Mini Gamers

PS Vita UK Trailer Launched

2012-02-15T18:04:00.000Z

Sony have launched the official European PS Vita trailer. The trailer features the brand new slogan: 'The World is in Play,' and features people in almost every walk of life (from beauticians to train commuters etc,) taking part in movie-style scenes that seem to show them in a variety of videogame genres, all claiming to be part of a world which merges the boundaries of gaming and real-life.

The expensive one-minute trailer shows a definite move towards a more cinematic form of videogames marketing, as first seen in the early nineties, and also shows Sony's commitment to advertising their latest handheld.

The trailer is part of a multi-million pound advertising campaign, which Sony hopes will help to promote the PS Vita throughout Europe. In America, Sony is reportedly spending over $50 million to promote the console.

The PS Vita is focused not only on ordinary videogaming, but on Social Networking and social gaming, which is very strongly implied in the trailer. It is only a few days before the PS Vita's release in Europe on the 22nd of February, but it is already shaping up to be an interesting gaming device, even though there is no way of knowing whether the handheld device will be successful in the current gaming market. Only time will tell...

Don't forget to check in with Mini Gamers after the 22nd of February for our full hands-on review of the PS Vita!

3DS Playable Demos: Have You Tried Them Yet?

2012-02-14T16:08:00.000Z

It has been a few weeks since Nintendo released the first of their 3DS playable demo for Resident Evil Revelations in the Nintendo eShop, and since that time, two more demos for CRUSH 3D and Cooking Mama 4 have emerged.

Each demo showcases a particular level or aspect of the featured game. These demos can be downloaded for free, and can be used for 30 plays each, which gives players plenty of time to decide whether they like the game or not.

Crush 3D: Test out the various game mechanics and get a feel for the game.

Although the demos which are currently available are all of currently available shop titles, it is hoped that the eShop demos will soon feature games before their release date, allowing players to experience the latest 3DS titles way before they hit the shop shelves.

This not only avoids the disappointment of buying a game that one is not satisfied with, it also offers a good opportunity to explore the game mechanics and environments that will appear in the full version of the game.

Resident Evil Revelations: Check out the zombie hoardes in this game.

Future playable demos are thought to include games such as Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Metal Gear Solid: Snake 3D and Rayman's Origins, amongst others.

Mini Gamers has checked out the various demos ourselves, and was pleasantly surprised how good each demo was at portraying many aspects of the full games, including the stunning 3D graphics in most cases, although we do think that these demos should have been a feature of the Nintendo eShop from day one.

Whether you want to make pizza with Cooking Mama, enter Danny's mind in Crush 3D, or kill the zombies in Resident Evil Revelations, these demos should leave you feeling pretty satisfied and wanting to purchase the full title - if you haven't already. A very good addition to the Nintendo eShop's 3DS content.

Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games Review [3DS]

2012-02-10T19:11:00.000Z

Gaming rivals Mario and Sonic are set to go head-to-head in another battle of Olympic proportions this week.

Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (probably the longest 3DS title to date) sees the videogaming veterans take part in a variety of sporting events that we can expect to see at this year's Olympic Games.

This game also marks the Mario & Sonic series' debut on the Nintendo 3DS. As a result, some of the events contain elements that are designed to showcase the 3DS capabilities, including the Long Jump, which cleverly utilises the 3DS' Tilt System, and the Shot Put, which involves use of the microphone.

One of the things which becomes quickly apparent is that unlike the previous games in the series, Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games only focuses on a tiny portion of the event rather than allowing players to compete from the very beginning.

Most games actually take place near the finish line and feature various simple tasks in order to decide a winner. For example, in the Weightlifting competition, rather than being a button-pressing test of stamina, the player is only asked to shout into the microphone at the correct time.

Whilst this mini-game style will probably make the game more accessible to younger gamers than in past titles, it does take a large amount of the enjoyment out of the game and is our main criticism of the game.

That said, Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games does feature an impressive array of events, which should keep the average gamer happy for several days at least. However, those gamers who delight in testing their 'sporting prowess' within a videogame arena might feel a little let down by this particular game.

Rather surprisingly, this game also features no 'Dream Events', which have always been a staple of the previous Mario and Sonic games in the past, and have always provided a very entertaining alternative to the real Olympic Games.

There is a single-player storyline to entice gamers, although it does feature some lengthy cutscenes, but they are of good quality and the single-player campaign does add some much needed replay value to the game.

In conclusion, although Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is a good debut title for the 3DS, its new mini-game style left us feeling slightly cheated as it did not feel as though we were taking part in an olympic sporting event. Nevertheless, the single player campaign does slightly make up for this. Good for younger gamers or casual gamers looking for a game to play in their spare time. Overall rating: 7/10.

One Piece: Unlimited Cruise SP Review [3DS]

2012-02-09T00:00:00.096Z

One Piece: Unlimited Cruise SP makes its 3DS debut this week. Whilst the animé-style game series is extremely popular franchise in Japan spanning not only videogames, but also manga comics and a cartoon series too, the One Piece games have failed to attract as large a following in the West. With this in mind, the release of this game on the 3DS came as a bit of a surprise.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this game or its characters, One Piece: Unlimited Cruise SP tells the story of The Straw Hat Pirates and their Captain, Monkey D. Luffy, who all exhibit some form of supernatural power, and who are on a quest to find the so-called 'One Piece' treasure.

The 3DS version is supposed to be a port of two original Wii titles: Unlimited Cruise 1: Treasure Beneath The Waves, and Unlimited Cruise 2: Awakening of a Hero, which were released in Japan onto a single cartridge, under the title Unlimited Cruise: Special Edition. However, the second episode had to be dropped from the European version due to certain 'localisation issues'.

So, (we hear you cry,) the European version has got only one game on it, but its still a pretty good game, right? The short answer to this is 'No.' Although the game starts well enough with some brilliantly animated cutscenes and some slightly witty dialogue between the main characters, the overall enjoyment factor soon wane the further one progresses through the gameplay.

One of the main reasons for this is that all nine of the game's playable characters (which each have their own special abilities,) have difficult and somewhat awkward moves for the player to perform during battles.

For example, Usopp, has a slingshot which can be used to fire all kinds of ammunition at his enemies, but the slingshot in the game barely seems to make a mark on the enemies and seems difficult to control, which soon becomes tiresome. What's worse, is that the same thing applies to each of the nine characters in turn regardless of their individual abilities.

In addition, progress through the game is slow (to the point of being mind-numbing) and centres around the idea of collecting every single item which has been scattered around the island in order to rid the characters of large, but pointless obstacles, such as a Giant Pillar, so that they can complete the game.
This activity is then heavily hampered by the constant re-spawning of enemies, who, (despite being defeated the first time,) seem to reappear each time the character re-enters a previously played environment to search for the objects they need.

The game does try to redeem itself through its occasional Boss Battles, but even here, the game ends up being frustrating at best as the main protaganists find themselves at the mercy of several ultra-powerful enemy attacks, which usually results in a 'loss' for the playable character.

In conclusion, although fans of the One Piece franchise may find the sharp 3D environments and witty dialogue enjoyable for a short time, the gameplay leaves little to be desired and will quickly cause players to lose interest. Although we hate to say it, this really is a game to avoid. Overall rating: 3/10.

PS Vita Minis: What's In Store?

2012-02-04T00:00:00.068Z

With only a few weeks to go until the launch of Sony's PS Vita console, Mini Gamers decided to take a sneaky little peak at the interesting collection of mini games that will come preloaded on the day of the PS Vita's launch.

The mini game selection has been carefully compiled under the rather sweet title of the PS Vita 'Welcome Park' [*translated from the Japanese, and may be subject to change] and is designed to show off and guide users through different aspects of the PS Vita, as well as challenge gamers in a variety of different tasks.

One of the first games in the Welcome Park, is called Digit Chase. The idea is that players use the PS Vita's rear touchpad, touch and multi-touch functions in order to pop virtual 'bubbles' that will appear on the screen.

This may sound simple, until the bubbles start overlapping and numbered bubbles with the same number start to appear, causing the player to work his/her fingers around the different touch sensors of the console at rapid speed. In addition, the game is timed and keeps track of the players best time.

Once they are through with the bubbles, players are treated to a moving carousel of numbers to try and defeat and another numbers game involving the Rear Touchpad, but we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise... All in all, quite a fun little game.

Sound Loop will appeal to the musicians amongst you - or at least it tries to. Record a sound-clip, using the console's in-built microphone and it will be placed as a little looping orb, which circles the centre of the screen.

Moving the orb around to a different position will affect how often the sound-clip is replayed, and with a bit of practise, the 'looping' effects can be used to create rhythmic beats, similar to those found on a DJ's mixing decks.

Players can choose to change the backing music with the simple tap of a button. We have to say though, this one will probably send even the most hardcore DJ Hero fan a bit 'loopy' by the end of the game. Not a particular favourite.

Snap + Slide is the first of two camera-themed games in the Welcome Park. The objective is simple: Snap an object using the PS Vita's in-built camera, and this game converts the image into a delightful little sliding titles game for players to complete.

Players can choose to use either the front camera or the rear camera in order to obtain a suitable image. Furthermore, the player can decide exactly how many tiled pieces the image will be broken into, thus altering the difficulty of the game. A good reinvention of a classic puzzle game.

Skate Axis helps to introduce the Tilt Sensors, which we predict are set to become an important component of many future PS Vita gaming titles.

Players must control a tiny skateboarding stick figure. The idea is that players must tilt the console to either the left or the right in order to successfully avoid several ball-shaped obstacles that appear to block the skater's path.

Each successful dodge is rewarded with a number of points. This is a fun mini game, and very innovative. Definitely worth a try (or even several tries) in our opinion.

Hello Face is another game which uses the PS Vita camera functions to its advantage. In this game, players must snap a picture of anything that looks like a face (teddy bear,Smiley-based fridge magnet, etc) and the 'face' will appear on the screen in the shape of a transparent cube, and then the game will add slightly animated features to it, such as large cartoon eyes, and the face will appear with various phrases and quotes, depending on the picture it is based on.

This game is very creative, even if it does border on the 'slightly trippy' side of life. This is definitely another Welcome Park success.

In conclusion, the PS Vita Welcome Park is an interesting and varied collection of games, which will be very useful for all those cash-strapped gamers who cannot afford the main launch games at the moment.

Plus, all of the mini games featured in the Welcome Park have unlockable trophies and rewards, so there is even more reason to replay this set of interactive tutorials.

So there you have it - details of the various PS Vita mini games that you can expect to find when the console launches in the UK on the 22nd of February 2012. We hope that you have found it useful.

Keep checking in with the Mini Gamers blog for more news of this handheld console in the weeks leading up to, and after, the UK launch. We promise you all an in-depth review of this apparent 'Next Generation' console.

Special DSi Feature Helps Japanese Hearing Impaired Schoolchildren...

2012-02-01T00:00:00.014Z

Japanese schoolchildren with hearing impairments have been given a new way of learning thanks to the brainy guys at Nintendo. They have now developed some nifty software for use with their handheld DSi consoles, which helps to convert speech (from teachers and peers) into readable text.

According to Venturebeat, The new learning software is currently being pioneered throughout Japanese schools in the Okinawa and Tottori Prefectures, with the help of a telecom company called NTT, and is part of a larger scheme to allow hard of hearing pupils, or even those with learning difficulties access to speech-to-text services and other learning resources and materials in order to boost their chances of educational success.

The software on the DSi means that teachers' speech is immediately translated into text and then it is saved to a cloud-based server, where it can be downloaded 'live' to the special DSi handhelds whilst in the classroom, so that children can read and keep track of what is being said during their lessons, or it can be saved so that it can be studied later.

A similar scheme has recently been highlighted by Microsoft's Imagine Cup, which featured a winning entry from Ecuador's 'Team Falcon' that was based on the concept of turning speech into sign language symbols via an on-screen device.

This latest development could be seen as a positive step in enhancing the educational experiences of children with difficulties and disabilities, and is a good example of how gaming technologies can be used outside of the main gaming community.

Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock Scheduled For March 2012 Release Date...

2012-01-30T00:00:00.001Z

Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock is currently scheduled for a March 2012 UK release, according to a brand new trailer, which features several famous Doctor Who alien races, including the Cybermen, Daleks and Silurians, amongst others.

The new trailer (shown below) also gives a greater indication of the kind of environments and gameplay which players can hope to see in the final game:

The game, which will be heading exclusively to PC, PS3 and PS Vita, centres around the relationship between the Eleventh Doctor and his new wife, River Song, as they travel through time and space, trying to solve the problem of the 'Eternity Clock', and save planet Earth from extinction.

The trailer has definitely whetted the appetites of us here at Mini Gamers, and we look forward to learning more about the game and its gameplay throughout the coming months. Watch this space!

Spot The (Not-So) Deliberate Mistake...Anyone???

2012-01-29T16:01:00.001Z

It is not often in the world of handheld gaming that a simple cover design gives us such a big laugh, but that is definitely the case with Capcom's latest 3DS offering: Resident Evil Revelations, which has reportedly gone on sale with a certain spelling mistake clearly visable.

The mistake, which affects a proportion of the game sold in North America, clearly labels the game as "Resident Evil Revelaitons" (see above). The mistake has since been commented on by a Capcom representative.

Speaking to Eurogamer, the representative claimed: "We apologise for the mistake, which will be corrected for subsequent productions of the game. We are working on a solution to provide affected customers with the correct packaging. Please visit Capcom-Unity for updates." [sourced from: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-26-capcom-botches-resident-evil-revelations-packaging]

Furthermore, a recent NA price-drop for the game has now been announced, although it is not clear whether this has anything to do with the packaging error, or whether Capcom has simply decided to make the game more affordable to its audience. Whatever the reason, the reduction from $49.99 to just $39.99 ought to appeal to many cash-strapped gamers out there.

Mini Gamers does not think that the spelling mistake will harm the sales of Resident Evil Revelations in any way. The game has a strong storyline and interesting gameplay, which should help keep those gamers who have been affected by the minor packaging error happy for a long time to come, and who knows, maybe the misspelled version will become a highly-sought collector's item?

Meanwhile, those of you who are interested in Mini Gamers' impressions of the game, please read our recent review of Resident Evil Revelations by CLICKING HERE.

Game of the Week: Resident Evil Revelations [3DS]

2012-01-28T16:53:00.000Z

Yes, another addition to the hugely popular Resident Evil game franchise has hit the shelves today. Resident Evil: Revelations is set in the interim between Resident Evil games 4 and 5, and features the two main protaganists, Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield alongside their newest BSSA colleagues, Parker Luicani and Jessica Sherawat, as they struggle to take down various Zombie hoardes.

Resident Evil: Revelations is the second game in the series to be released for the Nintendo 3DS handheld. However, it is hoped that this game will have a more RPG feel to it than Capcom's last effort, Resident Evil Mercenaries, which caused quite a stir upon its release when information about the game's arcade-style perma save function came to light.

In the latest game, (set in 2005), BSSA agents, Chris Redfield and Jessica Sherawat are dispatched to a ocean liner called the SS Queen Zenobia, which has been the victim of another Il Veltro terrorist attack, and now has a raging viral outbreak aboard. To make matters worse, contact is then lost with both of the agents. Now it is left to Jill Valentine and Parker Luiciani to find them...

For fans of the Resident Evil series so far, there will be lots of familiar elements, including a limited supply of ammunition, nevertheless, there are also many 3DS-exclusive features too, such as the ability to use the stylus to solve puzzles or swap between weapons.

This game also features several new elements to the classic gameplay too, such as the ability to swap between a first-person and third-person shooter viewpoint so that players can choose which shooting style suits them best throughout each level of the game.

Also, a new piece of equipment known simply as the Supply Scanner allows players to detect items that have been hidden around the game's different environments.

In conclusion, this game is likely to appeal to any Resident Evil game fan without question. The eerie, dark environments and the stunning 3D visuals help to engage players into the storyline. One disappointing aspect of the game is that there does not appear to be such a variety of enemy types as one would expect from this franchise, but there are still lots of things to find, solve and do in this game. Overall rating: 8/10

Crush 3D Review: Is It Really Worth The Wait?

2012-01-20T13:02:00.001Z

Yes, Mini Gamers is back and our recent technical difficulties seem to have been resolved! Well, what better welcome back present than a review of Sega's latest 3DS offering, Crush 3D: With Another Dimension.

For those of you who were not lucky enough to play the original game when it debuted on the PSP system back in 2007, Crush 3D is essentially a Puzzle game. Players have to collect a set of marbles hidden around different rooms in order to gain access to an exit door which then leads on to the next level, and so on.

The storyline is rather basic and involves a young teenager named Danny, who has offered to test out a brand new invention from a slightly mad - but brilliant - scientist. The machine is called a Cognitive Regression Utilizing pSychiatric Heuristics (or C.R.U.S.H machine -get it?) and it allows Danny to switch from a 3D environment to a 2D one at the push of a button. This also allows the player to access marbles that were previously hidden from sight.

It may sound simplistic, but there are a number of special rules in place which help to determine when and where Danny can perform his nifty 3D/2D switch. For example, a switch cannot take place when Danny is stood in front of an object or a solid wall, meaning that players have to rotate the camera in order to shield the object from view - think Echochrome, and you will be able to understand how this concept works. Add to this some zany enemies to battle and some cool collectibles to collect, and you have the bare bones of a really good game, with lots of replay value.

Nevertheless, whilst the original PSP version was heralded as an innovative masterpiece, this version seems to lack a certain finesse about it, especially in the graphics department, which now features a plain-looking central character and colourful block-style environments.

However, the puzzles themselves have been refined and will tax the brains of the most hardcore puzzle enthusiast for quite some time. Spotting the solution to each level appears to get harder and harder as the game progresses, and it can often feel like quite an achievement when you have finally reached the Exit Door.

Furthermore, as this is a 3DS title, players can also make use of the Streetpass function, which allows players to leave items that they have collected in different levels of the game, so that their friends can gain access to them too.

In conclusion, Crush 3D: A Puzzle With Another Dimension makes a refreshing puzzler for the Nintendo 3DS. The puzzles are charming and difficult, and the game itself has lots of replay value. Overall rating: 8/10.

Appologies If You've Been Trying To Contact Us...

2012-01-13T13:00:00.000Z

Hello Everyone,

you may have noticed that the Mini Gamers blogsite has not been answering comments or publishing its usual content over the last few days or so... This is because of some technical difficulties which we hope to resolve very soon.

We hope that you will all bear with us as we attempt to iron out these minor problems. Please rest assured that we will attempt to answer all game queries as soon as possible. In the meantime, please feel free to use the Mini Gamers Suggestion Box, which still appears to be working.

Thank you for your patience in this matter, and please enjoy the articles and interactive features during - what we hope will be a very short absence.

Yours Sincerely,
Mini Gamers.

Netflix Launches in UK: Still No Joy For 3DS Fans Though...

2012-01-09T15:40:00.000Z

The American film rental company Netflix has officially launched its UK and Ireland service. As well as allowing PC downloads of all the latest film titles, for a rental fee of £5.99 per month, Netflix has also promised that its services are compatible with the PS3, Xbox and Wii home consoles as well as the Apple iPad and iPod devices.

However, one group of gamers who are sure to be disappointed with the recent launch details are 3DS fans, who had expected to start receiving Netflix on the Nintendo handheld as well...

As yet, there does not seem to be any clear plans to bring the Netflix service to 3DS customers outside of North America, (where Neflix customers have been allowed to stream film content to their 3DS consoles if they had a pre-existing Netflix account since July 15th 2011).

However, Nintendo did originally promise 3DS fans that it was 'in talks' with Netflix, and it could still be that Netflix will eventually be streamed to UK 3DS consoles via an eShop application, as originally suggested, although at this point, that is still pure conjecture.

So, what do 3DS users now feel about the Netflix UK service, now that the 3DS doesn't seem to have been included in the launch plans? Will 3DS users ever really get the full 3D films that they were hoping for, or is this nothing more than a pipe dream? For those 3DS users amongst us who happen to live outside of North America, it seems as though it will be a game of 'wait and see' for the foreseeable future at least...

PS Vita Price Cut in Japan...

2012-01-08T14:19:00.001Z

Sony has reportedly been forced to slash the price of its latest handheld console, the PS Vita, after just under four weeks since its initial launch date.

The console debuted in Japan on the 17th of December 2011, but despite its heavy pre-release promotion, the device only managed to reach number four in the Japanese gaming charts, before slipping to number five last week, which has placed it not only behind its main competitor - the Nintendo 3DS, but also behind its predecessor the Sony PSP.

Now Japanese retailers have been forced to lower the price of the PS Vita in order to entice more potential buyers. According to the GamesRader website, the price of more expensive 3G wireless model of the console has been slashed by almost twenty percent in some cases.

With the PS Vita still expected to reach its European launch date on the 22nd of February 2012, it shouldn't be too long before UK fans start to get their first taste of the handheld, which promises a lot of new features and hardware improvements, including dual analog sticks and a five-inch OLED touch-screen amongst others.

Nevertheless, with such poor sales figures in its native country, is the PS Vita just doomed to be a massive flop, or will it really shape up to be the next generation console Sony claims that it will be? Only time will tell...

HAVE YOUR SAY...

Will you be buying a Sony PS Vita when it launches in February?

Have you already pre-ordered the PS Vita? How does this news make you feel about the handheld?

How do you think the recent price slash will affect future sales of the device?

If you have something to say about the latest PS Vita developments and you wish to share it with us, please leave a comment in the comments box below. Mini Gamers would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

New DS and 3DS Games For January 2012...

2012-01-03T16:31:00.000Z

January 2012 has officially begun, and with it comes a lot of new gaming titles for us to enjoy. This is the Mini Gamers January 2012 release calendar, a short guide to what should be available for our handheld consoles by the end of the month...

January 2012:

DS GAMES

JEWEL MATCH 2

Fans of Jewel Match will be treated to this brilliant sequel game, which is due to be released on the 13th of January 2012.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this game, it involves matching rows of similar jewels in order to accrue points. Other 'Match-3' games of this type include the Bejeweled series, which has become very popular over the past five years.

Jewel Match 2 will feature over 150 levels and two game modes. There will also be a chance for players to unlock new spells and other bonuses or build beautiful castles.

Another Match-3 game is Heroes of Hallas 2: Olympia, which should be heading to the Nintendo DS console on the 30th of January 2012.

Players take on the role of an ancient ruler of a place called Olympia. Players must compete in Match-3 games in order to gather materials that will in turn help to restore the land to its former glory and unlock lots more interesting bonuses.

January 2012:

3DS GAMES

CRUSH 3D

Although this game was originally considered for cancellation because of poor 3DS sales figures, it seems as though Crush 3D has had a reprieve. Crush 3D is now scheduled for release on Friday the 13th January 2012.

Crush 3D is a new version of an existing PSP puzzle game, in which players can switch between a 2D or 3D world by simply crushing or flattening it.

The 3DS version promises over fifty challenging levels set across four separate environments. There is lots of bonus content to collect or unlock, and players can even use Streetpass to exchange gifts with friends.

WINTER SPORTS 2012:

Feel The Spirit

This is the first Winter Sports title on the 3DS, and it promises not to disappoint. Winter Sports 2012 features over fifty different challenges in six sporting disciplines. The game also features loads of slow-motion replays and unlockables.

Winter Sports 2012: Feel the Spirit is scheduled for release on the 20th January 2012.

REEL FISHING PARADISE 3D

Scheduled for release on January 20th 2012, Reel Fishing Paradise 3D has been rendered in full autostereoscopic 3D, to create a fishing simulation game like no other.

The game features fifteen different stages and features different fishing techniques, from Fly fishing to Bait fishing. Players must travel to different locations, where they can catch, keep and care for their fish in two 3D virtual fishtanks.

TALES OF THE ABYSS

The popular RPG game has its debut on the 3DS at last. Tales of the Abyss tells the story of Luke fon Fabre, sole heir to a family of aristocrats. Luke has been left with no memories of his past, following his kidnap almost seven years earlier.

Luke has been kept sheltered and spoilt by his family since his return, but suddenly finds himself thrust into the outside world, by the Order of Lorelei, keepers of the prophecy known as the 'Score'.

Luke must get along in this confusing and often hostile world. He knows nothing about those who might be his friends, or those who already are his enemies. Alone, Luke must learn of friendship and sacrifice, of duty and choice. Luke's actions could help to save the world in which he lives or destroy it.

Tales of the Abyss on the 3DS features special new animation and an 'ARTES' shortcut, which gives greater scope during battles. The game is scheduled for release on the 27th of January 2012.

Resident Evil: Revelations is scheduled for release on January 27th 2012. The game is set between the events of Resident Evil 4 and 5, and the game will seek to test players through a variety of game mechanics, including a limited supply of ammo, and more emphasis on exploration and puzzle-solving.

Thus, that marks the end of our January 2012 DS/ 3DS release calendar. We hope that you have found it interesting. Remember to check back with the Mini Gamers blogsite for more news and reviews after the games are released.

New Year 'Name That Year' Quiz...

2012-01-01T00:00:00.003Z

Yes, January 2012 is here, and with it comes the promise of lots of new gaming action over the next twelve months, but do you know when some of our popular gaming franchises were first created?

To celebrate the New Year, we have put together this small just-for fun quiz. To play, simply click on the 'Start' button below. Each question has a 120-second time limit. Answer quickly for more points. Good Luck!

<p><a href="http://www.quizrevolution.com/act155713/mini/go/'name_that_year'_gaming_quiz">'name_that_year'_gaming_quiz</a></p>

And the Number One Video Game of 2011 is...

2011-12-28T15:52:00.000Z

Yes, it's official, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the best-selling game of 2011. The open world RPG has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and has proven to be extremely popular this Christmas.

Skyrim also successfully beat the previous favourite to win, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which ended up in a respectable third place. The full Top 20 games chart is as follows:

	This Week	Title
	1	The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
	2	Just Dance 3
	3	Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
	4	FIFA 12
	5	Saints Row: The Third
	6	Battlefield 3
	7	Assassin's Creed: Revelations
	8	Mario & Sonic London 2012 Olympic Games
	9	Need For Speed: The Run
	10	Professor Layton And The Spectre's Call
	11	Batman: Arkham City
	12	Mario Kart 7
	13	Forza Motorsport 4
	14	Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
	15	Super Mario 3D Land
New entry	16	Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo
	17	Zumba Fitness
	18	LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5 -7
Re-Entry	19	Sonic Generations
	20	ABBA: You Can Dance

It is very unusual for a game to knock an EA title off of the Christmas number one spot. In fact, Electronic Arts have successfully secured the number one spot for the last eight years, so Skyrim not only makes a refreshing change, but its victory could also mark an important change in the kinds of game we can expect to be successful in 2012.

Mini Gamers Big Christmas Gaming Quiz 2011

2011-12-24T00:00:00.003Z

Welcome to our new look 'Big Christmas Gaming Quiz' 2011. Although their are no prizes for doing this quiz, we thought that all our blog readers would appreciate this just-for-fun pop quiz.

Unlike last year, this quiz is computerised, meaning that you will instantly know whether you have given a correct or incorrect answer. This year's quiz questions deal with all-manner of gaming general knowledge.

HOW TO PLAY

Click on the Start button below to begin the quiz.

Each question features a 120 seconds time-limit. Answer quickly in order to gain the maximum amount of points.

At the end, you will be shown your individual score. Sign in and add yourself to the leaderboard to see whether you are the king or queen of gaming knowledge!

So, may we at Mini Gamers just take this chance to wish all of you who celebrate it a very Merry Christmas 2011! Good Luck!

<p><a href="http://www.quizrevolution.com/act155781/mini/go/christmas_gaming_quiz">christmas_gaming_quiz</a></p>

Doctor Who Game Heading To PC, PS Vita and PS3 in 2012...

2011-12-18T14:05:00.001Z

Yes, it's true! Everyone's favourite Extra-Terrestrial Doctor will be making his appearance in a new videogame entitled Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock, which is set to debut some time in early 2012.

Very little is known about the game's content at this time, but we do know that the main plot will feature both the Doctor and River Song as they journey together in the TARDIS. The game will be split across multiple time zones, and actions that players choose to take in one time zone will have a direct affect on what happens to events in the other zones.

We also know that the game promises TV-quality graphics, which have been designed using full motion-capture technology, meaning that the characters look very lifelike.

In addition, both Alex Kingston and Matt Smith, (who play the TV versions of River Song and the Doctor,) have been busy adding full voice-overs to the game, so the characters will not only look authentic, but will sound authentic as well.

It could be argued that past attempts to bring Doctor Who into the videogame era haven't always been that successful, with Doctor Who: Top Trumps (most game formats), Doctor Who: Evacuation Earth (Nintendo DS), and Doctor Who: Return to Earth (Wii) seemingly failing to strike a chord with the majority of their intended audiences.

So will Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock finally turn out to be the videogame that everyone is waiting for? Well, when you consider that the game is being produced by SuperMassive Games, who won a Develop: Industry Excellence Award earlier this year, things are definitely looking good.

The BBC has also released its first teaser trailer of the game. It doesn't give a lot away, but we do think that the game certainly sounds intriguing. Have a look for yourself (see below) and see what you think:

Remember to check in with Mini Gamers in the New Year for all the latest news about this exciting project, and please join us here on Christmas Eve 2011 for some 'just-for-fun' gaming trivia!

Nintendo Launches EuroSport Video Services...

2011-12-17T14:05:00.000Z

Nintendo have launched a new Eurosport 3D Video service, which can be downloaded for free from the 3DS e-shop. The Eurosport service is completely separate from the Nintendo Video service which launched in July this year, and will focus exclusively on sport.

The new video service allows for Spotpass downloads of various two or three-minute 3D Sports clips, all provided by the popular WATTS programme. The videos are expected to feature funny sporting outtakes and various 'sporting action' clips, all shown in fantastically clear 3D.

All of the videos can be replayed again and again until they get replaced by new content. However, it is not yet clear whether the videos will be updated on a weekly basis (like some videos in the Nintendo Video section) or in a more sporadic fashion.

Nevertheless, Mini Gamers is certain that the Eurosport video service will make an exciting addition for Sports fans and will no doubt encourage a few more sales of the 3DS handheld console in the Christmas rush.

Sony Says Only ONE PS Vita Account Per Console After All...

2011-12-16T13:08:00.067Z

It seems as though Sony have got themselves a little bit confused lately. A recent article by Wired.com suggested that the new PS Vita console would allow users to have multiple accounts on the one console, as long as each account was set up on different memory sticks.

This caused a mixture of surprise and anger from the gaming community as the PS Vita Memory Sticks have already been said to be very expensive - often triple the price of most other memory sticks on offer in the shops today and much more expensive than the memory sticks previously used in Sony's other handheld console, the PSP - so having to purchase more than one in order to have multiple accounts could be deemed as a little bit outrageous.

However, things have got even more complicated, as Sony has backtracked from their original statement and now claim that the PS Vita will only allow for ONE account per console.

A Sony representative has since provided the following statement: “[The] PSN account is tied to the hardware and the memory card, not just the card...In other words, PlayStation Vita is intended to be played by only one user” [Sourced from: http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/12/sony-vita-psn/]

The PS Vita launches in Japan tomorrow, and is expected to reach the rest of the world by the 22nd of February 2012. It is unclear what kind of reception the console will get when it reaches UK stores, but all this early controversy is probably not helping its reputation at all.

Keep checking in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for more news on this topic in the coming months.

Top 2011 Christmas Gifts for Handheld Gamers: Kids and Teens

2011-12-15T00:00:00.118Z

Welcome to our third and final blog post about the Top 2011 Christmas Gifts for Handheld Gamers. With Christmas now only ten days away, finding that perfect gaming gift is even more important, thus Mini Gamers now looks at what is available for the younger gamers - Kids and Teens.

Top 2011 Christmas Gifts for Handheld Gamers: Kids and Teens

KIDS ONLY (5-12yrs)

Cooking Mama 4 (3DS)

Yes, Mama is back, and this time she is cooking up a storm in an entirely new dimension! With over 100 brand new recipes to try out all displayed in full autostereoscopic 3D, this seems like the perfect game to turn kids into the next generation of super-cooks, what's more, this game also features a multiplayer mode and it encourages kids to tidy away the plates and untensils after they have finished cooking with a special set of mini-games!

This game is best suited to children aged between 6-10 years of age and will probably appeal to girls slightly more than boys. The game can be found at all good video game retailers, and is expected to cost around £30 to buy.

FLIPS: INTERACTIVE BOOKS (DS/DSi)

Produced by EA Games, the Flips videogame series turns the DS/DSi console into an E-reader. Each standard game cartridge contains between 6-8 unabridged novels from several popular children's authors.The books are aimed at both boys and girls aged between 6-12 years of age. Obviously, basic reading ability is necessary for this product. Each book is completely interactive. As well as using the stylus to turn each page, the stories contain sound effects and animations, hidden items to collect, (such as coins or codes,) simple explanations about various characters, and the chance to unlock bonus content such as interviews with the author or further short stories.

The Flips videogame series is available from most videogame retail outlets and usually retails at around £14.95.

FIREMAN SAM (DS/DSi)

Does your little one desire to be a Fireman when he gets older? If so, this could be the perfect game for his Christmas stocking. Join the famous TV Character and all his friends as they explore the local town of Pontypandy and play lots of exciting mini-games which will encourage children to develop logic, memory and basic problem-solving skills.

The game can be found in all good videogame stores and usually retails for around £19.99.

KIDS & TEENS (10-16 yrs)

The following games and or/game bundles will appeal to both children and teenagers:

CORAL PINK 3DS/

NINTENDOGS + CATS BUNDLE

This sweet little bundle will appeal to most female gamers, including young teenagers (up to fifteen years of age.) The bundle includes the latest 3DS Coral Pink console, and a copy of Nintendogs + Cats: Golden Retriever and friends. This game bundle will appeal most strongly to animal lovers.The bundle is available in all good video game stores and retails for around £164.99.

ICE WHITE 3DS/ SUPER MARIO 3D LAND BUNDLE

This Ice-white 3DS and Super Mario 3D Land Bundle could be just the thing if your man happens to be a retro Mario fan. The ice-white 3DS is the pefect colour for male gamers who found the Cosmic Black 3DS a bit boring and the Flare Red or Aqua Blue 3DS colours a little over-powering.

Meanwhile, the game itself contains many elements from the original Super Mario Bros franchise, but can now be viewed in full glasses-free (Autostereoscopic) 3D. To read a full review of the game itself, please click HERE.

The Ice White 3DS Bundle is available from all good videogame stockists, and retails for around £164.99.

LIMITED EDITION LEGEND OF ZELDA 25th ANNIVERSARY 3DS BUNDLE

This exclusive 3DS bundle includes a special version of the Black 3DS console which features the Zelda Gold Crest design, and a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS game. This bundle will definitely appeal to both male and female gamers, despite being marketed more at male audience.

However, parents who wish to buy this for their children should also be aware that the game carries a 12+ certificate, which means that it is unsuitable for gamers under twelve years of age. Once again, this bundle can be found in all the major videogame outlets, and retails for around £299 - a price which clearly reflects its Limited Edition status.

This marks the end of our exploration of the Top 2011 Christmas Gifts for Handheld Gamers. We hope you have found it useful.

If you are still unsure about what to buy, you could try checking out the following posts to see if they can provide you with a further spark of inspiration:

Top 2011 Christmas Gifts for Handheld Gamers: MEN

Top 2011 Christmas Gifts for Handheld Gamers: WOMEN

Unique Christmas Gifts for the Gamer in Your Life (2010 post)

Half-Term Boredom Busters For Kids (NINTENDO DS) (2010 post)

Good Luck and Merry Christmas to all!

Top 2011 Christmas Gifts For Handheld Gamers: Women

2011-12-10T00:00:00.214Z

Welcome to our second Christmas 2011 post concerning the Top Christmas Gifts for Handheld Gamers. This time, we will look at our shortlist of the best games and accessories which would suit women gamers.

Top Christmas Gifts For Handheld Gamers: Women

A CORAL PINK 3DS

Is your wife, girlfriend, sister or mum a fan of pink? Then this is the perfect time to introduce them to the latest Nintendo handheld, the 3DS. This nifty little gadget is now available in a Coral Pink colour, and comes packed with a whole host of preloaded software, including six AR cards.

Furthermore, if the woman in question loves cute little animals too, this game also comes bundled with Nintendogs + Cats for that extra 'awwwwww' factor.

The console is likely to cost around £149 on its own, or £164.99 for the bundle deal. Go on, start earning those brownie points!

A BMCDigital Carry Case for DS/DSi/3DS

This storage carry case for the Nintendo Console range makes the perfect female-gamer accessory this Christmas. The bag has enough room to store the charger and the console plus a few games, and also comes complete with a shoulder strap so that gamers can have the option of using it like a shoulder-bag or simply carrying it using the top handle.

This carry case retails for around £8.99 and can be found in online stores such as Play.com or in most videogame outlets.

PROFESSOR LAYTON

AND THE

SPECTRE'S CALL

The latest game in the Professor Layton series makes a brilliant gift for fans of puzzle-adventures. The game's detailed and heartfelt back-story is woven fantastically into the game, and the charming graphics and the simple-to-understand but difficult-to-solve logic puzzles should be enough to keep recipients interested in this game well into the New Year.

Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call is exclusive to the Nintendo DS/DSi consoles and retails for around £30 and can be found in most videogame stores or online. Hurry though, as this is a very popular game and online stocks may run low in the coming weeks...

LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 5-7

(DS/DSi/3DS/PSP)

The brilliant sequel to Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 is here! This fantastic and very humorous game sees players take on the role of Harry Potter and other characters from the book and film series, in a zany Lego production which has been lovingly brought to life by the talented TT Games.

Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 is available on ALL handheld consoles to date, including its debut on the Nintendo 3DS, and costs around £35 to buy.

DOCTOR LAUTREC

AND THE

FORGOTTEN KNIGHTS

(3DS)

Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights is a puzzle-adventure game which has been developed exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS.

The game follows a similar format to the Professor Layton series of games (see above), but features a lot more familiar logic puzzles such as Crosswords or Spot-the-difference, which might suit an older female gamer or someone who is new to puzzle-adventures.

The game also features an interesting back-story which is set in nineteenth-century France, and features several fun mini-games as well, which are woven into the game in the form of 'Quests'.

For a detailed review of the game, please CLICK HERE.

Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights is available to buy from most videogame outlets, and usually costs around £35-£40 to buy.

That marks the end of our Top 2011 Christmas Gifts For Handheld Gamers: Women post. We hope you found it interesting, but you can also try the following posts if you are still searching for a bit more inspiration:

Unique Christmas Gifts For The Gamer In Your Life... (21/12/2010)

Top 2011 Christmas Gifts For Handheld Gamers: MEN (05/12/2011)

Good Luck!

Latest 3DS System Update Brings 'New Look' 3D Video Recording Features...

2011-12-07T02:42:00.000Z

The latest system update for the Nintendo 3DS promises to bring with it some very interesting new features, including the ability to record video footage on the console and play it back in 3D!

The update which will become available after 6pm on the 7th of December 2011, will offer users the chance to take a set of 10-minute video recordings on their 3DS and also allow for some special 3D freeze-frame animation using the 'Frame-pick' video mode, which, incidentally, is just one of a few video recording modes on offer.

As well as the new Video Recording mode, 3DS users will also find additional game content in their Mii Plaza from today, including the ability to use Spotpass to download global content.

Furthermore, Nintendo has added a special Streetpass Map so that you can see where exactly in the country you have managed to obtain your current Streetpass Hits from, although unless you are a well-seasoned traveller, this probably won't matter too much.

Finally, the 07/12/11 system update adds an all-new Streetpass Quest adventure, called - strangely enough - Streetpass Quest 2, although, we should point out that the new quest won't actually become available until you have successfully completed the original Streetpass Quest game twice through, thus collecting all the hats on offer... time to start collecting our coins again, methinks?

The latest 3DS system update has been long-awaited (having been delayed since early November), but the new features are very interactive and should help in attracting plenty of new 3DS fans in the run-up to the 2011 Christmas season.

Top Christmas Gifts For Handheld Gamers 2011: MEN

2011-12-05T00:00:00.000Z

It appears that Christmas is upon us once more, and once again it sends people scurrying up and down the highstreet in search of those perfect presents. If you have a gamer in your midsts, however, the whole thing does seem more complicated, especially if you have no idea what is 'Hot' and what is 'Not' in the world of videogaming yourself, and this becomes even more restrictive if the person in question happens to be a handheld gamer, with many Christmas adverts choosing to target the larger consoles like Wii or PS3.

Never fear though - Mini Gamers has plenty of suggestions about what Gamers will want to unwrap on Christmas Day, so relax, put your feet up and have a quick read of this... Here is our guide to the Top Christmas Gaming Gifts of 2011.

Each week in the run-up to Christmas, we will give our recommendations for the perfect gaming present for your loved-ones. This week, we look at the perfect (and sometimes unusual) games and gaming accessories for the Special MAN in your life:

Top Christmas Gifts For Handheld Gamers 2011: MEN

ICE-WHITE 3DS/

SUPER MARIO 3D LAND BUNDLE

This Ice-white 3DS and Super Mario 3D Land Bundle could be just the thing if your man happens to be a retro Mario fan. The ice-white 3DS is the pefect colour for male gamers who found the Cosmic Black 3DS a bit boring and the Flare Red or Aqua Blue 3DS colours a little over-powering.

Meanwhile, the game contains many elements from the original Super Mario Bros franchise, but can now be viewed in full glasses-free (Autostereoscopic) 3D. To read a full review of the game itself, please click HERE

However, this console bundle is definitely NOT cheap and can cost between £159.99-£164.99 even in local supermarkets like Tesco or Asda.

MARIO KART 7 (3DS)

If the person in question already owns a 3DS console, then a good game for them to have this Christmas is Mario Kart 7. This game incorporates some of the most beloved Mario Kart gameplay from yesteryear, but adds some paragliding and underwater races, and polishes it up with some stunning glasses-free 3D visuals like you have never seen before. Mario Kart 7 is available from all good retailers, and costs between £34.99-£39.99 to buy. A definite winner for fans of Racing Games.

APPLE iPAD 2

Probably one of the hottest handheld gadgets right now is an iPad 2. Not only does this nifty little gadget allow users to watch films, play music, and of course, download and play top game titles such as Madden NFL 12 or Asphalt 6: Adrenaline HD, amongst others, but it can also have access to thousands of downloadable Educational software and Business Apps (such as the fantastic OmniGraffle, which allows people to create simple presentation flowcharts and/or diagrams with a simple touch of the screen), direct from the Apple Store.

Now for the bad news...Whilst this handheld device is great for both gaming and general entertainment and work needs, it does not come cheap. In fact, the various purchase options for the iPad 2 depends upon its downloading capacity and whether it uses Wireless 3G or not.

Thus the iPad 2 is available in most highstreet Electronics and Home Entertainment stores such as HMV, and is available either in Black or White, and comes in various downloading capacity sizes ranging from either 16GB, 32GB or 64GB and can also be purchased with an additional 3G package.

For this reason, the actual iPad 2 device can cost anywhere between £399-£599, with some of the downloadable 'Apple Store' applications costing an extra £40-50 to download. NOT an easy present to buy if you are feeling a little bit cash-strapped.

A GAMING CHAIR

Okay, so we admit it - a gaming chair is hardly a handheld device or accessory. However, a gaming chair comes with extra audio connectors, and can help gamers to relax whilst challenging their fingers, thumbs or styluses with various virtual delights, so we thought that we would include it...

There are a surprising number of gaming chairs on the market at the moment, depending on your price range and gaming mode of choice. Of course, the more sophisticated your gaming needs, the more expensive your chair will be.

However, sticking with the overall theme of handheld gaming, the Senior X-Rocker Gamebag chair (available in a Football design, if desired) was one of Mini Gamers personal favourites, and was being sold relatively cheaply at just £29.99 in some cases.

The Gamebag chair is a type of bean bag seat, which features two surround-sound speakers for quality audio, and connectors that work with all types of home console and handheld devices such as the iPod, Nintendo DS consoles and PSPs.

To see examples of the different kinds of Gaming Chairs on offer at the moment, and their current price ranges, please click HERE.

A SONY ERICSSON XPERIA PLAY PHONE

Yes, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is a highly-functional Smartphone, which also allows users to play their old Sony PSP games like Little Big Planet and God of War in an entirely new format.

The Xperia Play is available with tariffs from Orange, O2, Vodafone, T-mobile and the 3 network. However, the price of each individual tarrif and contract does vary. Nevertheless, the Xperia Play phone itself tends to retail at around £189.

We also should mention that the Xperia Play is not the only Gaming Smartphone on the market at the moment, even though it has been extremely popular. To read our side-by-side comparison article,
'Gaming Smartphones: Xperia Play VS. Windows Phone 7 ,' Please CLICK HERE.

STILL UNSURE OF WHAT TO BUY?

Have we failed to help you find your perfect gaming gift? You might find it helpful to check out Mini Gamers 2010 Christmas post entitled: Unique Christmas Gifts for the Gamer in Your Life, which is packed with even more brilliant gift ideas. Who knows, you might find just what you were looking for...

Professor Layton 4 VS. Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights: PART TWO

2011-11-27T00:00:00.265Z

VS.

Welcome to the second part of our 'Versus' battle between the latest Professor Layton game - Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call/Last Specter, which was released for the Nintendo DS/DSi console(s), and the brand new Puzzler, Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights, which was developed by Konami exclusively for the 3DS.

In Part One, we examined Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call/Last Specter. This time we take a look at Doctor Lautrec and his assistant, Sophie, as they embark on their first-ever puzzle adventure.

We have split the game down into sections and will examine Plot, Gameplay, Characters, and Graphics in order to see which of the two handheld games is also the best new puzzle game on the market to date...

DOCTOR LAUTREC

AND THE

FORGOTTEN KNIGHTS

PLOT

The game has a very strong back-story, involving "Living Treasure", or Treasure Animatus as it is commonly referred to in the game. Doctor Lautrec hunts this type of treasure and wants to tame the so-called Guardian Spirits which live within such treasure. Only the Doctor's trusty assistant, Sophie can sense and see Guardian Spirits, and therefore it is her job to tell the Doctor where to find the Treasure Animatus.

Unlike the games in the Professor Layton series, this game takes place in real 19th-Century France and therefore contains many real-life landmarks and historical events, which does add a charming touch of realism to the overall game.

The main storyline also involves a hunt for some treasure from the House of Bourbon and often contains historical facts about 19th-century Paris etc, which adds a subtle yet interesting educational aspect to the game as well.

GAMEPLAY

Although this game has been somewhat criticised for 'copying' the characters and graphic-style of the Professor Layton series, the gameplay is remarkably different from its puzzle counterpart.

For example, whereas Professor Layton is more concerned with traditional logic puzzles such as shape, number or letter codes and riddles, etc, Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights contains more accessible, familiar logic puzzles such as Spot-the-Difference, Crosswords, Sudoku and Minesweeper types of puzzles, which are still difficult, but perhaps less demanding than those in Professor Layton, meaning that the game seems to move smoothly onwards without too much frustration over puzzles that one cannot solve.

MINI GAMES

The game also includes four distinct forms of mini-game, which are Hidden Entrances, Quests, Taming of the Treasure Animatus and Escaping the Catacombs. With the exception of finding the Hidden Entrances to various catacombs (by locating a hidden Fleur de-lis symbol on the building), three of these mini-games are often played together.

For example, in Quests, Doctor Lautrec and Sophie must search for various Treasure Animatus around Paris. They must also Escape the Catacombs of each location by avoiding detection by the various guards on duty, and, they must also 'tame' any Treasure Animatus that they find.

The taming of the Treasure Animatus is the most challenging of the three mini-games. The goal is to reduce the Life Points down to a score below 100, so that it transforms into a relic which can later be used to tame other Guardian Spirits in the game.

In order to tame a Guardian Spirit, players must place gemstones (collected throughout the game) and other relics containing Treasure Animatus Guardians upon a stone plinth in such a way that their attack power outnumbers the Guardian Spirit that players are trying to tame.

However, it is important to not completely reduce the Guardian's Life Points to zero, otherwise the Spirit will die and cannot be used in the final battle against a very powerful Guardian Spirit.

CHARACTERS

This game has a lot of different, humorous and quirky characters, who all have important roles to play in the unfolding storyline.

GRAPHICS

Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights uses many different types of animation, including 2D cartoon-style graphics and 3D block animation amongst others. All of the graphics are presented in full 3D, which adds greater depth perception to the various locations included in the game map.

SUMMARY

Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights will certainly appeal to fans of the Professor Layton games, but is also very interesting and challenging in its own right. We are sure this will be very popular at Christmas. Overall rating: 9/10.

FINAL VERDICT: LAUTREC VS. LAYTON:

Whether you opt for Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call/Last Specter or Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights this Christmas will largely depend on what type of puzzle-adventure you are looking for.

Professor Layton has now got a well-established fan base, and the puzzles tend to stretch the brain in more varied ways than we have seen in Doctor Lautrec, nevertheless, it is sometimes impossible to get the answer to the various riddles contained in the game, which can sometimes lead to frustration as we search for a good Walkthrough that can help us solve our current conundrum. Thus, Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call/Last Specter is likely to appeal to die-hard puzzle fanatics more than the brand new Konami offering.

In addition, the bonuses and mini games contained within Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call/Last Specter increase the game's replay value by around 1000%, which we cannot say about Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights, whose mini-games are only structured around the main storyline.

Nevertheless, Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights has a slightly more complex storyline to it than that contained in Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call/Last Specter, which might appeal more to a slightly more adult audience than Professor Layton, but the game contains familiar 'newspaper' style puzzles which makes it the perfect starter game for gamers who wish to try their first puzzle-adventure game.

To tell you the truth though, we here at Mini Gamers found good and bad points within both games, but still thoroughly enjoyed both games. If you are still undecided as to which game to spend your money on, maybe the truly logical thing is to save up your cash and purchase BOTH titles as soon as you can. See, every puzzle [really does] has an answer...