LEGO Universe Ninjago: Crux Prime Zone Coming Soon

If you remember, I posted about the new LEGO Universe game a couple of months ago. I had mentioned that I was going to be reviewing it, but unfortunately my computer crashed not too long after installing the game and I was not able to complete a fair review. My son did get to try it out some, and the little that he did play was enough for him to say it was one of his favorite games so you should definitely look into it if your kids enjoy online gaming.

I am hoping we will get another chance to try the game out once we get a new computer, but for now I'm left with watching trailers and news releases. I'm posting today to let you all know that LEGO Universe players can now look forward to a huge content update coming soon as detailed in the Press Release below:

- New line spins three play patterns - construction, social competition and virtual gaming - into one original property to engage children's imaginations -

ENFIELD, Conn., Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LEGO Systems, Inc. today announced Ninjago, its newest original property that combines the best of LEGO® construction play, action-based competitive play and virtual gaming, all centered on an incredibly rich story inspired by martial arts lore, written by Hollywood heavyweights, Dan and Kevin Hageman.

Ninjago is the first LEGO property to deliver a story-driven universe where traditional LEGO building sets are a backdrop for an innovative buildable spinner that puts LEGO minifigures at the center of a new social competitive game concept that reinforces character and story while also engaging children who are more drawn to social action play than to construction. Virtual gaming at http:ninjago.com, in a new content zone of LEGO Universe, and through a Nintendo DS game furthers engagement and unlocks information and skills that further the physical play.

"Ninjago merges three distinct play patterns into one integrated experience that seamlessly blends physical and virtual play to reinforce character, story, competition and engagement for children," said Soren Torp Laursen, president, LEGO Systems. "We're very excited to put a new spin on LEGO play by opening a new world of creativity that caters perfectly to what today's children expect from their play experiences."

Story
Ninjago tells the story of four young ninja who train under the watchful eye of Sensei Wu to master an ancient martial art – Spinjitzu – to save the world from the evil Lord Garmadon and his skeleton army. Spinjitzu masters are expert spinners – harnessing the power and momentum of spinning to overcome any obstacle.

To launch the story and enhance the building and spinning experience, Cartoon Network will air Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, a one-hour animated special that introduces the characters and conflicts of the Ninjago universe on Friday, January 14 at 6:00 pm EST.

Competitive play
Children can build on their spinners, add their minifigures, use the trading cards to influence the outcome of the battle and choose their battle accessories before starting each Spinjitzu match. Six collectible spinners are available now, with 10 more slated across launches in April and August. Each includes a spinner base, minifigure, accessories and a set of strategy cards for $9.99.
Construction play

Seven richly detailed building sets, centered on the storied locations of the Ninjago legend, are available now, ranging in price from $4.99 to $69.99. Four more play sets launch in August, ranging from $19.99 to $119.99.

Gaming
LEGO Universe, the company's massively-multiplayer online game, will offer more ways to engage in the Ninjago legend by unlocking a new adventure zone, Crux Prime – the largest zone ever discovered in-game. The new zone is filled with fresh challenges and an original Ninjago storyline that will continue to unfold throughout the year and beyond so that LEGO Universe players can enjoy the fun of Spinjitzu masters online.

LEGO Universe players will discover over 100 new missions and achievements within the vast Crux Prime zone, as well as over 100 new pieces of gear, decals and weapons to collect and share with friends in-game.

For more information, visit http://ninjago.com

Quoted from original source

Holiday Gift Guide Review - inviZimals for PSP

I was sent a copy of inviZimals to review for another site that I write for and wanted to share it with my readers! inviZimals includes a pretty neat little camera to attach to the top of your PSP and my son liked this game very much. The camera can also be used for photos and even video with audio so comes in handy for more than just the game.

If you are looking for a gift for your little gamer for the Holidays, inviZimals would be a great choice!

If you would like, please read my full review here

LEGO® Universe

Working on a review for LEGO® Universe which was just released today, only one of the kids have tried it out so far and he loves it! Will let you guys know when my review is up as I will be posting it for another site I am writing for - Gaming Unwrapped.

From the Press Release:

LEGO® Universe is now officially open for business, full of brick-building, endless innovation and family-friendly fun! The LEGO Group, in partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for mass retail distribution, today announced the official U.S. launch of LEGO Universe, the first massively-multiplayer online game (MMOG) based on the LEGO play experience. Available for PC and Mac, LEGO Universe is now available at stores nationwide and online in addition to LEGO sales channels.

LEGO Universe is bursting with energy, as LEGO worlds past, present and future come together in an ever-expanding, interactive environment. Fans and families worldwide can team up online with thousands of other players, join the brave Nexus Force alliance, and employ creativity to battle the Maelstrom. Answer the call to save Imagination in LEGO Universe now!

“The LEGO Group has been looking forward to this moment for nearly ten years, and could not be more excited to invite the world to experience LEGO Universe for the first time,” said Mark William Hansen,LEGO Universe Senior Director, the LEGO Group. “NetDevil has been a wonderful partner and helped develop our vision to introduce an entirely new dimension of the LEGO play experience.”

LEGO Universe offers nearly three thousand options to personalize your Minifigure, two thousand different LEGO bricks in any color you like, nine mini-games to master, six sprawling worlds to explore, four personal property areas to claim and customize… and the game is growing every day! In LEGO Universe, you can build anything you can dream up and literally bring it to life.

LEGO Universe is a living, breathing world that’s only just begun – the LEGO Group and NetDevil are already working on new worlds, missions, characters, competitions, bricks, models, features and fun to come over the next several months, years and beyond. Monthly game updates, additions and expansions are all included with regular subscription fee, so go ahead, get in game, and get ready to watch the LEGO Universegrow!

• About LEGO Universe

  Published by the LEGO Group, developed by NetDevil, and distributed in mass retail by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, LEGO Universe invites players to flex their imaginations with the iconic LEGO brick in a new digital way. With an MSRP of $39.99 (plus monthly subscription) and ESRB rating of E10+, children and families can enjoy exploring the Universe together on PC or Mac. LEGO Universe employs a powerful mix of technology, people, process and community to provide the most creative and safe environment possible. Players can pick up their copy now in retail stores or online, as well as at LEGO.com, LEGOLAND theme parks and LEGO Stores worldwide.

  To learn more about LEGO Universe, please visit www.LEGOuniverse.com.

Wishlist item: PlayStation®MOVE

This post brought to you by PlayStation(R) Move. All opinions are 100% mine.

I've mentioned before that we are a family of gamers, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that we have a PlayStation®3 in our house, when we don't even have a vacuum. I desperately want a vacuum, but when spending is limited, priorities right? Ok, so our priorities might be a little astray but I couldn't help but jump up and scream GIMMIE! when I saw the new PlayStation(R)MOVE.

Every time I go online with the PS3 the adorable little critter from EyePet stares back at me, taunting me to let him into my home. Where is my gift bearing genie when I need it? I think I can say with confidence that even my boys, whose game of choice at the moment is Modern Warfare, would have fun with this one. If not, the PlayStation®MOVE even works with a few games that we already have, like Resident Evil Gold.

Instead of family game night meaning that we sit around the table arguing over board game, we could gather in the living room and fight over who gets to hold the PlayStation® MOVE motion controller instead. Yes, true story. Family game night usually isn't full of the happiness and laughter that you would expect. With 3 kids, there is at least one of them complaining that they don't like the chosen game but at least we are doing something together, right?

I think the game that I want to try the most after EyePet is The Sly Collection. I have never played it before, but it looks like just the kind of game that I like! And my next choice? Little Big Planet 2! I am actually working my way through that one right now on my PSP, when my daughter isn't playing it that is.

So little genie, are you reading my plea? My birthday is coming up and the PlayStation®MOVE is right near the top of my wish list right now, second only to a vacuum because I'm sure my Mom is getting sick of me borrowing hers! You can bring motion gaming exclusively to your existing PlayStation®3 for only $99 with the MOVE bundle package, I suppose maybe the vacuum can wait... or maybe a genie will leave a gift at the door for me!

{Cool for School} The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks

Do your kids play video games? I'll admit, my kids are video game junkies. Gasp! Yes, I admitted it. Maybe the fact that my husband and I both grew up, and continue to be junkies ourselves plays into it. My boys started playing on the computer when they were around 3 years old! My daughter didn't seem to have an interest as early as they did, but she is playing more games now that she is starting to understand how to play.

My boys were excited when I first told them they were going to get to try out The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks. I had never heard of it before - but apparently they had! The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks is a massive online virtual world for kids aged 7-14. It promises an experience in which players will be able to travel to places around the world, through time and space, meet famous historical people, play dozens of fun enriching games, make new friends, buy exotic islands, build culture-inspired houses, wear clothes from different countries, explore secret locations, solve mysteries and become a legendary traveler!

Parents can look forward to an educational and safe site for their kids where they will be learning about history, geography, landmarks, famous people, inventions, animals and more. In order to protect children from bad influences, The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks Virtual World has developed a set of unique safety features. Telephone numbers and addresses are filtered out, URL's are disallowed, vulgarities are censored, and there is no private messaging. Parents are also able to request their children's chat logs as far back as 90 days and monitor their playing habits in the admin panel.

Wiglington and Wenks was nominated as one of the top 5 virtual worlds for kids by the readers of About.com and is built with excellent artwork and an original storyline featuring historical characters like Beethoven, Einstein, Edison, Wright Brothers, Abraham Lincoln and more. Players are given the task of looking for items related to these characters so that they can recover their memories.

That all sounds fantastic to me, unfortunately my boys didn't think so. My 10 year old played for a short time and quickly got bored and frustrated with the history questions which he did not know the answers to. My 9 year old, after only watching my other son playing refused to even try the game. My daughter was very interested, but since she is only 5 the games were too hard for her to understand as well. I was sure my boys would like the game after I checked it out myself but the main problem in my opinion is that my boys are used to playing adult games - fighting, shooting, racing etc. If you don't allow your children to play those types of games, they will likely enjoy Wiglington and Wenks much more than my children did.

Wiglington and Wenks is free to play, but upgrading to a premium membership will give your children access to special features, items, and areas that are not available with the standard membership.

Win it!

Five lucky readers will win a 1 month premium membership!

How To Enter

Take a peek around Wiglington and Wenks Virtual World and tell me why you think your child would enjoy this game

BONUS ENTRIES !

These entries are optional , and worth 1 extra entry each unless otherwise specified !

Lots of extra chances to help you WIN ! Please make a separate comment for each entry ~ If you enter all in one comment it will only count as ONE entry ! Please leave your email in your first entry if it is not in your profile.

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~*~5 Winners~*~ #win a 1 month membership to Wiglington and Wenks on Misfit Momma's blog! http://dld.bz/rz4t The #giveaway Ends Sept 1st!

This Giveaway is open to Anyone who can register an account and will end on September 1st at 11:59pm Central time. The winner will be notified by email asap and will be posted on my blog once they have confirmed! Please reply to my email within 48 hours or I will pick a new winner!