My wife did not grow up as a gamer or even bother playing video games as a child. She had a younger brother, but their gap in age did not open up any good avenues for bonding. Not like the 16 month difference with my sister. (We played many games together in our youth.) For the last 7 years after the birth of our first son, I've been telling my wife that she needs to learn how to play games and turn on the consoles and what controllers go with what. The only thing she knew how to do was play DVDs in the PS2. So, its a start.

Within the last two years, I got her to join in on some limited time with EyeToy on the PS2. Just some casual playing around but nothing extensive. She maybe did a race or two on Mario Kart DS. And she showed a short interest in Wii Sports when I bought the console. We still play tennis once a month when the mood strikes us.

She is becoming a fan of the Nintendo DS. I turned her onto Honeycomb Beat, which is an outstanding title that was only released in the UK. Then, she saw me playing an interesting puzzle game earlier this year. It was Professor Layton. She started helping me with my puzzles and decided she wanted to start her own story. The addiction begins. She started to talk trash and say she was going to beat me to the end. She started taking the DS to bed, she hid it from me so I wouldn't take it to work, she needs her own DS.

The other night she made it through the final tower. Don't worry, I've been done for almost two months now. EXCELLENT GAME! We both can't wait for the second installment. She was very proud she beat the game. So am I. I needed some sort of hook to reel her in. With 3 boys in the house, she needs to have some skills to keep up with me and the young gamers that I am training.

So, now she is looking for her next game to play, besides Honeycomb Beat. I downl-- purchased Napolean Dynamite and Mr. Bean for her. Of course I am aware that these games are pure garbage but she is a fan of the characters. I think Mr. Bean was a pure flop but she loves Napolean too much to toss him to the side.

I am still waiting for her to break into some Mario Kart Wii or SSBB action with me. I could really use an extra hand in Trauma Center New Blood. Maybe I can get her to play WiiWare Pop.