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!

Though fellow PSP/PS3 owners in Japan have enjoyed this application for months now, it was released yesterday via the PlayStation store for the U.S. This is a utility that allows a PSP owner who has a PS3 to use the console as a bridge to other PS3/PSP owners. This then allows such gamers to play any AdHoc PSP title through the internet with others. In essence, it converts any old AdHoc title into an infrastructure networked game in the privacy of your own home.

The video above demonstrates the utility in action. For more information, point your browser to Sony’s U.S. PlayStation Blog.

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…

For some of us who have been gaming for more than a decade (or two, or…), the title Prince of Persia brings back memories of classic 2D platforming mixed with puzzle strategy that all had to be accomplished in a one-hour time frame. Though the franchise was brought into the third dimension for PCs and the Dreamcast with the title Prince of Persia 3D (aka Prince of Persia: Arabian Nights), it wasn’t until Ubisoft resurrected the franchise with Prince of Persia: Sands of Time that the gaming public would take notice again. Two additional titles followed in the last generation of consoles – Warrior Within and The Two Thrones. However, the first of these three seemed to have captured the imagination of some folks at Disney.

IGN recently shared the new trailer for the Disney film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

Considering that Disney was able to get three full films out of an original theme park ride called Pirates of the Caribbean, I can’t imagine that it would be difficult to get a decent film out of the world portrayed in the Prince of Persia games. This is particularly true with the added visually dynamic moves that Ubisoft incorporated into their newer titles like the Prince’s ability to run along walls or jump back and forth between chasms to ascend cliffs quickly. These acrobatics should transfer to the screen quite nicely and the concept of the dagger that turns back time provides an opportunity for blockbuster eye candy.

Though Disney isn’t going to be giving us the next Citizen Kane, their new film looks to be an entertaining diversion. And as far as video game inspired films go, it can’t be as bad as Super Mario Bros.