by Lori Cunningham

Talk about a fun trade show, E3 is the place to be!  E3 stands for Electronic Entertainment Expo and claims to be “the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games and related products.”  I felt as if I were walking in a fantasy world as I meandered through the aisles of the Los Angeles Convention Center.  Characters came alive from famous and not so famous video games.  I saw provocatively clad women in warrior outfits, super charged racing cars, and even Hulk Hogan!

I had only one day to spend, so I did my best to make the most of it.  Although there was all sorts of excitement surrounding the newest version of Call of Duty, Halo, Mass Effect, and Madden NFL versions, I focused on family and fitness games.  I can tell you that there are a lot of fun exciting games coming out this Fall and right before Christmas!  It is amazing to see how games are taking advantage of the great motion sensoring that the Wii, XBOX Kinect, and PlayStation Move utilize.

New Nintendo Wii U Console

Before I tell you my faves from E3, I should mention that there was an interesting press meeting from Nintendo debuting the new Wii console and controller, the Wii U.  Yes, you read it right, a new console.  It’s power comes to play with the  included 6.2 inch touchscreen controller where you can see and utilize extra information and controls to play the game on the TV.  In addition, if someone wants to watch TV, the person playing can transfer the game to their Wii U controller to continue right where they left off.  The Wii U is backwards compatible with previous games, though I’m sure you wouldn’t get any added features on the Wii U remote.

Here is the official Wii U trailer.  This other video gives you an idea how you will interact with the new Wii U controller and how it gives you more options than just viewing the game on the TV screen.

Now, on to my fave games from E3…..

Cyberbike – Wii

The Cyberbike caught my eye as I was exploring the press meeting room area behind closed doors at E3.   The Cyberbike is a stationary bike with built-in Wii controllers in the handlebars.  It comes packed with  the Cyberbike Cycling Sports game.  This looks like a lot of fun.  It has two main game modes:

1. Story – you pedal and control a bike, submarine, wagon, and helicopter through 18 circuits.  It has a green theme where you help get rid of pollution while cycling on your way.
2. Fitness –  you can set personal goals geared towards distance, time, or calorie burning.  Up to 4 people can take turns getting fit together.

Disneyland Adventures – XBOX Kinect

Want to bring the happiest place on earth right into your family room?  Now you can with Disneyland Adventures game.  Players can actually stroll through Disneyland, interacting with its various attractions and characters including Mickey Mouse himself.  Give Micky a high five or a hug to Cinderella.  Love all the princesses and Disney characters?  Now you can get their autographs as well!  You can even help Peter Pan battle Captain Hook!  Can’t get enough of the parades?  Pull your your front row seat every day!

From what I can tell, the rides aren’t exactly the same, in fact, they incorporate different adventures than the original rides.  This makes for an added element of play to make the ride more interactive and fun.  Here’s a fun quick video that gives you an idea of the game:

Disneyland Adventures for Kinect will debut in mid-November, just in time for Christmas.  No price listed yet.

Zumba Fitness 2 – Wii

Masjesco Entertainment is coming out with Zumba 2, just in time for Christmas.  It promises to be even more dynamic and entertaining than the popular Zumba 1.  If you’re a Zumba fan, the game’s producer, Lisa Roth, promises this is a must-have game.  Zumba has some pretty well known instructors and they are recreated into 3D avatars which really embody the personalities of these instructors.  In fact, the instructors were filmed with sensors so their movements could be tracked and made fluid in the video game.

Zumba 2 includes a true calorie counter and offers over 20 dance styles including Pop, belly dance, Hollywood moves, Merengue, and other fun Latin dances.  Players can even create their own classes.  Up to four players can dance at once, making it a true fitness dance party.  This game will surely liven up your next gathering and help your guests melt away the pounds from the fantastic dinner you just served them!

OK, so I’ll admit, I’ve never tried a Zumba class.  People who have LOVE it and some go way out of their way just to get to a class.  I would really like to try Zumba, but I already pay for a fitness boot camp.  So it looks like  Zumba Fitness 2 is the way to go for me.  I’m sure I’ll be trying it out later this year.  No price has been announced yet.  Majesco Entertainment will be announcing Zumba Fitness 2 for another platform in early 2012.

Sesame Street:  Once Upon a Monster  XBOX Kinect

Now you and your child can become a part of a story!  Sesame Street’s Once Upon a Monster game for the XBOX game promises to be a fun adventure where you become a lovable Sesame Street character and befriend characters from the story, learn key life skills, and solve problems along the way.

The game encourages activity and interactivity as you dance, jump, and fly through the storybook.  Once Upon a Monster is based upon the social and emotional curriculum created by the Sesame Workshop, so there is a definite learning element to the game.  Kids will learn about making friends, teamwork, and identifying emotions.

Any time a kids can step into their favorite character’s “shoes” and interact, that’s a winner in my book.  From the trailer, this game looks very entertaining and the perfect game to play with your children.  Even my eight year old daughter would delight in this game.  Check out the trailer:

Once Upon a Monster is set to release in the Fall, 2011.  No price has been detailed yet.

Take Shape XBOX Kinect

Take Shape is an unique game where a number of shapes fall down from the top of the screen and you need to “pop” the shapes by quickly moving your body to mimic one of the shapes on the screen.  The shapes are generally non-recognizable geometric shapes.  You score points for each shape you contort to correctly, and with proper timing.  It looks like a fun amusing game, one that kids would really enjoy.

However, in my adult opinion, the real fun begins when you play the Co-op mode.  Now, two people work together to form shapes.  Two male employees from Majesco Entertainment dove right into the game to show me how this works.  They had to work together to form a pig, duck, and other recognizable shapes.  One would form half the body and the duck’s bill while the other player formed the back half of the body and tail feathers.  The result was hilarious — watching these grown, competitive men form into one shape after another.  Let me tell you, their performance was pretty amusing.  Kinect games are known for taking pictures of the players during various actions during the game.  Watching the captured shots of these two guys was a hoot!

Kids with kids, adults with kids, and adults with adults will have a lot of fun playing this game.  I definitely see Take Shape as a unique party game to get everyone involved.  Take Shape is the new Twister of the 200o’s!  Take Shape will be released later this year, no price is available yet.

A Mom’s Perspective

Wow, I am amazed at how far video games have progressed.  They are becoming more realistic, more personalized,

and more fun than ever before.  When I think back to the countless hours I played Atari games as a kid, and how boxy the characters were back then, I don’t think I could have fathomed what would be available for my kids today.

I spent a bit of time with Sony Online at the show too.  They introduced me to their online world and the games they have available for families/kids through their console the Sony Play Station.  If you’re not already aware of the numerous games available to kids online, you’re in for a world of surprise.  Kids can play fun exploration games like n Sony’s new Akimi Village or Free Realms that allow them to explore, help others, and go on fun adventures.  They can even play alongside their friends playing from their own family rooms.

Innovation continues to exceed expectations in the video game industry.  The TV has become the new game board of this generation.  Video games are a great way to connect with and have fun with our technology advanced kids.  In addition, video games are helping you…and your kids…to get off the couch, as I found that out when I reviewed Country Dance for the Wii.  Stay tuned for more video game reviews closer to Christmas time.  Be sure to see our post,  E3 Video Game Trade Show in Pictures for more fun from the show.

What’s your favorite family video game?