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Something that I have a passion for is teaching children to be more than the school systems offer them, get them started earlier than most school systems choose to do and, in general, give them a shot at doing more for themselves. Our school system has the policy of “dumbing down America” and I want that to stop. It can but it will take one step at a time. It will take the individual parents saying NO to that by teaching them at home to supplement what is taught in school. Learning toys help to accomplish that, in my opinion.

V Motion Active Learning System from V Tech offers more than just a game. Not only does the child get exercise, they can learn many things that will help in school. Spelling, math, reading, science, spelling, solving puzzles, hand/eye coordination and much more are portrayed in such a way that the child is learning and having fun at the same time. Using the wireless controller, they can choose the option they like: using the joystick or use the motion of the controller itself that will control the characters on the screen. Imagine going down a bobsled course on screen and directing that race by just tilting or moving the controller.

This console system won the National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval and the Creative Child Seal of Excellence award. With the games included, teaching numbers, letters, and shapes for younger crowd and older children can work on skills like counting, vocabulary, and matching, it’s no wonder they won the award. Their favorites from the big screen and little one; Dora the Explorer, Spiderman, Kung Fu Panda, and Scooby Doo help teach them through the Smartridge system. With puzzles, races and sing-a-longs, children are able to see things differently and learn from it. Six different types of games are there for your child to start with right away. This console is capable of playing two at once. The second controller is sold separately and also requires 4 AA batteries. There is one downside. It has no capability to be plugged in. Totally battery powered.

Recommended for ages 3-7 years. Included in the box are: console with Action Mania software, 1 controller, 4 AA batteries, 3 AAA batteries, Smartridge, V-link, wrist strap and user’s manual.

Technorati Tags: Kung Fu Panda, Scooby Doo, Dora the Explorer, controller, Spiderman, console, V Tech, V Motion, Vtech

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Guitar Hero World Tour for Wii is yet another hot item this year. Yes, there are a number of them. Good idea though. If there were just one hot item, there wouldn’t be any available. With a number of them, at least you have a chance to beat the crowd to the spot where they have those few left. And that is the scenario of you wait on this item until later. It is currently available but is out of stock in at least one online location right now. This is a battle of the bands game that is going to rock the house. With this, there are wireless instruments. You can create your own songs through the Music Studio. Be a song writer.

Create your own band with one instrument or many. Up to four players can have a great jam session together or go through a career. Never play solo again. Online capable so that you can have up to 8 band members with you. Virtual members can make worldwide connections. Get into Mii Freestyle mode which is only on Wii. You can create Rock, Metal and Blues by yourself or hook up with others and jam the night away with original music. There are over 85 tracks included with this system.

And frankly, there is so much to this outfit that I cannot possibly tell it all right here. The one thing I am sure of is that if you do not have self defense products with you when you go to a store to buy this, it may be very difficult. No, I’m just kidding. But the reality is that this is likely to be in limited supply due to the Christmas season about to be upon us. This is a major title.

This whole thing includes: wireless guitar controller, wireless drum controller and microphone with 15 ft. USB cable.

Technorati Tags: self defense products, guitar hero tour, hot item, guitar for wii, game for wii, wii

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This is one post where I think I bit off more than I could chew. There are sooooo many of them that I have no way of listing all of them here. So, I thought I would write up some things about some of them. As for availability, you can get them in several locations, at least for the moment. No clue how available any one of them will be at or near Christmas time.

For the console itself, they are definitely available in several hard drive sizes. It seems to me that if you are spending that much money on a console that you would want to do your research about the best deal all around. I do realize that sounds so basic but there are folks who do not do that and wish they did. For me, if I were going to buy one, I would want something with a lot of space. I have seen anything from a 20GB (I would not waste my time or money) to 160GB. The prices I saw ranged from $399 up. The best deal was one that’s $499 with a game pack that will be available on Nov. 30th but they want a pre-order to insure availability.

Games. My goodness there are a lot of them.

For sports fans, especially basketball, there’s a new release called NBA 2K9. They say there is an improved dribbling system and you can change your shots in midair..which would definitely be a selling point for me. Great graphics, a player scouting system and more customization than before. Other features are too numerous to mention here but it appears to be a fantastic buy for yourself or that special sports fan in your life. One price I saw was $56.99.

LEGO Batman looks like a lot of fun. You can be Batman, Robin or one of the 12 nasty villains. The weapons will be unique to the character. Characters can be customized for much more fun, environments can be built and transformed. Special superhero powersuits with new moves make this game one that will keep you busy for hours. Designed for two players. Price seen–$49.99.

Silent Hill: Homecoming–new to PS3. The newest chapter in the ongoing story. New graphics bring this place to life like never before while solving deadly puzzles to learn the dark secrets of Silent Hill. This one has a price of $56.99 where I looked.

For hunting fans, this one is definitely for you! Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2009 has it all. You hunt dangerous animals but watch out since they are also hunting you! This is a completely unpredictable environment full of unknown dangers like piranha infested waters, avalanches and stampedes of elephants. Don’t miss your shot at the beast or you might have to fight it with a melee defense. Oh, and watch the area. There may be another animal about to attack with the first one. Savage animals..lions, grizzlies, jaguars and many more. Affordable price at $36.99.

That’s it for now but you get the idea. There are far too many titles to mention here on one post. However, I will be mentioning others from time to time.

Technorati Tags: PS3, NBA 2K9, playstation games, Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts, playstation 3, LEGO Batman

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Our family just loves The Chronicles of Narnia with all the talking animals, the “not a tame” Lion, Aslan, and the four children that go through the wardrobe into a new land. This game is only for the Wii console. In this game, you can take on the role of any of the 20 characters including Narnians (non-human). You can go to the locations that are in the movie. The time is one year after the original trip into Narnia for the Pevensies but 1,300 yeas have elapsed in Narnia. It is a time of hardship and hiding for the Narnians when Prince Caspian finds the kids. The land is savage and evil rules in the form of the tyrant Miraz.

Two players can co-operate in this game to team up. You may also team up with characters to combine abilities. This is a combo of action combat and puzzle solving game play. Recommended for ages 13 and up.

Technorati Tags: nintendo wii, prince caspian, wii console, chronicles of narnia, wii

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