"I think every player should think that he's a difference maker."

As a gamer that spends most of my game time on a handheld console, it can be frustrating when I get into a game on our Wii U and don't have the time to sit and play for extended periods of time. Being able to take the 3ds about with me is a lot more convenient. There have been some amazing Wii U releases this year and many of them I have wished could be somehow moved to the 3ds so I could fit them into the times I can actually dedicate to playing. It's this frustration that is getting me so excited about the Nintendo Switch, I love the idea of being able to continue a game I am playing on the go and I cannot wait to give the console a try in 2017.

Until that is possible though I spend my time hoping that the games I love will be moved to a handheld platform. Recently I've been in luck (Twice). Since reviewing Super Mario Maker back in September it instantly became my favourite Nintendo release of this year and inevitably made its way to the top of my top 5 Nintendo Christmas List. Super Mario Maker has taken those Mario games many of us have grown up with and given the Nintendo gaming world the chance to design custom levels to share with people all over the world. This is what I have always loved about Nintendo, for me, they are at the peak of games design.

When I first read that they would be creating Mario Maker for the 3ds I was so excited and couldn't wait to get stuck in. There are some really creative levels that have been designed and I love seeing what people have come up with, The boys and I really enjoy making almost impossible levels for each other to tackle and the game has sparked some serious competition in our house.

I was actually expecting the 3ds version of the game to be really limited, but there is just as much going on. The only negative I have found and its nothing to do with the actual game, is that you obviously need to be connected to the internet to enter the course world and play other gamers levels. That being said though, as I sat outside Seth's school with the game on, I clicked on 'Mario Challenge' and I have become obsessed! At first glance, these not very challenging levels look simple to complete but when you add things in like not being able to use the left button or only being able to destroy certain bad guys, the levels become not only difficult but very very addictive.

Seth has asked for Super Mario Maker for Christmas and has refused to play this until then. With the option of being able to design levels and send them to each other, I've got a feeling we are going to be in for a pretty eventful Christmas day.

I did mention earlier in the post that there has been two occasions where a game I love has had the WiiU to 3DS cross-over, The second is coming soon. I cannot wait to get my hands on another of my favourite games in 2017 when Nintendo also release that 3DS version of Yoshi's Woolly World, Poochy and Yoshi's Woolly World. 2017 is going to be huge for Nintendo and I'm excited to be a part of it.

Nintendo: Kirby Planet Robobot for 3ds

While visiting my friend Steve a few weeks ago, we got on to the conversation of gaming. Steve is the chap I built the LEGO arcade with and we have both been huge gaming fans so at some point when we see each other that topic will pop up. As we were chatting I was explaining about my life long love of Nintendo and the impact the games had had on my childhood growing up. I was really shocked when he said 'I never really got Nintendo, they keep using the same characters over and over!'. This, is of course, true! but for myself and probably a huge amount of Nintendo enthusiasts, this only adds to the magic of them as a gaming platform. By playing the various games you build a relationship with the characters. I remember defeating Koopa for the first time, watching that floor disappear beneath him, which was around 24 years ago and I have followed the plumbers escapades ever since. Mario, Link, Samus, the Pokemon and all their Nintendo buddies have had a pretty lengthy career and although Mario has had many reincarnations over more than two decades, each game I play takes me right back to that moment as a child. I really have grown up with Nintendo.

Kirby is right up there on that list. There have been a few titles from Kirby's back catalogue that I haven't played but I do remember playing Kirby's adventure when I was around 13, as well as many of the other titles and there was something really addictive about that cute, round, pink character and the way he sucked up the baddies to take on their abilities. Kirby is another of Nintendo's iconic platform characters and what has always stuck out to me (as with most of Nintendo's games) is that the games are suitable for all ages.

Kirby: Planet Robobot for the 3ds is the latest instalment from the ever growing Kirby franchise of games. This new Kirby though, (although still cute), has definitely upped his game (nice pun there!) with the awesome addition of robot Mech suits throughout the levels. Kirby can still inhale his enemies taking on their powers and abilities but he has the added fun of mech suits which have him lifting heavy objects and smashing through walls to protect his beloved home planet Pop Star. The Mech suits aren't just for destroying everything in its path, they can also be used to scan enemies throughout the game to take on their personas, plus there are new abilities which are a great addition to the game play, Doctor, Poison and ESP.

Aside from the main story there are also 2 other modes that can be played, Team Kirby clash is a multiplayer game (up to 4 players) where the team works together to take down larger enemies and Kirby 3D Rumble is a solo game where you have to defeat waves of bad guys to progress through the levels. 

The boys have always been interested in the things that fuelled my childhood and being able to introduce Kirby to them too has been great. Nintendo meant so much to me growing up so being able to share that with the boys has been really interesting and I hope that the boys enjoy following the lives of their favourite characters too. Seth is there already when it comes to his love of Pokemon. Sun and Moon is released later this year which is definitely on his list of future games to play and I can't wait to get stuck into it with him.

"There is something magical about three you know - a trio is tight and nicely economical."

I am a HUGE Nintendo fan and have grown up with their games since I was around the age of ten. Despite this ever growing love I am ashamed to say that I have never played a Zelda game! I know, I should be disappointed with myself and I have been told so many times over the years that I am missing out. I remember a conversation years ago with my friend Jen over a few drinks about the importance of playing the legend of Zelda games (she's a big fan) and whenever I mention Nintendo to my friend Jamie he tells me about the impact Ocarina of time had on him growing up.

It was time to give it a try and with the release of The Legend of Zelda Tri force heroes on 3ds last week there was no better time to throw myself in there. I love a good 3ds game because I can fit it in to every quiet moment I have, Sitting in the dentist waiting area, lying in bed late at night with my headphones in and in this case, waiting in a car park while Seth is having one of his annual hospital check ups.

As I have not played the other games from the series I don't have anything to compare it too, but I can confidently say that I was hooked from the moment I started playing. Tri force heroes follows Link on a new adventure in Hytopia, a town that is obsessed with fashion. The towns princess (Styla) has been cursed by a Witch who the towns folk refer to as 'The Lady' and has been left in a black jumpsuit (probably not the best outfit for a fashion conscious member of royalty).

To defeat the witch Link must embark on an adventure in to the Drablands but he's not alone as the town believe that the evil can only be lifted by a trio of heroes that work together and can form a totem by piling on each other. Tri force heroes can be played by a single gamer using two 'dopples' that you can control one at a time to get you through. What makes Tri force heroes so much fun is that to make the most of the games functions you can connect a further two consoles (2ds, 3ds or New 3ds). What makes the game even better is the other two players don't need to own the game themselves as the multiplayer mode can be played using downloadable content from the player owning the game (as well as there being a local and online play option). I wasn't sure if the game may be a little difficult for Opeie but as you are playing cooperatively and each puzzle isn't too long, you can get through each one smoothly as a team.

Haven't got anyone to play with at home? no need to worry, all you need is your console set up to your wifi and you can play co-op mode with allies everywhere. I would have loved this option on my Gameboy when I was a mini gamer growing up and it has been great to play alongside other players of an evening. As well as the Co-op play you can also take photos from each level (when you have picked up the in game camera from one of the shops) and share these in the Miiverse.

For me Tri force heroes is the best 3ds release of 2015 as it has been the first game that I have been squeezing in levels every spare moment I can (not to mention a few late nights, oops). I wont give too much away but as the levels progress they get increasingly more tricky to complete which is why I have found the game so engaging. There are also a great selection of costumes and items to unlock during your adventure to aid you through each level. As a parent and blogger I don't get huge chunks of time to sit and play console games unless I'm sitting with the boys playing together but the short puzzles fit in perfectly amongst all the other things I am doing.

The legend of Zelda Tri force Heroes gets a huge thumbs up from us and I think it will be keeping me (and the boys) entertained over the coming weeks. We're now looking forward to the next installment of The Legends of Zelda series on the Wii U too, so stay tuned.

"Interior design is a business of trust"

Over the last few months the boys Nintendo gaming style (especially Seth's) when playing their 3ds' has really changed. With the release of games like Tomodachi life, Gardening Mama and Pokemon Omega Ruby, Seth has really been getting in to the role playing games and I think it is because there is a lot more substance to this kind of gaming. When we were asked to review Animal Crossing Happy home Designer the boys jumped at the chance. Opeie was really eager to get playing but not being able to read yet was going to be an issue. So the game has now become our quiet time (outside of reading) together, Opeie plays the game and I read, great team work!

First off Opeie loves being able to play as himself and being able to design yourself as the main character is definitely going to appeal to most children. In Animal crossing Happy home designer Opeie is a Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen kind of character who works for Nook's homes. Everyone we have met in the village so far has been in need of a full renovation on their property (which of course is great for business).

Happy home designer puts you in the creative driving seat straight away, starting each remodel from a blank canvas. You are given a brief idea from the customer, asked to include a few of their prized possessions (one customers prize possession was a cup of tea... I hear that!) and then it's all down to you and your creative flair.

Now lacking in a child's imagination and brimming with reasoning and logic I found myself getting a little concerned when Opeie put a toilet in the middle of a room with the dining table right next to it, but who am I to get in the way of cutting edge interior design. It turned out that the client adored Opeie's choices anyway. Which goes to show that aside from the reading this game could be played by any age group really.

As you progress through the game you unlock a great choice of furnishings including carpets, wallpaper, artwork and electronic gadgetry. You also build a name for yourself by word of mouth and the respect of your co workers opening up bigger jobs with the mayor around the village.

Personally I've always been more of a platform game fan but after sitting with Opeie and playing together I can see why these games are such big sellers. Role playing games really make you part of the game and rather than going back to a game each time to have another stab at a level you are struggling with, you are building something big and there is no end to what you achieve. Playing Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer has opened me up to the prospect of playing more role playing games, Seth is still really into Tomodachi life and it does look a lot of fun so that may be my next venture.

If you have a new 3ds or NFC reader/writer (which unfortunately we don't) there are also 100 different animal crossing Amiibo cards to collect helping you drum up more business with potential customers and adding an extra dynamic to your gameplay.

Right I can hear the boss calling and I've got some remodeling to take care of, until next time gamers.

"oh wow techno fear it's happening again, all the machinerys ganging up on me"

Its coming to that time of year again, when a good percentage of us parents go into panic mode about what to get our adorable little ones for Christmas hoping that Santa really has been taking notice of what our little ones are interested in throughout the year. As always electronic toys and gadgets are increasingly popular with children and the adult market is huge too (Mrs M is always telling me how many Nintendo consoles she sees during her morning commute). I imagine this time of year consoles and games are big business. I'm a Nintendo guy through and through and have been since the release of the NES many years ago. I've grown with them as a company so I am always excited when there is an awesome game promotion going on.

Clearly Nintendo is fully aware of the stresses and strains of Christmas shopping and has come up with a great Winter promotion giving you the chance to download one of the latest 3DS games for free, yes FREE! (and they are all great games). To do this all you need to do is register your Console (3ds/2ds) with Club Nintendo along with one of 3 3ds games, Super smash bros, Pokemon Omega Ruby or Pokemon Alpha Sapphire (original or limited edition Steelbook). 

Once you have your product Pin numbers to hand All you need to do is register them through the site (be aware that if you have bought either second had the product pin may not work). Once your products are registered all you need to do is Log into your Club Nintendo account 24 hours later and request your download code by clicking on the free game promotional banner. There is a great selection on games to choose from.

I was chatting to a parent while picking Seth up from school last week, and I was trying to explain the promotion (as I was really impressed by it). She told me she wasn't great with computers;, etc. and I thought 'i wonder how many people are going to miss out on this?' I know for some of us parents, knowing what to do with these consoles can be a little daunting, but this promotion is so awesome i thought id make the whole process a little easier with a step by step guide. Everybody needs a free Nintendo game in their life, plus this time of year shopping costs can really add up, Especially if a console is topping your child's Christmas list. Having a FREE installed game ready to go on the big day could take the edge off.

So you've got your new console and game, or maybe you haven't registered the ones you have, As I said now is the best time. Once you have gone through the set up process on the console its time to make the most of the winter promotion.

Step 1: Create an account on www. club-nintendo.com and then click to register your products...

Your product Pin can be found here (and you will find these inside all new Nintendo Software and Hardware):

Once you have entered the 16 character code into this page...

 All you need to do then is complete a short survey about your gaming preferences and where you heard about the products, etc and your console or game will be registered. You will also receive your stars that can be saved and used to buy fun items from the stars catalogue.

Once your Console and software are registered you need to leave it 24 hours before signing back into your account to choose the free game you would like using the promotional banner.

I don't want to sway you in your gaming decisions but i can strongly recommend Yoshi's new island and also Pokemon Art academy. If you don't believe me check out my art work (i know, i know, artistic genius).

You don't want to miss out on this great winter promotion and I hope I have made the whole process a little easier for you. If you are having problems though and have stumbled across this post on the verge of tearing your hair out, then drop me an email in the top left corner of the blog and i will guide you through it.

Thanks for reading and happy gaming.

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older."

Since writing for Nintendo it has kick started some serious nostalgia when it comes to my gaming. As I have said many times before gaming was a big thing for me when I was younger, it was a way to escape from other things that were going on in my life and Nintendo definitely shaped a huge chunk of my mental and emotional development. Here in Shropshire we have a local Facebook page where people sell their unwanted items and a few weeks back there was a blast from my past that popped up in my news feed.

Instantly I thought about all the games I used to love and fun times camping in the garden getting drunk and sitting up all night playing with friends. I managed to haggle the seller down to £15 which was a steal and this little nerd was very excited when I got it home. The next few days were taken up by me mooching through eBay pages looking for the games I loved and it gave me a chance to play games I found that I didn't realise had even been released.

At first Seth thought the console was really funny, many of the games seem pretty basic compared to the hand held games that you get on the 3DS these days but what I love about the boys is how they get really excited about things from my youth. They love all the old shows I liked as a child (in fact we just woke up and are watching the Super Mario Bros Super Show). I wonder what the boys would think though if I got my hands on the original Gameboy, Seth had a good chuckle when he saw one in the science museum a few weeks back.

The recent retro addition to our Nintendo family has been a lot of fun and has reminded me of many good times with friends. It's nice to think that the boys will probably have some similar great memories of us all sitting down together and playing and I love that again their gaming development has been shaped by Nintendo.