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.

James Bond 007: GoldenEye (DS/DSi)

James Bond gets set for another round of espionage in 007: GoldenEye (DS). Rather than being a simple port of the earlier Wii version, this game has been specifically produced by videogames' company n-space, who are also responsible for bringing three high-quality Call of Duty games onto the DS.  It also features an updated Bond as played by actor Daniel Craig.

The game itself is essentially a first-person shooter, but it does put a lot of emphasis on stealth during each of the in-game Bond missions,which helps to recreate the feeling of being an international super-spy. This game uses the D-pad as its the primary controller for Bond's movements and the shoulder buttons  (left and right buttons) are used for firing weapons. The stylus is used for focusing the camera so that Bond can examine his surroundings and look up, down, left and right.

Nevertheless, a stylus-based control system has also been included in the game for those who prefer to use it. This control system is quicker than the D-pad controls, but may not be as accurate overall. At the end of the day, the control system you choose will of course depend upon which one you find the most comfortable, but it is still nice to have the choice.

n-space's own 3D engine has been used to recreate the look of the main characters. As a result, the graphics are top-quality, which is still somewhat of a rarity on the DS consoles these days. The designers have also kept much of the original voice work from the main console versions, allowing Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench to play Bond and M respectively.

Furthermore, the game boasts an impressive AI system, which means that enemies will anticipate your attacks and will even think twice before entering a room where Bond is hiding. This makes the game missions very challenging to complete.

However, the same AI is also the main source of frustration with this game. Despite Bond's array of weapons, the control systems (both stylus and D-pad) sometimes seem to fail when Bond is aiming at enemies, whilst the AI enemies seem to be so sharp on the weaponry that Bond may as well just be standing there with a white flag in his hand as opposed to a gun.

The game features a strong multiplayer mode for up to six players  in several different modes using a variety of modifications, some of which will be recognisable from the original Wii version whilst others are exclusive to the DS.

Furthermore, the single player mode offers new content after the original story has been completed, including unlockable time trials, bonus missions and unlock cheats, which greatly increases the game's replay value.

This is a great game overall, but the difficult controls can lead to frustration when facing various enemies. Nevertheless, this is an excellent attempt to bring a high-quality Bond game to the DS and is likely to appeal to most First-Person Shooter fans and Bond enthusiasts alike. Overall rating: 7/10.

Handheld Games and UMDs To Help Get You In The Yuletide Mood

December has arrived at last, and most people's thoughts are inevitably turning towards Christmas. However, for some people, Christmas is a burden which somehow seems to arrive earlier and earlier each year... Thus, Mini Gamers has compiled a list of festive video games and accesories that will make even the most grumpiest, die-hard Scrooge feel Christmassy!

Nintendo DS/DSi Christmas Games

1. Disney's A Christmas Carol

This game puts a very interactive twist on one of the oldest and most-loved Christmas stories. Players must help move the plot along by using the stylus and DS microphone to aid Ebenezer Scrooge as he learns about the true meaning of Christmas.

The game has a really festive feel to it and contains several Christmas-themed mini games including snowball fights, building a snowman, cooking a traditional Christmas dinner, decorating Christmas trees and even singing Christmas Carols.

As well as the main storyline, each scene in the game contains festive items such as snowflakes, bells, angels and presents to collect. All the collected items can be placed on a big animated Christmas Tree at the end of the game.

The game is quite short, which makes it perfect for younger gamers, but adult gamers can't fail to be charmed by this little Christmas adventure either. This is the perfect family game.


2. Enchanted Folk and the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

This game is a life simulation which is played in real-time. That means that when it is Christmas in real life, the inhabitants of this magical little town are also busy 'Decking the halls' and preparing for a visit from that cheerful little guy in the red suit.

As well as finding festive items such as Christmas Stockings, Christmas Cards, Presents and Christmas Trees appearing in the local shops around the town, players will also be asked to take part in several Christmas-Themed Mysteries whereby they will meet winter magical beings including faries, and even get to lend a hand to Father Christmas himself!

Furthermore, a special Winter festival gets underway in early December each year. Players must collect several different coloured snowflakes that fall on the ground around the main town, forest and beach areas. Players who manage to collect one snowflake of each colour before the deadline will get a special prize.

This is a great game for fans of Life Simulations all year round, and the festive preparations of the virtual inhabitants will instantly make the December evenings feel even more Christmassy.


3. How The Grinch Stole Christmas

To be honest, this is more of an anti-Christmas game, which of course makes it perfect for anyone who wishes that Christmas would go and bury itself in a very large pit and never come out again. Nevertheless, fans of the festive season will also enjoy this simple strategy game in which The Grinch must try and steal all the Christmas presents and Decorations from unsuspecting human families.

Players must utilise The Grinch's arsenal of Christmas stealing tricks such as sneaks, slithers, dodgy and whacks in order to complete tasks. Each of these techniques will open up their own mini-game where you will have to use skill and timing to succeed.

Adapted from the best-selling children's story written by Dr. Suess, this game features simple cartoon graphics and plenty of Christmas items and festive fun. The game also features several levels of difficulty, which makes it a perfect Christmas game for all the family.

PSP Christmas UMD Movies and Festive Film Downloads

Unfortunately, the PSP does not really have any Christmas-themed video games of its own (bah, humbug), but that does not mean that PSP owners cannot use their PSP to get themselves into the Christmas mood this year. Instead of festive games, why not treat yourself to a selection of Christmas UMDs or downloads instead? 

Mini Gamers has cherry-picked our festive favourites from the host of new and traditional Christmas UMDs and downloads on offer. These are the films which made our top five:

1. Disney's A Christmas Carol



Jim Carrey stars as the cantankerous old  Mr. Scrooge in this imaginative re-telling of the yuletide classic. The film features lots of spectacular C.G.I action sequences and plenty of recognisable Christmas characters and festive fun. This film is both heart-warming and enjoyable for both adults and children alike. 

The film is DOWNLOAD ONLY and is available to either rent or buy from the Playstation Network Store now. Please note that a PSN Store Account will be necessary to allow purchase of downloaded movies or games. 

2.  Fred Claus



This film takes a whole new look at the legend of Father Christmas and chooses instead to focus on his  elder brother, Fred. Fred is tired of being the brother of a worldwide figure of giving and selflessness and is highly disenchanted with the whole Christmas tradition.

Nevertheless, when Fred requests that his brother (who, let's not forget, is Father Christmas) send him £5000 in bail money, St. Nick's patience finally wears thin and he demands that if Fred wants his money he must agree to come to the North Pole and work over the Christmas period. Fred reluctantly agrees, which is when a whole host of Christmas hilarity ensues...

This film is a refreshing change from traditional Christmas stories and even though it has a PG certificate, it still contains plenty of inferred adult humour which is sure to entertain. This UMD  film can be purchased from stores such as Play.com or HMV or  directly downloaded from the PSN store.

3. Santa Claus: The Movie

This film has been digitally restored from the original 1985 version and stars the late Dudley Moore as an ambitious and imaginitive Elf known as Patch. When Patch loses his position as 'Head Elf' at the North Pole he decides to leave and finds himself in New York City where he meets a greedy toymaker who is keen to exploit the naive elf's creative ideas.

However, Patch's toys are poorly made and soon children from all over the world are suffering from the effects of Patch's shoddy workmanship. Can Santa Claus locate his missing elf and create a new batch of toys in time for Christmas Eve?

This film is a true Christmas classic. It tells the story of how Santa Claus became the figure that everyone knows and even attempts to explain how Santa's reindeer can fly and how a fat man can somehow fit down the chimney. It might be over twenty-five years old now, but this film is as ageless as the legend of Father Christmas himself.

The film is DOWNLOAD ONLY and is available to buy from the Playstation Network Store now.


4. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Join Clark Griswold and his family as they prepare to celebrate the Christmas season with each other. Packed full of hillarious slapstick and witty dialogue, this film will have all the family roaring with laughter.This UMD  film can be purchased from stores such as Play.com or HMV or  directly downloaded from the PSN store.


5. Bad Santa

Billy Bob Thornton is Willie T. Stokes, a wise-cracking Department Store Santa who can't help but be more naughty than nice. Underneath his ill-fitting red suit, Willie is actually a safecracker who makes one big score every year - on Christmas Eve.

As shoppers head home from the mall, this Santa and his ingenious Elf - Willie's midget partner-incrime Marcus - crack the store safe and make off with their own holiday stash. But then comes Phoenix.

Here Santa and his Elf find their annual heist endangered by a store manager, a mall detective, a sexy Santa fan and an innocent but beleaguered 8 year-old misfit who decides to believe that Willie - as intoxicated, acid-tongued and felonious as he seems to be - is the real Santa he's been seeking?

This film is a very clever anti-Christmas movie which somehow still manages to make people feel festive. The dialogue is sharp and the action is brilliant - full of twists and turns. Nevertheless, with its 15 certificate, this is a Christmas film that will not be suitable for very young children.

This UMD  film can be purchased from stores such as Play.com or HMV or  directly downloaded from the PSN store. This title can be downloaded as a rental only from the PSN store as well.

So there you have it - games and films which are sure to make you feel in the mood for Christmas. The Mini Gamers blogsite will be here throughout December and we will be bringing you tips for all the top gaming Christmas presents for every different kind of gamer, as well as continuing to bring you all the latest news and reviews in the world of handheld gaming.

Game of the Week: TRON: Evolution (DS & PSP)

TRON IS BACK! The cult classic from the 1980's has been given a new twist for modern audiences in the form of TRON: Legacy, which is set to debut in UK cinemas on the 26th of December this year. In addition to this, a new videogame called TRON: Evolution was released earlier this week.

TRON: Evolution is set during the era between the two TRON films.  It has been developed by Propaganda Games and Disney Interactive Studios.  The game has an independent storyline, which 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: Evolution is set seven years after the events of the first film. In the game, the original paradise of Kevin Flynn's world (the hero in the 1982 TRON film), is fast-becoming the dystopian police-state that will be portrayed in the new movie.

Gamers play as 'Anon', an impressive AI system monitor created by Kevin Flynn. Anon must investigate the mysterious emergence of new corrupt ISOs (a race of programs that are not created by humans but are entirely self-created) and the rise of the malevolent Abraxas virus. Anon's main function is to destroy Abraxas.

TRON Evolution is a third person Action-Adventure game. It mixes enemy battles with fast-paced racing action.There are three basic attacks which can be used against enemies: melee, light disc and special disc, which can be strung together into interesting combos.

Each attack's success varies depending on Anon's movements within the game. For example, sprinting whilst using the attack discs means that attacks will be weaker upon impact but they will be faster to implement, while a defensive stance will increase the power and range of your special disc moves, and also replaces your normal jump moves with a very helpful 'rolling dodge'.

Much of the game is spent jumping over chasms and avoiding obstacles around the dystopic landscape, which has some strong platformer elements in it.

The racing sections involve high-speed chases against enemy bikers. Players must expertly avoid falling objects which will attempt to block their path, as well as deadly luminous 'gates' which seem to descend out of nowhere, but which spell instant death to the game's main character when touched.

 the DS and PSP versions of the game also feature a Grid Games Championship section, where players compete in arena matches or in races. Grid games also feature local multiplayer with iconic TRON vehicles, such as light cycles and light tanks in both competitive and co-operative modes such as capture the flag and last man standing. PSP owners can also download bonus content from the PSN store.

This game is actually very enjoyable for a movie tie-in and will appeal to action gamers and platformer fans alike. It is also an interesting introduction into the TRON universe. Overall rating 8/10.

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: Doctor Who: Evacuation Earth (DS/DSi)

It is great news for fans of the long-running TV show everywhere, as Doctor Who has finally been given his own RPG Action-Adventure on the Nintendo DS. The game has been officially licensed by BBC Worldwide and features complete voice work by the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, and his Companion Amy Pond  (Karen Gillan), which helps to give it the feel of an actual Doctor Who episode.

The game has also been coupled with a special Sonic Screwdriver Stylus Pack, which is sure to be a good stocking filler this Christmas.  A Wii  game called Dr. Who: Return to Earth also accompanies this title.

In Doctor Who: Evacuation Earth, The Doctor and Amy travel to the Lake District shortly before the end of the world. They have come to supervise the human evactuation from the planet's surface. However, it is not long before the two of them run into trouble.

The TARDIS gets pulled on board the Evacuation ship and The Doctor and Amy must engage in a fierce battle with two very well-known enemies - The Silurians and The Daleks - in order to get it back.  

Doctor Who: Evacuation Earth includes over 100 logic puzzles to solve, plus over 60 exciting locations to explore. The game itself has been marketed for a family audience, which does mean that some of the puzzles are very easy to complete. Nevertheless, the storyline is both witty and very enjoyable.

On the whole, this is a good puzzle Action-Adventure game which is sure to interest any Doctor Who fan. However, the easy-to-complete puzzles may get on the nerves of some adults who wish to be challenged by their video games. Overall rating: 8/10.

Opening Scenes from Doctor Who: Evaction Earth

Call Of Duty: Black Ops Launched at Midnight.

Video game producers Activision staged a midnight launch last night for the latest Call of Duty game, known as Call of Duty: Black Ops.

As part of the UK launch, entertainment giant, HMV opened 100 of its highstreet stores overnight, including its flagship Oxford Street branch, which was attended by approximately 350 gamers, some of whom had been queueing for more than twelve hours in order to get their hands on the game!

A free version of the special Prestige Edition of Call of Duty: Black Ops was handed to student Imran Chowdhury, who happened to be the first customer in the Oxford Street HMV store at midnight. Other prizes were also on offer for the store's first 500 customers.

All UK HMV branches are currently offering an Exchange Promotion on the Xbox and PS3 versions of EA's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which means that gamers can get the new Call of Duty: Black Ops game for £7.99 when they trade in an old copy of Modern Warfare 2. Unfortunately, this offer does not apply to the Nintendo DS. 

HMV were not the only retailer to take advantage of the midnight launch. Supermarket retailer, Tesco also opened up 362 of its UK stores.

Meanwhile, a special launch party was held at the disused Battersea Powerstation last night. A life size image of the Call of Duty: Black Ops logo was beamed onto the side of the building in celebration. The party included a celebrity tournament of the game and a performace by British rapstar Tinie Tempah.

The US launch was an even more lavish affair. GameStop opened a total of 4408 branches of its retail chain across the country, whilst Best Buy and Walmart also opened many of their branches at midnight as well. The US launch party was also headlined by a stage performance from rock veterans Metallica.

So far, one million sales are predicted for Call of Duty: Black Ops in its first week of sale alone, which could put it at the very top of the Christmas gaming market. Judging from the amount of pre-order sales alone, this is very likely.

HMV's Head of Games, Tim Ellis said: "Call of Duty: Black Ops is set to challenge last year's phenomenon Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to become the fastest and biggest selling title in games history." [sourced from: http://www.gamesindustrybiz/articles/2010-11-09]

Whether the game does indeed manage to top the Christmas gaming charts or not, one thing is for certain, with its use of  heart-racing action and an in-depth storyline which sees players engage in secret warfare, and millitary operations, as well as explosive conflicts across the globe, the Nintendo DS version of Call of Duty: Black Ops is definitely worth a try.

Game Of The Week: God Of War: Ghost Of Sparta

Kratos has returned to the PSP in an epic new story, with more ferocious mythical battles, trademark gameplay, and groundbreaking graphics. God of War: Ghost of Sparta is a prequel to the best-selling God Of War franchise, set just after the events in the original God of War game on the Playstation 2. This game finally attempts to deal with Kratos' mysterious and troubled past and follows his ascension to power as the God of War.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta features many elements that will be instantly recognisable to fans of the series so far, including many quick-time events, puzzles and boss fights.

The latest game also features new weapons, magical powers and navigational abilities not present in previous games, including the Arms of Sparta - a powerful spear and shield combo - which will allow Kratos to battle more realistically than ever before.

Kratos' new magical abilities include the Eye of Atlantis, which is a weapon that allows you to harness the power of Atlantis and use it to electrocute your enemies. The Scourge of Erinys; this artifact shoots dark energy with the similar rapid range blast of Typhon's Bane in God of War II  but it is much stronger, and lastly, the Horn of Boreas, which freezes nearby enemies.  it can also freeze the magic meter so Kratos can use magic without draining any power, but this only works for a few seconds at a time.

The game has also been cited as featuring twenty-five percent more gameplay than its brilliant PSP predecessor Chains of Olympus. That means that the gameplay is almost double in length than those of the other games in the series, which in turn means more treasure chests to find, more puzzles to solve and more abilites to master.

If you ever wondered just how Kratos got that scar then this is the perfect game for you. It is also good for newcomers to the series. Nevertheless, as fans will know, this game has been given an '18+' age certificate so expect plenty of blood and guts. This is not a title for the faint-hearted.

Official Trailer

 This game is a cinematic masterpiece. The cutscenes are interesting but not too long, and the graphics are truly stunning. This could well prove to be one of the best Action-Adventure games to be released on the PSP this year.

 If you are new to the series, but are not opposed to fighting or battle action-adventures, then this is the perfect place to start. If you are already a fan of the series then this title is a must-have as it fills in story details which have been neglected in all of the previous games. Overall rating: 10/10.

More Delays For EyePet PSP and Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz

EyePet PSP and Buzz: Ultimate Music Quiz are to suffer from futher delays it was revealed today. The news follows the SCEE's decision to stop producing PSP Development Kits on the 15th November this year.

Eyepet PSP was first announced at E3 earlier this year, and was originally given an late October release date. This was subsequently changed to the 5th of November 2010.

However, the game has once again been delayed without a clear reason. The new release date for Eyepet PSP is the 19th of November 2010, but there is no way of telling whether this date will be changed again between now and then, and to make matters worse, Eyepet PSP isn't the only PSP game to delay its release by a number of weeks.

Buzz: The Ultimate Music Quiz was also supposed to be released on the 15th of October this year. That date was then changed to the 19th November 2010. Now the game is set to be delayed until the 26th of November 2010.

These two games are sadly a further example of the PSP's overall decline in the gaming market. With the launch of the PSP Go console, which allows game media to be downloaded directly  onto its built-in hard drive, more and more video game retailers have chosen to only stock a limited amount of PSP games and peripherals. This is a trend which is set to worsen after the Development Kits have been discontinued.

                    

Several  popular PSP games have been delayed until next year, including Star Wars III: The Clone Wars and Patapon 3. Whilst an even greater number of  sequels to successful PSP games have failed to even been produced for PSP at all, including The Force Unleashed II, whose predecessor (The Force Unleashed) was a huge smash on PSP, and The Sims 3.

Speaking at E3 in June this year, Sony Computer Entertainment America CEO, Jack Tretton, promised PSP fans that an amazing 70 new titles for the handheld console by the end of 2010, but as the amount of delays increases, this promise is unlikely to be fulfilled.

In recent months, several rumours concerning new types of PSP console have emerged, including rumours of a new gaming device nicknamed the PSP 2, which Sony refuses to acknowledge, and a new mobile phone with PSP gaming capabilities, which is said to already be in development. Is this the end of the Sony PSP as we know it?