games + gaming

Maybe you've heard about the new Kinect Star Wars game for XBOX that's expected to train up a whole new generation of padawans by getting your kids to jump all over the living room. But have you heard about the wicked cool Star Wars Bund…

Operation, Shmoperation. Forget that old naked guy and his lame Charlie Horse; I've found a version that's much, much cooler for the entire family. Because it's R2D2 Yes, I'm one of those people for whom anything can be improved with the…

As soon as I could turn my back on my kids with the safety scissors, I knew it was only a matter of time before they decided to give themselves (or each other) a trim. A far better way to scratch their itch to play hairdresser, comes in …

Let's just say that smartphone and tablet games we love are nothing compared with what's coming out soon--console games are alive and motion kicking in the most amazing ways. Last week, nearly 50,000 people in attendance at the 2011 E3 c…

When I saw there was a headset coming out made just for gamers, I got super excited. Not because I need one, but because I happened to have made babies with a gaming addict, and occasionally, I would like to mute the sounds of mayhem, mu…

Ever since he was a little guy, my six year old has been obsessed with maps, so it was a no-brainer that I'd look for fun apps that capitalize (ha, get it?) on his obsession. What I didn't expect was to find an app that I'd want to play …

If you are a Nintendo Wii fan (and really, who isn't?) then yesterday's announcement from Nintendo is one you won't want to miss. The next generation Wii gaming system has been announced and it is called ( drumroll ) Wii U. Think everyth…

As much as my little ones love to play with my iPhone, my nearly 7 year-old daughter enjoys her fair share of play time, usually with games that I've downloaded for myself. (Who can resist Angry Birds and Tiny Wings ?) So this past week …

If buying an computer for a lucky high school grad this year is part of your plans, then you're in for an extra bonus of the awesome variety. Starting today, participating retailers are offering a free Xbox with the purchase of a Windows…

Having just gotten my first iPad a few days ago, I have to hold myself back from loading up on every single app that looks entertaining. But I couldn't resist trying out one new free app that puts the perfect spin on playtime, and it is …

If you made my kids narrow down to the two things they think are really cool about technology, they'd come up with: 1. Making really goofy videos of themselves, and 2. Angry Birds. Yeah, I'd have to agree, though I bet I have more people…

Our new feature, Oh Appy Day! , gives you the scoop on the coolest apps from some of the coolest people anywhere. This week we are thrilled to feature the amazing Katie Couric, one of our all-time idols. I'm a logophile, as my Twitter fo…

As with most families with pre-teens these days, we've got those moments when I need something new and cool to keep my boys entertained: that very important phone call, the long wait in the doctor's office, the never-ending road trip. Yo…

It's St. Patrick's Day and we couldn't resist passing along the special holiday-themed edition of our favorite time waster--er, app--Angry Birds. Here, our way too familiar friends go green and get lucky with this special St. Patty's Day…

If I had a quarter for every quarter I dumped into that Donkey Kong arcade game in the 80's...well, I suppose I'd have all my quarters back. And then factoring in interest and rate of inflation, I'd easily be able to by 100 sets of these…

If you woke up to snowmageddon this morning like we did (or more like a typical winter snowfall with a new 24 hour news cycle-friendly, alarmist name), your kids are probably begging you to get out there with them as soon as humanly poss…

Before the kids go to bed and Santa's elves get busy wrapping gifts, we spend Christmas Eve drinking egg nog, playing games, and watching movies with the kids. But now that we have the iPad, we'll probably add a round or two of a digital…

I admit that I've been completely sucked into the Angry Birds craze, as has my entire family. So much s, that my kids know exactly what level we're stuck on. Level 16 on Angry Birds Seasons, if you're curious. So I have to admit that my …

Best Buy Wish List is a sponsored series in which we feature the things we're coveting at Best Buy--and then give away gift cards so you can buy them yourself. Whee! It's no secret that we have a thing for gaming around here. Must be all…

I've said it before: I'm not usually a big fan of small children playing video games. But I make an exception when they've got some educational value and they get kids moving. I'm pleased to see that Nickelodeon and Nintendo have teamed …

My near 4 year-old son has been eying my oldest's Nintendo DS for awhile now, but he's just not quite old enough to do anything but ask us to help him play a game. Sort of defeats the point of having it. But since the brand new MobiGo fr…

We've only had our iPad for a week now, and already my homeschooled daughter and I are reaping the benefits thanks to so many of the cool, educational games we've discovered. Some of which, like Math Bingo, can be a fantastic addition to…

To say my girls are obsessed with the range of cake, cupcake, Jell-O mold, and cookie making/decorating iPhone apps out there is an understatement. It's like the EZ-Bake Ovens of the smartphone era: So fun for kids, it doesn't even matte…

No techie parent needs convincing that the right app can do a lot more than keep your kid entertained while you wait in a long check out line or try to finish your food at a restaurant. The best ones actually teach your kids. Splish Spla…