Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition

Back in the day our family had the old Pong game as our first gaming system, and we moved up to an Atari! I remember that being amazing at the time.  Then our worlds changed. We got the original Nintendo system! That was the ultimate and we have been brand loyal since then. 

I spent many hours playing the various Nintendo systems, and my all time favourite game is Dr. Mario.  It has to be the original although I do have a copy of an updated version for my Wii now.  When I heard about the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition, I was very excted! It reminded me of my childhood and I heard it had a bunch of games loaded on it.  It wasn't until I found out it has Dr. Mario that I had to have it!  It wasn't out until November 11th, but it was on my Christmas list long before then!

 

All my friends that are my age, or close to it, had this system, and ones since, and we all totally freaked with Nintendo announced this system! It's nostalgia overload!

This system comes with 30 of the all-time greatest games, including The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Mega Man 2. Just plug it in…and play.  It's a mini version of the classic system!

The system comes bundled with an HDMI cable, an AC adapter, one NES Classic Controller, and all 30 games, installed and ready-to-play. Each NES Classic Controller can be plugged into a Wii Remote controller for use with NES Virtual Console games on the Wii U system!

Get this system now!

Cardboard MINKANAK Virtual Compatible Smartphone

Virtual reality "glasses" have been around for many years, but they use to be really cheesy!  These days they are getting more and more advanced.  Now you can even get them in cardboard!! That's crazy!

The Cardboard MINKANAK Virtual Compatible Smartphone glasses suit most smart phones with up to a 6" screen, no matter if if it's an iOS or Android device.  It has a biconvex lense that is 37mm in diameter with a focal length of 45mm. This brings you a wider view and will let you get a more immersive experience, which really is the point, right?

These glasses are inexpensive at just $20 and even includes QR codes so you can find various virtual reality apps, quickly and easily.  They are quickly assembled, and you get to enjoying them quickly and easily.

These glasses would make a great stocking stuffer idea, or a small inexpensive present idea!

Give the gift of Virtual Reality

Junior 4-To-Score

One of my favourite games as a kid was the connect 4 style game.  My younger sister and I would play for hours, and try to out-smart each other. 

When I found this life-sized version of the classic ring-dropping game called Junior 4-To-Score by ECR4Kids, I just knew I had to highlight it on the blog.  What a great gift for Christmas, and it would make a great investment for families who through a lot of parties, or have events.  It would make a great purchase for schools as well.

Connect 4 teaches players how to build teamwork and cooperation skills while they learn to match four colored rings in a row to win. It is a great teacher of beginning strategic play too.  You don't want to build up the row that someone else needs to beat you.

This interactive game is great for two players, and also works with teams for epic kids-vs-grown-ups championship matches. Designed for use both indoors and outdoors, the Junior 4-To-Score is fade and weather resistant. The durable game is easy to assemble and take apart to move wherever the fun is happening!

This set comes with the Junior 4-To-Score frame, two heavy-duty blow molded plastic legs, 42 rings, instructions, and all necessary hardware and tools for easy assembly.

Get your own set now!

The Voting Game

I am on the hunt for some fun gifts for the people on my list, and I know we have a few friends and family who love entertaining and playing games.  I thought The Voting Game might be a great gift, and a super fun game to play.

The Voting Game is a party game that uncovers uncovers the hilarious truth behind your friendships.

1. The game begins when the first question card is revealed.
2. Players then vote anonymously for the player that is best described by the question.
3. Results are tallied and revealed to the group - laughter is guaranteed!
4. Each player guesses who voted for them. Players get one guess for every vote they received. If they guess correctly, the truth is revealed.

Every time you play it will be different depending on who you are playing with. 

This game is made for players aged 17 and up, and for 5-10 players.

Example Question Cards

Who would have the hardest time talking their way out of an insane asylum?
Who will be the hardest to recognize in 10 years?
Who would lose an election because of something they did in high school?
Whose Google search history would you most like to see?

Grab This Game

Controller Shields

Our family games together and we each have our own controllers, sometimes it can be hard to tell whose is whose.  For the boys we took some of those pre-printed labels with their names on them and put them on the back. But I really love the idea of these KontrolFreek Shields that lets you change your controller to your unique personality without any fuss or muss.

The KontrolFreek Shields can be purchased for: PS4, PS3, Xbox One and Xbox 360 controllers and come in 7 exciting designs.  They look good and protect the controller from dirt and grime buildup.

They can easily be removed and do not leave a sticky residue.

These are fairly inexpensive and would be a fun gift or stocking stuffer for the upcoming holiday season.

Gift a KontrolFreek Shield

Disney Junior The Lion Guard Boulder Burst Game

I am always looking for some great games to play with my boys, and I was sent Boulder Burst to check out for my other blog! I thought this would be a great game to share over here as well for our gift guide!

Check it out!
The Pride Lands are in danger of flooding and Bunga’s boulder dam could burst at any time! Add “water” balls and build the wall higher and higher but don’t be the player to make it come tumbling down!

The Disney Junior The Lion Guard Boulder Burst Game Features:

Hold the water back with a teetering stack!


Contents: 28 Boulders, 18 “Water” Balls, 1 Canyon, 1 Rain Cloud, 1 Back Wall, 1 Pride Lands Platform, Instructions

Buy this game!

Buggaloop Board Game

Our boys love HEXBUGs!  Like really really love them.  So of course when I saw the Buggaloop game I had to get it for them for Christmas!

This game features a unique 'backyard habitat', and is played in the box.  It is a 2 - 4 player game for players aged 6 and up.  It comes with a HEXBUG nano V2 with button cell battery to help with the fun!

Players take turns rolling the die and moving their bugs across the backyard, until the Hexbug appears from one of the two drain pipes and tries to bump them off their path. The player that remains standing is safe. If you get bumped, you have to start over. The first player to get 3 of their bugs to safety wins! 

Look out! There’s a HEXBUG crawling underneath your backyard and it’s coming after you! It's an original HEXBUG Nano V2, the all new breed of gravity defying HEXBUG Nanos. This bug can climb vertically, horizontally, around corners, through loops and tubes.

Quick, can you cross the yard before the HEXBUG takes you out?

Fast paced, action packed fun for Family Game Night!

BUY BUGGALOOP NOW

Monkey Beach

This year we are giving our boys the Monkey Beach - Children's Game from Ravensburger.  This is a treasure hunting game for your kids! You use your sense of touch to locate the lost loot hidden inside the soft fabric island.

Monkey Beach Overview

Join the quest and help the monkey pirates find the long-lost buried treasure. After inserting all the treasures into the volcano, players take turns selecting a location tile and a treasure tile. Upon their turn each player must now feel for the hidden treasure shapes around the cloth island and guide them out through the beach, waterfall or jungle openings. The catch - there are two different treasures for every shape.

Having Fun While Learning Is Important to Us!

While discovering and collecting the various treasures hidden within the island, young children are introduced to tactile and visual recognition of shapes as well as vocabulary building. Treasure shapes range from triangles and ovals to trapezoids and hexagons, and include various symbols such as a diamond, gold bars, an emerald a crown, a treasure map and many more. 

This is a great game for kids ages 3 and up, and will get them using something other than their eyes to find things! 

BUY THIS GAME NOW

Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration

Hubby and I have been playing Tomb Raider together for 20 years, and still love it to this day. On our list of things to get this Christmas is the new Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration game! 

This set is the most comprehensive version of the game. It has over 50 hours of gameplay and all-new content created just for this event!

Lara Croft was forged into a true survivor, but she glimpsed a deeper, secret world. Now, after uncovering an ancient mystery, Lara must explore the most treacherous and remote regions of Siberia to find the secret of immortality before a ruthless organization known as Trinity. Lara must use her wits and survival skills, form new alliances, and ultimately embrace her destiny as the Tomb Raider.

• The Critically Acclaimed Action Adventure -Lara Croft becomes more than a survivor as she embarks on her first Tomb Raiding expedition to the most treacherous and remote regions of Siberia in search of an ancient mystery
  
• NEW 'Blood Ties' Single Player Story - Explore Lara's childhood home in all-new Story Mode adventure, and uncover a family mystery that will change her life forever.
  
• NEW 'Blood Ties' Nightmare - Lara's worst nightmares come alive as hordes of the undead overrun her childhood home. Compete with friends and create community challenges with card modifiers
  
• NEW Endurance Mode Co-Op - You and a friend must work together to raid tombs in a brutal wilderness. Battle to the top of the leaderboards, as others try to beat your longest survival run.
  
• PlayStation VR support - Experience 'Blood Ties' Single Player Story in a whole new way with full Virtual Reality support using the PlayStation VR headset (not included); details in description below

Yeah, They're Natural and Fabulous

If you are looking for a funny gift for a lady that likes Dungeons and Dragons and is a little risque in their humour, then we have a present for you!

This Yeah They're Natural shirt is funny, and a little naughty, but all fun!

Ladies we are introducing our first women’s Dungeons and Dragons gaming T-shirt! You can roll all the nat 20’s you want with this funny tee. Our laided D7D tee come with two D20’s place perfectly outside the phrase “Yeah They’re Natural” show it off, be the best of the group!

 So.... are they natural?

Creation Crate

Since my hubby was 10 or 11 years old he has always been into electronics, collecting wires, and parts to make his own security system for his room, and just all kinds of random devices.  Over the years I just came accustomed to the fact that if an electronic device broke, he would steal the parts of it and would create circuit boards and projects whenever he needed something.

Well fast forward to having our boys.  Our oldest has been going out to the garage with him since he was a few months old.  He would strap him in his seat, and bring him out to work on projects together. Sometimes he would hand him parts, and let him touch and look at them, always stopping before he got it in his mouth.  As he got older he has been wanting to help hubby work on projects, and create his own circuits.  We bought him a Snap Circuit kit, which is a great snap on kit.  I even caught him drawing out his circuit board designs on his white board just like Dad does.

He has out grown those kits and been wanting to learn how to do real kits like Dad.  He asked for a soldering iron, and I put the kibosh on that pretty quick.  He is only 10.  Hubby and I have been talking about getting him a bread board and components and having him learn how to build real circuit boards, and electronics himself. So I was pretty exited when I came across Creation Crate!

Creation Crate was created to give people a more practical way to learn basics of building electronics. Their goal is to show people that it's not as complex as they think it is. My son actually tries to teach people all about electronics.  And actually taught me that LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. 

When you sign up for their program, the first 6 months are the same, so you will get the same electronics kits:

Month 1

Mood Lamp

This lamp changes colours and only turns on when the lights are off! In this month, you will learn how to write your very own computer program in the Arduino language and how to connect electronic components together using a breadboard and some wires. You will learn about basic programming concepts - such as comments and variables - as well as how the Uno R3 microcontroller uses this code to set the brightness of the LED lights. Once you’ve mastered this, the sky’s the limit!

Month 2

Memory Game

Match the pattern of the LEDs to level up. The pattern gets longer each time you get it right. Get it right 10 times, and the game levels up with faster patterns! You’ll learn even more programming basics such as constants, functions, random numbers, and musical notes. You will also learn how to wire buttons and how to read their inputs.

Month 3

Distance Detector

Do you know how bats get around in the dark? Using echolocation, bats bounce sound waves off of nearby objects to find their way around in complete darkness. Through the Ultrasonic Sensor, you can experience this first-hand! In this project you will learn how to input a distance reading from an ultrasonic sensor and translate it into an output displayed on an LED bar graph and a tone played through a buzzer.

Month 4

LED Dice Game

Push the button to roll the dice. Roll a 2, 7, or 12 to win! You will apply the skills you have been learning from the previous previous projects and put your programming knowledge to the test!

Month 5

Optical Theremin

Create your own instrument! Wave your hands in the air to control the sound of the theremin. Play with the instrument settings until they match your musical style! You will utilize an electrical component known as the potentiometer as a knob to control the instrument. You will be testing your hardware and software knowledge that you have accumulated from the past projects.

Month 6

2-Player Reflex Game

Measure your reflex time down to the millisecond! Test your reflex time against your friends.You’ll learn about the electrical concept of the floating pin, as well as how to program your own functions and how to calculate elapsed time. 

Each kit comes with everything you need to create it including the instructions.  The kit comes in a small box, and has the LEDs, breadboard, and all the wiring. We received the mood lamp kit (which I am giving my oldest for Christmas), and my hubby was eyeing the parts commenting on how good the wires were.  I have to watch that one!  I can't wait for my son to get this as a Christmas present as I know he is going to freak out!  

Over all, I think this is an amazing kit, and is a great non-gaming gift for the geeky person in your life!

DND Choose Your Weapon

Dungeons and Dragons is a hugely popular game with longevity in the gaming industry.  If you are looking for a gift for the role playing Dungeons and Dragons fan on your list, then you need to grab this Dungeons and Dragons Choose Your Weapons shirt:

Ok all you elves and mystics and dungeon masters out there, we know you've seen this dice t-shirt on TV and wanted your own, so here's your chance to finally own it.  Our Choose Your Weapons Wisely t-shirt features six dice, along with the corresponding phrase in a stylish, medieval font.  Dazzle your fellow D&D players or give one a gift they'll cherish on each passing quest.

Which one would you choose?

Crit Happens

Any Dungeon and Dragons fans out there?  Do you have any on your gift giving list?  Check out this Crit Happens tee shirt:

Anyone who's thrown their share of d20s knows about the dreaded critical fail all too well, and it's never a pretty scene.  The Crit Happens t-shirt from Guerrilla Tees features a stylish medieval font alongside a red d20, with the words "Crit Happens" in clean, easy-to-read lettering.  It comes in your choice of gray or black, with red lettering that's professionally screenprinted for lightweight comfort and years of good looks.  Guerrilla Tees is proud to offer the best selection of Dungeons and Dragons T-shirts available anywhere.

BUY THE CRIT HAPPENS SHIRT

I Beat Boys

Are you looking for a gift for the gamer girl in your life? Then you need to get this shirt! I love this Tee from Guerrilla Tees!

Are you the girl in your group who's consistently beating your male gaming buddies?  If so, this just might be the perfect women's gaming shirt to show off your skills.  Our I Beat Boys ladies t-shirt comes in your choice of either black or pink, and features subtle yet inspiring graphics of two controllers and the respective phrase in clean, easy-to-read lettering.  Wear it on gaming night, to the bars or anywhere you feel like unleashing your inner warrior!

Sphero Special Edition BB-8 App-Enabled Droid with Force Band

Last year at Christmas, we got our son the Sphero BB8, and he went nuts for it! He still plays with it all the time, and I was thankful blogging was able to provide this for him!  I thought it was the coolest things out there in BB8 items....but they managed to make it even more awesome!  Seriously.

They now have the Star Wars™ Force Band™ by Sphero!  And you can get it in a special combo kit with the BB-8!  You can be just like a Jedi Knight, when you use the force to control your BB8.

You can expand your abilities with Force Training, and use the band by itself to complete Combat Training for Blasters, Lightsabers, and the Force itself, or collect digital holocrons in your environment through Force Awareness. Fulfill your destiny and become strong in the ways of the Force.

Pair your Force Band with Special Edition Battle-Worn BB-8, straight from the sands of Jakku!  It actually looks like it has been on the Resistance missions.  The Force Band is also compatible with the original BB-8 App-Enabled Droid by Sphero and Sphero robots powered by Bluetooth SMART.  I think we need this for our boy! Although he loves Darth Vader and Kylo Ren, so I am sure he would bring BB8 to the dark side!

Get the Sphero Special Edition BB-8 App-Enabled Droid with Force Band here

Madden 16 Official Game Guide

Do you have any NFL Madden game fans on your list? Well if so, consider purchasing the Madden NFL 16 Official Game Guide for them for Christmas.

This makes a great stocking stuffer or pair it with the Madden NFL 16 game for a great present for under the tree!

Madden NFL 16 Official Strategy Guide includes...

LEARN FROM A TRUSTED EA SPORTS GAME CHANGER - Back again is active Madden NFL Community contributor and past tournament champion, Zach "ZFARLS" Farley, to take you through a guided tour of what's new in Madden NFL 16.

DRAFT A WINNING TEAM - Learn all about the new Draft Champions mode with tips on draft targets, Offensive and Defensive formations, and play styles for each team.

BEST PLAYS FOR YOUR FAVORITE TEAM - Play call diagrams are back for easy reference based on yardage and down situations. Also take advantage of scouting reports, NFL schedules, Connected Franchise Mode data, key players, depth charts, and more to make you a better Madden NFL player.

DOMINATE IN MADDEN ULTIMATE TEAM - Discover the best players by position and how to build a winning team for your play style.

GET UP-TO-DATE FANTASY FOOTBALL TIPS ALL SEASON LONG - Build a winning Fantasy Football team by studying our mock draft and NFL.com/fantasy highest-rated players by position. Stay informed with weekly player rankings included in the eGuide (digital code inside).
FREE Mobile-Friendly eGuide! Unlock the enhanced eGuide for bonus videos of the top 16 plays in Madden NFL 16!

Buy the guide!

Knits For Nerds

With the holidays approaching faster than we are ready for, it's time to start thinking presents, so we are highlighting some for you!

If you are a knitter, and have nerds or geeks on your list.... then you need the Knits for Nerds book!  Knit them something awesome for Christmas.  If, however, you have a knitter on your list....then you should purchase Knits for Nerds for them as a gift!!

 

This book was created specifically for people who love: sci-fi, fantasy, comics, and manga!

 The patterns for 30 iconic clothing and accessory items inspired by popular TV shows, books, films, comics, and more--including Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Firefly--are presented alongside full-color photographs showcasing completed projects, such as:

* Lieutenant Uhura's sexy Star Trek minidress

* Hobbit feet slippers

* Firefly-inspired scarf, socks, hat, and jacket

* Tank Girl socks

* Hermione Granger's secret beaded bag

* Manga-inspired leg warmers

* The Big Bang Theory-inspired his and hers sweater-vests

* Lord of the Rings-inspired shrug

In addition to a wardrobe of costume finery, hobbyists will also find instructions for practical projects such as an e-reader cover or a laptop bag crafted of checkered fabric that serves double-duty as a chessboard and carryall, as well as patterns for plush toys inspired by Star Trek, robots, and the comic book Squee! Wear (and knit!) your nerdiness on your sleeve with Knits for Nerds.

Overall this is on my list because:
1. I am on knitter, and always love knitting patterns to have on hand.
2. I am a nerd and want some of these!
3. I have nerds on my list who would go nuts for some of things made for them!

BUY NOW

R2-D2 Coffee Press

Photo Courtesy of ThinkGeek

Hubby and I have one site we send each other when the other is annoying us.  It is ThinkGeek.  Why you may ask, it's because we know that once we open the site, well we will be on there for a long time. Usually an hour or more is lost looking at all the things! Seriously.  It's awesomely diabolical.  If you are a geeky game lover or have a geeky gamer on your Christmas Giving list.  Spend your money there.

No this is not a sponsored, or review post, I just found another awesome thing on there, and had to share it because, I want it, and so do most of the people I know!

Have you seen the R2-D2 Coffee Press?  It's Star Wars, and Coffee together.... it's awesome.

Photo Courtesy of ThinkGeek

So this ThinkGeek creation is exclusive to them, so you can't get it just anywhere, and it is only coming out in early November, but you can pre-order now. I would recommend you do because if not you might not get it.  Also you get ThinkGeek points which you can use for other stuff. I often use them to buy hubby cool gadgets for stocking stuffers. I get them free, and he loves them!


He is BPA- free, and the removable glass carafe is dishwasher safe!

BUY NOW

The PolarM600 AndroidWear Smart Watch

On And She Games we like to not only show you awesome gaming stuff, but geeky gear as well.  So today's featured product as my geeky techy senses tingling!  That's right people! I was sent the PolarM600 AndroidWear Smart Watch!

Polar is known for it's heart rate sensors, activity trackers, and wearable sport technology so wehn they come out with a Smart Watch powered by Android Wear™, it's bound to get some attention.

Polar and Android Wear teamed up to give access Polar’s unique sports offering including Smart Coaching features such as Activity Guide, as well as Android Wear capabilities. It's the best of both worlds for Polar and Android Wear fans. Using your Polar M600 you can get all the training and insight into daily activity and workouts that you are used to with your Polar products.  But you can also access the Android Wear’s voice control, customize the watch faces, and receive your calendar notifications so you don't miss any of your important meetings.  You will also be ale to read and reply to texts, scroll through social media feeds and access more than 4,000 third party apps via Google Play. Access the power of your Android Wear phone, on your Polar M600!  

The Polar M600 offers 4 Gb of internal storage and customers can sync their music through Google Play and listen to it also without their smartphone!  So when you are running and tracking your fitness just access your music on the go! Power through that work out, without pulling out the phone!

But don't forget that it also is a great fitness and activity tracker.  

Polar M600 features Polar’s proprietary optical heart rate technology.  It utilizes the 6-LED solution, and an algorithm designed and tested for maximum reliability.  This provides a wrist-based heart rate measurement and well it looks really cool!  Seriously. Check it out:

The Polar Flow app allows users to view their activity, heart rate training and sleep details via the iOS and Android apps.  The offer web services that provide even more in-depth insights into their fitness, recovery and progress. Polar M600 users can also benefit from the new Polar Running Program, a personalized and adaptive training plan. Runners choose an event (5K, 10K, half-marathon or marathon), and the Running Program creates a training plan that fits their current fitness level, adapts to their progress and offers easy-to-follow instructions that help runners focus on what’s important for improvement.

One of my favourite features (and I think all tech should have this feature) is it is waterproof!! Yes! That's right! Waterproof! So no matter what you are doing you can feel secure that it isn't going to fail you!


This would make an amazing present for Christmas for the tech lover in your life. Oh heck get one for you too!

BUY NOW

Super Charge Your Holiday

Super charge your holiday with this Christmas Carol from Skylanders: