Nintendo Shares BuyBack: Yamauchi Family To Sell Their Shares?

Nintendo has stated that it is prepared to purchase as many as 9.5 million shares  - at 12,025 yen apiece - in an extraordinary buyback deal amounting to around $1.1 billion US Dollars (approximately £649,525,000).

The deal has been offered in an effort to calm worried Nintendo shareholders after the company's third dismal financial forecast in three years, revealed heavy losses of around £205 millon.

According to an article on the Bloomberg website, among the shareholders now wishing to sell their shares back to Nintendo, is the family of Hiroshi Yamauchi - the former CEO and President of the company, who is largely credited with turning the Nintendo brand into the successful video gaming powerhouse it is known as today.

Hiroshi Yamauchi worked at Nintendo for 53 years

Hiroshi Yamauchi had around ten percent of shares in Nintendo at the time of his death on the 19th September 2013. These shares were subsequently divided between his four children after he died.

It is still unclear whether the family wish to sell all of their entire percentage of shares back to Nintendo, or just a portion of them. Nevertheless, with Nintendo share prices having steadily fallen by almost eighty percent since 2007, the buyback scheme could not have come at a more appropriate time.

Sotaru Iwata CEO and President of Nintendo

Other special measures have been implemented by Nintendo since learning about their current losses,  including a fifty percent cut in pay for the current CEO, Sotaru Iwata, and another thirty percent pay-cut for the two board directors, who include Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of the hugely successful Mario series of games.

Shigeru Miyamoto faces a 30% pay reduction

Other board members will all face pay-cuts of up to twenty percent. It is not known how long these pay-cuts will remain in effect. Nevertheless, Iwata's pay is likely to remain halved for the next five months at least, in recognition of the company's recent losses.

Nintendo do seem to be making a sincere effort to recover from their recent loss but it will only become apparent in next year's financial report whether or not any of these special measures have helped to yield future profit for the company. Only time will tell...

Monster Hunter 4G WILL get Western Release Date...

Capcom has confirmed that the latest Monster Hunter title, known as Monster Hunter 4G, which has recently been announced for development in Japan,  WILL also be released in Europe some time in Spring 2015 under the slightly different name of Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate.

 As well as promising that the new game would stay true to the successful format of previous Monster Hunter games, producer Ryozo Tsujimoto has promised that Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate will include lots of new game mechanics that should entice new fans to the series.

 Among those changes mentioned were: more vertical and lateral movement than in the previous games, as well as more multiplayer options, including the ability to hunt monsters with friends via online multiplayer, which is now being offered alongside the usual local wireless connection.

This is good news for all European Monster Hunter fans, although no doubt the news will come as a slight disappointment to those of you who had expected a 'late 2014' release date.

The game will be exclusive to Nintendo's 3DS and 2DS handheld consoles. Unlike last year, with the release of Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate, no Wii U version of the game has yet been mentioned. A video of the Capcom announcement can be viewed below:

* if you are having trouble viewing this video, please click HERE

Game of the Week: OlliOlli [PS Vita]

OlliOlli is a new score-based skateboarding game. It has been produced and developed exclusively for the PS Vita by Roll7 who are best known for making IOS games for Apple Smartphones.

OlliOlli features fifty 2D side-scrolling levels, in which players attempt to perform various combinations of skateboarding moves (from 250 well-known tricks) as perfectly as possible in order to beat the current high-score.

Each level has a unique set of goals for players to complete, which can include reaching basic high-score targets to more complicated challenges like collecting certain items on route, grinding along on specific objects, or even refraining from performing certain moves during combos etc.

One of the best (and most frustrating things) about OlliOlli is that the entire game operates on a simple one-life system. This means that rather than judging the speed at which players complete the chosen level, as in some skateboarding games, the main objective here is simply to complete the level whilst performing as many combinations of tricks as possible in order to boost your high-score. If you crash once anywhere in a level, it is Game Over and the level must be restarted from the beginning. This adds tons of replay value to the game.

As well as being awarded for trick combinations, a huge number of points are also awarded for perfect landings, with no points being given for so-called 'sloppy' landings. The game uses a very simple control method, with all of the basic moves being performed via combinations of the 'X' button and the left analog stick. However, learning to time the use of these two buttons effectively is essential in earning a respectable high-score.

It sounds complicated, but don't worry. The in-game tutorial will help novices to master all the basic skills and help them to perfect their landings at the same time. Furthermore, all of the levels in the game's Career Mode are instantly re-playable by touching the 'redo' button on the top left-hand corner of the screen

Once players have significantly mastered the timings and combos in Career Mode enough to create high-scores, they may wish to take part in The Daily Grind. This is a special mode, which changes every 24 hours.

In The Daily Grind, players are expected to test their skateboarding skills on a random level of the game. The Player's high-score is then uploaded to the game's Online Leaderboards. However, the one-life functionality of the main game is also present here. This means that although players may practice the level as many times as they wish before the 24 hours elapses, they only get one chance to perform the level for real.

After the level has been completed, (which occurs by selecting the 'Play for Real' option on the PS Vita touchscreen), the player's score will be automatically uploaded to the Online Leaderboards. Players will then have to wait a full 24 hours before they can take part in The Daily Grind again.

Completing levels successfully will unlock so-called 'Spots'. Players can then challenge other OlliOlli users across the world to achieve the best score on the Spots that they have discovered in career mode. The highest scorer in the Spot Leaderboards will become the King of the Spot.

Completing all levels in Career Mode and unlocking all available Spot locations will automatically unlock a more challenging mode of the game called RAD Mode.

 OlliOlli is a game that is easy-to-play but hard-to master. Priced at a mere £7.99 (or £6.39 for Playstation Plus members), OlliOlli will suit most budgets,whilst the hundreds of trick combinations and different gaming modes means that it is both addictive and engrossing. In conclusion, this is a title that is bound to keep the majority of gamers happy for many hours to come. Overall Rating: 10/10

OlliOlli is available to download now from the PS Store. 

Iwata Refutes Rumors Of A Management Shake-Up At Nintendo...

President of Nintendo, Satoru Iwata, has today refuted claims that recent financial losses at the company had resulted in calls for his resignation.

Nintendo suffered significant losses in its overall game and hardware sales last year. Early this morning, Nintendo reported that it is revising its annual forecast. The company now expects a net loss of £205 millon at the end of its official fiscal year in March 2014. That’s contrary to its previous financial forecast, which wrongly predicted Nintendo would bring in a net profit of around £587 million.

The loss has been mainly attributed to the poor sales of Nintendo's latest home console, the Wii U, which has consistently failed to attract a high level of consumers since it was first released in November 2012. Nintendo shares have also fallen slightly in the wake of this news.

Despite the dismal fiscal forecast, Sotaru Iwata has flatly denied that there is any truth in a potential 'management shake-up' or in the fact that he himself had been forced to resign over the issue. Speaking to reporters recently, Iwata said: "There will be no major management shake-up in the short term," [sourced from: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-01-17-satoru-iwata-downplays-resignation-talk] 

Sotaru Iwata has also apologized to Nintendo Shareholders recently at a special conference held to discuss the financial crisis. He said: "The most important thing is to reinvigorate Nintendo's business as quickly as possible... I will not resign, but stay in office to carry that through." [sourced from: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-01-17-nintendo-slashes-wii-u-forecast-from-9m-to-2-8m.]

However, even if Iwata's job appears to be safe for now, Nintendo are still going to have to work especially hard if they are to recover from the disappointing losses. Whether they can indeed turn things around is by no means clear. All we know at the moment is that Nintendo's future is clearly hanging in the balance.

HAVE YOUR SAY...

What do you think of the news that Nintendo has experienced its third loss in three years?

Do you think that Satoru Iwata should resign as President of Nintendo?

If you have any thoughts relating to the article above and wish to share them with us, then please feel free to leave us a comment and let us know. 

One To Watch - Mario Party: Island Tour [3DS/2DS]

The first Mario game of 2014 also marks the debut of the Mario Party series on the 3DS. The game which is called Mario Party: Island Tour, is filled with lots of fun mini-games for fans to explore.

The game is designed to be played with up to four players, and thanks to the Nintendo 3DS' handy Download Play feature, the game can now be shared via a single cartridge, which makes multiplayer gaming much easier.

The game's single player mode is designed so that players compete against three computer-generated [COM] opponents from the Mario Universe. However, players can now choose who their COM opponents will be and also alter the skill setting of each opponent in turn to make the game harder or easier to play.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the previous titles in the Mario Party franchise, the idea is that players must work their way through the island like a board game. Players must roll dice and move a set number of spaces until they reach the goal.

 All players (including COM players,) must roll a dice at the start of the game to determine the order of play - the player with the highest dice number goes first, the next highest goes second and so on. Players can also play mini games at the end of each round to earn more dice, and give them a better chance of scoring higher and thus a chance of reaching the finishing goal faster.

The game also features special spaces (as found on many traditional board games to date,) which can either help or hinder a player's progress across the board. There are many different spaces, depending on which of the game boards you have chosen to play, including the following:

SPECIAL ITEM:  landing on this space grants the player a special bonus item which can be used on their next turn. a few examples of special items include: The Golden Dash Mushroom; which allows players to add five more moves onto their dice score, The Lucky Star; which allows players to multiply their dice score by two, and The Setback Shell; which can be used to make an opponent take two spaces backwards on the board.

Players can own a maximum of three special items at any one time. If players earn more than three special items during a round, they will be asked to choose a special item to discard.

BOWSER TIME: Players who land on this space will be subjected to a random consequence imposed by the evil Bowser. These consequences are usually detrimental to the players' progress in the game, but not always.

An example of a negative consequence would be Lose all special items, which means that players will be immediately stripped of any special items that they have accumulated in the game thus far. An example of a positive consequence could see players Warp to the finish, thus giving them the best chance of being the overall winner of the game.

EVENT: This space triggers something which will either move the chosen player forward or backwards within the game. An example of this is the terrifyingly-brilliant Piranha Plant, which throws players backwards a number of spaces, depending on their roll of the dice.

CHALLENGE OR VS.: These spaces are very similar in that they will both trigger random mini-games. However, the rewards for completing the mini-games is slightly different. Challenge Squares will challenge the player to a mini-game, where being first will earn them a bonus dice or a special item.

Versus spaces [VS.] sees all four players compete against each other in a 'best of three' type activity. Completing the activity the fastest three times will result in bonus rewards.

There are a total of seven different types of main game boards each with different spaces and challenges available, which adds lots of variety to the game. Mini-games become unlocked during certain rounds of the game. Once unlocked, they will be added to the Mini-games section on the start screen and can be played independently of the main game.

In conclusion, Mario Party: Island Tour makes a very good addition to the Mario Party franchise, with humorous twists and turns and quirky mini-games, it is likely to appeal to most mini-game fans out there.

One slight criticism of the game is that some of the main game boards felt a little too long sometimes, whilst others seemed to be over far too quickly. Nevertheless, this is still a fun title to play with friends and family, as its easy and familiar style, as well as its colourful graphics will appeal to even the youngest of gamers. Mario fans are sure to find lots to delight and entertain them in this game. Overall rating: 8/10.


Mario Party: Island Tour will be available to buy from Friday the 17th of January 2014.

Upcoming Handheld Titles for 2014 - PART TWO: PS Vita 2014 Releases..

Hello! Welcome to the second of our Mini Gamers posts about the exciting new handheld games that we can expect to see throughout the coming year. Last time we had a look at the some of the best new 3DS titles on offer in 2014, and today we examine some of the best titles that Sony will be offering us on their PS Vita console in 2014. Indeed, we have unearthed a few surprises...

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z is the first Dragon Ball Z game in over two years. It will launch on January 28th 2014 for PS3 and as a digital download for PS Vita. The game will feature battle and co-op missions. It also allows players to create their own team of up to four players, and it will be the first game of its kind to feature Online Multiplayer.

Characters can now be heavily customized via 'unlockable cards', and players can team up any of the characters that they wish from those available. Players can also alter their battle style by changing Regulations in the online team battle settings.

This game also delves deeper into the historical backstory of Dragon Ball Z. If you were a fan of the original game or indeed a fan of the TV series, then this is definitely a worthy new title for your collection.

Danganronpa:

Trigger Happy Havoc

Essentially, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is a murder mystery game. Exclusive to the PS Vita, the game plays like an interactive novel. Gameplay is similar in style to the Ace Attorney series, revolving around investigating different areas of the main location, and finding contradictions in witness accounts, but this time, the main action takes place in a High School where one of the students has been murdered.

The game has several different elements that can be enjoyed. For example, Class Trials allow players to discuss who they think the culprit is with the other 'classmates.' Class Trials consist of  four main styles of gameplay: Nonstop Debate, Epiphany Anagram, Machinegun Talk Battle and Climax Logic. The most common of these is the Nonstop Debate, where characters will automatically discuss their thoughts on the case, with potential 'weak points' highlighted in yellow.  In order to break the debate, the player must find a lie or contradiction from the displayed weak points and shoot it with a  special 'truth' bullet, which contains evidence that a statement is false.

If you like murder mysteries, then Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is likely to provide you with hours of engrossing entertainment. The game is scheduled for European and North American release on the 11th of February 2014, with a follow-up title Danganronpa: Another Episode being released later on in the year.

Toukiden: The Age of Demons

Toukiden is a third-person monster hunting game. Groups of up to four players (Via wi-fi or Online Multiplayer) or a single player with three other Non-Playable Characters fight together against various monsters during quests. 

 Players can customize their choice of weapons, armor and skills. Special abilities can be obtained through special 'souls' known as mitama, which can be collected during the progress of the game. These mitama can level up by gaining experience from battles, or by paying a certain sum of haku, which is the in-game currency.

At first glance, Toukiden: Age of Demons could be mistaken for a copy of Monster Hunter, but the games emphasis on co-op play gives it a great advantage. The game was released in Japan last year and it became the second single biggest-selling game in the country in 2013. 

If you fancy a bit of monster-slaying with your mates, then you should not have too long to wait as Toukiden: Age of Demons is expected to be released on the 11th February 2014.

Playstation Vita Pets

At first, Playstation Vita Pets could be mistaken for being an ordinary pet simulation game but we have to say, that this game does offer a lot more than the usual care, feed, wash, train and play format of most simulation games currently on the market to date.

Players can choose from one of four different breeds of puppy, each with his or her own personality. This is where the game immediately makes its own distinction from other games in the same genre, because your puppy can actually talk to you and share its thoughts.

It sounds mad - and it is! it is also strangely appealing as rather than having to guess at what your puppy is thinking, they can simply tell you. Players will of course be expected to complete the standard 'care' tasks of looking after their pet, cleaning it up and playing with it, but the game then goes one stage further, and adds an almost action-adventure element to the game.

Players and their chosen puppy can explore outside environments where you can work together to find clues and hidden objects that can help uncover the secrets of the mysterious Castlewood Island. There has also been hints of some special Augmented Reality elements, but no further details have emerged about this yet.

This sounds like a fun and original concept of a well-loved gaming genre, and Mini Gamers cannot wait to see how the game develops in the next few months. No specific release date has been announced yet, but the game is definitely expected to be released before the end of 2014.  A Youtube trailer showing the game's major elements can be viewed below:

So, that marks the end of our special look at some of the best PS Vita games on offer in 2014. Be sure to keep checking in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for more new releases. We look forward to bringing you all the updated information on these games as it occurs.

Upcoming Handheld Titles for 2014 - PART ONE: Nintendo 3DS 2014 Releases...

It's 2014, and as always, a New Year always brings the promise of new games on the horizon. We here at Mini Gamers HQ have rounded up the best selection of handheld games which have all been scheduled for release in the coming year. In the first of two posts, we examine the best 2014 game releases for the 3DS, so which one will you be likely to spend your money on? Let's find out...

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

With an intended release date of Spring 2014, Kirby: Triple Deluxe will mark the series' debut on the 3DS handheld system. The game will keep a lot of the mechanics from the original Kirby titles, including Kirby's use of Copy Abilities, but new moves have also been added, including a new ability called Hypernova, which can be unlocked by touching a special kind of bean. The Hypernova ability strengthens Kirby's usual inhaling powers, allowing him to move heavy objects such as trees much more easily, or even grab large projectiles and hurl them back at enemies.

Several new mechanics, such as Star Boxes, which teleport Kirby to other boxes if he steps on them, and Glass Walls that rid Kirby of all his current collected abilities when he walks through them, are also introduced in this game. 

Kirby: Triple Deluxe also takes advantage of the 3DS' gyroscopic sensor and tilt controls during certain sections of the game. This game is most similar to the Wii title, Kirby's Return to Dream Land, and indeed a lot of the copy abilities from that particular game do make an awesome return here.

 Kirby: Triple Deluxe has already been released in Japan, and although there is no definite European release date at this time, the game is certainly scheduled to reach European shores within the next three to five months. Kirby fans definitely have a lot to look forward to!

Mario Golf: World Tour

Originally scheduled for release in 2013, it has been a long wait for fans of the Mario sport titles. Nevertheless, we can now reveal that Mario Golf: World Tour has now been scheduled for release some time in 2014. 

No specific release dates or gameplay information have been provided as yet, but some of the main game features have been announced, including online leaderboards and Online Multiplayer functionality, as well as the ability for users to create their own tournaments, which will feature many beloved characters from the Mario universe. 

Professor Layton VS. Phoenix Wright

It has taken almost two years, but the 3DS cross-franchise title, Professor Layton VS. Phoenix Wright has finally been given a European release date. The game features characters from the hugely successful Professor Layton series pit their wits against that ace Attorney of law, Phoenix Wright.

The game is expected to include many of the classic gameplay elements from both franchises, and centres around a young girl who is accused of being a witch and put on trial. The game is also split into two kinds of gameplay elements - Adventure and Witch Trial - which intersperse throughout the main storyline. 

In the adventure elements, players can explore the main environments, solve puzzles and hunt for specific clues. Hint coins can be used to unlock solutions to puzzles and Picarats will be awarded for correct answers, with more Picarats being awarded for more difficult puzzles, which will instantly be familiar to fans of the Professor Layton games.

In the witch-trial elements, players will be expected to take on the role of Phoenix Wright as he cross-examines witnesses in order to defend his client. Whilst cross-examining a witness, the player can press them for more details, which can sometimes yield new information. 

The player's main task is to look for contradictions in the witness statements and present the evidence that contradicts their statement. If the player presents the wrong evidence at the wrong time, the player will lose a strike, with the game ending if the player loses all of their strikes, which again, will already be familiar to fans of the Ace Attorney series of games.

This game will also feature voice-overs and animated cutscenes, which is a brand new element for Phoenix Wright. 

There is certainly a lot on offer to fans of either franchise, and Mini Gamers predicts that this will be one of the top 3DS games in 2014. Professor Layton VS. Phoenix Wright is expected to be released in Europe on the 28th March 2014 - be sure to put that date in your diary!

Yoshi's New Island

Very little has been heard from that lovable little dinosaur, Yoshi, since Yoshi's Island was originally released on the Nintendo DS back in 2006.  Yoshi’s New Island is a 3DS sequel to the Super Nintendo title Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, and takes place in an entirely new location, Egg Island.

In this new chapter in the series, Baby Luigi has been whisked away once again, leaving it up to the Yoshi clan to keep Baby Mario out of harm’s way and embark on a mission to help reunite the two brothers.

Yoshi's New Island is expected to be released in Europe on the 14th of March 2014. There are also rumors that certain pre-orders for the UK release of the game may be accompanied by a dinosaur egg-themed storage box, but this has yet to be confirmed by retailers.

Super Smash Bros. 

For those of you who are yet unfamiliar with this series, Super Smash Bros,. is a competitive fighting game in which up to four players from various Nintendo games fight against each other. Players use a variety of attacks to damage their opponent, increasing their damage percentage which makes them easier to knock out of the playing field. 

Very little has been announced about the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros., to date. However, this title will mark the first ever portable version of the popular Nintendo fighting franchise and the game is expected to be released some time in 2014. Please keep checking in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for more news on the game's development as it occurs.

So, there you have it - some of the 3DS titles to keep watch for in 2014.  Join us next time when Mini Gamers will be looking at some of the best upcoming PS Vita titles.

Which 2014 3DS game are YOU most looking forward to? 

Why not leave us a comment and let us know your thoughts. 

Mini Gamers Big Christmas Gaming Quiz 2013

Welcome to the Mini Gamers: Big Christmas Gaming Quiz 2013! There are no prizes for winning, but it can be fun trying to prove who has the best gaming knowledge amongst your friends and family. So, here are 25 questions about the world of video gaming. Can you answer them all?

HOW TO PLAY:

• Select the correct answer from the list of potential answers in order to gain points.

• The maximum number of points that can be earned per question is 100 points.

• Questions are timed. Answer quickly to gain more points.

• Video Questions have been given extra time, but points will still count down. Answer as soon as you can.

Merry Christmas and Good Luck!!!

Unusual and Rare Novelty Christmas Gifts for Gamers 2013...

 

 

 

 

With only a small number of shopping days left until Christmas, it can sometimes be difficult to decide what that perfect present should be, especially when it comes to pleasing the gamer in your life.

 

If you have exhausted the usual ideas of  gift tokens and game bundles, and want to get your videogame fanatical loved-ones something a little bit special this year, then look no further. Mini Gamers has found a collection of unusual gaming paraphernalia that is sure to delight even the fussiest of gamers. 

PlayStation Cufflinks

 

There are actually a surprising number of PlayStation cufflink designs available, but we thought that these Harvey Makin silver gamepad cufflinks sold from Amazon.co.uk looked particularly nice. 

 

Costing from as little as £8.50, and shaped like the standard PlayStation controllers, these would make a delightful gift for many male gamers. Hurry though, gifts like these are unlikely to stay in stock for long at this time of year.

 

Gaming T-shirts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gaming T-shirts or Hoodies like the one pictured above are another great gift idea. They typically tend to cost between £11.99-£19.99 online, and look very stylish. There are various T-shirt slogans and designs available this year for both men and women. A few of our personal favourites are:

 

• Eat, Sleep, Game [Men's T-shirt]
•  Eat, Sleep, Game [Ladies T-shirt]
• Xbox Achievement 'Left The House' T-shirt [Unisex]
• Xbox Achievement 'Got Out Of Bed' T-shirt [Unisex]
• Sarcastic Comment Loading 'Geek' T-shirt [Unisex]
• Vectorbomb 'Gamer' Hoodie [Unisex]

 

'First Class Gamer' Gaming Mugs

 

 

 

These 'First Class Gamer' mugs made us smile when we saw them. Featuring a standard 1st class stamp design, and with a price tag of around £9.99, these mugs are both a simple and practical little gift which will brighten up the home of any avid gamer. Better still, the mugs come in a blue design for male gamers, or pink for female gamers.

 

If you like the idea of a gaming mug but find that the 'First Class Gamer' design doesn't really appeal, then you might want to check out this small collection of alternative gaming mugs instead. Prices vary, but all of the featured mugs range somewhere between £5.95-£13.50 to buy, depending on the size and design of the mug:

• Evolution of the Gamer  [The Victorian Printing Company]
• Keep Calm and Kill Zombies [Twisted Envy]
• Space Invaders Retro [Makaya]
• Large Coffee Cup LOADING PLEASE WAIT [Makaya] 
• GRAND THEFT AUTO 5 GTA LOS SANTOS V GTA5 game mug [MintPrintz]

 

Car Air-Fresheners

 

 

 

 Okay, so a car air freshener is hardly the most exciting gift that you could hope to give to someone this Christmas, but it is fair to say that this exclusive range of novelty gaming-themed car air-fresheners by AAF-Geek, do put a new spin on the traditional car accessory, and at around only £3.99 each, they will make unusual stocking-fillers.

 

Again, there are many designs to choose from (like the one shown above,) but there were a few designs that we here at Mini Gamers HQ thought were particularly good:

• HALO CAR AIR FRESHENER
• SUPER MARIO & FIREBALL CAR AIR FRESHENER
• ASSASSINS CREED 2 CAR AIR FRESHENER 
• GAMER COUPLE CAR AIR FRESHENER    
• GIRL GAMER CAR AIR FRESHENER
•  GAMER 4 LIFE CAR AIR FRESHENER     

    

   Teen and Child Gaming Gifts

 

Whilst on the hunt for some of the rarer and more unique gamer-related Christmas gift ideas, we did stumble across a few items which seemed tailored to the teenage and child end of the gaming market. 

 

It was difficult to separate these items into their own separate categories, but we did think that they were worth a mention, so here are is a shortlist of items that we think will suit teenagers and children:

• Gaming Cushions:

 

 

These amazing cushions come in two separate designs: ARMY GAMERS WARFARE 3 18"  and ARMY GAMERS WARFARE DESIGN 4 18". They have been specially created by L & S Prints and will most likely suit teenage fans of games like Killzone, Call of Duty, Battlefront etc. Each cushion is machine washable and costs around £16.99.

 

• Gaming Chairs and Beanbags:

Gaming can sometimes be an uncomfortable pastime. Sore thumbs, stiff necks and bad backs are some of the more common complaints suffered by many hardcore gamers, but comfortable and practical seating can solve a lot of the aches and pains when one is gaming for an extended length of time.

 

• The i-eX® Rookie Gaming Chair (pictured above) is a faux leather beanbag style chair aimed specifically at child and young teenage gamers. It is lightweight and easily movable and apparently gives great back and neck support. Nevertheless, like most gaming chairs on the market today, this chair comes with a rather hefty price tag of £44.50.

•  Faux Leather Metallic Gold Gaming Seat Chair This traditional golden beanbag chair is both hard-wearing and stylish. Whilst it cannot claim to offer the full-body support of an actual gaming chair, it will provide a comfortable and relaxing seat for child and teen gamers. Retailing at only £13.05 it is a real bargain and a good alternative for those of you whose budgets can not stretch to that of a 'high-end' gaming chair.

 

• Gaming 'Keep Out' Door Signs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 With most teenagers (and even some pre-teens) needing that little bit of extra privacy, these varied but apt gaming-themed door signs ought to make a great stocking-filler for any avid gamer.

 

With a price range of between £2.99-£7.99, the signs are easily within most household budgets and there is a range of colours and slogans to appeal to many different types of gamer. Here is a shortlist of our personal favourite door signs:

•  Gamer On Duty (Call of Duty Spoof door sign)
• Keep Out - Gamer at Work
• Gaming In Progress- Enter At Your Own Risk
•  Girl Gaming - Keep Out
•  Gamer On A Mission - Enter At Your Own Risk
•  Do Not Disturb- Gaming In Progress

 

 

That completes our Mini Gamers list of novelty Christmas gifts for this year. We really feel that there is something for everyone in this year's selection and we hope that this post has given you some fresh ideas for gifts and stocking fillers.

 

You may also find it useful to read some of our previous Christmas gift ideas articles by CLICKING HERE.

 

Don't forget to check in with us on Christmas Eve for our special 2013 Mini Gamers Big Christmas Gaming Quiz!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Game of the Week: Scribblenauts Unlimited [3DS]

Scribblenauts has finally made its 3DS debut this week. The game, which is called Scribblenauts Unlimited is the fourth title in the popular gaming series, produced by 5th Cell, the developers of the equally popular Drawn to Life games.

Fans of the series will already be familiar with the strong cartoon-style graphics and quirky gameplay which has characterised the previous games. However, there are a few changes to the 3DS version which fans should be aware of.

Firstly, the beginning of Scribblenauts Unlimited gives more backstory on how Maxwell initially came to own the magical green notebook, and why he is so keen to look for the tiny little star objects (known as Starites) in the first place.

 Furthermore, players are now expected to locate tiny Starite fragments (referred to as 'Starite Shards',) which are then combined to make whole Starites. When ten shards have been earned, one full Starite is granted to the player.

Starite Shards can be earned in a multiple ways. A brand new feature  called Starite Vision now allows Maxwell to see which objects or people in each level need his help, thus making it easier to locate the source of each Starite Shard. Tapping on the tiny Starite symbol at the top left-hand corner of the bottom screen will unlock Starite vision. Objects which have uncollected Starite shards will be shown as glowing either yellow or orange.

A special exclusive feature for the 3DS version of the game also allows players to swap hints and solutions to each level via the Streetpass function, and hints are provided for almost every object in the levels, making the solutions for the various puzzles that Maxwell must solve much more accessible than the previous Scribblenauts titles, while still remaining challenging. Not an easy task to achieve.

Another useful new feature is the Object Library, which is located in Maxwell's backpack. This allows players to store and re-use any previously created and summoned objects at any time during the game.

Players can also choose to play as other members of Maxwell's family, as these characters now replace the previous Scribblenauts Avatars. Maxwell's forty brothers become unlocked at various stages of the main game, but the avatars of Maxwell's twin sister, Lily and their parents, Edgar and Julie can only be unlocked after all sixty whole Starites have been collected and the post-game bonus levels are unlocked. Players can also customise their chosen avatar by tapping on the avatar and then selecting 'edit'.

Of course, the main skill in any Scribblenauts game has always been the ability to simply write any given object (with the exception of crude words and/or proper nouns) into Maxwell's notebook and spawn it into existence during the game. The available vocabulary of each Scribblenauts game has grown bigger with each new version, and Scribblenauts Unlimited is no exception.

As well as the adjective system that was first introduced in Super Scribblenauts, players can now attach multiple objects to each other. For instance, it is now possible to create a pig with wings.

 Furthermore, players can also choose to attribute other properties to objects, such as movement (e.g. a fast car) and new offensive capabilities (e.g. breathes fire). Players can also adjust the size, material or colour of their chosen objects, making for a much more personalised gaming experience.

With over 22,000 words and adjectives now available for use within Scribblenauts Unlimited, there are just too many combinations for us to list here, but a full list of all the available object words can be found by clicking HERE .

Nevertheless, with all the fantastic new improvements that can be found in Scribblenauts Unlimited, there were two minor nagging details that, whilst not necessarily detracting from this brilliant game, were a tad disappointing.

Firstly, the Nintendo 3DS version of Scribblenauts Unlimited does not feature the object editor, which has been heavily promoted in advertisements for the Wii U version of the game.

Secondly, although the initial backstory cut scenes are shown on the top-screen, and are thus displayed in full animated 3D, the actual gameplay takes place on the bottom screen of the 3DS, and thus the levels in Scribblenauts Unlimited are not actually playable in 3D.

Nevertheless, neither of these two observations can alter the fact that Scribblenauts Unlimited  is still a masterpiece of innovative, imaginative gaming and is therefore a worthy addition to the Scribblenauts series.

 If you loved the previous games in the series, then you are bound to love Scribblenauts Unlimited just as much. If you are not sure about the game and wish to know more, then why not watch the trailer now? (see above). Overall rating: 9/10.

The 6 Games of Christmas: Which One Will Be On YOUR Christmas List?

Yes, Christmas is now fast approaching, and for many gamers, it brings hope of finding a brand new game or two (or quite possibly ten) at the bottom of their stocking, but with so many games currently available, how can you possibly know which games are the most suitable ones to buy?

Well, fear not, because Mini Gamers has spent the last year learning about the best handheld titles of 2013, in order to provide you with our list of the six top games for handheld gamers this Christmas.

As well as giving you our verdict on why the games featured are likely to be worth buying, Mini Gamers has also compiled a selection of full reviews for you to read, so that you can get a proper overview of the games before you decide which ones you might like to buy. So, let's get started...

1. Tearaway [PS Vita]



 This game is ideal for creative, imaginative and innovative gamers of all ages. Created specifically for PS Vita, and utilising many of the handheld consoles touchscreen features, the tactile world of Tearaway is beautifully-crafted with many different environments for gamers to explore.

 Better still, the game is designed to give the impression of a world which is made out of paper, and many of the objects look and take on the characteristic properties of actual paper.

Our verdict: A good, fun and creative little game. If you loved Little Big Planet but are looking for a new but equally challenging and quirky game, then this is the ideal choice for you. 10/10.

Read a FULL REVIEW of the game now.

2. Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Two Worlds [2DS/3DS]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds indirectly follows on from the 1991 Super NES title, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, in this game, the usual villian, Ganon, has long since been sealed away by a group known as the Seven Sages, and peace has seemingly returned to the land of Hyrule.

However, an evil wizard called Yuga has recently begun tracking down the descendants of the Seven Sages and turning them into paintings, in order to use the power of the Triforce for himself. It is up to Link to locate Yuga and find a way to rescue those sages who have been turned into paintings before it is too late...

This game is really good for people who like adventure and puzzle games as well as platformers. It features several interesting places to explore and even the chance to play as a 2D painting in some parts of the game.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds  does have a 7+ PEGI rating, so parents and guardians should be warned that it might not appeal to very young gamers (under 7 years of age) who may find some of the dark dungeons and mysterious monsters a little bit too scary.

Our verdict: The game will be instantly familiar to fans of A Link to the Past, but has enough new content to make it enjoyable to both old and new fans alike. If you liked the previous  games, then this is definitely a must-have for your collection. Overall rating:10/10.


Read a FULL REVIEW of the game now.

3. Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition       [PS Vita]

With its 16+ PEGI Rating, Injustice: Gods Among Us, is most definitely one for the older gamer. This game is a port of a previous gaming title, but the Vita version is pretty interesting despite its disappointing lack of graphics quality and cross-play features.

Nevertheless, this game is perfect for the truly hardcore gamer and is  also more likely to appeal to older fans of the Superhero genre or gamers who prefer challenging and plot-driven fighting games.

Created by the same developers behind Mortal Kombat, The game tells an original story set in a world where the lines between good and evil have become impossibly blurred.

Split into several engaging chapters and filled with one-on-one matches, players can choose to switch between different heroes and villains, who each possess their own unique strengths, fighting styles and of course, super powers.

The game features several well-known superheroes and villains, including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman or the evil Lex Luthor, Deathstroke and Harley Quinn.

Our Verdict: Ever dreamed of stepping into the shoes (or tights) of your favourite superhero? Think you have the skills to outsmart your rivals? If you love one-on-one battles of epic proportions and wish to try out your virtual combat skills in a whole new way, then this is most definitely a good game for your collection. 8/10.

Read a FULL REVIEW of the game now.

4. Pokémon X and Y [3DS/2DS]

The Pokémon video game series has always proven to be very popular amongst gaming fans of various ages, and the latest instalment Pokémon X and Y is no different, having sold over two million units in America alone within its first few days of release.

As fans of the series will know, each Pokémon game is released with two separate versions. E.g. Pokémon Black and Pokémon White, or in this particular instance Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, but both versions of the game (whilst featuring slightly different starter Pokémon - Xerneas (in Pokémon X) and Yveltal (in Pokémon Y,) are essentially the same.

Players take on the role of a trainee Pokémon master, and must travel the land of Kalos searching for new Pokémon to care for and train. As this is the debut 3DS exclusive title, there are some nifty new battle features, including the all-new Mega-Evolution.

Players will also be expected to care for their captured Pokémon with the Pokémon-Amie feature that lets players feed, pet and play with their Pokémon  to, which will ultimately strengthen the Pokémon's bond and improve their chances of winning more battles.

The Pokémon Global Link has been completely redesigned  to make it easier and quicker to use.

Our verdict: Pokémon X and Pokémon Y are good additions to the Pokémon series and the new online mode enhancements help to make this a must have for any Pokémon fan. 3D usage could be slightly better though, as the game's only real use of auto-stereoscopic 3D occurs during the Pokémon battles. Nevertheless, this does not diminish what is potentially one of the best Pokémon titles to date. 9/10.  
Read a FULL REVIEW of the game now

5. Angry Birds: Star Wars [PS Vita]

For those of you who have yet to experience the Angry Birds series, it might be worth remembering that Angry Birds was first created as a comical and easy-to-play game for the Apple iOS, but its quirky style quickly popularised the game, prompting the developers, Rovio Entertainment to develop further console and PC versions of the game, which have all proved immensely popular upon release.

Players must use a slingshot to launch a variety of colourful cartoon birds at green pigs stationed on or within various structures in the level, with the intent of destroying all the pigs before advancing to the next stage of the game.

Angry Birds: Star Wars blends the visual-style and traditional gameplay of the original Angry Birds series with the iconic plot and legendary characters of the Star Wars franchise.

The birds of the Rebel Alliance must now battle the evil  pig empire using the traditional lightsaber weapons and various Jedi Powers, as seen in the Star Wars films. A new multiplayer mode has also been added, and the game itself has over 200 unlockable levels, which should keep most gamers happy for a long time.

Our verdict: The combination of two award-winning franchises is a pure stroke of genius for Rovio Entertainment. This game is simple, fun, addictive and hilariously funny. A real gem for gamers who don't want to be delving into plot-laden RPGs or complicated puzzle games this Christmas. 10/10.

Read a FULL REVIEW of the game now

 

 

6. Animal Crossing: New Leaf [3DS/2DS] 

 It has to be said that Animal Crossing is not merely  a game, it's a whole new world in the palm of your hand. The game is played in a completely freestyle way. That's because time in the game mirrors time as in the real world, and players have no set goals to complete, but can truly have a kind of virtual 'life' inside this game, and every single day brings new experiences, friendships and surprises.

 The 3DS version - Animal Crossing: New Leaf - has continued the success of the previous games (one for each Nintendo platform, GameCube, DS, Wii and 3DS) and even allows players to take over the role of the Mayor in their town. This means that as well as living out a daily life as a resident of a virtual town, players also have the ability to dictate the laws which govern their town and also to plan and build new features for the residents of their town to enjoy.

 Fans of the original Nintendo DS version of the game will find that several new locations have been added for the 3DS, including a nightclub, a dream suite, a supermarket, a shoe shop, a flower shop, a clothes shop, a beauty salon and more... 

If players wish to soak up the virtual sunshine, (especially during the cold Autumn and Winter months of the year, then they can also opt to take a little boat trip out to their own private tropical island, where they can do a spot of tropical fishing or maybe even some bug-catching and even put on a wetsuit and do some diving, which is a brand new ability especially created for the 3DS.

Our Verdict: This game is both easy-to-play and engaging, which makes it appealing to both young and old gamers alike. The simulation of real-life weather conditions and changing times and seasons is awesome.  If you've ever dreamt about getting away from it all and starting a new life, or if you just like the sound of being Mayor to a bunch of cute talking animals, then this is definitely the game for you. 10/10. 

Read a FULL REVIEW of the game now

 

So, that completes Mini Gamers list of the six best PS Vita and 3DS games to buy this Christmas. We hope that you liked it and found it useful.

 

If you already own some of these games and want to share your own opinions with us, then why not leave us a comment in the Comment's Box (or by clicking on the 'Comment's' link under this post on the Homepage). We'd love to hear from you!