GRAVITY FALLS: LEGEND OF THE GNOME GEMULETS Out October 20th for 3DS

UBISOFT AND DISNEY INTERACTIVE ANNOUNCE GRAVITY FALLS: LEGEND OF THE GNOME GEMULETS TO LAUNCH FOR NINTENDO 3DS HANDHELD SYSTEMS ON OCTOBER 20

Launch Date for Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets Announced for October 20

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're huge Gravity Falls fans and huge 3DS freaks as well. The kids and I can NOT wait for this release. Gravity Falls is one of our all time favorite shows and both of my kids are beyond excited to check out GRAVITY FALLS: LEGEND OF THE GNOME GEMULETS.

Today, Ubisoft and Disney Interactive announced that action adventure platformer Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets will launch on October 20 exclusively on Nintendo 3DS handheld systems for $29.99.

Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets is adapted from Disney XD’s #1 series, "Gravity Falls.” In collaboration with the show’s creator and executive producer Alex Hirsch, a brand new and original adventure was created for the game and places players in a mysterious adventure to help Jeff the Gnome retrieve the ancient Gnome Gemulets and restore magic to the Gnome forest.

Players will play as both Dipper and Mabel Pines in dual character gameplay switching between characters at any time to use their unique powers and abilities given through the power of Gnome magic. Dipper is bestowed with Gnome Battle Cuffs which deliver powerful punches at close range, and keeps his trusty flashlight by his side to shed light on the many mysteries in Gravity Falls. Mabel wields the Fleece of Bezazzlement that lets her whip her sweater sleeves to attack monsters from afar, and her grappling hook is at the ready to help access areas otherwise out of reach. Dipper and Mabel will complement one another as they will unravel a mystery to learn more about the inhabitants of Gravity Falls and unlock secrets of the town’s past.

Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets is powered by the UbiArt Framework game engine and allows players to experience lush backgrounds and beautiful graphics. Players will explore favorite places from the show, such as the Mystery Shack and the Gnome Forest like never before.

For the latest information on Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets, click here.

About Ubisoft:

Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2014-15 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,464 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.

About Disney Interactive:

Disney Interactive is the digital entertainment part of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). As one of the world’s largest creators of high-quality digital experiences, Disney Interactive produces interactive entertainment for the whole family including multi-platform video games, online short form video, mobile and social games and digital destinations across all current and emerging media platforms.

Entertaining guests of all ages, Disney Interactive’s key products include the video game platform Disney Infinity, top virtual world for kids Club Penguin, popular mobile franchises like Frozen Free Fall and LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum, top online destinations for kids, parents and fans including Disney.com, Oh My Disney, and Babble.com and the Disney social network reaching more than 1.5 billion guests on Facebook.

© 2015 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries. Disney elements ©Disney

Got Gamers? Get To GameStop For Deals on Black Friday and Beyond #ad

Here at ChiIL Mama, I have a tween and teen of my own, so I know how tough they can be to buy for. Thankfully GameStop is everywhere. They've become our go to source for the latest video games on the kids' must have lists.

Disclosure: We're happy to partner up with Game Stop for the 2nd holiday season now and we've been compensated for sharing their cool deals with our readers. As always, all opinions are our own.

In fact my 13 year old son was still up at 11:30pm the 21st, the night Pokemon Omega Ruby came out, pleading with us to GO TO the store for their midnight special release party, so he could have it ASAP. We didn't. Lessons in delayed gratification are important too. 

This kid was eagerly watching the count down clock for DAYS. Thanks a lot Pokemon! But ultimately he was just as happy & excited to get it after school the next day. GameStop even gave out double sided posters to everyone who did the advanced purchase option. 

Screen shot by Dugan Kenaz-Mara (13)

GameStop Deals Black Friday & Beyond:

It’s an exciting time for shoppers with various deals and new releases to keep gift-ers and gift-ees alike happy, such as:

· The big hit, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS: $39.99

· WWE 2K15 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 4: $59.99

· Grand Theft Auto V for PlayStation 4: $59.99

· Family fave, Disney INFINITY Marvel Super Heroes 2.0 Edition Starter Pack:   $54.99 (reg. $74.99)

· Go next-gen with an Xbox One Limited Edition Call of Duty Advanced Warfare     Bundle: $449.99 (reg. $499.99)

· Upgrade-worthy, PlayStation TV System Bundle: $99.99 (reg. $139.99)

You can also easily find gifting guides, other holiday recommendations and the latest store information at GameStop’s Holiday Hub. As always, GameStop is accepting various payment methods, including trade-in value, to allow customers to shop with ease.

More than 4,000 GameStop stores nationwide will open at midnight on Friday, Nov. 28 (remaining stores will open at 5 a.m.), with top offers including:

· (Friday and Saturday only) Xbox One Assassin’s Creed Bundle: $329.99 (save $70) – includes digital copies of Assassin’s Creed Unity and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag

· PlayStation 4 Limited Edition Bundle: $399 (save $100) – includes Grand Theft Auto V and a digital copy of The Last of Us Remastered

· Super Mario 3D World Bundle for WiiU: $299.99 – includes the 32GB WiiU Deluxe Set, Super Mario 3D World and Nintendo Land video games

· Save $30 off popular PlayStation 4 and Xbox One titles, such as The Evil Within, Sleeping Dogs and Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor

· Free HTC Desire 510 4G LTE Smartphone with purchase of Cricket Wireless no contract service (after $75 mail-in rebate)

· $50 off ASUS 16GB Memo Pad HD 7 ($99.99) and Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 ($149.99)

You can find a complete list of this year’s Black Friday deals here. To help shoppers save even more, GameStop will accept a range of different currencies, including Power Up Rewards credits and trade-in values for Black Friday purchases. For customers who wish to shop from home, GameStop is offering free shipping on all online purchases. Also, for all things holiday, the Holiday Hub offers gift guides, additional deals, and more.

Disclosure: We're happy to partner up with Game Stop for the 2nd holiday season now and we've been compensated for sharing their cool deals with our readers. As always, all opinions are our own.

Labor Day Sale at Best Buy On Nintendo Tomodachi Life For 3DS And More #NintendoatBestBuy #Review

What We're Playing:

We dig gaming and Nintendo. In fact we're a Wii, 3DS, DS playing family and we have been for years. Luckily Best Buy is nearby, with all the latest and greatest releases. Summer road trips, cool fall days, and waits while siblings are in extracurriculars are all so much more pleasant when the kids are entertained!

This final week before school starts was full of doctors' appointments, check ups and endless waits in waiting rooms. Our DS and 3DS made the down time much more fun. Fill your waits with less whining and more winning with fun new Nintendo games from Best Buy.

Disclaimer:  ChiIL Mama is elated to be a Best Buy WOLF (Women's Leadership Forum) Blogger and we're happy to partner up and bring our readers tech news and reviews. 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.

Here at ChiIL Mama, the tween, teen, my husband and I love to chill out with video games to relax and have fun. Thanks to our friends at Best Buy and our partnership with the Wolf Bloggers, we had a chance to score a review copy of Tomodachi Life for our 3DS. It's too much fun, and all of us have enjoyed seeing our personalized Mii characters populating the Tomodachi town and having virtual adventures. All our friends and family are there! This town rocks with magic shows, rock concerts staring your family members, conflicts and cooperation. You can even customize each character's exclamations (though the pronunciation may be a bit wonky unless you spell it phonetically).

Chill out with Hot Labor Day Weekend offers available at Best Buy:

Offer 1: 8/29/2014 – 9/1/2014 (4 Day Labor Day) - Online only Nintendo 2DS system - Save $30 (regularly $129.99 with savings only $99.99!).  

My kids both got DS systems years ago and we still have and use both, though we've added a 3DS as well. Check out Nintendo's latest, the 2DS, which plays all the great 3DS and DS games. Now you can take videos and pictures using your 2DS and they have a great entry price point of $129.99 into an expansive world of portable gaming.

Offer 2: 8/31/2014– Online only ––Save $5 on select 3DS games

Click here to get your Tomodachi Life from Best Buy and so many more great Nintendo games!

At first my Pokemon obsessed kids weren't sure Tomodachi Life looked that fun from the commercials they've seen, but once your friends and family populate your own personal island, hilarity ensues. The kids have been laughing lots and playing Tomodachi Life early and often. They've been entertained for hours making silly mash ups, creating clever shows, and exploring their own personalized Tomodachi Island. This is also a fun choice if you have kids of varying ages or a competitive one who gets moody about losing. It's non competitive, interactive, and as much fun to watch as it is to play. Help your friends and family problem solve in Tomodachi Life and watch the rewards roll in.

What can you do in Tomodachi Life?

•Make Music Videos – write songs and watch your Mii’s perform your creations…did we mention that they wear goofy outfits while on stage?

•Create Mii’s of your favorite celebrities – anyone can show up on your Tomodachi Life island

•Favorite/Least Favorite Foods – discover and feed your Mii’s what they love or what they hate…and watch the hilarious results

•Get Married and Have Kids – start a family in Tomodachi Life and experience your child growing up, walking for the first time, and maybe move off the island?!?!?!

•Personalities and Voices – not only can your create Mii’s that look like you and your friends, but you can also give them their own voice and personalities 

Disclaimer:  Once again, ChiIL Mama is elated to be a Best Buy WOLF (Women's Leadership Forum) Blogger and we're happy to partner up and bring our readers tech news and reviews. 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.

WIN a LEGO NINJAGO: NINDROIDS GAME ($29.99 value) NOW AVAILABLE FOR NINTENDO 3DS Released TODAY (7/29)!

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT, TT GAMES

AND THE LEGO GROUP CELEBRATE SUMMER GAMING WITH THE LAUNCH OF

LEGO® NINJAGO™: NINDROIDS™ NOW AVAILABLE FOR

 NINTENDO 3DS & PLAYSTATION®VITA

Put Your Spinjitzu Skills to the Test,

Help the Ninjas Save New Ninjago City From the Evil Digital Overlord

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games & The Lego Group to share this new release with you. We've been given both a review copy and a giveaway copy for our readers. As always, all opinions are our own.

Here at ChiIL Mama, we’re excited to announce the launch of LEGO Ninjago Nindroids, a high-kicking action adventure game available now on Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita. 

We're celebrating with a rockin' giveaway for YOU, 'cause every summer needs more heroes and villains!  Check back soon for our game review and enter like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often, for a chance to win one of your own! Open nationwide to anyone in the US. Enter through midnight Tuesday 8/12/14.

**Click HERE for your chance to WIN a LEGO® NINJAGO™: NINDROIDS™ GAME FOR NINTENDO 3DS ($29.99 value)!**

The heroes of LEGO Ninjago are ready to battle! Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games and The LEGO Group today announced the release of the high-kicking action-adventure videogame, LEGO® Ninjago™: Nindroids™, available now in North America for the Nintendo 3DS™ handheld system and PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system.

“Adding LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids to our popular LEGO Ninjago franchise is very exciting,” said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games.  “Hellbent Games has delivered the action game Ninjago fans have been waiting for - with all the characters, comedy and thrills that make the franchise such a success." 

Based on the first five episodes of the animated television series “NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu,” the LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids videogame takes players to New Ninjago City where the Ninja face a technological threat by the evil Digital Overlord and his robotic army of Nindroids.  Playing as their favorite Ninja – Jay, Zane, Cole, Kai or Lloyd – players battle through more than 30 exciting levels with cool vehicles, signature weapons and the new Technoblades, all the while partaking in missions to help save the city.

Players will recognize their favorite LEGO building sets as they gear up as Samurai X, shoot down enemies in Zane's Ninjacopter, dodge missiles in the Kai Fighter, pilot Jay's Thunder Raider, smash up the streets in Cole's Earth Mech and tear through the forest on Lloyd's Golden Cycle. Alongside intense combat, players can visit the New Ninjago City Hub, home to Grand Sensei Dareth's Mojo Dojo, Doomsday Comix and Mr. Noodle's Noodle Bar. 

Developed by Hellbent Games in partnership with TT Games, LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids is now available for Nintendo 3DS for the suggested retail price of $29.99 and PS®Vita for a suggested retail price of $29.99. LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids is rated “E10+ for ages 10 and up”. 

For more information on LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids, please visit: http://www.lego.com/ninjago.

About TT Games

TT Games (www.ttgames.com) is the combined publishing and development group behind the hit games LEGO® Star Wars™, LEGO® Batman™: The Videogame, LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures and BIONICLE® Heroes. Incorporating renowned UK developer Traveller’s Tales, TT Games has a distinctive focus on console, handheld, mobile and PC games of the highest quality, aimed at young gamers and their families.

About Hellbent Games

Hellbent Games (www.hellbentgames.com) is the award-winning independent developer behind LEGO Battles (NDS), LEGO Battles Ninjago (NDS) and LEGO Friends (3DS/NDS/iOS). The Canadian studio thrives on building top notch multi-platform game experiences that capture the unadultered fun, imagination, and excitement of childhood.

About the LEGO Group

The LEGO Group (www.LEGO.com) is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children.  The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through its products, which can be purchased in more than 130 countries. Visit www.LEGO.com. LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of The LEGO Group.  © 2013 The LEGO Group.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

LEGO NINJAGO: NINDROIDS software © 2014 TT Games Ltd.  Produced by TT Games under license from the LEGO Group.  LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and the Knob configurations and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. © 2014 The LEGO group. Hellbent Games and the Hellbent logo are trademarks of Hellbent Games Inc. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks and the PlayStation Network logo is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The “PSVITA” logo is a trademark of the same company. Nintendo trademarks and copyrights are properties of Nintendo. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.  All rights reserved.

WB GAMES LOGO, WBIE LOGO, WB SHIELD: ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. 

“PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Nintendo trademarks and copyrights are properties of Nintendo. 

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment   

Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games & The Lego Group to share this new release with you. We've been given both a review copy and a giveaway copy for our readers. As always, all opinions are our own.

March Madness Multitasking With Best Buy #Catch It All #Ad

Disclaimer:  ChiIL Mama is elated to be a Best Buy WOLF (Women's Leadership Forum) Blogger. I have been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received a product/service at a reduced price or for free in exchange for sharing this information with our readers.  All opinions are my own.

We got out of town for a quick family vacation last weekend. Of course we still managed to bring 2 laptops, a DSLR camera, a DS, a 3DS, an ipod, an Android pad, and 3 Samsung smartphones. But it was GREAT to be away from my Macbook Pro more than usual. It's like a permanent extension of my hands most days, and my favorite way to stay connected. Sure, I use my smartphone a LOT, but my laptop is ideal for blogging, freelance writing, photo & video editing, managing e-mails and social media posting.  So, it's by far my tool of choice for multitasking madness in March and beyond.

It was amusing to me to see the NCAA March Madness in full swing everywhere we went.  Even at The Eagle Ridge Spa & Resort pool... basketball addicts were absorbed in the games, while the kids (& hockey dad) shot baskets from the water. 



How do YOU stay connected... HDTV, Laptop, Tablet, Cellphone... all of the above?!

Check out Best Buy here, for sweet tips on using “multiple screens” to stay current on the tournament and brackets and sweet March Madness promotions and offers focused on the devices to enjoy “multi-screen” madness on.

One screen is not enough.

Speaking of one screen... last Friday this Blackhawks lovin' family was 3 hours away from home road trippin' to our weekend away, when the game was just about to start. We spotted a likely sports bar/barn/fish fry joint and stopped for dinner.  There was Blackhawks neon in the windows and jerseys on the walls, but all 10 large screens in the place were playing... you guessed it.  COLLEGE BASKETBALL.  We asked if they could switch one little ol' large screen to the Blackhawks game and our waitress tried to oblige, but it was not to be.  All the TVs were chained in sync and the channel could not be changed.  Bah!  

At the risk of basketball fanatics playing bombardment with my head.. I must confess, we used all our multiple screens trying to AVOID March Madness and track the hockey game! Ah well. To each his own. Follow your passion. And whether you're tracking tournaments and brackets or hiding in another room watching movies on your laptop... When it comes to screens, more is better. And Best Buy's got your back.

Best Buy helps keep you connected to the excitement with the devices and connectivity that make it possible.  Brought to life by the brand promise of the latest devices and services, all in one place. 

Disclaimer:  Once again, ChiIL Mama is elated to be a Best Buy WOLF (Women's Leadership Forum) Blogger. I have been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received a product/service at a reduced price or for free in exchange for sharing this information with our readers.  All opinions are my own.

WIN a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3DS game, DVDs, toys and MORE! ($92.95 value) ChiIL Holidaze Giveaways #giveaway

Disclosure:  Thanks to all the toy companies who partnered with us and gave us products for our giveaways.   As always, all opinions are our own.

 Leonardo Michelangelo Donatello Raphael

Ahhhh.   Those classically named heros in the half shell have become classics themselves.   They were even finalists for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame.  Introduce them to the next generation!

The countdown to 2014 continues with MORE great giveaways from ChiIL Mama!

ChiIL Mama's giving away all of the following!  **Click here to enter.** 

HOLIDAZE GIVEAWAY #5 ($92.95 total est value):

• 3DS Game--Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Activision ($29.99)

Game Overview

Shredder and the Kraang intend to unleash a devastating mutagen bomb that will transform the citizens of New York City into mindless mutants! Join Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo in the fight for NYC in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the videogame!

• Play as your favorite Turtle Anytime! Booyakasha!
• Battle through 15 action-packed levels!
• Eat pizza to increase your Turtle's health!

To enjoy the 3D effect of Nintendo 3DS software, you must experience it from the system itself. All screenshots and videos on this website have been captured in 2D mode. 

Use Parental Controls to restrict 3D mode for children 6 and under.

• 2DVD Set--Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ultimate Showdown 12 Episodes on 2 Discs ($15.99)

It's nonstop ninja action as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles face off against new enemies and old, including the Rat King, Cockroach, Baxter Stockman, and more! All this, leading to the ultimate showdown against the Kraang and the Shredder himself!

• Donatello Flingers Figure by Playmates Toys ($16.99)

Flingers feature a unique and innovative way to launch weapon projectiles. Leo and Mike fling sewer lid and pizza discs from their chest! Roll the figure sideways on a hard flat surface and the right arm reaches for the disc and flings it forward! Each figure includes 10 discs. Don and Raph throw bo's and sais over their shoulders! Roll the figure sideways on a hard flat surface and the rigth arm reaches back, grabs the bo or sai and flings it forward! Each figure includes 3 bo's and sai's.

• Raphael Flingers Figure by Playmates Toys ($16.99)

The Turtles hit the streets and fight back with rapid-firing Flingers action! Battle clad with rad junkyard armor, Raph's sliding sideways and slinging sais not once, not twice, but thrice, firing one after another, mowing down the Foot Clan.

• Donatello Froomies Foam Wall Decor ($12.99)

Even though they were ultimately bested by Chess & The iconic Rubber Duckie, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were one of twelve toy nominees in contention for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame 2013, which is a HUGE honor! 

• The National Toy Hall of Fame was established in 1998, and recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period.
• Each year, the prestigious hall inducts new honorees and showcases both new and historic versions of classic toys beloved by generations.
• The iconic toys are celebrated in The National Toy Hall of Fame gallery located at The Strong's National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

Considered one of the most popular kids' entertainment brands of the 1980s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have become an enduring global phenomenon. 

The Turtles made a totally epic return in September 2012 with the launch of a CG-animated television show on Nickelodeon and an all-new toy line inspired by the show from Playmates Toys, the driving force behind the global toy sensation for decades. Within just one year of its return, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has once again become the number one action figure line in the toy industry!

Disclosure:  Thanks to all the toy companies who partnered with us and gave us products for our giveaways.   As always, all opinions are our own.

FLICK PICKS: The Croods #Dreamworks #thecroods #croodscountdown #gofobo

We can NOT wait to ChiIL out at the movies.   

The Croods are coming...this Friday in fact!  Just in case YOU have been living in a cave and missed all the pre-opening hype, The Croods is a 3D comedy/adventure from Dreamworks & 20th Century Fox that follows the world’s first modern family as they embark on a journey of a lifetime when the cave that has always been their home is destroyed.

Traveling across a spectacular landscape, the Croods are rocked by generational clashes and seismic shifts as they discover an incredible new world filled with fantastic creatures – and their outlook is changed forever.

Star Power:

Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke, Chris Sanders and Randy Thom from writers and directors Kirk De Micco and Chris Sanders. 

The Croods opens on March 22, 2013 and is rated PG.

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   Exciting video games are coming for Wii, Wii U, Nintendo DS, & 3DS featuring The Croods, and we'll be reviewing some of them.   Squee!   

In The Croods: Prehistoric Party! video game, you'll explore spectacular landscapes in a new world filled with never-before-seen creatures as you battle your friends and family with up to four-player multiplayer for Nintendo's Wii U and Wii system (single player for handheld systems).

We're excited to celebrate the upcoming release of The Croods: Prehistoric Party! on March 19!!