I regret to inform everyone that Family Gamer Online has recently been the victim of a very personal attack. This website, the Family Gamer YouTube channel, one of my personal profiles, my business email and my personal email were all taken down by a hacker. This was a very dirty attack, resulting in personal slander, a tremendous loss of work, as well as causing me personal and emotional stress.

Family Gamer Online is a labor of love for me. I make no money from my work here. I am just a father, and a gamer, with a passion for my family and for those out there like me that have families and a passion for gaming together.

I am writing this because I am taking a short reprieve. Family Gamer Online will return, but I must personally take a break to recover from this vicious attack. I will slowly get everything back, it will just take time. As for me personally, just keep me in your thoughts, and help encourage me to keep going. After all, if it wasn’t for those that visit Family Gamer Online, I would have no reason to keep doing what I do.

Platform – PC

Publisher – PlayFirst

Release Date -
December 15, 2009


Turn the tables and live the life of access and excitement and get the latest celebrity gossip in this hidden object game.

Ever want to ditch your dead-end job, start a celebrity gossip blog, and get the dirt on your favorite celebrities to make your blog the #1 source for celebrity gossip? That’s exactly where we find our Gaby, a green but intrepid celebrity blogger, on a mission to uncover the juiciest gossip and host the hottest blog in town.

Gaby is on a mission, to have the hottest blog, and to show her rival, Dante, that she is the best at what she does. In this hidden-object game, players will search for people instead of objects, kind of like a Where’s Waldo book, except instead of a man in a striped shirt, you’re hunting down celebrities to get the goods and the gossip.

Being set in Hollywood, Gaby will run into over 1,000 different characters, from crazy to cool and everything in between. Visit jam-packed parties, events and red carpet affairs as you unearth the details surrounding celebrity secrets. Who’s getting married? Who just had nip and tuck surgery? Who’s having who’s baby? It’s up to you to find out first!

With 40 levels of play, 40 unique puzzles and mini games to play, and 15 ways to customize your celebrity blog, it is up to you to get the juiciest stories and become the most famous celebrity blogger in Hollywood.

Gotcha: Celebrity Secrets is a fun take on the hidden-object game genre. The game can be completed in a few hours, making it a tad on the short side. It can also be a tad on the easy side, as all of the character art is recycled from level to level. This makes it easy to pick out the characters from the crowd the more you play. That being said, Gotcha: Celebrity Secrets is still worth a play-through if you are a fan of the genre.

iPhone/iPod Touch

Release Date – December 2009

This Christmas, build your own Gingerbread man with Dress Jinjee!

Born out of an idea to reincarnate the gingerbread man on the iPhone, PunFlay brings us a fun app the entire family can enjoy. Capitalizing on the ever popular Gingerbread man, and giving him extra frills, Dress Jinjee allows kids to decorate and dress up the gingerbread man in several different creative ways.

Designed with young ones in mind, Dress Jinjee allows children to express their imagination using the iconic Gingerbread man as a canvas. Once you have completed your fresh baked masterpiece, you can save it to your photo library on your iPhone, add voice to customize your creation, and then send it as a holiday greeting card via email to your family and friends.

Dress Jinjee has an easily playable interface with eye popping colors to catch the attention of Gingerbread artists young and old. This holiday, why not create your own Jinjee and share him with friends and family and make it a extra special by creating a unique message for your loved ones. It will be a family memory that will be cherished for years to come.

Be sure to visit the official site here for more details.

*DISCLAIMER* *PRODUCT PROVIDED FOR REVIEW* The product in this review was provided to the reviewer for the purpose of writing a review. This in no way affects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly that of the reviewer. All reviews provided here are the work of the reviewer and remain completely unbiased.

“Once upon a time there was a magical talking fish named Louie that lived in a fountain by a marvelous forest….” With the flick of the iPhone, the dice landed, and this was the first thing that came to my mind when telling a story to my nine year old son. He loved it, and has since made up several stories of his own.

Can you tell a story that begins with these four little words? Now here’s the catch, you must connect all nine images from the dice to tell a story limited only by your imagination.

Rory’s Story Cubes use nine six-sided dice for a total of 54 images offering millions of possible combinations and limitless storytelling opportunities. Rory’s Story Cubes were originally designed as a creative problem solving tool, but has gone on to become popular as a storytelling game with children and adults. It’s social, intergenerational, playing together, creating your own rules and challenges, and easy to pick up and play.

The iPhone version faithfully recreates the look and feel of Rory’s Story Cubes. Using the iPhone’s graphic and accelerometer features, shake your iPhone to roll the cubes and then create a story using all 9 face-up images. Rory’s Story Cubes creates a social, non-competitive experience that can be enjoyed by all ages. Stretch your creative thinking, imagination and improvisational skills because with Rory’s Story Cubes, there are no wrong answers. You are only limited by your imagination.

Rory’s Story Cubes offers a unique story-telling experience with each shake of the iPhone. This holiday, after the presents have all been opened, why not gather the family for a unique, fun-filled story. It may just spark memories that will last a lifetime.

*DISCLAIMER* *PRODUCT PROVIDED FOR REVIEW* The product in this review was provided to the reviewer for the purpose of writing a review. This in no way affects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly that of the reviewer. All reviews provided here are the work of the reviewer and remain completely unbiased.

Platform – Xbox 360 (also available on PS3)

Publisher – Tecmo

Developer – Pieces Interactive

Rated – E

Release Date -
Dec 16, 2009

Bending strategy, tactics and puzzle games into a single addicting game, Puzzlegeddon may be too much for some gamers to wrap their minds around. At first glance, gamers may pass on Puzzlegeddon, but then they would be missing out on a deep, engaging tactical/puzzle game that is an addicting genre mashing experience.

Puzzlegeddon features a clever mix of puzzle, action and strategy in a game that is fast-paced and addictive. Players will compete for the top spot on the planet by creating multiple combos for the quickest way to gather enough resources to destroy their enemies, or to build up their defense.

If the solo mode isn’t enough, it’s time to invite some friends (or enemies) for some mulitplayer action! Up to five players can battle it out in a variety of galaxies online or in local multiplayer action in Battle Royale or Deathmatch.

Puzzlegeddon admittedly has a bit of a learning curve, but thankfully the Tutorial provides a handy guide to walk you through helpful strategies for a better gameplay experience.

With so much content jam-packed into a fast-paced, addictive, genre-bending puzzle package, Puzzlegeddon is sure to be a hit with any fan of the puzzle genre.

Reveiw Breakdown:

Graphics – 7 out of 10 – The graphics are simple and cartoony, but don’t let that fool you, Puzzlegeddon has depth and will challenge any fan of the puzzle genre.

Sound – 8 out of 10 – The soundtrack is catchy and fits the game nicely.

Controls – 8 out of 10 – The controls are a little more complex than most “puzzle” games, but give it time and you will be destroying the competition in no time.

Replay Value – 9 out of 10 – With so many fun game modes, online and local multiplayer, and varying levels of difficulty, there is a lot of replay value here for your gaming dollar.

Family Friendly Factor – 8 out of 10 – Puzzlegeddon is rated E for Everyone due to Mild Violence. The only mild violence to fear here comes in the form of blasting and destroying robots. There is also a slightly darker theme in the puzzles when you are trying to revive which features bats, coffin, and other thematic elements, that I felt needed to be mentioned.

Overall Rating – 8 out of 10 – Puzzlegeddon cleverally bends several genres to create an addictive gameplay experience and is sure to be a hit with any fan of the puzzle genre.

*DISCLAIMER* *PRODUCT PROVIDED FOR REVIEW* The product in this review was provided to the reviewer for the purpose of writing a review. This in no way affects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly that of the reviewer. All reviews provided here are the work of the reviewer and remain completely unbiased.

Platform – DS

Publisher – Activsion

Rated – E

Release Date -
October 27, 2009

Take the fun of iCarly with you wherever you go.

Join Carly, Sam, Freddie and Spencer in an assortment of zany mini-games. Nevel is up to no good as he tries to keep iCarly from going on the air by deleting videos from the iCarly server. It is up to you to recreate new webisodes and help iCarly go LIVE.

In iCarly, players will use the stylus to do a variety of tasks, from putting noses on a Christmas tree, to slicing food, to Random Dancing. Fan favorite webisodes are all here, and players can even create all-new skits. Players can get really creative with new props and decorations, or they can even create their own backdrops, gameplay objects, music and more!

Enhanced for use with the Nintendo DSi, iCarly offers tons of fun using the DSi cameras and microphone. Players can incorporate their surroundings into the game and even play fun puzzles with the pictures they take. It’s important to look your best whenever you play iCarly, because you never know when a camera could snap your picture!

With so many unique features, fun-filled mini-games, and loads of web segments ranging from easy to tough, the DS version of iCarly is sure to be a hit with iCarly fans everywhere. Having played both versions of iCarly, I can safely say that they are both a lot of fun, but I found the DS version to be a bit more challenging.

iCarly is rated E for Everyone due to the Comic Mischief of the source material. It is safe to say that if you love the show, you are going to love the game.

Review Breakdown:

Graphics - 8 out of 10 – The animated style of the iCarly cast can take a bit to get used to, but the style is fun, light-hearted, colorful, and entertaining.

Sound – 8 out of 10 – The voices are authentic, the sound effects are faithfully recreated, and the music helps bring the zaniness of the webisodes to life.

Controls – 8 out of 10 – The DS stylus worked quite well for the mini-games, but After playing the Wii version, the DS stylus did take a bit to get used to. The microphone and cameras help make the experience a little more personalized for those playing on a DSI.

Replay Value – 8 out of 10 – As a collection of mini-games, the replay value for iCarly is fairly high. Add in some unique features, some creative touches, and multiplayer options, iCarly will keep fans playing for hours.

Family Friendly Factor – 9 out of 10 – The comic nature of the show comes to life in the game. Rated E for Everyone due to Comic Mischief, there is nothing for families to fear. Again, if you love the show, you will find the game to be quite enjoyable.

Overall Rating – 8 out of 10 – iCarly on the DS, takes the fun of the television series and brings it the portable system in a zany collection of iCarly themed mini-games. Fans of the show are going to love it, and even if you aren’t a huge fan of the series, the unique mini-games are still a lot of fun.

*DISCLAIMER* *PRODUCT PROVIDED FOR REVIEW* The product in this review was provided to the reviewer for the purpose of writing a review. This in no way affects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly that of the reviewer. All reviews provided here are the work of the reviewer and remain completely unbiased.

Platform – Wii

Publisher – Activision

Developer – Blitz Games

Rated – E

Release Date -
Oct. 20, 2009

The review starts in 5…4…3…2…

Hey fellow iCarly fans! Anyone who has tuned into Nickelodeon anytime in the last year has surely seen, or at least heard of iCarly. I mean, after all, iCarly is only one of the most popular shows on the air. I can personally thank my nine year old son for introducing me to the show, and we have both been hooked ever since.

When news came that an iCarly game was in the works, I knew that it would be a must play title in my household. At first I was curious as to how they would transfer the ideas from the show into a workable video game concept. How about fast-paced iCarly themed mini-games? Sounds good to me!

In the game, it is up to you to help the iCarly web-show go LIVE by completing a series of iCarly themed mini-games. Players will have the opportunity to recreate all of their favorite web segments from the TV show, and even edit some of their own unique ones. As you progress, you can earn points that you can use to buy props and decorations to use in the studio, allowing you to add your own creative touch to the iCarly show.

I must admit that the game is quite enjoyable. The mini-game format works very well for the wide variety of web-segments from the show. I have joined my son in playing through the game several times already, and as much as we love iCarly, I see us playing it several more times in the near future.

iCarly is rated E for Comic Mischief. Much like the actual show, the web-show segments feature random acts of comical dancing, pulling pranks on Lewbert the doorman, slamming doors in Mrs. Briggs’ face, and dealing with Nevel trying to sabotage the show. Overall, the game is sure to please iCarly fans everywhere.

Review Breakdown:

Graphics – 8 out of 10 – The actual show may be live-action, but the game is cartoon animation. All of the main characters from the show are wonderfully brought to life as cartoons in the game. The graphics are bright and colorful, making the game as much fun to watch as it is to play.

Sound – 9 out of 10 – The voices of the characters are authentic, the sound effects are faithfully recreated, and the music is well suited to the experience.

Controls – 9 out of 10 – The Wii Remote is used to shake, point, slam, and dance your way through the game, and works remarkably well.

Replay Value – 8 out of 10 – As a party game, there is a lot of replay value in iCarly. The game features multiple modes of play, including Story Mode, Quick Play, Record Challenge, and Multiplayer, making this a game the whole family can play again and again.

Family Friendly Factor – 9 out of 10 – Rated E for Everyone, iCarly is a game the whole family can enjoy. Families should expect the same Comic Mischief seen in the TV show to appear in the game, so needless to say there is very little to be weary of.

Overall Rating – 8.5 out of 10 – iCarly does a fantastic job of bringing the zany fun of the show to the Wii. iCarly fans everywhere are sure to have a blast. Even if you aren’t a huge fan, it is hard to ignore the mass appeal of the game. With several laugh-out-loud moments, multiple modes of play, and authentic voice acting, this is one game that I can highly recommend for any family that owns a Wii.

*DISCLAIMER* *PRODUCT PROVIDED FOR REVIEW* The product in this review was provided to the reviewer for the purpose of writing a review. This in no way affects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly that of the reviewer. All reviews provided here are the work of the reviewer and remain completely unbiased.

Platform – PS3

Publisher – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Developer – Relentless Software

Rated – T

Release Date -
November 10, 2009


Get the family together and invite your friend!
It’s time for trivia, Buzz style!

Buzz is back and ready to take on the world in Buzz! Quiz World. Trivia fans, it’s time to participate in the ultimate party-starting, ultra-realistic quiz show experience, all from the comfort of your own living room.

Bringing you the ultimate trivia experience, Buzz! Quiz World also aims to be a more personalized affair. As the player, you can customize round types and choose the subjects you want to answer. You can also create your own profile to track your stats and which also allows the host of the game, Buzz, to address you directly. There are literally hundreds of names to choose from when creating your profile, so it shouldn’t be hard to find your name, or a suitable moniker. The first time the game said my son’s name, he lit up with joy, making this a truly immersive trivia experience.

Featuring over 5,000 new general knowledge questions, spanning several different topics, and including hundreds of pictures and videos Buzz! Quiz World is truly a quiz extravaganza. From the family-friendly Children’s Television category, to Sports, Music, History and so much more, there are enough questions here to keep families “buzzing” well into the night.

For fans of the Buzz! franchise, new rounds and new contestant characters help keep things fresh. Send your friends into the goo in the new ‘Over the Edge’ round, or prey on your opponent’s knowledge in ‘On the Spot.’ Players with a PlayStation Eye, get ready to ‘Get Your BUZZ! Face On’ because the game will take pictures of you during your BUZZ! games at key moments so that you can relive your highs, lows and glorious victories!

Buzz! Quiz World is rated T for Teen due to Drug Reference, Mild Language , Mild Suggestive Themes, and Mild Violence. Being a trivia game, these things are kept to a minimum, but should still be taken into account for families with younger gamers. My nine year old son absolutely loves the Buzz! games, and I feel it is an experience that families of all ages can buzz in and enjoy.

Review Breakdown -

Graphics – 9 out of 10 – The graphics are outstanding on the PS3. Whether it be the animated contestants, Buzz himself, the glitzy new TV studio set, or even the video and still images, the graphics come together as a whole quite nicely.

Sound – 9 out of 10 – The sounds in the game make you feel like you are truly a contestant in a game show. The little touches like choosing a buzzer sound, and the fact that the game can address you personally only aid in immersing you in the quiz show experience.

Controls – 10 out of 10 – The Buzz! Wireless Buzzers are required for this game. The bundled version includes the controllers, or if you already have them from the first game, you can buy the stand-alone game. The Buzzers work fantastic, once again immersing players in the experience.

Replay Value – 10 out of 10 – With over 5000 questions, various game modes, online play, and the ability to play as you choose, Buzz! Quiz World is the ultimate quiz show experience. It is one game that will have families everywhere “buzzing” time and time again.

Family Friendly Factor – 8 out of 10 – There are a few instances of Drug References, Mild Language, Mild Violence, and Mild Suggestive Themes throughout the game. Also, some of the questions may be a little difficult for younger players. Overall, I feel it is a fairly safe bet for families with teens and preteens looking for a game the whole family can enjoy together.

Overall Rating – 9 out of 10 - Buzz! truly upstages his last game in this encore performance. Highly Recommended for anyone in the mood for trivia. Fans of the series will be pleased with all the customization options available, and newcomers to the series will become immersed in the phenomenon that is Buzz! Quiz World.

*DISCLAIMER* *PRODUCT PROVIDED FOR REVIEW* The product in this review was provided to the reviewer for the purpose of writing a review. This in no way affects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly that of the reviewer. All reviews provided here are the work of the reviewer and remain completely unbiased.