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Couple Up: 5 Games For Valentine's Day Fun

Kristy Korcz — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 06:00:46 PST

Rather than going broke on the usual Valentine's Day dinner for two, why not stay home, cook a meal together, and play a few video games? Not only will you save some cash (and calories), but you'll also heighten the mood with a bit of playful competition. Check out five of my favorite games, perfect for couples.

Who Learned the Wii Faster, My 81-Year-Old Grandmother or My 3-Year-Old Niece?

GeekSugar — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:00:10 PST

Over the Christmas holiday, we had a truly groundbreaking event in my house. For about two hours, the entire family came together without fighting, stress, or family drama. The reason? A brand-new Nintendo Wii. I'm telling you, that thing is a peacemaker.

This side of my family isn't particularly into video games like the other side is (it obviously took them long enough to jump on the Wii bandwagon!), so I decided to start off simply, teaching them Wii Bowling. My grandmother has been bowling maybe twice in her entire life, but she knows how the game works. I figured it wouldn't be too hard to teach her the motions since it requires pushing only two buttons and a nice, easy arm movement. I was right! After a 30-second lesson, Grandma was bowling strike after strike, and finished with an impressive 153 - ahead of both me and my tech-savvy sister.

The rest of the family got in on the sports action, too, including my 3-year-old niece. While she didn't quite understand bowling (though it was easier once we let her stand on the couch to get a better view of the TV), she was a whiz kid at MarioKart, which is coincidentally one of our favorite games from growing up.

I'm not sure who I'd say learned how to play faster, though Grandma totally impressed us all with how quickly she picked it up . . . and now my niece won't put it down! I guess we know what everyone else in the family is getting next year.

Are your parents or grandparents as tech-savvy as you? Do you have a funny story to share? Then tell us about it by posting to our Funny Tech Stories group! You (and your fam) could end up on GeekSugar.

Daily Tech: Jason Priestley and Chace Crawford Share a Wii Wheel Moment

GeekSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:00:47 PDT

At the Mario Kart Wii launch at the Nintendo World store in New York this week, Jason Priestley and Chace Crawford took part in some Mario Karting action! - Kotaku
Here's another wasteful company to add to the list. Canon used a ginormous box to ship a tiny computer part to a customer. Next time, try saving money, packaging, and the earth! - Consumerist
Yahoo! is hoping to cash in on the popularity of social networks by making its website into a social hub where users can customize their own web pages. - USA Today
Due to overwhelming traffic from Miley Cyrus' seminude photos, Vanity Fair had to temporarily shut down their website. - Shiny Shiny
Rumors are circling that Tony Hawk will be teaming up with Sidekick to launch a special-edition Tony Hawk Sidekick LX. - The Boy Genius Report
More and more people are ditching their landline telephones and turning to cell phones as their primary phone. - CrunchGear

Mario Kart Wii Review: Another First Place Finish

GeekSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:30:00 PDT

I don't have to tell you that I'm a big time Nintendo fan, what with my DS always in tow, and all my Super Mario Bros paraphernalia that litters my bookshelves . . . oh, well, you probably haven't seen that, have you? Anyway, yesterday afternoon, the Nintendo stork dropped a sweet little box on my desk, and I didn't even have time to tell you since I literally "raced" home (get it - raced?) and started playing my copy of Mario Kart Wii! Yes, racing fans, I got the scoop on one of the hottest games to hit the shelves this Spring, and I just had to test it right away. Who wouldn't? As you might be able to tell, I was totally stoked to get the chance to play MKW early, since there is a special place in my heart for racers. But seriously, Mario Kart Wii is just as fun as you'd imagined.

When I first opened the box, the first thing I noticed was that the Wii Wheel was smaller than I expected, but still fits nicely into your hands. It might even fit into your eight year old's hands, if you'd let them have a turn, that is! But unfortunately, the pack only comes with one wheel, so you should keep an eye out for additional ones so you can play nicely with others. After popping in the disk, inserting my Wiimote into the wheel, and doing a little Mario jig, I was ready to race. Isn't it funny how starting up a new Wii game for the first time always brings out the kid in you? To find out more about Mario Kart Wii, and to see more pics, just

read more The great thing about Mario Kart - and the Wii altogether - is that it brings back fond memories of your old favorites. From the Super NES to the DS, you've probably raced all of the tracks before, just not quite like this. Plus, there are some really awesome new tracks that took me more than a few tries just to get through without falling off the sides! And the Wii Wheel? It's actually very responsive and smooth. I didn't experience any problems or bugs the whole time I played. The best part about the game is that you can choose from a variety of cars and now bikes, plus even a stroller for when you are playing Baby Mario or Baby Peach. Not just any stroller though, this thing has power! Another cool feature is the online play. Race live on the wireless connection, and play against other racers' "ghost" cars to take the top spot around the world in timed trials. There were only a few active when I took it on, but I'm sure the online play will become one of the best (and one of my favorite) features of the game. So hold tight! Mario Kart Wii comes out Sunday, April 27, and I definitely recommend adding this title to your Wii Library. Next up? Wii Fit, of course!

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It Took a Lot of Tries to Wii-Invent the Wii Wheel

GeekSugar — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 07:10:40 PDT

With Mario Kart for the Wii hitting store shelves April 27, I'm already getting my engine revved up and am dying to get my hands on a Wii Wheel (which just so happens to come with the game!). A wheel is a wheel is a wheel right? Not exactly. When Mario Kart Wii creators were asked about the development of Mario Kart Wii, they said that there were 30 different prototype Wii Wheels before they got just the right wheel design. . . as some were not white, and some were not perfectly round. For more interesting Mario Kart tid-bits, check out the full interview!
Source

Mario Kart Wii Coming April 27

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:01:34 PDT

For those of you waiting oh so impatiently for the Wii edition of Mario Kart, you'll have to hold your breath for only another month. Mario Kart Wii will be hitting shelves on April 27 here in the states, but lucky Japanese Wii fans can get their hands on it a whole two weeks and some odd days earlier. I hope we don't have a repeat of the delayed Super Smash Bros. Brawl release where it gets pushed back at the very last minute! I just don't know if my little heart could stand it.

Thankfully, Mario Kart Wii is coming stocked with the Wii Wheel (cause who would want to drive with the Wiimote? Not me!), although there's already sightings of some pretty impressive third-party steering wheels out there. Plus, this time we can race motorcycles and compete online with up to 12 players worldwide. Can't wait for some sweet Mario Kart action? Check out the trailer below when you

2008 Video Game Preview: Part III

GeekSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:00:25 PST

We are in the home stretch for our three part series giving you a taste of the coolest games scheduled to drop in the next 12 months. In this final installment, it's all about size. One game making a move from a tiny touch screen to a roomier home, a huge silver screen box office buster downsizing to something more modest, a series with an extra large following that will surely grab even more attention, and a little known charmer that just might make it big. Check out parts I and II if you haven't already, and keep your eyes peeled each month for new releases so you can get your game on all year long! Mario Kart Wii
What's better than racing classic Mario Kart style? With a Wii wheel, of course! The new Wii edition offers the usual online multi-player action but now you can race motorcycles! Will Princess Peach ride side saddle? Find out in early 2008 on the Wii.

Need more? Of course you do so

read more Indiana Jones Seriously realistic graphics from LucasArts is sure to make this game visually stunning. The only setback is that it's been in production for so long, I doubt that newly coined super star Shia will make a cameo. But there's always hope, right? Look for Indy this year on the silver screen and in your home on the PS3 or Xbox 360. Little Big Planet Customization is the name of this game where you make your own characters, levels, and surroundings. Swap customized games online for seriously endless options for gameplay. Plus it's so cute, you really won't be able to resist. Stealing your heart this winter on the PS3. Grand Theft Auto IV The joys of Grand Theft Auto return for hot wiring, car jacking, crash inducing action with Niko Bellic. GTA developer Rockstar, promises a brilliant online experience and almost zero load times. We'll hold them to that! Check it out this Spring on your PS3 or Xbox 360. Source

Video Games For Family Gatherings

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:38:42 PST

The holidays aren't just a time to stuff your face with home-cooked meals, it's also a time to reconnect with your family. Don't just huddle around the TV to watch the football game on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day - try getting the whole clan involved in some friendly video game competition. Who says family gatherings have to be boring?

Wii Sports - ($30) - It's the hit that keeps on kickin! Wii Sports is still a crowd-pleaser at my house - and many others - during the holidays, since it gets everyone moving (which seems to help with digestion of a big meal). And as you'd expect, bowling is an age-defying favorite, but the other games, including golf, tennis, baseball, and boxing, provide endless hours of entertainment.
Dance Central 2 ($50) - Just imagine Uncle Joe shaking his groove thang to Lady Gaga, and Auntie Sissy battling it out against you on the dance floor. This game is a lot of fun, and even more entertaining to watch.
Wii Party ($34) - Leave the old-timey board game in the closet and play this game instead. Wii Party lets you use your Mii to compete in over 13 different party games and 17 minigames that are fun for the kids and grandparents alike.
Mario Kart ($49) - Use your Wii controller or a special Wii wheel to race your friends and fam through courses set along Mario-themed tracks.
Kinect Sports ($44) - Sure, there's a newer version of Kinect Sports, but the original is still a fave. The original features soccer, beach volleyball, bowling, table tennis, track and field, and boxing to get your family off the couch post-Thanksgiving pig-out.

Nintendo Releases New Wii Updates and Bundles

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:36:07 PDT

Looking to get a head start on holiday purchases for the gamer in your life? Nintendo just unveiled two new Wii bundles to get you thinking about a console for your shopping list. Available in stores Oct. 23, the black Wii holiday bundle ($150) includes a black Wii, a black Wii Remote Plus, a black Nunchuk controller, a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii game, and a special Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack CD. The updated Wii has been reconfigured to sit horizontally rather than vertically and - bummer! - no longer supports GameCube games.

The standard Wii bundle currently in stores ($150) will still be available for the holiday rush and includes a Wii console (white or black), matching Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers, Mario Kart game, and Wii Wheel accessory.

European Wii gamers get their own blue Wii bundle option to be excited for, which is in the theme of the Mario and Sonic 2012 London Olympics game. Included in this bundle available Nov. 18 are also the newly configured blue Wii console, blue Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers, and a copy of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. No word yet if the blue Wii will come to the US.

Get Excited: It's the Super Mario 3DS E3 Trailer

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:29:42 PDT

Earlier today, Nintendo unveiled its latest console, the Wii U, but also told us about a few of the new games being created for the Nintendo 3DS, two of which are Super Mario and Mario Kart. We saw the games in action during the press briefing, but in case you missed the live broadcast, here are a few of the trailers you may want to see. First up, Super Mario for the 3DS:

Want to see more? Check out a few more trailers after the jump!