the child is the father to the man
Posts tagged DS
REVIEW: Picross 3D
07 months ago
WHAT? Picross 3D is a sort of sequel to other handheld Nintendo Picross games (see here and here) which finds the user chipping away at numbered blocks in a puzzle like manner in order to reveal a picture. It’s sort of part puzzle, part sudoku, part trinket collecting, and more. And it’s really addictive
WHY? I gave this game a shot a few months ago and since then I’ve been thinking about it nonstop. The simple puzzle mechanics of the game combined with the ability to work towards an end where you get something (hey, everyone loves a blocky dolphin) has got me hooked. It takes just enough brainpower to keep the player learning and working towards a goal and at the same time saves just enough energy for fun.
WHO? I really think Picross 3D could be a gateway drug into video gaming for many non gamers. When I play the game, I imagine it having the potential on a non gamer as say, something like Angry Birds has had on the world…something that sucks up time, is enjoyable, and requires some planning to play. The game will require a tough sell though…”hey, you figure out puzzles by decoding numbered blocks and the prize you get is a blocky dolphin/dog/Nintendo character”. I recommend talking up the game as an investment. It is something that may seem clunky at first, but the potential for a rewarding experience are there.
The Importance of Play
11 year ago
My son Finn exploring "The Legendary Starfy" on the Nintendo DS.
From such an early age, we’re taught the importance of play. In their publication titled The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds, the American Academy of Pediatrics stresses the importance of play for young children.
Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.
I couldn’t agree with them more. In watching my son Finn grow over the past year and a half, I have seen how his playing with toys, dirt, sticks, pots, pans, and more have helped him develop his personality and skills. Through playing with pots, pans, and spatulas, the kid now has the motor skills to do very specific and focused tasks. I remember back to when he was 6 months old and how he was nothing more than a little blob that crawled around a bit and screamed for his mom’s breastmilk and think, “holy shit, play is really like his third parent.” It’s taught him so much.
However, I don’t fully agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics. They go on to talk about the decrease of free play in our society and how the “routine” of childhood has changed. One of their key factors as to why free play in childhood has changed has to do with, yup, video games:
The decrease in free play can also be explained by children being passively entertained through television or computer/video games. In sharp contrast to the health benefits of active, creative play and the known developmental benefits of an appropriate level of organized activities, there is ample evidence that this passive entertainment is not protective and, in fact, has some harmful effects.
Really? Call me a hippie, but I think video games are just a new form of free play and it’s about time we quit labeling them as something negative in regards to childhood. As someone who grew up on video games and turned out alright, I’m walking proof that video games are not as detrimental as we like to think they are.
Video games expanded my mind as a child. I would spend part of my days exploring the vast world of Hyrule as Link, scaling Death Mountain, collecting fairies, and exploring dungeons. The other part of my day was playing in the woods, discovering nature, and dreaming that this was my own Hyrule. It was a great childhood and I often look forward to the days where my son and I can enjoy life and explore both the real and virtual world together in the same way that I did.
Recently, my son Finn and I began experimenting with the Nintendo DS game The Legendary Starfy. A simple 2-D side scrolling game that features a star named Starfy as the main character, I got absorbed into this title not only because the simplicity and fun of the game but I also identified it as a good title to use to introduce the world of video games to Finn. He took to it quickly, at first because Starfy is as cute as hell and really, who can resist him? After Finn got the hang of the controls (and by hang, I mean he figured out that the buttons made Starfy do cool things like walk and spin), that’s where the fun began. I saw Finn moving Starfy left and right and use the buttons to make Starfy spin and interact with the bubbles around him. There was a giggle and a smile. Finn was not only enjoying the title, but he was picking up a new skill: “Hey, if I do this, it makes this star do cool things! What else can I do?” His focused changed and grew the longer he played the game. He explored the other elements of the game. He interacted with other characters on the screen. He pushed more buttons. One of the best moments came when he realized that the start button pauses the game and changes the screen to a giant, hopping Starfy. He looked at me and smiled. It’s as if he has found the holy grail of video games. And he did it all by himself. With this in mind, I ask you to recall the quote that I used to open up this post: “play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.” Heck yes it is. I saw my son grow and learn before my eyes all because of a giant star named Starfy on the Nintendo DS.
The key is balance. The American Academy of Pediatrics report talks a lot about balance, but at no point does it mention that a balance between virtual play and free play being an essential element towards having a healthy child. Instead, it gives video games the brand that they’ve been long marked with: mind numbing technology that will turn your child into a blob who can’t identify with society. Balance between different types of play (not just video games and free play) contributes to a healthy child, one who will develop the necessary cognitive, physical, social, and emotional they need to face the 21st century world.
In closing, I’d like to ask this: As librarians, we’re dealing with the public day in and day out. One of the great opportunities we have is the chance to educate our communities. How can we move forward towards a world where all forms of play are seen on a balanced level? It goes back to
the idea of Gamer’s Advisory that I had a few days ago. What types of programs and initiatives can we come up with to show the world the importance of many different types of play?—-
- You can find the publication The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds here.
- Read more about The Legendary Starfy here
- Thanks to The Unquiet Librarian and the Libraries and Transliteracy blog for helping me think outside the box about education and learning.
Review: Mario Kart DS
51 year ago
by JustinLibrarian
in review
WHAT? The immensely popular Mario Kart racing series hits the Nintendo DS with full force. Mario Kart DS was the first title playable via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection online service, thus cementing its place in history as a title MADE for gaming in libraries.
WHY? Let’s talk about community gaming for a moment. Perhaps one of the most wonderful features of the Mario Kart series is that its versus mode not only creates competition but also community. The 8 player Wi-Fi play mode used in conjunction with DS Download Play (players can use only one game card to play multiplayer) will get the crowds together and gaming. This type of play is also cost effective for libraries that are programming (have a copy of Mario Kart DS handy at your gaming events and encourage participants to bring their own DS systems)
WHO? Most of my reviews on Nintendo games always say the same thing…”these titles are so easy to pick up and play that any age can do so with ease.” Mario Kart DS is in the same vein. This title will fly off your library shelves, so I’m gonna recommend extra copies of this game at your library.
(I played this game on the new Nintendo DS-i system, which I will be reviewing here at 8BitLibrary tomorrow. Stay tuned.)
We don’t have all the answers (Part 2)
41 year ago
Are you lending out games for handheld systems? Are you lending out handheld systems?
PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORIES WITH US!
This is my next step with circulating video game collections in the library. It never really donned on me to include handheld games in the mix when I was pushing for a circulating video game collection. I wish I didn’t overlook that. I see lots of kids and teens (mostly ages 6-18) in the library with the DS or PSP glued to their hands. They’re a population that is dying to be served by libraries.
Can’t wait to hear your stories. From myself and the rest of the 8bitlibrary.com crew, have a good weekend.
(I’m seeing a lot of this in my library these days. Are you?)