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March/April 2018 $6.99 USA $8.99 CANADA
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and characters represented are © & ™ of Nintendo.
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Our Mission Statement
Little Player Magazine’s mission is to provide a safe, fun and advertising-free reading experience that parents can feel good about giving to their kids. We also want to inspire and teach kids to make good gaming choices and play what is appropriate for their age group. We only cover and review games that are rated EC, E, and E10+ to ensure that young children are not exposed to content meant for teens or mature audiences. 2 Little Player Magazine
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How playing video games taught me perseverance and to never give up. Even at a young age, life can have its challenges. To overcome these obstacles, we must learn to persevere, which simply means to never give up or quit when things are difficult. This is one of the most important life lessons I learned from playing video games as a young person. Many of my favorite games such as the original Super Mario Bros., Castlevania and Mega Man required hours of practice to complete. These games were extremely challenging and there were no cheat codes or easy modes to make things less difficult. Only through practice and perseverance did I finally beat those games and many others. I even earned my first official video game world record at the age of 15! With the release of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze for the Switch, I am reminded of the good times I had with the original Donkey Kong Country for Super NES. There were many intense challenges in DKC and it really pushed the limits of both the Super NES and players of that time. Even though the new version of the game has Funky Kong, who makes the game much easier, I encourage you to play the game as intended and face the challenges it brings. You’ll find in life and in gaming, the best rewards are earned through hard work and persistence.
Martin Alessi Publisher / EIC
little player
®
Video Game Magazine for Kids A Massive Impact, Inc. Periodical ISSN 2572-6145 (Print) ISSN 2572-6153 (Online)
Mar./Apr. 2018, Issue 12 Volume 3, Issue 2 - 1st Printing
Publishers Martin Alessi & Shelly Alessi Editor-in-Chief / Creative Director Martin Alessi Managing Editor Shelly Alessi Senior Editors Jason Kaplan Tim Wilkus Todd Friedman Associate Editor Nathan Alessi Junior Editors Isabella Ocampo, Brody Patterson Hannah Friedman, Aiden Friedman Copy Editor Jenny Kaplan Industry Correspondant Patrick Scott Patterson Art Director / 3D Artist Allen Forbes Illustration Artist Thor Thorvaldson Video Capture Technician Pete Hahn Creative Consultant David Ray Siller Legal Counsel Erich G. Monzon
__________________________ © Copyright 2018, Massive Impact, Inc. All rights reserved. Little Player is published bi-monthly by Massive Impact, Inc., P.O. Box 512, Wheeling IL 60090. Subscriptions are 6 issues for $19.99. Please allow 6-8 weeks before receiving your first issue as well as any subscription changes on an existing account. Little Player is a registered trademark of Massive Impact, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without express written permission of Massive Impact, Inc. Trademark and copyright for all other products and characters contained therein are owned by the respective trademark and copyright owners. For permisson to reuse material from our publication or to use our logo contact martin@littleplayermag.com. DIGITAL EDITION
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Little Player is published bi-monthly. Domestic rate is $19.99 for 6 issues. See website for international rates. NEW SUBS: www.shoplittleplayer.com Subscription Inquiries: 312-574-0499 subs@littleplayermag.com Please send letters and artwork to: letters@littleplayermag.com or Little Player Magazine P.O. Box 512 Wheeling IL 60090 Little Player Magazine 3
COVER STORY
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo Systems: Switch Players: Single-player, Multiplayer Release Date: 5/4/2018 ESRB Rating: E Content Descriptors: Mild Cartoon Violence
This is no time to monkey around... Join Funky Kong and save the day! By Tim Wilkus
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was an amazing, yet challenging platformer from the Wii U that is making its way over to the Nintendo Switch for anyone that might have missed it. However, it is not just a port of the original game. Nintendo has included some new features to its gameplay to make revisiting it even more fun! One of its newest features is the addition of an all-new character Funky Kong, who will definitely make the game a little easier and enjoyable for younger players. Of course, if you want to experience the original challenge of the game, that option is there too with the use of Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong. We love that Nintendo has catered to both younger and older players with the Switch release.
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Play as Funky Kong who makes the game easier in many ways!
The entire family of Kongs is ready for a new adventure!
Donkey Kong
Dixie Kong
Cranky Kong
Diddy Kong
Donkey Kong is the most powerful character in the game. He moves at a slower pace than the other characters and doesn’t have the ability to throw projectiles. His only abilities are rolling and plucking items from the ground.
Dixie Kong’s most useful feature is her ability to double jump. This can be extremely helpful in the game’s most difficult areas. Being able to shoot projectiles from her bubble gum dispenser is useful too.
Cranky Kong has the unique ability to bounce over treacherous terrain with his cane. This makes clearing those spiked areas a breeze. He can also project his dentures out towards enemies.
Diddy Kong is smaller and much faster than the other Kongs in the game and packs the Kong Pow Ability! Collect 100 bananas and activate this ability and all the enemies on screen will turn into red balloons.
Funky Kong Funky Kong is definitely the most well-rounded character of the bunch and is intended to ease the difficulty of the game. Funky Kong has the ability to double jump, hover, perform infinite rolls, and infinite underwater corkscrews. Even spikes are no match for him and his surfboard! DIGITAL EDITION
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You can team up with a friend for more fun in Multiplayer mode!
If playing solo isn’t your idea of a great way to game, players will be happy to know there is a two-player mode in Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze. The idea is very simple. One player will control Donkey Kong, while the other will control either Dixie Kong, Diddy Kong, or Cranky Kong and use their abilities to aide in level completion.
Go for a wild ride and the action gets even more intense!
Rambi the Rhino
Rocket Barrel
Minecart
Rambi the rhinoceros, the Kong’s longtime friend, makes an appearance again. He can run across spikes with ease and help players find secret areas as he destroys rocks in his path! Jump in the Rocket Barrels to fly through the levels with ease! Minecart levels are back as well. 6 Little Player Magazine
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Watch out for the Bosses guarding the end of each level!
There are a number of boss battles awaiting players at the completion of each world. Be careful. After only a few hits, each boss will morph into another phase. Learning the patterns of the bosses will be key in making your way past them. There are a total of six in all. Patience is the key to success.
Get ready for funky fun gameplay, perfect for all ages! Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is shaping up to be another great addition to the Switch library. Nintendo really listened to its fans and made the necessary changes to the gameplay to make the game more accessible to all players, young and old. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will launch exclusively for the Switch on May 4, 2018. DIGITAL EDITION
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FEATURE STORY Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo Systems: Switch Players: Single-player, Multiplayer Release Date: 4/20/2018 ESRB Rating: E10+ Content Descriptors: Mild Violence, Fantasy Violence
Experience a whole to way to craft and play with Labo! By Tim Wilkus & Martin Alessi
If you’ve ever dreamed about seeing your creations come to life, Nintendo just might have something to get your wheels turning. Launching this April, is Nintendo Labo. It’s Nintendo’s first attempt at what they’re calling an interactive build-to-play experience. It really is unlike anything you have ever seen, and it works in conjunction with the Nintendo Switch. So what exactly is Nintendo Labo? Basically, they are kits with specifically designed sheets of cardboard that transform into creations called Toy-Con. Each kit will require the player to insert one or both JoyCon into the Toy-Con to bring it to life on the Nintendo Switch’s screen. Creations can range from a 13-key Piano, to a Motorbike or RC Car, a Fishing Rod or House, and even a Robot Suit you can wear! The first two kits Nintendo is planning to release is a Variety Kit which will retail for $69.99 and a Robot Kit which will retail for $79.99. Both kits will include the required Nintendo Switch software to bring your creations to life. 8 Little Player Magazine
Start building your creations by following on-screen instructions. Work by yourself or with a parent or partner for even more fun!
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Build and play with 5 awesome projects in the Variety Kit!
House
Fishing Rod
Piano
Motorbike
RC Car
Suit up for fun and action with the Robot Kit!
Robot Suit DIGITAL EDITION
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PREVIEW
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Creatures Inc. Systems: 3DS Players: Single-player Release Date: 3/23/2018 ESRB Rating: E Content Descriptors: Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence
Investigate the scene and crack the case with Pikachu! By Todd Friedman
Coming this March to the Nintendo 3DS is a game with a unique spin on the Pokémon series. Detective Pikachu goes in a different direction from his normal duties in the Pokémon games of the past. He also wears a hat and talks for one of the first times ever. This adventure game puts the players and Pikachu on missions to solve mysteries. This is accomplished by walking around scenes, finding potential clues, and speaking with people and Pokémon to uncover new information. You and the talking Pikachu will team up to check out Ryme City and question witnesses.
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Detective Pikachu uses quick-time events in which you must press the button to interact with the story during cutscenes to figure out the mysteries that surround Ryme City.
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Detective Pikachu follows a new character who goes by the name of Tim Goodman, who’s trying to crack the case behind the disappearance of his missing father. He isn’t doing it alone, of course, with Detective Pikachu at his side. This is done by getting clues from the various people and Pokémon throughout the city and then piecing together the clues based on what has been said. The game also has various quick-time events where you must press the A button at the right time, or enough times, in order for the story to proceed. If you fail, the story continues but the animations are slightly different. Experience over 150 animated cutscenes of fun! You’ll have to put your detective skills to the test to foil the mastermind behind the disturbances in Ryme City. This version also comes with an Easy Mode where Detective Pikachu can offer up helpful hints.
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BIG & little Reviews Kirby Battle Royale Publisher: Nintendo Developer: HAL Laboratory Systems: 3DS Players: Single-player, Multiplayer Release Date: 1/19/2018 ESRB Rating: E10+ Content Descriptors: Mild Cartoon Violence
7.8 BIG REVIEW MARTIN
8.3
little REVIEW
7.5
little REVIEW
This fun and feature-packed 3DS title has enough action to please Kirby and Smash Bros. fans alike. The single player mode is a bit easier than I expected and you should be able to unlock everything in no time. Kirby battle Royale really shines in multiplayer mode which is the best part of the game in my opinion.
BIG REVIEW JASON
The latest Kirby game feels a lot like Smash Bros. You get multiple battle modes, unlockables, and you can play online just like Smash. The story mode isn’t very long though and getting everything unlocked is quick as well. The game is at its best when you’re playing online. Fortunately, the controls are easy to learn and work well, so you only need to battle your opponents. 28 Little Player Magazine
HANNAH
Average Score
8.0
Kirby Battle Royale is a very challenging game. Kirby has many abilities to choose from. The point of this game is to Battle, Fight and Win. I played the multiplayer game with my brother and it was exciting. There is a solo adventure too which makes the game fun to play alone, but playing multiplayer makes the game well worth it.
AIDEN
7.5
This game is fun because I like how you can battle with AI’s against deadly bosses. The graphics are cool. The controls are easy and fun to use when battling. I would recommend practicing a lot to get better at this game. Overall, this game is fun to play, and Kirby does a great job in this latest installment.
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BIG & little Reviews
Seeker’s Note: Hidden Mystery Publisher: MyTona Developer: MyTona Systems: Android, iOS Players: Single-player Release Date: Updated 2/12/2018 ESRB Rating: E Content Descriptors: N/A
8.0 BIG REVIEW SHELLY
7.0
This game was fun to play because you must find the hidden objects in different rooms. As you complete the levels, the story line progresses to meeting new and interesting characters. You also need to solve the puzzles to unlock new rooms and passages. A great time waster, not too involved, and you can pick up the game at any time.
BIG REVIEW TIM
7.0
Seeker’s Note is a clever game of hide and seek with some scenes and puzzles being quite difficult to solve at times. The art style and music are immersive. Completing scenes in a timely manner will reward your sleuth skills. I loved the social aspect of the game allowing you to help a friend on their journey to lift the curse of Darkwood. Seeker’s Note is a great title for puzzle fans!
little REVIEW HANNAH
Average Score
10
Seekers Note is the best game I ever played! It is fun for everyone, all ages and all people of the world! On the screen is a lot of items. You need to find hidden things in the picture. The more you play the better it gets, the farther you get until you solve the mystery. This is a perfect puzzle game for puzzle solvers!
little REVIEW BRODY
8.0
I don’t normally like games like this one but I feel this one is exceptionally good. You really have to focus and pay attention and it really improves your skills in those areas. The only drawback I had is that you can’t play it at all if it needs an update. I wasn’t on Wi-Fi once when it needed one and it wouldn’t let me play.
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