Lego Jurassic World Review [PS Vita and 3DS]

The creative geniuses at TT games have produced yet another game under their tried and tested LEGO format.  Universal's dinosaur extravaganza Jurassic World is the latest blockbuster movie to undergo a LEGO metamorphosis, and we have to say that the results are looking good!

The game encompasses storylines from all four films in the Jurassic Park series, from the park's humble beginnings under its original creator, John Hammond, to the bone-chomping action of the ferocious Indominus Rex, which actually means 'Untamable King' in Latin.

As well as the usual LEGO gameplay, including solving various puzzles and collecting several coloured studs etc, players can create their own custom dinosaurs from various body parts collected throughout the game's twenty levels, each divided over four story chapters.

 More than twenty species of standard dinosaur breeds and over one hundred human characters can also be unlocked during the course of the game.One quirky unlockable character is Mr. DNA (the chatty, animated DNA strand who we see guiding tourists in the first and fourth films) he can be used to provide in-game hints and tips once unlocked.

The main human characters also have their own special abilities, which can help at various points during the game. For example, Nick Van Owen, the wildlife photographer from Jurassic Park: Lost World (played by Vince Vaughn,) can now use the flash on his camera to temporarily daze and confuse the attacking dinosaurs!

As well as the Story Mode levels, the game also has two open world settings, Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna.  One of the most exciting features of the open-world gameplay is the ability to play as a rampaging dinosaur in certain areas. Furthermore, the game does feature a two-person Co-Op Mode, which means that your friends can also join in the fun.

LEGO Jurassic World also brings some interesting features such as a brand new Weather mechanic and a whole day and night cycle, which helps to vary the gameplay a little. Nevertheless, this game follows the tried and tested LEGO format that we are all familiar with pretty closely, and the new mechanics do not vastly add anything to the playable portions of the game.

Another aspect of the game is the various 'Chase' sequences, which involve rapidly pressing buttons in order to avoid being eaten by some large carnivorous dinosaur. Although these chases look visually impressive, the actual gameplay mechanics can make them seem a bit boring after a while.

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In conclusion, this is a very good, funny, visually-beautiful addition to the LEGO games franchise. If you are already a fan of the LEGO games, then this title will fit very nicely into your collection and the gameplay will be very familiar to you.

If you are an adult gamer who has yet to experience a LEGO video game, you may find that LEGO Jurassic World is not the best title to start with as the chase sequences and fairly simple puzzles may become repetitive after a while.

Nevertheless, LEGO Jurassic World's simple mechanics help to make it an excellent game for children or adult casual gamers who are looking for something entertaining but uncomplicated to play. LEGO Jurassic World is a quirky game, packed with humour that should appeal to the whole family. Overall Mini Gamers rating: 7/10

Friday the 13th Proves Lucky for Lego Harry Potter Fans...

Fans across the country must be rubbing their eyes in disbelief today as Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 on PSP is finally released to the public.

The PSP version of the latest Lego-themed game was supposed to be released at the end of March this year but has suffered almost three months of delays instead. This was despite the fact that Lego Harry Potter was released on every other console format (including the Nintendo DS handheld system) on the 25th of June 2010.

No reason has ever been given as to why the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter was consistently delayed. Mini Gamers contacted both TT Games and WB Games to ask for details about why the game was delayed, but both parties refused to comment.

The PSP version was successfully released in North America on the 29th of June 2010 alongside all the other gaming formats, and the game itself has shifted 2.7 million units since that date, according to the Time Warner second-quarter financial report.

Now, the hope is that the game will do just as well in the UK, if not better. However, such a lengthy delay in the game's release has meant that many fans have already chosen to purchase it on another format, which is likely to have a negative impact on the UK PSP sales of Lego Harry Potter from the start.

Moreover, the impact of the delays are still being felt by the retail industry, as many UK retailers have failed to stock the game in time for today's release.

For example, At the time that this post was being constructed, Play.com and HMV were still awaiting stock, whilst Zavvi and Asda both claimed that the game would not be released until the 31st of August 2010.

Nevertheless, if you still haven't given up hope of owning this game on the PSP then you can now purchase it from Game, GameStation,  and Amazon, amongst others.

On the whole, the Lego Games series has always been an overwhelming success, but the confusion and disappointment caused by the recent delays is something that will not be forgotten easily by PSP fans who have been waiting several months for a game that they so desperately wanted. When it comes to the release of Lego Harry Potter, is it too little too late?

HAVE YOUR SAY...

How has the delay of Lego Harry Potter on PSP made YOU feel? Are you relieved that the game is finally available to buy? Will you be buying any new Lego Games on the PSP in the future?

If you have been affected by the delay of this game and wish to share your views with others then why not let us know how you are feeling by leaving a comment in the comments box? We welcome your thoughts on this important gaming issue.

New Date for Lego Harry Potter PSP Release...

It has been an anxious wait for PSP fans across the country since they were first informed that the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter would be delayed, and just when it seems that the end is in sight, the game seems set to undergo further delays.

Mini Gamers last reported that a new release date of the 6th of August 2010 had been given by the game's producers, but this has since been changed to the 13th of August 2010.

This will be the fourth time that the game has been delayed since its original release date at the end of June this year, and once again, no explanation has been given as to why the game has not been released yet.

Mini Gamers contacted both WB games and TT Games to ask them why the game had been delayed for so long, but both companies refused to comment.



Thus, the debate about when the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter will finally be available in the shops looks set to continue for now.

However, like many of you out there, we at Mini Gamers are starting to wonder if the game will ever be released onto PSP at all. Watch this space!

Batman: The Brave and the Bold To Feature Wii-DS Co-op Mode

Warner Bros Interactive have  promised that as well as featuring a general co-op mode, their latest game Batman: The Brave and the Bold (based on the cartoon of the same name) will also feature a special Wii & DS connectivity mode, which means that DS users can choose to team-up with their Wii friends as the irrepressible 'Bat-Mite' (Batman's biggest fan) and help the caped crusader to defeat his foes.

The game has many playable iconic heroes and villains from the Batman universe including Robin, Green Lantern, Hawkman, and Blue Beetle, and will also feature cameo appearances from other DC superheroes such as Aquaman and The Flash.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold allows players to explore the dark alleys of Gotham City and even features interplanetary travel to strange alien planets and exclusive locations. Missions will include fighting foes such as Poison Ivy and Catwoman or  solving puzzles and mysteries.

The game is still in production, so very little is known about its gameplay content at present, but it is destined to become a family favourite. The game is set to debut in the UK in September 2010.