<title> video games

(Video) XBOX 360 Kinect Sesame Street TV & Nat Geo TV Event

January 10, 2013 by Divina Rodriguez 2 Comments

On Tuesday, a “Sunny Day” in New York City, Rock, X and I headed to the Sesame Workshop to check out the new seasons of Kinect Sesame Street TV and Nat Geo TV. We have a lot of gaming systems in the Dancing Hotdogs household but the XBOX 360 with Kinect is by far my favorite. I love how there is no need for a controller and with the Kinect sensor you are always part of the gaming action whether you are dancing or interacting with your favorite characters. Rock and X LOVE the first seasons of Sesame Street TV & Nat Geo TV games where we got to play with Elmo and track mammals with National Geographic’s’ Casey Anderson. So we were excited to see what new interactive fun the second seasons would have and we were not disappointed. Check out the video of us playing at the event. Second Season of Kinect Sesame Street TV Children will help Sesame Street characters with tasks, play in their world and learn together. Using content from actual episodes,“ … [Read more...]

Filed Under: PR & Media Events, Sesame Street & Sesame Place, The New, Video Game Reviews Tagged With: family gaming, NYC events, video games

For Dads: Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth Kinect Review

November 29, 2012 by Eddy Leave a Comment

It has almost become cliché to say that serious games on the Kinect are far and few between. It becomes even rarer to see a fighting game on any motion based game system be more than a boring exercise of flaying around and frustration. While Marvel Avengers Battle for Earth isn’t perfect, it has been the most enjoyable and exciting game to recently come out on the Kinect. Developed by Ubisoft Quebec, Marvel Avengers Battle for Earth provides a game that both families and hardcore gamers can at least enjoy together. Based on the comic book story line of the Secret Invasion, where a group of aliens basically play “body snatchers” with marvel’s stable of superheroes. No one knows who the real heroes are and who are fakes, resulting in epic battle between many of the legendary heroes. The game has 8 game modes: Campaign- This consist of over 40 battles with cinematics retelling the Secret Invasion story. Arcade- players must defeat all the other characters in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For Dads, The New, Video Game Reviews Tagged With: avengers, battle, family, fun, game, Hulk, Marvel, marvel vs capcom, Spiderman, Thor, video games, wii u, Wolverine

(Video) XBOX 360 Kinect Dance Central 3 Review

November 2, 2012 by Eddy 2 Comments

One of the most popular games in the history of the Kinect is back! Dance Central series has always held a special spot in the Dancing hotdogs household especially on holidays. It has become a Christmas tradition for the entire family (Divina hosts over 10 people every year) to play Dance Central on Christmas morning. My mom especially, is super enthusiastic about playing the game, as she like to show off all the moves she has learned to the endless embarrassment of my sister and I. While the game play is the same as it has always been for the series, the best new addition is the different challenges and modes that create a real air of competition amongst the players. Check out our Dance Central 3 movies. Some of these great modes include: Throwdown Mode: where two teams up to four people in each square off in a series of performances/dance battles and mini games. Keep the Beat: Which asks players to freestyle dance to the beat of the song. Player who stay on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: The New, Video Game Reviews Tagged With: dance central, Eddy, family, fun, gifts, holidays, kinect, video games, xbox

(Video) Kinect Sesame Street Review

October 17, 2012 by Eddy Leave a Comment

It seems like most video games even though they are for “kids” it seem the parents end up playing the game more than the children. This is especially apparent when playing video games for small children. Some of has to do with the fact that little kids sometimes want to watch what is happening on the screen without having to worry about playing the game. Throw in the fact that the Kinect requires you to be so physical when playing game, and you can imagine how difficult it could be for kids just learning coordination to really enjoy the story. Kinect Sesame Street really solves this issue. Rather than being a video game in the traditional sense, Kinect Sesame Street brings your child into the actual show. Kinect Sesame Street was built especially for young children focusing on: Promoting literacy and math Modeling scientific inquiry skills Fostering social and emotional development Can you imagine … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sesame Street & Sesame Place, The New, Video Game Reviews Tagged With: Bert, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Eddy, Elmo, Ernie, fun, games, kinect, review, Rock, sesame, street, video, video games, x, xbox

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster Video Game Review

November 4, 2011 by Divina Rodriguez Leave a Comment

By Eddy Parents pull out those wallets. If you have an Xbox 360 Kinect and little children you no doubt have a similar issue that I encounter often. There aren’t very many games that are worth playing with your children on the Kinect. Don’t get me wrong, good games for the Kinect do exist, it is just that they are far and few between. The ultimate result is that the Xbox ends up being an expensive dust collector. This is especially true with games targeted to children Rock’s age (3 years), whose short attention span and lack of coordination make it difficult for games on the system to be fun over a long period of time. Thankfully, games like Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster are being released. Check out the video. The Once Upon a Monster has a couple of things going for it: First, it puts you and your child in the place of some of the more famous characters in Sesame Street, such as Elmo and Cookie Monster. Second, the actions and movement are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sesame Street & Sesame Place, Video Game Reviews Tagged With: cookie, Elmo, games, kid, Kids, kinect, marco, Monster, Monsters, once, once upon a monster, parent, parents, play, Sesame Street, upon, video, video games, xbox, XBox 360

PowerUp Heroes Video Game Review

October 27, 2011 by Divina Rodriguez Leave a Comment

By Eddy Exclusively for the Xbox Kinect, PowerUp Heroes takes the first step in giving players the feeling that they are a super hero. Yet the elation of super powers is fleeting as the game runs into a number of barriers that make it a tougher sell for adults, more specifically, an extremely short single player campaign, repetitive game play and a lack of complexity. Even with me saying that, I still found myself satisfyingly addicted to the game...because what guy in their right mind wouldn't want to be a superhero! PowerUp Heroes puts you in a series of battle against other super beings, all powered by a unique suit. The game has the standard kicking and punch combat, but in order to spice things up players are able to perform a series of movements inorder to execute a special power move unique to the suit you are wearing. Each suit is earned by defeating an opponent (FYI this is all in the single player mode). There are 20 suits in total, each with 3 special … [Read more...]

Filed Under: The Blog, The New, Video Game Reviews Tagged With: Eddy, games, hero, heroes, powerUp, review, super, Ubisoft, video, video games

NY Comic Con Thursday Rundown

October 14, 2011 by Divina Rodriguez Leave a Comment

By Eddy Just got back from NY Comic Con (NYCC) and boy are my legs killing me. It is not a fun walk from Grand Central to the Javitz Center, everything looks so close from google maps on my iphone. Though I can’t help but feel worse for some of the other people walking with me still in total costume. In New York City you see all types of crazy stuff, but for some reason it doesn’t prepare you for seeing grown men dressed as their favorite anime character (maybe my skin isn’t thick enough yet). Even on a “preview” day, the Jacob Javitz center was buzzing with activity. The day was supposedly open for press, exhibitors and VIP’s but I definitely saw 4 day ticket owners there as well. Though they added to the chaos, I was able to get a couple of glimpses of the costumes that make going to NYCC a fun event. Yet, even as I write this I know that the crowds on Thursday will be nothing like that on Friday and Saturday, it doesn’t even compare. A little tip … [Read more...]

Filed Under: PR & Media Events, The Blog Tagged With: a dance of dragons, anchor bay, anime, avengers, book, books, center, comic, con, D, del ray, Eddy, fantasy, georg r.r. martin, Grover, IGN, javitz, Marvel, movies, New York, NYCC, oscar, preview, Random house, scifi, Sesame Street, song of fire and ice, spartacus, Star Wars, the howling, Theater, Thursday, tor, video games, walking dead

What I want for Christmas…or more specifically, right now

September 16, 2011 by Divina Rodriguez Leave a Comment

...Rocksmith by Ubisoft. It combines two things I love (guitar and video games) and brings them together like my favorite ice cream Ben and Jerry's Half Baked. Yes I know that there have been other guitar + video games (Rock Band and Guitar Hero come to mind as well as all the other imitators). Yet Rocksmith give me the small glimmer of hope that it is more than a game, but actually something that might be able to teach me a little about playing the guitar. Whenever I played Guitar Hero I got nothing out of it. With Rocksmith I at least will get to learn new chords, work on my rhythm and timing as well as learn how to play a couple of songs I have been really meaning to learn. Also, the game adjusts itself to your expertise on its own. Take a look at the video below: So Santa (Divina! or Ubisoft...wink!) could you pretty please leave this under my tree, or in my mailbox this fall when it comes out. I promise to be a good boy! Yours Truly, Eddy … [Read more...]

Filed Under: The Blog, The New Tagged With: ben and jerry, guitar, guitar hero, half baked, ice cream, rock band, rocksmith, Ubisoft, video games

Sesame Street: Ready, Set, Grover! Wii Video Game Review and Giveaway

August 15, 2011 by Divina Rodriguez 161 Comments

Update: this giveaway is closed, congrats to Becca! By Divina I love it when Sesame Street contacts the Dancing Hotdogs family for any kind of review because I KNOW it’s going to be an educational good time and Sesame Street and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s latest Nintendo Wii and DS game Sesame Street: Ready, Set Grover! Does not disappoint. I don’t know if you watch as much Sesame Workshop as Big Bro and I do but they have an initiative called “Healthy Habits for Life” that encourages parents/caregivers and their kids to start healthy habits early and create a foundation for a lifetime of healthy living. The new game reinforces that initiative by showing kids they can play BUT stay active while having fun. The game is so cute! Through games and adventures with Elmo and Abby the game players practice physical activity, good nutrition, personal hygiene, and the importance of rest and relaxation. Don’t you just love it! Playtime with a great … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dancing Hotdogs Family Product Reviews, Giveaways and Sweepstakes!, Sesame Street & Sesame Place Tagged With: Divina, Educational, Elmo, giveaway, Kids, September 12 2011, Sesame Street, video game review, video games, wii

Kinect Your Fitness Evolved XBOX 360 Kinect Game Review

June 1, 2011 by Divina Rodriguez Leave a Comment

By Eddy One of the great things about the Kinect is the ability of free motion. While some might find the thought of not having a controller to tether you to the TV, you have to admit when it come to doing exercise the ability to move fully is definitely appealing. We had the opportunity to try out Your Fitness Evolved by Ubisoft and we found it to be one of the most complete work out systems that you can find in the market, and that includes the current fad of DVD based work out plans such as P90X and others. The reason I say this is due to instant feedback. The other programs and DVD just assume you are doing things right and just plow ahead. Your Fitness Evolved takes its time to make sure it get it right, this is especially helpful when doing yoga as the Kinect makes sure you are putting your limbs in the right place instead of just moving some sensor in the right position as you sit on your couch. But in all seriousness, this is an important fact, since a minor … [Read more...]