With the dog days of summer right around the corner, and quite a few hot days already upon us, you know there are bound to be a few days where it’s just too hot to go outside. There will also be times when you are traveling and just need the kids to chill out quietly.  For those crazy hot days, and please- it’s a 5 hour flight! moments, check out these new games for kids of varying ages- and your spouse, too.

Many own the new Nintendo 3DS, but few really know the consoles in and outs. Have you heard of  StreetPass Mii Plaza area? Even if you have, you should revisit, because it recently expanded.  This area is for use Mii’s- avatars you and your buddies create.  As you walk around with your 3DS in your pocket, pouch, or case with StreetPass on, you meet other people who also have StreetPass on with their 3DS.  As you meet these people, they give you the opportunity to progress in mini games and puzzles for prizes (like accessories) for your Mii.  There are a total of 8 mini games available to play with other’s Mii’s.  The first two are free- Find Mii, which is a light hearted RPG (role playing games) with some tough villains, and Puzzle Swap where each player shares their puzzle pieces to moving 3D  puzzles containing characters from various Nintendo games and videos like Pikmin, Link from Zelda, and Mario Brothers.

These are fun enough on their own and will give you hours of fun.  In addition to these there are a few premium games, which do cost money.  They are Monster Manor, Warrior’s Way, Flower Town, Mii Force, Ultimate Angler, and Battleground Z. Each premium game is available now on the eShop only for the Nintendo 3DS.  Prices vary.

Xenoblade is a somewhat unknown game series, but not among those who are fans of RPG’s on Nintendo systems.  The game was originally going to be passed over for localization to the United States on the Wii, but instead was one of the shining gems for the Nintendo Wii.  The story follows Shulk and his friends as they battle Mechon killer robots with the help of the Monado sword.  The game play style is real time RPG, which means there are heavy RPG elements but the action is there as well, so stay on your toes.  Xenoblade Chronicles is a huge open world game which emphasizes exploration.   The story is winding and fun, with lots of drama, action, and excitement.  The game also takes full advantage of the new 3DSXL- it has gotten more portable and can ONLY be played on that system.  It uses the new ZL, ZR and C-stick for various controls as well as the added processor power to really move.  The face following 3D effects intensify the gameplay.  Instead of setting and resetting the 3D view, the system now follows the user’s face so immersion into the game is way easier.  Xenoblade Chronicles is out now for the new Nintendo 3DSXL, and will only work with this system.  The game retails for $39.99 and is available everywhere.  The Nintendo 3DSXL retails for $199.99.

Nintendo’s new Puzzle & Dragons has traditional RPG elements with pick up and play puzzle game play.  Throw in a dash of anime styling in one game, and Mario and friends into another and you’ve got yourself what is really two games in one awesome package. Puzzle & Dragons game play is easy- line up orbs of the same color with more then 3 in a cluster, the bigger your cluster the higher your score and the more orbs you destroy- thus, the more damage to gets dealt to your enemy.  There are also elemental elements where certain colored orbs are stronger against other colored orbs as well.  The game play is as deep as you’d like it to be.  For those who love puzzles, that itch is easily scratched with these games.  For those who are fans of RPG’s, this is an innovative take on the battle game mechanic.  What is really nice is the fact that there are actually two games packed into the one cartridge.  The Mario Brothers version is easier to get into, and Puzzle & Dragons Z has a more in depth story with more RPG elements.  Available for $29.99 pretty much everywhere games are sold.