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In just a couple of decades, video games have changed beyond all recognition. From waiting for hours for our cassette to load up a simple, buggy and ridiculously ugly game on our state of the art Amiga, Commodore 64 or Amstrad in the 1980′s, we now have games consoles with complex and beautiful games, processors more powerful than our PCs and better graphics than our TVs.

Over the years, Nintendo have led the way with their innovative products, fantastic games and cutting edge technology. Early in their development Nintendo were onto a winner with the smash hit game, Super Mario Bros for the NES and later for the SNES. Keen gamers will remember the splash they made with the Nintendo 64 games console, one of the best selling consoles of all time despite the hot competition from Sony’s first Playstation. Nintendo’s partnerships with top quality games publishers such as Capcom, Bandai and Konami from the outset meant games development and retail was swift, innovative and good quality.

Since the success of the N64, the world has enjoyed the delights of the GameCube which brought faster loading speeds and better graphics and more recently the interactive fun of the Nintendo Wii. Despite being released in 2006, the Wii’s motion sensing abilities have only been challenged by rival console manufacturers Microsoft and Sony in 2010 with the release of the Playstation Move and the Kinect for the Xbox 360. Whilst the Nintendo Wii lags behind its competitors in terms of graphics quality, it has more than made up for this by cornering a niche market of thirty something non serious gamers who enjoy the interactivity and social side of games like Wii Sports and Wii Fit.

In the past Nintendo has also produced superb standards of hand held consoles, from the original Game and Watch through to the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and more recently the dual screened touch sensitive DS console. The DS has stepped again into a niche market, with some of the best brain training and puzzle games aimed squarely at the more mature games enthusiast and has successfully outsold rival PSP consoles year on year. The latest incarnation of the console, the Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL features internet connectivity, a camera and an SD slot for increased storage. The Nintendo DSi is currently the most popular hand held games console in the world.

Due to be released in the UK this week, the Nintendo 3DS is the newest handheld console to hit the streets. Featuring groundbreaking ‘glasses free’ 3D graphics and dual rear mounted cameras for ‘augmented reality’ gaming, the Nintendo 3DS is expected to break new ground in gaming technology and open the doors to games developers for a world of new experiences.

But what will be next from the granddaddy of games consoles? There has been a great deal of speculation about the possible release of the Nintendo Wii 2 and latest rumours suggest the new console may be revealed at E3 in June 2011. Amongst the features gamers are speculating (or hoping) to be included in the Nintendo Wii 2 are HD graphics, a quad core processor, up rated motion control, a blu ray player and even an LED projector, removing the need for TV hardware. Others are hoping the Wii 2 will build on the new technology in the Nintendo 3DS, creating more augmented reality games on the big screen.

With all the successes the company has built over the years with the Nintendo DSi, Wii and now the Nintendo 3DS the world waits with baited breath to see what will be next. Nobody knows for sure what the new console will look like, but one thing is certain, that it will no doubt be another resounding success at doing what Nintendo does best – bringing gaming out of teenagers bedrooms and into the family lounge for everyone to enjoy.

Nintendos 3DS handheld will be released on March 25th and eager gamers look set to buy the console in droves but which games should they be looking to buy to make the most of their shiny new handheld? Here are five of the most promising games set to be released during the 3DS launch window:

Nintendogs + Cats

An update of the hugely successful DS hit Nintendogs, this new version retains similar gameplay and adds felines into the mix to create a virtual pet simulation that looks set to become a 3DS favourite. As well as incorporating the touchscreen and microphone interaction from the original game, Nintendogs + Cats will also use the 3DS front-facing camera for facial recognition. The game will be available in three different versions: French Bulldog & New Friends, Golden Retriever & New Friends and Toy Poodle & New Friends.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

A criticism often levelled at modern Nintendo consoles is that the library of games is too child-focused with nothing of interest for mature gamers. Its something of a misconception, though; there are plenty of titles of interest to older console owners available for both the Wii and the DS if you know where to look. The 3DS looks to continue in that vein with the release of Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D which takes inspiration from the Mercenaries Mode first introduced in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis and expanded so expertly in both Resident Evil 4 and 5 . Players are tasked with defeating as many enemies as possible in a given time frame in a high score battle that rewards tactical play.

Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

The previous Lego Star Wars games have been wonderful fun, combining a playful interpretation of the films characters and plotlines with a simple but engaging platform-based gameworld to create a charming series of games with a serious dose of the just one more level factor. The third instalment looks to be just as enticing, this time taking its cues from The Clone Wars, an animated television series that expands on the universe mapped out in the original trilogy of Star Wars films and their three prequels.

Pilotwings Resort

Many Nintendo fans have been pining for a new game in the Pilotwings franchise for many years to no avail but the Nintendo 3DS is set to deliver the goods with Pilotwings Resort. The flight simulation game, which comes 15 years after the last instalment Pilotwings 64, looks to share many features with Wii smash hit Wii Sports Resort and will allow owners of both consoles to use their existing Mii characters in the game.

FIFA 3DS

The go-to franchise for football fans the world over is coming to the Nintendo 3DS in an all-new incarnation. Details are a little thin on the ground so far (the games title hasnt even been finalised yet) but its been confirmed as a European launch title so details should start to trickle through sooner rather than later. Given the FIFA games usual brand of adrenaline pumping sporting action, though, you can be sure that this will be one to keep an eye on.

With the popularity of motion sensitive gaming on the increase, health experts are warning that types the types of injuries usually associated with professional sports are on the increase. These include tennis elbow and carpel tunnel syndrome.

When playing tennis outside, much time will be spent simply chasing loose balls. Tennis on Wii: Sports for example sees the same movement repeated in fast succession, making painful injuries more possible.

I can vouch for this through my adoration of Wii games. Last year, I became rather addicted the medical simulation game Trauma Centre: New Blood. Zig-zagging sutures and delicately replacing a pace maker really takes its strain on your hands my fingers were painfully locking regularly! Before that I had a 48 hour love affair with manic party game WarioWare: Smooth Moves. Completing every level, breaking my own personal best and unlocking all the various “Toy Room” bonuses proved to be quite harsh on my limbs, leaving my with painful shoulder for a couple of days after the games completion.

The following tips should help you to prevent future damage to yourself the next time you plug in your Wii or Kinect:

• Take regular breaks: Whilst exercise is good for you it is important to allow your body to recover. A lengthy stint on Wii fencing might not seem strenuous until the next day when you’re aching!

• It might seem a little silly but you should have a good stretch before launching into the physical gaming action. You’ll feel healthier for it in the long run!

• Switching playing positions at regular intervals and you should attempt to maintain a good posture and this will put less strain on your body.

• If you just can’t limit your motion sensitive gaming addiction, perhaps you should consider investing in an Xbox 360 Kinect, which instead of relying on controller dependant motions, the setup measures movements from all parts of your body, easing the strain on singular limbs.

I often wonder if I should have applied for a game design degree. I completed a degree in Software Engineering nearly 10 years ago with the idea being that maybe I could get a job in the video game industry one day, it never quite worked out like that for me, I ended up in web development. Now more than ever their appear to be a range of game design courses around, specialising in training to work specifically within the video game industry.

There’s many sides to the game industry, from design to programming and up to soundengineeringand script writing. This multi-billion dollar industry mirrors the film industry now more than ever, and is just as competitive when it comes to securing a position. Having the right qualifications and some experience is key to securing a junior position.

I’m in no way an expert on the subject, however itwouldseem the best approach would be to specialise in aparticulararea that interests you and that you have a talent for. Most jobs requireexperienceof very specific disciplines, e.g. level designer, content developer,game-playdesigner, UI artist etc.

There’s plenty of sites and forums where you can research the industry standard tools you’ll need to master as well as the qualifications and experience you’ll have to acquire.

About 6 months ago I gave in to some nostalgic urges and bought a Nintendo 64, complete with my two favourite games, Goldeneye and Star Wars Episode I: Racer. After about 10 minutes of playing Star Wars I realised I’d remembered it through rose tinted glasses and that N64 hasn’t been touched since. If I’d known Hydro Thunder Hurricane was on its way, I wouldn’t have bothered buying the N64.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane is a simple but addictive all out blast, consisting of 4 main game modes Race, Gauntlet, Ring Master and Championship. Points are earned for winning eventson a sliding scale based on the results, as you reach different levels of points you unlock new boats, and levels. New boats vary in the usual departments, acceleration, top speed etc. The levels themselves are pretty damn impressive, there are a large amount of destructive elements and shortcuts, each level is also themed and as you race around events take place that vary the action. For example one of my favourite levels, entitled “Monster Island” sees you race around avoiding various giant monsters that interact with the flow of the water making the experience all the more bizarre, insane and most importantly fun.

The physics and game-play are as exaggerated as you’d expect and the game is all the better for it, as you unlock new boats with better handling you learn to fine tune your control and winning a race becomes all the more addictive. Slipstreaming competitor’s boats gives you increased speed. however the key to winning is definitely a combination of picking the best line and route whilst hitting as many nitro pick-ups as possible. Boosting works by collecting nitro pick-ups which top up your boost, this can then be deployed as and when needed.

Graphically Hydro Thunder Hurricane is as good as most Xbox Arcade games get, the water effects aren’t the best I’ve seen, but they’re good enough and this is a game that really is about the simplicity and fun of blasting along at over 200KPH.

One of the highlights of the game for me is the Ring Master mode, this mode sees you blasting through rings that are set out throughout the route. As you pass through each ring you get a small amount of Nitro. This simple game mode is highly addictive and great fun for trying to beat friend’s times and as you progress to pro and expert levels the smaller rings and varying placement force you to take some interesting routes through the courses. The one component missing from this mode is an option to race ghosts to see how well you’re performing alongside others, this would have added another competitive dimension to this otherwise great mode. The multi-player split screen is also great fun that plays beautifully with a rock steady frame rate and bought back memories of Hydra Thunder’s 4 player split screen on the Nintendo 64.

Overall Hydra Thunder Hurricane is everything you expect and want it to be. Just the right level of fun and addictiveness with enough game modes and unlocks to keep you going for weeks. At a price of 1200 MSP (10) you can’t go wrong.

This article comes courtesy of Felix Kemp, Staff Writer at Dealspwn.com, a leading UK gaming blog.

Crackdown 2 is an odd game. While at its molten core, its an explosive superhero romp, replete with fifty foot leaps of faith and SUV-slingshots, on the surface its the epitome of lazy and uninspired sequels, recycling the same move-set, the same cars and weapons, even the same city. But beneath the all too familiar facade, Crackdown 2 is a game of the purest form, simple but effortlessly addicting.

For a customer, Crackdown 2 is an exercise in principles. Do you purchase it for its merits as a game, or do you decide not to for its shortcomings as a sequel? Read on to decide…

Project Sunburst

Is anyone an AA member?

Its no picnic being a Pacific City resident. Since enduring the gangs of old, now the sprawling metropolis is the battlefield for a three-pronged war between freedom fighters, mutants and one reckless Agent.

The story in Crackdown 2 is barebones, an excuse to pit a super-powered Agent against Mad Max-style soldiers and hideous freaks. Cell, a local militia committed to destabilising the Agency regime, has stolen vital cogs from a vast network of machines built to purge Pacific City of its mutated populace.

Armed to the teeth with guns and biceps so big the cast of Predator might blush, the Agency tasks you with recovering the lost Project Sunburst components from Cell strongholds, then to drop to Pacific Citys underworld and face the freaks on their own turf.

Extra Crispy!

Crackdown 2 isnt interested in its story. Its an afterthought, summed up no better than the audio-logs scattered across the city, each one containing more plot-points than the entire game itself. But you shouldnt be concerned with Crackdown 2s lack of story, as youll write your own as you delve deeper into its toy-box and discover the abundant potential at your disposal.

Youre constantly evolving in Crackdown 2. Glittering orbs spew from fallen enemies, and either fill your firearms, explosives or driving skills, depending on the nature of their death. You begin with a standard-issue submachine gun and patrol car, but soon youre toting harpoon guns and an SUV capable of launching itself into the air.

This sense of constant progression, of rewarding effort, is the vein that courses throughout Crackdown 2, almost, but not quite, atoning for the absence of solid story structure and varied mission progression. Agility Orbs, the pulsing spheres scattered across Pacific City for your consumption, epitomise the simplicity in Crackdown 2s appeal.

You Freak

Worse than Weatherspoons on a Saturday

So far, so Crackdown. So whats changed? Pacific City, though the same in name and layout, is but a crumbled ruin of its former glory. Toppled buildings, ramshackle favelas, raging fires, wrecks and rubble are the order of the day – the city is in its death throes. Cell patrol their strongholds, roaming the streets in cars bristling with blades, as frightened civilians scurry to and fro.

But when darkness falls, the freaks emerge. Shambling, pus-spewing outcasts of the mutant kind, theyre supposed to be searching for new victims, but instead exist solely for your own amusement. Hundreds froth on the screen, which you can happily plough through in a car or scatter with a nicely placed blow from a lamp-post.

The freaks, as a concept, seem promising, and in the opening stages are responsible for much giggling. The UV Shotgun, which fires concussive blasts of UV light, hurls dozens of freaks into the air, where they vanish into glittering dust. But it soon becomes incredibly repetitive, the recycled missions not helping to alleviate the stress of facing the same shambling freaks over and over again. They do come in different shapes and sizes, some freaks capable of chasing the Agent on rooftops, others hurling cars, but theyre not challenging enough to pose a threat, and thus just as boring as their weaker counterparts.

Fun With Friends

The opportunities in Crackdown 2 for mayhem, violence and general craziness are insane. Pin enemies to a car with the harpoon gun, and then ride around as their bodies flop lifelessly on the hood. Attach the brilliant Mag grenades to a car, then two more to adjacent walls, and watch as a pulsing line of electricity tethers the car to either wall and transforms it into an impromptu slingshot!

Then, theres co-op. Invite up to three friends to your game, or join another, and carry out ridiculous schemes, like attaching a tank to a helicopter with a Mag, one player piloting the chopper, the other onboard the tank, swinging like a wrecking-ball, burping rockets on the hapless citizens below.