Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz 2011 Review

Unfortunately, announcements about various new handheld consoles from Sony and Nintendo over the last fortnight has meant that our hands-on with this game was unintentionally delayed. Nevertheless, the Mini Gamers blogsite has now tried and tested Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz (PSP) in order to bring you the good and bad points of this music-themed game.

Firstly, fans of the Buzz series of quiz games will quickly notice that this game has been given a snazzy makeover from the previous PSP games.

The game features several different quiz rounds to test your music knowledge and two different single-player game modes - Chart Climber (in which players have to play several different quiz rounds in order to win points and gain their place at the top of the charts,) and Quick Quiz whereby players have to play a random quiz from one of the rounds in the Chart Climber section.

There is also several Multiplayer modes to be had in this game. As well as the usual Pass Around and Player-to-Player Wi-Fi modes, there is also an Online Multiplayer mode so that players can now test their musical knowledge with other people from all over the country.

The quiz rounds themselves are quite varied, and range from general knowledge about all diferent types of music,  to naming music stars or identifying various tunes, and even trying to beat the clock in timed quizes.

Buzz himself has also had a bit of a makeover. See the irrepressible host don a number of hairstyles throughout the quiz, from an Elvis-style Quiff, to a J.S. Bach wig. Buzz has the lot!

The usual Bronze, Silver and Gold awards have also been changed to Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum records, and the way they work has also been changed. Now, the awards are also given a points multiplier, which range from 1x to 4x your original score. The faster you correctly answer questions, the more of a multiplier you will gain.

One of the most impressive features in this game is Buzz's personal commentary, which allows Buzz to call you by name. This was originally featured in the Buzz: Quiz World game, but the names which were featured were very limited and meant that many people were unable to choose their name from the list.

 In Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz (PSP) the 'Personal Commentary' feature has been enhanced, and it now features a wide range of nicknames and unusual names to choose from. Hearing Buzz call out your name at the end of the quiz is really satisfying and makes the game much more interactive.

So, what are the bad points?

Actually, there are relatively few bad points in this game. The main problem with quiz-based video games in general is that the questions can be repeated after a while. However, we played twenty different rounds of Chart Climber and only had three repeated questions during that time, which is a lot better than some other quiz games we could mention.

Online Multiplayer was also a bit of a problem as we couldn't find anyone to quiz with, dispite searching for players on five different occasions, nevertheless, this may not be the case for everyone.

Overall, this is a very entertaining and interactive game. The new format and style changes are very impressive. If you are a fan of quiz games, then this is definately the game for you. Overall rating: 9/10.

New Year, New Games: January Release Dates For Your Gaming Diary!

Firstly, we'd like to wish all of the Mini Gamers blogsite readers out there a VERY Happy New Year.

 For many gamers, a new year means only one thing - even more top quality games heading to our consoles, and it has to be said that January 2011 is shaping up to be a very exciting month so far.

As well as many new gaming titles, an official European release date for the 3DS will soon be announced - keep checking in with Mini Gamers for more details!

January Release Dates For DS/DSi Gamers

The DS range of consoles have a few interesting titles out this month, including Bejeweled Twist, Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, Bookworm and Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective.

Bejeweled Twist has already proven itself very popular in many online pre-order charts. For those of you who are not familiar with the Bejeweled games series, The aim of this title is to swap various coloured gems with an adjacent gem to form horizontal or vertical chains of three or more identical gems. It may sound like a simple idea, but this game is actually very intriguing. 

Bejeweled Twist aims to build on the success of the original DS game. Instead of switching the positions of two gems vertically or horizontally, the cursor now rotates four gems clockwise on the gameboard, making successful chains more difficult to complete. 

Furthermore, successful chains of gems are now subject to a multiplier - this means that players will score higher points if they can continually produce successful rows of three or more identical gems. Nevertheless, the multiplier will be broken if  the player makes a move which does not line up three or more gems.  

The game promises some exciting new game modes, including a Challenge Mode which comprises of different challenges and timed games.

Bejeweled Twist is set to be released on the 14th of January 2011.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded is the DS version of the existing videogame, Kingdom Hearts Coded. However, unlike the original (Japanese-only) release, this version will combine elements from all the previous Kingdom Hearts titles into a single game, which makes this a perfect game for those who are yet unfamiliar with the series.

As with the other titles in the series, Kingdom Hearts Re:coded features a whole host of well-known Disney Characters such as Micky Mouse, Goofy and Jiminy Cricket.

However, even though the game utilizes many elements of other Kingdom Hearts titles, the game developers promise that this title will feature a very interesting storyline and a more varied battle system,  including side-scrolling boss battles, 3D shooting and even Command Battles.

The game is due to be released on the 14th of January 2011. Be sure to check in with Mini Gamers for a more in-depth review when Kingdom Hearts Re:coded  is released to the public. Until then, the latest trailer provides an insight into the main plot of the new game:

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded UK Trailer

Bookworm is another unique little puzzle game from the minds behind the popular videogame series Bejeweled. It was originally released as a DSiware-only title, but has now found its way onto DS and DSi cartridges as well.

The main objective of the game is to try and make words from rows of random letters. The longer the word, the more points will be awarded to the player.

The game itself features three main game modes: Classic, Fast-Paced Action, and Multiplayer. Players can also unlock over twenty themed books and build out eighteen unique library rooms.

This game is perfect for wordsmiths everywhere. Bookworm is due for release on the 28th of January 2011.

 Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a long-awaited Adventure title from the clever brains behind the successful Phoenix Wright series.

The main character is man named Sissel who wakes up to discover he's dead, having no memories of who he was or why he was killed. Sissel eventually learns that, as a spirit, he has the power to possess inanimate objects and travel back to four minutes before a person was killed in order to change their fate. However he also learns that when the sun rises in the morning, his soul will disappear forever. Can he use his new powers to save others from suffering the same grisly fate?

The game boasts a very distinctive visual style, bright block colours and cell-shaded look, when in motion, the graphics are equally unique.Characters move in  a very lifelike way despite their overly cartoon-like appearances.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is due to be released on the 14th January 2011. This game promises to be a very interesting and thought-provoking title. Check in with Mini Gamers for a more in-depth review after the game has been released.

January Release Dates For PSP Gamers

Unfortunately, the release of PSP game titles continues to be thin on the ground this month, nevertheless Mini Gamers has managed to find a few PSP  gaming titles and downloadable PSP games which are worth a look.

Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz was supposed to be released in November 2010, but was subsequently delayed three times. Now it has been re-scheduled for release on the 14th of January 2011.

The Buzz series of quiz games have proven very popular over the years, and Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz seems set to continue the trend... if it does not get further delayed in the meantime, that is! The game will ask several different music questions in a total of 15 challenging rounds.

The character of Buzz has also undergone a makeover for this particular game but the developers are staying very tight-lipped about what this actually means. If you are a fan of music quizzes, then this is definitely a game to add to your collection.

  Angry Birds is a brand new 'Minis' game available from the Playstation Network (PSN) Store. In this crazy and quirky game, teams of angry birds and weirdly green pigs attempt to do battle against each other.

Players must fire the squawking birds into the enemy Pig fortresses in order to shatter them. The game contains many different levels and strange worlds to discover. However, unlike the PS3 version, Angry Birds (PSP) is a single-player only game and sadly features no ad-hoc or infrastructure Multiplayer mode.

Angry Birds will be available for download on the 5th of January 2011.

Gladiator Begins is an action game which incorporates various RPG elements. Players can increase their gladiator's vitality, strength, and endurance with special points earned by winning battles at the arena.

Players create a custom Gladiator - either male or female. They can select and change their avatar's body size, skin color, and facial details. The main storyline then starts with your newly-customised Gladiator working under his owner to pay off his slave debts by entering fights in multiple arenas.

In the arena, players can prepare their gladiator with the proper equipments and move sets and choose from the available matches to enter.

Gladiators can knock off other gladiator's weapons and armors and pick them up to use it in their favour. During different arenas and matches, there will be some replicated themes such as the battle aboard a ship and animals like tigers and elephants to fight against. After winning a match, the player will earn money and points which will help them to progress further in the story.

The game controls include the PSP analog stick for movement and the Square and Circle Buttons to attack left and right respectively, the Triangle Button can be used  for head attacks and X Button for low attacks.The D-pad functions as equipping and removing weapons and armors that are dropped on the floor.

Overall, this is set to be a brilliant RPG title. The official screenshots look absolutely stunning. Gladiator Begins is scheduled for UK release on the 28th January 2011.

There you have it, our look at the kind of games you can expect over this month. We hope you find it interesting. Keep checking in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for more information and reviews as it happens.

Mini Gamers Big Christmas Gaming Quiz 2010

Christmas Eve has finally arrived, and as this is our first Christmas since the creation of the Mini Gamers blogsite, we wondered how best to mark the festive occasion... Thus we have developed a Christmas gaming quiz which readers can use to test their gaming knowledge and they can even print out multiple copies of the questions and try to compete against family and friends over the Christmas weekend.

This quiz is Just For Fun, so there are no actual prizes to be had, but at least you will be able to gloat in the knowledge that you are King or Queen of gaming trivia...or maybe not?

HOW TO PLAY


Print out a copy of this blog post  and then circle what you believe to be the correct answers to the  questions below.


A correct answer is worth 5 points. Maximum score is 100 points.

The correct answers will appear on the Mini Gamers blog on the 26th of December 2010.  Good Luck. 

 Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it!

1) The Mario Brothers recently celebrated an important anniversary, but how many years has it been since their creation? 

• 10 years

• 25 years

• 35 years

2) What is the name of the mysterious character in the Nintendo DS game 'Rooms'?

• Mr. X

• Mr. Strange

• Mr. Lurch

3) Kratos is the main character in which well-known videogame series? Is it:

• God of War

• Metal Gear Solid

• Resident Evil

4) The game Call of Duty: Black Ops was launched on the 9th of October 2010, but where was the Official UK Launch Party held?

• Battersea Powerstation

• The NEC Arena in Birmingham

• London's Apollo Theatre

5) What is the technical name for the process that the 3DS uses in order to create 3D images? Is it:

• Stereoscopy

• Autostereoscopy

• Motion-Image Relay

 6) Which game has the slogan "Play With Life"?

• The Sims 3

• Metal Gear Solid

• My Baby 2

7) Which of these titles is NOT a Lego Game?

• Lego Indiana Jones

• Lego Universe

• Lego Starship Troopers

8) What is Professor Layton's first name?

• Herman

• Hershel

• Henry

9) Which is the name of the cute virtual pet who has recently been launched for the PSP? Is it:

• EyePet

• Wonder Monkey

• Tiddles the Super Cat

10) Which of these Soap Operas is scheduled to be turned into a Nintendo DS game in late 2011?

• Coronation Street

• Emmerdale

• EastEnders

11) Which of these titles is NOT a real Nintendo DS training game?

• Sight Training

• Face Training

• French Training

12) Which of the following characters is featured in the Sonic the Hedgehog videogames series?

• Bowzer

• Sackboy

• Tails

13) What other type of Nintendo games cartridge can be played on a Nintendo DS or DS lite console?

• GBA

• SNES

• 3DS

14) Kyle Hyde is most commonly known as the main character in which Nintendo DS game?

• Hotel Dusk: Room 215

• Secret Files: Tunguska

• Lost in Blue

15) How much is the 3DS console estimated to cost after it is launched in Japan next year?

• 25,000 Yen

• 35,000 Yen

• 45,000 Yen

16) Where is the latest Tom Clancy Ghost Recon game set?

• India

• Sri Lanka

• China 

17) What is the title of the new Doctor Who DS game? Is it:

• Earth Escape

• Survival Earth

• Evacuation Earth

18) Which popular Game Developers are responsible for the games series Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy?

• Level 5 inc

• Square Enix

• Clap Handz

19) Which two popular characters are set to go head-to-head in a joint adventure game on the 3DS in late 2011?

• Lara Croft and Violette Summer

• Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright

• Mario and Sonic

20) Comedy Actor and TV Presenter, Stephen Fry lends his voice to the narration of which PSP game?

• ModNation Racers

• Echochrome

• LittleBigPlanet

That marks the end of the Mini Gamers Big Gaming Quiz 2010. How many questions did you get right? Answers to the quiz will be posted on the 26th of December 2010. Check to see how well you did... Why not leave us a comment to let us know your final score? Who knows,  you might just be a gaming genius!

Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz Delayed Until 2011!

Buzz: The Ultimate Music Quiz is to be delayed until 14 January 2011. The game was supposed to be released on the 17th of December 2010, but, like so many of the new PSP games that we have been promised this year, it has so far failed to reach the shop shelves.

Mini Gamers has reported on several different PSP titles which have been either delayed or cancelled without any apparent reason, including Patapon 3, which was supposed to be released in early November this year, but which for some reason has been further delayed until the 25th of March 2011 now.

The game itself is the tenth game in the Buzz! series, and is essentially a Music Quiz but with all the satirical humour of the rest of the Buzz Games Series. The PS3 version of Buzz: The Ultimate Music Quiz has already been released to the public and it would be nice to see the game appear on the PSP as well.

 Sony's overall decline of sales in Europe and the SCEE's decision to stop PSP Dev Kits earlier this year could explain why so many PSP titles have failed to reach their release date. Nevertheless, it has to be said that so many unexplained delays is both unsettling and annoying to the many gamers who have pre-ordered games only to be disapointed over and over again...

The 14th of January 2011 might only be about 3 weeks away, but the fact that Buzz: The Ultimate Music Quiz has already suffered from two release date delays already this year does not fill us with much confidence. Mini Gamers hopes that this and the other delayed games will soon be on the shop shelves, but at this moment in time, there is just no way to know for sure. Only time will tell.

Handheld Games and UMDs To Help Get You In The Yuletide Mood

December has arrived at last, and most people's thoughts are inevitably turning towards Christmas. However, for some people, Christmas is a burden which somehow seems to arrive earlier and earlier each year... Thus, Mini Gamers has compiled a list of festive video games and accesories that will make even the most grumpiest, die-hard Scrooge feel Christmassy!

Nintendo DS/DSi Christmas Games

1. Disney's A Christmas Carol

This game puts a very interactive twist on one of the oldest and most-loved Christmas stories. Players must help move the plot along by using the stylus and DS microphone to aid Ebenezer Scrooge as he learns about the true meaning of Christmas.

The game has a really festive feel to it and contains several Christmas-themed mini games including snowball fights, building a snowman, cooking a traditional Christmas dinner, decorating Christmas trees and even singing Christmas Carols.

As well as the main storyline, each scene in the game contains festive items such as snowflakes, bells, angels and presents to collect. All the collected items can be placed on a big animated Christmas Tree at the end of the game.

The game is quite short, which makes it perfect for younger gamers, but adult gamers can't fail to be charmed by this little Christmas adventure either. This is the perfect family game.


2. Enchanted Folk and the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

This game is a life simulation which is played in real-time. That means that when it is Christmas in real life, the inhabitants of this magical little town are also busy 'Decking the halls' and preparing for a visit from that cheerful little guy in the red suit.

As well as finding festive items such as Christmas Stockings, Christmas Cards, Presents and Christmas Trees appearing in the local shops around the town, players will also be asked to take part in several Christmas-Themed Mysteries whereby they will meet winter magical beings including faries, and even get to lend a hand to Father Christmas himself!

Furthermore, a special Winter festival gets underway in early December each year. Players must collect several different coloured snowflakes that fall on the ground around the main town, forest and beach areas. Players who manage to collect one snowflake of each colour before the deadline will get a special prize.

This is a great game for fans of Life Simulations all year round, and the festive preparations of the virtual inhabitants will instantly make the December evenings feel even more Christmassy.


3. How The Grinch Stole Christmas

To be honest, this is more of an anti-Christmas game, which of course makes it perfect for anyone who wishes that Christmas would go and bury itself in a very large pit and never come out again. Nevertheless, fans of the festive season will also enjoy this simple strategy game in which The Grinch must try and steal all the Christmas presents and Decorations from unsuspecting human families.

Players must utilise The Grinch's arsenal of Christmas stealing tricks such as sneaks, slithers, dodgy and whacks in order to complete tasks. Each of these techniques will open up their own mini-game where you will have to use skill and timing to succeed.

Adapted from the best-selling children's story written by Dr. Suess, this game features simple cartoon graphics and plenty of Christmas items and festive fun. The game also features several levels of difficulty, which makes it a perfect Christmas game for all the family.

PSP Christmas UMD Movies and Festive Film Downloads

Unfortunately, the PSP does not really have any Christmas-themed video games of its own (bah, humbug), but that does not mean that PSP owners cannot use their PSP to get themselves into the Christmas mood this year. Instead of festive games, why not treat yourself to a selection of Christmas UMDs or downloads instead? 

Mini Gamers has cherry-picked our festive favourites from the host of new and traditional Christmas UMDs and downloads on offer. These are the films which made our top five:

1. Disney's A Christmas Carol



Jim Carrey stars as the cantankerous old  Mr. Scrooge in this imaginative re-telling of the yuletide classic. The film features lots of spectacular C.G.I action sequences and plenty of recognisable Christmas characters and festive fun. This film is both heart-warming and enjoyable for both adults and children alike. 

The film is DOWNLOAD ONLY and is available to either rent or buy from the Playstation Network Store now. Please note that a PSN Store Account will be necessary to allow purchase of downloaded movies or games. 

2.  Fred Claus



This film takes a whole new look at the legend of Father Christmas and chooses instead to focus on his  elder brother, Fred. Fred is tired of being the brother of a worldwide figure of giving and selflessness and is highly disenchanted with the whole Christmas tradition.

Nevertheless, when Fred requests that his brother (who, let's not forget, is Father Christmas) send him £5000 in bail money, St. Nick's patience finally wears thin and he demands that if Fred wants his money he must agree to come to the North Pole and work over the Christmas period. Fred reluctantly agrees, which is when a whole host of Christmas hilarity ensues...

This film is a refreshing change from traditional Christmas stories and even though it has a PG certificate, it still contains plenty of inferred adult humour which is sure to entertain. This UMD  film can be purchased from stores such as Play.com or HMV or  directly downloaded from the PSN store.

3. Santa Claus: The Movie

This film has been digitally restored from the original 1985 version and stars the late Dudley Moore as an ambitious and imaginitive Elf known as Patch. When Patch loses his position as 'Head Elf' at the North Pole he decides to leave and finds himself in New York City where he meets a greedy toymaker who is keen to exploit the naive elf's creative ideas.

However, Patch's toys are poorly made and soon children from all over the world are suffering from the effects of Patch's shoddy workmanship. Can Santa Claus locate his missing elf and create a new batch of toys in time for Christmas Eve?

This film is a true Christmas classic. It tells the story of how Santa Claus became the figure that everyone knows and even attempts to explain how Santa's reindeer can fly and how a fat man can somehow fit down the chimney. It might be over twenty-five years old now, but this film is as ageless as the legend of Father Christmas himself.

The film is DOWNLOAD ONLY and is available to buy from the Playstation Network Store now.


4. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Join Clark Griswold and his family as they prepare to celebrate the Christmas season with each other. Packed full of hillarious slapstick and witty dialogue, this film will have all the family roaring with laughter.This UMD  film can be purchased from stores such as Play.com or HMV or  directly downloaded from the PSN store.


5. Bad Santa

Billy Bob Thornton is Willie T. Stokes, a wise-cracking Department Store Santa who can't help but be more naughty than nice. Underneath his ill-fitting red suit, Willie is actually a safecracker who makes one big score every year - on Christmas Eve.

As shoppers head home from the mall, this Santa and his ingenious Elf - Willie's midget partner-incrime Marcus - crack the store safe and make off with their own holiday stash. But then comes Phoenix.

Here Santa and his Elf find their annual heist endangered by a store manager, a mall detective, a sexy Santa fan and an innocent but beleaguered 8 year-old misfit who decides to believe that Willie - as intoxicated, acid-tongued and felonious as he seems to be - is the real Santa he's been seeking?

This film is a very clever anti-Christmas movie which somehow still manages to make people feel festive. The dialogue is sharp and the action is brilliant - full of twists and turns. Nevertheless, with its 15 certificate, this is a Christmas film that will not be suitable for very young children.

This UMD  film can be purchased from stores such as Play.com or HMV or  directly downloaded from the PSN store. This title can be downloaded as a rental only from the PSN store as well.

So there you have it - games and films which are sure to make you feel in the mood for Christmas. The Mini Gamers blogsite will be here throughout December and we will be bringing you tips for all the top gaming Christmas presents for every different kind of gamer, as well as continuing to bring you all the latest news and reviews in the world of handheld gaming.

Game of the Week: TRON: Evolution (DS & PSP)

TRON IS BACK! The cult classic from the 1980's has been given a new twist for modern audiences in the form of TRON: Legacy, which is set to debut in UK cinemas on the 26th of December this year. In addition to this, a new videogame called TRON: Evolution was released earlier this week.

TRON: Evolution is set during the era between the two TRON films.  It has been developed by Propaganda Games and Disney Interactive Studios.  The game has an independent storyline, which will help to bridge the gap between the main plots in both films and help fans old and  new to familiarise themselves with TRON mythology.

 Tron: Evolution is set seven years after the events of the first film. In the game, the original paradise of Kevin Flynn's world (the hero in the 1982 TRON film), is fast-becoming the dystopian police-state that will be portrayed in the new movie.

Gamers play as 'Anon', an impressive AI system monitor created by Kevin Flynn. Anon must investigate the mysterious emergence of new corrupt ISOs (a race of programs that are not created by humans but are entirely self-created) and the rise of the malevolent Abraxas virus. Anon's main function is to destroy Abraxas.

TRON Evolution is a third person Action-Adventure game. It mixes enemy battles with fast-paced racing action.There are three basic attacks which can be used against enemies: melee, light disc and special disc, which can be strung together into interesting combos.

Each attack's success varies depending on Anon's movements within the game. For example, sprinting whilst using the attack discs means that attacks will be weaker upon impact but they will be faster to implement, while a defensive stance will increase the power and range of your special disc moves, and also replaces your normal jump moves with a very helpful 'rolling dodge'.

Much of the game is spent jumping over chasms and avoiding obstacles around the dystopic landscape, which has some strong platformer elements in it.

The racing sections involve high-speed chases against enemy bikers. Players must expertly avoid falling objects which will attempt to block their path, as well as deadly luminous 'gates' which seem to descend out of nowhere, but which spell instant death to the game's main character when touched.

 the DS and PSP versions of the game also feature a Grid Games Championship section, where players compete in arena matches or in races. Grid games also feature local multiplayer with iconic TRON vehicles, such as light cycles and light tanks in both competitive and co-operative modes such as capture the flag and last man standing. PSP owners can also download bonus content from the PSN store.

This game is actually very enjoyable for a movie tie-in and will appeal to action gamers and platformer fans alike. It is also an interesting introduction into the TRON universe. Overall rating 8/10.

Game Of The Week: EyePet (PSP)

The ultimate virtual pet is here. EyePet finally came to the PSP handheld console yesterday. Mini Gamers first reported that Eyepet was coming to the PSP in June earlier this year, but despite its original early Spring release date, the virtual little critter was unable to make his handheld debut until mid-November. Nevertheless, it seems that this game was really worth the wait!

The game makes clever use of the PSP's camera attachment. Players can use the GO!Cam  along with the Eyepet 'Magic Card', which is included in the game. The result is amazing. Want to see your Eyepet sitting on your desk or kitchen table? This game actually makes it possible and gives Eyepet a greater realism than any other virtual pet game currently on the market.

However, the game also contains many other interactive functions which helps to engage the player into this virtual world. For example, Eyepet contains several mini games including Fishing, Gardening, Treasure Hunting, Trampolining and Bowling, amongst others. Each mini game contains different challenges, which can be unlocked as the player progresses. The mini games are usually timed and get gradually harder each level.

Bowling is perhaps the easiest game to complete. Use your Eyepet as a bowling ball (not recommended for real pets, kids!) and knock down the row of pins that appear on your chosen 'Magic Card' surface. More and more pins appear each level and they change position from the previous level so that it gets harder each time. A successful amount of Strikes can unlock new customisable items for your Eyepet.

Fishing is probably the hardest mini game. You and your Eyepet must team-up to catch as many fish as you can within two minutes. However, only fish which appear on the itinerary will count towards your final score. This makes it very difficult to complete the task within the allotted time, however, with a bit of practise it can be achieved eventually. The Fishing mini game also includes a Free Mode which allows you to fish without a time limit. Any fish which are caught in this mode are automatically added to the aquarium in your Pet Home.

The Pet Home is where players can take care of their Eyepet's basic needs including feeding, washing and sleeping. It is also where players can style their Eyepet and even change its fur colour or style if they wish. Players can keep up to four Eyepets, so changing their fur length and colour can create some interesting variations between the different pets.

The Pet Home can also store photos of your EyePet and is the space where new car and boat toys can be created. Draw an image of a car or boat on a plain piece of paper and Eyepet will convert it into a 3D car, complete with a range of customisable style options.

The only potential negatives about Eyepet concern the 'Magic card' and the loading screens. This game is understandably very intricate and detailed. As a result, Eyepet features some lengthy loading screens, which might test the patience of  younger gamers.

Furthermore, the game's Magic Card has to be centred on the screen exactly at all times while out of the Pet house otherwise your little Eyepet will end up floating in a bubble in front of you and won't be able to complete any of the mini games etc.

It sounds easy, but Mini Gamers found that the Magic Card needed to adjusted several times before our Eyepet could be clearly seen. Lighting can also affect how well the Magic Card performs as well. If it is too dark or too light in the room then your card will not function correctly. Nevertheless, the positives of this unique game totally outweigh any negatives tenfold.

Eyepet on PSP really does have to be seen to be believed. This is the most innovative game to reach the PSP in a very long time. It is also a great game for all the family. If you have always wanted a pet, or  if the kids have put a pet on the top of their christmas lists but  you can't be bothered with unsightly messes, daily feeds or huge vet bills, then Eyepet on PSP is a viable alternative. Overall rating: 10/10.

Game Of The Week: God Of War: Ghost Of Sparta

Kratos has returned to the PSP in an epic new story, with more ferocious mythical battles, trademark gameplay, and groundbreaking graphics. God of War: Ghost of Sparta is a prequel to the best-selling God Of War franchise, set just after the events in the original God of War game on the Playstation 2. This game finally attempts to deal with Kratos' mysterious and troubled past and follows his ascension to power as the God of War.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta features many elements that will be instantly recognisable to fans of the series so far, including many quick-time events, puzzles and boss fights.

The latest game also features new weapons, magical powers and navigational abilities not present in previous games, including the Arms of Sparta - a powerful spear and shield combo - which will allow Kratos to battle more realistically than ever before.

Kratos' new magical abilities include the Eye of Atlantis, which is a weapon that allows you to harness the power of Atlantis and use it to electrocute your enemies. The Scourge of Erinys; this artifact shoots dark energy with the similar rapid range blast of Typhon's Bane in God of War II  but it is much stronger, and lastly, the Horn of Boreas, which freezes nearby enemies.  it can also freeze the magic meter so Kratos can use magic without draining any power, but this only works for a few seconds at a time.

The game has also been cited as featuring twenty-five percent more gameplay than its brilliant PSP predecessor Chains of Olympus. That means that the gameplay is almost double in length than those of the other games in the series, which in turn means more treasure chests to find, more puzzles to solve and more abilites to master.

If you ever wondered just how Kratos got that scar then this is the perfect game for you. It is also good for newcomers to the series. Nevertheless, as fans will know, this game has been given an '18+' age certificate so expect plenty of blood and guts. This is not a title for the faint-hearted.

Official Trailer

 This game is a cinematic masterpiece. The cutscenes are interesting but not too long, and the graphics are truly stunning. This could well prove to be one of the best Action-Adventure games to be released on the PSP this year.

 If you are new to the series, but are not opposed to fighting or battle action-adventures, then this is the perfect place to start. If you are already a fan of the series then this title is a must-have as it fills in story details which have been neglected in all of the previous games. Overall rating: 10/10.

More Delays For EyePet PSP and Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz

EyePet PSP and Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz are to suffer from futher delays it was revealed today. The news follows the SCEE's decision to stop producing PSP Development Kits on the 15th November this year.

Eyepet PSP was first announced at E3 earlier this year, and was originally given an late October release date. This was subsequently changed to the 5th of November 2010.

However, the game has once again been delayed without a clear reason. The new release date for Eyepet PSP is the 19th of November 2010, but there is no way of telling whether this date will be changed again between now and then, and to make matters worse, Eyepet PSP isn't the only PSP game to delay its release by a number of weeks.

Buzz: The Ultimate Music Quiz was also supposed to be released on the 15th of October this year. That date was then changed to the 19th November 2010. Now the game is set to be delayed until the 26th of November 2010.

These two games are sadly a further example of the PSP's overall decline in the gaming market. With the launch of the PSP Go console, which allows game media to be downloaded directly  onto its built-in hard drive, more and more video game retailers have chosen to only stock a limited amount of PSP games and peripherals. This is a trend which is set to worsen after the Development Kits have been discontinued.

                    

Several  popular PSP games have been delayed until next year, including Star Wars III: The Clone Wars and Patapon 3. Whilst an even greater number of  sequels to successful PSP games have failed to even been produced for PSP at all, including The Force Unleashed II, whose predecessor (The Force Unleashed) was a huge smash on PSP, and The Sims 3.

Speaking at E3 in June this year, Sony Computer Entertainment America CEO, Jack Tretton, promised PSP fans that an amazing 70 new titles for the handheld console by the end of 2010, but as the amount of delays increases, this promise is unlikely to be fulfilled.

In recent months, several rumours concerning new types of PSP console have emerged, including rumours of a new gaming device nicknamed the PSP 2, which Sony refuses to acknowledge, and a new mobile phone with PSP gaming capabilities, which is said to already be in development. Is this the end of the Sony PSP as we know it?