Video Game Review: Professor Layton VS Phoenix Wright

A new game featuring Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney came out last month. We asked OWL reader Onyeluka to play and review it for us. Here’s what he had to say!

Onyeluka, 13

Professor Layton VS Phoenix Wright was very impressive. I enjoyed the challenging puzzles with Layton and the courtroom situations with Phoenix. Sometimes the courtroom cases were confusing. I think OWL readers should play it because it increases problem solving and observation skills, and it also tests your critical thinking skills. 7/10

Thanks for your review, Onyeluka!

Have you played a fun or challenging game recently? Tell us about it in the comments below!

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com

3D Print with Recycled Plastic Bottles

3D printing is the newest cool technology out there. And now, it’s becoming eco-friendly, too.

The EKOCYCLE Cube 3D Printer lets you create anything you can imagine using cartridges made of recycled pop bottles. Every cartridge recycles about three plastic pop bottles.

Turning waste into something great! I love it!

Check out this video to learn more:

This 3D printer isn’t available to buy just yet, but it’s exciting to see what the future of 3D printing can be.

Have you tried 3D printing? What would you make if you could?

Leave your answer in the comments below.

Talk to you later,

– Ashley, owlblog@owlkids.com

Video Game Review: Mario Golf: World Tour

In OWL’s summer issue, available now, we featured Mario Golf: World Tour in our “What’s Hot” section. Have you had a chance to play it yet? OWL readers Soren and Laec have!

Soren (left) and Laec (right)

Soren’s review:

I thought this game was interesting. It keeps your interest because there are so many different courses to beat. I liked how you could be so many different characters, and you could be one of your Miis if you entered the Castle Club. This game takes precision and a sharp eye, which took me a while to develop. Once I got the hang of it, it wasn’t as hard and became more fun. I didn’t like how when one person won, the other got a chance to make a tie-breaker. To me it would seem more fair if you win, the game’s over. 9/10

Laec’s review:

This game is very hard because it is difficult to aim at the flag. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier, but it takes a while. It is fun that you get to compete against other players. One thing I do not like is when you should get it in, it curves around the edge of the hole. This seemed to happen more to me than my opponent. A neat thing is that you can practise, without being in the game. I also really like the different selection of courses. It is a lot easier to play after practising, and if you like a game where you have to use skill, it is really fun! 6/10

Thanks for your review, guys!

Are there any video games you want to see reviewed here next? Tell us in the comments below.

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com

Video Game Review: Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Hey, Kirby fans! The pink puffy guy is back and more powerful than ever in an all-new adventure. We asked OWL reader Selena to give the new game, Kirby: Triple Deluxe, a try. Here’s what she had to say!

Selena, 13

This game was really fun and exciting. I like the new swallow abilities Kirby has. They all have unique powers that assist you on different levels, and they are fun to try out. I also like that there are a lot more levels, and it takes longer to beat it. There’s also one more new thing: when Kirby goes into a bucket in a level, you can tilt your 3DS to make it move or do other things, which is pretty cool. The only thing I didn’t like is that the levels are really long and there are not a ton of them per world. I think other kids who enjoy platforming and adventure games would like this. 8.5/10

Thanks for your review, Selena! I’m a big Kirby fan, so I’m excited to play this game.

What games are you into playing right now? Tell us in the comments below.

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com

Video Game Review: LEGO: The Hobbit

Are you a fan of the LEGO video games? The Hobbit came out last month, and being fans of the movie and The Lord of the Rings, we thought it would be fun to give it a try!

So we asked OWL reader and gamer Anna to play this game for us. Here’s what she had to say!

Anna, 12

LEGO: The Hobbit was a difficult game to understand at first. At the beginning, there’s a 5-second cut-scene as an intro, and then the game starts with no explanation at all of the story line. You have to control two characters in the game, but you can only have one player play the game, so you have to control them at the same time. The text boxes were big, but the print was so small that it was hard to read even on a regular-size screen. My TV screen is 34 inches, and it was very hard to see the commands for which button to press. The things I liked about LEGO: The Hobbit were the graphics and music. They were really detailed and it showed that the producers actually worked hard on that. But even if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you may not enjoy this game. 3.5/10

Thanks for your review, Anna. Sounds like a tough game, but the graphics do look awesome!

Have you played this game yet? If so, tell us what you thought in the comments below.

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com