“Here We Go” New Super Mario Wii – Best of 2009

“VIDEOGAME OF THE WEEK”

The game: New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Format: Nintendo Wii.

Estimated price, manufacturer: $59, Nintendo.

Category: Action, Platform.

Players: One-Four.

Recommended ages: “E” for everyone; age 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.

How the game works: New Super Mario Bros Wii is the latest and greatest 2D Super Mario Bros game, that now features 4-player co-op for the entire adventure! It’s about time Nintendo! The game brings the mean Koopalings and Bowser Jr together as Mario’s antagonists for the first time; journey through nine worlds dodging/defeating enemies, clearing fortresses and castles and collecting star coins to rescue, you know how again - Princess Peach from Bowser.

Mario, Luigi and two Toads are all playable characters, while many others from the Mushroom Kingdom make appearances throughout the game. Players can even ride different Yoshi characters (in green and yes even pink) and use their tongues to swallow enemies – or their fellow players. No not to eat them, but save them from danger.

In other areas, players use the motion abilities of the Wii Remote controller. The first player to reach a seesaw might make it tilt to help his or her character reach a higher platform – and then tilt it incorrectly just to mess with other players. New items include the propeller suit, which will shoot players high into the sky with just a shake of the Wii Remote and Mario’s new ability to transform into Penguin Mario.

The combination of cooperation and competition lets you pick each other up to save them from danger or toss them into it. At the end of each stage during the simultaneous multiplayer mode, players are ranked based on their score, the coins collected and the number of enemies defeated.

Good points, bad points: My daughter who tested with me loves the game because as she says, “the game combines the classic Mario gameplay with the new look on the Wii. But it looks easy, but the game has a lot of hidden tricks and features that never get old. The simultaneous multiplayer feature lets up to three friends join in on the fun in the same level, Cool huh! And who doesn’t love the classic sounds and music” We both agree, best Mario game ever.

The Verdict: As Mario would say “Here We Go,” the plump plumber is game king again.

NOTE: The Original “Video Game of the Week” Column ran from 1987-1999 (The Miami Herlad/Knight Wire; 1999-2009, various media. It’s now a featured (I was the creator of the column and at the time the only one of its kind in newspaper print and wire).

Sharper Gifts, no matter the Season

Christmas is over but gift giving is year round. New Year’s is right around the corner, and we can’t forget a popular holiday, January 6th, The Feast of the Three Kings (el dia de los Reys Magos) also known as the Epiphany which takes place every year on January 6th. Children of Latin famlies here in the United States, Cuba, Puerto Rico and around Latin America traditionally, believe that this day is very important.

The story goes on the feast of the Epiphany, the Three kings visited the newly born Christ Child in Bethlehem bearing him gifts. This tradition is repeated and reflected in present day with the belief that on this eve the 3 Kings will visit every good child to deliver them gifts.

In other words it’s also good for the post-Christmas shopping retail crash.

Hope you enjoy these fun gift ideas. Happy New Year!

The Sharper Image: (All items available at sharperimage.com)
Super Juicer
The Super Juicer has a super powerful yet quiet 700-watt motor. The stainless steel Super Juicer is easy to rinse and is dishwasher safe. The wide mouth opening accommodates whole fruits while the stainless steel blades and micro filter ensure ultra clear juice. The dual position spout locks into place allowing for easy pouring and clean up. $80

Stick Blender
The Stick Blender is the ultimate, multitasking kitchen tool. It has a heavy-duty 2-speed motor and comes with a 3 cup mixing/measuring cup, blender and wisk. The chopper/grinder attachments turn the blender into a mini food processor. It has a 7 inch immersion depth and blade guards to protect and eliminate messes. $60

Electronic Wine Chiller
The electronic wine chiller enhances enjoyment of all varieties of wine. The attractive, brushed stainless steel device contains an electronic thermostat which brings wine to the optimal serving temperature. Just enter in the type of wine and the chiller quickly brings the bottle to the ideal temperature for enjoying that grape. Get the single for the single varietal lover and the dual for the wine enthusiast who can’t choose just one! single$90, dual $130

Motorized Wine Opener
The Motorized Wine Opener effortlessly removes both natural and synthetic cork with a simple one-touch operation! The ergonomically designed opener has an attractive, brushed metal finish with a rubberized comfort grip. It also comes with a built in foil cutter making opening a bottle a breeze. You’ll never have to struggle with another wine bottle with this fully rechargeable opener. $40

iHome Audio: (All items are available at ihomeaudio.com)

iP1 Speaker System for your iPod/iPhone: (Retails $299.99) The iHome Studio Series is the first ever home audio system to feature the Bongiovi Acoustics digital power station. The iP1 featuring 100 watts of power will fill your room with stunning sound. It will even make your iPod/iPhone video content come alive on any TV. iPhone Interface Features: Plays and charges iPhone and docking iPod models, Universal dock with inserts to ﬁt docking iPod models. Remote Control controls iPhone and iPod menu functions certiﬁed by Apple.

iP88GDual Dock Clock Radio & Audio System for iPhone & iPod(Retails $149.99)
The iP88 is an innovative clock radio for iPhone & iPod that features two docks allowing you to charge both your iPhone and iPod simultaneously. The iP88 has several unique features, including a remote control, digital AM/FM presets, EQ controls, and even 3D sound for an enhanced audio experience. The iP88 also allows you to wake to your custom iPod playlist at different times on different days with our 7-5-2 feature, programmable snooze settings, and triple alarm. You’ll also enjoy phenomenal sound around the clock with our Reson8 stereo speaker chambers.

Simmons Jewelry Co:

Men’s Steel Collection: Style DPG1573 Diamond pattern stainless steel dog tag on 30” bead chain. Retail $150.00, Available at Kay Jewelers
Hello Kitty by Simmons Jewelry Co: Style HWL155W “Happy” rubber watch in 5 delicious colors at a very giftable price of $75, Available at Zales.com

Hershey’s Kiss Jewelry:
Hershey’s Kiss Jewelry, an exclusive white diamond and white gold alternative to the heart pendant available in various sizes and the retail price point ranges from $499.00- $7,999.00. Also available in sterling silver, price range: $49-$100. www.HersheysKissJewelry.com

Classic SNES Look for Your Wii, One Fails, other Doesn’t

Ok if you are like me the you miss those classic Nintendo controllers. But wait is it back . . . well so so. The Big Over-sized Super Shell – B.O.S.S controller is only $9.99, from Performance Designed Products is a cheap simple idea, you simply slide your existing Wii remote into the back of the shell, held in place with rubber nubs. The premise is that you can now use it to play games like New Super Mario Bros. Wii, just as you would on the Super Nintendo.

The B.O.S.S controller is not a really SNES classic controller, it’s only a plastic shell with no real function buttons. The ultimate gamer test is how how it feels in your hand, and if you can really play old school style. The verdict? Looks good, but to bulky for small hands.

The Wii remote sticks out of the back of the shell, and makes it hard to hold fro little hands. The buttons don’t respond as good as the original, since you’re just pressing down on the Wiimote buttons through the shell’s own buttons.

I used the B.O.S.S. with the New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and it’s not even close to the original, which I still have for my working SNES system. This makes a great toy for kids but not got the classic gamer. At $10 bucks its not a waste of money, but I hope Nintendo or other third-party accessories come out. Play Mario is much better the old school way.

Nintendo SNES vs. Wii Controller

Wii vs SNES controller

All this talk about the B.O.S.S controller makes me wonder how does a classic compare to a classic-styled Wii controller. We searched and found some pictures we used from an old Engadget posting. Thanks Guys!.

These are images of the Wii Classic controller being compared to its ancestor, the classic SNES controller. The Wii controller is a little than the SNES controller, and offers a more modern design, with its all-white theme. While the SNES controller’s purple buttons scream 80′s retro, the translucent ones of the Wii are too bland.

Today’s games having more demands in terms of control, which surpassed the classic D-pad, Select Start, X, Y, A, B buttons. On the Wii controller, there are those duel joysticks and shoulder pads. More buttons equal to better character control depending on the game. Now that you can download from the Wii store classic SNES games, I recommend using the Wii SNES clone remote. It makes all the difference in the world!

Take it from me I played every game and system since the first Atari, Colecovision, NES, SNES and many other systems. Nintendo continues to give all of us consumers what we want while not forgetting those who supported Nintendo when it all started in 1987.

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modern design

Dinner Centerpieces Go Green

Designing your next centerpiece? Instead of planning a trip to the florist make a quick stop to the grocery store or the farmers market in the fruits and vegetables section. Oh yes it can be done!

Minoo Hersini, Creative Director at Au Ciel Design Studio shows you how to think outside-the-box with these unique non-floral centerpieces.

The first centerpiece is made with grass, setaria and panicum.

The second one is constructed with peppers, beans, green tomatoes and steel grass.

The third centerpiece is an oasis ring with purple cabbage, tomatoes, pomegranate, cynara/artichokes, winter red sedums, asparagus and quinces.

The last one is made with ornamental kale, green chrisanthemum, brazilia berries and the container is wrapped in moss.

Switch it up, be creative and have fun!

For additional information, please visit www.au-ciel.com.

GadgetsAndGifts4U

Cool gadgets for any gift idea!

Monthly Archives: December 2009

“Here We Go” New Super Mario Wii – Best of 2009

Sharper Gifts, no matter the Season

Classic SNES Look for Your Wii, One Fails, other Doesn’t

Dinner Centerpieces Go Green