Tag: Fgtv
News Nintendo Switch Battery Test Reveals Some Surprising Results
Beats 3DS and New 3DS in terms of stamina
The stamina of the Nintendo Switch has been something of a talking point ever since it was revealed that the console would last between three to six hours on a single charge. However, it's easy to forget that the days of a handheld running for weeks on a single set of AA batteries are well and truly over;...
Parent Trap A Family Gamer's Perspective On The Nintendo Switch
Andy Robertson has a new console in the house
Putting the Nintendo Switch in front of the kids was a fascinating experiment. They had, of course, heard of the console but beyond that knew very little about it. So far Nintendo aren't again the talk of the playground - although give it a few months and that seems likely to change. I got the console...
Parent Trap Nintendo Switch Parental Controls Beat Console Rivals To The Punch
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson loves no longer being the bad guy
With all the excitement of going hands-on with the games, controller and screen at the launch event it's easy to pass over some of the finer details of the Nintendo Switch. Chief among these details for families is the Parental Controls app. Other features may be sexier or more...
Parent Trap Nintendo Switch Takes on Tablets
A family perspective on Nintendo's next-gen system
While it will take a while for the news to sink in fully, the Nintendo Switch has got quite a few things right for families. Most importantly it has one single feature to communicate and doubles down on that with its name. Switch underlines the double value families can get here by covering the...
News Skylanders Creator App Turns Your Wii U Skylanders Into Physical Toys
Getting creative
Activision has just unveiled its Skylanders Creator app. This sucks characters from the console version of Imaginators and enables players to tweak and order 3D printed versions of their creations - as well as T-Shirts and Cards, too. The app is quite low-tech in its connectivity. Select transfer from the Wii U and it plays an...
News LEGO Batman Movie and Knight Rider Expansions Coming to LEGO Dimensions
Hoff you had enough yet?
Though the add-on pricing and overall cost for collectors can make adults cry when they think about LEGO Dimensions, Warner Bros. and TT Fusion have lived up to the promise that the game would be a 'platform' in its own right. Resisting the urge to release a direct 'sequel' so far, we've had continual updates and new packs...
News Crash, Cortex And Thumpin' Wumpa Islands Are All Headed To Wii U In Skylanders Imaginators
Hands-on at Gamescom 2016
At E3 Activision had announced that PlayStation owners would get a special Crash Bandicoot Starter Pack with characters and levels from the classic game in the forthcoming Skylanders Imaginators. At Gamescom 2016 we finally got to hear how Wii U (and Xbox) owners can get in on the Crash action. First off we have another...
Video Animal Crossing Noir Continues to Explore the Mysteries of New Leaf
"I boarded the train, but where does the rest of the line go?"
A while ago we shared the first couple of episodes of 'Animal Crossing Noir' with you - it's an entertaining and dark spin on New Leaf that has strong vibes of 1960s TV series The Prisoner. Six episodes have been released so far, deepening the mystery behind villager HMK's arrival
Video New Fan-Made Video Series Uncovers Animal Crossing's Darker Side
I am not a number, I am a free tanuki!
Animal Crossing: New Leaf feels like a lifetime ago now and recent spin-offs Happy Home Designer and amiibo Festival didn't really scratch our itch, but this unofficial Animal Crossing animated series should keep us entertained while we wait for the next proper instalment. As you can see it uses the characters,...
Hands On Skylanders Imaginators Brings Crash To Wii U For The First Time
Family Gamer TV's Andy Robertson gets back in touch with a gaming icon
Getting hands on with Skylanders Imaginators at E3 was something of a revelation. We had heard a lot about the character creator before the event but it wasn't until we tried it for ourselves that it became apparent just how in-depth and flexible this is. The interface works...
E3 2016 Prepare to Empty Your Wallets for LEGO Dimensions Wave 6
C'mon, grab your friends and go to very distant lands
Family Gamer TV's Andy Robertson has been doing the rounds at E3 and has been lucky enough to get hands on with the Wave 6 mini-figures for LEGO Dimensions, which we have to say are looking pretty darn lovely. LEGO Dimensions co-director Arthur Parsons shares how the different franchises all...
Parent Trap Welcoming A Yo-Kai Into The Family
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson catches some spooks
With the European launch of Yo-Kai Watch taking place today the families I work with have been discovering how good a fit the world of Yo-Kai is for them. I was expecting it to be pretty popular with the strong collecting and character aspects of the game, but I hadn't realised how much substance...
Video Looking at Steamworld Heist's Ambitions Beyond The Outsider DLC
"I certainly hope to create more DLC"
Right now there's a lot of buzz around the new DLC for Steamworld Heist (out now), with its new character Fen, levels, weapons and (most importantly) expanded hat collection. Talking to Image & Form CEO Brjann Sigurgeirsson about the new content it was interesting to hear how Image & Form is approaching...
Events UK's First Family Gaming Festival Due To Take Place At Kidtropolis
With Family Gamer TV in charge
Our friends over at Family Gamer TV will be hosting the UK's first family-focused gaming festival at this year's Kidtropolis, which takes place at ExCel London this October. Kidtropolis is the UK's largest consumer event for kids and families. Family Gamer TV - a YouTube channel which gets 8 million views a month -...
Parent Trap Mario & Sonic At The Rio 2016 Olympic Games Scores With Download Play
Andy Robertson builds up a sweat on the 3DS
For families it is often the games you least expect to be a big hit that get played more than any other. While I liked the look of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games I wasn't expecting it to turn into my family's go-to game this month. There are a few factors here that make it a great fit for...
News Shovel Knight Is Playable in Mutant Mudds Super Challenge
Digging deep for fan-service
If the challenge of simply getting through the gruelling levels of Mutant Mudds Super Challenge isn't enough for you there are a range of hidden characters to track down. Today we have the official reveal of the Shovel Knight character. Jools Watsham, creator of the game, today drew back the curtain on how exactly to...
Hands On How Indie Hit Terraria Is Building Multiplayer Mayhem Into Its Wii U Port
Will provide "content parity" with other console editions
Terraria still doesn't have a firm release date on Wii U yet, but it's getting close. Spending time with the game recently we had the chance to see first hand how it used the touch screen of the Wii U's GamePad and multiplayer via its Wii Remotes. The first thing to say is that it looks...
Parent Trap Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon Gets Personal
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson gets asked some probing Poké-questions
Creating games for children is tricky because it's the small things that make the biggest difference. My kids often get as much fun from unintended consequences of the main game as they do completing the campaign. I've been reminded of this while playing Pokémon Super Mystery...
And how to get the perfect PEGI rating
Steamworld Heist may be one of the last games to release in 2015, but it's also one of the best. Riding high on Metacritic it looks set to be the highest-scoring 3DS game of the year, and is throwing a spanner in the works of many overeager publication's "game of the year" lists. We sat down with Brjann...
Feature 505 Games On Bringing Terraria To Nintendo Consoles And Facing Off Against Minecraft
"There's a bit of rivalry between the Minecraft and Terraria communities"
With Terraria on the 3DS, Minecraft on Wii U and Terraria coming to Wii U soon, there's arguably never been a better time to be a Nintendo block-builder. Looking at the first direct capture from the Wii U game alongside some 3DS footage, Dean Scott - Producer on Terraria at...
Parent Trap Is 3DS Download Play The Perfect Family Feature?
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson celebrates an underrated system-seller
The 3DS is quite a system, and has found its way into the hands of more than 50 million players all over the world. However, there are a few features on the console that families often overlook, one of which is Download Play. Of course, expert and avid Nintendo players know all...
Parent Trap Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival Goes Where Other Wii U Games Don't
We also break down the amiibo card mini-games
Families come in all shapes and sizes, we say that often, but then we expect a handful of popular games to work with all of them. Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival breaks the mould in both its form and structure, in doing so it caters for a brand new type of audience and introduces them to the world of...
Parent Trap Oft-Forgotten Wii U Features That Matter To Families
Family Gamer TV looks at the eShop, backward compatibility and more
Weighing up which console to invest in for a family is a matter of identifying which features are most important to you. I've had a repeated conversation over the last few months where I introduce friends and parents to some of the lesser known features of the Wii U. Some of these...
Parent Trap Choosing The Right Nintendo 3DS For You And Your Family
Which 3DS is right for you? Family Gamer TV's Andy Robertson explains
The 3DS has had a long and winding history. Over the years it has developed a strong collection of games for families, but which version of the hardware is the best fit these days? Family Gamer TV works with a range of different families of varying shapes and sizes. They all play...
Video Get Some Tips on Accessing and Enjoying the Animal Crossing Happy Home Network
Don't worry, be happy
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer has been out for a few weeks now and had a day one update to add in online room viewing and sharing, which had been a post-launch addition in Japan. Unlike with some titles this game isn't overly insistent on you installing the update, and some may have missed it entirely. Yet it's the only...
Parent Trap Does The Wii U Still Make Sense For Families?
Andy Robertson takes a family-focused look at Nintendo's console
Choosing a videogame console for a family is a big decision. Get it right and you'll bring a positive experience into the home that matches how you play games together. Get it wrong and you'll be constantly looking over your shoulder at the experience you could have had on another...
Video Super Mario Maker Gets A Family-Focused Challenge
Mums and dads, get ready for a showdown
With millions of Super Mario Maker levels being created, the folks at Family Gamer TV are spreading the craze to mums and dads with a new family-friendly competition. A handful of families from all over the world will be going head-to-head to create their own levels and then battle each other to reign supreme...
Video Hands On With New Style Boutique 2, A Surprising Fusion Of Fashion And Business Smarts
Clothes line
New Style Boutique 2 – Fashion Forward is coming in November, and is going to be get its own 3DS hardware bundle with special cover plates. While it may seem that Style Boutique is a rather undemanding title aimed at younger female players, my daughter has been trying it out and getting more than just fashion tips. Along with...
News Minecraft Game Engine Could Be Ported To Wii U Thanks To Minecraft: Story ModeÂ
"Everything that looks like Minecraft is actually built in Minecraft"
Edit: Given the confusion that the original title caused, we've altered it slightly and are currently seeking clarification from Telltale regarding the game engine that Story Mode will run in. Original Story: Minecraft: Story Mode has been confirmed for release on Wii U, and...
Video Mega Yarn Yoshi, Shovel Knight And More amiibo Madness At EGX 2015
Is your wallet ready?
You like amiibo, right? Of course you do! Everyone does. And with that in mind, you'll no doubt be pleased to hear that Nintendo Life video expert Alex Olney teamed up with our friends at Family Gamer TV at EGX 2015 to get an up-close tour of all the lovely new amiibo on show at the expo. On the Nintendo booth we got to have a...
Video Skylanders Superchargers Wii and Wii U Starter Packs ComparedÂ
Bowser and DK make their entrances
Ahead of reviews coming in for Skylanders Superchargers we have a look at how the toys stack up in the home. In particular how the Wii U and Wii starter packs compare to the other console versions. As you can see in these unboxing videos, the kids are more than a little impressed by Bowser and Donkey Kong packs...
Video Things Go Bump In The Night In This Lego Dimensions Scooby Doo Trailer
ZOINKS
It's not long now before the launch of Lego Dimensions, and here we have an exclusive trailer for the Scooby Doo levels, as well as a close look at how this will play on the Wii U. While it's not right to have favourites, Scooby has to be up there with Back to the Future and Ghostbusters as a fan favourite brand. He's one of 14 franchises...
Hands On Here's What The 3DS Version Of Terraria Looks Like
On show at this year's Gamescom
Although the Wii U version was not forthcoming, the 3DS iteration of the popular 2D mining game Terraria - recently confirmed as coming to Nintendo platforms - was fully playable at this year's Gamecom. We've put quite a lot of time into the PC version and it took a little while to get used to the controls on the 3DS...
News Skylander SuperChargers Racing On Wii And 3DS Will Offer Bespoke Tracks And Progression
Racing experience "unlike" anything you'll see on current-gen systems
Activision may have unveiled a lot of the Wii U version of Skylanders SuperChargers at Gamescom 2015, featuring heavily the platform-wide addition of its Kart Racing mode, but we are still light on details relating to the Wii and 3DS versions of the game. Talking to Vicarious...
News Online Multiplayer and Kart Racing Gameplay Unveiled for Skylanders SuperChargers Â
Bowsers and Donkey Kong go up a gear
While we had expected Activision to unveil the Wii and 3DS version of Skylanders SuperChargers at Gamescom, when doors open today what we'll see is something much more substantial. Not only have we a new online multiplayer kart racing game in all versions of Skylanders SuperChargers, but also online for the main...
Video Splatoon Co-Director Tsubasa Sakaguchi Gets Grilled By Kids
Kids say the funniest things
Splatoon game director Tsubasa Sakaguchi isn't often available for interviews, so Family Gamer TV was understandably excited when he invited the families and children it works with to share their pressing questions. While we might want to know how he came up with the design for the game, or what the business drivers...
Parent Trap Skylanders SuperChargers Dials Nintendo Love up to Eleven, Even on Wii
FGTV learns more about cross-platform compatibility for Wii U, Wii and 3DS
The natural way of things in the video game world is be to moved on to the next generation of console pretty quickly. The Wii has changed all that, for better or worse. Millions of families who don't consider themselves avid gamers still have that little white box tucked...
News Wii and Wii U Get Special Treatment for Skylanders SuperChargers Dark Editions
Not a dark day
Activision has recently announced the Skylanders SuperChargers Dark Edition packs at Comic-Con San Diego; t
Parent Trap Woolly Yoshi amiibo Finally Turn Toys To Life Figures Into Actual Toys
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson has a yarn Yoshi, don't hate him
It may seem that the knitted amiibo for Yoshi's Woolly World are simply a gimmick. However, for children the difference here is more than aesthetic. They mark a new toys to life trend of offering playable toys rather than collectable figurines for the shelf. Of course, historically toys...
Publisher remaining tight-lipped about "complementary" versions
While there has been lots of noise and pizzazz around the Wii U version of Skylanders SuperChargers at E3, not so much attention has been spent on the Wii and 3DS versions. When Superchargers was announced it was clear that both Wii and 3DS were not the same as the other console...
Video Here's Some Delicious Off-Screen Footage Direct From The E3 2015 Nintendo Booth
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson is in LA - don't hate him for that
E3 is slowly but surely winding down but there's still plenty to get excited about - and we've got some off-screen footage direct from the Nintendo booth for you to feast your eyes on. Have a look at all footage below and let us know what you think by leaving a comment!
Video Take Another Look at the Skylanders SuperChargers Bowser and Donkey Kong amiibo in Action
A behind-closed-doors preview
While it probably wasn't an announcement to prompt huge buzz in the E3 audience, Nintendo scored a commercial coup with the arrival of big N-themed Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Packs, featuring exclusive Bowser and Donkey Kong figures that also function as amiibo. Just yesterday we posted a gallery of the press...
News That's No Moon, It's The Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars Rise Against The Empire Play Set
The Force is strong in these fresh assets
Disney has just revealed another play set for the forthcoming Disney Infinity 3.0, and this time around it's based on everyone's favourite Star Wars trilogy - the original one. The Star Wars Rise Against the Empire Play Set takes key moments from Episodes IV to VII, placing you in the shoes of Luke...
Parent Trap Splatoon Gets Family Tested, And Comes Through With Flying Colours
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson investigates Nintendo's new smash-hit
With Splatoon out in the wild we can get a first proper impression of how the game is going down with families. With this in mind I checked in with the Huo family to see how they'd taken to the local and online components of Nintendo's new shooter. They took a while to get used to...
News Lego Jurassic World Pre-Order Freebies Coming To PlayStation and Xbox, But Not Wii U
"You didn't say the magic word"
The latest Lego Jurassic World trailer shows more of the game and its customisable dinosaurs. It also comes with details of pre-order bonus for PlayStation and Xbox owners - but there's no news of anything similar on the Wii U. In the trailer we see the usual Lego hub world and platforming game-play along with the...
Hands On Disney Infinity 3.0's Twilight Of The Republic Brings The Star Wars Saga To Wii U
The Force is strong in this one
After much anticipation we finally got our hands on the Star Wars levels in Disney Infinity 3.0 in London last week. There's a little time before launch still but the headline here is that things feel very polished and locked down already - we came away very impressed. Having had a play with the Toy Box game-creator...
Hands On Disney Infinity Toy Box 3.0 Brings A Fresh Mario Kart Rival To Wii U
Sumo Digital works its magic once more
Getting hands-on with the Toy Box for Disney Infinity 3.0 was more than a little interesting, not least because of the Star Wars content and characters therein. At an event in London yesterday we had a chance to experiment with the new game creator as well as try both the Toy Box Takeover adventure and Toy Box...
Parent Trap Code Name S.T.E.A.M. Makes Chess Players Of Us All
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson on old and new turn-based strategy
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. creates a knife edge multiplayer challenge for families with as much to commend it as Chess. Fighting talk I know, but this 3DS game made me reconsider how I see (and limit) video games in the home. While few have ambitions for their children to get really good at...
News LEGO Jurassic World Brings 20 Customisable Dinos To Wii U And 3DS
Clever girl
With the new trailer for Lego Jurassic World and the early June release date we are starting to find out more details about how the game will play in practice. Perhaps the most interesting new feature here - aside from the Jurassic World franchise, of course - is the Dino Customiser. The trailer revealed that you could play as 20...
Parent Trap Splatoon Is The Perfect Family Firepower-Fest
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson gets inked up in Nintendo's new hit
Splatoon has been bubbling away for a while, but it's only now - thanks to the recent Global Testfire events - that we start to see how unusual and engaging a game this will be for a whole new audience of shooting fans. Every family is different but a video game flash point for many...