Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Nintendo has quite the selection of marquee characters from Mario, Link, Yoshi, and Samus but most people forget about poor Donkey Kong. Even Luigi had his own year in 2013! It's a shame because the Donkey Kong franchise has had some of the best Nintendo titles in the past 20 years. With Nintendo's new title in the DK Country series, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, we have one of the best titles for the Wii U to date.

When the action first hits, Donkey Kong and his other gorilla family members are celebrating the big guy's birthday. Like any good action game, nothing goes according to plan. Poor Donkey Kong's birthday festivities are ruined by the Snowmads who make the tropical island freeze over. Not exactly thrilling by any sort of the imagination, but the reactions of the Kong family are priceless.

Donkey Kong and his family try to reclaim their home island and fix the icy escalation and bring their tropical paradise back to normal. Throughout the game, Donkey Kong travels to all the areas of the world and from my experience all the worlds are refreshing and unique from one another. You might be playing on an island on one stage then hop to a desert in another. The classic level variety in Mario games is present in 'Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze". The game makes the player want to see the next adventure.

While you're trying to bumble and thrash you way through the story, you'll notice how simple but exceedingly challenging this game really is. Just like the Mario franchise, Donkey Kong has a limited number of moves available to him. You're allowed to jump on enemies like the famous plumber and partake in thrilling platforming challenges, there's a roll-attack that will finish off enemies, and the lovely brute is surprisingly nimble once he climbs on branches and vines. They all sound simple but the game provides a brutal way of forcing you to master Donkey Kong's abilities.

The huge difficulty spike could really dampen skilled platformer player's spirits along with younger gamers. The game forces you to have pin-point accuracy no matter what you're doing. Whether it's jumping on a baddies head to extinguish him or timing your vine swings perfectly to avoid an obstacle. The game never lets up, but when you do manage to complete the task that's been giving yourself trouble, there's hardly a more rewarding experience in gaming. It's not Dark Souls II level of frustration but its close.

Along with the difficult jumping, swinging and rolling gameplay of Donkey Kong, you'll have opportunities to call in his family members. Just like the SNES classic Donkey Kong Country, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and even the wise Cranky Kong will join the adventure. Diddy Kong will assist your vertical hang time with his jetpack, Dixie will allow you to stay in the air longer with her pigtails. My personal favorite is Cranky Kong, who will allow you to bounce higher and longer with his Ducktales style cane maneuvers. They will only assist Donkey Kong during certain portions of the game and you'll have to free them from their barrels, but the opportunities are frequent.

You'll need your allies for the game's outstanding boss fights too. Just like any classic Nintendo first party game, you'll have multiple stages of the encounter. For example, one that gave me tremendous trouble was the gigantic owl, who would send razor sharp feathers down on Donkey Kong and his family. There was just so much going on during the fight that every button press was a matter of life and death. I haven't had this much trouble (or fun) in a game in quite some time. The sense of accomplishment was better than any achievement or trophy unlock from other systems.

One aspect of this game that didn't quite shine as well as other Nintendo platformers was the co-op. My friends and I just didn't see eye to eye when it came to jumping, fighting or simple puzzle solving. When we were in a boss encounter, it was more successful to just shut off one of the controllers and let one person handle it. There's just too much action on-screen and the game simply plays better with one person. Still though, the multiplayer option is always there in case you have a curious on-looker who wants to see what the fuss is about.

Games from this generation are too easy, it's great to see a game like Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze actually challenge players. Even for younger gamers, once they beat a portion by themselves, there won't be a greater reward. Though, it would've been nice to have actual unlockable characters to work for. The Wii U is in desperate need of great games and with Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze it's found one. This is one of those most own games for any type of gamer, and if you can resist breaking the controller you're in for one rewarding experience.

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How To Handle Your Spouse's Facebook Game Addiction

There is no denying that social media is a boon. Right from keeping in touch with long- lost friends and relatives to doing business in a better and brisker way, it's all possible on Facebook today. But the biggest thing that makes this social media platform so popular today is that it offers many games. The games on Facebook are just so addictive that people are making big money on just promoting games on this platform. The gaming experience for people is getting more and more exciting by the day!
Playing games on social media platforms may be a great way to kill time, but what do you do if you find that you have a gaming addict in a spouse who can think of nothing better than fiddling with his phone and playing the likes of Candy Crush, Farmville, Dragon City and even spending precious family time playing Facebook games instead of attending a family dinner or your daughter's ballet recital?
Gaming addiction on Facebook is as much a social problem as any other, and as a spouse,you are quite justified in being concerned about it. But you know it as well as any other that nagging or fighting about it, will worsen things. Here are things you can do to handle a gaming addiction-
Question yourself first
Before you make up your mind that your spouse indeed has a gaming addiction, watch him closely and honestly answer the question whether his playing games is affecting your marriage and family time, or do you detest it, because it simply irritates you. If he is still attentive to you and the family's needs and is chilling out on Facebook once in a while, maybe you should not hold it against him in the first place.
Keep track of his gaming hours
If you think that he is way past the "just chilling out" mark, begin by keeping track of the hours he plays. Make note of it as discreetly as possible. If you make a big song and dance about it, he will start erasing evidence.
Watch out for any physical or behavioral changes
Most of the times people who get truly addicted to gaming tend to develop some physical discomforts such as muscle aches or back pain or headaches. He may even develop behavioral changes and may be found snapping at you or the children much too often.
Time for an intervention
Once you have made careful notes about how his gaming is affecting your personal life, it's time for the intervention. Make sure you send the kids away or have a sitter take care of them while you and your better half settle down for a quiet dinner. During the dinner approach the topic as gently as possible and explain to him with all the evidence as to how it's affecting his health and your personal lives. But do remember not to sound judgmental or accusatory during this exercise.
The point is to make him see that you love him and want what is best for him and the family. Sometimes just doing these things will help him get over his addiction of Facebook games. If it's more serious than that, you may have to seek professional help.

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Tips For Purchasing Motion Control Shoes

There are basically three different classes of shoes you might consider if you are walking for fitness.
Some are cushioned, some are for more stability and others focus on motion control. If you have a higher arch than most people, you most likely would require a "cushioned" shoe. If you look at the bottom of a cushioned shoe you will find that it is more narrow in the mid-foot area. It will also be lighter than most shoes. They would not be a great choice if you have knee problems or tend to point your toes outward.
Around 80 percent of walkers may prefer a shoe that has more stability. It's not as narrow as a cushioned shoe, but is more stable and is built in such a way to provide more arch support. If you tend to be on the heavy side, have lower arches or flat feet, your best choice may be "motion-control" shoes.
Motion-control shoes are the widest of the three classes of shoes and will give you maximum stability. These shoes are best for walking and not running and will help you get the most out of those days when you are walking for fitness.
The following a few tips tips to help you right the right pair of motion-control shoes. If you have your own inserts (which is possible if you have flat feet) bring them when you go shoe-shopping.
Remove the inserts in the shoe and try them on with your own.
Be sure to wear the same socks as ones you will use for walking.
Shop late in the day. Your feet will naturally swell and this will provide a better fit.
If a motion-control shoe is what you are after, be sure it is on the wide side, but has a snug heel. You don't want your heel to move up and down inside the shoe as you walk because this will lead to blisters.
It would be bring along an old, worn pair of shoes. A knowledgeable salesperson will be able to tell from the wear pattern what shoe will best suit you.
Most of all, take your time. Walk around in the shoes and be sure they feel good. Remember, most shoes that are made these days hold their original shape and do not expand that much with wear. If they feel tight, don't count on them becoming less constricting over time.

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What Makes a Student Athlete?

Most people can agree that when a person is in school, school needs to be their first priority. Sure there are friends, jobs, sports and other distractions, but getting the best education you can while you are still in school should probably be the highest goal.
That being said, there are ways to find a balance where a good student can enjoy other things without them affecting their education. In fact, having extracurricular activities may actually help some students with their education and all-around health and growth.
Being a good student athlete is something many people can pull off and some can even make it look easy. But it does require a lot of discipline to both academics and athletics. Here are some tips on how to be a good student athlete while (hopefully) enjoying both your schoolwork and your sport.
Like mentioned before, prioritization will help keep a good balance between schoolwork and sports. Go to practice when it is scheduled, but then go home right afterwards to you can get your homework done and get to bed at a decent hour so you can still get your all-important sleep.
Make sure that even though you have organized practices and training associated with your sport, you can also practice and train on your own to make the most out of your athletic season.
Eating healthy not only fuels your body, but it also fuels your mind. Make sure you are getting a good start to the day with a breakfast that contains food from all the food groups so you have the right balance of vitamins. Instead of junk food snacks plan to eat fruits and vegetables to keep your body energized without the sugar rush.
Getting plenty of sleep as a student athlete means getting between seven and ten hours each night. Because both your body and your mind are being used so heavily as a student athlete, you need plenty of physical and mental rest. Staying up late or going out are still OK to do once in a while, but don't make a habit of it.
Drinking alcohol, smoking and any kind of drugs are off the table. This really shouldn't have to be mentioned, but remember to keep your commitment to your health and your sport and make smart choices.
Work hard at both school and sport. Push yourself to do your best both in the classroom and on the field (or whatever venue applies to your sport). If you don't understand something don't be afraid to ask questions. And always be ready to work hard; don't allow yourself any excuses to blow off school or practice.
Qualities that are learned by student athletes will come in handy when you're looking to get into the "real" world in life after school. Many student athletes are great communicators, especially if they've had a background in team sports. They also know how to receive and provide feedback since they've been held accountable to not only their teammates for many years, but also probably had a strong desire to prove themselves to their coach.
This means a student athlete is also a team-oriented person, which will most likely serve them well in the professional world. Time management is something a student athlete has been doing for many years, as they've had to juggle school, homework, sports, friends, and sometimes jobs.
Possibly most important of all, a student athlete is achievement-oriented. This is a person who not only feels the need to excel in their preferred sport, but also wants to be a leader in the classroom. They want to win their games and matches, but they also know it's important to keep their grades up. They know what it takes to be successful, and they've been doing it a long time. Their work ethic is superior and they can multi-task to get things done.
Student athletes are well-rounded, responsible people; but they also work hard for everything they have, from their grades to their sporting wins (and losses).

By Christopher Douglas Donohue
http://www.unique-sports.com/

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Could Solar Roads Reduce Pollution?

Scientists have spent a good part of the decade trying to improve solar-powered panels which are used in harvesting energy from the sun. While modular panels are widely being used in houses and commercial spaces, the idea of installing them on roadways is picking up steam fast. But the latest idea to hit the streets (literally) is that of paving the roads with solar panels made of ruggedized glass in place of the usual asphalt.
Roads that Pay for Themselves
As far as solar technology news goes, while this plan seems a bit crazy and unorthodox, it's the idea of Scott and Julie Brusaw who are residents of Idaho. The husband and wife team developed their modular pavement system back in 2009. Today the couple claims that solar panels that will be used in their project can withstand a load of over 250,000 pounds (which happens to be four times the legal weight of a semi truck) and can last for up to twenty years. The robust panels will also be able to melt both snow and ice on contact along with providing warm light via LED bulbs so that drivers can see debris along the road.
The solar panels are basically the same as those which are used in normal solar panels which are used in houses. The solar panels are then encased in specially designed version of bullet proof glass, which has been developed and tested at the top materials and research institutes at Penn State and University of Dayton. The base layers of the solar panels which will be used in the project will be made of 10% recycled glass, which from a manufacturing point of view is the most cost effective way of churning up the material for this monumental undertaking.
After building and testing the prototype courtesy of funding from the FHA (Federal Highway Administration) the couple plans to install their solar panels throughout the U.S. which will be a pretty big project considering the amount of highways and motorways that are in the U.S already.
Co2 Reduction
A grid of using solar roads will not only help generate electricity for street lights and quite possibly surrounding homes, but could also significantly reduce the CO2 levels in the atmosphere by providing a means of clean reusable energy. The long term aspiration of the couple is to replace the power grid with a smart grid, which will not only help the environment, but also the economy as well.
The Latest Update
According to the latest in solar technology news regarding Solar Roadways, the project is already the highest grossing campaign in the history of IndieGogo, and while its run on the crowd funding website still has a few days until it ends, the Solar Roadways campaign has gone way passed its initial goal of one million dollars. What made all this possible was the contributions that have been made by more than thirty-five thousand people from over forty countries. Way to go Scott and Julie!

Moe Tarhini is the Senior Technical Writer at @Technogigs. Technogigs is an online news and information portal dedicated to people who wish to keep pace with the fast-paced tech world. For more information, please visit: http://www.Technogigs.com

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Tips of Buying a Used Car: Ensuring That You Don't Make the Wrong Choice

With the global economic scenario still unable to break the spell of recession, there are several people across the globe finding it profitable to buy a used car instead of investing a big amount of money in the new model. However, the inventory of used cars is not brimming with the best of models. Instead, most of the automobiles entering the used car category are either damaged or worn out goods that can rarely serve any purpose.
So, for those of you who are planning to buy a new vehicle, here are a few tips that can help you make the right choice:
Get the vehicle registration number
When you are planning to buy a pre-owned vehicle, start by procuring the basic registration number. This vehicle registration number comes in extremely handy when it comes to procuring details about the model and the usage that it has been through. In fact, you can use the registration number to get the complete history of the vehicle that you are planning to buy. The process has to be done through a private company and involves nominal charges. However, the end results make it worth the effort.
Strictly avoid buying flood damaged vehicles
Water is bad for the engine. Apart from causing the rusting of internal components, the water tends to cause permanent damage by reducing the longevity of the engine. Therefore, you should strictly avoid buying pre-owned vehicles that come from flood affected zones or have a history of being damaged by flooding.
Get it checked by a mechanic
Even if you are a die-hard automobile fan, we recommend you to get the car checked by an expert mechanic. Preferably, choose an experienced person who has a reputation of performing a thorough inspection. This will ensure that you get accurate results along with making it possible for you to take the purchase decision. The professional check comes at an extra price but it is totally worth the effort.
Check the service records
Wherever possible, do a detailed check on the service records of the pre-owned vehicle that you are considering. This will help you get a better idea about the type of repairs and replacements that the car was subjected to. Accordingly, you can analyze the present condition of the vehicle as well as predict its ability to withstand the routine wear and tear to quite an extent. In this way, you can solve your many problems.

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First Time Car Lease - How to Get a Good Deal

A large number of car buyers are opting to lease a vehicle than to buy it. Their preference is primarily due to their lack of confidence in the automobile market. Over the years, buyers have become more informed, more aware and wiser; therefore, they make their purchase decisions in high involvement items such as cars, very carefully.
If you're planning to lease a car for the first time, here are some things that you need to consider to get a good lease deal and avoid financial loss:
1. Confirm your credit
It is essential to know your credit score as it is one of the key factors in a lease. A good credit will get you a good deal at a better rate. It is recommended to check your credit 4 to 6 weeks before you plan to head out in the automobile market. Find out the types of credit scores you need to know to be eligible for a lease. Your credit score will also depend on the type of vehicle you choose for a lease.
2. Check Your cash flow
Leasing is a great way to own a car over a period of time with reasonably low monthly payments. When you want to lease a livery vehicle, it is important to check your cash flow so you know where you stand in terms of cash; you will need to make monthly payments for 2 to 3 years or until the lease term is over. When the lease term is over, you can either own the vehicle or give it back to the leasing company. It is important to note that monthly payments for used cars is lower than that for new or luxury cars.
3. Negotiate the deal
Most buyers think that since they are not buying the car, they are not in a position to negotiate the deal. However, it is completely acceptable to negotiate the offer. Remember, the final point that you reach with the negotiation will determine the amount of monthly payments you will have to make throughout the lease term.
4. Know the deal in detail
Before you make any final decisions, make sure you know all the necessary details regarding the deal. Find out if there are any extra or hidden payments other than the monthly payments and also whether the stated monthly payments are inclusive of taxes or otherwise. Also, make sure that your lease term is not more than 3.5 years. Any term near 5 years is not worthwhile, it is as bad as paying for a car that is decades old.
Make sure you do a thorough research and ask around people in your circle who have leased a livery vehicle before so you end up with a good deal with low monthly payments.

This article written on behalf of TLC Auto Leasing. For more details feels free to visit our website.

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