Little Player Preview Digital Edition

DIGITAL EDITION

Yoshi and Yoshi’s Woolly World are trademarks of Nintendo.

Table of Contents 10-11 4-7

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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 your children are not exposed to content meant for teens or mature audiences.

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little player

TM

A little vision goes a long way!

One of the greatest joys I remember from my childhood is coming home from school and finding an issue of Nintendo Power in the mail. To get a piece of mail, let alone a video game magazine addressed to me personally, was like getting a birthday or Christmas present each month.

Video games were a huge part of my life as a child and video game magazines held an equally special place in my heart. They still do today, although there are not as many magazines because of the internet and how it changed the way people get their gaming news.

I had the vision for Little Player several years ago when my own son was nine years old. I had concerns about the kind of content he would be exposed to if I let him look through most modern gaming mags. I knew in my heart I couldn’t be the only parent with those concerns and the idea for Little Player was born.

My desire is for players ages 7-12 to discover the joy of print magazines and finally have a voice in this industry.

It is my belief that we should encourage young players to make good gaming choices and play games that are appropriate for them. Little Player will be there to cover and review games parents will feel good about buying and their kids will love playing. Now back to the reason we all love video games, let’s go have some fun!

Martin Alessi Publisher / EIC

Video Game Magazine for Kids A Massive Impact, Inc. Periodical

Summer 2015, Issue 0 1st Printing

Publishers Martin Alessi & Shelly Alessi Editor-in-Chief Martin Alessi Senior Editor Jason Kaplan Associate Editor Nathan Alessi Junior Editor Brody Patterson Contributing Editors Carl Williams Michael Crisman Industry Correspondant Patrick Scott Patterson Art Director / 3D Artist Allen Forbes Illustration Artist Thor Thorvaldson Creative Consultant David Ray Siller Legal Counsel Erich G. Monzon In memory of Andy Baran, whose youthful love of life and video gaming left us far too soon.

__________________________ © Copyright 2015, 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 $24.99. 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.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Little Player is published bi-monthly.

Domestic rate is $24.99 for 6 issues.

NEW SUBS: www.littleplayermag.com/subscribe 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 DIGITAL EDITION 3

FEATURE STORY

Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Good-Feel Systems: Wii U Players: 1 or 2 players Release Date: Fall 2015 ESRB Rating: E Content Descriptors: To Be Announced

Yoshi’s new adventure will make you feel warm and fuzzy! By Martin Alessi Yoshi is back for an all new adventure on the Wii U. This game is made by the same team that created Kirby’s Epic Yarn. This time the whole world and all the characters in it look like yarn, cloth, and other materials.

Yoshi must explore huge side-scrolling levels all while avoiding enemies and finding power-ups and secrets along the way. Instead of eggs, Yoshi will make balls of yarn when he eats an enemy. You can throw these at obstacles to create platforms or use them to tie up enemies. Not only can he run and jump, he can fly with wings or propellers on his tail. One of the coolest features is you don’t have to play this game alone, you and a friend can play co-op and face its many challenges together. Yoshi’s Woolly World looks like it’s going to be really fun and one of the best action games on the Wii U Don’t let Yoshi’s cute look fool you, this game is so look for it when it comes out this Fall. filled with challenges and adventure!

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Yoshi can do so many things in Woolly World!

Run

Jump

Climb

Fly (with Wings)

Fly (with Propeller)

Spit

Throw

Attack (with tongue)

You and a friend can play together at the same time!

One of the features we are most excited about is the 2 Player Co-Op mode.

You can swallow the other player and then throw them to hard to reach areas.

You can also defeat the bosses easier with double the yarn balls to throw.

Team up with another player and have double the fun!

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Tons of new enemies try to defeat Yoshi!

Yoshi will face HUGE bosses along the way!

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Look for special Woolly World edition Yoshi Amiibos that unlock special features!

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BLAST.FROM.THE.PAST! Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo Systems: Super NES, 3DS, Wii U Players: 1 player Release Date: October 1995 ESRB Rating: E Content Descriptors: N/A

Yoshi and Baby Mario team up to save Baby Luigi!

By Shelly Alessi

Long before Woolly World, Yoshi had a grand adventure on the Super Nintendo. Baby Luigi was captured by Magikoopa and now it’s up to Baby Mario and Yoshi to save him. Yoshi has some skills and friends that help him along the way. Yoshi can swallow enemies by grabbing them with his tongue, he can then spit them out or turn them into an egg. The eggs can be thrown at enemies or magical places to find hidden red coins and flowers (and other secret places) throughout the levels. Yoshi can also transform into some amazing shapes, such as a car, helicopter, drill, and even a submarine!

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PREVIEW

Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo Systems: WiiU Players: Single-player Release Date: September 2015 ESRB Rating: Pending Content Descriptors: To Be Announced

Get ready to create your

By Jason Kaplan own Mario worlds!

There aren’t many people who have played a game at some point and thought to themselves: “I can do better.” Well guess what? With Nintendo’s newest Wii U Mario game you’re going to get your chance. Mario Maker will let you make your own 2D platform style levels. Basically, you’re making your own Mario game your way. You can use assets from Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 3, Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Bros U. In addition to just making levels, you can also make worlds too. Mario Maker will let you have four levels per world. How cool is that? Making these levels seems to be pretty easy to do. You’re just dragging and dropping items on the gamepad. Placing blocks or piranha plants really is as easy as just moving it wherever you want it to be. You can do that at anytime. Mario Maker is currently set to be released this September so it’s still a ways off. What kinds of awesome stuff are you guys and gals going to make? We’d really like to With the stylus you can add little details such as wings to a Koopa and place him in your world. know, so please tell us at letters@littleplayermag.com!

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You can choose from 4 different styles for your levels.

Super Mario Bros. (NES)

Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)

Super Mario World (Super NES)

New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U)

Will you be able to upload and share levels?

While we don’t know the details for sure, it looks like you might be able to upload and share your Mario creations. We are very excited by the possibility of sharing and playing levels like in Little Big Planet.

As soon as we know more about this potentially awesome feature we will keep you informed.

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Collector’s Guide Collecting Amiibos is really fun! Here is a guide to the newest Amiibos that are coming out this summer. You can use the check boxes to keep track of your collection.

Mario - Silver Edition

Jigglypuff

Greninja

Series: Super Mario Release date: 5/29/2015

Series: Super Smash Bros.

Release date: 5/29/2015

Series: Super Smash Bros.

Release date: 5/29/2015

Inkling Boy

Inkling Girl

Inkling Squid

Series: Splatoon Release date: 5/29/2015

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Series: Splatoon Release date: 5/29/2015

Series: Splatoon Release date: 5/29/2015

Charizard

Series: Super Smash Bros.

Release date: 5/29/2015

Wario

Series: Super Smash Bros.

Release date: 5/29/2015

PAC-MAN

Series: Super Smash Bros.

Release date: 5/29/2015

Lucina

Series: Super Smash Bros.

Release date: 5/29/2015

Ness

Series: Super Smash Bros.

Release date: 5/29/2015

Robin

Series: Super Smash Bros.

Release date: 5/29/2015

Check these two new Kid Icarus Amiibos coming out in July 2015!

Dark Pit

Series: Super Smash Bros.

Release date: July 2015

Palutena

Series: Super Smash Bros.

Release date: July 2015

Count on Little Player Magazine to keep you informed on all the new Amiibos coming out. Use our guides in this and future issues to plan and keep track of your Amiibo collection. If you do not want to write on your magazine, try photocopying these pages or if you have the digital version of the magazine try printing the pages before you check anything off.

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BIG & little Reviews Meet the Crew

BIG Players PATRICK SCOTT PATTERSON

little Player BRODY PATTERSON

PSP has been playing video games since before your parents met and will still be playing when you have kids of your own. Mario Maker is going to take up tons of his free time, whenever that is.

JASON KAPLAN Jason’s been having a blast working on this first issue of Little Player. He’s really surprised by how much fun he’s had playing Splatoon and can’t wait to make his own levels in Mario Maker.

MARTIN ALESSI Martin has been quite busy getting the first issue of Little Player ready so he hasn’t had much time to play. He really enjoyed Ori and the Blind Forest and is super excited for Mario Maker.

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Brody is the oldest child to two gaming parents.

He plans to spend some of his summer vacation time on Splatoon while his parents tell him all about the exciting games they played at E3.

CASTING CALL!

How would you like to see not only your name but your very own reviews printed in the pages of Little Player? Now you have a chance! To be considered you must be 7 to 12 years of age.

Please write two reviews and give a number score. One review should be a game you like (it can even be your favorite) and the other a game you don’t like so much. We need the reviews to be about 60-70 words and you must include a number from 1 to 10 for the score.

Submissions become property of Massive Impact, Inc. Good luck everybody!

Submit your reviews to:

letters@littleplayermag.com

or mail to: Little Player Magazine

P.O. Box 512

Wheeling IL 60090

BIG & little Reviews Splatoon

Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo Systems: Wii U Players: Single-player, Multiplayer Release Date: May 29, 2015 ESRB Rating: E10 Content Descriptors: Cartoon Violence, Online Interactions

Splatoon is a third person based shooter game featuring squid-like Inklings. You’re tasked with covering everything with ink in the online turf wars using an array of different ink rollers, ink guns, and ink bombs. Or you can play single player and try to infiltrate the headquarters of and stop the evil Octopus Army to get back the stolen electric catfish. You can even transform into a squid and get cool new abilities too!

BIG REVIEW JASON KAPLAN

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Splatoon is a new game from Nintendo that delivers tons of fun. The single player mode reminds me of a Mario game but with shooting. The boss fights are really cool! Be sure to go through the tutorial so you learn how everything works. You might want to turn off the motion controls to make it easier to play. The multiplayer mode is where this game really shines.

Right now it’s a little hard to play with your friends but Nintendo is fixing that soon.

Overall I feel this is one of the best new games for the Wii U.

little REVIEW BRODY PATTERSON

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Splatoon is a great game. While you’re waiting to go in a battle there’s a mini-game you can play.

You can shout out calls to your partners online and I think that’s awesome. There is also a one-onone mode and shops where you can buy weapons and clothes so there is a lot to do. There is also a single player mode and arenas to pick from. I really like this game.

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BIG & little Reviews Ori and the Blind Forest Publisher: Microsoft Studios Developer: Moon Studios Systems: Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC Players: Single-player Release Date: March 11, 2015 ESRB Rating: E Content Descriptors: Mild Fantasy Violence

Ori and the Blind Forest is a moving story about hope, love, and sacrifice centered around a young orphan destined to save the forest from evil. You play as a little creature named Ori in this action adventure platformer gaining new abilities while you explore and try to save your home from destruction. It features hand painted levels and fully orchestrated music that compliment it’s traditional 2D style of game play.

BIG REVIEW JASON KAPLAN

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The Blind Forest is definitely a place you’re going to want to visit. I had to catch myself a few times from standing still because of how great this game looks. It’s a 2D side scroller so you won’t be in a 3D world but that doesn’t mean there’s any less to explore. You can go anywhere on the map. If something is blocked off you’ll be able to get there later, you just need to learn some new abilities. You do need to be careful (or get an older player for help) because things can get pretty tough.

It’s worth it though to see all the new areas and powers you get. Ori and the Blind Forest is one of my favorite games so far this year, absolutely worth playing.

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little REVIEW BRODY PATTERSON

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Ori and the Blind Forest was a good game. It could sometimes be a bit too challenging and there are a few really tough parts that were frustrating.

The hardest part to me was getting the first key. It could have been a little less scary and the story less sad. It is a very emotional game but still fun.

BIG & little Reviews SpongeBob HeroPants Publisher: Activision Developer: Behaviour Interactive Systems: Xbox 360, 3DS, Vita Players: Single-player, Multi-player Release Date: February 3, 2015 ESRB Rating: E Content Descriptors: Mild Cartoon Violence

Choose to play as six different characters in SpongeBob’s latest video gaming adventure: SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, and Plankton. This 3D action-adventure is filled with combat, puzzles and tons of secrets to discover. The story is that SpongeBob’s dreams are coming to life and causing a bunch of trouble for the rest of the gang. It is your mission to save the world by repairing SpongeBob’s mind.

BIG REVIEW PATRICK SCOTT PATTERSON

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There really isn’t anything in the game play that you can’t get from a million other games but the characters make it. Having watched my kids enjoy the SpongeBob Squarepants cartoon and films, I could see the magic in their eyes as they realized they were able to take control of their favorite characters. That alone makes it worth a pick up if the world of Bikini Bottom is as big a deal in your household as it is in ours.

little REVIEW BRODY PATTERSON

9

SpongeBob HeroPants was a great game. The graphics were awesome. I liked the game but it could have given more KrabbyPattys and could be more challenging. There were funny parts and a part where you get attacked by giant robots. The multi-player mode gets you through twice as fast but it’s harder to keep up with the other players.

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BIG & little Reviews Blokshot Revolution Publisher: Foxhole Games LLP Developer: Foxhole Games LLP Systems: iOS, iPhone, iPad Players: Single-player Release Date: March 26, 2015 ESRB Rating: Not rated by ESRB Recommended for ages 7+ Content Descriptors: N/A

Blokshot Revolution is an arcade style game. Your main goal is to protect your base by catapulting a ball of light into falling blocks. The longer you play, the more difficult the game gets because the squares get increasingly smaller. If a block manages to get past your catapult, the game ends and you lose. The game is free to download and play on the iTunes store but you can pay a small amount to have the ads removed.

BIG REVIEW MARTIN ALESSI

7

While Blokshot Revolution is a little tough to grasp at first, the game play is fun and keeps you interested. The graphics are really great and the sound effects are cool as well. The main problem I can see is the game gets very difficult in a short amount of time and will frustrate younger players. Not a game you will play for a long time but in short bursts it can be a great time waster.

Overall, I had some fun but could not see myself playing this everyday.

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little REVIEW BRODY PATTERSON

5

Blokshot Revolution is an okay game. I think it should have been easier to hit enemies and found it kind of difficult at first. I liked the chain cannon and think it was cool. I liked that it felt like anything could happen and the graphics were amazing. I think people should pick this one up because it’s free and if you don’t like it you didn’t waste any money.

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www.littleplayermag.com/subscribe Little Player is published bi-monthly by Massive Impact, Inc., P.O. Box 512, Wheeling IL 60090.

Subscriptions are 6 issues for $24.99. Please allow 6-8 weeks before receiving your first issue as well as any subscription changes on an existing account.