Author Archives: emmalarkins

About emmalarkins

I'm a conducer of elegant mental stimulation. Oh, and I'm a freelance writer who loves to write!

Top 3DS Games To Get for 2012

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Are you looking for some great top 3DS games for the 2012 fall/winter season? Do you want to add titles to your wishlist, or are you shopping around for fun Christmas gifts? Keep reading for a great selection!

Overall Top 3DS Games

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is an obvious 3DS favorite, as it’s been around long enough to establish a very dedicated following. Fans of treasure-seeking, sword-swinging action will approve of this latest revision, and if you’ve never played a Zelda game before (gasp!) now is a good time to start. The game boasts all of your favorite Link and Zelda action, wrapped in a shiny, new 3D package. Mario Kart 7 is a close second; the Mario franchise is just as strong on the latest Nintendo handheld unit as it is on the Wii. Note: although these titles are a little older than others on the list, they’re still worth looking into if you haven’t already checked them out.

Read more here: Best 3DS Games

Top 3DS Puzzle Games

Mahjong is every bit as addictive on the Nintendo 3DS as it is everywhere else. You’ll be able to spend hours on end reorganizing the colorful tiles, so make sure you have some free time before you check out this title! Tetris, of course, is available on the handheld as well. If you’re looking for a more complex and artistic puzzle, check out Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask or Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure.

Read more here: Best 3DS Puzzle Games

Top 3DS RPG Games

Is role-playing more your style? Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance, despite the somewhat odd title (it’s a Japanese transplant), is well worth looking into. Just make sure you’re ready to take on the challenge of investing in two main character’s lives, delve into places called the “Sleeping World,” partner with Spirits, and interact with a whole host of Disney characters. Another fun option (especially if you like dungeon crawlers) is Heroes of Ruin.

Read more here: Best 3DS Role-Playing Games (RPGs)

Top 3DS Sports Games

Sports is a genre that will always reside in the hearts of portable-console gamers. Whether you prefer to immerse yourself in the world of a realistic realization of your favorite team sport, or you’d rather get goofy with cartoon characters, there’s something here that will be right up your alley. Surprisingly, Pro Evolution Soccer 12 seems to have a leg up on the long-standing favorite, FIFA Soccer. You’ll also get plenty of enjoyment out of Mario Tennis.

Read more here: Best 3DS Sports Games

Hopefully, your thirst for the top new 3DS games has been slaked. With so many great options to choose from,  If you’re looking for even more great titles – from a new Pokemon game to Skylanders to a Rayman Origins release – your best bet is to visit Upcoming 3DS Games.

PlayStation Vita: Great Games for a Portable System

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PlayStation Vita GamesThe Vita, a portable gaming system released by PlayStation a couple of months ago, is a fun way to enjoy gaming on the go. The system already hosts a library full of great gaming titles, and there are more fun ones on the way. If you’re considering purchasing the Vita, this list of games might get you off the fence; if you already own the device, you’ll find some great new options to add to your collection.

  • Best Vita Racing Game: wipEout 2048
    The racing genre has always performed well on handheld gaming devices. There’s just something about taking your racing game “on the road,” so to speak, that seems comfortable and natural. That’s why it’s no surprise that the PS Vita has leapt out of the gate with several terrific racing titles, the most enjoyed of which is wipEout 2048 (by a nose!) If you can get past the rather unfortunate capitalization of the title, you’ll be able to enjoy spectacularly realized futuristic vehicles zooming around in gorgeous environments, courtesy of the Vita’s OLED screen. The rear touchpad is used to good effect, adding another dimension to the on-screen action.
    Read the full list of best Vita racing games.
  • Best Vita Sports Game: Hot Shots Golf
    Sports is another highly popular handheld-compatible genre. Although my vote stands firmly with FIFA Soccer, I have to bow to the crowds on this one in favor of Hot Shots Golf. I’ll admit that using the touch-screens adds an extra element of fun to this game, and the kooky characters help to keep it interesting.
    Read the full list of best Vita sports games. 
  • Best Vita Shooter Game: Unit 13
    Compared to the racing and sports genres, FPS games are somewhat harder to pull off on handheld gaming devices like the Vita. That’s why it’s so refreshing to see a title like Unit 13 that takes full advantage of the touchpads and other controls to create an immersive and unique shooter experience. It’s not going to be exactly like an FPS on your PS3 or your Xbox, but that’s what sets the Vita apart as a valuable addition to your gaming arsenal.
    Read the full list of best Vita shooter games. 
  • Best Vita RPG: Disgaea 3 – Absence of Detention
    Role-playing is another genre that has experienced mixed portable success, although the advent of gaming on phones and tablets has really upped the bar for casual role-playing games. Disgaea has a leg up on its competition because it’s already a well-known and well-loved franchise. And, unlike the somewhat overpriced Dungeon Hunter Alliance (which can currently be had for $0.99 on your Apple-brand device), it provides more depth and more value.
    Read the full list of best Vita RPGs. 

Prefer to know the best overall titles, regardless of genre? 10 Best PS Vita Games provides a comparison of the best titles, based on research, reviews, and user votes.

Backyard Weddings: Lessons Learned

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Backyard WeddingsPutting together my sister’s backyard wedding was certainly an eye-opening experience. Luckily, I wasn’t alone – our mother, family, friends, and neighbors all chipped in to make it an unforgettable experience.

One of the nicest things about planning a backyard wedding (especially for a small number of people) is, surprisingly, planning the backyard wedding budget. When you have to rent a venue, organize transportation to and from the venue, schedule caterers, and pay for a million other things, wedding costs quickly spiral out of control. Having your wedding at home means that you get to pick and choose which things you’re willing to splurge on, and which you don’t mind sacrificing to save money.

For example, my sister knew that she wanted to rent a wedding tent, so that we’d be prepared in case of inclement weather, and to give our parent’s backyard a festive feel. The rental included tables, chairs, and linens, which meant three less things we had to worry about. On the other hand, with the number of accomplished amateur photographers scheduled to be present, she decided not to shell out $2,000+ for a paid photographer. (Luckily, I had plenty of wedding photography tricks up my sleeve to ensure the day was properly captured for posterity).

Another great thing about having the wedding in the backyard was getting to exercise our creativity. One part that especially comes to mind is figuring out how to play the wedding music outdoors. As you can see from the picture, we cobbled together a table, a laptop, and some home entertainment speakers to form an effective set-up. However, we soon learned that the vibration from the speakers would cause the laptop to fall off and land scree-downwards on the grass. After a slight adjustment (placing the laptop behind the speaker instead of on top of it), the party returned to full-swing. Our creativity meant we could listen to the songs we wanted, when we wanted to, for a total cost of $0.

If you’re looking for a detailed overview of everything that went into the planning process – from DIY wedding food to decorations to whether we invited the family dog – check out How To Plan a Backyard Wedding.

Kinect Games Make a Fun Gift for the Whole Family

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The Kinect motion controller for the Xbox 360 isn’t your standard, handheld gadget; it’s a whole new type of device that uses video and infrared sensors to track your body’s movements, making gaming 100% hands free.

Since it’s been out for a while now, there’s been plenty of time for it to prove its worth, and the results are hugely positive. From my own experience, I know that this is an awesome device, and well worth the cost (which is in the $140 to $150 range at the moment).

Let’s assume that you or your gift recipient already has a Kinect, or that you’re planning on buying one. Which games should you get to maximize your Kinect experience?

Lucky for you, I’ve done a lot of work investigating the various genres, and I’ve got great suggestions from each:

Are you looking for a Kinect fighting game? According to my survey, Fighters Uncaged is the clear winner. However, PowerUP Heroes is a personal favorite of mine in that category.

Prefer a Kinect dance game? Dance Central (and the newest version in the franchise, Dance Central 2) is by far the most popular title. Which is not surprising – I loved this game so much, I played until I was sore!

If you have young kids, Kinectimals and Carnival Games are both fan favorites. You can see more choices here: Kinect Kid Games.

The #1 choice of Kinect games to get (as voted on by visitors to my best Kinect games site) is Kinect Sports.

Hope you found this list helpful! If you’re looking for more great games, click on the sites above to see what other gamers think about the available titles.

Want to play Kinect, but don’t even have an Xbox yet? You might want to consider an Xbox Kinect bundle, available on sites such as Amazon.