PixlBit

Got another batch of game reviews I’ve recently written over at GamerDad.com.  Please click on the links and read as many as you can, and maybe even post a ‘like’ or comment or two.  I’d really appreciate it.  OK let’s begin!

NEO GEO Pocket Color Selection vol. 1 (Switch)

Game maker SNK is known for their fighting games, but they also made their own consoles, like the NEO GEO and subsequent arcade machine.  When it came time for them to compete with Nintendo’s Game Boy Color, they brought out the NEO GEO Pocket Color.  This was a really awesome little handheld, and for a short while, I even liked it better than Nintendo’s portable offerings.  And now you can play a collection of ten NGPC games on the Switch!  Only problems I had with this collection is that it’s fighter centric heavy, but the old console itself was that way, too because it was SNK.  And they originally sold most of these games separately on the Switch, and I hate it when they nickel and dime you like that.  But otherwise this is a great collection and if there’s a vol. 1, maybe they’ll be a vol. 2 with games like SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighter Clash, Crush Roller, and more puzzle games like Puzzle Link!

EyeJust Screen Protectors

I may have told you all this already, but did you know that when I wrote game reviews for The Dallas Morning News, I also wrote a lot of reviews on video game accessories.  Controllers and other peripherals and such.  So I like to do that here, too, from time to time.  Everyone, including kids, are using tablets, phones, and staring at screens more and more.  These types of devices emit ‘blue light’ that is said to be harmful to eyes, skin, and sleep.  Of course, the simple solution is to limit your kids’ time on those devices.  But with COVID, remote learning is being used more in schools, so they really don’t have much of a choice.  But now there is EyeJust, a series of screen protectors that block that harmful blue light.  They’re available for most mobile phones, tablets, some laptops, and even the Nintendo Switch!  Being blind in my left eye since birth, I’m always on the lookout for things to help protect my eyes.  So I’m happy I was able to give some of these a try for review purposes.

Let’s Bake Pokémon Cookies!

Pillsbury just released Pokémon themed ready-to-bake cookies.  They’re just sugar cookies with Pokémon related pictures on them.  You’ve seen cookies like this before, I’m sure, especially around holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and Easter.  I got some, so let’s check them out!  You might see more Pokémon products than usual this year since it’s Pokemon’s 25th anniversary.  So there’s also a bonus item at the end of this article as well! And near the end of the month, I’ll post a blog about my favorite Pokémon spin-off games, because I’m REALLY excited for New Pokémon Snap!

Space Otter Charlie (PS4)

In the future, humans have left Earth and now all the animals must fend for themselves.  When the weather gets too warm for otters, they build rockets to leave Earth to find other hospitable planets as well.  Join Charlie and his crew of otters as they explore abandoned space stations and other craft as they scrounge for parts and upgrades and maybe even find a new home for them and all their animal friends.  Play as Charlie in this unique 2-D platform action game where you ‘swim’ through anti-gravity space, sticking to walls and using thrusters to get around.  It’s actually a fairly unique concept and the game is pretty good and turned out a lot better than I thought.  It kind of reminds me of a creative mascot platformer made in the 90’s.  In fact I kind of wish they would’ve went with a 16-bit graphical style for that reason.  But it’s still a surprisingly good little game.

BodyQuest (Switch)

I’ve always had an interest in educational games for kids, so I’m always up for reviewing ones like this.  In the far future, computers and nanobots help heal humans with diseases and sicknesses, and doctors can even shrink themselves and go inside their patients’ bodies to help out.  When some viruses kidnap one of the computers, it’s up to you to dive into the human body and save them and rescue the patient!  BodyQuest is an educational action game where you’ll learn about the different parts of the body and the organ systems.  And it’s actually a pretty good little educational game for grade schoolers.

Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure (Switch)

Pick your driver and buggy and race on (mostly at first) tropical themed tracks in this kart racer sequel.  It’s pretty generic, but VASTLY improved from the original, which I reviewed a few years ago.  So I guess that’s good.  I still wouldn’t recommend it over, say, Mario Kart 8 though.

Bob Help Them!  (Switch)

Meet Bob.  He helps people.  Help Bob help people in this retro styled chore simulator with a heavy emphasis on time management.  Chop wood from trees, harvest fruit, and other Animal Crossing style activities for the laziest group of NPCs ever.  But you have to do it all fast and efficient, as you’re under a strict time limit in each level.  I probably would’ve liked this game more if it was more rewarding.  You know, like with unlockables you could earn, or different looking levels.

Magic Twins (Switch)

Twin witch sisters Abra and Cadabra decide to use their magic to dye their clothes, but when the spell goes wrong, all sorts of colored monsters appear from their cauldron and cause havoc everywhere.  Now it’s up to the twins to use their color magic to zap all the monsters in this two-player focused action puzzle game.  It kind of reminds me of a more action oriented Plants vs. Zombies.  Except it’s hard with two players and near impossible with one.  When I can think of a better control scheme for the single player than they could, you know something’s wrong.  Didn’t like this one at all.

And that’s all for now!  Thanks for reading and posting ‘likes’ and comments on my reviews!  I do appreciate it.  Later!  --Cary