The final installment of Lego Harry Potter (Years 5-7) is about to land onto the PSP and Nintendo DS/DSi and 3DS consoles. What can we expect from the game, and will Harry's 3DS debut be as popular as the other Lego titles before him?
Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7promises to be an family-fun, action-packed game from start to finish. Players can play through a total of twenty-four different events spread across the remaining titles of the Harry Potter books - Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, and of course, The Deathly Hallows.
Although the gameplay varies very little between the various platforms, the 3DS version of Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 has the advantage of greater depth and stunning visuals to add to the adventure, and Mini Gamers sees no reason why this game shouldn't be as brilliant as the previous 3DS Lego titles - Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars and Lego Pirates of the Caribbean
Official UK Trailer
Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 is set to launch in the UK on Friday the 18th of November 2011. Look out for the full review of the game shortly afterwards.
It has happened again. Mini Gamers has just received word that EyePet on PSP will now be delayed until the 5th of November 2010.
This game is one in a series of recent PSP titles to be delayed more than once. The fifth game in the hugely popular Metal Gear Solid franchise, Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker, was delayed from the25th of May until the 2nd of July 2010.
Then the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter was famously delayed from the 25th of June until the 13th of August this year, causing distress to many of the PSP-owning Lego Games fans around the world.
Next was UFC Undisputed 2010, which was delayed from the end of May until the beginning of September 2010, dispite the fact that the game had already topped the UK pre-order charts.
Now EyePet (PSP) is set to continue the trend. So what is happening here? Is it - as some sceptics have suggested - merely an attempt to delay the most popular titles until the 2010 Christmas rush, or could it be further evidence of Sony PSP's further decline in the current gaming market?
Whatever the reason, delays such as this often cause confusion and disappointment for millions of gamers and can even sour the experience of owning a delayed game when it is finally released to the public. Mini Gamers sincerely hopes that the reason for this delay (and any future delays) can be rectified soon.
Remember to check in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for more news on this subject as it happens.
HAVE YOUR SAY...
How has the delay of EyePet and the other games in this article made you feel? Why do you think that PSP games in particular seem to be suffering from long delays at the moment? Should games producers be allowed to change release dates on games without a proper reason?
If you have a comment and wish to share your views with other readers on this site then please feel free to click on the 'Comments' link below this post (or fill in the comments box if viewing this post in a separate window). We would love to hear your views.
It was a big talking point during the Sony conference at E3 this year, but now it looks like plans to bring the cute little virtual EyePet onto handheld console may be delayed until the end of October 2010.
The game was supposed to be released in the UK on the 1st October this year, but as anyone who has preordered this game will already know, this date has subsequently been changed to the 29th October 2010.
EyePet for the PSP has already come under heavy fire by critics because of the problem of getting Sony's portable camera, the PSP Go! Cam to fit to the new PSP Go consoles.
This problem was first identified by the website Joystiq.Com, whose article on the subject claimed that the new console did not have an appropriate camera attachment to support the Go! Cam function.
Although, the article was quick to point out that a converter cable could be used to allow PSP Go owners to still use the Go!Cam - although as it will require the PSP GO to remain plugged in whilst the device is in use, which some people claim makes nonsense of the PSP Go as a portable device...
Now the twenty-eight day delay for the game will only serve to fuel speculation even more. There has been no official explanation for the delay at present, but it has to be said that this situation also bears frightening similarity to the Lego Harry Potter PSP delay, which saw PSP owners wait several long months to own the game.
Mini Gamers only hopes that this delay is resolved and that Eyepet will be on the shop shelves very soon. Watch this space!
Fans across the country must be rubbing their eyes in disbelief today as Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 on PSP is finally released to the public.
The PSP version of the latest Lego-themed game was supposed to be released at the end of March this year but has suffered almost three months of delays instead. This was despite the fact that Lego Harry Potter was released on every other console format (including the Nintendo DS handheld system) on the 25th of June 2010.
No reason has ever been given as to why the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter was consistently delayed. Mini Gamers contacted both TT Games and WB Games to ask for details about why the game was delayed, but both parties refused to comment.
The PSP version was successfully released in North America on the 29th of June 2010 alongside all the other gaming formats, and the game itself has shifted 2.7 million units since that date, according to the Time Warner second-quarter financial report.
Now, the hope is that the game will do just as well in the UK, if not better. However, such a lengthy delay in the game's release has meant that many fans have already chosen to purchase it on another format, which is likely to have a negative impact on the UK PSP sales of Lego Harry Potter from the start.
Moreover, the impact of the delays are still being felt by the retail industry, as many UK retailers have failed to stock the game in time for today's release.
For example, At the time that this post was being constructed, Play.com and HMV were still awaiting stock, whilst Zavvi and Asda both claimed that the game would not be released until the 31st of August 2010.
Nevertheless, if you still haven't given up hope of owning this game on the PSP then you can now purchase it from Game, GameStation, and Amazon, amongst others.
On the whole, the Lego Games series has always been an overwhelming success, but the confusion and disappointment caused by the recent delays is something that will not be forgotten easily by PSP fans who have been waiting several months for a game that they so desperately wanted. When it comes to the release of Lego Harry Potter, is it too little too late?
HAVE YOUR SAY...
How has the delay of Lego Harry Potter on PSP made YOUfeel? Are you relieved that the game is finally available to buy? Will you be buying any new Lego Games on the PSP in the future?
If you have been affected by the delay of this game and wish to share your views with others then why not let us know how you are feeling by leaving a comment in the comments box? We welcome your thoughts on this important gaming issue.
It has been an anxious wait for PSP fans across the country since they were first informed that the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter would be delayed, and just when it seems that the end is in sight, the game seems set to undergo further delays.
Mini Gamers last reported that a new release date of the 6th of August 2010 had been given by the game's producers, but this has since been changed to the 13th of August 2010.
This will be the fourth time that the game has been delayed since its original release date at the end of June this year, and once again, no explanation has been given as to why the game has not been released yet.
Mini Gamers contacted both WB games and TT Games to ask them why the game had been delayed for so long, but both companies refused to comment.
Thus, the debate about when the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter will finally be available in the shops looks set to continue for now.
However, like many of you out there, we at Mini Gamers are starting to wonder if the game will ever be released onto PSP at all. Watch this space!
It has happened again, Game are now claiming that Lego Harry Potter for the PSP is to suffer further delays and will not be available in store until the 6th of August 2010.
The news, which was reported to us in a comment by one of the Mini Gamer readers, comes as another shock to the many PSP users who had expected to receive their copy of the game on Friday 30th July.
This latest delay has led to greater frustration against the game's developers, Travellers Tales, who still refuse to provide a definite reason as to why the PSP version of this game has been consistently delayed since May this year.
LEGO HARRY POTTER TRAILER - YEAR 2
To make matters worse, Mini Gamers decided to further investigate claims that the PSP version had been delayed once more, and found to our surprise that most other UK retailers seem blissfully unaware of the new release date.
We visited Play.com, HMV, Zavvi, Woolworths and Asda, who all cite the release date of the PSP version as either the 29th or 30th of July, depending on when their new stock is delivered.
If, as we suspect, Lego Harry Potter for the PSP has truly been delayed once more - and is not simply delayed in one single outlet such as Game- then many other PSP fans who have already pre-ordered this game can expect to have their hopes dashed via emails and letters sent to them in the next few weeks.
Mini Gamers wonders how long it will be before fans abandon all hopes of ever owning this game on the PSP system and choose to buy it in another format instead.
HAVE YOUR SAY...
Has the delay of the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter made you feel angry or disappointed? How did you feel when you were informed that the release date had been changed for the third time? Are you looking forward to eventually getting a copy of the game, or has the delay marred your excitement? Will you now be buying this game in another format now rather than on the PSP?
Here at Mini Gamers, we are interested in hearing your views. Please feel free to leave a comment in the comments box by clicking the 'Comments' link at the bottom of the post (or simply fill in the Comments Box below if viewing the post in a separate window,) and share your thoughts on this issue with others.
It has been one of the hottest debates amongst PSP gamers of late, but it now seems that the final release date for the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter is the 30th of July 2010. Mini Gamersrecently reported that the PSP version game had been delayed by the publishers TT games.
We also contacted them to ask why the game had been delayed when all the other formats of the game had already been released to the public. TT games has so far declined to comment on its decision.
So, it now seems like it will only be another few weeks before PSP gamers can enjoy the rich spoils of this long-awaited addition to the Lego Games series. However, this does not make up for the thousands of fans who have pre-ordered this game only to be disappointed. We are all keeping our fingers crossed that the release date will not be changed again between now and the end of the month.
HAVE YOUR SAY...
Has the delay of the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter made you feel angry or disappointed? Did you preorder the game? How did you feel when you were informed that the release date had been changed? Why do you think the game might have been delayed? Are you looking forward to eventually getting a copy of the game, or has the delay marred your excitement?
Here at Mini Gamers, we are interested in hearing your views. Please feel free to leave a comment in the comments box by clicking the 'comments' link at the bottom of the post and share your thoughts on this issue with others.
There seems to be some debate about the final release date for the PSP version of Lego Harry Potter. Those of you who have been following the Mini Gamers blogsite for a while now will know that the PSP version was delayed by TT games in June this year and was scheduled to be released at the beginning of July. However, the actual release date now seems the source of some confusion amongst some UK Videogame retailers.
The original release date was supposed to be 7th July 2010. However, this no longer seems to be the case, and to make matters worse, there is clear disagreement as to when the PSP version will now be released to the public. The following gives details of some of the major UK retailers and their release date for Lego Harry Potter (PSP)
This retailer states that the game will be released in one week's time on the 9th of July 2010 and is offering a free DVD of the first Harry Potter film with every purchase.
The Woolworths online store also says that the game will not be released until 30th July 2010.
The release of a new game is a treacherous minefield at the best of times, with dates often being subject to change at a moment's notice, but this is made worse when multiple release dates are given. It is also unclear why the PSP version of this game has been delayed whilst its counterparts on other formats are already available in stores across the country...
Lego Harry Potter Teaser Trailer
This latest news is a further disapointment for PSP users who had preordered the game for the end of June. Like you, we at Mini Gamers are hoping that the release date for the PSP version of this brilliant game will be sooner rather than later, but at the moment there is no way to tell when the game will actually be released. Keep tuned to the Mini Gamers blogsite for further details.
HAVE YOUR SAY...
Has the delay of the PSP version of Harry Potter made you feel angry or disappointed? Did you pre-order the game? How did you feel when you were informed that the release date had been changed? Why do you think the game might have been delayed?
Here at Mini Gamers, we are interested in hearing your views. Please feel free to leave a comment in the comments box by clicking the 'comments' link at the bottom of the post and share your thoughts on this issue with others.
Lego Harry Potter has arrived! This game allows players to act as the boy-wizard himself, and features many impressive elements from the first four books and films in the Harry Potter series. The game has gained much hype during its production, but the final product is a masterpiece and is definitely another smash for TT Games, who produce the Lego Games series. Please note, that the following is a review of the DS version of Lego Harry Potter only, as the PSP version has not been released yet, although we are sure that it will be just as spectacular.
Players start the game in The Room Of Requirement and move from there into the main story modes. There are many magical skills to learn, including Levitation, Transfiguration (changing one object into another) and Potions. All interactions and spell-casting is controlled by the stylus.
Furthermore, there are 140 different playable characters to choose from. These include Harry's two best pals, Ron and Hermione, as well as a few quirkier characters like Hagrid's faithful Neapolitan Mastiff, Fang. Each character has its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to magic and broom-flying etc, which helps to keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.
The most impressive element in Lego Harry Potter is the Game Map. Almost every iconic location from the Harry Potter universe has been included here - shop for wands in Diagon Alley, drink Butter Beers in The Three Broomsticks, meet Centaurs, Spiders and Giants in The Forbidden Forest, and explore Hogwarts until your heart is content. Furthermore, all of the locations are presented in the 3D Lego-style that fans of the series have come to expect.
One of the major pitfalls of other Harry Potter games to date has been how to get players to navigate around such a magnificant universe without getting lost or bored. Lego Harry Potter has simplified this very adequetely, by adding a marker on your locations map, which tells you where to go next. This will also help younger gamers to navigate more easily.
As well as the traditional Story Mode, Lego Harry Potter features some interesting side missions for players to undertake if they wish to do so. Most of which, include some form of puzzle-solving and can often lead players into the more complex and secretive areas of Hogwarts. Of course, there are also the usual Lego Studs to collect along the way. Moreover, the game also features a co-op mode, so you can play alongside your friends and help to defeat the evil Lord Voldermort.
In conclusion, this is a brilliant game that is likely to interest gamers of any age. The main stories are interspersed with hillarious cutscenes and will keep the whole family entertained. This is definitely one game everybody should own. Overall rating: 10/10.
The release date for the PSP version of "Lego Harry Potter" has been delayed. For PlayStation Portable fans of the Lego Games series this news has obviously come as a huge disappointment, as many people have already pre-ordered the game and expected to receive it in the post this Friday.The delay will not affect any other formats, including the Nintendo DS, so those gamers can still look forward to receiving their game at the expected time.
No reason has been given for the delay as yet. Nevertheless, it should not be too long a wait for PSP users, as the game is going be released two weeks later - 7th July 2010, and it has to be said that Lego Harry Potter looks set to be another gaming smash for the developers, TT Games. Hopefully, it will be worth the extra wait...
It could be argued that handheld gaming is undergoing a bit of a 'drought' recently, but don't worry, here are five things that handheld gamers should put in their diaries:
Yes, the boy-wizard is scheduled to be practising his potions on our handhelds sometime next month, and reports of the new Lego game are certainly promising. As expected, players will be able to control several aspects of Harry's daily life, including his lessons and his first four battles with Voldermort as well as exploring a very detailed Lego version of Hogwarts. All of this will be presented in the bright, humorous style that fans of the series have come to expect.
No doubt this will be a popular game for players of all ages. Not long to wait now!
The sequel to the ever-popular DS game is back, and this time, Maxwell's world is even more interactive than ever! As well as new challenges and puzzles to explore, the game's dictionary has now been modified to include multiple adjectives so Maxwell can now choose to have 'Rainbow Wings' or 'Robotic Roller skates' for example.
Furthermore, it is clear that Warner has been listening to fans of the original 'Scribblenauts', as Maxwell can now be controlled by the D-pad controls and not just via the stylus - thank goodness for that!
'Super Scribblenauts' is due to be released some time in September this year, and you can rely on 'Mini Gamers' to bring you the review.
The third incarnation of the best-selling PC Game of all time is finally coming to consoles some time in September 2010, and the DS version promises to be a real treat. For the first time, 'The Sims 3' offers handheld gamers the chance to play a game which is closer to its PC counterpart.
Players will be able to control multiple characters as part of a family and will be allowed to give them unique personality traits and decorate their homes in whatever style they wish. Furthermore, as a console exclusive, players unlock all-new Karma Powers. Wield the ultimate control over your Sims giving them wealth, beauty, and love - or take it all away with the click of a button.
It certainly sounds exciting! Hopefully this will be one game that actually manages to live up to the hype! Expect a full review when the game is finally released to the public.
Yes, you read that correctly, the team behind the 'Everybody's Golf' games are due to release this sporting title onto the PSP in early July 2010. Now players can get to experience the game of tennis as never seen before.
'Everybody's Tennis' works on the same principle as its predecessor - to make the game of tennis accessible to people of all ages and abilities, so expect bright, colourful graphics and quirky characters.
As with 'Everybody's Golf', characters can be customised using items that are unlocked throughout the game. The overall gameplay is said to be easy for novices to interact with, but the games developers are promising an advanced shot system for more confident gamers. This is definitely a game which should be on every sports-gamer's wishlist.
Nintendo have announced plans to create a fully-3D DS console, without the need for wearing those ridiculous spectacles! Furthermore, Nintendo has promised that the new console will be backwards-compatible with older forms of the DS and DSi consoles.
It is difficult to see how this might work, but the 3D DS is set to be unveiled at this year's E3 convention in Los Angeles next month. If you can't wait, the Nintendo DSi already possesses a DSiware title which utilises 3D technology:
This kind of technology in a game console is a handheld gamer's dream! However, there may be a long wait before the console is actually released to the public. Watch this space...
