Seth, who is the assistant manager of product marketing for the Pokémon series, is responsible for all things Pokémon.  Here he is discussing how the new games give you a new way to connect and play with friends via enhanced online connectivity and new battle modes:

No compensation was received for this post.

A little over a year ago, Ubisoft, a leader in the gaming and interactive entertainment industry, released Just Dance which sold over 3 million copies!  Capping on it’s success, Ubisoft launched Just Dance 2, which features a brand new track-list of over 40 popular songs and improved movement detection.  Gone are the days of sitting on the couch, controller in hand, eyes glued to a screen.  Gaming today is interactive, physical, and fun.

One of my goals this year (and every year) is to get more active.  I always feel like I could do more to keep my body in shape.  I tire and get bored with fitness videos and traditional exercise.  While I still power walk with my kids, I need something to keep me motivated.  When I discovered fitness gaming, it really changed how I viewed exercise. I no longer felt like I had to go to the gym or take a run to achieve results.  Dancing on the Wii is enjoyable and I can get a great workout from it.

Just Dance 2 features tracks from classic hits, legendary songs, and music that’s currently topping the charts.  I have to admit that I like the music much better than that featured on the original game.  The game offers a variety of music and dance genres and each track features it’s own choreography by real experts. If you want more, you can download tracks from a catalog that is frequently updated.

Just Dance 2 is fun!  Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll find that you just can’t get enough of it. The game is challenging enough to keep experienced dancers interested.  Beginners will appreciate the repetition which helps with mastery of the moves.

Dance solo or invite your friends over (can accommodate up to for a dance off.  Want to really burn those calories?  The Just Sweat It Off mode will motivate you to dance of those calories, get your heart pumping, and perhaps shed that holiday weight.

Just Dance 2 is available exclusively for the Wii and retails for $39.99.

No compensation was received for this post. A copy of the game was provided which helped facilitate this review.

Last week, Nintendo hosted an engaging lunch to raise awareness about their relationship with the American Heart Association.  According to the AHA, 70 percent of Americans engage in no regular physical activity.  Through the partnership, both organizations strive to “help people create healthy lifestyles through physically active play.”

After enjoying a light snack Liz and I got our play on with Wii Sports Resort and the new Wii Fit Plus.  Wii Sports Resort (which is the sequel to Wii Sports) engages you in realistic sports play including bowling, golfing, archery, and table tennis.  Wii Fit Plus expands on the original software and includes everything from the original plus new exercises and tools to personalize your fitness routine.  Since I own the original, I was curious to see how different the new version is. With 15 new training activities and customizable routines, it’s worth the investment.

After a heart-healthy lunch, communications industry leader, author, speaker, and teacher Hank Wasiak inspired us with a discussion about asset-based thinking as it relates to health and wellness.  Asset-based thinking simply means looking at things through a positive lens (aka…the glass is half-full rather than half-empty). He emphasized the importance of taking small steps that will make a big difference..like the AHA’s Simple 7 which encourages Americans to get active, control cholesterol, eat better, manage blood pressure, lose weight, reduce blood sugar, and stop smoking.  Americans can reduce their risk of a heart attack by 80% if they follow the Simple 7.  Mr. Wasiak encouraged us to work on our whole selves (mind, body, spirit, skills, soul), enlist the help of others, and view problems as pauses.  After Mr. Waskiak spoke, a local Cardiologist and Dietitian led an informative Q & A which dispelled myths and shed light on everything from sodium consumption to exercise duration and intensity.

Nintendo and the AHA encourage Americans to:

• Get Informed about the benefits of being physically active as part of a healthy lifestyle.
• Get Empowered by making proper choices to start a healthy lifestyle.
• Get Active by initiating a physical activity program that may include active-play video games such as Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort.

As someone who has been playing video games for over 25 years of my life, I’m impressed with the technology that allows both my children and I to get off the couch and get moving in a fun and interactive way.  How I view exercise has really changed since having kids.  And while I wholeheartedly believe that we should all get out, take a walk (or run) and take in the fresh air, I also think that exercise can and should be fun.  I didn’t initially get the Wii for my children…I got it for myself so that I could get in some exercise without having to leave my children to go to the gym.  I’ve always maintained that the programs offered (particularly the Wii Fit) help set goals, offer accountability, and make it fun to exercise.  I’m excited about Nintendo’s partnership with the AHA and I hope that Americans will be inspired to get off the couch to get their fitness game on.

For more information about Nintendo’s partnership with the AHA, just visit Active Play Now.

No compensation was received for this post. I attended a lunch and received a gift bag, courtesy of Nintendo and the AHA.

Today, I followed along on Twitter as New Yorkers celebrated the launch of Kinect, Microsoft’s innovative controller-free gaming system.  Before the official launch, actor/producer Mark Wahlberg announced that Microsoft will donate Kinect 4GB Xbox 360 consoles and two games to thousands of Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. The system is certain to be a hot seller this holiday season and won the Gold Award for Software/Video Games from the National Parenting Publications Awards.

Kinect retails for $149.99 and designed to be used with Xbox 360. Don’t have an Xbox 360?  Right now you can get an Xbox 360 4 GB Console with Kinect for $299.99 (but I don’t know how long that price will last).

If you can believe it, I had never played an Xbox game until earlier this year when Kinect was still in development.  On November 4th, Xbox will launch it’s innovative controller-free gaming system.  I’ve had at least four opportunities to play the game, and I’m hooked!  My favorite aspect of this new way to play is that it gets kids and adults off the couch!  Kinect responds to your movements and engages you in full body play.  Kick, jump, dance…it’s the most interactive way to game I’ve experienced.  What’s more, you can use your hand and your voice to control what you want to listen to, watch, or play.

With Kinect, it’s not only about gaming.  The system allows you to watch HD movies, music and sports through Xbox LIVE without any extra accessories.

Here is a great pictorial description from the site:

Earlier this week, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Sesame Street released two new educational games for preschoolers:  Sesame Street: Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure and Sesame Street: Cookie’s Counting Carnival.  The games, which are based on the television series, encourage early literacy and math skills.  My preschooler has yet to play either the Wii or the DS, simply because he doesn’t have the dexterity to do so.  Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Sesame Street addressed that gap by introducing kid-friendly “gameplay helpers” to simplify gameplay controls with the goal of helping children understand which buttons to push on the remote.  They’re designed to resemble Cookie Monster and Elmo, which was definitely appealing to my son.

Here is a quick summary of the two games:

Elmo and Zoe head to the zoo in Sesame Street: Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure, where they explore exciting zoo habitats and play games based on a variety of literacy skills. Players learn such skills as letter identification, letter sounds and word families in the Aquarium, Savanna, Jungle, Wetlands and Arctic habitats.

In Sesame Street: Cookie’s Counting Carnival, kids join Cookie Monster and Big Bird at a fun-filled carnival with gameplay steeped in math skills, including number identification, counting, shapes and pattern recognition.

Last week, we had the privilege of being the invited guests of Warner Bros. Studios for a media preview of Sesame Street’s new video games.  While the adults ate lunch and received a demo, the kids had an opportunity to try out the DS versions.  When I picked up my son, he was sitting quietly playing Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure.  My son rarely sits quietly for anything so I know that he enjoyed the game.

Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, the Vice President of Education and Research at Sesame Workshop, led an interesting discussion about how the games were developed.  Dr. Truglio is responsible for the development of Sesame Street’s interdisciplinary curriculum and oversees all educational research related to the development of the show’s content.  The developers wanted to address the academic, social, and emotional needs of children while focusing on literacy and numeracy.  Recognizing that the needs of children change over time, they developed both games to include three different levels.  Once a child’s profile has been created, the game will retain that info for future play.

One of the most important aspects of the game is that is designed to be played with your children.  Sesame Workshop believes that media platforms should be shared with children, rather than serving as a babysitter (and I agree!).  The games possess a Parental Assist Mode that allows the use of a second Wii-Remote to assist the child through the game without taking the remote away from the child.  Preschool children like my son, strive to be autonomous, even if they’re not necessarily mature enough to do everything on their own.  The game was designed to be challenging but not frustrating. Parents can use those moments when a child answers a question wrong as a learning opportunity.

I didn’t get a chance to get hands on with the DS or Wii versions because I opted to go on a tour of  Warner Bros. Studios and Museum.  But we’re scheduled to receive the Wii version so I’ll update you on our experience soon!

Cookie’s Counting Carnival and Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure are available now for Wii, DS, and PC.  You can save 10% when you enter the code MOMMY on their website (valid through December 20)

No compensation was received for this post.  I was invited to a media preview, courtesy of Warner Bros. and Sesame Workshop.

The audience cheered when it was announced that the company would be bringing Star Wars to Kinect in 2011.  Disney also has plans on bringing a bit of magic to Kinect.  Kinect Adventures, Kinectimals, Kinect Joy Ride, Kinect Sports, Dance Central, and Your Shape:  Fitness Evolved are a sampling of the games that will be offered this November (2010).  And because I’ve had the opportunity to play some games on the system, I can tell you that it’s intuitive.  Once you step in front of the sensor, it will recognize and respond to your gestures and listen to your voice.

Kinect is more than a simple gaming system and will work with every Xbox 360. The Kinect Hub will allow you the ability to access your favorite movies, TV programs, music, and more in one location.  Video Kinect will open up a world of connection with distant friends and family members.

Pricing has yet to be released for Kinect but is set to debut this November 2010.

No compensation was received for this post.

Last night I had the privilege of attending the World Premiere of Kinect for Xbox 360 (formerly titled Project Natal).  Cirque du Soleil created a performance, specifically for Kinect, which will air on Tuesday, June 15, at 3:30 pm ET on MTV and at 9:00 pm ET on Nick at Nite, mtvU, MTV Hits, and Logo.  The event was technology-free, so I don’t have pictures or video footage of the actual performance (which was amazing) but you can see a few pictures on the Xbox site.

What I can tell you is that Kinect is the latest innovation in gaming and entertainment.  Controllers and remotes?  They’re so yesterday. Kinect, set to debut this November, puts you in the game…literally.  No longer will you  or I be sitting on the couch detached from the experience.  Once you step in front of the sensor on the system, Kinect will recognize you and respond to your gestures.  It also recognizes your voice (oooh!). Run, jump, dance, and kick…the game is more like an experience.  And…it’s so. much. fun.

Playing it is actually easier than I expected as it’s highly intuitive.  If you know how to kick, jump, and run…you can play it! Stay tuned…this is just the beginning of what’s to come this November.

Photo credit:  Xbox

No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to a media preview of Kinect, courtesy of the company.

A few weeks ago, I was invited by my friend Liz to check out a preview of Xbox 360′s brand new “Project Natal” (which is actually the code name since the official name has not been released).  Simply put, “Project Natal” is an innovative new way to game.  There are no controllers…unless you count yourself, since you are the controller.  The system has a sensor that “captures” your body in it’s space and recognizes it (including your face).  Your movements are then replicated on screen and the system can respond to your commands. Kick, hit, and dance your way to a new way to game.  “Project Natal” is still in development and will continue to be modified until it’s ready for it’s holiday release.  Stay tuned as I will be sharing more info as it comes.  For now…check out Stephanie and I testing out “Project Natal“:

No monetary compensation was received for this post.  I attended a preview event and received a FlipCam to record my experience.

If you’ve followed my blog, then you know that I used the Wii Fit to lose the baby weight before I got pregnant with our baby girl.  In fact, I now realize that those months when I felt like I wasn’t making any progress, were due to the fact that my body was creating a person!  Hehe!  I honestly think that the Wii Fit was and is an incredible innovation with regards to gaming and fitness.  Children (and adults) no longer have to sit on the couch, controls in hand, peeled to a screen.  I love the way the Wii Fit encourages movement, balance, and commitment to change.

Many of you may have heard that Nintendo has launched an updated version of the Wii Fit, called the Wii Fit Plus.  I can’t say I have personal experience with the updated version, however, the company has expanded on the original software to include new exercises and tools to personalize your fitness routine.  I’m hoping to upgrade mine soon (It’s around $20).

In addition, Jillian Michaels’ new Wii game “Fitness Ultimatum 2010” was just released for both the Wii and DS.  To celebrate, Sports Authority has teamed up with Nintendo to create a new way to experience fitness gaming.  On Thursday, November 19 (as in TOMORROW!), you can visit their Torrance, California store with a celebratory launch.  Here is a bit more information about how Sports Authority is collaborating withNintendo to create this experience:

To help customers get to know the Wii better, Sports Authority will create a “We know fit. We know fun.” experience at 102 of their stores. Stores will feature a dedicated area with a demo unit and knowledgeable trainers to help customers try the Wii and Wii Fit Plus before they buy.

Here are the details of the event:

Event Information:
Thursday, Nov. 19
Sports Authority store in Torrance (located at 3610 Torrance Blvd.), CA (just outside of Los Angeles, CA)
Event starts at 9:30 a.m. and runs until mid-day

Event Highlights:
· Jillian Michaels, from “The Biggest Loser,” will be in attendance.
· There will be the “world’s largest Wii Fit Plus” demonstration featuring 102 people. Jillian will be part of the demonstration, doing what she does best – showing folks how to get in shape!
· Lots of items to be given away, including copies of Jillian Michaels’ new Wii game “Fitness Ultimatum 2010“ and Wii Fit Plus boards, as well as other prizes from Sports Authority, Nintendo and Nike.

For more information, check out the Sports Authority site.

Now I know many of you don’t live in Southern California…although I’d love to see you at the event…so…

Win It! One of you will win a Wii Fit Plus Board AND a copy of Jillian Michaels‘ new Wii Game “Fitness Ultimatum 2010.”  Simply leave me a comment with one way you fit in exercise as a mom with children.  I need all the advice I can get!  Comments will close on December 3, 2009 at 10 PM PST.

One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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