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.

Gaming Gadgets We Wish We Could Add To Our Christmas Lists...

 

Yes, it is that time of year again when many people are busy wrapping up presents and putting up the fairy lights, so we at Mini Gamers thought we would do something a little bit different and think about the handheld gaming gadgets that we would love to put on our Christmas lists for 2010, but which sadly will not be available until some time next year at the earliest... This is our shortlist:

 THE NINTENDO 3DS 

 The Nintendo 3DS is set to revolutionize handheld gaming between the end of February in Japan and by March 2011 in Europe, by making it possible for people to experience 3D gaming without the need for specially-designed glasses.

The technology works through a process called  autostereoscopy which uses twin motion-tracking cameras to create the 3D effect rather than via coloured lenses worn over the eyes (Stereoscopy). This process has also recently been used in some cinemas and it means that the colour and quality of the graphics will be unaffected.

 The actual cost of the Nintendo 3DS is yet unknown, but it is set to retail in Japan for 25,000 Yen, which equates to £192 in English money.

This makes the 3DS the most expensive Nintendo handheld to date, but when you consider that it also features a 3.5-inch widescreen LCD display with a 3D depth slider control on the side of the system, allowing players to choose exactly how much of the 3D effect they want, and two camera lenses on the outside of the system so that users can take pictures and view them in 3D, then the heavy price tag becomes much more justified.

The 3DS is said to be completely backwards compatible with the earlier Nintendo DS and DSi systems and also features Automatic Wi-Fi Detection which means that the console will actually search for Wireless hotspots and online opponents even if it is in 'Sleep Mode'.

An exclusive website about the 3DS has just been launched. To access the website please click here. For an exclusive sneak-peak of the 3DS' graphics and gameplay capabilities, please click here.

THE PSP PHONE

Rumours about the possibility of a new Smartphone with integrated PSP technology have been circulating for months now, and it has to be said that Sony is still being very tight-lipped about whether such a device is actually in development. Nevertheless, Sony Ericsson have recently indicated that a new Xperia phone might indeed be based on PSP gaming technology.

Current rumours also contain specifications for the new phone, which is said to feature a standard PSP control pad, with square, triangle, circle and cross buttons etc,and a new multi-touch trackpad instead of the traditional analogue stick.

The phone apparently uses the Android operating system,  The settings menu themes however matches those in the PSP system. on the back of the PSP Phone there is rumoured to be a megapixel camera with an LED flash and a second lens on the front of the phone which might be used for video calls, although this has not been properly confirmed yet.

It is difficult to tell whether this phone is even in development at the moment, so a late 2011 release date is likely but not yet confirmed. Nevertheless, we still think that this phone would make an excellent gaming Christmas gift regardless!

PANASONIC JUNGLE PORTABLE MMO DEVICE

Panasonic first announced that a portable MMO device was currently in development earlier this year. The Panasonic Jungle features a QWERTY keyboard and will allow gamers to play whilst on the move. Public testing of the device has reportedly already started on the Panasonic Jungle gaming device in the US and it has so far received mixed reviews.

There is now a small number of MMO games in development for the Panasonic Jungle including an online Battlestar Galactica game, but details of what they might entail have sadly been very scarce so far. Nevertheless, this is a gadget which MMO gamers would really benefit from.

No release date has been given yet but an exclusive website has been launched which provides all the latest news updates for this intriguing console. To visit the offical Jungle website please click here.

Unfortunately, these gaming gadgets won't be under anyone's Christmas tree this year, but Mini Gamers hopes that all of these devices will be at the top of next year's most wanted Christmas gifts list and we look forward to bringing you further news about all these devices as they develop.

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.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (DS)

 

Everyone's favourite wizard, Harry Potter, will return both to the Big Screen and our handheld consoles in his seventh and final magical adventure tomorrow. So, what can fans really expect from the Nintendo DS version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1?

 The Nintendo DS version of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is a a puzzle-based game. It is also the first game in the series that takes the characters outside the relative safety of Hogwarts.  The characters must embark on a dangerous journey, which means that players will now be introduced to a whole host of new environments from city streets to new wizarding locations, which each contain different enemies to fight (including Death Eaters, Snatchers and Dementors), new challenges to uncover and quests to complete.

In the game the player will be able to control one of the three characters Harry, Ron and Hermione in a brilliant 3D top-down view. Each character has special abilities to move the player through the game. These abilities will affect how the game progresses and will make the outcome of the game easier or more difficult depending on which abilities the character posseses.

For example, Harry always casts very powerful spells, whilst Ron can use Decoy Detonators as a distraction technique against the Death Eaters, and he also has the magical Deluminator gadget (used by Professor Dumbledore in the first film,) which removes all visible light from a given area.

Ron's abilities do not work effectively in head-to-head combat however, but they can provide a useful commotion which will in turn disorientate most enemies. Hermione can slow enemies down with the spell Arresto Momento. The different abilities do help to create varied gameplay and greatly adds to the game's replay value.

Potions and potion-making also make a welcome return in this game. New potions included in this game are: Wiggenweld Potion, Herbicide and Exploding Potion. Each potion takes the form of a mini game in which the player must find all the ingredients and then brew the potion against a time limit.  For help with completing Harry Potter Potions, please click HERE.

Many of the Spells from the Harry Potter Universe can also be found in  the Nintendo DS version including Stupefy, Protego, Wingardium Leviosa, Expecto Patronum and Incendio. Furthermore, the game also includes some multi-shot capabilities and cascading jinxes which are extremely useful for defeating multiple enemies.

Other magical items will help the characters to move stealthy past enemies. Harry's Invisibility Cloak is very useful in this game, whilst the Polyjuice Potion and Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder can also help Harry and his friends to avoid detection and sneak past their adversaries.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 does have a two-player multiplayer mode, so players can now battle against their friends using Wi-Fi connectivity. Players can choose to be either a Dementor or Harry Potter and must engage in a magical duel. The winner is the player with the highest score.

Official DS Preview Trailer

This game is graphically stunning and  has really tried to make up for the disappointment of the last Harry Potter handheld game, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which featured very short and repetitive gameplay throughout.

The storyline of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (AKA Harry Potter 2010)  sticks closely to that of the film and the numerous magical battles and duels are difficult but not frustrating. This game will enchant existing fans of the videogame series and  Mini Gamers predicts that it will be at the top of many people's Christmas lists this year. Overall rating: 9/10.

Game Of The Week: Professor Layton & The Lost Future (DS/DSi)

Everyone's favourite logical detective, Professor Hershel Layton returned in his third adventure on the Nintendo DS and DSi consoles this week.

Professor Layton & The Lost Future  sees the professor and his young apprentice, Luke Triton, in a battle to save future London from a major catastrophe after a time-travel experiment in the present goes badly wrong...

The Professor and Luke are amongst a select group of people who have been invited to witness a demonstration of Dr. Alain Stahngun's new Time Machine, during which, the Prime Minister of Britain volunteers to be the machine's first official Time Traveler.

However, the experiment does not go as expected and the machine is destroyed. Both Dr. Stahngun and The Prime Minister disappear. Over the next few weeks, there are several  newspaper reports concerning other missing scientists.

Some weeks later, Layton and Luke receive a letter which claims to have been written by Luke's future self. The letter directs the two to a clock shop in London. The pair decide to investigate.

Inside the clock shop, a strange elderly couple show the Professor and Luke another time machine, and the pair decide to activate it. After a bit of confusion, Layton and Luke find themselves in a drastically-changed London ten years from their present.

Here the pair meet future Luke, who explains that the Time Machine accident caused the future Professor Layton to change (becoming a ruthless criminal). Future Luke asks for help in setting the timeline straight again. The Professor promises to help the now grown-up Luke and embarks upon a finding a set of clues that can help them to save London.

Although Professor Layton & The Lost Future has many of the common features associated with the other games in the series - such as beautifully-rendered 2D cutscenes, a distinctive musical soundtrack, and of course, some mind-boggling brainteasers - it does contain some slight format changes, which helps to make the game even better than its predecessors.

Firstly, the puzzles now seem to build up in difficulty throughout the game, so the puzzles at the beginning are all very easy to solve and should not require any Hint Coins to be spent here. This is good as it allows players to get into the heart of the storyline more quickly than in the previous games.

Furthermore, the game's developers, Level 5 inc have now instituted a Super Hint function, which is very useful for those puzzles that just do not seem to have a recognisable answer, and it can stop the game from getting stale or frustrating.

 Although Super Hints only require two hint coins, they can only be purchased after the other three normal hints have been unlocked. This means that Super Hints essentially cost 5 hint coins each (one hint coin each for the three normal hints plus two extra coins).

Nevertheless, if you do manage to purchase a Super Hint, it will virtually solve whatever puzzle you are currently struggling with at the time. This allows younger players or people who are not overly adept at brainteasers the chance to move on to the puzzles that they can solve.

The puzzles themselves (over 165 of them in total) involve a lot of similar tasks as the other two games, from putting items in a particular sequence, arranging tiles to form an image, or spotting the 'Odd-One-Out' in a sequence of shapes, amongst others. However, although these types of puzzles have featured in the other Professor Layton games, they are given a refreshing new twist as part of the overall storyline, which makes them very interesting to solve.

Two minor disapointments with Professor Layton & The Lost Future are the set of minigames and Luke's voice.

As with the other games, this title features three different minigames for players to enjoy, including Luke's new pet parrot, a toy car with collectible track pieces, and picture books with missing stickers which the player has to locate throughout the game. Please note, that the solutions to ALL the latest Mini Games can be found by clicking HERE.

Although the new minigames make a welcome change from the annoying tea-drinking minigame in Professor Layton & Pandora's Box, which many fans of the series struggled to complete sucessfully, they do seem a bit too easy to complete for the game's numerous adult fans, which is a bit of a shame, but still does not affect the brilliance of the game as a whole.

Furthermore, Luke has gone all posh again in this game. Fans of the series will remember that Luke's voice in the very first game sounded like that of an upper-class public schoolboy. This was then changed to a rough cockney-sounding voice in the second game, (which incidentally is the voice which features in the new DVD feature film Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva.)

 Now it seems like Luke has been taking elocution lessons in the future because the voice of 'Future Luke' now matches that of the one used in Professor Layton and the Curious Village, dispite the fact that Young Luke still has the rough Cockney accent . Although this is only a minor part of the game, it still affects the overall continuity of the series, which can be very frustrating at times.

In conclusion, Professor Layton & The Lost Future is definitely a must-buy for existing fans of the series. It features more cutscenes and voice work and puzzles than ever before and is sure to keep you entertained for weeks to come. If you haven't tried a Professor Layton game yet, this game is certainly worth a try. Overall rating: 9/10.

Official E3 Debut Trailer [HD]

Game of the Week: Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Predator (PSP)

Deep in the jungles of Sri Lanka, the Ghosts have 72 hours to prepare the way for a U.S. invasion force. As open conflict with Pakistan looms, the Ghosts uncover proof that they've been targeting the wrong enemy.

Now they must act before falsified intelligence lures America into an unpredictable and devastating war...

It might sound like the plot of some Hollywood blockbuster, but this is actually the main story of Tom Clancy's newest PSP game, Ghost Recon: Predator.

This is the second PSP title in Tom Clancy's shooter series Ghost Recon. The first game, which was called Advanced Warfighter 2, has been criticised by some for being too difficult in its missions and for having very short gameplay overall, so will the new game be any different?

Ghost Recon: Predator is certainly a challenge! The new tactical experience means that how you lead your squad to victory is entirely up to you.

Players can either opt to use their massive firepower to take down enemies, which works well when facing stronger and more powerful opponents, or they can choose a more strategic approach like sneaking up behind enemies at close range. 

Players can also use the environment to their advantage, along with intel and information from command, media and the locals.

Furthermore, Ghosts now have high-tech equipment such as drones, air support and prototype weapons to help them to locate and stalk their enemies.

Experience, which is earned in the game by defeating various opponents, now means greater customisation for your squad and thus a more powerful, elite force.

For those of you who prefer to game with friends, Ghost Recon: Predator also features an ad-hoc co-op mode for up to three PSPs. Team up and outsmart the opposition.

 Ghost Recon: Predator is a pretty good Shooter game and it does contain many of the core elements that one would associate with the series. The graphics are not as smooth as those found on the major consoles and some Wi-fi enabled multiplayer wouldn't go amiss, but the main game is very interesting and challenging regardless. If you like Shooter games, then this is likely to fit nicely into your collection. Overall rating: 8/10

October/November Games Line-Up...

The handheld gaming market has suffered another 'drought' recently, with many big-name titles choosing to settle exclusively for the major consoles instead, but that is all about to end as the next two months promise some interesting games for owners of the DS or PSP handhelds. Here we look at a few new release and pre-order games that have managed to catch our eye recently:

 My Sims: Sky Heroes

The cute and lovable My Sims are back for another round on the Nintendo DS and DSi systems. This time, your chosen avatar will take to the skies in an all-new adventure. Take on Morcubus (the usual villain from the Wii version of the My Sims games) and his evil army to become the ultimate hero. Take part in high-speed dogfights, aerial battles and rescue missions with your chosen My Sims. Encounter some new faces as well as some very familiar ones.

As with the last few My Sims titles, this game is geared more towards males than females (but that should not prevent girls from having a go at it, I hasten to add,) however, the quirky characters and fun gameplay will be instantly recognisable to fans of the series.

Players start off as fledgling pilots and gain skills and experience to become heroes of the skies. Unique to this game, however, is an Upgrade System, whereby aeroplane parts can be upgraded to provide greater movement, speed or ability. This certainly makes the game more challenging in lots of ways and definitely adds to the replay value of the overall game.

This game will not be to everyone tastes (sugary sweet storylines mixed with aeriel assaults don't come along every day, people!) Nevertheless, it is a fun little game which will appeal to the casual gamers amongst you. Why not give it a try?

The game will be available in the shops from the 1st October 2010.

Professor Layton & The Lost Future

Professor Layton and Luke return in the final installment of their adventure trilogy on the Nintendo DS and DSi, but don't worry, as we already know that a new title Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle is being planned for the 3DS and we also heard a sneaky little rumour that a new 'prequel' trilogy was in the pipeline too, so fans definitely have not heard the last of this logical detective.

In this game, which is released on the 15th October 2010, Luke receives a mysterious letter from his own future, prompting the Professor to embark on another puzzle-solving mission.

With over 165 separate puzzles, this game promises us more brainteasers than ever before, as well as a  Super Hint system for when we really do not have a clue and have already purchased the three normal hints. However, as the new Super Hint function usually makes it so easy to solve the brainteasers, it will cost more hint coins to purchase one!

The Professor Layton games have always been a massive hit with us here at Mini Gamers, be sure to check in with the blog for a more in-depth review when the game is released.

Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz

The new Buzz title does what it says on the box - it puts your musical knowledge to the test. As usual, this game for the PSP contains thousands of questions, so the chances of the same questions being asked twice are minimal. This game also features an ad-hoc wireless multiplayer mode so you can take on up to eight players and enjoy pitting your wits against your friends and family.

Fans of this series will already know what to expect. The single player mode consists of fifteen separate challenges filled with music video clips, photographs, audio excerpts and general trivia. Trophies and medals will be awarded for various accomplishments during each level, including getting the most amount of correct answers or answering questions in the shortest possible time.

However, there have been some minor changes to the PSP game which is refreshing for such a long-running games series. Firstly, the game now comes with a Personalised Commentary System, which means that Buzz can now call you by name!

Furthermore, there have been rumours that the game's irrepressible host, Buzz, has undergone a bit of a makeover  himself for this title, but the developers are being very tight-lipped about what that will actually entail.

The game was originally scheduled for release at the end of October, but this date has since changed to the 12th November 2010. If you like music trivia, then this could be the game for you!

Tron: Evolution

If you were a child growing up the 1980s then you will definitely remember the film TRON from 1982. The film broke new ground in its use of Solid 3D Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). It was aimed at the new videogame craze and most of the film was set in a graphically-enhanced world.

Nevertheless, the film was a little before its time in its approach to computer graphics, and unfortunately the CGI methods used all those years ago were not as convincing as today's models, so TRON was infamous for being a Box Office failure. Nevertheless, it did gain cult status in the early 1990s. 

Now, twenty-eight years after the original film, a sequel called TRON: Legacy is in the pipeline, and of course where there is a major film, there has to be a major game title to accompany it.

TRON: Evolution is set during the era between the two TRON films.  It has been developed by Propaganda Games and Disney Interactive Studios. Essensially the game 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 is the most revered video game-inspired film property of all time, TRON: Evolution, the video game, will enhance the TRON experience for existing fans of the franchise as well as an entirely new audience." [Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios.]

The game itself will be an action-adventure with elements of racing and role-playing games included in it and although TRON: Evolution is linked to the events in both films, it will also be a stand alone project, so no prior knowledge of TRON is needed to play the game. 

TRON: Evolution is set to be released on the 26th November 2010. It will appear on all major formats including the Nintendo DS and PSP systems. However those of you in the UK who wish to see the film sequel TRON: Legacy will have to wait  until the 26th of December 2010.

So there you have it - just a few of the games that we think are going to be massive hits over the next two months. Of course, October and November have many more brilliant games to offer us but it would take us a lifetime to include all of them in a single blog post.

However, Mini Gamers will endevour to keep you up to date with all the latest releases as they happen over the coming months and we look forward to hearing your opinions on new games as well. Watch this space!