Gamertell

Click through for a look at some of the sites that have written about videogame and moms…

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With Mother’s Day only a few days away (May 11, 2008), Gamestop has announced a mom-friendly list of Wii and DS games.

For gamers trying to find a game their mother could get into, Gamestop recommends the following for the Wii console…

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“Today is all about video games. It used to be that teens were the focus of video games, but now they’re targeted at the whole family,” said reporter Rick Montañez of KIDK a northwest news station. “Tonight we show you interactive video games, plus a different way to shop on the budget.”

During the broadcast, Montañez interviewed several game store employees about the latest trends in shopping and explains why now is a good time to purchase these items versus waiting till the last minute to fill that wish list.

“Nintendo Wii, Rock Band and Guitar Hero 3, those are definitely the three big, in demand items as far as the gaming world goes,” said Jason Strawn of Best Buy in Idaho Falls. ”Rock Band is very interactive, Rock Band has a set of drums and guitar that it comes with so you actually play the drums. The Wii has really had a lot of popularity gained with older people, families, I think that’s why they’ve sold so many of them, is they’ve had some unexpected success with some of the people that they weren’t necessarily marketing the product to.”

Montañez explained why interactive games have become so popular. He said in the past video games required the use of a controller and now gamers can really get into their games using a hand held pointer, guitar or drums to play the game.

One of the topics brought up during the interviewed, Montañez asked CD World’s Matt Larsen for tips on shopping within a budget.

“If somebody was on a budget, they could bring the games in and trade ‘em and get different products, be it CD’s or DVD’s on videogames,” said Larsen. “If you’re tired of the games you own or your CDs or DVDs, you can trade that in and even put it toward a gift certificate if you wanted to.”

Montañez also asked about alternatives to violent video games and which would be better for the whole family to enjoy.

“Most of the time Nintendo puts out games that are gonna be for a little younger generation,” Strawn said and added that traveling games seem to be growing popularity had sales have spiked as the demand for hand held systems goes up. “The popularity of some of the travel games is increasing because the screens are getting larger, resolution is getting better.” According to Montañez, most games will cost anywhere from $100 to $300 and the closer to the holidays you get, the harder it will be able to find the items from your wish list. “A good way to find out when stores are getting items back in stock is by checking the Sunday sales papers,” Montañez said.

Read [KIDK Channel 3 News]

Even though the list of original games for Sony this year was rather on the short side, there are some good games out there and especially for the little brother in the PlayStation family. There is a good mix of genres for the PSP here, including a couple of bargains at the end, so everyone will be able to find one they enjoy.

These will come very handy for people who are planning on travelling for the holidays, so be sure to grab some of these before that trip to grandma’s house.

Jeanne D’Arc: (Strategy RPG, Level-5, $29.99) This game comes as an answer to the former lack of RPGs on the system. It features an entertaining story loosely based on the historical events involving Joan of Arc but with a fantasy twist. The game offers a deep customization system, fast paced action and a solid battle and class system. This one is a must have for any Strategy RPG fan.

*Runner up: Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (Strategy RPG, Square Enix, $39.99)

Silent Hill: 0rigins (Action/Horror, Konami, $29.99) Any fan of this genre will recognize all the aspects that made the original Silent Hill such a great and scary game. Fortunately, all of those elements are present on the franchise’s first installment on the PSP. You return to the town of Silent Hill to uncover its mysteries as well as your own as you encounter abominations through the fog infested streets. With improved visuals and a new battle system, this is a great addition to the franchise and to any fan’s game collection

*Runner up: Manhunt 2 (Action, Rockstar, $29.99)

Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow (Action, Sony, $39.99) Following on the footsteps of Dark Mirror, this title again offers an interesting and immersive story, great visuals and gameplay mechanics seldom found on PSP titles. You take the role of Gabe Logan as he fights his way to save the day once more against a plot against his country. This title features new and improved weapons, a deeper online match system and a refined control system. This is without doubt one of the best action titles on the PSP.

*Runner up: SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Tactical Strike (Action, Rockstar, $39.99)

Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters (Action/Platformer, Sony, $39.99) Another must have for the PSP, this game features all that made the original such a fun game. You take on the role of Ratchet and his robot friend Clank as they battle their way through the galaxy using all kind of wacky weapons. With a great visual presentation, one that rivals previous incarnations on the PS2, entertaining mini-games and solid gameplay mechanics, this game sure has something to attract everybody.

*Runner up: Sid Meier’s Pirates (Action/Adventure, Take Two Interactive, $19.99)

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops + (Action, Konami, $19.99) This game utilizes the engine of last year’s hit Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops so if you missed on that one, this is your chance to experience it for only 20 bucks. While you don’t get the whole story, you get the chance to face off against the bosses and experience the intensity along with new characters and new multiplayer features. The original was a great addition to the Metal Gear franchise and although this version does not expand on the story, it does offer new challenges and options

*Runner up: Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (Puzzle/RPG, D3, $19.99)

Site [PSP]

Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. has revealed its upcoming 2007 holiday lineup, all fresh with tons of PS3, PS2 and PSP games and hardware bundles to keep anyone entertained during this festive season. Much of the lineup includes first- and third-party products.

“This holiday season we are offering our largest line up of quality software and hardware products to meet every taste, lifestyle and budget,” said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. “Triple-A masterpieces such as Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and bundles such as the Daxter PSP Entertainment Pack and the SingStar PlayStation 2 Pack.”

Already released are this year’s PS3 heavy hitters including Heavenly Sword, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Ratchet & ClankFuture: Tools of Destruction and the more recent trading card based game The Eye of Judgement to name a few.

For the PSP, there will be several bundles available to include a newly-designed PSP system that include the Daxter and the limited edition Star Wars Battlefront PSP entertainment pack designed to show off the multi-functionality of the newly design PSP.

For those gamers who are fan of party games, a limited edition ceramic white SingStar Pop hardware for the PS2 at a holiday price of $149.99 launches later this month (November 2007). For the casual gamer more titles releasing for the existing PS2 system.

Here is Sony’s complete lineup for the holidays for the PlayStation 3:

First-Party Games

• THE EYE OF JUDGMENT
• Heavenly Sword
• NBA 08
• Lair
• Folklore
• Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
• Uncharted: Drakes Fortune
• Warhawk

Third-Party Games

• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Activision
• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Activision
• Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground, Activision
• Jericho, Codemasters
• Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, Eidos
• FIFA 08, EA
• Medal of Honor Airborne, EA
• Rock Band, EA
• The Orange Box, EA
• The Simpsons Game, EA
• Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War, Koei
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, Lucas Arts
• BlackSite: AREA 51, Midway
• John Woo Presents Stranglehold Collector’s Edition, Midway
• Unreal Tournament 3, Midway
• Time Crisis 4, NAMCO BANDAI
• SEGA Rally Revo, Sega
• College Hoops 2K8, Take 2 Interactive
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, THQ
• Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights, THQ
• MX vs. ATV Untamed, THQ
• Assassin’s Creed, UbiSoft
• Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII, UbiSoft
• Haze, UbiSoft
• TimeShift, Vivendi
• Elder Scrolls IV: OBLIVION - Game of the Year Edition, Zenimax

For the PlayStation Network, gamers can enjoy the following games and download packs:

• High Velocity Bowling
• PAIN
• Everyday Shooter
• Go! Sports Ski
• Go! Sports Skydiving
• Mesmerize 1
• Trials of Topoq
• MotorStorm Christmas Livery
• Toy Home
• Twisted Metal 2 (PS One)
• MotorStorm Premium Pack 2
• Resistance: Fall of Man: Map Pack 2
• Operation Creature Feature
• Aquatopia
• Snakeball
• flOw Download Pack
• MotorStorm Vehicle and Livery Pack
• PixelJunk Monsters
• Folklore Download Packs 1 and 2

Holiday line-up for the PlayStation Portable:

First-Party Games:

• Jeanne d’Arc
• NBA ‘08
• SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs
• Tactical Strike
• Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow

Third-Party Games:

• Spider-Man 3, Activision
• Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground, Activision
• Atari Classics Evolved, Atari
• Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, Capcom
• Ben 10: Protector of Earth, D3
• FIFA 08, EA
• The Sims 2 Castaway, EA
• The Simpsons Game, EA
• Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, Konami
• Silent Hill Origins, Konami
• Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus, Konami
• Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron, Lucas Arts
• Sonic Rivals 2, Sega
• The Golden Compass, Sega
• Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, Square-Enix
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, THQ
• MX vs. ATV Untamed, THQ
• Beowulf, Ubisoft
• SWAT: Target Liberty, Vivendi
• Aliens vs. Predator Requiem, Vivendi

Holiday line-up for the PlayStation 2:

First-Party Games:

• Buzz! The Mega Quiz
• Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party
• Hot Shots Tennis
• NBA ‘08
• SingStar: Amped
• SingStar: 80’s
• Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

Third-Party Games:

• Cabela’s Monster Bass, Activision
• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Activision
• Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground, Activision
• Dragon Ball(R) Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Atari
• High School Musical: Sing It, Disney
• Need for Speed ProStreet, EA
• Rock Band, EA
• Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Zombie Ninja Pro-Am, Midway
• .hack//G.U. Vol. 3: Redemption, Namco Bandai
• PopCap Hits! Vol. 1, Popcap
• Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus, Sega
• Fatal Fury Battle Archives Volume 2, SNK
• Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess, Square-Enix
• College Hoops 2K8, Take 2
• Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Burning Earth, THQ
• SpongeBob’s Atlantis SquarePants, THQ
• MX vs. ATV Untamed, THQ
• Crash of the Titans, Vivendi
• The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night, Vivendi
• Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal, Warner Bros.

Read [Game Career Guide] Site [Playstation] Also Read [Game Shark]