This Day in History February 12, 2010

I realize this is a little bit unusual, but I thought it would be something a little bit different.  It just so happens that on this date in 2010, Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll was released in Europe (released in the U.S. on February 9).  While it may not be a big deal, this looks like a game that my daughter would love, and I just may have to check it out.

Here is the game info:
AiAi and all his friends are stepping onto the Wii Balance Board™ in an all-new party game for the Wii™. Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll™ brings back what you love about Super Monkey Ball and promises plenty of surprises around every turn. Get ready for a whole new level of monkey madness as Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll rolls into your living rooms in February 2010! 

Key features:

• Use your Wii Remote™ or step on to the Wii Balance Board and use your whole body to get your monkey moving!

• New character, Jam, joins the cast of AiAi, MeeMee, GonGon and Baby for more monkey madness!

• 70 all-new mind-blowing puzzle levels have been created to test your skills.

• Work together with friends in the all-new Co-op Mode and blast away obstacles with the Wii Remote to clear a path for your monkey-rolling teammate on the Wii Balance Board.

• Test your stamina in the new Marathon Mode and try to complete all 7 Worlds in one sitting!

• See how well you can memorize each level…and then attempt them all flipped in Mirror Mode.

• Over 20 addictive multiplayer party games including fan favorites such as Monkey Racing, Red Light Green Light and Monkey Target. Also jump into some fantastic brand-new ones including Sky Diving, Sumo Smash and Firefighter!

• Burn "Monkey Calories" by playing the main game using Wii Balance Board. The more you move your body, the more Monkey Calories you will burn! 

• There are dozens of achievements that can be unlocked by collecting bananas and burning Monkey Calories. Can you collect them all?

Since we already have a Wii Balance Board, I just may have to see if there are any cheap copies of this.  My daughter and I might be able to do it together.

For more information, please check out:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/961608-super-monkey-ball-step-and-roll/data
http://www.sega.com/games/super-monkey-ball-step-and-roll/

Free-Wheeling Friday--Just Dance Wii Game review

Tonight's review is inspired by my daughter. Martha is 7, and she earns things from time to time by doing what is expected and doing extra jobs around the place.  Allowance doesn't make much sense to her, so we use jars with pom poms.  She puts them in when she does what she is supposed to.  She takes  them out when she doesn't do what she is supposed to.

At her school, in P.E., the students had been doing Just Dance for Wii.  She was talking about it incessantly, and she made it clear that she wanted this Wii game for her next earned prize.  She finally earned it this past weekend.

I have to admit that I sat and watched her do the various songs.  I was pretty intrigued as I sat watching her.  It was fun to remember songs I had heard, and Martha was doing a great job following along.

Yesterday, I really wanted to do something different for my workout routine.  Martha had been imploring me all week to do Just Dance with her.  I had been too tired, but I decided last night was the perfect night.

I made sure we did the warm-up on the game--she didn't want to, but she knew she had to!  I will tell you that once we started dancing, I was worn out!  These dances will make you work.  You don't have to be good.  You just need to try your best.  And you need to put some energy into yourself.  The more energy you use, the more you will burn.  Martha won each of the "challenges."

I think my favorite still has to be M.C. Hammer's Can't Touch This.  I remember that this song was back in the early 80's, and I remember even back then that I liked this song but I figured I shouldn't.  After all, should a Christian be listening to rap?  And enjoying it!  Man, I used to be so strict.  I'm glad those days are over!

I worked out a good 30 minutes, and I couldn't tell you how many calories I burned.  But I worked out and enjoyed it!  So now between the gym, Wii Fit Plus, and  Just Dance,