Nintendo 3DS: 3D Depth Slider, Gyroscopic Sensors and Preloaded Software Explored...

There are now only four days until the UK release of the Nintendo 3DS . Mini Gamers takes a look at some of the new 3D hardware features and preloaded software that you can expect to find included in the console.

The 3D Depth Slider is a vital component of the Nintendo 3DS, as it allows gamers to instantly change the level of 3D that they want to experience.

You might think that there is no need for a 3D depth slider at all as you will always play your 3DS games with the slider set to maximum anyway, but the truth is that some 3DS games will work better with the 3D depth on a slightly lower setting.

The 3DS depth slider can also help to control the 3D settings for younger gamers too. Nintendo has advised that children under seven years of age should not use the 3D features of the console as it might damage their eyesight.  The depth slider allows parents and guardians the ability to turn off the 3D capabilities of the console until children are old enough to use them.

Another interesting hardware feature is the new Gyroscopic Sensor. This nifty feature allows the 3DS to respond to movement, such as being tilted. Some of the UK 3DS launch games use this feature. For example, The Sims 3 (3D) has adapted some of the gameplay from the original DS game so that players can cause earthquakes in their Sim's town, by tilting the console left and right.

 Nintendogs + Cats also utilises the gyroscopic sensor. If players tilt their head to look at their puppy or kitten, then their puppy or kitten will also tilt their head in the same direction as the player.

As well as some impressive hardware, the Nintendo 3DS comes preloaded with extra software and features. Firstly, the console comes with six different Augmented Reality (AR) cards.

As anyone who has used Eyepet will know, Augmented Reality helps blend the virtual and the physical world together - want to see a Dog pop out of the middle of your coffee table? It could be possible with AR technology.

Very little is known about what AR mini games are actually contained on each special AR card at present, but some rumours about islands and dragons are beginning to surface amongst the gaming community. Nevertheless, this is pure conjecture at the moment.

Nintendogs + Cats will also use AR technology. Players will be able to see their chosen puppy or kitten sitting on their desk or in the palm of their hand.

Other software included in the 3DS is the Pedometor and Activity log. The built-in pedometor will chart the number of steps that players walk each day. These steps are then recorded in the 3DS Activity Log. If players achieve certain targets, they will be rewarded with special coins that can unlock bonus content in some compatible 3DS games. Well, it never hurts to exercise a little, does it?

Face Raiders is one of the most controversial pieces of preloaded 3DS software to date. In this quirky mini game, players target and shoot at images that they have created via the Mii studio.

It is the only game of its kind that allows you to shoot at images of yourself. Even though it may not be to everyone's taste, Mini Gamers bets that it will prove be extremely popular, especially with the First Person Shooter and Third Person Shooter fans amongst you.

So there you have it - Mini Gamers exploration of the Nintendo 3DS hardware and software features has sadly come to an end. We hope that you found this overview useful.

What do you think of the new hardware features? Which of the preloaded software most appeals to you? Why not leave us a comment and let us know. We appreciate your thoughts.

Japanese Game Publishers Face Economic Slump In Recent Crisis...

Japanese video game publishers face a big economic slump in the wake of the recent devastation caused by the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Crisis, which has affected the north-eastern (Tohoku) region of Japan.

Sega was by far the worst affected by the crisis so far. According to information from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, on Monday the 14th of March, Sega's stock had dropped by a massive 13.5 percent by the end of the day.

Sony and Nintendo also saw big stock losses too. Sony had a loss of 9.1 percent, whilst Nintendo suffered losses of 7.6 percent. Square Enix and Namco Bandai were amongst the least affected video games publishers with losses between 6.4 and 6.2 percent respectively.

Several video game  Japanese release dates have had to be rescheduled due to the economic downturn, including Sony's Motorstorm Apocalypse  and Sega's Disaster Report 4, which has now reportedly been cancelled altogether. Meanwhile, the upcoming European 3DS release has not been affected by the crisis and will go ahead next Friday as planned.

Dispite the economic slump, many video games companies have reportedly chosen to donate money to the victims of the Tsunami Crisis, including Sony, Namco Bandai  and Capcom, who each donated between 100 million and 300 million yen to relief efforts. Sony also donated over 3000 radios.

Meanwhile, The Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami crisis continues to deepen. Many people have been left homeless since the disaster, and although exact figures are unknown at present, casualties are expected to run into tens of thousands over the next few weeks.

Mini Gamers extends its sincere condolences to the victims of this terrible tragedy. For more information on how to give donations, please visit the official Red Cross Japanese Tsunami Appeal website by clicking HERE now.











SOURCES:

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-03-14-japanese-stocks-hit-in-market-slump

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Sendai_earthquake_and_tsunami#Casualties

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_of_the_2011_Sendai_earthquake_and_tsunami_on_the_video_game_industry

Nintendo 3DS: UK Launch Titles Explored...

With little over a week to go until the European launch of the Nintendo 3DS, Mini Gamers takes a look at the video game titles we can expect to see on the shop shelves very soon.


The full UK line-up was recently revealed by Official Nintendo Magazine. Amongst the already heavily
-publicised Nintendo 3DS games like Nintendogs + Cats, and Pilotwings Resort, there is a whole host of other gaming titles which are sure to have a wide appeal. The full list of  UK launch games is as follows:

 - Pilotwings Resort
- Nintendogs + Cats: Golden Retriever & New Friends
- Nintendogs + Cats: French Bulldog & New Friends
- Nintendogs + Cats: Toy Poodle & New Friends
- Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition
- The Sims 3
- PES 2011 3D - Pro Evolution Soccer
- LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
- Ridge Racer 3D
- Super Monkey Ball 3D
- Samurai Warriors: Chronicles
- Asphalt 3D
- Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
- Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D
- Rayman 3D

[Sourced: http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/23504/news/nintendo-3ds-uk-launch-games-confirmed/]

The twelve UK launch titles (not counting all three separate versions of Nintendogs + Cats) cover an exciting range of genres from Sports and Life Simulations to Tactical RPGs and Platformers. There really does appear to be at least one appealing 3DS game title for every gamer out there, which is a truly impressive feat.

 Nevertheless, this does not mean that the Nintendo 3DS does not contain some disappointing omissions from its launch software list. For example, some long-running and popular video game series such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros, Metal Gear Solid and Professor Layton are all scheduled to debut on the 3DS in 2011, but most of them have been given a late Autumn or early Winter UK release date, dispite the fact that they are due to be released earlier in other countries such as Australia and in Japan. 


Obviously, there has to be a limit on the number of big-name titles that are released at the same time in order to ensure continued public interest, but it would have been nice to see one or two of the above game series make the 3DS launch games list.


Furthermore, Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle has already proven itself to be an extremely popular 3DS launch title in Japan. The game shifted over 370000 units in its first launch weekend alone. However, gamers in the UK will have to wait until late 2011 to see what the game is really like.

With only nine days left until the 25th March 2011 release date, expectation and excitement over the 3DS and its launch games continues to grow. What do you think of the launch games on offer? Are there any titles which you wish had made the final launch list?


Keep checking in with the Mini Gamers blogsite over the next few days for more 3DS related news as it happens. If you are a fan of the 3DS already, why not take a look at our new Quizzes page? It features a quiz specifically about Nintendo's new console.










  

Nintendo 3DS: Midnight Openings Revealed!

Retail giant, Game Group PLC, has revealed the list of locations for its special midnight openings, which will occur on the night of Thursday 24th of March to celebrate the UK launch of the Nintendo 3DS console.

According to the Game website, over 100 of its participating stores will open their doors around 11.45pm. Nevertheless, it is possible that some shops may open earlier to help customers who are wanting to trade in their old DS/DSi consoles for a new 3DS. The shop tills will be open from midnight and will remain open for approximately one hour. Depending on the level of demand and the volume of the crowds, local  branch managers may choose to close  a store earlier or stay open longer than the aforementioned time.

The participating store locations can be found HERE.

Game is not the only retailer to offer Midnight Openings. The official 3DS UK launch venue is at HMV's flagship store at 150 Oxford Street, London. Nevertheless, HMV has yet to confirm whether any of its other local branches will be opening the doors at midnight as well.

Gamestation  has also followed suit with several of its highstreet stores and has prepared its own detailed list of Midnight Openings, details of which can be found by clicking HERE.

Whilst queuing up outside a busy highstreet shop late at night may not sound like most people's idea of fun, but a chance to be one of the first people to own one of the most impressive handheld consoles to date, is certainly an appealing one.

So, what do you think? Will you be attending one of the Midnight Openings in your area, or is it all too much bother?

Keep checking with Mini Gamers for news of more 3DS launch events. If you are a fan of the 3DS already, why not take a look at our new Quizzes page? It features a quiz specifically about Nintendo's new console.

3DS NEWS: More Nintendogs than Cats, it seems...

Nintendo have finally released details of the Nintendogs + Cats breeds that will be included in the new 3DS game, and unfortunately, the news has left us feeling more than a little disappointed.


Nintendogs + Cats is one of the 3DS launch games which will be available to buy from the 25th of March 2011 (Europe) and 27th of March (America)  along with the new 3DS console.

The game comes in three versions -  Golden Retriever, Toy Poodle and French Bulldog but although each game will differ in the initial type of breeds that will be available at the start of the game, the remaining dog and cats breeds can all be unlocked later.

The three game versions with their nine initial playable dog breeds are listed below:

Toy Poodle and Friends

Toy Poodle
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Mini Schnauzer
Boxer
Bull Terrier
Labrador Retriever
Shih Tzu
Jack Russell
Pomeranian


French Bulldog and Friends

French Bulldog
Shetland Sheepdog
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chihuahua
Dalmatian
Yorkshire Terrier
German Shepherd
Husky
Basset Hound

Golden Retriever and Friends (AKA Shiba Inu & Friends in Japan)

Shiba Inu
Golden Retriever
Beagle
Mini Pinscher
Dachshund
Maltese
Great Dane
Pug
Cocker Spaniel

However, this is where our disappointment began, because even though the all three versions of Nintendogs+Cats will feature over twenty-seven different breeds of dog, they will only feature three breeds of cat: American Shorthair (Tabby), Siamese or Persian.  This came as a big surprise to us here at Mini Gamers, as we had expected at least eight breeds of cat to appear alongside their canine counterparts.

Furthermore, there is some suggestion that the cat breeds will not even be playable at the start of the game, but will have to be unlocked first, making them sound very much like an afterthought.


 The new features of  Nintendogs + Cats mean that there is now greater customisation between breeds. That means that players can choose different fur patterns, leg lengths and fur lengths for each of their dogs or cats. So even if you had three American Shorthairs within the game, they would all look different and have different personalities.

Furthermore, Cats within the game will act exactly like real-life kittens - they will sleep on windowsills, climb on bookshelves and other surfaces, claw at scratching posts and furniture, chase toy mice and generally do their own thing. They will also be able to recognise their owners via the new Facial Recognition Software.It sounds impressive, but we can't help thinking that the game would be even better if there were more cat breeds to choose from.

Japan has recently released this video trailer of Nintendogs + Cats:

Mini Gamers will be examining more 3DS launch games next month in the lead up to the 3DS release date. Keep checking in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for more news on this subject as it develops.

HAVE YOUR SAY...

What do you think about the fact that there are only 3 cat breeds in the new game? Will this affect the overall enjoyment of the game?

Why not leave us a comment?

Mini Gamers would love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

Nintendo: No 3DS eShop At Launch, Says Iwata...

President of Nintendo, Mr. Sotaru Iwata has admitted that the 3DS eShop, which will allow users to download extra content including some DSiWare and retro GameBoy titles onto the new console, will not be available to gamers until at least two months after the console launches on the 25th March this year.

Originally, Nintendo had suggested that the 3DS might contain an update to allow users to download the eShop feature onto their console from day one, but this has since been changed.

Iwata said that: "The first system update is scheduled for late May, at almost the same time around the world..." [sourced: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/nintendo-confirms-no-eshop-for-3ds-launch]

It is thought that the delay may  simply be an attempt by Nintendo to improve its digital distribution methods, as prior attempts such as the DSi shop and Wii Shop applications have failed to attract a great deal of attention from gamers despite a great deal of promotion at their initial launch.

Iwata claims that: "Wii Shop Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop, which are based on Internet-browser technology, have not provided the users with a sufficiently easy and accessible interface... As it is critical in digital software distribution that the software available there won't be buried and go unnoticed, and that we can prepare pleasant encounters for consumers, we will be running a drastically redesigned shop for Nintendo 3DS in which you can more comfortably purchase software through downloads." [sourced: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/nintendo-confirms-no-eshop-for-3ds-launch]

May is not too far from the initial launch date but for some gamers, however, the lack of a useable eShop from day one could be seen as another of Nintendo's broken promises about the 3DS console.

What do you think?

Nintendo 3DS: Has Nintendo Broken Its Promise To Gamers?

It has only been a few days since the  European release date for Nintendo's 3DS console was announced, but already the rumour mill has been circulating, and it seems that some gamers may not be getting exactly what they expect when the console launches in March this year.

Mini Gamers takes a look at the promises that have been made by Nintendo over the past year, and compares them to what the console is set to offer us in reality...

Promise One: A Price Range Under £200?

Back in August last year, Nintendo's Marketing Manager, James Honeywell gave an interview to gaming website Electric Pig, where it was hinted that the new console might cost under £200 to buy.

Although no actual price was mentioned at the time, Honeywell did say that:"The DSi is around £129.99, the DSi XL is around £159.99, so obviously it [the Nintendo 3DS] is going to fit somewhere around that kind of architecture..." [sourced from: http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/07/29/video-nintendo-3ds-questions-answered-by-ninty-top-brass/]

Furthermore, a 3DS console for under £200 did indeed seem possible when the Japanese pricing figures for a 3DS were revealed to be around 25,000 Yen, which equates to approximately £192.

However, at the recent 3DS preview conference in Amsterdam, Nintendo claimed that the actual price of the console would be set by retailers and that European gamers would have to refer to in-store prices.

This actually translates to a price range that is anywhere between £217.85 (in places like Asda and Zavvi) and £229.99 (Game).

These prices then skyrocket towards the £250 mark when the console is bundled with one of the 3DS launch games, which are themselves priced around £39.99. This makes the 3DS one of the most expensive handheld consoles ever produced.

Promise Two: Complete Backwards Compatibility With Older

DS and DSi Consoles?

Although the Nintendo 3DS WILL definitely be backwards compatible with your old DS and DSi games, the new console will also feature a Region Lock, which means that 3DS gaming software purchased from one country will not be compatible with 3DS consoles purchased in another.

Nintendo recently defended their decision to make the 3DS region-locked.  Nintendo UK boss David Yarnton gave an interview to Eurogamer  in which he claimed that the region-lock was due to many different factors including the Downloadable Content support that will be offered with the new console, and the difference in international age rating systems.

Yarnton said: "If we look at it at on a regional basis, we have to be very conscious of - the customer may not really care about this - but different territories have different ratings. We're very conscious of making sure we toe the line as far as government goes. In Europe we've got PEGI. In Australia there's a different rating. America's got a different rating. Japan's a different rating." [sourced from;  http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-19-nintendo-3ds-david-yarnton-interview]

The region lock is nothing new and has also been used in Nintendo's DSi console. However, the truth remains that gamers who prefer to purchase and play games from other countries such as America (where they are usually cheaper) will no longer be able to do this on the new 3DS console.



Promise Three: The 3DS Will Feature Its own eShop and Internet Browser?



Nintendo has promised that the 3DS console, (which is said to have its own Internet Browser,) will also have an eShop for downloadable content. The eShop will support some of the old DSiWare, as well as offer demos, videos and user ratings and a handheld version of the Wii's Virtual Console, which will be dedicated to Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles.

According to Nintendo, purchases will no longer be made with virtual currency. Nintendo Points which have previously been purchased on other systems like the DSi and Wii will not be usable on the 3DS eStore, which will use a 'real cash' system instead.

Nevertheless, there seems to be doubt amongst the gaming community as to whether the aforementioned eShop will actually be available for use when the console launches in March.

Nintendo of America's marketing manager, Bill Trinen recently suggested to Joystiq.com that the eShop was very much a secondary concern to the retail launch of the new console, with full 3DS games not yet planned for download availability. He said: "I think, right now for us, the digital shop content is focusing on growing the digital ... distinguishing from the retail content in terms of what it offers."

Trinen also went on to suggest that the eShop may not in fact  be released simultaneously with the 3DS itself, but maybe offered later in a firmware update. "In terms of specific announcements or when it's going to actually be available, we'll go into more detail on that as we get closer to the launch date."
[Sourced: http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/3ds-eshop-detailed-virtual-console-dsiware-demos-and-the-abs/]

Nintendo seemed to suggest during the European Preview Conference that the 3DS would come with a fully-working eShop, which they implied was one of the revolutionary new features that would set the 3DS apart from the other Duel Screen consoles.

Nevertheless, at this moment in time, it seems as though gamers may have to wait many months before they can begin to purchase fresh downloadable content for their new device, which is more than a tad disappointing.

It has to be said that the Nintendo 3DS does feature an impressive array of specifications  including its twin motion-tracking cameras, 3D depth slider and a good selection of 3DS game titles in development.

Nevertheless, even with its March deadline getting closer, Nintendo seems unable to fully commit to an answer about the actual content that gamers can expect to see on launch day. Here at Mini Gamers we remain optimistic about the 3DS and we look forward to bringing you news on specific 3DS launch games within the next few weeks.

However, we are also interested in hearing what YOU, the handheld gamers out there have to say about the new console. How much would YOU be will willing to pay for a 3DS?

Has the overall cost or region lock put YOU off of owning a 3DS?

Please leave us a comment and let us know.

3DS UK Release Date Now Official!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nintendo 3DS: The First Launch Titles Confirmed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Professor Layton As You Have NEVER Seen Him Before...

 Hollywood movies and videogames have become almost synonomous with each other in recent years with games such as Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, and Doom (to name but a few) being turned into massive film blockbusters. Now another gaming series is to be given the Hollywood treatment.

Yes, that's right, the famous detective, Professor Layton - star of the Nintendo DS games series is set to make his first ever film debut in Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva, which comes to UK DVD and Blu-ray on the 18th October 2010.

In the film,  Professor Layton receives a letter from his old student, the famous opera diva Janice Quatlane who will soon perform at the legendary Crown Petone Opera House. She sends Layton two tickets and invites him to attend as her special guest.

Meanwhile, a rash of disappearances hits London. Two young school girls are the latest victims and the Professor suspects it's related to the strange things that are happening at the theatre. Layton and Luke travel to the Opera House to solve their toughest puzzle yet, the mystery of Eternal Life!

The film was first released in Singapore on the 18th of March this year and has so far been considered an overwhelming success by critics. It is also said that Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva is only one in a pre-planned series of Professor Layton films, which have been carefully developed by Level-5 Inc, who also produced the Professor Layton Video Games.

According to Level-5 Inc, the movie will stay true to the games - with music, puzzles, and characters that will be instantly recognisable to fans of the series. It is an interesting experiment to see whether the Professor can be just as enthralling on film as he can in the games.

For true hardcore Layton fans, the film will also be available as a three-disc DVD/Blu-ray Collector’s Edition Combi Pack, which will include the film on both DVD and Blu-ray, plus a bonus DVD featuring ‘Mystery of the Last Song’, ‘Professor Layton and the Mystery of the Production Company’, ‘Professor Layton and the Mystery of the 3D CG’ and a promo video for the Professor Layton games.

Additionally, there will be a two-disc DVD/Blu-ray Deluxe Collector’s Edition Combi Pack featuring all of the aforementioned items plus a super-collectable 630-page Storyboard Book and rigid art box outer packaging.

The news of a Professor Layton film may come as some surprise, but it will certainly help to fill in the gap before the release of the third video game Professor Layton and the Lost Future, which has sadly been delayed until the 22nd of October 2010.

We at Mini Gamers are delighted to hear that Professor Layton is going to be a film star, but if you have not quite made up your minds yet, and if you are still curious about the film, why not check out this UK "teaser trailer":

Give Your Face A Work-Out With The Nintendo DSi

We've had Brain Training,  Sight Training and Maths Training, now exclusive to the original DSi and DSi XL consoles comes Face Training, which is designed to strengthen and relax your facial muscles via a series of interactive exercises.

This game uses the DSi's built in motion camera to track the movement of your face as each exercise is performed. As with the previous 'training' games, the DSi must be placed like a book, so that the touch screen is on your right.

 This screen displays a camera image of your face, which acts like a mirror as you perform each exercise. The left screen gives clear animations and instructions on how each exercise should be performed. Players can also track their progress via the in-game calendar.

There are two training modes: Recommended Training and Intensive Training. Recommended Training features three different exercises which can be completed in about ten minutes. The Intensive mode allows players to target specific muscles in the neck and face, as well as allowing them to do all of the training exercises for a specified duration.

The main aim of this educational title is to reduce stress by tightening and contracting different sets of facial muscles and to strengthen weakened muscles.

However, one of the major downfalls of this title is the price. Although this game is set to retail at around £24.99, the exercises  do seem very easy to complete and it has to be said that most of them could be achieved by just sitting in front of an ordinary mirror and squeezing your cheeks, moving your mouth and  your eyes...Nevertheless, it is still fun to try and can help to fill a spare ten minutes or so during your lunch break. Overall rating: 6/10.

Face Training will be available to buy from the 24th of September 2010.

Doctor Who Gets RPG Adventure At Last!

The Doctor and Amy Pond (As played by Matt Smith and Karen Gillan) are to brave the TARDIS once again in an effort to save Earth from invasion by some very well-known enemies.

Doctor Who: Evactuation Earth is a brand new adventure by Doctor Who novelist Oli Smith. The game will be a puzzle-adventure and will feature over a hundred mind-bending puzzles to crack as you guide The Doctor and Amy through dangerous alien encounters with both the Silurians and the Daleks.

The DS game's release will also be accompanied by a limited edition Sonic Screwdriver stylus, (whilst the Wii version will be given a Wii-Remote holder in the shape of a giant Sonic Screwdriver) which we think will only add to the fun!

Moreover, both Matt Smith and Karen Gillian have lent their voices to the game characters, so this title will both look and sound as close to the TV programme as possible.

The release of this game will be good news to the thousands of Doctor Who fans who were left feeling disappointed by the Top Trumps DS game which also featured The Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones (played by David Tennant and Freema Agyman).

The game was supposed to be released in the UK at the end of October this year, but this has since been changed to the 19th November 2010. We at Mini Gamers are sure that it will be worth the wait!

Game Of The Week: Tetris Party Deluxe (DS)

The classic arcade game of the 1980's is back for another round on the Nintendo DS. For those of you who might not be familiar with the game - is that even possible??? - Tetris requires players to strategically place different coloured blocks of various shapes and sizes in rows to create several straight lines. Every successful line of blocks earns points and the speed of the falling blocks increases with each level. It might sound easy but anyone who has actually tried this game for themselves will tell you that it is both difficult and very addictive.

Tetris on the NES

Tetris was created by Russian computer engineer, Alexey Leonidovich Pajitnov in 1984 and has been reincarnated in many forms during its twenty-six year history and was previously released on the Nintendo DS in 2006 under the name of Tetris DS and went on to sell 2.5 million copies worldwide before going out of circulation. However the original DS version remains a very sought-after item and can often reach up to £35 per time in online gaming auctions.

Tetris on the latest iPod system

The latest incarnation of the Tetris series is adapted from a downloadableWiiWare title, and promises to be even more successful than its predecessor.

Screenshot from Tetris Party Deluxe

With over twenty different modes of play, Tetris Party Deluxe is definitely worth a try. Some of the more interesting modes include Bombliss, which challenges players to create lines with pieces which contain animated bombs. The bombs then create chain reactions of Tetris points.

Sprint is a standard time-challenge mode. Players must try to clear forty lines of blocks in the shortest time possible.

Master is one of the most difficult modes in the game and should only be attempted by hardcore Tetris fans. In this mode, the game starts on the fastest speed and the highest level, which means that blocks merely appear at the bottom of the screen and players only have a few seconds to sort the blocks into lines.

Tetris Party Deluxe (DS) features several game modes

 The game also features different multiplayer modes for up to eight players on a single game cartridge. Furthermore, DS players who are connected to the internet can also communicate with other players via the DS microphone in the new Tetris Battle Lobby.

Tetris Party Deluxe Trailer

At its heart, this puzzle title is still the same old Tetris repackaged for the next generation of gamers, that said, this DS title may yet prove to be the biggest and best collection of Tetris games ever produced. Old and new fans  of the series are bound to enjoy hours of fun with this game. Overall rating: 8/10

HAVE YOUR SAY...

Have you bought the new Tetris game? What do you think of the new game modes? Is Tetris still as appealing as it used to be?

Why not share your thoughts with other gamers on this site by leaving a comment in the comments box (or by clicking on the 'comments' text link in the main window)? We welcome your thoughts.