Pokemon GO! OMG!

Holy SMOKES!

Before I say anything, watch this trailer:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! 

Ok, ok, calm down...let me post this without losing my mind.

Pokemon Go allows players to find, trade, and start battles with Pokémons in the real world (With their phones via augmented reality), all at no cost.

FREE! OMG!

John Hanke, one of the game's producers, said of the game, "For the first time, Pokémon will roam free in the world. "Pokémon GO" will allow players to capture Pokémon who inhabit parks, shopping areas, sidewalks and the countryside all around the world."

Hanke has mentioned some popular Pokémons when he talked about the game, including Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Pikachu.

While there is not much known about the game and some are still confused at how the game works or what the Pokémon company, Nintendo Co., and Niantic Inc. are planning, many are excited over the "Pokémon GO Plus," the wearable that goes with the game.

The game functions without the wearable, but the device is said to further increase the fun and enjoyment with the augmented reality game. The device is expected to allow players to play the game without the need to look at their phones, encouraging the players not only to depend on their phones and the game but also to have a taste of what the real world has to offer.

Don't worry - Micah and I will be posting a video about this soon enough, so you guys know everything you need to know about this game. Right now, it's release date is sometime in 2016. 

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! So excited!

MnM Gaming: Shortii - News Break!

Join Mike "Burgandy," Micah "FanDana" and Noah "Bluetton" as they bring you some breaking news from the video game industry! The crew is joined by a very special guest who has a video game coming out later this summer and was very kind to take time out of his busy crime-fighting schedule. 

Topics covered include: Amiibos, Batman: Arkham Knight, Final Fantasy, Fable Legends, World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Free games with Games with Gold on Xbox for March.

The Third Rare Pokemon Code has Been Revealed!

In a post that we had on here last month, we announced three rare Pokemon that players could download onto their copies of Pokemon: Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire! Two of those Poke's were revealed as Emboar and Serperior, check their codes out here, while we assumed that the third would be Samurott (it was teased to be announced sometime in February).

Well, guess what!? It is February and Nintendo stayed true to their word. Samurott is available to join your Pokemon army by following these instructions:

• Go into the game, and select 'Mystery Gift' from the main menu
• Enter the code: POKEMON503
• Level 50 water type, with the ability 'Shell Armor,' and the moves Razer Shell, Hold Back, Confide, and Hydro Pump

Go check him out and reunite Sammy with his other two original Pokemon: Black and White buddies!

What Game to Review Next?

Did you enjoy our first episode? We loved putting it together for you! We are interested in what game you may be interested in us reviewing next? We have a poll on the right side of this website (not viewable on the mobile version), where you can vote on a few games listed there. Episode 2 will include a review of Super Smash Bros., so we are looking at the topic to review in Episode 3. Remember, we are trying to keep this family oriented, so nothing over the ESRB rating of Teen. Check it out, vote on the poll or write us a comment with some ideas.

What game should we review next? Here's some suggestions:

Pokemon: Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire

"Two 2014 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. They are part of the sixth generation of the Pokémon series, serving as enhanced remakes of the 2002 Game Boy Advance titles Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.  The games were announced on May 7, 2014, in a teaser trailer released by Nintendo. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were released in Japan, North America, and Australia on November 21, 2014, exactly twelve years after the release date of the original Ruby and Sapphire; the European release was a week later on November 28, 2014."

The newest Pokemon game released on the Nintendo 3DS. I grew up playing these games and now Micah gets to experience the wonderful universe I did...only with about 5 trillion more Pokemon than what I had to worry about.

Minecraft

"Minecraft is a sandbox independent video game originally created by Swedish programmer Markus "Notch" Persson and later developed and published by the Swedish company Mojang. The creative and building aspects of Minecraft allow players to build constructions out of textured cubes in a 3D procedurally generated world. Other activities in the game include exploration, gathering resources, crafting, and combat. Multiple gameplay modes are available, including survival modes where the player must acquire resources to build the world and maintain health, a creative mode where players have unlimited resources to build with and the ability to fly, and an adventure mode where players play custom maps created by other players."

If you haven't heard of Minecraft over the past few years you are truly living underneath some rock...or maybe a square building block made out of rock. Micah, along with most of this friends is obsessed with this game, especially when it was released on Xbox back a couple years ago.

Mario Kart 8

"A 2014 kart racing game and the eighth major installment in the Mario Kart series, developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U video game console. First announced at E3 2013, the game was released worldwide in May 2014.

Like other games in the series, in Mario Kart 8, players control characters from the Mario franchise and participate in kart racing on various race tracks, using items to hinder opponents or gain advantages. While incorporating game mechanics originally featured in earlier Mario Kart games, Mario Kart 8 introduces anti-gravity sections that allow players to drive on walls or ceilings. The game features multiple single-player and multiplayer game modes. The game incorporates Miiverse functionality and online multiplayer supported via Nintendo Network."

A great addition to the Mario Kart franchise. Micah got this game the day it was released and didn't put it down for months. We would love to go back and give our insights on the game, no problem there!

Hearthstone

"A digital collectible card game (CCG) developed by Blizzard Entertainment. It is a free-to-play with unlimited paid booster packs, and limited (by daily cap and randomized objective provision) free acquisition of in-game currency used to obtain booster packs. Announced at the Penny Arcade Expo in March 2013, the game was released on 11 March 2014. Hearthstone is available on Microsoft Windows and OS X systems and on iPad, Android tablet and Windows 8 Touch devices. The iPhone and Android phone platform releases are planned for the beginning of 2015.[1] New content for the game involves the addition of new card sets and gameplay, such as from the Curse of Naxxramas adventure and the Goblins vs. Gnomes expansion pack."

An add-on to the World of Warcraft universe. It's a mix of popular trading card games like Magic the Gathering and the fantasy world of Azeroth. Would be a unique game to take a stab at reviewing.

Disney Infinity 2.0

"An action-adventure sandbox video game developed by Avalanche Software and published by Disney Interactive Studios. The game features additional work by Studio Gobo and Ninja Theory. It is the sequel to and successor of the 2013 video game Disney Infinity and was announced on April 30, 2014. The game was released on September 23, 2014 in North America, September 19, 2014 in the United Kingdom, September 18, 2014 in Australasia and the rest of Europe for iOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.1 Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes will also be released for PlayStation Vita on an unspecified date in 2015."

The new version of the Disney Infinity franchise introduces Marvel Superheros. Much like Skylanders or Amiibos, this game uses physical action-figure toys to play the game. Very cool concept to tackle.
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Or will it be something else?! Let us know, we want to hear from you!

Free Rare Pokemon Available Via Download!

Unlock these original Pokemon in O-Ruby/A-Sapphire!

Do you or your kids play the new Pokemon Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire? Yes? Then you can snag a few rare Pokemon in game that you aren't able to get anywhere else! You may remember these Pokemon from earlier installments of the game, but Nintendo is making them available in Ruby/Sapphire.

What Pokemon are available and how do I get them, you ask? Well, never fear, I have your answer here, from the official Pokemon website!

"The trio of Serperior, Emboar, and Samurott will all be available via codes either on Pokemon.com or in the February Pokémon Trainer Club newsletter. Every one of them will have its Hidden Ability, so you'll definitely want to get all three.

This special distribution event begins with the Grass-type Pokémon Serperior. Visit Pokemon.com to get the code that will unlock the Pokémon today. Then, check back next week for Emboar, whose code will be available on Pokemon.com starting January 29, 2015. Later, be sure to check your email for the February Pokémon Trainer Club newsletter, which will include the code for Samurott. If you don't have a Pokémon Trainer Club account, create one now and sign up to receive the newsletter by January 31, 2015 to make sure you receive the final code. You can use the codes to get your Pokémon any time until November 30, 2015."

Yep, that's right, Serperior, Emboar and Samurott, right at your finger tips! Luckily, we have the codes for you here, so you don't need to hunt around the interwebs for them. Check it:

• Go into the game, and select 'Mystery Gift' from the main menu
• To obtain Emboar enter the code: POKEMON500 
• Level 50 fire/fighting type, with the ability 'Reckless,' and the moves Flare Blitz, Hold Back, Head Smash, and Take Down
• To obtain Serperior enter the code: POKEMON497
• Level 50 grass type, Pokémon with the hidden ability 'Contrary,' and it'll know the moves Leaf storm, Hold Back, Wring Out, and Giga Drain
• The code for Samurott hasn't been released yet, but will be made available in February.

So go, collect them all! Show off these rare Pokemon to your friends!

A Ten-Year-Old's Christmas Wish List

Well, it's that time of year, time for family, friends, good food and every commercial you see on TV to be preceded with "OH MY GOSH! I WANT THIS!" That's right, it's Christmas time.

For any kid, this is the time to load up your list with every toy, video game, bike or piece of candy that you have wanted for the year and hope that Santa Claus brings you anything but coal. This year, Micah has been very conservative with his list, more so than he has in the past. It might be that he is getting older, so the things he wants are more expensive? I dunno. But, regardless, there are several video games that have made his cut. I'm posting this list, not for you to go purchase these gifts for Micah, but to get an idea of what a ten-year-old may be looking for! Let's preview some of them:

NUMBER 1: Disney Infinity 2.0

HULK SMASH!...in Disney Infinity

Having been in love with the Skylanders games over the past few years, this feels like he is graduating high school and going to college. I'm not sure why, really, same concept as Skylanders, but he gets to control some of his favorite comic book heroes...AND several cool Disney characters that him and his sister love. (hello, Baymax anyone?) I think he will feel closer with some of these characters than he did with the first version of Disney Infinity, especially now that Skylanders isn't vying for attention.

Your kids, especially the ones who love super heroes, could start seeing Skylanders in the rear-view mirror, with the availability of playing as some fan favorite Disney and Marvel characters. Next up for Disney Infinity? Didn't they just buy rights to one of the largest franchises in history?...In a Galaxy...Far Far Away....

I hope some of you took advantage of some great black friday sales this weekend if your kiddos wanted this game. Some stores had this starter pack (Game with Ironman, Thor and Black Widow) at $40 (normally $75). Currently, I'm seeing some smaller sales, like $10 off here and there. Finding sales on some figures on the other hand is the tricky part. The game is available on all major gaming systems.

NUMBER 2: Pokemon: Omega Red/Alpha Sapphire

ROAAAAAR!

Is it just Micah, or does Pokemon seem to really be picking up steam again? It seems like recently he has been in the "gotta catch 'em all" phase...more so than usual. I'm talking like...playing Pokemon Y nonstop, asking to play Pokemon cards, watching the TV show...Pikachu this, Charizard that. Honestly, I'M LOVING IT! Cause I hit this phase about the same age as him, so I understand it. The excitement of catching all those critters can dominate your life! But, don't worry buddy, I'm here for you.

This one is on the handheld system, as most of the Pokemon titles have been, the Nintendo 3DS. This just came out in November so I didn't see many black friday sales on this, however, Toys R Us has a good deal going on where you can buy this and another 3DS game and get a $25 gift card. Other than that, pretty standard - $40-45. I can see why Micah wants this awesomeness!

NUMBER 3: World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor

For the Horde...and Alliance...just not Garrosh!!

This one is kinda my fault. I let Micah play WoW earlier this year for the first time, then we kind of fell off of it. Now, I've shown interest in the new expansion, Warlords of Draenor, and he is thrilled out of his mind. This game isn't for the little kiddos, but I definitely think 10+ is appropriate, especially with some parental settings on their account. The only draw back to playing WoW is the monthly payments, and the fact that we would have to re-buy the game for Micah to have his own account, so we could play together. But, if he gets this, I could see him making the investment worth it.

This expansion allows your characters to reach level 100 and to help with new people starting to play it, they give you a free character boost to level 90. The early levels are where Micah will find his best moments, because things get harder and more team-based at higher levels. This game is only available on the PC and so far I haven't seen any discounts on the expansion. However, you can get the original game and the first four expansions for only $20. You can also create a free-account, however it only allows you to play to level 20.

NUMBER 4: Super Smash Bros. 

Let the Button Mashing Begin!

The tradition of smashing buttons randomly to beat the crud out of Two-Dad is here! Smash Bros. for the Wii U is the newest in the franchise that allows you to play as your favorite Nintendo characters and fight it out! As methodically as I play fighting games, it is really pointless when playing Micah...he literally beats me all the time by just mashing any button combination he can muster. Regardless, it is super fun and he has a blast. This version is a bit different than previous iterations though.

Amiibos coming to Wii U!

Super Smash for the Wii U allows you to use a new technology, similar to Skylanders or Disney Infinity, called Amiibos. These are little action figures that you can store information on. I will have a whole article on Amiibos soon, but they aren't necessary to play Smash...they are a REALLY cool accessory though.

Much like the other games on this list, this game just came out so there weren't many sales during Black Friday. Same goes with the Amiibos.


That's it for this post! Keep in mind, there are several other kid-friendly games that could be on a holiday list. These are just games that Micah has shown the most interest in. I will post up some other ideas soon, but for now, this is what goes on in the mind of a ten-year-old during Christmas prepping.

- Mike
(I don't own the images used in this post, used my friend Google Images to retrieve them)