Family Game Night is Finally Back!

By Jennifer Satterwhite If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That was the begrudging attitude I had to take when it came to gaming and my family. I come from a family that loves gaming. Computer games. Hand-held games. Various gaming consoles. It didn't matter the form it took with my kids. They all loved to play. My only problem with their love of gaming was the fact that they would do it solo and sitting down. I found myself having to force the "Get off the couch and go do something" rule more often than I wanted to enforce it. In fact, I became the mean mom for insisting they do something active as a family.

Enter the Wii and Electronic Arts (EA). Suddenly, I found myself with a gaming console that was all-inclusive. It has games an entire family can enjoy. Together. I had long given up the idea of a family game night once my children discovered online gaming. With such a broad age range in our family it was next to impossible to find a board game that would interest all of us and be entertaining. It's hard enough for today's family to carve out some quality-time between work, school and the million other commitments that keep us all moving so fast, so that quality-time needs to center around an activity that gets everyone excited and eager to play. And while some board games are fun for the whole family, there are only so many times you can play them. I found myself wanting to mix it up with something new and different. Interactive games like the ones on the Wii system bring something new and fun that the whole family can enjoy, including me. I want to play too! And isn't that what Family Game Night should be about? Playing? Having fun? Wii brought back family game night to my house. Not only that, it is an active family game night. No more sitting on the couch and pretending to be involved. With titles that get all of us up off our seats and jumping, gyrating and hopping around, we found ourselves laughing, active and doing something we all enjoy together. To quote the fine folks at EA, "Wii is expanding videogames to untapped markets pulling in a new audience of gamers that typically did not play games in the past." Finally, there is a company that understands that there's a large market of people who are not the typical gamers but would like to join in the fun. They found that in my family. They found that in me. Gone are the days where parents have to worry about their children sitting on the couch for hours playing games and losing out on interacting with their friends and family. Gaming companies are going beyond the solo player and building systems that include everyone and encourages players to get off the couch and move around. Now Wii and EA are coming out with a new game that has me so excited I will wait in line for it as any die hard gamer would when a new game is released. What game would do that for me? Boogie™.

What is Boogie? It is touted as a dancing and karaoke game. Plus, with the intuitive Boogie Video Creator you produce your own music video, complete with multiple camera angles and cool special effects. And the song list? There is something for everyone! I truly mean everyone. It includes songs from over four decades. Four. Decades. That covers all of us. (And then some!) Check it out for yourself. "The ultimate party package for the entire family." I am so there! What is not to love about a game where you can "Shake it. Sing it. Create it." as a family? Family Night is back. See the latest pics and video from the Boogie scene!

Jennifer Satterwhite is a freelance writer and author living in North Dallas with her family of five. She's had articles published nationally and internationally on family issues. She is the author of the wildly popular blog Mommy Needs Coffee where she shares her love of gaming, family and her personal perspectives on life.

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