Pokémon trainers compete in 2011 Southeastern Pokémon Video Game Championships

As Ash Ketchum learned from the television show Pokémon, becoming a true Pokémon Master can take a lot of dedication, skill and a little bit of luck. Over 1,000 Pokémon trainers competed for this coveted title during the Pokémon Southeastern Regional Video Game Championship in Atlanta on June 4. The regionals were split into three age-dependant divisions: Juniors, Seniors and Masters. The top 16 trainers in each division was given a spot to compete in the Pokémon U.S. National Championship on July 8 – 10 in Indianapolis, Ind. However, the winner in each division received the grand prize of a Nintendo 3DS and a four day, three night vacation in Indianapolis. The runner up in each division also received a Nintendo 3DS and a $300 travel allowance. Trainers from all over the US attended this event, including 13-year-old Seniors Division champion Natalie Kaspszak, a participant who flew from Phoenix, Ariz. to

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Nintendo DS Lite price gets slashed to $99.99 and Mario gets even more visible

Also, to make Nintendo’s most popular character stand out even more than he already does, later this month, Nintendo DS games featuring Mario will get a Very Red Makeover to match the plumber’s overalls. Like it was ever hard to find Mario games in-store? “From the moment it launched, Nintendo DS Lite hit a sweet spot for consumers in terms of value, experience and fun,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “This new price point will introduce Nintendo DS Lite to even more consumers, and the new red packaging will make it easy for them to find their favorite Mario titles.” The games getting this makeover are among Nintendo’s “evergreen” titles: New Super Mario Bros. Mario Kart DS Super Mario 64 DS Mario Party DS Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!

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‘Cooking Mama’ is making the jump to the third dimension this fall, three titles for 2012

Majesco announced two new ‘Mama’ titles yesterday: Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic for Nintendo 3DS, and Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures for the plain-Jane DS. Mama’s debut on 3DS includes new recipes and dish combinations, and also utilizes the 3DS’ gyroscope to help you perform some new kitchen duties like cracking eggs and flipping the contents of pans. Apparently, some “surprising 3D events” will happen in your kitchen, as well. The outdoorsy Mama variation has you crafting fishing poles, cooking whatever fish you catch, setting up tents and climbing trees across 38 different levels. Of course you’ll get to do more than that, since you’ll be by the sea, in the forest and on a mountain. “We’re very proud of the work we’ve put in to make the Mama brand one of the most successful and recognizable franchises in the industry,” said Jesse Sutton, Majesco’s CEO. “Gamers of all ages and

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Opinion: Can Video Games Make A Positive Change?

We are living in the age of technology with 3D Televisions, the internet and, smart phones.  Gizmos, gadgets, electronics and social media are around every corner.  It’s kind of funny to imagine life without these things years ago.  One person can survive in the comfort of their home, never having to go out.  I’m not one to encourage hermitage, however I myself use almost all of these on a daily basis.  I’m still inclined to shop in a store versus shopping online, but that’s just me.  I have seen firsthand how gaming can bring positive changes in one’s life despite the years of negativity towards games. Through twitter, I have found GamingAngels.  The staff has embraced me as one of their own and in the months I have been working with them, have found a nice little family.  Although we are spread out across the nation, gaming, social media & the

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Review: Pokémon Black and White

Rating: E (for Everyone) Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Game Freak Release Date: March 6, 2011 (NA), September 18, 2010 (Japan), March 4, 2011 (EU) BUY Admittedly I missed the last Pokémon game release, but I’ve turned into a fan of the Pokémon series of games since I played Crystal. I was excited for some of the new features that Black and White would have to offer, like the new battle features and the seasonal cycle. So you bet I was stoked when I got Pokémon White. The game starts off like most Pokémon games where you’re told about the world and how much people love their Pokémon and you can choose between three to start with. Personally I chose the fire pig, and thanks to some inspiration from a good friend, named him Baconator. The first thing I noticed was that it seemed like Pokémon leveled up quicker. I usually have

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Review: Tangled

Rating: E (for Everyone) Genre: Adventure Publisher: Disney Interactive Developer: Planet Moon Studios Release Date: November 23, 2010 RENT In Disney’s Tangled, you can take on adventure alone as both Rapunzel and Flynn, or play along with a friend.  The journey is completely based on the movie storyline and you’ll see many recognizable environments and hear one-liners straight from the script.  Kids will enjoy the multiple activities and working as a team with a parent or sibling is a fun way to complete the game.  My kid and I had a few laughs during our play through.  Each character has their own special abilities.  Rapunzel can use her golden hair to swing across gaps, pull objects and climb.  She can also grow flowers in “charm mode” and collect a variety of colors to draw and paint the tower wall or collect sun drops to earn points.  She can also let down her flowing

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Are you going to get your Pokémon Secret Egg?

If you want to be just like Ash in the animated version of Pokémon, you’re in luck. For the entire month of May, as well as the last few days of April, you can download a Secret Egg just like the one that Ash will get on the show! (Would have been cuter if it was a tiny bit closer to Easter, but I will not complain. Instead I will ask for Cadbury Creme Eggs, the best-ever Easter candy. You will not debate this.) Of course, you’ve got to go somewhere to download it — this time, it’s Toys R Us. Take your DS to the store and you’ll receive the egg via digital distribution. And, of course, there’s something for you to buy for your kidsyourself: A special 2-pack booster for the Pokémon Trading Card Game that contains promo codes and one of three secret promo cards that happen

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Interview: Megan Gaiser, CEO/CSCO of Her Interactive

Megan Gaiser is the President and CEO of Her Interactive. Through her work at Her Interactive, she has helped make intelligent games a younger female audience. Her Interactive creates the Nancy Drew series of games that are very popular. Megan works hard in both talks and through her work at Her Interactive to get more girls interested in gaming both as a hobby and as a career. Geek Woman: Video games have been in the news lately, and it is never flattering. Considering that your games such as Nancy Drew won twenty consecutive Parent’s Choice awards, do you become frustrated by the bad press when you have done so much good? Megan Gaiser: We’ve won 23 to be exact.  We are so passionate about our mission that nothing would deter us from pioneering the market for girls. We are very proud of the positive influence our Nancy Drew games have

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Capcom’s ‘Ōkamiden’ arrives in stores today

Time to pull out your DS – Capcom’s mythology-inspired Ōkamiden arrives today for the handheld. The game introduces Chibiterasu, an adorable wolf puppy, as well as a new partner system and puzzles. You’ll also be using the DS’ stylus to draw multiple items. Here’s the game’s launch trailer.

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Radiant Historia Makes it’s North American Debut

With a throwback to old 16-bit RPG games, Radiant Historia is a combination of hand drawn artwork, a soundtrack that’ll make you a bit nostalgic, and a unique position-based battle system (where you can push your enemies around the battle field to gain the upper hand in a fight) . The game is out in stores today and each launch copy of the game is a premium boxed set with a free music CD complete with artwork chosen by the fans. In Radiant Historia, you’ll be able to travel through time as Special Intelligence Agent Stocke to rewrite history in a sort of steampunky RPG adventure set to Yoko Shimomura’s soundtrack. Stocke manages to find out how to travel to the intersection of time, called: Historia. Stocke has to use his new found ability to travel to key events throughout time to fix the flow of time and figure out

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