RAIDEN FIGHTERS REMIX COLLECTION

Nearly 30 years after the original arcade release, the RAIDEN FIGHTERS video game series is now set to make an epic return on modern consoles, thanks to the ongoing push to make it happen from a devoted fanbase. H2 Interactive will release the 2D shooting games originally developed by ‘MOSS Co., Ltd.’ in a collection called "Raiden Fighters Remix Collection for PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch on February 26th, 2026. It includes both the Japanese and international versions of the ‘Raiden Fighters Trilogy’ — ‘Raiden Fighters’, ‘Raiden Fighters 2’, and ‘Raiden Fighters Jet’.

The ‘Raiden Fighters’ series, first released in the 1990s, is an enduring classic that fascinated gamers with its pixel graphics, high-tempo, intense sound effects, and intricately designed scoring system. Now these games are being updated with some modern touches that include:

Retry Feature: A feature that allows players to return to the beginning of a stage has been newly added, which significantly improves the player’s efficiency. 

Beginner-Friendly Feature: A special mode has been added in which enemies do not fire bullets at the player, making the game more accessible to newcomers. 

Settings Customization Feature: Players can start the game with their preferred settings pre-configured, allowing for a more personalized and convenient gameplay experience. 

BGM Customization Feature: Players can customize the background music for each stage, with a wide selection of newly remixed tracks also included.

The three titles included in ‘Raiden Fighters Remix Collection’ — ‘Raiden Fighters Remix’, ‘Raiden Fighters 2 Remix’, and ‘Raiden Fighters Jet Remix’ — will be available individually through the PlayStation Store and Nintendo Online Store. In addition, the complete three-title bundle, ‘Raiden Fighters Remix Collection’, will be released in both standard physical and limited editions.

TEAM SONIC RACING

Homework ✅ Exercise ✅ Chores ✅

Ok I guess my kids have time now to play a video game SEGA sent us to try out. The twins are having a great time playing this kart-style video game Team Sonic Racing on our family's Xbox One. It lets players speed through the arcade world of Sonic the Hedgehog in fast-paced racing action. Team Sonic Racing incorporates a lot of the features that has made Mario Kart a popular video game but goes beyond Nintendo's go karts with players able to have their favorite characters from the Sonic Universe zoom around in Grand Prix inspired race cars.

Pick your favorite Sonic the Hedgehog character, customize the color scheme of its car and get racing! As you accomplish goals and win races, players can then enhance their cars to power them up by adding different performance parts. The more a car is tinkered with the faster it will go and better it will handle helping you zoom through courses.

While you may want to select a character to race just because he or she may be a favorite of yours, it is also important to understand each of the fifteen characters available to play all have one of 3 racing attributes. These are SPEED, TECHNIQUE or POWER. A character's attribute can give the driver an edge in different circumstances as they race through the video game's 21 different tracks. For example, technique drivers can drive off-road over rough surfaces like grass without slowing down which can be a real benefit for players who have a hard time navigating curves and turns on tracks. 

You can get up to twelve friends together to race at the same time through the video game's online capabilities or up to four players can join in from the same console or PC with its split screen feature. Developed by Sumo Digital, Team Sonic Racing is available to play via Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and STEAM. There are a variety of game modes providing different ways to play Team Sonic Racing. These include Grand Prix where racers compete to earn points, Time Trial where the fastest time wins, and Exhibition which allows players to actually customize race rules. There is also a story-driven mode called Team Adventure.

What really differentiates Team Sonic Racing from other kart-style racing video games though is that there is a focus on cooperative play. Team is a very important element of Team Sonic Racing. Participants in races are divided into teams of three (which can be either live or AI driven cars) and instead of winning races by simply finishing first, teams earn victories based upon how they worked together. Bump opponents cars or help a teammate achieve a task to get ahead.

So there can be up to four teams of three with there being 12 cars in each race. We've played with my wife, son, daughter and I each having our own team complimented with AI cars. The kids have played together on one team with the third car AI as well as those in the competing teams. They also have played against one another with the other two cars in each of  their teams AI driven. I've also played with them on the same team so that all the cars were controlled by people racing against AI opponents. There are lots of different ways for people to team up as well as compete against one another in this fun racing game.

Thanks again to SEGA for sending this free video game our way to play! My family has had such an exciting and enjoyable time Team Sonic Racing absolutely gets A Geek Daddy nod of approval. For more information about the video game go to sonicthehedgehog.com/teamsonicracing

Team Sonic Racing is available from Best Buy for Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One. If you purchase the game utilizing an affinity link within this post ageekdaddy.com will receive a small commission at no additional expense to you. This dad blogger appreciates your support!

EDUCATIONAL VIDEO GAMES THAT ARE FUN TO PLAY

Video games don't need to be all about punching, kicking and shooting people to be fun to play! Two new simulators from video game publisher BIGBEN have kids learning while having a good time. Bee Simulator and Farmer's Dynasty which will be available this holiday shopping season for PS4 and Xbox One let players experience life through a bug's eyes and a modern cowboy's perspective. If you are looking for non-violent video games that are both educational and entertaining check these two out.

BEE SIMULATOR

See the world from the viewpoint of a bug as you fly around rural and urban landscapes collecting pollen. Protect yourself and defend your hive from other insects as well as threats from mankind. Learn about the importance of bees in ecosystems while having fun engaging in challenges and races in this visually stimulating simulation video game.



BEE SIMULATOR is available from Best Buy for Playstation4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Purchase the game via one of the Best Buy links in this post and this dad blogger will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. Your support of ageekdaddy.com is appreciated!

FARMER DYNASTY

Coming soon with a release date scheduled for November 21 is a video game that lets you simulate life as a farmer. Start with simple farming tools and grow quickly from there to build a FARMER DYNASTY. Improve your yield by acquiring new agricultural facilities like greenhouses and silos on your way to becoming one of the top farmers in the village. Learn that getting food to your dining room table isn't as easy as just going to the grocery story. An entertaining way to learn about the economics and technology involved with being a farmer.

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gaming Headset for PS4

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for a gamer? You can't go wrong getting him or her a wireless STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND HEADSET from Turtle Beach at BEST BUY.  Did you know most movie and video game soundtracks are broadcast in surround sound but most of us don't have the expensive home theater equipment to properly listen? Combining these Turtle Beach wireless headsets with a PlayStation 4 entertainment system (PS4) allows people to immerse themselves in surround sound  experiencing games and movies the way they are meant to be heard in an affordable way.

I like to wind down after a long day playing a game of Call of Duty or Madden NFL on our family's PS4 after putting the kids to bed for the night.  The kids can hear me playing video games from their rooms and won't go to sleep unless I mute the sound or am wearing my Turtle Beach STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND  HEADSET.  This headset has really worked out great for me not only in being able to be stealthy about playing video games without waking my children up at night but by also providing a level of sound quality that is superior to what was otherwise being projected from the speakers on my television.

You'll find comparable fully loaded premium wireless surround sound gaming headsets for more than $200.00 so at $149.99 Turtle Beach's STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND HEADSETS are a good deal.  But it gets better! Until December 23, 2017 you can save an additional $30 off the purchase price on these wireless surround sound headsets that also include Active Noise Cancellation technology and a flip-up microphone for online chatting within multi-player games.

We don't have a home theater set up with surround sound ourselves. So, I've really been enjoying being able to use my Turtle Beach headset to experience watching movies and playing video games on my family's PS4 in surround sound. Turtle Beach's STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND HEADSETS have earned A Geek Daddy nod of approval because they are loaded with features that work incredibly well.

Here are a few of my favorite things about the headset:

7.1 CHANNEL SURROUND SOUND

The headset creates a soundstage around your head so that you hear sounds in front, behind and beside you.  You'll feel immersed within games, movies, and music as you are enveloped by sound.

ACTIVE NOISE-CANCELLATION

The other day my neighbor was making a racket outside that could loudly be heard inside our house.  The active noise-cancellation feature on the headset let me drown out that noise.  Eliminate unwanted background distractions to allow you to be completely immersed in games, music and movies through your PS4.

FLIP-UP MICROPHONE

I like to play video games online with family members and friends from across the country.  It is a nice way to have fun together when you can't be hanging out in the same place because everyone is spread out all over the country.  The microphone provides great clarity so no one will miss out on you mocking them and easily flip up when you want to mute a conversation.  Blue-tooth connectivity also allows you to pick up a phone call or stream music providing extra value for users of these headsets.

GLASSES FRIENDLY

My son particularly likes how this headset has been designed to be comfortable for people wearing glasses.  Turtle Beach's exclusive ProSpecs feature removes pressure on glasses while being worn.  Thumbs up to the designers for keeping this aspect in mind!

LONG BATTERY LIFE

When using the active noise-cancelling technology the headset's battery will last 10 hours before needing to be charged and can go longer than that if that feature isn't being utilized.  Powering up is easy though, just plug the headset into a PS4's USB port with the included cable for a quick recharge.

SUPERHUMAN HEARING

When playing video games you can enhance the volume on subtle sound effects to give you advance notice about an opponent.  From quiet footsteps to someone reloading their weapon, the Superhuman Hearing feature won't let you be caught off guard. I have to admit not being the best at video games so I'll take any advantage available!

COMFY TO WEAR

For all the technology these headsets provide they are very lightweight plus their leather-wrapped ear cushions feel very comfortable against your head.  Wearing STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND HEADSETS from Turtle Beach aren't distracting but rather enhance your entertainment.  Being cord free while wearing this headset is really nice too when it comes to comfort as well.

100% WIRELESS

The headset utilizes an included USB transmitter that provides a best-in-class wireless gaming experience for PS4 and PS4 Pro.  Add that to Bluetooth capabilities that allow for streaming music or making phone calls and you have great connectivity without being attached to any wires.

Whether picking up a Turtle Beach  STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND HEADSET for yourself or a holiday gift you won't want to miss out on the $30 off deal at Best Buy.  If buying one as a gift that 12/23/17 deadline is a good incentive to get your holiday shopping done sooner than later.  This combination of active noise-cancellation and surround sound from a reliable brand like Turtle Beach really make these headsets a best buy you won't be disappointed in and are sure to enjoy.  For more information or to buy a headset head over to BestBuy.com or a Best Buy store near you.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

I've had a lot of fun recently introducing my kids to one of my favorite video games characters from the '90s, Crash Bandicoot; who was recently added to the Skylanders video game along with his arch-nemesis Dr. Neo Cortex as part of the new Imaginators edition's lineup of Sensei characters as fully-playable toys.  Now I'll be able to replay the zany marsupial's classic video games with my kids as well because Activision is releasing Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy which is a fully-remastered high definition collection of the Crash Bandicoot™, Crash Bandicoot™ 2: Cortex Strikes Back, and Crash Bandicoot™ :Warped video games from my youth.  Spin, jump, and wump your way through the epic challenges and adventures that started Crash Bandicoot mania when the updated video game collection is made available for Playstation4 launching globally on June 30, 2017 for $39.99.

Crash Bandicoot® N. Sane Trilogy has brand-new lighting and recreated cinematics in stunning “N. Hanced Fur-K” and PS4 Pro HD.  New animations, visual effects and environmental details let players spin, jump and jet pack their way through the lush—and furriest—Wumpa Island yet!  Here are a few more updates that highlight how these revisions are enhancing the games:
 

Bringing Back the Beat – The new collection features a fully-remastered game soundtrack, packed with all the didgeridoos, xylophones and thumpin’ bass lines fans can handle!
 

Original Story, New Tech – Full analog stick support, a unified save system and unified checkpoint system make it easier than ever to enjoy the classic adventure. Plus, improved bonus levels and time trials everywhere will make this an epic trilogy for the hardest of the ‘Coot core!
 

New Cinematics – All the beloved cinematics in this trilogy are being lovingly re-crafted. In the intro cinematic, Crash Bandicoot’s origin story shows our villains, Dr. Neo Cortex and Dr. Nitrus Brio, try to evolve Crash into an evil mutant general, but it doesn’t go quite as planned!

Say What? – Fans of the Crash Bandicoot games may recognize some familiar voice actors appearing in Crash Bandicoot® N. Sane Trilogy, such as Jess Harnell and Lex Lang. 



For those of you who may not be familiar with the original Crash Bandicoot games here is a summary of what you'll be experiencing when playing them in the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy:

Crash Bandicoot – Dr. Neo Cortex has a plan to take over the world, and he wants to create genetically engineered animals to do his bidding. To create his minions, Cortex kidnaps as many animals as he can; Crash Bandicoot’s girlfriend just happens to be one of his victims. Take control of Crash as he runs, jumps, and spins through 30 levels of intense action on three different Australian islands. Only you can help Crash save the animals, save his girlfriend and foil Dr. Cortex’s plot.
 

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back – The evil Dr. Neo Cortex is back…out this time to save the world? And he’s asking for help from his arch nemesis, Crash Bandicoot? Is this just a conniving plan to lure Crash into Cortex’s next dastardly experiment? Can Crash win again or will he join Cortex’s mindless zoo? Bigger free-roaming 3-D environments, all-new animations and a whole host of colorful characters – watch as our hero Crash, ice-skates, rodeo-rides a polar bear and jet-packs through zero-gravity in the continuing adventures of Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back – This time he ain’t joking!

Crash Bandicoot Warped – Oh yeah…he’s back…AND he’s ready! It’s a Whole New Time-Traveling Adventure! All new-style gameplay action – scuba dive, ride a motorcycle or a baby T-Rex and go free-roaming airborne in a plane! Play as Coco! Gallop along the Great Wall of China on a tiger, go extreme on a jet-ski and other high-flying surprises! Prove your skills with the new Super-charge Body Slam, Super Slide, Double Jump, Death-Tornado Spin and a Laser-Guided Bazooka. All new enemies include a new Big Boss, Uka Uka, N. Tropy, a menacing Dingodile and of course, the return of some favorites like N. Gin and Tiny. More Action. More Fun. More Puzzles and Secret Levels. And you didn’t think it could get any better!

Don't miss out on the looney, wacky, fast paced fun Crash Bandicoot's video game adventures when they become globally available to play on Sony's Playstation4 beginning June 30, 2017.   

Moto Racer 4

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review **

Moto Racer the popular motorcycle racing video game franchise from the late '90s is making a comeback with an updated version for a new generation of players on Sony Playstation and Microsoft XBOX home entertainment consoles.  MOTO RACER 4 is being released for the XBOX ONE and PLAYSTATION 4 video game consoles on January 24, 2017 but the video game's publisher MICROIDS provided it to my kids in advance to try out and they've really been enjoying themselves playing it.  Spectacular graphics make viewing the race courses within this video game just as much fun as the aspect of striving to have the fastest time steering your virtual motorcycle through challenges as you compete in the game.   These great visual elements combined with advanced computer processing that allows players to experience a 60 images per second frame rate enhance the simulated feeling of riding a motorcycle in this arcade style game.

While MOTO RACER 4 provides a great virtual motorcycle racing experience it isn't a complex, in-depth simulation full of difficult control features to learn and master making it a great video game that a family can play together.  A control knob steers your bike left and right, a button controls the gas, another the brake and another jumps and tricks....simple as that!  Within 5 minutes my 8 year old twins were racing each other like two kids who had already earned their drivers licenses.  Soon my wife and I joined in and everyone was having fun seeing who would win the bragging rights for being the best racer in the family playing the video game.  MOTO RACER 4 has a split screen feature that lets you race head to head against someone in the same room or an online feature where 2 - 10 players can join in to race against one another at the same time.  Players can also participate in solo matches where they are pitted again AI (artificial intelligence) opponents.

My kids really like that there are a variety of colorful characters to choose playing as in the game with each one having unique outfits and traits.  One character may be better at handling the bike making it easier to steer while racing but may be slower than the opponents on the track putting you at a disadvantage.  On the other hand, another character might be able to go really really fast but isn't as adept at handling corners on the track. and may be more likely to crash letting a slower racer pass you by.  Picking a character that best fits your own game playing style adds a bit of strategy to your races.  A nice touch is there are plenty of female characters available to select from so this isn't a completely guy focused game which my daughter really appreciated.

Another nice feature our family really enjoyed is the ability to either race on asphalt on a motorcycle or go off road to race dirt bikes.  With the dirt bikes there are lots of jumps and stunts you can do while with the motorcycles you'll be challenged weaving through cars and trucks as there can be traffic on the road.  Whether racing on asphalt or dirt there are several competition modes to choose from:

KING OF THE HILL -- each rider starts with the same time on the clock.  As time runs down for the leader the other racers get extra turbo speed.  The player in the lead when the clock reaches zero wins the race.

LAST MAN STANDING -- the last player to pass each checkpoint on the race course is eliminated.

SURVIVAL -- the race starts with a minimal amount of time on the clock.  Each time a player passes a checkpoint time is added to the clock.  In single player mode the goal is to survive for a specific length of time.  In multi-player mode it is to be the last racer with time left on his or her clock.

CATCH UP -- Your opponents start the race with a head start and you must finish the race in first place.

WOLF PACK -- You start the race with a head start and must maintain it without being passed by an opponent.

GOLDEN HELMET --   Competitors must earn the one golden helmet up for grabs during the race.  To do this, they must be first to go past the initial checkpoint.  Once a player is wearing the golden helmet if another player knocks against them while racing that opponent gets the helmet.  If a player wearing the helmet crashes or falls off their bike the golden helmet is transported to the next checkpoint where the first player to reach the spot gets it.  The player wearing the golden helmet crossing the finish line wins the race.

Of course in addition to these special modes, players can also just compete in a normal race where the fastest person to complete their laps and cross the finish line first wins.

MOTO RACER 4's non-violent game play and simple controls make it a great game for children and parents to play together.  The game's multitude of vibrant courses that are as fun to explore as to race through, its numerous competition modes that provide a variety of challenges to players, and the ability for each competitor to have its own unique sense of style and racing skills combine to provide  a family with hours of entertainment having fun together playing this video game. MOTO RACER 4 definitely gets  A Geek Daddy nod of approval for being a great kid-friendly video game to play!

Supergirl Incorporated Into LEGO Dimensions Experience

Supergirl has received a burst of popularity since the launch last year of a new television series.  Now the super heroine is leaping into the action of the LEGO Dimensions video game as a playable character. Beginning in late September of 2016 for a limited time, LEGO Dimensions Starter Packs for Sony PlayStation 4 computer entertainment systems will include an exclusive, bonus Supergirl LEGO minifigure.  In addition to Supergirl, the LEGO Dimensions PS4 Starter Pack will include the videogame, bricks to build the LEGO Gateway,  LEGO minifigures of Batman, Gandalf, and Wyldstyle, plus the LEGO Batmobile and the LEGO Toy Pad, which allows players to transport special LEGO minifigures and models into the game.



The Supergirl LEGO minifigure will have a number of extraordinary in-game abilities to help solve puzzles and battle enemies, including Super Strength, Flying, X-Ray Vision, and Beam Attacks which enable her to shoot heat beams out of her eyes.  She can also transform into Supergirl Red Lantern with additional abilities such as firing powerful Red Lantern energy bolts and energy beams from her Red Lantern Ring.

If you aren't able to obtain the Supergirl minifigure through this limited edition PS4 Starter Pack, the character will also become available in the near future as a "Hire-a-Hero" option for all consoles.  This is a feature in LEGO Dimensions that allows players to sample characters using studs collected in the game.  Players can select the hologram minifigure near certain hint stones to unlock characters for a limited time to try out their special abilities to solve problems and complete puzzles.

LEGO Dimensions is developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. For more information about the video game, visit lego.com/en-us/dimensions

Imagine a Jurassic LEGO World - You don't need to there is a Game for that!

   ** This post was made possible by Universal Pictures #TeamJurassic.  I was provided the featured products for free but all opinions expressed are honest and my own **

What could be more amazing than a summer movie blockbuster featuring lifelike dinosaurs? Well since my kids are infatuated with LEGO building blocks, I'd have to say a Jurassic LEGO World! Fortunately, you don't have to choose between the two as both are now available for your entertainment.

Jurassic World opened in theaters across the United States on Friday, June 12, 2015 starring Chris Pratt and a variety of dinosaurs both large and small.  Steven Spielberg has returned to executive produce Jurassic World the newest installment in the Jurassic Park movie series that is directed by Colin Trevorrow based upon characters created by Michael Crichton. This film packs a lot of big names and lots of dinorrific action to thrill audiences. Rated PG-13 get your tickets to ‪#‎JurassicWorld today: unvrs.al/JWtix 

If you love LEGO and dinosaurs you won't want to miss out on this combination as LEGO Jurassic World also came out on June 12th.  Follow the storylines of Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III, and Jurassic World, all in one game – LEGO Jurassic World Game!



LEGO Jurassic World – Available on June 12 for PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, 3DS, PSVita and 3DS. Wander over to your closest GameStop store to pick up the video game or order it online now: http://bit.ly/LJW-GameStop.  Like LEGO Jurassic World Game on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram @LEGOJurassic.

As a special treat for our A Geek Daddy blog readers, we're giving away a PS4 version of LEGO Jurassic World.  Thanks to Universal Pictures one lucky reader who follows the directions below will win the video game for PlayStation 4 gaming systems. You must be a US or Canadian resident over 18 years old and submit one or both of the following entry methods to earn up to 2 entries prior to 11:59 pm EST on Friday June 19, 2015:

Congrats to Homa from Las Vegas who won the PS4 LEGO video game!

EMAIL (1 Entry)  E-mail thegeekdaddy [at] yahoo [dot] com your name and mailing address. Email subject line should be JURASSIC SWAG. 

FACEBOOK (1 Entry) Visit our Facebook page and in your entry email from above tell us which 2 types of dinosaurs are pictured in THIS post.

I hope everyone enjoys this thrill ride of a movie and this BLOCK-buster game!

Jurassic Park fell apart before it could ever be opened to the public, but John Hammond's dream didn't die. Twenty-two years after the events that transpired in the original movie, the park is now open for business! The theme park known as JURASSIC WORLD is owned by a huge business conglomerate called Masrani Corporation which bought Isla Nublar and the technology to create the dinosaurs when John Hammond's business went defunct after the events in Jurassic Park.  The initial public hype for Jurassic World is beginning to wane and Masrani Corporation is looking for a way to renew the popularity and profitability of the theme park.  When the park's operations manager takes some risks to increase its profitability by creating a hybrid dinosaur called Indominus Rex you just know that is going to lead to trouble!

You can also play out all the thrills from this movie plus act out scenes from Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III with LEGO building blocks through the video game LEGO Jurassic World.  LEGO blocks and Jurassic World what at Dinorrific combination!

Disclaimer & Rules:

A Geek Daddy Blog will select a random winner on  Saturday, June 20, 2015 ( 1 winner will be selected from a random draw of all eligible entries - each submitted entry will be assigned a number and a random number will be drawn to select a winner based upon total entries ).  By participating in this contest you waive any liability towards A Geek Daddy Blog or its publisher that may arise from your involvement with this promotion. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.  A Geek Daddy Blog is hosting this giveaway as a benefit to our readers.  Information for this post was provided by Universal Pictures.  A Geek Daddy Blog did receive items  of value in exchange for writing this blog post.  While some of the promotional information was provided by Universal Pictures the views and opinions expressed are my own. Universal Pictures is responsible for the delivery of the prizes in this promotion.