Merry Merry Christmas!!

Ping Pong sort of counts as a video game...sort of.

Merry Merry Merry Christmas!! I hope that your stockings were filled with video games a plenty! Sadly I did not receive any types of video games. . . Instead my video game Christmas present was to finally beat the Water Temple on Ocarina of Time. I couldn't play throughout last week because I just had too much school work!

Anyways I have had a lot of fun getting better at this game! I do so love my little brother Ammon for helping me throughout this game. . . sometimes. I hope that you guys got your stockings full of awesomeness!! Now I'm off to go and play ping pong!

Having trouble adjusting to post-Skyward Sword life

Yes, this means a review for Skyward Sword is on the way! I just have to write it...

That's only one aspect of post-Skyward Sword life. The other, of course, has a lot to do with video games. After finishing Skyward Sword, I thought it might be a good time to pick up what will be the next time-sucker in my life: Kingdom Hearts II for PlayStation 2. So I popped the game in!

..........................................

Nintendo, I thank you. Thank you for making games with creativity and imagination.

I nearly fell asleep trying to play the first hour or so of Kingdom Hearts II. I'm sure the game will draw me in later with compelling combat, but those graphics...they try to be realistic, only to bore me to death after playing within the vibrant world of Skyward Sword all this time.

Well, I played through most of Twilight Princess before Skyward Sword arrived, so perhaps that game would satisfy my hunger for adventure! It sure did! Only...

"WHY WON'T THIS SWORD SWING THE WAY I WANT IT TO!? Oh, yeah...no more one-to-one control..."

As you can see, my life was forever changed the moment I took on the challenge of saving the world in Skyward Sword.

Merry Christmas, Nintendo fans!

Christmas is in two short days! I hope you'll all get a video game or two. I hope even more that you'll remember to keep the true spirit of Christmas with you. Merry Christmas from all of us here at the Nintendo Lifeline!

Game Trailer: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Posting about that old Nintendo Power DVD got me all sentimental, so today I'm sharing with you the very trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess that will always live on in my memory because of it. In later years, I would come to realize that this first look at the game did not reflect what the final product would be. Still, it was undoubtedly a tantalizing look into the next masterpiece in the legendary series. Enjoy the trailer!

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

The case in which this game is held!
Holly has what's supposed to be in it.

This be the very game itself!

To say the least, I love this game. The reason why I couldn't post last week is because I spent all of my free time playing this game. I've logged about six or seven hours on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and am currently at the water temple. The sad thing is that I, Mary, do not own this fabulous game. No, it is Holly who owns it and let me borrow it! Of course I didn't get it for free, I had to give her a game too. The game I let Holly (hahaha Holly like as in Christmas holly, and Mary as in, well, you know) borrow, and soon to kick my butt at, is Mario Kart Double Dash!!

Yes, I  think I have been converted! This game has made my "top ten best video games ever" list, and no I did not just make it up! Anyways, this game totally rocks my socks off! The music, goodness I cannot get enough of it! Not to mention Sheik is like the coolest person ever! Sadly I believe she would be cooler if I didn't know who she was. This is the disadvantage to having a little brother who plays video games like his life depends on it.

Speaking about my little brother, Ammon is his name, he is very frustrating. Ammon has already beaten this game, so he likes nothing more than to watch me play and tell me what to do! It drives me bonkers! Sometimes you want to struggle to find out what to do! So if you are a little brother or sister that has beaten a game before an older sibling, please don't tell them every step of every little thing! It gets very frustrating!

By the way, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hope you get lots o' video games!

A chapter from my Nintendo history

Everyone has a history. And if you're reading this, you must have some history with Nintendo. Well, allow me to share a chapter from my own Nintendo history:

This story comes from when I was a wee lass in the eighth grade. I grew up with video games, you see, and, of course, I was still playing at 14 years old (obviously; after all, I'm still playing at 20). At this time, I was actively involved in the activities that were available on Nintendo's official website, which were actually quite different back then compared to today. It was only natural that I should come across the special offer of three free issues of Nintendo Power magazine if I were to register a Nintendo product.

Thus began my history with Nintendo's official rewards program, Club Nintendo. I'm not sure it was called Club Nintendo back then. In fact, I'm not even sure it was a rewards program yet. But I got my free issues of Nintendo Power magazine. One of them came with a DVD that featured trailers of many highly anticipated DS and GameCube games. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is one example. Basically, the whole thing filled me with wonder.

A month or so later, I encountered an unexpected desire to sort out my priorities. I decided video games needed to go. In this pursuit, I got rid of at least a few things: my three issues of Nintendo Power and that awesome DVD. I was essentially disowning Nintendo as a hobby. Can you imagine how long that lasted? I don't remember exactly, but it wasn't long before I desperately wished I hadn't given away those mags. I don't even want to think about what else I may have chucked that I don't remember.

So there you have it. The story of how I almost eradicated Nintendo from my life.

Top Five 3DS Games for the Holidays 2011

 The Nintendo Lifeline welcomes today's guest columnist, Sean:

2011 has been a great year for 3DS fans in terms of new games. Now that the holiday season is in full swing, you may be wondering what games to get the 3DS enthusiast in your life. There are certainly plenty of excellent games to choose from. So, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by all your options. Don’t worry. You can narrow down your choices by checking out the five 3DS games that are certain to please any handheld gaming fanatic this holiday season. Here are the five 3DS games that will make the best holiday gifts this year:

1. Aliens: Infestation – This side-scrolling game challenges players to defeat the xenomorphs, an evil species of aliens that have taken over the world. This game is inspired by the Aliens film series and includes all the weapons from the movies. Players get to use flamethrowers, smart guns, and rifles to try to defeat the menacing xenomorphs.

2. Mario Kart 7 – Fans of previous Mario Kart games will love this new version. You get to race on tracks from older games and some new tracks with impressive graphics. Players also get to race underwater with the help of a propeller that’s attached to all of the karts. 

3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D – This is probably the most popular 3DS game that came out this year. It’s a remake of an original game made in 1998 with better graphics. Zelda fans will love being able to carry this game around on their 3DS.

4. Star Fox 64 3D – This is another remake of a popular Nintendo 64 game. It’s a scrolling shooter game set on a group of imaginary planets. The object of the game is to stop a mad scientist from destroying everything. This is a pretty challenging feat, which will please gamers who are looking to play a relatively difficult game.

5. Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition – This edition of the popular Street Fighter games takes things to a whole new handheld level. You get to choose from 35 different characters to fight with, and you get to fight other players around the world when you connect your 3DS to a WiFi connection.

So, consider gifting the games above, and make the holidays special for the 3DS lover in your life!

Author’s Bio: Sean is a guest post writer on the subjects of 3DS games, retro video games, and locating an HP coupon for your holiday gift.

By the way, I beat Super Mario Bros.: A Review

Is there a video game more iconic than the original Super Mario Bros.? The NES classic gave form and character to gaming's most prolific mascot, Mario. It showed us that even the simplest of tunes can stick with us for an eternity. It taught us how to search for secrets and hidden paths. Really, it defined much of what video games could and would be in years to come.

But after 26+ years, does this game still hold up? With the help of simple, yet fun, gameplay, the answer is a resounding yes. As Mario, you traverse eight worlds that are each split into four levels, the last of which is a castle of sorts that ends in a boss fight with the Koopa King (Bowser). Sounds simple enough, right? The gameplay revolves around using Mario's incredible jumping ability to stomp foes and clear gaps. Sure, it's a little rough around the edges and you'll most likely experience a handful of cheap deaths before your journey's through, but there is a surprising amount of depth to be found along the way.

After playing this game for weeks and weeks and weeks, I felt like I gained some actual skill at it. It's a great experience in general. If you haven't already, I suggest you put down the meager $5 to download this game onto your Wii console. You won't regret it.

Looking for a great multiplayer experience for under $20? MotoHeroz has got you covered!

I recently downloaded a demo for the WiiWare title MotoHeroz. I had been following the game closely since its announcement because it seemed half-way decent. At first, the demo didn't impress me. Then I tried out the multiplayer mode with my brother...

I downloaded the full version then and there! The game's racing/platforming action is perfectly suited to the chaos and madness that gamers expect from a good multiplayer experience.

But before I get ahead of myself, allow me to provide a little bit of information about the game: MotoHeroz is a kind of side scrolling racing game with a platforming twist. The player takes control of an off-roading buggy and moves forward and backward through grass/desert/ice-themed levels to reach the goal. A key component of the gameplay is the ability to angle your vehicle while in the air: you don't want to tip over, and sometimes a well-placed landing can give you the speed you need to pull ahead.

This equals a racing style that can be both fast and slow, which inevitably leads to a gritty and exciting game to play with friends. It just feels real, somehow. If you don't want to take the leap and pay the $15 for this game, download the demo and give the multiplayer a shot. I can promise it won't disappoint!

Join Infendo's official Mario Kart 7 community!

I realize my readership isn't stinkin' huge, and I don't expect you guys to all have a Nintendo 3DS and a copy of Mario Kart 7. So instead of creating a Mario Kart 7 community for the Nintendo Lifeline, I'm inviting everyone (who can) to join the Infendo community, because it was a little more logical to do it that way:

Community Code: 20-1691-6700-3942

Can't wait to see you there! Oh, and we're having a community night this Saturday, December 17 starting at 7:00 p.m. US-Eastern time. Be sure to find out when that is in your timezone!

How I got Lost In Shadow: A Review

The atmosphere that the Hudson Soft-produced Wii title Lost In Shadow creates is remarkable. The game's premise is simple, yet compelling: the player takes control of the shadow of a nameless boy to reach the top of an enormous tower in order to reunite shadow and body. Here's the catch: as a shadow, you are confined entirely to other shadows that make up the environment.

This makes for some brilliant gameplay that revolves around the interaction of light and shadow. The puzzles force players to correctly utilize the ability to move real-world objects, rotate the game world, and shift light sources, all of which alter the layout of the shadows. Simple sword-based combat adds a touch of variety to the platforming gameplay.

Unfortunately, this game suffers from one major issue: poor pacing. The levels never seem to get much harder, and both the combat and the puzzle-solving become stale after a while. The visuals, though quite fetching, also lack desperately-needed variety as the game progresses.

All said and done, I don't know if this game justifies a purchase, but a rent is certainly well-deserved.

2012 Nintendo Lifeline Awards: Nominees

Well, it's that time again. The time when we look back at all of the best moments of the year. The purpose of the Nintendo Lifeline Awards is to celebrate the best moments in the world of Nintendo. First, however, I feel it necessary to offer this disclaimer: I will never have the time or money to try every worthwhile game in any one year, so my experience is quite limited. The Lifeline Awards are for entertainment and reflection only.

That said, here are the categories and corresponding nominees:

Best Overall Game

• Super Mario 3D Land (N3DS)
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (N3DS)
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)
• Mario Kart 7 (N3DS)
• Wii Play Motion (Wii)
• Star Fox 64 3D (N3DS)
• Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition (N3DS)
• Lost in Shadow (Wii)

Best Overall Graphics

• Super Mario 3D Land (N3DS)
• Star Fox 64 3D (N3DS)
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (N3DS)
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)
• Steel Diver (N3DS)
• Lost in Shadow (Wii)

Best Get-up

• Tanooki Mario (Super Mario 3D Land)
• Ghirahim (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)
• Metal Mario (Mario Kart 7)
• Kirby Hat (Nintendogs+cats)

Best Method of Travel

• Loftwing (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)
• Tanooki Tail (Super Mario 3D Land)
• Cannon (Super Mario 3D Land)
• Propeller Block (Super Mario 3D Land)
• By Shadow (Lost in Shadow)
• Submarine (Steel Diver)
• Arwing (Star Fox 64 3D)
• Horse (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D)
• Hang Glider (Pilotwings Resort)
• Customizable Kart (Mario Kart 7)

Best Use of Stereoscopic 3D

• Super Mario 3D Land
• Steel Diver
• Nintendogs+cats
• Pilotwings Resort

As you can very well tell, there isn't a whole lot of variety in either my categories or the nominees therein. You'll also notice that the "Best Method of Travel" category easily packs in the most nominees of all, so my advice is that you take all of this with a grain of salt. Please feel free to give your favorites shout-outs in the comments, because I will certainly take them into consideration as I decide the winners. Check back in early January for the results!

Xenoblade Chronicles is coming to North America! Yay?

Say hello to Xenoblade Chronicles, North America! What do I know about this game? Not much. Just that the Wii exclusive was released in many parts of the world, but not North America for whatever reason, and that a fan-made organization called "Operation Rainfall" pushed for the North American release. Nintendo of America has officially announced a release for the game sometime in April 2012. For now, the game will only be sold through Nintendo's online store and Gamestop.

So lets take a look at this trailer! First of all, if I were to get this game, it would probably end up as the most violent game I've ever owned...according to the ESRB descriptors, that is. I'm just glad it's not M-rated, because that would completely eliminate the chance of my getting it. Why do I mention this? It brings to mind the most basic conflict that comes up with this release: is there an audience for it? I'm guessing most of the people who really wanted the game already imported a European copy.

But then there are people like me. I might just get this game now that it's more readily available. I like RPG's okay, and this one has gotten stellar reviews, including a lot of perfect scores.

I'm pretty conflicted about this, so time will tell!

Oldies - Nintendo 64

I think that it's time to look back at the good ol' times of the Nintendo 64. With its great game library, playing this station is for sure one of the bests! I have a number of 64 games but by far my favorite to play is Harvest Moon. With its awesome music and the fact that you can pick who you marry and then have a kid with them (who never ages past 2, I swear!) this game is just an example of how awesome the Nintendo 64 truly is.

Lately with all of the new stations coming out (DS, Wii, Xbox Kinect) everyone forgets about the better things in life. What happened to family, friends, school, and old Nintendo stations? Now everything is about how good the graphics are, or how swift the motion control is. Did developers forget how nice it was when all you had to do was stare at the screen and push a couple of buttons?

I think the 64 is kind of like a loving grandparent. No matter how old they are you'll still love them and respect them always. Sometimes they can even teach you a couple of things. Well that just about wraps it up for me! Go and play some of your old stations again and forget about the new, even if it's just for a day.

Video games and snow

This won't be the last of the winter snow.

A chill in the basement, a heavy coat, a car that won't start...yep, just a typical winter morning in my little southern Utah town. The chilly season has begun. With it, I can't help but think about the many, many Nintendo games that feature snow or ice areas.

Think about any Super Mario game from Super Mario 64 to the present and you undoubtedly remember some of the ice/snow levels in them. Can you really be surprised that that's the case? The unique features of ice provide for a compelling platforming environment. Right now I'm specifically thinking of New Super Mario Bros. Wii and the penguin suit, which brought ice-based platforming to a new level of fun.

"Ice? Fun?!" you may be thinking. Hey, I don't like ice much myself, but one thing is certain: it adds much-appreciated variety to video games. So how about you guys? Do you like or dislike the inevitably slippery ice levels of today's platforming games? Go ahead and let us know in the comments!

Poll: Who is the ultimate Nintendo villain?

Let's settle this once and for all! Who is the ultimate Nintendo villain?

Thanks!

This one is for you Holly!

I'd like to dedicate this post to our very own Holly! She's the one who is amazing and in charge of this whole set up! She's one of the funniest people I know! I love that woman! I hope that everyone reading this realizes just how hilarious and awesome she is! Even if you haven't met her in real life, well, you should just understand how cool she is from her posts.

I'm way jealous of Holly! She has the coolest game right now! I want to go and watch her play it like way way bad because I know she'll totally just take that game down! So Holly, this post is dedicated to you and all of your awesomeness!

Underway in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

I don't think I've ever done an impromptu post like this one since I adopted my strict posting schedule months ago. However, I thought I should let you all know that I finally got my copy of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. I'm a busy woman, but rest assured every spare moment of my time shall be spent playing this game, so look forward to a review in coming weeks! In the meantime, you can enjoy the unboxing photos I took. I know there isn't much, but I wanted to get playing right away!

Why Star Fox 64 3D came as a pleasant surprise: A Review

A couple of years ago, I downloaded the original Star Fox 64 onto my Wii. Let me just say, it wasn't very user-friendly. It throws you into the action without the smallest trace of a tutorial or even a simple mission to ease you into it.

I was much more impressed with this year's Nintendo 3DS remastering of the N64 classic. I made it through the main adventure easily enough without even practicing in training mode. And the fun factor was consistently strong. Pulling off moves like somersaults, barrel rolls, and U-turns will never feel more slick in a video game. And for those of you looking for more of a challenge, there are alternate routes to find that lead to more difficult levels.

I've never been a big shooter fan, but this game may have converted me. Definitely a must-play.

How The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker is held back from brilliance: A Review

If only. IF ONLY! If only Wind Waker wasn't bogged down with a tedious, monotonous traveling system. Oh, it's a great game, make no mistake. True to the spirit of the Legend of Zelda, it has a compelling plot and plenty of puzzles to solve. But that darn Great Sea! I found myself actually dreading to come back to the game when the prospect of moving from island to island loomed before me. As beautiful as that music is, as stunning as the graphics are, I just don't want to sit there with a controller in my hand and no reason to use it.

That said, this really is a great game beyond what is a rather major issue. As I said above, the music is really well done and the graphics are a timeless work of art. At the end of the day, it really is a must-play. It's just that darn sea...

Video games = stress reliever

My extensive video game collection that helps me relieve stress!

Are you ever totally swamped with homework? Or are even having problems with family, friends, and for you lucky ones boyfriend/girlfriends? I know I sure do! I know I'm only 15 but right now my life is like a - insert video game reference -! One of my teachers is just asking for too much in too little time, me constantly having to study for my permit test (which I passed on my first try!!), and basketball (which I will sometimes play Varsity) my life is getting pretty dang stressful! So what do I do when my life is going off of the deep end? I play an easy, but challenging (if that makes any sense), video game!

The stress reliever of video games is a great one. For a few hours I get to completely forget about all of the papers that are due, the tests that have to be taken, and even basketball and I'm able to just enjoy my video game! Of course when I am stressed and need relief I don't want to play a very challenging and stupid game. That just makes it all not even worth it. What I play is something simple, relaxing, and of course it has to have a good soundtrack. What totally fits this description? Mario, Donkey Kong, and any sort of fighting game. What's a better way to get rid of your stress than beating people up . . . not in real life of course. Anyways, if you ever get really stressed and need a break just take up a simple video game! I would recommend not playing an RPG just because they can get really frustrating! I mean that's what you are trying to get away from the first place right?

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving! Use Black Friday to its fullest and GO GET SOME VIDEO GAMES!

Why you would be mistaken to think that Super Mario 3D Land is "just another 3D Mario platformer": A Review

Let's face it: new entries in the Super Mario series are just so different from the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES. What? That's obvious, you say? Whoops. My mistake! There is a world of difference between today's Super Mario and the Super Mario of yesteryear. After 25 years, there are going to be some changes!

And yet, I think there are more similarities and continuity within the Super Mario series and its entire history than the average Joe realizes. Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3DS system packs that 25-year history into one solid package, and then adds to it...all with stunning aplomb.

If you're one of the many who are skipping this one because it's "just another 3D Mario platformer", let me help you make up your mind: firstly, the use of stereoscopic 3D in this title is superb. If the player opts out of using it, he/she will miss out on a slew of mind-blowing effects exclusive to this entry in the series. Secondly, this title combines the best of classic 2D Mario action with the smoothness of modern 3D Mario action to create a whole new style of play.

You just can't miss out on this game, no matter how convinced you are that there's nothing special about it. Trust me, it's special.

First impressions of Super Mario 3D Land

Controls: They feel pretty slick, but I have and always will dislike the four alphabet buttons on the Nintendo 3DS. Firstly, they're too small. Secondly, they don't feel comfortable to press in the slightest. It's a shame, but I can't deny it takes something away from the game.

Gameplay: Nintendo, I just love you! Even after 25 years, your Super Mario games have the freshest gameplay ideas I've ever encountered! This is what really makes the Super Mario series so special.

Sound: So far, all the songs I've heard are simply remakes from previous Mario games, but I'm sure there will be a great variety as I travel through all of the levels.

Graphics: I love the 3D effect in this game! I'm not losing my sweet spot with the slightest of motions, even with the 3D turned all the way up. It's a nice change from previous attempts on the system.

Nintendo Music: Main Theme Medley

I cheated. I listened to a majority of the tracks that will be on the Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony CD, which will be included free with the first production line of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. The Nintendo Video application for Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo Channel for Wii have both seen special sneak peaks of today's musical selection: The Legend of Zelda Main Theme Medley.

This arrangement features great variety! It starts with mystery that blends effortlessly into epic grandness, which then gives way to a soft, reflective moment. The song finishes with a majesty that surpasses almost anything you'll ever hear.

Enjoy it!

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: A First

This weekend I had the pleasure of playing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the first time (see what I did there?). I gotta say it was really fun! Holly and I usually get together and play video games, talk about video games, or watch things that have to do with video games. This time she suffered through me playing Zelda. Holly sat there giving me hints when I needed it! Through her help, I beat the first ending guy!

Of course, this all happened on 11/11/11! It truly was a magical day! I had very high expectations for Ocarina of Time, just because of what other people say about it. Luckily what they say is true! There is so much mystery only in the beginning of the game! I can't wait until I get to play it again! I told Holly if I started to play it now I'd never leave her house. Now I am just constantly thinking about it and want to play it again! I give this a five star rating and I've only played the beginning!

Your roadmap to the site

If you have been following my blog from the beginning, you are a very lucky person! You've seen how the site (and my writing) has evolved over the past eight months. It was a difficult beginning. I changed the design of the site at least five times. I struggled to find a logical way to keep the blog updated and still have time for outside activities. I worked to turn the site into a user-friendly experience.

While I'm waiting for my copy of Super Mario 3D Land to arrive, I would like to highlight a couple of the pages on this site. The first is the Reviews page, which is pretty self-explanatory. My library of game reviews isn't expansive, by any means, but I'm always actively working to obtain and play a variety of games for review. Of course, if you would like me to review a specific game, you can find the contact information at the bottom of the About the Authors page of this site. About the Authors also contains basic facts and trivia on myself and Mary, the blog's only other contributor. Finally, there's the Features page. Some of the main categories are Picks of the Week, Music, Comparisons, and Firsts.

I only wish to provide easy ways for my readers to find what they're looking for, so I hope you'll explore the site in whatever fashion suits you best. As mentioned above, you can always let us know what you like about the blog and what you think we could improve by using the contact e-mail at the bottom of the About the Authors page.

Actual gaming content is pretty dry for me at the moment, but this is undoubtedly the calm before a storm of great Nintendo-developed games, beginning with Super Mario 3D Land. Keep tuning in: your patience will pay off!

Nintendo Music: Underwater Theme

I had to bring this song up at some point. I've been playing the original Super Mario Bros., from which the original rendition of this song came. This, of course, is an arrangement of the original. You'll notice the three distinct styles of the song as it progresses, beginning with the original "bleepy" version, moving into an orchestral version, and finishing with a, ah, "barn-raisin'" version.

Thinking about it, perhaps there was more reason behind this set-up than meets the ear. If you've ever played level 2-2 of the original Super Mario Bros., you may remember that the song didn't, well, flow back into itself very smoothly. Once the cycle was done, there was what I like to call a jolting rest before it started again abruptly. The style shifts in this arrangement can be called nothing but unexpected and even jolting.

Think about that! And have a great gaming weekend!

4 great games coming this holiday and why I recommend them

Will your games be coming in packages this season?

The "holidays" start when we begin enjoying Halloween candy and end sometime after New Year's, when it makes us sick just looking at all the left-over goodies. In between, we eat what seems like a never-ending flow of candy and baked goods.

In addition, the holidays never fail to see that gamers all over the world get a hearty supply of video games. Wii and Nintendo 3DS owners are not exempt from that, so here are 4 up-coming games for you to consider this season:

Super Mario 3D Land (3DS)
Out this Sunday, it's the latest installment in what is undoubtedly Nintendo's (and gaming's) most successful franchise. That is the first and most obvious reason why it will be a must-buy for N3DS owners. That said, players can expect brilliant platforming madness, power-ups old and new (read: Tanooki suit and boomerang suit), and even practical uses for stereoscopic 3D. Don't pass this one up!

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)
One short week after Mario jumps onto store shelves once more, Nintendo will pump out what is sure to be the company's biggest hit of the year. Mark November 20th on your calender as the release of a game that has been in the making for literally years. The reasons for getting this are too numerous to count, but here's a quick summary of what's in store: one-to-one sword action thanks to the Wii Remote Plus, a story that promises to explain the origins of the iconic Master Sword (and then some!), what is sure to be a stellar soundtrack, a larger quest than in any other Zelda (estimated 50-100 hours to complete), and, of course, the dungeons, puzzles, enemies, and gameplay that come packed into every Zelda game. Seriously, don't miss out on this one. You'll regret it.

Mario Kart 7 (3DS)
Are Mario Kart memories of some sort not ingrained into the heads of every Nintendo fan alive? New courses, new items, better online capabilities, hang gliders and water jets, customizable karts, and more await in this installment of the popular series. The game hits stores December 4th.

Rhythm Heaven (Wii)
This one comes out the day after Christmas (what's up with that, anyway?) February 13, 2012, but it still fits into the "holidays", because, like I said above, the holidays don't end until after New Year's. Catchy music, quirky gameplay, and a whole lot of personality characterized the Nintendo DS installment of Rhythm Heaven, so why should the Wii title be any different? I look forward to more information before the game's post-Christmas release!

What makes a video game great?: Sound

In case you haven't noticed, I really like music. I find that music in video games tends to be more exciting or more emotional (either way) than your typical pop song. Music is a vital element in video games. It adds an absurd amount of immersion to the overall atmosphere. Take the Nintendo 64 game Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The wide open spaces of Hyrule Field are accompanied by a robust, adventurous tune, while dank dungeons echo soft, sometimes creepy, songs with atmospheric noises.

There isn't a genre that benefits more from a solid soundtrack than the rhythm genre. Duh! When deciding which of the many Guitar Hero games to get, the track list is the first thing to look at. When deciding whether to get Just Dance 2 or Just Dance 3, the track list was of utmost importance to me. Choosing to get the Wii game Samba de Amigo was largely helped by the promise of a robust soundtrack.

When considering "sound", however, music is not the only element. Sound effects also play a large part in video games, even if that part is easy to overlook. Can you imagine playing a Zelda game without the sound of Link's footsteps, or without the chink-chink, click-click, clank-clank, or BOOM! of his weapons? Yeah! That's what I thought!

Got any other examples of superior sound in video games? Mention it in a comment!

Here's one gamer who is more than a year late

Don't you just want to play this?

Nintendo fans have great cause to celebrate this year: it's the 25th Anniversary of the Legend of Zelda series! This really is a big accomplishment. Firstly, 25 years is ancient on the video game industry timeline. Secondly, it's kind of a big deal that this video game series has been so consistently good over a period of 25 years. Think about it!

Fans have undoubtedly been doing fun things to celebrate all year. So what have I been doing, you ask? Well, I bought a Nintendo 3DS back in March. I played Ocarina of Time 3D. I bought a couple of Zelda-related downloads. I'll play Skyward Sword when it comes out later this month, of course. Let's just say that the list of what I haven't done is a lot longer than what I have done.

Truth be told, I'm still workin' on celebrating last year's special occasion: the 25th Anniversary of the Super Mario series. I'm going to beat every Super Mario game made! And the game I'm up to now is (drumroll, please) Super Mario Bros. for the NES! Nope, I've never beaten that game, and even after a week of playing it, I can't get past World 6. What can I say? The controls throw me off. Happy weekend, readers!

Nintendo time is family time

Yes, this is every last member of my immediate family, and then some.

I think gaming runs in families, particularly big ones. Every large family I know plays games. I have 8 siblings. Mary, our other contributor, has 14 siblings. I could name two other families, one with 8 kids, the other with 9, who play video games.

Each of these families have older members. With 9 kids, there's going to be a pretty large age gap in between the youngest and the oldest. That gap is 20 years in my family. So, yeah, my oldest brother was around when Nintendo brought video games home with the Nintendo Entertainment System. Is that not a reasonable explanation as to why video games are a continuing tradition in the households of large families?

But that's not really the point I wish to convey in this post. Considering the above, it stands to reason that video games could provide crucial family bonding time in these households. Well, I'll just go right out and say it: video games do provide crucial family bonding time in my household. Memories that stand out to me from my younger years include playing Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, Mario Paint, Mario Kart 64, and Mario Party 2 with my family. Now, years later, the video game legacy lives on with me, my three younger siblings, and games like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, Super Mario Bros. Wii, and more. We even revisit classics like Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario World, thanks to the Wii system's Virtual Console.

I'll end on this ironic note: my parents are the sole members of the family who have no interest in playing video games with the rest of us.

Taking State!

This is one of the coolest pictures, I believe!
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

I have to tell you guys a secret . . . OUR VOLLEYBALL TEAM TOOK STATE! I'm just so pumped about this!! To add to that, it was on my birthday! It was the best birthday present ever! What's cool is the fact that everyone thought that the team we were going against was going to win! That's right, we were the underdogs! That reminded me about all of the video games I've played where you play as the underdog. Guess what? I couldn't think of any!

Not a lot of video games have underdog stories. I really can't think of any! Donkey Kong - no, they like rule the jungle; Zelda - not really; Final Fantasy - some of them are sorta underdogs. I just don't know! I guess in the Nintendo world people just don't think that underdogs can make it! The main character has to have some sort of background that makes them mysterious in some way! Anyways I was just super happy about winning state! Me being only a Freshman and all, I didn't get to play, but at least I was able to be on the bench with my team! Well HAPPY HALLOWEEN YOU GUYS! Hope it was awesome and you got sick from candy!

Nintendo Music: Wind Scene

I love music because, like many other forms of art, it has the ability to produce feelings in the human being. Oftentimes, these feelings cannot be described in words, so music is its own beautiful kind of language.

Today's music selection comes from the SNES game Chrono Trigger. It is a great example of a piece of music that creates a feeling that is hard to nail down. Not to mention it augments the feeling that the actual game is portraying at the time it's played.

By the way, in addition to having awesome music, this game is just an overall amazing experience. Enjoy the tune!

Why Wii Play: Motion might be worth your money: A Review

Wii MotionPlus is an under-utilized accessory, without a doubt. Frankly, I can see why. The thing needs to be calibrated to start with, and that initial balance is quite fragile besides.

But when the player gets past those two minor gripes, a rich gameplay experience awaits. Wii Play: Motion packs a variety of cool motion-based activities into an admittedly small package. Some are better than others, but all have something to offer. Many can even be played with multiple people, so bring on the party with this game!

If you could make use of another MotionPlus Wii remote, the $50 for this game and the pack-in is definitely worth it. And...I guess that's all I have to say!

Does anyone remember that one Wii remote function...?

It's the Wii remote speaker!

There were a lot of things to be excited about when the world was learning what the revolutionary Wii remote could do. Motion and point sensing capabilities were chief among those. The remote would also be wireless and have the rumble function. But there was one other thing...ah, yes! A built-in speaker!

The sound quality of this built-in speaker was so poor, we muted the volume after the first month or two of having a Wii, never to turn it up again. The sound was particularly obnoxious in my favorite Wii game to date: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

We're all excited about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. I have been for literally years. But it only just occurred to me that the game's remote sound effects might actually sound good. Only time will tell!

Are there any Wii games you have played that effectively use the built-in remote speaker?

Books into video games?!

The first book in the Keys to the Kingdom Series!

They have made movies into video games and video games into movies. Who skipped the step of making books into video games? Had it never occurred something was missing? It should go books to movies then to a video game! I mean imagine how awesome that'd be! Since it's a video game they could follow it to the book exactly! With movies they only have, what, two hours to fit a whole book into? Well unless your Breaking Dawn or Harry Potter that is. Why would you have two parts to a movie anyways? I mean it's just a scheme to make more money! Wait, this isn't what this is supposed to be about that. Anyways I think an awesome book to be turned into a video game would be . . . uh . . . to tell you the truth I don't have one.

Now that I think about it I don't read very exciting books, so I really have no clue as to what book would be a good video game! If you have any ideas, please tell me! Wouldn't it be so cool though? I mean man, oh, man!! They could get it like completely right! Anyways, this subject is really sorta narrow to talk about! Not much here just the fact that they could make it exactly like the book! So exciting!! Wait I have one! It's Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix! That'd be so awesome! It's a pretty legit book! Anyways if you have any ideas for books that'd be good video games tell me! I wanna know these things!

Here's what my trip taught me about video games

What a great trip I had this last weekend! I didn't go into much detail in my thank you post, so I'll let you know now: I went on a three-day trip to the historic Hole-in-the-Rock trail. I don't think you want me to go into too much detail, so I'll just say that it included a lot of rough off-roading.

So what did the trip teach me about video games, you ask? If you haven't already, take a look at the video above. I've never had a knack for creativity: I'm jealous of people who can come up with great ideas for video games, even if they never see the light of day. But can't you see something like this making a pretty good video game? Some of the most intense racing experiences are really slow ones. A realistic off-road racing game would force the player to move quickly, but not so quickly that the vehicle tips, because that would mean a lot of lost time. I found that a lot of skill and concentration goes into maneuvering a vehicle on this kind of terrain, and I think a video game would benefit from using that concept.

If that made any sense, congratulations. It's a powerful skill to interpret other peoples' gibberish. For your entertainment, here are some other images from the trip:

One of our many vehicles climbs a rock. Going down won't be so easy.

See what I mean?

Some of the scenery around our camp in the morning.

An ATV tackles one of many tough spots.

We also brought along some special types of ATVs we call Razors.

Tough spots are really no problem for the Ram, but it was slow going.

The Cherokee probably had the most trouble, but it made the trip just fine.

Some more ATV action.

In the distance you can see the actual hole in the rock.

A look at Gray Mesa from inside the Cherokee. Pretty flat.