Both my boys have gone completely "bonkers for Berk" so to speak. How to Train Your Dragon has replaced Star Wars as being "the" thing to talk about, play with, and wear. My sons have begged to go to the "M-Place" to get Happy Meals so they can hopefully get a plastic dragon that they don't already have. Of course, said dragons lose their wings pretty quickly because they are Happy Meal toys, so I think I've injured my fingers from all the re-attaching I've done of late.
Ahem.
But the important thing is that my kids are smitten with Astrid, Hiccup, and the rest of the gang. They haven't seen the How to Train Your Dragon movie yet, but I anticipate it will be one of the things we do as spring break wraps up. What they have done, though, is play the How to Train Your Dragon Wii Game and the How to Train Your Dragon Nintendo DS Game.
I am grateful that Activison provided us both the Wii game and the DS game because immediately both boys sat down independently to learn the ropes. They later battled both on Wii and DS in the multi-player mode, but the time on the individual platforms was well-spent. (After all, the day we received the games they had already been in the van together for awhile.) Sometimes they enjoy the stand-up action of the Wii; other times they love the portability of the DS. They are home on spring break right now, so must "endure" my various errands. Thankfully, the DS takes care of those otherwise-boring moments in the van. (Alas, I don't let them play DS as we shuffle around the grocery store, lest they bump into other patrons.)
How to Train Your Dragon is also available for Playstation and X-Box. The official How to Train Your Dragon game site has more information about the different dragon species and screenshots of the game, plus you can build your own dragon.
Both DS and Wii versions are fabulous. From "story mode" to "arcade mode" there are options to create a full adventure, or just do some mini-games for a quick entertaining play. Of course the story mode rewards diligence and the ability to work through different levels, while the mini-games allow for plenty of fun with a visiting friend who might be discouraged by entering a game mid-adventure, or - say - an adult who wants to just "try it out" and have a little fun without committing to a more "serious" endeavor. In other words, the game has something for everyone.
Players can chose to be Astrid or Hiccup for the story-mode, while additional characters will show up for multi-player modes. During the game, players customize up to six different dragons and hone their skills in the hopes of becoming the ultimate dragon trainer. My sons are ages five and nine, and both enjoy the games. Both boys were able to discover how to play the game, and both are appropriately challenged by it (without it being too difficult.) Although I haven't really played the game myself, it is my sons who are "reviewing" it by constantly playing it. I hear their laughs, their happy sighs when they accomplish something, and their animated, "Look Mom!" as they call me over to see their newest conquest. They give the game a thumbs-up.
Fortunately, the kind How to Train Your Dragon Activision people have provided me with TWO games to give away! I have a copy of the Wii version and I have a copy of the Nintendo DS version. (The giveaway copies are new and unopened; my copies of course are opened and now well-used.)
Contest begins NOW and ends Friday, April 16th at 5pm Pacific.
METHOD OF ENTRY: I'm just going to do a straight-up "comment on this post" method of entry. You may enter once for each platform (Wii or DS) which is a max of 2 entries per person. In your comment, please say whether you want to be entered for "Wii" or "DS" You may comment twice if you wish to be entered in both giveaways; otherwise, select the platform that makes sense for you. If you are selected as the winner for one platform, you may not switch platforms, so only comment for the version for which you would be pleased to receive the game.
DETERMINATION OF WINNERS: The determination of a Wii winner and of a DS winner will be separate, both via random.org. I will separate the "Wii" entries from the "DS" entries and each shall be assigned a number based on the order in which they were received. I will use random.org to select the number of each winner. I will email the winners, so be sure to leave your email address as part of your comment(s). They will have until Friday April 23rd to get back to me with their shipping address before another winner is chosen. In the event that the same person wins both platforms, then that person is super-lucky and will receive the game in both versions. (Essentially, this is two separate giveaways for a product that happens to be related.)
UPDATE: Thank you for your participation - comments are now closed. The winners will be notified shortly.
--
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the Wii game and a copy of the DS game for my sons to have free-for-review. I received a second copy of each platform for the purposes of a giveaway. I will not receive further compensation for my mention of the game. The words above are my own, reflecting my sons' enthusiasm for both platforms of the game. I was not obligated to post a positive review, but by deciding to accept this review opportunity I had pre-selected myself as someone apt to give a favorable post. When I mention the games, they are linked using an Amazon affiliate code such that if you purchase something on Amazon after clicking the link, I will receive a few cents.
Comments (42)
Love your Haiku, and not just cuz it gave a chance to win this :) For the Wii platform, thanks.
Posted by Nicole Pelton | April 9, 2010 11:57 PM
Posted on April 9, 2010 23:57
I'd love the Wii version, our Wii has been gathering dust lately but we are also beserk for the Vikings and dragons of Berk, so this could seriously revive it!
Thanks for the haiku, too -- I'm just posting mine today (Saturday)!
Posted by janny226 | April 10, 2010 7:43 PM
Posted on April 10, 2010 19:43
Please enter me for the ds version.
Great giveaway!!!
Posted by Jennifer Barr | April 12, 2010 4:33 AM
Posted on April 12, 2010 04:33
We'd love to win the Wii version of this. Sounds like it would be a hit w/ the kids.
Posted by Peter | April 12, 2010 9:30 AM
Posted on April 12, 2010 09:30
We just saw this movie last week and loved it. This entry if for the Wii game for the entire family.
Posted by Kristi | April 12, 2010 12:56 PM
Posted on April 12, 2010 12:56
I would love the DS version for my eight year old son who LOVED the movie.
Posted by Kristina Wheeler | April 12, 2010 12:56 PM
Posted on April 12, 2010 12:56
I would like to be entered for the Wii version.
Thanks.
Posted by Sheila | April 12, 2010 2:54 PM
Posted on April 12, 2010 14:54
I would like to be entered to win the DS version.
Thank you.
Posted by Sheila | April 12, 2010 2:55 PM
Posted on April 12, 2010 14:55
Enter me for the Wii game.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
Posted by Sara B. | April 12, 2010 3:39 PM
Posted on April 12, 2010 15:39
Enter me also for the DS game.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
Posted by Sara B. | April 12, 2010 3:39 PM
Posted on April 12, 2010 15:39
I would love to win the Wii version!
Posted by Katie | April 12, 2010 6:40 PM
Posted on April 12, 2010 18:40
Or I would love the DS game!
Posted by Katie | April 12, 2010 6:40 PM
Posted on April 12, 2010 18:40
We would love to win the Wii version. My daughter is so excited about the movie that I am sure she would enjoy reliving it at home!
Posted by Bhav | April 12, 2010 8:19 PM
Posted on April 12, 2010 20:19
I would love the wii one.
Posted by Katrina | April 13, 2010 6:31 AM
Posted on April 13, 2010 06:31
I'd really like to win for the Wii, because my son has just started learning how to play Wii games with me.
Thanks!
Posted by Mike | April 13, 2010 8:31 AM
Posted on April 13, 2010 08:31
Winning for the DS would be awesome, because my son has a good time playing kid oriented games on the DS. Thanks!
Posted by Mike | April 13, 2010 8:32 AM
Posted on April 13, 2010 08:32
One good book is one exercise for readers. Your site is one exercise for searchs in Internet.
Posted by Corrin Renouf | April 13, 2010 8:55 AM
Posted on April 13, 2010 08:55
I would love to win the ds version for my nephew think he'd really enjoy it thanks for the chance
Posted by Danyale | April 14, 2010 3:51 AM
Posted on April 14, 2010 03:51
I would love to win the wii version for my nephew think he'd really enjoy it thanks for the chance
Posted by Danyale | April 14, 2010 3:54 AM
Posted on April 14, 2010 03:54
Plez enter me in the DS version for this GREAT giveaway
Posted by Birdie S. | April 14, 2010 11:02 AM
Posted on April 14, 2010 11:02
I just bookmarked your site, so glad I found it
Posted by Marquis Wendelken | April 14, 2010 12:14 PM
Posted on April 14, 2010 12:14
Thanks or a great giveaway!! Enter me for the Wii version!
Posted by Jason | April 14, 2010 12:15 PM
Posted on April 14, 2010 12:15
Please enter me for the DS Version!
Posted by Jason | April 14, 2010 12:16 PM
Posted on April 14, 2010 12:16
I would like to win the DS version for my husband. Thanks for the giveaway.
Posted by Mary A | April 14, 2010 1:21 PM
Posted on April 14, 2010 13:21
Or the Wii version for myself. Thanks for the giveaway.
Posted by Mary A | April 14, 2010 1:22 PM
Posted on April 14, 2010 13:22
i just bought my boys the wii after savin up some mmoney, we dont have any games yet just the one that came with it, and we would be thankful if we won the wii version, thank you and god bless-cisco64@comcast.net
Posted by frank | April 14, 2010 11:56 PM
Posted on April 14, 2010 23:56
i would love to be picked for the ds version my 2 boys love that movie, and winning this would be a good surprise for them, thanks you
Posted by nicole | April 14, 2010 11:59 PM
Posted on April 14, 2010 23:59
I'd love to enter for the DS version- both of my kids loved this movie!
Posted by Chris | April 15, 2010 5:24 AM
Posted on April 15, 2010 05:24
Swing en acción con el control Xcross Remote para Nintendo Wii. Su diseño inalámbrico y tecnología de detección de movimiento le ofrecen control total en sus juegos favoritos.
Posted by Damion Centanni | April 15, 2010 5:49 AM
Posted on April 15, 2010 05:49
I would love the DS version. My son would love playing it!
Posted by Danetta | April 15, 2010 8:50 AM
Posted on April 15, 2010 08:50
Wii!!! I'm not even going to pretend it is for anyone other than me.
Posted by Amelia Sprout | April 15, 2010 5:13 PM
Posted on April 15, 2010 17:13
I'd love to win the Wii game. Thanks for the chance!
Posted by Sue | April 15, 2010 5:36 PM
Posted on April 15, 2010 17:36
I would love the Wii version! I can't wait to see this movie :)
Posted by renee | April 15, 2010 10:06 PM
Posted on April 15, 2010 22:06
The DS version would be great too! Enter me for it too please.
Posted by renee | April 15, 2010 10:07 PM
Posted on April 15, 2010 22:07
DS for my grandson. Thank you
Posted by DEBORAH THOMAS | April 16, 2010 10:05 AM
Posted on April 16, 2010 10:05
I would love to be entered for the Wii version! :-)
Posted by Kristie | April 16, 2010 10:05 AM
Posted on April 16, 2010 10:05
Dragons? You bet!
I'm a wii...
Posted by Susan | April 16, 2010 10:15 AM
Posted on April 16, 2010 10:15
Plez enter me in the DS version of this game giveaway Thank you so much..
Posted by Steff | April 16, 2010 2:11 PM
Posted on April 16, 2010 14:11
The wii platform for my kids thanks for the chance
Posted by tina | April 16, 2010 3:10 PM
Posted on April 16, 2010 15:10
Please also enter me for the DS version for my nephew thanks
Posted by tina | April 16, 2010 3:11 PM
Posted on April 16, 2010 15:11
Great review i would like to be entered in to the Wii version
Posted by Michelle B | April 16, 2010 3:16 PM
Posted on April 16, 2010 15:16
I would like to be entered in to the DS version thanks for the giveaway
Posted by Michelle B | April 16, 2010 3:18 PM
Posted on April 16, 2010 15:18