Goofy Gadgets - Merida and Maleficent Join Disney Infinity 2.0

We already knew that Marvel's greatest heroes would be assembling in Disney Infinity 2.0.  But now we know that they will be joined by Princess Merida and the star of the number one movie in America, Maleficent in the Toy Box.

Are you excited?

Here are my first thoughts.  I like seeing toys themed to them in the Toy Box mode.  But I wish they were included in Play Sets.  Really that is what I want more of after the huge hit the Lone Ranger set was in my home.  Sets are fun for me! 

Is Merida and Hawkeye going to have the same power sets?  She seems to be showing off some martial arts and using her bow in a Hawkeye like fashion?  Can you buy Merida and have her join the Avengers?  Maybe she is the Kate version of Hawkeye?

I am honestly more excited about Marvel.  But I think everyone could have guessed that one!

Goofy Gadgets - Disney Infinity 2.0 featuring Marvel Superheroes

My family is a big fan of Disney Infinity.  And I am clearly a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (shameless plug for podcast here).  So when earlier it was previewed that Marvel would be included in the next wave of Disney Infinity, well I was pretty excited.

This week, Disney showed us more than a shield and let us all that will be coming with the next iteration of this game.

Okay, this is pretty exciting.  And here is why I will be lining up in Fall to buy 2.0.

• All of my favorite MCU heroes are here.
• Everything I already own is compatible with the new disc, which includes enhanced game play.
• Marvel themed play sets and toy box items will exist.  The Between Kids have loved wandering through New York in LEGO Marvel Superheroes, but now they can create that world. 
• Rocket Racoon and Groot!  Seriously they have the potential to be huge for Marvel!
  
  
• Lola flies! 

All that is left is for them to add Agent Coulson and I would be set for a good long time!  Are you happy with this marvelous addition?

 

Goofy Gadgets - Disney Infinity To Add Marvel

Disney and Marvel collide pt.3 by ~lenlenlen1 on deviantART

Marvel and Disney this week announced the newest members of Disney Infinity, and it's Marvel right on the heels of the blockbuster Captain America: The Winter Soldier. 

My thoughts probably match a lot of others. And it is because I think this is very good.  First, it has been a long time since we saw a new Play Set added.  Phineas & Ferb and Frozen were added as Toy Box only features.  It is great you can play these characters, but the Play Sets have all pretty much been played through in my house and we need more.  Second, this opens the door to Disney's non-animation properties.  Third, as a giant Marvel fan I look forward to adding heroes and villains to the Toy Box mode and entering the Marvel Universe in another way.  Finally, these also seems to announce Disney Infinity 2.0 so maybe the software is getting an upgrade. 

Hey, can I get an Agent Coulson figure?

Are you excited?

Goofy Gadgets - Monsters, Inc. Run

Despite my current trend of disappointment with blockbusters this summer so far, I am really excited about Monsters University. I have faith that Mike and Sulley will turn it around! Unfortunately, the IPhone/iPad app Monsters, Inc. Run has done little to put me into a Monsters State of Mind.

The concept for the game is pretty simple. You start as Mike running from left to right on the screen filled with obstacles and bonuses. The character can move vertically in one direction and horizontally up and down. As you run you can pick up coins and may even hit power-ups that temporarily gives Mike special abilities or turn him into the taller and stronger Sulley. Also, those coins can be used to buy abilities outside of the game play for future use. Additionally, there are three bonus items hidden throughout each level. To complete each level, your monster has to reach the end without falling to its doom.

Monsters, Inc. Run has never really worked for me, on an emotional level. I was drawn to it because I thought it would be another Disney branded version of Temple Run Brave. It is not. To me, the closet game I can compare it to is Super Mario Brothers for old school NES. In Mario a character could retry jumps simply by backing up within the visible game area. I find myself frustrated by my inability to back up three to four steps in Run to make a better jump or hit an angle that I missed. Additionally, you cannot stop Mike and Sulley from moving ahead during the game. I honestly would probably really enjoy a Mario game with its original aspects branded to Monsters over this similar, but frustratingly different game.

I still stand beside the idea that a great way for Disney to market movies is offering cheap and enjoyable games applications. I really thought that Temple Run Oz was more enjoyable than Oz the Great and Powerful and the game made me want to see the movie. Temple Run Brave continues to occupy free time as I still replay it often. While, the Between Kids think that Monsters, Inc. Run is great, I have never stumbled on them playing it. Sadly, for me, Monsters, Inc. Run fell short in furthering my excitement for all things Monsters.

Good thing I can still count on Mike an Sully!?  I mean this movie cannot let me down right?

Goofy Gadgets - Temple Run Oz

Recently I have been playing a lot of Temple Run 2. It’s become my time suck of choice over that last few weeks. But it’s not Mousey! Yes I do allow myself some non-Mousey things!

But then, much like Disney did with Brave, Disney had a version of Temple Run made to promote Oz The Great and Powerful. And though I have not logged the time I have with the other versions yet, I am really enjoying this version.

In Temple Run Oz, you are the wizard running down the Yellow Brick Road being chased by a flying Monkey. The game has much of the functionality as Temple Run 2 with similar bonuses and the ability to continue the run by using earned gems. The backgrounds however are very Oz focused. And there are some twists to the game, with walkways dropping before the Wizard arrives on them and obstacles that fall onto the road in front of you. Additionally some obstacles can reach out and grab the Wizard as you run. Another change is the addition of backgrounds. So instead of running through the same basic backgrounds again and again, I have already unlocked the Dark Forest background which helps to provide variety to the game.

Running Down the Yellow Brick Road

One change between Temple Run and Temple Run 2 was the addition of non-running stages. In Temple Run 2 your runner is dropped into a mine car for a portion of their run and rides through a mine. The Oz version of the game has replaced the mine car with the Wizard’s balloon. One has to navigate the balloon between crystals to keep the balloon moving forward. Honestly I prefer this balloon phase to the mine car version, mostly because I am mastering it more quickly.

The Wizard Takes Flight

If you enjoy Temple Run, Temple Run Brave, or Temple Run 2 you will likely find yourself wasting, I mean investing, time playing this new version. The only thing to consider is Temple Run Oz costs a whole 99 cents, while Temple Run 2 is free. So you may wish to start with the non-Disney branded version to help determine if Oz is a land you want to run through.

iOS 5.0 or later is required to run this application  

Excuse me, I need to go become unproductive now.

Goofy Gadgets - Disney Infinity

Before Christmas the Between Kids asked a few times for a Skylanders play set. They had seen this video games/action figure set at a friend’s house and enjoyed it. But I just did not know about the game. And with several Disney themed gifts already planned, Santa simply did not have room in his sack to include Skylanders.

Thank you Santa! I thank you! The Between Kids thank you! Because now we all plan to wait for Disney Infinity being released in June 2013 to enter into this gaming sphere.

Here is the trailer for this upcoming game:

What did you think? The Between Kids have gone through all of their favorite characters asking if they will be part of the game; Stitch, Vanellope von Schweetz, the Mad Hatter, and of course Mickey Mouse! Of course, I cannot answer all of these questions yet! Additionally, I have been asked if allowance can be replaced with new characters, for a game we do not even have yet!

What do you think of Disney Infinity? Are you excited? The Between Family is!

Goofy Gadgets - Disney Super Speedway

I find a lot of potential in Disney Super Speedway for iOS devices. But in the end, there has been a hiccup for me that I cannot overcome!

Disney Super Speedway is honestly a typical racer game in the Mario Kart, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Sugar Rush variety, that most would be familiar with. Of course there is a Disney twist. Races are held in stadiums and tracks themed after Disney Channel and Disney XD programs. For example, one can race through the Phineas & Ferb themed Doof’s Tower or the Fish Hooks themed Freshwater High. Additionally, the player races as a character from these television programs, with the default being Phineas. One can purchase with coins earned in races additional characters such as Randy Cunningham, Dipper, Mabel, Agent P, Ferb, and others. Racers can earn coins by hitting them while racing or by reaching achievements, like placing high in a race. These coins can then be used for upgrading your character or racer. Personally, I want to earn enough coins to race as Dipper! After one places in the three races within a level, an additional harder level is made available. The controls are fairly simple, simple enough that every member of the Between Family has had little trouble playing the game. One simply turns the iOS device the direction one wishes to go, and taps the screen to access boosts like rockets and increased speed. A nice addition to the racing functionality is the ability to drift.

Screenshot from Disney Super Speedway

I do have a major problem, and it could be limited to just me as the Between Kids have not reported this problem on their devices. My history constantly disappears. So I have completed the entire first level, in fact I have gotten first in all three races. Sadly, I have done this at least four times as it seems after I return from an extended break that my history has been reset. Actually rolled back as it shows I have earned first place in one of the three easy races. Additionally, my earned coins have all disappeared. So I am unable to horde enough coins to buy Dipper! This has led me to loss enthusiasm for this game application as time goes on.

If one is looking for a free iOS racing application and are Disney fans, Disney Super Speedway may be a good option with its Disney theming. Sadly for me I have had a technical glitch that has limited my enjoyment!

Goofy Gadgets - Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty

Captain America is back on the World War II battlefield in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty for iOS devices like iPad and iPhones.  HYDRA led by Red Skull has kidnapped three of the Howling Commandos including Bucky.  Outnumbered only Captain America can rescue them from the battlefield, factory and plane were they are being kept behind enemy lines.  To free his men, Cap will have to fight HYDRA soldiers, put on an acrobatic display and use his shield to defend himself.

This is the second Avengers themed app I have tried out.  In many ways Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty is like that first game Thor: Son of Asgard in that fact you play the hero and walk through levels defeating opponents as you get closer to your goal.  And like Thor, Cap has a throwing weapon that can be launched from a distance.  However, the fighting sequences seemed a little clearer in Cap’s game and not as jumbled to me.  Like the Thor game, the user is taught how to use moves as you walk through the game so you can learn as you go.  Players can also find extras, unlockable historic comic cover images, by picking up HYDRA files.  

The navigation is different however.  In Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, players use their finger to draw where Captain America should walk or hit!  So to go right, draw your finger right on the screen.  Likewise you do the same to go left.  However, it took me a few levels before I realized all I had to do to stop Cap’s running was double tap on the screen.  Additionally, this drawing control is quirky to me.  To hit you also draw toward your opponent.  But sometimes, oftentimes, when I draw to hit I start Cap running.  And if Cap is running he is probably not hitting!  

Captain America in Action

I don’t typically pay for apps and I got this one for free.  For that price it is an enjoyable game that I will play for a few weeks and then totally forget about.  This is also my pattern with games I typically pay for.  That’s not all bad as it has helped me move away from Temple Run: Brave.  I do not believe I would pay the original $4.99 price tag on it however, though the regular price of $2.99 seems solid.  I do like this game better than Thor: Son of Asgard.  But I also like Captain America better than Thor in most movies and comics.  For anyone who has dreamt of being Captain America, this game is for you and will give you several hours of fun.     

Goofy Gadgets - Temple Run: Brave

My niece asked for my iPad.  She’s adorable and I find it difficult to say no to her.  Then I discovered that this youngster knew how to download apps onto it and I now had a copy of Temple Run, which was luckily free for me to enjoy.  I asked her what she knew about it after she started to play.  All she knew for sure was all the kids were playing it at school so it had to be good.

Temple Run is pretty simple.  You are a treasure hunter running through a temple attempting to escape a hoard of apes trying to capture you.  As you run you have to jump over obstacles like tree stumps and gaps in the ground.  You pick up coins as you run which you can use to pay for strengthened power ups which could boost you ahead or earn you more coins.  You can also use coins to buy new treasure hunters to run with.  The game gets more difficult as you run.  And you always will be caught or fall.

So, I was finding Temple Run a minor distraction, which I picked it up several times.  But then one day the Between Tween, with mom’s permission, paid the 99 cents to download Temple Run: Brave, inspired by the Disney Pixar movie Brave.  And then my time spent on this game concept escalated!

Screenshot from Temple Run: Brave

In Temple Run: Brave you are Merida running away from the bear Mordu through an ancient ruin.  The game play is basically the same though they have added an archery challenge.  Occasionally a number of targets will come up with hitting with an arrow will get the player more coins!  All one has to do to hit the target is tap the side of the screen the target is on before you pass it.  And as you earn coins you can buy additional outfits for Merida.

Temple Run: Brave now with archery!

I find the game play very easy.  In fact I find it easier than the original.  Merida moves to the right and left of the path fairly easily, where in Temple Run it feels harder to move the runner on the path. 

The only issue I have found is Merida when you switch costumes is sometimes pointed the wrong way.  So she might be running straight but facing in another direction.  And this looks really really odd. 

Overall, I really enjoy Temple Run: Brave and I have played it for weeks.  If anything I have moved to Temple Run more and more because the Disney version has made it easier for me to play.  But I still come back because I enjoy the archery element.  I highly recommend you download Temple Run: Brave for your iPad or iPod. 

Goofy Gadgets - Thor: Son of Asgard

I love The Avengers!

This summer I saw the movie three times, including twice in the first 24 hours. 

There have been a number of iTunes applications that have been released to promote and support the movie.  But to date I have not downloaded any of them because I generally do not pay for Apps (I am the only one in the Between Family with this philosophy).

Recently Marvel made one of those Avengers applications free for download for a limited time.  The application is designed for iPad and iPod devices.  Thor: Son of Asgard is typically, and will likely be again soon, sold for $2.99.  But with a window of time in which it is free I grabbed it.

In Thor: Son of Asgard, Thor’s brother and the main villain from Thor and The Avengers is again up to no good!  He has attacked and invaded Thor’s home of Asgard and Thor must overthrow his brother and his allies to reclaim his home.

The game play is a fighting adventure where Thor uses his hammer to defeat Ice Giants, Elves and more.  Thor walks (or runs) through levels fighting opponents.  The game provides hints on how to defeat new opponents and how to launch new moves.  But mostly it’s a lot of Thor Smash, to steal another hero’s line.

Screenshot from Thor: Son of Asgard

I usually don’t play games like this.  I found that I could get through the first three levels in around six to seven minutes a piece.  I did get defeated in the fourth level the first time I played it, mostly because I was distracted.

Visually the game has the right look and feel, it feels like a comic book game.  Each segment generally is introduced by a short video.  The scenes show wide-open landscapes, but the game will stop Thor from walking in some areas to keep you from wandering away from the game play.

Overall, I probably would not have downloaded this without it being free at the time I purchased it.  I am anticipating that I will more game play out of it that I did Fix-It Felix Jr. primarily because the scene does change.  But I personally do not tend to play games for the long-term so I anticipate that I will play it off and on for a few weeks but eventually replace it with something else, hopefully another free Avengers app!  And honestly it is The Avengers link that grabbed me as I await its home video release.   

Goofy Gadgets - Disneyland Explorer for iPad



Screenshot from Disneyland Explorer

 The Between Family is constantly looking for ways to have Disney fun in Betweenland.  The youngest Between Kid has become a big fan of the free application Disneyland Explorer for iPad. 

“Disneyland Explorer for iPad” allows one to slide through a virtual tour of The Disneyland Resort including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, the Downtown Disney District, and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort.  The screen is filled with images from these locations and one truly just slides the image to navigate to another land, attraction or region within the resort.  Then by clicking on the images one can dig deeper into the attractions of the resort.  For example clicking on Monstro the Whale will allow you to pull up a more detailed picture of the Storybook Land Canal Boats.  But it’s the games that are a real hit.  Favorites include:

·         The Matterhorn: Play hide and seek with the Yeti.

·         Pirates of the Caribbean: Shoot at and sink pirate ships.

·         The Haunted Mansion: Play the organ.

·         Splash Mountain: Use a water cannon to fight off bees.

·         Star Tours – The Adventure Continues:  Visit alien worlds.

·         Fireworks at Disneyland Park: Create your own fireworks show.

·         Soarin’ Over California: Tour California landmarks.

All of the games are pretty simple with easy navigation and objectives.  For an adult they may be too simple.  But for a young child the navigation and goals are easily within their reach.  In many ways the younger you are, the more fun this free, yes free, application is.  It will help the entire family recapture their Disney memories or prepare for a Disneyland vacation.  If you love Disney and have an iPad in the house it is very worth your time to download Disneyland Explorer for iPad. 

Goofy Gadgets - Fix-It Felix Jr.

If there is one trailer that the Between Kids cannot stop watching it is Wreck-It Ralph.  The trailer shows a very Disney like storyline, the discovery of self, in a very un-princess world.

Ralph may be a bad guy, as they say, but he does not appear to be a bad guy!  The Between Kids take notice every time this trailer pops up and was their favorite of the pre-Brave trailers.  So the enthusiasm is there with key audience demographics.  And they love seeing images of characters from worlds like Super-Mario and gobble up news about appearances by characters like Sonic the Hedgehog.  For me I am looking forward to finding out how Disney will handle a large number of non-Disney characters.

So enthusiasm is high, but that momentum can be lost!  I was more excited for Brave a year before I saw the movie than I was the day I saw it.  I do not know if it was the marketing campaign, my own desire to stay away from spoilers or John Carter fatigue (I have spent so much time defending it), but I was finding myself unexcited about Brave as I entered the theater. 

Maybe Disney has become wise to the fact they need to keep those likely to see their films excited about them in the long months before the release and are looking to new ways to keep that enthusiasm stoked.  One way they are attempting to keep us excited for Wreck-It Ralph is a new app for iOS devices like iPods and iPads called Fix-It Felix Jr. which ties directly into the November movie putting the characters of Ralph and Felix directly into the hands of the future audience.

The game itself uses images we see in the trailer.  Ralph climbs to the top of the screen which has a background that appears to be an apartment building.  He then begins to wreck the building by dropping bricks.  You control Fix-It Felix Jr. as he scurries around the screen fixing the broken windows, doors and shutters on the building.  After everything is fixed Ralph climbs higher and you begin again.  There are obstacles to slow Felix such as ducks, the falling bricks and partitions which limit Felix’s movement.  These obstacles are added as levels increase. Additionally players can pick-up items like additional life or time. 



Scene from Fix-It Felix Jr.



First, I really like the idea of marketing the movie by offering a game, and a free game at that.  I think the idea is brilliant.  Second, when I initially played I enjoyed the game and made it to level 4 after a few plays.  Third, the Between Tween really enjoyed playing and wanted to beat my high score.  Finally it really does have the 8 bit feel of Donkey Kong or Mousetrap from my childhood and I love the trip back into memory lane.

But with all that said I do question the replay value, as it seems to repeat the same goal over and over again.  Fix-It Felix Jr. is no Where’s My Water ? with its growing number of levels and variety.  And I never saw from the trailer the residents of the building throwing Ralph over.  I’m sorry Wreck-It Ralph but I really wanted to see you thrown off the roof. 

If you want a piece of Wreck-It Ralph now, Fix-It Felix Jr. may satisfy your craving temporarily.  The game may not hold you until November, but with a cost of free you can’t go wrong enjoying at the least a few game play sessions.          

Goofy Gadgets - Epic Mickey 2 Announced

Earlier this week Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two was announced for an October release date.  Here is the game trailer:

What are your thoughts?

I got the original as a gift two Christmas' ago complete with the paintbrush nunchuk.  I enjoy the original and my kids love watching the gameplay, but I seem to lack the time to commit to finishing it.  I would rather play multiplayer games that the Between Kids can enjoy too.   Epic Mickey is the platform that introduced the Between Kids to Oswald.  But the game play itself is above the youngest abilities.  So Kinect Disneyland Adventures has become our default game. 

But I am excited to see that unlike Epic Mickey the sequel will be released on multiple platforms, and not just the Wii.  And the first question that I got from the kids was, can we play Oswald?  And the answer is yes, yes you can.  And the sequel has allows for two players, the brothers of Mickey and Oswald together for the first time.

Are you excited for this next adventure in the Wasteland?

Goofy Gadgets - Disneyland Adventures

The Between Family may be a little late to the party, but recently we have picked up a copy of Kinect Disneyland Adventures.  And it has led the family to a whole new level of Dreaming Disney as we have experienced a little piece of Disneyland right in our living room.  You can get a full review of the game elsewhere including walk throughs and technical specifications.  Instead I plan to provide you our observations about using the game to connect to the Disney Parks experience.

Take a walk in the park! 

·        You really are navigating through Disneyland.  And the Between Kids love walking    around and trying to go from point A to point B.  They could use the map to jump right to the mini games they want, but they are more satisfied when their character walks there on their own. 

·        The graphics and soundtrack make you feel like you are really at Disneyland from your living room.  The background music is Disneyland background music.  The buildings are Disneyland show buildings.  Kinect Disneyland Adventure is likely the best virtual representation of the Disneyland Park that a family can have in their living room. 

·        The Between Kids love interacting with the park and hugging characters and gathering autographs though we are nowhere near Disneyland. 

Bring on the mini games! 

·         Players do not ride the Disneyland rides per say, but instead plays mini games that have links to the ride.  So on the Matterhorn you ski with Goofy and have a snowball fight with the Yeti.  On Pirates of the Caribbean you battle alligators and seek treasure.  And in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, you experience a completely random set of scenes, sorry that’s the ride.  I mean you float on a balloon gathering coins and honey pots.  Though not the rides themselves they are in the spirit of the rides.

·         The Between Family are not big gamers. But overall these games are easy to play and even the youngest Between Kid can navigate through the games and control the action on the screen.

Move It, Move It!

·         During the winter I worry that the active Between Kids don’t have enough opportunity to work off their excess energy.  And I do not like them sitting stationary in front of a television if we can avoid it.  Instead with this game they are moving moving moving.  They have to reach, grasp, jump, shuffle and move to make the mini games work, making happy Between Parents. 

Not all animation is created equal.

·         Some of the animation in the setup scenes and mini games is really terrific.  Which makes it clear when animated scenes are not, well, that good.  For example the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh scenes just does not compare to well to others.

In or Out?

·         The Between Family is not skilled with the Kinect yet.  So we find it relatively easy to be dropped in and out of the game by the X-Box.  Now one advantage this gives is easy handoffs so members of the family can easily take turns without the game having to be turned off.  But it also means sometimes it is easy to accidently drop yourself out of the game because you did not move enough or stood in the wrong place without knowing it, even if you are an adult.

·         The game assigns players an avatar.  With dropping in and out occurring sometimes it is difficult to realize which avatar you are.  Am I the girl right now?  Am I wearing a hat?  It can get a little confusing.

Oui my back!

·         I have a history of back issues.  Strangely enough I have never had back issues when visiting a Disney Park, I have felt very lucky about this.  Kinect Disneyland Adventures is the first game I ever played with Kinect.  And I strained my back, my first Disney related back issue.  I was trying to walk through the park instead of pointing my character through the park.  This lead to what could only be called a “silly walk.”  So I would suggest game players if it feels weird, you may be doing it wrong!

Despite any negative points here, The Between Family love this game.  It is the perfect game for Disney fans connecting you in an active way to the Disneyland Park in your living room.  It is a whole bunch of awesome.  Every member of the family enjoys playing!  It has brought one of our favorite places virtually into our home and in a way where we can interact with it.