3DS UK Release Date Now Official!!!

"This isn't the launch of a new gaming device - This is the launch of a new Entertaiment era..." [Sotoru Shibata]

The UK release date for Nintendo's 3DS console has been officially set for the 25th March 2011.

 Speaking at the 3DS preview event in Amsterdam this afternoon, Nintendo's Managing Director of Marketing and PR, Laurent Fischer, spoke about the 3DS console which will be released in two colours - Aqua Blue or Cosmos Black (nothing was shown or mentioned about the Red 3DS console originally shown at E3 2010).

Fischer went on to describe the 3DS' new wireless communication features SpotPass and StreetPass.

SpotPass will allow users to download fresh content for their console such as news from Eurosport, TV items from SKY 3D and even short films like Aardman Productions' Shaun the Sheep, which will all be presented in stunning autostereoscopic 3D without the need for 3D glasses.

Meanwhile, Streetpass will download game data, statistics and content from other 3DS users even if the console is in Sleep Mode. This feature has already been Incorporated into games like Super Street Fighter IV.

Capcom's producer of the Street Fighter series, Yoshinori Ono discussed how StreetPass will allow users to engage in battles with other 3DS users everywhere. He said: "Street Fighter battles have always been head-to-head but now battles can take place anytime, anywhere, with anyone, immediately..." 

Ono said that Super Street Fighter IV will have a line-up of 35 fighters (including classic characters,) and it will also feature a Channel Live mode, which will allow 3DS users to watch battles between other 3DS users.

Other developers that were featured at the Amsterdam event included Ubisoft, who said that they would have up to eight launch titles for the 3DS including Assassin’s Creed: Lost Legacy, Rayman 3D, Ghost Recon: Shadow Cell, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Battle of Giants and Driver Renagade.

Konami announced that they have developed Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 for the 3DS. PES' Producer Naoya Hatsumi spoke about how the 3D capabilities of the 3DS has allowed them to improve realism and express depth. Hatsumi said that a new camera angle called Player's View means that the camera is centred just behind the player and helps to immerse gamers in all the footballing action.

Team Ninja announced that they would be releasing a version of their popular Dead or Alive series for the 3DS. The Head of Productions, Yosuke Hayoshi said that:  "Dead or Alive: Dimensions [3DS] will be a kind of 'Best Of ' collection of highlights from the previous four Dead or Alive games" but he went on to say that it would feature some new content as well. He said that the new game would be: "A whole new dimension in 3D fighting games..."

Nintendo Europe's CEO and President, Satoru Shibata, spoke about the long-awaited PilotWings Resort and Nintendogs + Cats as well as the range of Pre-loaded Software that would be included in the console.

 The software will feature a Daily Activity Log which turns the 3DS into a useful pedometer, whilst the new 3D Motion Camera and Mii Studio will allow players to take a 3D photos of themselves and convert it into a recognisable Mii avatar for use in some games.

A new StreetPass game called Face Raiders will also be included in the console free of charge. The game will post pictures of players' Miis into a shooting gallery! The 3DS will also feature Augmented Reality software, which has recently been used in the PSP game, EyePet.

Furthermore, the 3DS will come with its own Internet Browser and E-shop which will allow players to access and download new Nintendo software more easily.

Shibata also gave details of the kinds of existing DS games that we could expect to see being developed for the 3DS over the coming months, including Animal Crossing, The Sims 3, Steel Diver, Paper Mario and many more...

Shibata claimed that there would be a "Launch window between 25th March and 30th of June 2011 where more than 25 games would become available to 3DS users..."

The preview event helped to answer several burning questions that fans had about the new 3DS and its capabilities. However, the end of March still seems a long way off. Nevertheless, the various games and features that have been developed so far have definitely piqued Mini Gamers interest.

Keep checking back with the Mini Gamers blogsite over the next few months for all the latest news concerning this revolutionary new console.

Game of the Week: Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded

Disney meets Final Fantasy once again in Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this video game franchise, Kingdom Hearts is a collaboration between video games developers' Square Enix and Disney Interactive Studios, and the game features a mix of Final Fantasy and Disney characters over a series of storylines.

The main character is a young teenager called Sora  who becomes separated from his friends when their world is invaded by evil creatures known as The Heartless in the first game. Sora obtains a powerful weapon known as The Keyblade, which is the only thing that can destroy The Heartless.

With the help of a whole host of Disney characters including King Mickey (Mouse) and Donald Duck, Sora explores many classical Disney locations and some brand new environments, tracking down enemies and helping to free his people.

Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded takes place after the events in Kingdom Hearts II. Jiminy Cricket has just finished writing up his journal of Sora's latest adventures, but just as he gets to the end, his words disappear and are replaced by a single message: "Their hurting will be mended when you return to end it..." 

The digital journal has become corrupted by The Heartless. Sora must step inside the computer and correct glitches and find missing data chips in order to repair the journal, as well as fighting The Heartless and Nobodies.

As anyone who has already experienced a Kingdom Hearts game will know, the graphics are truly cinematic, which is something of a rarity for DS games.

The game controls are very simple. Most of the actions are controlled by the D-pad. Use A to attack with the Keyblade or to chat with the in-game characters, B to jump, and the directional buttons to move.

Battles are very varied and include everything from shooting fireballs at enemies to real-time battles to turn-based battles with various big boss creatures at the end of each level. This leads to varied gameplay and makes this title a worthwhile purchase for new fans to the series.

During the game, Sora will encounter several 'Data Blocks'. The Silver Star blocks contain special computer chips, which can be placed in the computer matrix (in the Main Menu) and these will increase Sora's abilities and help repair the digital journal.

The pink/yellow blocks contain health points to refill Sora's health meter and can sometimes include potions to restore health.

Red blocks are an indicator of corrupted data and must be destroyed with the Keyblade.

Glitches may occur in any location at anytime. Glitches are identified by a blue data stream appearing on both sides of the screen. Sora can find 'back door' compartments during these times. Here, he must face off against various evil data chip creations including a data block snake!



The plot is fairly simple, which makes it perfect for newcomers to the series. A helpful tutorial keeps you up to date with new elements during the game.

Nevertheless, 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. Therefore, it does go over a lot of old ground from the previous games, which could be slightly off-putting to hardcore fans of the series so far.

Overall, this is a brilliant game. It has an easy-to follow storyline, great graphics and interesting gameplay. If you enjoy RPG games but have not yet experienced the Kingdom Hearts series for yourself, then this is the perfect game for you.

If you have already played the past titles in this series, you will still find some refreshing new content to interest you, but you will also experience some inevitable deja vu, which could spoil your enjoyment a little. Overall rating: 9/10.

No Truth In DSi "Phase Out" Rumours says Nintendo...

Recent rumours concerning the future of the original DSi console have been quashed by Nintendo. A report which was published by the Kotaku website suggested that Nintendo planned to cease production of its DSi consoles after the Japanese 3DS launch next month.

However, Nintendo says that this is not true.In a statement issued to various members of the Press, a representative of the company said that: "We plan to still manufacture and supply DSi consoles in a range of colours in the UK in 2011, on an on-going basis, continuing supply is based on retail and consumer demand." [Sourced:http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-01-11-nintendo-denies-dsi-phase-out]

Meanwhile, details about the European release dates for the upcoming 3DS console are expected to be announced on the 19th January 2011. Remember to check in with the Mini Gamers blogsite after the announcement has been made for all the latest details.

Nintendo 3DS: The First Launch Titles Confirmed

 The Nintendo 3DS console is set to debut in Japan on the 26th of February this year. The first Nintendo 3DS titles to accompany the Japanese launch were announced at a special public event in Tokyo yesterday.

Amongst the 'big name' titles mentioned were Super Street Fighter IV,  Winning Eleven 3D Soccer (known in the West as PES), and the latest Professor Layton title -Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle.

More initial releases include Samurai Warriors: Chronicle  alongside 3D versions of Tobidasu! Puzzle Bobble, Ridge Racer 3D, Combat of Giants from Ubisoft, (which were incidentally the only Western developers on the list), and three versions of Nintendogs + Cats.

Popular titles will be spread over the course of 2011-2012, with games such as Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of  Time, Steel Diver and Pilotwings being given a Spring 2011 release date, and games like Animal Crossing and Mario Kart coming later.

Nintendo also released details about the battery life of  the 3DS console, which is said to be around 3.5 hours on full 3D mode and maximum screen brightness. The console will also take 3.5 hours to charge.

 This is similar to the DSi XL consoles, which also give around three hours of gameplay when set on the maximum brightness settings, but which can provide approximately 17 hours of gameplay when the screen is set to minimum brightness.

Although no details were released at this time about the 3DS' European launch date or what the  European 3DS launch titles might be, an official  launch date is expected to be announced at a special preview event on the 19th of January 2011. Please CLICK HERE for the all the details.

Is British Gaming Losing Its Appeal?

According to the latest sales figures released by the UK's leading videogames trade body, UKIE, British sales of video games and gaming peripherals has fallen by at least 29% in the last two years.

The sales report shows that overall videogame sales for 2010 totalled just £2.875 billion. These figures mark a 29% drop from 2008's figure of £4.034 billion.

Worryingly, these figures also support claims from some entertainment retailers who say that the recent Christmas sales of entertainment goods including video games have been disappointing, prompting some stores to contemplate partial closure.

For example, retailing giant, HMV recently announced that they were planning to close around sixty of their highstreet stores due to poor sales, and they also admitted that they expected to miss their profit targets for the full year, which could have totalled as much as £60 million.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that whilst the latest UKIE report includes sales of videogame software, hardware and accessories across several different platforms, it does not include any information on the overall sales of social games (such as those found on social networking sites), mobile gaming Apps, Downloadable Content (DLC) and second-hand sales, which were all believed to be very popular in 2010.

UKIE's director general Mike Rawlinson stated that:  "The UK videogames market has something for everyone, with the market expanding into new areas, particularly online, on mobile phones and on other interactive devices... Thanks to continued innovation from games publishers and developers more and more people are playing games. With one in three people now considering themselves gamers, interactive entertainment is increasingly part of everyone's everyday lives." [cited: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-01-04-total-uk-videogame-product-sales-drop-29-percent-in-two-years]


UKIE claims that it is optimistic about the videogames industry to date and also highlighted the record-breaking performance of Call of Duty: Black Ops, which shifted two million units and brought in £82 million during its first five days on sale.

Sony's PSP go console has already recognised the shift towards Downloadable Content. The PSP go has a built in hard-drive so that gamers can download various media including videos, comics and games onto the device via the Playstation Network Store rather than purchasing expensive UMD discs used by the older-style PSPs.

Thus, it could be argued that videogame sales are not actually falling, but that the nature by which gamers are choosing to purchase their video games and peripherals is beginning to change, with many gamers now choosing to purchase their games as downloadable content via the Internet.

This change may not have been accurately reflected in UKIE's findings, but it could represent a wider shift in the video games industry as we know it. However, the true rammifications of this shift towards internet-based gaming on the videogames industry is as yet unknown.

HAVE YOUR SAY...



Is gaming becoming less appealing in your opinion? What might the shift towards Downloadable Content and Internet gaming mean for the rest of the gaming industry? As a gamer, do you prefer to buy or download games?

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.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops Is Clear Winner This Christmas.



Activision Blizzard's new First Person Shooter (FPS) game Call of Duty: Black Ops has been confirmed as the UK's number one videogame this Christmas. The game has beaten many other popular titles to clinch the top spot in the Christmas gaming charts, including FIFA 11 and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.

Call of Duty: Black Ops has sold over 3 million copies since launching last month and is one of only three titles to top the £100 million revenue mark in the UK. In fact, it has now been revealed that the title's total sales in the week before Christmas managed to amass a colossal £345 million in total revenue.

The full top ten for the week was as follows:

• 1. Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision Blizzard)
• 2. FIFA 11 (EA)
• 3. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (EA)
• 4. Just Dance 2 (Ubisoft)
• 5. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Ubisoft)
• 6. Gran Turismo 5 (SCEE)
• 7. Donkey Kong Country Returns (Nintendo)
• 8. Medal of Honor (EA)
• 9. Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo)
• 10. Prof Layton and the Lost Future (Nintendo)

Source: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2010-12-20-black-ops-takes-uk-christmas-number-one

For fans of FPS games, this title is definitely one to own. If you haven't managed to purchase a copy yet, it might be worth spending a little of that Christmas cash and trying it out for yourselves. We promise that you will not be disappointed.

Answers To The Big Gaming Quiz 2010

Today is the 26th of December 2010, and as promised we will now provide you with the answers to our Big Christmas Gaming Quiz. However, before we start. Here is a quick reminder of how the quiz is scored:

There are twenty questions in total. A correct answer is worth 5 points. Maximum score is 100 points. Correct answers are written in green. Good Luck!

IF YOU HAVEN'T TRIED THE QUIZ YET, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE QUIZ SCREEN...

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

• 10 years

• 25 years (5 pts)

• 35 years

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

• Mr. X (5 pts)

• Mr. Strange

• Mr. Lurch

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

• God of War (5 pts)

• 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 (5 pts)

• 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 (5 pts)

• Motion-Image Relay

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

• The Sims 3 (5 pts)

• Metal Gear Solid

• My Baby 2

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

• Lego Indiana Jones

• Lego Universe

• Lego Starship Troopers (5 pts)

8) What is Professor Layton's first name?

• Herman

• Hershel (5 pts)

• Henry

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

• EyePet (5 pts)

• 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 (5 pts)

• Emmerdale

• EastEnders

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

• Sight Training

• Face Training

• French Training (5 pts) 

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

• Bowzer

• Sackboy

• Tails (5 pts)

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

• GBA (5 pts)

• SNES

• 3DS

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

• Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (5 pts)

• 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 (5 pts)

• 35,000 Yen

• 45,000 Yen

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

• India

• Sri Lanka (5 pts)

• China 

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

• Earth Escape

• Survival Earth

• Evacuation Earth (5 pts)

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

• Level 5 inc

• Square Enix (5 pts)

• 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 (5 pts)

• 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 (5 pts)

 TOTAL SCORE:        /100



How many questions did you get right? 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!

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!

Unique Christmas Gifts For The Gamer In Your Life...

Christmas is almost upon us, and with it comes the frantic scramble to find the right gifts for your family and friends. It could be said that Gamers are one of the worst type of people to buy presents for,  usually because they already own every game in existence and, unless you have been told to buy them a specific game, it can be a nightmare trying not to duplicate items that they have already bought for themselves.

Never fear though! Mini Gamers has come up with a few ideas of what you could get gaming fans this year. We have searched high and low to find the best and most original gaming-related gifts that will satisfy most gamers and even appeal to the gamer who has everything. This is our shortlist:

1) Assassin's Creed Collectible Figurine



This highly decorative figurine is the pefect collectible for fans of the highly-aclaimed Assassin's Creed series. However, as this figure is limited edition, its price tag is not cheap. This figure retails for around £30. We found that online stores like play.com and Amazon were selling it slightly cheaper at £24, but this is still an expensive but exquite gift piece for most gaming fans. This item can be purchased from the GAME stores.

2) Super Mario Bros: Super Mario Chess: Collectors Edition

This zany little chess set is perfect for fans of those superb Italian plumbers, The Mario Bros. However, as another collector's item, this gift also carries a hefty price tag. Expect to find this item for just under £50. If you can afford it, however, the item can be purchased directly from The Super Mario Store for £47.99.

3) Gaming T-shirts/Hoodies

Online retailer Play.com features a large number of game-themed T-shirts and Hoodies. Prices vary but rarely go above £11.99. It has to be said, that the T-shirts do seem to be aimed more at men than at women, but they will make a useful and affordable present for many male gamers. Gaming T-shirts can also be found at HMV and other clothing or memorabilia stores.

4) LittleBigPlanet Sackboy/Sackgirl Beanies

These cute six-inch beanies come in a variety of designs aimed at both male and female gamers of all ages. They usually retail for around £6.99 and can be found in many highstreet stores such as GameStation and HMV.


5) Raving Rabbids: Travel In Time Blister Packs 1, 2 and 3

This gift idea is aimed at slightly younger gamers who like the Raymans Raving Rabbids series of games. There are three separate blister packs. Each containing approximately three different figurines from the latest game in the series - Rayman's Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time (Wii). Each blister pack retails for around £6.99 but is guaranteed to provide little gamers with hours of imaginative fun with their favourite characters. This item can be found in many GAME and  HMV highstreet stores.


6) PAC-MAN Alarm Clock

Arcade or retro fans and gamers who grew up in the 1980's are sure to love this novelty alarm clock. It wakes up its owner with the authentic sounds of the original game. Not to worry though, if the novelty wears off, you can turn off the alarm feature and simply use it as a standard clock.

7) 80's Stress Ball

shaped like one of the blob-like aliens from the original Space Invaders game, this nifty little gadget is both a practical and nostalgic piece of memorabilia which will appeal to Arcade gamers. This item usually retails for around £5, but they can be a difficult item to track down but is sold by online retailers such as Play.com, however they might end up being a belated Christmas gift due to delivery schedules at this time of year... Be warned!

8)  The VTech: Storio

The link between fun and learning is considered to be pretty strong these days and many video games (especially for the Nintendo DS) have attempted to educate our brains in a variety of fun and exciting ways, but for children who are yet too young to have their own Nintendo DS, comes a nifty little handheld reading tutor.

The VTech Storio Animated Reading System is aimed at very young children between the ages of four and six and can increase their confidence as well as develop reading and language skills.

Children can play a number of reading games, interact with the story and develop basic comprehension skills. Alternatively they can read along with the story, watch the animated screen or simply listen to the narrative.

The actual Storio system is not cheap and costs around £60 to buy,  but a number of Storio accessory  packs can then be purchased for around £12 each, featuring characters like Tinkerbell, Toy Story or Dora the Explorer. The packs vary depending on the age of the child and will help them learn to read more easily. It also covers basic English Language skills from the National Curriculum such as phonics, vowels, spelling, capitals and more.

This is a great little handheld gadget and very useful to little ones. The VTech Storio can be found at toy stores including The Entertainer and Toys 'R' US amongst many others.

So that completes our wonderful and wacky tour of  unique or collector gifts for gamers. These items are great as both a main present and as a compliment to the actual games.

We at Mini Gamers  hope that this post has given you some last minute ideas and that you have enjoyed exploring what type of gaming memorabilia is on offer in shops today.

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.

Harry Potter Potions Help

It seems that a few of you are struggling to make the new potions in the new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1  DS/DSi game. In truth, the potions in this version of the game are not very difficult to produce once you know how, so this is our Mini Gamers easy guide for completing the potions.

Locate The Ingredients:

The first thing that you will have to do is to track down all the ingredients needed to make each of the three potions included in the game. This is fairly easy as the potion ingredients are hidden in objects in each level of the game. Use the magic wand to cast spells at various objects (including everyday objects like chairs and tables etc) and you should stumble across the ingredients fairly easily.

Once you have collected enough ingredients to make a potion, a message will be displayed on screen and you will be taken to the Potions mini-game where you can start to brew your potion. Please note, you should obtain all the ingredients to make the Wiggenweld Potion by the end of the very first level.

Brewing The Potion:

Creating potions is basically a timed mini-game. There are several activities that must be completed before the timer runs out if you are to brew a successful batch of potions.

Firstly, you may be asked to chop the ingredients. This will be very familiar to anyone who has played the Cooking Mama games. Simply slide the stylus in the direction of the on-screen indicator to chop up the ingredient, and then add it to the cauldron as quickly as possible.

Another activity you may be asked to perform is to shake the bottle. Simply select the highlighted bottle from the potions shelf and move the stylus up and down on the screen to shake the bottle. A themometer will appear above the cauldron. The themometor will have a yellow indicator arrow on it.

As you shake the bottle, the bottom of the themometer goes cloudy. This can be hard to see, so you will need to be very careful. Shake the bottle as quickly as possible until the cloudy substance reaches the level of the yellow indicator arrow.

Put the bottle down and it will then bubble and errupt. Add the bottle to the cauldron as quickly as possible.

You may also be asked to pour a potion ingredient into the cauldron. Again, Simply select the highlighted ingredient from the potions shelf.  Hold the bottle over the cauldron to pour. A themometer will appear above the cauldron. The themometor will have a yellow indicator arrow on it.

Be careful to only pour the ingredient up to the level of the yellow indicator.

Next, you may be asked to stir the cauldron. simply select the brown stiring utensil from the potions shelf and stir the cauldron in the indicated direction. Remember that the timer will be counting down very fast now.

You may also be asked to heat the cauldron. To complete this task, simply Rub the base of the cauldron with the stylus. Follow the direction of the on-screen indicator.

You may also need to crush up certain ingredients. Follow the on-screen stylus guide to crush them up correctly.

You may also need to juice the ingredients. Use the juicer and catch the falling drops in the on-screen container before the timer runs out. This is not easy so practice is essential.

If you have completed all these steps correctly, you will be rewarded with a fresh batch of potions to use against your various magical foes. If not, you will be given the chance to retry the potion. Remember, practise makes perfect...

Did you know...

You can practice making  all of the potions in the game by selecting the Potions Tab in the Main Menu screen. However, you will not be able to actually create potions for use in the game unless you have found enough ingredients.

So, that is a basic run down of how to brew a potion in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. We hope that you find it helpful. Remember to check in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for more Harry Potter game news as it happens.