Best Nintendo Switch Games For Family Fun: Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Gaming as a family is a great way to bond and spend quality time together. I actually met a mom and her son in December of 2023 and motivated her to not only get a Nintendo Switch for her son but... also look forward to taking advantage of their time together by joining in on one of his favorite pastimes. That's the goal, bond, talk, laugh, enjoy your family time... and make memories that will last a lifetime. As mentioned before... gaming can be a great way to teach kids about teamwork, problem-solving, and competition in a healthy and fun way.

In addition to games relieving stress and delivering fun, there are some titles that provide additional benefits that most movies & TV shows don't deliver. You can learn different languages, how to build computers, how to type or improve WPM's, and then some.

In the case of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, your children learn about teamwork, which is a great thing to instill at an early age so that they know the importance of working with others and not feeling as if they have to do everything alone. Serve up some cheddar-filled mushrooms and other goodies and enjoy your family game night!

Super Mario Bros. Wonder... features 4-player fun that not only gives you the ability to take on baddies on the road to fighting big bad Bowser, but you can revive each other while taking on these colorful stages and their varying challenges. This will certainly come in handy for some during those difficult times on this wonder-full adventure.

In addition to Mario & Luigi, you also have Princess Peach + Princess Daisy representing for the ladies, team Toadstool which includes Toadette + the Blue & Yellow Toads, and Nabbit. Nabbit is one of those characters for individuals who want to join in on family fun... but don't exactly have the noticeable skills to pay the bills. Why? Well, he's invincible, so... no worries about him taking L's, but I still feel like he should be reserved for the individuals who would normally watch from the sidelines. He could be a great stepping stone for them, potentially challenging them to use one of the main characters one day.

This game also features the Yoshi crew, which adds another level of fun. Yoshi allows you to eat enemies, and items, carry other players, and more. Speaking of items on this crazy adventure... you have things like:

Elephant Fruit, which allows you to transform into an elephant able to swing its trunk and trounce enemies, but also other cool moves like smashing through bricks from the side.

Bubble Flower does exactly what you assume, you can use bubbles to defeat baddies or bounce on them to get over certain areas with less effort or reach new heights.

Drill Mushroom gives you the ability to not only drill through the ground like... Mr. Driller, but also through the ceiling... and the list of power-ups goes on.

The replay value goes a long way, which includes badges:

Action Badges - Grants an additional action to your character, like a Parachute Cap that lets you float down slowly after a jump.

Boosts Badges - Gives your character an additional passive ability, like earning coins for defeating enemies.

Expert Badges - This grants an advanced skill to your character, "experts only!".

What's different about this experience compared to other games like New Super Mario Bros games... is what it offers as far as creativity goes. You'd think we were on the dev team with the way they've dialed up the weird in this game, but... to be honest I also get that Super Mario World feeling too. Speaking of which... I'd love to see a Super Mario World remake either in full 2D or 3D. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is available now. Grab a physical copy or a digital copy.

• Find wonder in the Flower Kingdom in the next side-scrolling Super Mario adventure
  
  
• Collect Wonder Flowers for surprising, game-changing effects like pipes coming alive, an enemy stampede, and much, much more
  
  
• Choose from the largest cast of characters in a side-scrolling Mario game, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, and other favorites
  
  
• Ease into the action with four different-colored Yoshis and Nabbit who can’t take damage
  
  
• Discover new power-ups like Elephant Fruit, which transforms Mario and friends into an elephant that can swing their trunks and spray water

This game is rated E for Everyone!

Support us below!

The Cushion Designed for Gaming!

Dear Parents: Not All Games and Apps Are Kid-Friendly!

In the world of tech, video games & consumer apps play a significant role, but it's important for parents to be aware of the types of games & apps their children are using. While some may perceive all games & most apps to be harmless, it's not always safe to assume. When it comes to video games, the ESRB ratings are in place for a reason, but at the end of the day... the game industry can't raise your children.

Locate the rating:

For Google Play apps, click on the app and you will find the rating at the top... just beneath the title of the game. The age rating is to the right of the game review score, and download count. Apps, Movies, and TV have ratings, but I realized that eBooks are not rated (from what I've seen).

For App Store apps, the rating is right next to the Game and App titles. Apple TV+ has a rating in a similar area as the Google Play ratings (slightly below the title). When it comes to books, there is no age rating here either.

It's worth noting that some apps ask for location information and may even contain location-tracking features. Select apps use this information to ensure that your mobile order is to the right location, but others have no need for it and may result in undesired use of this information if it ends up in the wrong hands. While some use a tracking feature, others ask for this information and it could be showcased on a public profile to be seen by someone unsavory. A number of popular apps are social media-based, and allow you to chat with others, which basically means your children have the ability to chat with anyone in most cases.

This increases their chance of hearing and seeing certain things you do not approve of. While these apps have an age range, anyone can misrepresent themselves to gain access to most social media apps. That includes your children, and on the flip side... we don't know if the person claiming to be a teenager is actually a teenager at times. Talking with your children to establish safe precautions and healthy habits as part of an agreement to have a phone, is probably one of the best routes to take. From there you can present the reasons why you want them to be careful with such a useful tool. With great power, comes great responsibility... literally. 

See: Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe on Social Media

Chat doesn't stop at social media apps. There are chat features in select games that lack true regulation that also include the ability to share links. This can be concerning, as there are individuals who exploit any opportunity available to them, potentially exposing children to inappropriate content, and seeking out their location by request or by obtaining their information.

Knowing the apps on your child's phone, specifically to research them... can go a long way. By doing so, parents can thoroughly review each app by its name to determine if any raise concerns and require uninstallation. This can be part of an agreement established with your child in order to have a phone. We don't need to go down this rabbit hole... but there are parents who wish they established such an agreement before avoidable issues were ushered in.

Additionally, parents should check for a "Hidden Space" on their child's Android phone. To access this area, they can slide their fingers both upwards and downwards simultaneously (using two fingers) on the home screen.

• Within the app drawer, sliding to the right will reveal this hidden space.

Parents can verify what I'm explaining by navigating to the settings and scrolling down to locate "Hidden Space," which should be positioned just above the "About" option at the bottom.

If their Android phone has a different user interface, you can search for tutorials on YouTube to get assistance. Being proactive in understanding and monitoring the digital landscape that our children navigate is crucial for their safety and well-being. By staying informed and actively investigating the apps and features available on their phones, parents can better protect their children from potential risks associated with certain digital content.

If you were wondering if there was an easier route... don't worry, there actually is. Check out the links below for kid-friendly phone manufacturers... Gabb & Pinwheel. Both phones deliver the things your child may need, and nothing you don't want them to have. Apps they do have access to, have been vetted, and the controls are in your hands. So see if one of the options below works for you.

Sophima | Guest Contributor

                          + BLU 

Support us via the helpful links below!

Kid-Safe Cellphones + Smart Watches

Kid-Safe Cellphones w/ Remote Access for Parents

Best Nintendo Switch Games For Family Fun: Sonic Superstars

Gaming as a family is a great way to bond and spend quality time together. It also gives parents a chance to enjoy game time with their children and make memories that will last a lifetime. Gaming can be a great way to teach kids about teamwork, problem-solving, and competition in a healthy and fun way. In addition to games relieving stress and delivering fun, there are some that provide other benefits that most movies & TV shows don't deliver.

In the case of Sonic Superstars, your children learn about teamwork + healthy competition, which are great things to begin grasping at an early age. Sonic Superstars launches October 17th, 2023... and would make for a great launch title for family game night! If you're a big Sonic fan, consider making it a chili dog night!

Sonic Superstars... takes things back to the 2D days of Sonic The Hedgehog with 3D models, and serves up a multiplayer game where up to 4 people can drop in & out of the action as needed. It's the first time a Sonic game allowed for 4-players to play through the full campaign together in the pursuit of harnessing the power of the chaos emeralds to take down the baddies.

When it comes to the 4-player action, you will choose from Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and... Amy. Your team will take on the likes of the infamous Dr. Eggman, Fang, and Trip as they execute a plan to turn the Northstar Islands giant animals into Badniks.

In Sonic Superstars, you aren't simply side scrolling and going through loops, your team navigates in a variety of ways that bring back the signature moves we know and love, but also new moves as seen here:

In Sonic Superstars, you can:

- 4-player local co-op & online Battle mode

- Multiply, swim up waterfalls, change form, and more with the powers of the Chaos Emeralds

- Multiple paths and secrets

This game is rated E for Everyone!

Support us below!

The Cushion Designed for Gaming!

Stay here for $81/Night? Yes... Travel 4 Less!

Best Nintendo Switch Games For Family Fun: Disney Illusion Island

Gaming as a family is a great way to bond and spend quality time together. It also gives parents a chance to enjoy game time with their children and make memories that will last a lifetime. Gaming can be a great way to teach kids about teamwork, problem-solving, and competition in a healthy and fun way. In addition to games relieving stress and delivering fun, there are some that provide other benefits that most movies & TV shows don't deliver.

In the case of Disney Illusion Island, your children learn about teamwork, which goes a long way. Not only does it help them understand the importance of being a reliable teammate, but also working with others (like your family). This is a great thing to instill in them at an early age.

So, the next time you're looking for a fun way to spend some quality family time, break out the controllers and give family gaming a try with Disney Illusion Island on the Nintendo Switch.

In Disney Illusion Island, you're playing in an authentic Mickey cartoon with up to 3 other people. Of course, you get to play as Mickey, but also Minnie, Donald, and Goofy as they set off on a quest to explore a mysterious island called... Monoth. The goal would be to recover three mystical books to save the world by way of using the character skills, unlocking special abilities, solving puzzles, and taking down baddies in what Disney calls "epic boss battles". So if you and your family want to take on the challenge, get your hands on Disney Illusion Island... which launches July 28, 2023!

By the way, this is a new adventure featuring hand-drawn animation + an original school from an orchestra.

This game is rated E for Everyone!

Support us below!

Enjoy Family Gaming with a quality TV!

Spend less for Nintendo Gift Card values!

Best Nintendo Switch Games For Family Fun: TMNT Shredder's Revenge

Gaming as a family is a great way to bond and spend quality time together. It also gives parents a chance to enjoy game time with their children and make memories that will last a lifetime. Gaming can be a great way to teach kids about teamwork, problem-solving, and competition in a healthy and fun way. And let's not forget, it's also a great way to relieve some stress and have a little fun. So, next time you're looking for a fun way to spend some quality family time, break out the controllers and give family gaming a try with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge on the Nintendo Switch.

TMNT: Shredder's Revenge is a 6-player game (yes... a six-player game) that's great for multiplayer family fun, starring the beloved crime-fighting pizza-loving turtles in a half-shell. The game is easy to play with simple controls, making it great for family gaming sessions. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge is perfect for Nintendo Switch gamers who are looking for a bit of family fun that delivers a challenge. This allows you to work together with your family to overcome the odds and have a great time, preferably during pizza night. I'm just saying, it would make the perfect combination. Cowabunga!

Not only is this game affordable, it also takes some of us back to the day when arcade games ruled the land and pixelated graphics, blew our minds. To be able to experience so many generations of gaming is just amazing. That said... don't get this confused with the 1989 TMNT Arcade game... this is a new installment to the franchise and its one you don't want to miss.

There are plenty of great pizza deals out there, so grab your favorite pizza... and if you have memories of TMNT from back in the day, enlighten your family and fun it up. I remember going to the movies as a kid to see TMNT: The Secret of the Ooze and just thought it was the best thing ever. We use to watch old Kung Fu movies as kids, so that was right up my alley.

Fun fact: They all wore red back in the day.

As mentioned above, you can enjoy this multiplayer beat-em-up with up to 6 players, so if you have a big family... this definitely should prove to be a hit. You can choose from Michaelangelo (my fave growing up), Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, April O'Neil, and Master Splinter. If you're wondering if the game has Casey Jones, ask yourself if... water is wet. :p

By the way, the most powerful + fast characters are Michaelangelo & Raphael. Raphael and Master Splinter are the strongest, but... Master Splinter is slow. Michaelangelo & April are the fastest characters but... April doesn't have the power. Leo is balanced across the board between range, speed, and power. I could say Casey Jones, but... Casey has Leo beat with the range. Donnie also gets the job done, but he and Master Splinter are on the lower side, so... you do get a good mix that allows your family to choose between characters that will work with them the most.

I say this because a younger (or less experienced) gamer might not feel as good with Donatello or Master Splinter due to their speed, while a seasoned gamer has no problem managing them with proven skills. 

On that note, check out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splinter's Revenge and game on!

This game is rated E for Everyone!

Support us below!