3DS stocking stuffers- Fun Video Games

So you all know how much we love the 3DS this year for the holidays.Now we take a look at a few more great 3DS games and even a DS game which is often overlooked.


First we start with a stellar DS game, Professor Layton and the Last Specter. The story of professor Layton is an easy one to jump into, think Sherlock Holmes with more puzzles and a younger assistant. This particular game is a prequel to the trilogy which began with Professor Layton and the Curious Village. In this game we meet his assistant and start up a new trilogy of games. Originally scheduled to be one trilogy, this new/prequel trilogy was began when the developer learned of people love of the characters and game design. Professor Layton is a puzzle based detective story which is heavy on the puzzle solving and thinking.
This particular game also includes a large role playing game starring the Professor called “Professor Layton’s London Life”. This game is a bit plain graphically, but is a very nice addition to an already incredibly fun game.

Next up is a game for the more casual gamers and kids among us, Nintendogs and Cats. This game lets you raise a puppy and for all intents and purposes, lets you “adopt” a new pet. It is quite fun as most digital pets are. This is a fun game for little ones. The kind of game a little kid can fool around with for quite some time, then come back to later. This is more of an interactive toy then an actual game to me. Take your dog for walks, to the store, the park, give them baths, teach them new tricks, everything you do with a real dog. The only problem we had with Nintendogs was when we had to say the dogs name, the 3DS couldn’t hear us when we said the same name twice as it asked.

When designing this portion of the game I really wish there was a way to skip it. It took us a good half hour of Little Man trying, then me trying, then use shutting it off because it was stuck. We had to start the whole process again. Quite a bit aggravating, but these things can be expected with any game which requires user input, its going to go wonky sometimes. Other then this one issue, it was definitely a favorite of Little Man. Just a word of warning, the 3D elements are not meant for children below the age of 7. Little Man still had a blast and the game is just as playable in 2D as it is in 3D. We did turn the 3D off for him, and we suggest you turn it off for your kids as well.

Up next is a launch title. Meaning this was released at the same time as the 3DS, Pilotwings Resort. In this game you take your Mii avatar, which is created and paired with your 3DS, and fly around the island of Wuhu. The air crafts available are [Read more…]

Zumba Fitness 2 for Wii- Review and W1N YOURS HERE

Zumba Fitness is the next biggest fitness/gaming craze to hit the digital world. People everywhere are going nuts for the new Numba fitness craze. Zumba is a dance based exercise program based on over 20 dance styles. Majesco are giving people what they want with the Zumba Fitness line of games. They have been wanting a way to workout in this innovative way at home. The most successful and most fun way to play has been on the Wii platform.

Not too long ago, Majesco released their newest Zumba Game, Zumba Fitness 2. This game is hosted by professional Zumba instructors, Beto, Tanya, and Gina. With the help of these wonderful instructors you can dance your way to a slimmer you before you know it and actually enjoy yourself. Included with the game is a Zumba fitness belt which makes it way easier to workout and the game to register your movement properly. Extra belts are available from Zumba fitness’s website as well as retailers so you and a friend can play/ workout together. Just make sure you give yourselves enough room to dance about without kicking each other or your furniture. In regard to registering your movement, this game does a great job of it, where instead off spending half your game/exercise time trying to calibrate your controller, you are actually working out as you would hope to.

As an added bonus, Zumba Fitness 2 also includes a 7 day Zumba live 24 hour fitness pass. So you can really find out if your moves are on par with the experts.

One of you can win this game here- Here is how to enter!
Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.


Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry


– “Like” Wii on Facebook –
(This is not mandatory and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this contest)


– “Follow” Zumba on Twitter and tweet about this Giveaway
#WIN Video Game for Wii Zumba 2 http://tinyurl.com/79bpkrd @HaveSippy [Read more…]

Puss In Boots for Xbox 360 Kinect- Daddy’s Corner

Puss in Boots is the newest Shrek based film by Dreamworks. As with most current movies there is a game tie in. This tie in was developed by THQ for the Xbox 360 Kinect. The Kinect is a very cool piece of hardware which reads where you are and as the commercials say, ‘you are the controller’. It’s really neat and there is alot of potential. Puss in Boots introduces us to some of this potential in a kid friendly game about the swashbuckling feline Puss in Boots. This has some good moments and some tedious moments but overall is quite good. One must keep in mind this is a movie tie in and classically they are not of the highest quality, but Puss in Boots breaks this mold with a fun Kinect game. The meat and potatoes of the game are Adventure and Challenge. Adventure is the story of the game while Challenge is made up of various 1-2 player mini games involving game mechanics learned in the game. Challenge is unlocked throughout the game and is best played after the Adventure mode is beaten.

Adventure mode is very fun it follows Puss in his various adventures including sword fighting, sneaking, dancing, and playing guitar. All of which are controlled by intuitive easy body movements. An example is sword fighting is started by first gesturing as if pull out a sword then swinging up and down to swing [Read more…]

Super Mario 3D Land Party & Game Review

We were recently invited to a wonderful event in Times Square in New York City to celebrate the release of the new 3DS game Super Mario 3D Land. This party included a full real life recreation of a few staples from the game, including Piranha flowers, bouncy blocks, question bricks, and even a slide. The best part was the jumpy blocks played the Mario jumping sound, and one of the Piranha flowers spit at you, while you were behind a clear shield.

Before everyone had their chance to play in 3D Land there were some parkour performers dressed as Mario that flipped, jumped and flew around. It was very neat- and I love to watch this in person there is a certain level of excitement when watching someone hop around in ways that seem to stretch reality a bit.

If you were one of the lucky peeps, you also received a Tanooki tail and ears to complete your Mario experience. No, they did not let you float slower while jumping, but they did look really cool and would make a good travel pillow because they were so soft and the perfect size. There is a new product line for you Nintendo! Tanooki tail travel pillow- feel free to use that one (LOL).
There was also mushroom pizza available for the low price of a tweet with a #Hashtag. Didn’t have magic properties but sustenance.

Ok ready, set- PLAY! Here is everything you have to know if you are a Mario fan. This is a very good Mario game. Get it, you will not be disappointed, I promise you this.

Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3DS is the most recent Mario game in a long line of superb games. For every system Nintendo releases they also release at least one Mario game, this is the first one for the 3DS. In Mario Land you take on the role of Mario, our Italian hero in blue and red as he tries to save the princess from the clutches of Bowser, and his cohorts Boom Boom and Pom Pom.

The first level of 3D Land acts as an introduction to the first 3D platforming Mario game ever. I will admit, at first I was apprehensive on a 3D Mario game. Mario is best known for his side scrolling adventures jumping from turtle shell to block, shooting fireballs and swinging his tail along the way. Within that first level I fell for it. Great fun, the 3D is seamless and [Read more…]

Starfox 3D

Welcome to the future one and all!
And it is ushered in on the tail of a fox in a space ship.
Daddy Here- Reporting on StarFox. The Nintendo 3DS came into existence less than a year ago and many have been waiting for the ‘must buy’ game. The game which truly shows how truly wonderful and special the 3DS is and how it will stand up in Nintendo previous line of must buy consoles and handhelds. Starfox 64 3D is that game.

In this game you take on the role of Fox McCloud and his crew as they fight their way to save the galaxy from the evil Dr. Andross. In this game you will fly through battlefields destroying enemy ships and robots while navigating treacherous terrain.

Your ship can do many maneuvers like the infamous barrel roll as well as u-turns and 180’s in order to our maneuver your enemies. In doing so you must also keep your comrades safe as well. Your friends, Falco Lambadri, a falcon, Peppy Hare, a rabbit and Slippy Toad , a you guessed it frog, will ask for your assistance shaking an enemy or just need an extra few shots to thin out the enemy ranks. If you do not help them, they will not be there to help you in the next mission. Repairs to their ship usually last one level. This not only brings about a level of skill in regard to shooting down ships but also being aware of what is going on around you. Visual clues as well as a pop up plead for assistance can be overlooked if you aren’t paying attention to your surroundings.

The controls on Starfox [Read more…]

Zombies and pumpkins and maybe a costume too!!!! – ThinkGeek Awesome

Time for some ThinkGeek Awesome on Daddy’s Corner.
Today’s episode is Halloween themed. Spooky! We have English zombies and Valve Zombies and even a sprinkling of 8bit pumpkins and a costume. Can’t have Halloween without a costume!

It’s zombie time! First out- English. If any of you have seen Shawn of the Dead, (great movie by the way) this shirt will make you smile, Ed’s shirt. This shirt is awesome, it even comes pre-splattered with a red substance to resemble blood. If you haven’t see Shawn of the Dead, Ed is a crude gentleman who is quite lazy and a best friend/ room mate to Shawn. As if the splatter and the title didn’t give it away the two of them have a few ‘adventures’ with zombies. In a pinch this shirt can even be paired with an unkempt individual and instant costume. Or lets say you are throwing a party and that ‘guy on the couch’ is going to be the only one without a costume, “Bazinga!”- costume.

Next up Valve time. Valve are the masterful creators of such gaming gems as Half-life, Half-life 2, Team Fortress, Portal and Portal 2. Every game they make is incredible and a work of art. Half-life 2 is their Mast head. Great game play, superb story, unforgettable characters and the voice acting of the main character Gordon Freeman is stunning. 😉

Check this out: Headcrab hat. One of the most irritating enemies in the series are the headcrabs. They are generally roaming about on the ground looking for a victim to latch onto their head and take over their body. Generally turning them into a headcrab zombie. Quick buggers too, but with a clean sweep of the crowbar all is well in the world and Mr. Freeman is on his way to save the day. Now its your turn to play zombie with your own cute headcrab. Reinact a scene from Half-life (NO CROWBARS!), get giggles on Halloween or just keep your head warm [Read more…]

Daddy’s Corner- RocketBirds for the Playstation 3 – JUST Released!

Welcome to another addition of Daddy’s Corner- where Daddy gets his turn.  

OK everyone with a PlayStation 3 listen up.
You all know there are some killer games for the PS3.  You also know it is a killer system.  Able to do so much in such a small box its amazing.  Well there is one portion which is quite often overlooked, the PlayStation Network.  They are currently running a promotion, called Only on PSN.  One of these shining gems is Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken.  I had the honor of giving this game a test run and I have to say this game is very well put together.  

You play the part of Hardboiled Chicken who is fighting against the totalitarian penguin leader, Putzki.  I know, great names lol.
The game play is varied between side scrolling gun totting chicken shooting his enemies and melting into shadows to rocket pack fueled dog fights.  One of the first characteristics I noticed playing was the soundtrack.  It was quite dynamic and alive.  Almost as if you are playing a music video which perfectly fits the music but also playing a game where the music perfectly compliments the game, without actually playing a rhythm based mini game, thankfully.  

Take a look at this video by New World and Rocketbirds, which will give you a small taste of the music.
The art direction is cartoony, BUT it is violent so you will want to be aware of that.  Rocketbird also has couch co-op (2 people playing together on one screen)  I love this feature and I love how this mode is coming back to video games.  There is nothing like sitting next to a friend, kicking butt and taking names while actually talking to one another.  Rocketbirds has Stereoscopic 3d as well.   This means, if you want to, there is 3D with the silly glasses, not the expensive TV and shutter glasses.  These are the same glasses that you wear while watching movies in the theatre.  Rocketbirds retails for $11.99 and $9.59 for PlayStation Plus members. 

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New Shineys from @ThinkGeek !

Lookie here- ThinkGeek has new stuff!!  Check it- out its a Replica Phaser from the J J Abrams Star Trek movie.  According to the hubby, its got a good weight to it.  According to me and my little, it looks like a nifty laser and is perfect for pointing around the room and making laser noises.  The husband agrees with this comment as well.  But, my dad has laid claim to it- Little gave it up to grampie willingly.  He is a big, big fan of Star Trek.  Now onto more great stuff.

This one is a personal favorite of mine.  Don’t you always have this major, huge-huge problem, where you think “I can’t snuggle this breakfast meat, it’s far too greasy, and not nearly large enough not to lose in tossing and turning whilst in bed!”  In comes ThinkGeek again with My First Bacon.  Cute enough to replace that old teddy bear, yet edgy enough to make even the coldest adult chuckle.  JUST KIDDING- do not attempt to remove child’s teddy bear!  LOL
“Baconie” as he is called in our house (yes, named by Little)  is 19 inches tall and 7 inches wide, a bit bigger then the size of a bread box, just big enough to hug.  However- upon hugging Baconie you get a surprise!  He gives lets you know, “I’m  Bacon”.  In a very pleasant voice.  This is meant to help children be proud of who they are, lol- can you tell it is super educational?  LOL, ok, but it’s HILARIOUS!
“Squeeze him and he says, “I’m Bacon!”. No matter what the situation, he says, “I’m Bacon!” This reminds children that no matter what happens in life, they should be true to themselves and always be proud of who they are. Which of course, means bacon lovers. What child on this planet wouldn’t want to befriend a piece of mostly meat held together with fat and love? And don’t just think about the kids, adults enjoy My First Bacon just as much as the kids do. Sometimes a little too much.”

Bacon that travels well!  LOL

You can also see Bacon in the Lancaster posts, right here on Have Sippy Will Travel!
He is a well-traveled breakfast meat……

Next up is the Geeky Twin Bed sheet set these are really awesome.  They have a cartoon-y fun feel even though the pattern involves aliens, zombies, mad scientists as well as ninjas, robots, and even bacon!  Little Man loves the sheets and has been ‘beggin for them to be put on his bed.  He really likes the fact that Baconie is features on the sheets and there are ninjas on his pillow.  What I like a lot about the sheet set is as first glance it looks like a regular plain pattern, but upon closer inspection once again ThinkGeek gets everyone smiling.

PS As of right now ThinkGeek is having a MASSIVE sale, everything is on sale and the discount is significant.The Geeky Bed Sheets have been marked down by 67% to the price of $9.99, pretty spiffy is you ask me.
You can Follow ThinkGeek on Facebook and Twitter, to stay in touch. 
Enjoy all, and happy shopping!    🙂

DISCLOSURE: I received the above products  for review . I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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