We are a family of losers.

Ok, well, maybe not losers, but this post could also alternately be titled “Cheryl is too damn competitive for her liking, even with kids video games” When I was growing up, I never had a gaming system. Ever. You know when all my friends were getting Atari’s and Nintendo’s and such? Yeah, not this kid. So, when Nintendo came out with the Wii, I wanted one. DESPERATELY. They were sold out everywhere, but I found one! And I didn’t have to spend a gagillion dollars on it! Score! Adam said that the Wii was primarily mine, and he has a PS2 and a PS3. We are a gaming family, I guess! I think I’m making up for lost time for not having a gaming system, although, I haven’t really had much time to play lately.

Adam and I broke out the Wii to try out a new game. “Think Smart. Family! Power up your brain” I knew I was competitive. I’m an only child. I like to win. Even though my parents never just LET me win, I just like winning. I was NOT impressed when Adam kept beating me. The girls however, thought it was hilarious that Daddy was better then Mommy. They obviously don’t know about Mommy’s fragile ego. After a little bit of research, I found the thinkSmart games are geared for kids aged 8+. My girls are a little young for the game (3.5 and almost 2), but, Adam and I did have a good time with it. Well, Adam had more fun then I did because he likes to gloat. I think I need to tell my mother in law that her son is mean.

The visuals were ok for us. I’m not sure if it’s just because we got a new HDTV (Adam’s request for the new house) and the Wii doesn’t have HD capabilities or if it’s just the graphics of the game. Probably the former.

Adam and I sat and played the game for a good hour or more. I wanted to be thorough with my review and let’s face it, I wanted to beat him. But, that didn’t happen. He kept beating me. I had a better time playing by myself.

Here’s what the makers of thinkSmart say about their game.

thinkSMART Family for Wii™: This original brain and physical training program is specially designed for the entire family to play, as each player goes head to head at their own level.
- Helps you develop language, memory, mathematics, spatial reasoning and logic skills in an imaginative and creative way.
- Features Mental and Physical Fitness programs…specially designed for each individual player
- An individual training plan tailored to your previous performance enables you to keep track of your progress.
- Customize your own Avatars and compete against the whole family in
Multiplayer Mode to find out who has the highest Think® quotient!

What’s in it for you, my friends? You have the chance to win 2 new Nintendo DS games, made by the same company.

-thinkSmart Power UP your brain!

- my Virtual Tutor (reading, Pre-K to Kindergarten)

How to win-

-Leave a comment on this post and tell me what games and gaming system are your favourite.

Extra Entries-
“Like” The Beautiful Side of Hectic on facebook. (If you already “like” me on facebook, leave me a comment and if you are a new follower, make sure you leave a comment here too!)

- Tweet about this giveaway (1 per day) (leave a comment each time you tweet about this giveaway)

- Leave a comment on any other post of mine (that are NOT reviews/giveaways) Leave an extra comment to let me know which post you commented on.

This contest is open to residents of the US and Canada. Contest closes around 9:00 pm EST on September 10th, 2010. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by e-mail. Winner must reply to my e-mail within 48 hours to claim their prize.

*I did receive thinkSmart Family for the WII as compensation for this review. All opinions are mine- and I suppose my husbands as well.*