Wow. Just…wow.

I’m an Eagle Scout, a parent, and a gamer, but…wow.

I never thought that I’d see the day that Scouting would award badges for video games. I guess I was born to young. For those of you who don’t believe me, point your browser HERE to see the official requirements posted on the official BSA site. Unlike the old Pioneering badge that I earned at summer camp almost 30 years ago which required that you demonstrate multiple ways to make FIRE (how fun is that!), these awards focuses more on the responsibilities associated with gaming as in proper scheduling, understanding the ESRB, and comparing prices at different stores.

Still, there are some fun requirements and there is nothing wrong with encouraging responsible gaming behavior. Although, I think my favorite part of this is that the controller on the belt loop (we used to call those “skill awards”) and the academics pin reminds me a little of the old Nintendo Virtual-Boy!

If you make products or software that other people use, this is pretty much a must-see kinda thing…the last 5 or 6 minutes are dizzying, magical, and terrifying.

I think this video is just as important if you’re a parent who has a child who are interested in some of the products Jesse talks about. I hope you’ll watch this and it will help make clearer the way these micro and reoccurring transactions can creep into your family budget.

The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) has released a free app for the iPhone and iPod touch (App Store link).

With this handy app you can search their for rating summaries to find out what content is in the videogame you (or your child) are interested in.

So while your at the local department store and Junior asks to buy Ultra Mega Battle 3000 you can quickly find out if it’s an age appropriate game.

Here’s the PSA the ESRB has produced.

This is a great tool to add to the super-parent utility belt. Like Batman you should always be prepared.

If you try out the app and have anything to add please let us know!

The premise Epic Mickey is based in Walt’s animation history. Before Mickey, there was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Oswald was Walt’s original animated lead character, but he was owned by Universal. When they pressured him, he abandoned the intellectual property with them, created a new character (Mickey) and started his own studio. This game allows the user to experience Mickey’s realization of his past and enter Oswald’s world.

The primary play mechanic allows the player to either paint the world with the brush or use paint thinner to erase parts of it away. This provides a perfect opportunity to use the Wiimote to interact with the environment. Granting an RPG element to the experience, the world treats Mickey differently depending on which approach he uses. Furthermore, his appearance even changes depending on which tool he uses more – paint or thinner.

I have to admit that this title looks promising enough for this gamer to consider acquiring a Wii for the family. There are plenty of other titles for justification, but there’s something about this one that has really piqued my interest.

The expected release date for Epic Mickey is Fall of 2010. In the meantime, we will keep you posted as more becomes available.

Buy 2 get 1 free (Valid in store or online 11/25/09 – 11/29/09)

Buy any two used games or accessories and get the third for free.

Pre-Owned Console Deals (Valid in store or online 11/27/09 – 12/3/09)

GBA SP – $29.99

Original Nintendo DS – $49.99

DS Lite – $59.99

Original PSP – $79.99

Original PlayStation 2 – $39.99

PS2 Slim – $49.99

And other assorted bargains HERE.

Considering that we’re all trying to do our best to make ends meet, a used game or system is a great way to get more for your gaming dollar. One tip: GameStop online does not guarantee an original case or instruction manual for pre-owned games. However, if you go to your local stores, you can verify on-the-spot if the game appears to be “gift worthy.”

Also, GameStop is not the only option for purchasing used games or systems. Most areas have local mom-n-pop shops that offer similar merchandise. Many feel that their money is better served supporting locally-owned stores as opposed to national chains.

Check your local listings for vendors in your own neighborhood and good luck from the Frugal Gamer!

This weekend I was browsing the Web as part of my ongoing quest to learn EVERYTHING and I stumbled across Etsy.com. This is a site where a number of different people/companies offer their handmade creations. I must admit, there is a reporter from Moses Lake, Washington who calls her creative endeavor Digital Soaps and makes some very interesting (wait for it…) soap. If you need some form of incentive to get your kid off the console and into the tub, or if your spouse would get a kick out of such a novelty, I have to say that these are pretty neat. Click below to see even more of these creations!

Click on the Pictures to take you to the appropriate page if you’re interested.

Keep it clean…for Mario’s sake!

Wanna bet that the cat is a big Metal Gear Solid fan?

Stackable soap, how do I love thee…let me count the lines.

No Halo in the tub!

“Bustin’ makes me feel good…” and clean!

Fun in the tub? Wii!!!

And finally, for the comprehensive evolution of gaming cleanliness…

IGN recently named the Nintendo Entertainment System (affectionately known by many as the “NES”) the greatest console of all time. (You can see their countdown HERE.) They followed this announcement with their list of the top 100 NES games of all time. You can see this list HERE. Unlike a number of top lists, these hit home with a parent who grew up with video games as a child. One of the most important things about many of these titles is that they are FUN!

In fact, many of them are so much fun that you can still purchase them and enjoy them via GBA cartridge adaptations and as downloads for the Wii. In fact, over 80 NES titles are available on the Wii’s Virtual Console.

For those of you who may not be convinced, I encourage you to take a look at PlayNES.net. This site allows you to play practically any original Nintendo Entertainment System game online via a web-hosted Flash emulator.

For those of you who know me, I can wax philosophic about the major impact that the NES had on the gaming industry having single-handedly resurrected the video game market after the North American Video Game Crash of the 80s caused by a glut of bad games for the most successful previous system, the Atari VCS (or 2600 as many know it). However, I will spare you my usual litany and, instead, encourage you to just have some fun. What’s more, almost all of these games are very kid-friendly and some even have multiplayer options!

Enjoy!

The return of the vodcast!

In this episode we sit down with a local family to talk about how video games are integrated into their family. Karl and Marla Kindt tell us about how video games came into their family, what they know about the ESRB ratings and some advice for parents wanting to know more about video games. Enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe to our Game Apparent TV feed in iTunes!

Game Apparent is based out of St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. However, we have always tried to provide insights that would be useful to parents nationwide and even worldwide. Having said that, my wife showed me a publication put out by our local library and it appears that they’re sponsoring a game tournament this summer. What really struck me was that many parents (and even I am guilty of this on occasion) perceive games as a less worthwhile pastime than reading a book. Yet our local library’s page stated the following:

Gaming is huge at the Library! Gaming teaches strategic thinking, encourages cooperation, and is just plain fun.

It’s true! To see more information about the St. Louis Library sponsored Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament Championship, feel free to click HERE. For those of you who don’t live in St. Louis, check out your local library and see if you have similar events planned in your area!