E3 2011: Nintendo Unveils Portable Wii U controller...

'Innovation' was certainly the watchword for Nintendo at this year's E3 conference. As well as giving us the lowdown on several new 3DS titles, including Mario Kart 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Cave Story 3D, Tekken 3D, amongst others, Nintendo proudly unveiled their plans for a brand new home console, known as the Wii U. (previously called the 'Wii 2').

It might seem odd to be talking about a home console on a blogsite which is usually so devoted to handheld gaming, but the Wii U comes with an extra little twist - The Wii U controller is actually a portable gaming tablet, which allows gamers to play their Wii U games without the need for a TV screen!

The controller features a 6.2 inch touchscreen, dual circle pads, control pad, D-pad, left and right shoulder buttons and a stylus. It also features a gyroscopic sensor, microphone and drawing pad functionality, which are all found on the standard portable Nintendo handhelds such as the DS lite or 3DS.

 The Wii U controller also allows you to play a special library of games specifically included on the controller itself, meaning that people can continue to game whilst in bed, or when watching a TV programme, or anywhere else in the home you can think of. In fact, the only thing that marks the Wii U controller out from another portable gaming device is that it cannot be used outside the home.

However, the CEO and President of Nintendo America, Reggie Fils-Aime, was quick to explain that the Wii U should not be thought of as another portable console like the Nintendo DS or 3DS. Instead, the controller will work in conjunction with the Wii U console and will wirelessly interact with the main console (shown above).

The controller can also be used to enhance standard Wii U gameplay by acting as a magnifying glass. Can't see the enemy when trying to shoot if playing on your TV screen? No problem. Hold the Wii U controller over the TV screen and you'll get a close-up image of your opponent(s) on your controller instead.

Tilt or move the Wii U controller, and you will get a birdseye view of your in-game environments, meaning that you can see your targets, areas or goals (such as the Green in a game of  golf) or other players much more easily than before.

The Wii U controller will also allow you to share Internet information and make video calls to friends and family, providing what Nintendo called: " A tailor-made gaming experience"

It seems as though Nintendo have taken the most popular elements of the Wii and the best elements of the Nintendo 3DS and mixed them together to create something which, according to Fils-Aime is a "Unique, Unifying Utopia," which helps to create "deeper gameplay action".

The similarity between the new Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS consoles were also mentioned during the conference, with the two Wii U game titles - Super Smash Bros Brawl and Lego City Stories simultaneously being announced for the 3DS system as well.

Furthermore, there was talk of a game which would use inter-compatibility between the 3DS and the Wii U sometime in the future, but Nintendo refused to go into details about this at this point, preferring  to emphasise how both consoles were set to revolutionise the current gaming market instead.

The Wii U controller creates an interesting gaming hybrid and brings the gap between home console gaming and handheld gaming closer than ever before.

There are very few details about software for the new console at the moment, which is set to debut some time in 2012. Watch this Space!

Nintendo 3DS eShop and Internet Browser launch: What Can We Expect From Day One?

Nintendo have now released details of the new Software Update that will launch the much-anticipated 3DS eShop and Internet Browser.

The update launches in North America from 6pm tonight, and will become available in Europe from tomorrow. The update promises to equip the Nintendo 3DS with many new features. According to Nintendo, the Software Update will add the following features and enhancements:

• The Nintendo eShop:

The eShop will allow users to download a variety of free and purchasable games and items directly onto their Nintendo 3DS.

Users will also be able to view video trailers, screenshots and background information on the latest 3DS games.

This function will replace the Limited-Time 3D Video which was provided in the last system update.

• Internet Browser:

Users can now browse the web on the Nintendo 3DS. This function also supports Spotpass Updates via thousands of free wi-fi hotspots across Europe, and includes software to allow any future updates to be downloaded automatically.

• System Transfer:

This piece of software allows users to transfer saved game data from older Nintendo handheld consoles directly onto their 3DS.

• Free Game Offer:

To celebrate the new enhancements, Nintendo are offering a free download of 3D Classics Excitebike, which will be available to all existing 3DS customers until the 7th of July 2011.

• Ridge Racer Compatibility Issues:

Nintendo have warned that users of the Ridge Racer 3D game might experience gameplay disruptions once they have installed the software update, but they also promise that a new patch will be made available soon in order to rectify this problem.

All in all, it sounds like the new update will offer some interesting enhancements to this intriguing console.

Nothing has been said about the possibility of 3D films or TV on the 3DS yet (an original promise made by Nintendo prior to the launch of the 3DS in March this year,) but further details about the eShop and browser are expected at E3 2011, which begins in Los Angeles tomorrow. Be sure to check in with Mini Gamers for all the E3 news throughout the three-day conference.

Spongebob Squigglepants 3D Review: The Craziest 3DS Game Yet!

It's Spongebob in a whole new perspective. This zany offering from the braniacs at THQ sees gamers compete in over 100 Spongebob related mini-games.

Players must use the 3DS stylus to flick, draw, drag and tap their way through various tasks. This game also uses the gyroscopic sensors of the Nintendo 3DS, so some games even require you to shake or tilt the console as well.

Players must successfully complete a chain of twenty consecutive games in each of the six mini-game catergories in order to unlock the next group. The mini-games vary from catching a hamburger in your hand, or helping a Plankton to escape a fly-swatter; to stopping a rock from crushing Sqidward.

All the games are introduced via a group of stunning live-action (but non-3D) videos by Captain Patchy. These videos can then be unlocked and replayed at a later date.

The 3D graphics are stunning in most of the mini-games, but unfortunately the effect does seem lost in certain sections such as the 'Abstract' collection of mini-games. Worst still, this game also contains some 2D games, which seems like a big waste on the 3DS system.

One of our favourite sections of the game is the Art Studio. This allows players to draw or paint their own scenes, or use character stamps to create a scene. There is also a digital colouring book for younger gamers.

Unfortunately, although the Art Studio control pad is shown in 3D, the pictures are always displayed on the 3DS touch-screen, which means that they can only be viewed in 2D. Furthermore, there is only space to save a single picture on the 3DS console, so if you create new artwork, you will lose your previous creations, which is a tad disappointing.

This is an interesting title, and quite possibly the most creative 3DS game to date. The 3D mini-games look fantastic. However, the game still contains a lot of 2D elements, which does seem to sour the experience a little.

 This game is unlikely to appeal to hardcore gamers, but it will appeal to both Spongebob and Rhythm Paradise fans alike. The mini-games will definitely help to fill in a spare five minutes at the office or on the bus, and the colouring elements will appeal to younger gamers. It would have been nicer to see a greater use of 3D in the 3DS version though, but the use of the gyroscopic sensor is a very good feature.  Overall rating: 7/10.

Spongebob Squigglepants is also available on the Nintendo Wii (uDraw) and Nintendo DS/DSi Systems.

PSN Store and Quriocity Services Back By Friday?

It has been a long and frustrating few months for owners of Sony's PSP consoles in the wake of the malicious security breach which meant the closure of all major Playstation online services, but Sony are now insisting that full Playstation Network Store and Quriocity services will be restored by the end of the week.

Sony has already provided a special System Update (version 6.39), which means that all existing PSN and Quriocity customers will be forced to update their passwords and confirm their credit card details before being allowed back into the online store and other services.

This is just one of a number of new security measures which has been implemented since the cyber attack, which is thought to have placed 77 million Playstation users' personal information at risk, and cost Sony almost £105 million in revenue.

Sony also promises that it will be providing a full Welcome Back package to all of its existing users in the near future. The package has now been unveiled and will attempt to offer 'something for everyone', including:

• A selection of free  movie rentals for all PlayStation Network customers over the course of one weekend.
• Non-PlayStation Plus subscribers will get a free, 30-day PlayStation Plus membership.
• Existing PlayStation Plus members will get 30 extra days free.
• Music Unlimited Premium/Basic subscribers will get free access for 30 days, plus time lost.
• PlayStation Home will offer 100 virtual items.

Mini Gamers is very pleased to hear that Sony's digital store will soon be open for business, however, the cyber attack and the delay in restoring its services may have caused untold damage to Sony's reputation and any profits that the company  might generate in the future. Only time will tell whether Sony will be able to fully recover from this unforeseen turn of events.

Is Professor Layton and The Specter's Flute Coming To Europe At Last?

*THIS POST HAS SINCE BEEN UPDATED* To read the update, including new trailer info, please click HERE.

Amongst all the excitement about Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle appearing on the 3DS some time later this year, recent questions have emerged surrounding the possible European release of the fourth Professor Layton game - Professor Layton and the Specter's Flute.

Chronologically, Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle is actually the fifth Professor Layton game, so it makes little sense that this title would debut in Europe BEFORE the fourth game in the series, prompting many fans to ask why nothing had been mentioned of Professor Layton and the Specter's Flute outside of Japan.

Now, it seems as though there might be a glimmer of hope for die-hard European Professor Layton fans, as the series developers Level 5 inc have recently filed some important paperwork, which requests an American Tradmark for a game called Professor Layton and the Last Spectre.

For those of you who don't know, Professor Layton and the Specter's Flute is the first of three 'prequel' games in the Professor Layton series, which shows how young Luke Triton becomes the Professor's apprentice.

According to gaming website, CVG.com the trademark request is for a Nintendo DS/DSi game only, which seems to answer the question of whether Professor Layton and the Specter's Flute would also make its debut on the 3DS system.

Although there are no specifics for either an American or UK release date at this time, the trademark request definitely shows that a game is at least being considered for the Western gaming market, and is a major breakthough for Professor Layton enthusiasts, who were concerned that the fourth game in the series would never be released in Europe at all.

The subtitled teaser trailer below shows some of the major cutscenes from the fourth game. It is sure to be spectacular and is well worth a look:

Further details of the game are now expected at E3, which will take place in Los Angeles between the 7th and 9th of June 2011. Be sure to check in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for all the news from the annual E3 conference as it happens.

PSN and Quriocity Services v. 6.39 System Update...Is Sony Back?

Sony have today released a new System Update (version 6.39) to their PSP customers, in light of the devastating hack that is expected to cost the company almost £105.8 million pounds in revenue.

The new update forces existing PSN and Quriocity customers to change their password and re-confirm their credit card details before being allowed  back onto Sony's online services. It is all part of the enhanced security features that Sony had promised its customers, in order to ensure that an attack of this magnitude cannot happen again.

However, despite the fact that the update has now become available to all of Sony's PSP and PS3 customers, the PSN store and Quriocity services remain offline, meaning even more frustration for Playstation customers.

Reliable sources within the gaming community have claimed that all of Sony's online gaming and music services should be restored by the 31st of May 2011 at the latest. Nevertheless, Sony has remained guarded about when the PSN store and Quriocity services will be available again.

So, it looks like PSN and Quriocity users will have to remain patient for at least another week. However, the question is, will customers still feel safe about using the service after all this time, and is Sony's intended 'Welcome Back' Package enough to make up for the weeks of frustration that gamers have been forced to endure?

If you have any comments about the Playstation Network hack, and the delay in restoring the PSN and Quriocity services, then please share them with us via our comments link or via our suggestion box. We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Nintendo 3DS News: 3DS eShop and Internet Browser launches June 7th 2011 in Europe?

Nintendo have finally provided a date for the 3DS system update which will contain the much-anticipated 3DS Internet Browser and eShop functions.

The Browser and eShop were supposed to launch at the end of May this year in all regions via a special systems update, but this was subsequently delayed due to the Japanese Tsunami Crisis and the economic downfall that followed.

Now a notice on the Official 3DS website suggests that the systems update will be available in North America from the evening of the 6th of June 2011, one day before Nintendo is due to reveal its 2012 line-up at E3. 

The release date for the Internet Browser and eShop outside of North America, including Europe is expected to be the 7th of June 2011, although this has yet to be confirmed by Nintendo itself.

We are very excited about the new Nintendo 3DS eShop and the Internet Browser, as both of these two software additions will  greatly increase the functionality of an already superb console even more. Be sure to check in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for more news on this topic as it develops.

Happy Birthday, Mini Gamers!

The Mini Gamers blogsite turns one year old today! It seems impossible to believe that this time last year the Mini Gamers team were sat in front of a computer trying to decide what the very first blog post should be. Now just one year (and 110 posts) later, we have a readership of over 11,000 people worldwide.

The reason Mini Gamers was created was to devote a space specifically for handheld gaming, as this had been sorely neglected by many other website in favour of articles and game reviews for major consoles like The Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Of course, Mini Gamers also depends on its readers and followers for ideas and support. Mini Gamers is very interested in hearing what the gaming community thinks and feels about gaming-related issues.

We also try and make the site as interactive as possible including Monthly Opinion Polls, a Suggestion Box, Comments Box and other features. If you haven't got involved so far, but would be interested in knowing more about how to do this, then please click HERE for more information. We'd be delighted to hear from you.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have visited the site over the past year. We hope that we can continue to bring you interesting articles, reviews, previews in the coming months.

Sony Starts PSN Restoration Process At Last. 'Welcome Back' Package Details NOT included...

Sony has today begun restoring access to its online Playstation Network and Quriocity services after a malicious security breach forced them to close down for over three weeks. PS3 users will be able to access the service from today. However, some areas of the PSP Playstation Store are still undergoing maintenance at present.

In an attempt for tighter security, PSN users will now be forced to update their account details before being allowed to access the services. PS3 users will automatically receive a system update that will do this for them.

Sony has also promised its customers a 'Welcome Back' package including some free game downloads and free one month membership to Playstation Plus, but there are no details of this at present. The details of the package are expected to be revealed soon. Further details can be obtained by clicking HERE.

This is terrific news for users of either Quriocity or the PSN store. We here at Mini Gamers are delighted with the news and can't wait to start using our PSP consoles again.

What about other gamers out there? Are you pleased that the services are now back online, or has the breach left you feeling unsure about using these Sony services?  Let us know what you think about this issue by leaving a comment in our comments box (at the bottom of each post). We'd love to hear your thoughts.



PSN and Quriocity Outage Could Continue Until The End Of May...

Sony's Playstation Network and Quriocity services continue to be unavailable for yet another week, and it looks as though the services will not return until the end of May at the earliest.

Mini Gamers first reported on the Playstation Network Outage in April of this year. At that time, Sony was confident that it would have both services up and running within a week. However, subsequent information leaks and fears of a second intrusion have meant that the "Phased Restoration of service" that Sony was planning, has so far not taken place.

Sony has suggested that they will be offering a so-called 'Welcome Back' package to all its customers, including the possibility of two free game downloads or music downloads and a thirty-day free membership into the Playstation Plus account amongst other things, but with Playstation gamers growing ever more impatient, it looks as though it may already be too little, too late where Sony is concerned.

Gaming website GamesIndustryBiz recently reported that there had been a higher trade-ins for Sony consoles, including the PS3 in the wake of the Playstation Network outage. This is a trend which could spell disaster for the Sony gaming franchise should it continue.

Sony's Head of Publisher Relations, Rob Dyer, recently wrote a letter to the company's developers and publishers in which he described the steps that Sony had taken immediately after the attack and how the company intended to get its services back online. The full contents of the letter can be read by clicking HERE.

At the time of this blog post, there is still no clear date when either the Playstation Network or Quriocity services shall return, but the longer that the outage lasts, the greater the overall damage done to Sony's reputation. Could this be the end for Sony as we know it?

What do you think of the current outage? Do you think that Sony have taken responsible measures by shutting down its services immediately after the breach? Have you lost interest in Sony products in the wake of the PSN outage?

Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment in the comments box. We'd love to hear from you.



One To Watch: Lego Pirates Of The Caribbean (DS/DSi/3DS/PSP)

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean launches this weekend, and it promises to be an hilarious swashbuckling adventure for all concerned. Mini Gamers takes a look at the new features we can expect in this latest title from the ever-popular Lego Games series.

As well as featuring over seventy different playable characters, the game will include storylines from all four blockbuster films, including the latest release, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Furthermore, The 3DS version will also utilise the special StreetPass function in order to activate two-player sword fights between gamers' consoles.

 

The gameplay will follow the generics from past Lego games, including the collection of silver and gold gaming studs and the need to swap between different characters in order to harness their unique special abilities to unlock new areas of the game.

The main character abilities are as follows:

Captain Jack - uses his compass to point the way to the next level or to whatever his heart desires.

Will Turner  - Can throw axes at certain types of targets within the game.

Elizabeth Swan - Can jump higher than the other two characters and so can reach places that would be otherwise out of bounds.

Zombies [unlockable character] require no use of Oxygen when swimming and can therefore explore ocean depths more fully.

 The new HUB for this game will be Port Royal. The hub will open up into different areas as players progress through the game. A lot of time and effort has been put in to the creation of this game. There is a total of twenty different levels per each Story Mode, which means a lot of items to find and characters to unlock.

Overall, this is shaping up to be a very interesting game. Fans of the Lego series are bound to enjoy this title and fans of the film will enjoy the hilarious cutscenes.

This is definitely one to add to the games collection. If you still haven't made up your mind though, this trailer should help you to decide:

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean will be available to buy from Friday the 13th May 2011.

Nintendo 3DS: Flying High With Pilotwings Resort

Pilotwings Resort is a three-dimensional flying simulation game for the Nintendo 3DS. Players have a choice of three vehicles - Hang Glider, Sea Plane and Rocket Belt and several different missions to take part in.

Players can start of as Novices and can take part in basic flying missions such as flying through a set of rings, taking part in DogFights or landing in the centre of a specific Landing Pad.  Points are given for speed, accuracy of flying or landing and fuel efficiency. Players must amass a certain amount of points in order to pass that level.

The best thing about Pilotwings Resort is the ability to use your own Miis from the Mii maker. You can also use Miis that have been gained via QR Codes as well. The cartoon-style graphics of the game will be instantly recognisable to anyone who has played Wii Sports Resort on the Nintendo Wii.

The missions get gradually more difficult as players progress through the game. There are five mission classes, which range from Novice to Platinum.  Players can also choose to fly in Free Mode instead, which is a good way to get used to the controls of each aircraft in turn.

 This game is fantastic. The 3D graphics really enhance the flying experience. There are a few easy tutorial in the Novice level to help players get familiar with the in-game controls more quickly. If you have ever dreamt of soaring amongst the clouds, or if you just want a friendly, simple little game to enjoy in your freetime, then this is the perfect game for you. Overall rating: 10/10.