New Nerf video-game controller coming to stores

Performance Design Products and Hasbro are developing a line of Nerf wireless video game controllers, the companies said Wednesday. The Nerf controller will have an exterior of the familar foam, complete with PDP's Pelican Smart Play Technology on the inside.

Read More

Video games: paying more to play

That's mostly because two machines are coming that will change gaming: Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii. So it's not just a matter of buying the latest and greatest games this year -- you've got to shell out for the hardware as well. We're still waiting for information on the Wii's release date and price (though Nintendo says it won't exceed $250). We know the PS3 is scheduled to make its debut Nov. 17 in -- ouch! -- $500 and $600 versions. Many people will be eager to fork over whatever's necessary for machines that initially may be in short supply. Others will decide there's still plenty of entertainment value in their previous-gen consoles. The following lists offer game highlights for an assortment of devices and tastes. Unfortunately, exact details about age ratings and store dates aren't available yet for every title.

Read More

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Super Monkey Ball Adventure

Put a monkey in a ball and throw it at something. Its hard to believe you can go wrong with that idea, but Super Monkey Ball Adventure manages to do that by sucking the fun out of platform gaming with lackluster game design and tedious gameplay. Story mode comprises the biggest chunk of SMBA. You choose your monkey and roll out across the kingdom to make a name for yourself (and hopefully snag a few hundred bananas as well). Gameplay is fairly non-linear, as you can choose which mission to tackle or just explore the environment, looking for that next banana in the various nooks and crannies. Once you pass the first world, the game opens up a bit. Youll be able to tackle the different areas at your leisure, which proves invaluable if certain challenges become too frustrating.

Read More

'Madden 07' has video game all to itself

Welcome to year two of the Maddenopoly. Do not pass Go, but feel free to drop $60 at the cash register. Thanks to an exclusive contract, "Madden NFL 07" is the only licensed NFL game out this year, so fans are at publisher Electronic Arts' mercy in regard to the quality of the self-selling franchise.

Read More

A Video Game That's Good For Kids?

We often hear that the popularity of video games is contributing the childhood obesity epidemic -- but there may actually be one game that's good for overweight children and researchers at OU Medical Center are working to prove just that. It's more popular than pillow fights at sleepovers these days-- The video game Dance Dance Revolution is an interactive game where players are challenged to match their dance steps with the flashing arrows on the screen. It is certainly high energy. Justin Fluckiger, a 15-year-old, plans to help an OU physician and researcher determine whether this video game can also help overweight teens lose weight. "One thing we know about overweight children is that they are less likely than their normal weighted peers to participate in exercise and the reasons for that are many.

Read More