playing some of the past games that have been available for WII and Nintendo DS. This game was a ton of fun and I love to some of the new characters/aliens that are in this game. I found that the graphics as well as the storyline of the game itself was well developed. The game provided a highly engaging tableau in the provided me as the player with a wide variety of opportunities to be able to completely immerse yourself within the game, and allow yourself to be able to take over and get lost within the characters within the game as well. I can honestly say that I lost complete track of time in playing the game, and I found that even when I did some, I wanted to come back to play again soon. If you are a fan of Ben 10, you'll love this new addition to the Ben 10 Game collection!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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