Solatorobo: Red the Hunter DS Review || Novel Gamer column on Game People

Solatorobo: Red the Hunter provides an incredible journey in a huge fantasy world with a great story. This is one of the biggest adventures by far to be had on the DS.

The hallway echoed with my booming steps as the heavy metal feet of the DAHAK carried me forward. As I continued on, two robot security drones came to attack me. I leaned the DAHAK down and picked one of the droids up by its feet. Leaping into the air, I hurled the terrified machine into its partner, destroying them both in a shower of sparks.Reaching the darkened end of the corridor I saw that the way forward would be impassable for the suit. I gulped and stared bleakly at the tiny ladder, as I realised I would have to dismount and continue on foot. I took with me a small hand weapon. In comparison to the DAHAK's mighty form, I knew I represented a pitiful opposition to any enemies lurking the darkness. I felt very alone. I gripped the pistol tightly and began to climb into the shadows...

The pleasure I got from playing this game speaks most strongly to my love of animated Japanese movies. Not so much the building-destroying, explosion-leaping or motorbike riding anime, but more the wistful, child's-dream fantasy of Studio Ghibli, the company behind Spirited Away and Laputa. While resolutely science fiction, the floating cities in Solatorobo are stone-cobbled and the next character I meet may as likely be a pastry chef as an amorous cargo-trader.

Solatorobo creates a fantasy world of sky pirates, brigands and treasure. The costumes are flamboyant and operatic and the action equally melodramatic. Red, the hero, is a (ed: Dog) mercenary looking to earn a living from taking on jobs for the menagerie of interesting supporting characters. He fosters an intense rivalry for the local security forces and before he knows it he is embroiled in a bigger plot with conspiratorial twists and a magic secret. It's like Han Solo's journey in Star Wars if it had been directed by Terry (The Adventures of Baron Munchausen) Gilliam.

While Solatorobo's quests are largely variations on being sent to find an object or kill a certain group of enemies, the basic mission structure is kept lively and enjoyable by the brilliant fiction and cast of memorable characters. The settings are varied, from a giant-bee-infested jungle to a subterranean sewer. The game's narrative always manages to keep bringing fresh ideas and locations and remains an engaging adventure throughout.

Solatorobo features a highly unique combat concept

It also benefits from a fairly open-world structure. While there were certain quests which advanced the story, I found that being able to explore each new location at my leisure helped connect with Solatorobo's world. A clear sense of location is a hugely important factor in immersing a player or audience in a narrative and this game achieves it.

Another element which reinforces that sense of space is the requirement for Red to dismount his powerful robot suit occasionally to explore less traversable terrain on foot. Compared to the god-like robot, Red on his own feels very small and vulnerable. As my story above suggests, I found these moments were loaded with sympathy for the character along with a real sense of suspense.

The game's unique selling point is also its weakness. Solatorobo features a highly original combat concept. Enemies are fought in real-time by lifting them and throwing them to cause damage. Multipliers can be added by jumping into the air before hurling and hitting another opponent with a flying victim. Red's robot suit, which allows for these activities, can also be upgraded to increase lifting strength, speed, attack and defence. The battles are kept interesting by a variety of enemies that have to be approached in different ways to allow Red to get his cunning claws into place to lift the enemy.

It's like Han Solo's journey in Star Wars if it had been directed by Terry Gilliam.

But, despite that stream of varied encounters the basic approach of lifting, throwing and returning attacks becomes repetitive very quickly. I can't put my finger on it, but I feel that somehow the combat needs a couple of extra strategic elements to provide a truly addictive experience.

In true Zelda tradition there are also some mini-games which can provide a welcome distraction. The mech-fighting and fishing games are highly enjoyable. However, there is an aircraft racing side-game which I found to be fiddly to control and is visually messy and unsatisfying.

The air racing does opens up into 4-player races for players over Wi-Fi and this may provide a more entertaining challenge than I was able to experience. However I couldn't help but feel that the basic handling lacked fluidity and the collectible weapons never seemed to be as finely tuned as a combat racer like Wipeout or Mario Kart.

Those flaws are minor, however, in the face of Solatorobo: Red the Hunter's undeniable charms. In addition to all that this game has to offer there are even 12 additional quests to download, providing even more adventures. With sun-bleached fantasy castle towns and pantomime characters it feels every bit like getting immersed in a dreamy cartoon escape.

Chris Jarvis writes the Novel Gamer column.

"I write stories to say what I think about games, for me it's the only way I can really communicate what I feel about them. Do you ever have a response to something that's hard to put into words? I find that sometimes I have something to express that can't be communicated by trying to explain how I feel, directly."

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Nier PS3 Review || Intimate Gamer column on Game People

I have never played a game quite like Nier before. But it took a while for me to realise what exactly that meant. Characters, relationships and story overtake its gameplay mechanics, and invite us to intrude on the painful loss of intimacy between a father and his sick daughter.

Part of my unusual reaction to Nier was how the game handled its characters and how they drove the story. Unlike many hack and slash adventure games I had played before, Nier offered me a wonderful, promising and sometimes interactive storyline.

From the offset, you are plunged into a weird and post apocalyptic world. It looked familiar at first, a grim world plagued by snow and cold, cluttered with devastated buildings and the colour grey. From that moment I saw the shell of a man, at first any typical forlorn and tragic hero, having lost everything, it looked like he had nothing to live for. But he got up and he fought, and it was quickly revealed that he was a father, and from that moment on, that was exactly how I saw him.

It became a story about a father striving to protect his sick daughter, and about a daughter who only wanted to spend time with her father, and not be a burden to him. I expected the girl to die, and our hero to become that tragic figure, wondering without a purpose. But unlike other games I've player that didn't happen, and I found that really refreshing.

Nier's daughter's name is Yonah. The dynamic between father and daughter meant I was instantly attached to her, which doesn't happen often. Children in video games rarely prove to be a driving force, more often a hindrance or a sorrowful plot device, and although Yonah may have been exactly that - a way to bring the magic and mystery to Nier's small village and give him purpose, it didn't feel forced.

The dynamic between father and daughter meant I was instantly attached to her.

It felt tragic in the loss of their parent-child intimacy. Through surprisingly believable reactions we see how Nier wants to make certain of what exactly is wrong with her. Searching for an answer he struggles to keep them afloat in a dying world, needing to spend time apart from his sick daughter in order to secure their future.

When Yonah's disease, the Black Scrawl, begins to makes itself known in full Nier is finally lost in his determination to find a cure. It becomes difficult to interact with anyone, such was his single minded intent -- the will of a man driven to find a cure for his daughter.

The architecture of a forgotten world, this bizarre landscape of bridges that lead nowhere and abandoned military bunkers turned junk heaps, creates a unique place for this intimacy to be played out.

But more than the world, it is the Neir-Yonah relationship that really makes the game work. The diary entries on the loading screens were a beautiful way of keeping Yonah present in her absence, bringing forward little details about her and her father that could not be expressed elsewhere.

It was already clear that Yonah loved her father, but through these messages you see her loneliness, and how in order to keep her alive Nier is almost negligent in his love. It is a sad dynamic that speaks for itself, something that rarely gets explored in video games.

It is a sad dynamic that speaks for itself, something that rarely gets explored in video games.

It's odd, but very realistic. Yonah, despite her illness, just wants her father around more. We are let into the innermost mind set of both Yonah and her father, and throughout the game I felt it push me forwards.

My only regret is that the gameplay mechanics weren't able to match the weight of the relationships. It often felt more like reading a novel than playing a game. In these terms it suffers next to more mature handling of characters we find in books. Many of the other characters were stale, and weren't terribly original. Despite the unusual world setting the people were all terribly familiar, almost type cast.

Although there are lovely touches here and there, characters like the hard-done-by outcast and spoilt-young-king detract from the father/daughter experience. I had such high hopes for the game, and although it did offer a different story and way of playing through it, I think that in the end, these ambitious actions may have been its own downfall.

Neir will always be special for me though. It may be one game that I've played where the plot and characters truly overtook everything else. The game-play was not exactly challenging, just awkward, so I kept on playing for the story alone, and I think that is both wonderful and a little weird too.

Hollie Simon wrote this Intimate Gamer article under the watchful eye of Emma Boyes.

"I thought it would be interesting to write about sex and relationships in Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS lite and PSP games. I'll also touch on other areas like how women are portrayed, gender roles, and being gay."

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Tetris: Axis 3DS News || Reporting Gamer column on Game People

Tetris: Axis brings the grand-daddy of Nintendo franchises onto the 3DS with a range of new play styles as well as that classic Tetris formula.

With the name Tetris: Axis it's tempting to think that Nintendo have finally succumbed to the fad of releasing everything as a WWII-themed shooter. Thankfully this isn't the case and Tetris: Axis proves that there are still plenty of new ways that seven unique shapes can provide a range of puzzle-based games.

The first and most appealing feature is the return of the classic Marathon mode. This will make use of the AR capability of the 3DS by super-imposing the Tetris wall on a real surface in your environment. This means that for those that haven't given their ? card an outing in recent times it may be time to search for it. Also utilising the AR mode is a game type called Climber, in which Tetris blocks must be dropped to form a staircase for a figure climbing a cylindrical tower. The player will have to move around the object in order to place falling shapes. It remains to be seen how enjoyable this mode becomes in practice and how well suited the lengthy rounds of Tetris are to standing and moving around.

Tetris: Axis is also getting some SpotPass functionality which allows players to acquire new items to use in-game to achieve higher scores. For those in less social 3DS areas, hopefully this won't detract from enjoying the game itself.

In addition to these there are over 20 variations on the Tetris theme, including Jigsaw, Capture and Fit. Multiplayer also benefits of a huge array of choice including local Wi-Fi, Download Play and World Battle via online multiplayer. All of these support up to 8 players.

Compared to early release titles like Pilotwings Resort - which generated debate about the small amount of content it provided for a full price game - I think Tetris Axis delivers a huge amount of content at a budget price point. With the game set to be available for less than ?20, it is a generous offer and refreshing that Nintendo recognise the need to encourage gamers to buy yet another iteration of Tetris.

But, as iterations go, it looks as though Tetris: Axis has a range of options which will make use of some of the 3DS' great feature and should be a must-have title for any owners of the console.

Tetris: Axis is currently planned for release on the Nintendo 3DS on the 21st October 2011.

Chris Jarvis wrote this Reporting Gamer article under the watchful eye of Paul Govan.

"The problem with video game news is that there is so much of it. I've made it my task to sift out the noise and bring you news about games I think you should be excited about."

© GamePeople 2006-10 | Contact | Huh?

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Ms Splosion Man 360 XBLA Review || Intimate Gamer column on Game People

Ms Splosion Man may be pink but is no more intimate than her masculine counterpart. The same formula is fun for a while, but in the end I went looking for interesting characters and conversations elsewhere.

Arcade games aren't exactly known for their in depth plot-lines and diverse characters. Their uniqueness is in their ability to tell a fulfilling story on a smaller scale.

However, whilst playing Ms. Splosion Man, I didn't feel that there was much more than an original premise. I had wanted to discover how Ms. Splosion Man fitted into the universe established by her boyfriend (or perhaps husband) Splosion Man, but it was not exactly the most intimate or deep of games. It was fun to play, but it didn't really offer me anything more than that.

I have not played any Splosion Man games before and had no expectations, or in fact very much idea of what might happen. I had, however, hoped to find some sense of reason within Splosion Man world, but discovered quickly that this wasn't going to be the case. The story is essentially just: Splosion Man is captured.

It had it moments when I thought that there might be something beyond the explosions, when faced by new enemies and certainly in the very opening level when being chased by a giant robot. BUt amidst the tension that put me on the edge of my seat Ms. Splosion Man seemed almost entirely unaffected, completely oblivious to events around her.

I know this is just an arcade game, but a little bit of relational intimacy or characters to engage with would have got me through the battering gameplay. But without this, I never really became involved in the game or the character of Ms. Splosion Man.

It was not exactly the most intimate or deep of games.

Sure, she was entertaining with her singing and dancing, in a pop-culture referencing kind of way, but there was no substance beyond this, no personality of her own. It made it difficult to like her, she reminded me of a classic Loony Toons character, entertaining but not exactly unique. Fun for an entertaining evening, but certainly not someone to regularly date.

She left no food for thought, I was not for a moment interested in what she had to say or indeed if she had anything to say at all, it felt to me that she was not even aware of whatever goal she had.

Although Ms Splosion Man may not be for everyone, at least it didn't pretend to be anything more than what it is - an exciting, exploding, puzzle, platformer. For whatever reason, it lacked characters and conversations, but the game itself seemed to make up for it.

It lacked conversations, but the game itself seemed to make up for it.

Ms. Splosion Man didn't leave me hungry for more. I experienced it, and left it at that, it was easy to just leave behind. Male or female it appeared as though it wouldn't have made a difference to the game, to me, it just looked like yellow had been traded in for pink.

Hollie Simon wrote this Intimate Gamer article under the watchful eye of Emma Boyes.

"I thought it would be interesting to write about sex and relationships in Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS lite and PSP games. I'll also touch on other areas like how women are portrayed, gender roles, and being gay."

© GamePeople 2006-10 | Contact | Huh?

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Inazuma Eleven DS Review || Novel Gamer column on Game People

Inazuma Eleven combines Anime-style roleplaying with a quirky football simulation. I really wanted to like it. I really didn't.

It was one of those matches that the crowd would remember for the drama as much as the final score. Our own plucky team had set out on a personal underdog-to-hero story and this was the game that would prove our potential.With only seconds left on the clock, the score was one-all and the ball was deep within my own half. I deftly tackled the opposing striker and cleared the ball to the left wing. I tapped the ball forward through the enemy, skilfully guiding it from player to player. My striker was onside; he picked up the pass and charged for the open goal - the opposing keeper was no-where to be seen. My star player pulled back his foot and cannoned the ball toward the net.At which point the enemy keeper appeared from nowhere and summoned a magic sword which cut the ball in half, denying the goal. I couldn't help but feel cheated. It didn't even count as a foul.

Inazuma Eleven attempts to use Football as the action element in a cartoon role-playing adventure. In narrative terms it understands the passion well, weaving its rags-to-riches story about an enthusiastic young player in a run-down school club without motivation. He rallies his friends and recruits fresh players to take on a series of matches which will save their club and prove their worth.

It's very well presented, with great quality animation and voice talent. It's from the same developer as the Professor Layton series and all the production hallmarks are on display. The Football sections are controlled by drawing lines with the stylus for players to follow. I found this initially confusing compared to other, more direct Football games; however once mastered it provides a great insight into the movement of players on the pitch and the need to set up strategic plays to confuse the defence and the goalkeeper.

The smaller encounters are fairly entertaining, replacing the random monster battles of an RPG like Dragon Quest VI with sudden four-a-side challenges to gain possession or score first. Where Inazuma Eleven really fails is in the incorporation of 'special moves' into the main Football match challenges.

Inazuma Eleven fails to overcome the challenge of combining player skill with character stats.

The drama created by a Football match revolves around possession of the ball, the effectiveness of player positioning and prepared set pieces and ultimately the skill of eluding the keeper. Inazuma Eleven actually succeeds in simulating Football very effectively, in that it provides the tools for a player to position team members, define a strategy and then see that strategy play out.

That would be fine if that is as far as it went. Unfortunately, each player has stats which affect the success of tackles, saves and the like and skill points can be used to unleash special moves. These add a role-playing progression to each character as new abilities are unlocked but I found it detracted from my enjoyment of the Football challenges.

The magic skills undermine the drama of Football. The story I related above is my own experience of running an extremely successful play against the opposing team. The keeper was wide, my striker was onside and I had a clear shot at the goal. However, the hidden mechanics of the game decided to deny my achievement.

To make matters even worse, most of Inazuma Eleven's statistics are calculated behind the scenes. I don't even know what factors contributed to the special move which ended my game. This also applies to fouls, which seemed to be decided in a random fashion. The only calculated statistic which is presented to the player is in tackle challenges.

In narrative terms it understands the passion well, weaving its rags-to-riches story.

The problem here is the way the game provides difficult action sequences for the player to overcome, but then decides the outcome using in-game stats. The player is already given a considerable challenge in having to wrestle possession of the ball, guide it through the opposing lines and make a successful challenge. Having done this, however, the fruits of the player's skill are then arbitrarily decided by in-game mechanics. It would be like a driving game introducing random engine explosions in the last lap of a race, or a golf game introducing teleporting holes.

I'm not much of an ardent Football fan myself, but I still felt enormously cheated that my efforts in-game had been negated by an arbitrary role-playing mechanic. This actually blocked my progression in the game, having failed to beat the same match four times in a row. Each time I was ham-strung for the same reason, by a special move which cancelled an almost certain goal. Inazuma Eleven left me feeling so frustrated I actually struggled to sleep after playing it.

The creators of Phoenix Wright and Professor Layton have made a good stab at trying to create a stirring cartoon Football drama, but fail to overcome the challenge of combining player skill with character stats. Inazuma Eleven is neither an enjoyable role-playing adventure nor an entertaining or accurate Football simulation.

Chris Jarvis writes the Novel Gamer column.

"I write stories to say what I think about games, for me it's the only way I can really communicate what I feel about them. Do you ever have a response to something that's hard to put into words? I find that sometimes I have something to express that can't be communicated by trying to explain how I feel, directly."

© GamePeople 2006-10 | Contact | Huh?

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Skylanders Characters and Figures Full List Wii Rough Guide || Collecting Gamer column on Game People

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure puts exquisite collectable toy figures to work in a videogame. Getting the best value from your collection is more than finding the cheapest price, it's as much about choosing the toys that suit how you play the game.

As with any action adventure videogame it is understanding how game works that actually makes it more fun. With Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure this is even more the case as it has a range of different toy characters you need to choose from. Identifying the toy characters that best suite your style of play (and your budget) is important to your experience of the game.

Earth Characters: Terrafin Prsim Break Bash Legendary Bash Dino-rang
Fire Characters: Ignitor Eruptor Flame Slinger Sunburn
Air Characters: Sonic Boom Lighten Rod Whirlwind Warnado
Water Characters: Gill Grunt Zap Slam Bam Wham Shell
Magic Characters: Spyro Dark Spyro Legendary Spyro Voodood Double Trouble Wrecking Ball
Tech Characters: Trigger Happy Boomer Drobot Drill Sergeant
Life Characters: Stealth Elf Stump Smash Zook Camo
Undead Characters: Chop Chop Legendary Chop Chop Ghost Roaster Hex Cynder

Before I go through the different Skylanders character stats, attacks and upgrades you need to understand how this fits together. I'll assume you've read the Skylanders Review and watched the Studio Tour so you have a good idea of how the toys are used to access characters in the game.

Each of the toy figures belongs to a particular grouping: Earth, Fire, Air, Life, Undead, Magic, Water and Tech. Owning all the characters in one of these groups gives you an extra bonus when you play. Also, the groupings define how the characters perform against each other in the versus mode and in the main campaign. Each group has special areas that only they can access.

Fig 1. Pre-order Skylanders Figures on Amazon.

When choosing which toys to collect you need to balance the benefits from owning all of one sat against the being able to pick and choose from the different sets and access more of the special areas. Also, if you are going to be fighting against friends you may want a range of different character groups to select from to match up against their toys. For instance, fighting Fire with Water is more effective than fighting it with Tech.

As well as these groupings. the toys each have a set of starting characteristics that defines how they perform initially and how you can power them up and upgrade them in the videogame.

Firstly, they have a primary and secondary attack that defines both the style, range and effectiveness against different enemies. The primary and secondary attacks can sometimes be used in combination to increase the power or reach of a weapons. For example Prism Break can fire his primary Beam attack into the crystals he summons with his secondary Shard Summon attack to reflect it in more directions and increase its range.

Secondly, each toy has a particular set of upgrades. Again these provide additional attacks that can increase the range and power of their starting weapons. These will either offer a new ability or power up an existing one.

Finally each toy has a set of characteristic stats that define how they perform. These are upgraded as you work through the different levels but still determine how powerful they can become.

The in-game stats detail Max Health (Hit points), Speed (Movement), Armour (How Hard to hit), Critical Hit (Chance of doing extra damage), Elemental Power (Increase effect of elemental zone), Heroics (Challenges completed), Hero Level (Website progress).

The cards/web game stats are slightly different. These detail Attack (the strength of their weapons), Agility (how high they can jump and how fast they can move), Defense (how much damage their armour and body will absorb from an enemy attack), Luck (how quickly they recover from stun attacks), and is used in other non-skill based aspects of the game.

With that in mind, here are the detailed differences between each character (which will be filled out in detail as more information becomes available):

UK Availability: Only as part of Pirate Adventure Pack.

US Availability: Only as part of Pirate Adventure Pack.

Terrafin hails from The Dirt Seas, where it was common to swim, bathe, and even snorkel beneath the ground. But a powerful explosion in the sky created a blast wave that turned the ocean of sand into a vast sheet of glass, putting an end to Terrafin?s duty as the local lifeguard. Not one to stay idle, the brawny dirt shark found himself training in the art of boxing, and not long after he was local champ. Fighters came from all around to challenge him, but it was a chance meeting with a great Portal Master that led him to give up his title for a greater purpose.Upgrades include:Shark PunchEarth SwimBrass KnucklesMega BellyflopRazorfinCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Strength: 70Agility: 25Defense: 80Luck: 50

UK Availability: As part of Triple Pack or Single Pack.

US Availability: As part of Triple Pack or Single Pack.

Prism Break was once a fearsome rock golem who didn't like to be disturbed. Then, an accidental cave-in left him buried underground. One hundred years later, a mining expedition digging for valuable jewels discovered him by chance with a well-placed blow from a pick axe - something Prism Break doesn't talk about. After 100 years of solitude, he found that the pressure of the earth had transformed him emotionally as well as physically, turning his crude rocky arms into incredible gems with powerful energy. Grateful for being free of his earthly prison, Prism Break decided to put his new abilities to good use and dedicated himself to protecting Skylands.Primary Strength: Energy BeamsSecondary Strength: Shard SummonUpgrades include:Chained RefractionCrystalline ArmourFocused EnergyCharacter Stats:Max Health: 290Speed: 35Armour: 18Critical Hit: 30Elemental Power: 32Card Stats:Strength: 75Agility: 10Defense: 90Luck: 45

UK Availability: As part of Triple Pack or Single Pack.

US Availability: As part of Triple Pack or Single Pack.

Bash spent most of his early dragon hood staring into the sky, watching the flying creatures of Skylands soar amongst the clouds. Determined to join them, he learned how to curl himself into a ball and roll with incredible momentum in a vain attempt to take flight. Over the years, his skin hardened, forming a natural protective armour unlike any other creature. He now thunders through Skylands, leaving a wake of destruction against any who threaten it. Despite his thick skin, he still gets a bit touchy about his inability to fly.Primary Strength: Tail SwipeSecondary Strength: Rock RollUpgrades include:Iron TailMace of DestructionGaia HammerCharacter Stats:Max Health: 310Speed: 35Armour: 12Critical Hit: 20Elemental Power: 32Card Stats:Strength: 85Agility: 30Defense: 90Luck: 20

UK Availability: As part of Legendary Pack.

US Availability: As part of Legendary Pack (Toys R Us Exclusive).

Bash spent most of his early dragon hood staring into the sky, watching the flying creatures of Skylands soar amongst the clouds. Determined to join them, he learned how to curl himself into a ball and roll with incredible momentum in a vain attempt to take flight. Over the years, his skin hardened, forming a natural protective armour unlike any other creature. He now thunders through Skylands, leaving a wake of destruction against any who threaten it. Despite his thick skin, he still gets a bit touchy about his inability to fly.Primary Strength: Tail SwipeSecondary Strength: Rock RollUpgrades include:Iron TailMace of DestructionGaia HammerCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Strength: 85Agility: 30Defense: 90Luck: 20

UK Availability: Coming soon.

UK Availability: Coming soon.

For years, Dino-Rang trained to use the weapons of his tribe ? earthen boomerangs. His people were skilled hunters in a world far away from the realm of Skylands. As he slept one night, a freak portal suddenly opened beneath him. Unsure of how? or why? he arrived in Skylands, Dino-Rang set out to explore the world that was suddenly his new home. Eventually becoming a Skylander, he now fights with his own brand of dino-justice, while seeking out the fabled Twin Diamond Boomerangs, which he believes could hold the clues to his greater destiny.Upgrades include:Stone BoomerangsBoomerang ShieldStonefist TrapsDervish ShieldVolcanic Glass BoomerangsCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Coming soon

UK Availability: In 3DS Starter Pack.

US Availability: In 3DS Starter Pack.

On his first quest as a knight, Ignitor was tricked by a cunning witch into wearing a magical suit of armour that he was told would resist fire from a dragon. But as it turned out, it was made of cursed steel. He journeyed to a dragon?s lair where a single blast of fire transformed him into a blazing spirit, binding him to the suit of armour for eternity. Despite this setback, Ignitor remains a spirited knight who is always fired up to protect Skylands from evil... and find the witch that tricked him.Primary Strength: Flaming SwordSecondary Strength: Fire SpiritUpgrades include:Scorching BladeFire Forged ArmourIncinerateCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Strength: 100Agility: 40Defense: 65Luck: 50

UK Availability: As part of Triple Pack or Single Pack.

US Availability: As part of Triple Pack or Single Pack.

Eruptor is a force of nature, hailing from a species that lived deep in the underground of a floating volcanic island until a massive eruption launched their entire civilization to the surface. He?s a complete hot head - steaming, fuming, and quite literally erupting over almost anything. To help control his temper, he likes to relax in lava pools, particularly because there are no crowds.Primary Strength: Lava LobSecondary Strength: EruptionMega Magma BallsHeavy Duty PlasmaSuper Eruption Upgrades include:Character Stats:Max Health: 290Speed: 35Armour: 18Critical Hit: 30Elemental Power: 25Card Stats:Strength: 80Agility: 25Defense: 85Luck: 35

UK Availability: As part of Triple Pack or Single Pack.

US Availability: As part of Triple Pack or Single Pack.

Flameslinger is an Elven archer with incredible aim. In fact, he is so good that he wears a blindfold just to prove it. When he was young, he rescued a fire spirit from a watery doom and was gifted an enchanted bow and magical fire boots that he now masterfully uses to defeat evil throughout Skylands. With the scorched earth he leaves behind, you can always tell where he has been.Primary Strength: Flaming ArrowsSecondary Strength: Fire DashUpgrades include:Searing ArrowsFirestormInferno BlastCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Strength: 40Agility: 90Defense: 25Luck: 80

UK Availability: Coming soon.

US Availability: Coming soon.

Born in the centre of an active volcano, Sunburn is part dragon, part phoenix, and 100% fire power. He is very proud of his unique heritage, and is the only dragon and phoenix hybrid known to exist in Skylands. This rare combination makes him a desirable target for dark wizards and bounty hunters that seek to gain power by unlocking the secrets behind Sunburn?s ability to teleport. Joining the Skylanders gave Sunburn a way to help defend the world from evil, but also provided him with protection, as he remains one of the most sought after creatures in Skylands.Upgrades include:Flamethrower BreathImmolation TeleportBlaze throwerPhoenix DashInfinite FlameCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Coming soon

UK Availability: As part of Single Pack.

US Availability: As part of Single Pack.

Long ago, Sonic Boom took refuge high atop a mountain peak in the far reaches of Skylands, hoping to keep her griffin hatchlings safe. But despite her precautions, a devious wizard tracked her down and placed a wicked curse on the griffin eggs. Once hatched, the young hatchlings can live for only mere moments before they magically return to their shells... only to be hatched again in an endless cycle. Wanting to prevent such evil from happening to others, Sonic Boom joined the Skylanders and has trained her young to defend Skylands each time they are hatched.Primary Strength: Sonic RoarSecondary Strength: Egg TossUpgrades include:Sonic RoarEgg TossLoudmouthGriffin FlightEgg ShockerCharacter Stats:Max Health: 280Speed: 50Armour: 18Critical Hit: 30Elemental Power: 25Card Stats:Strength: 50Agility: 60Defense: 60Luck: 55

Availability: Coming soon.

UK Availability: Available from Tesco.

US Availability: Available in Single pack (exclusive to Target).

UK Availability: Coming soon.

US Availability: Coming soon. Not in the Triple pack that Amazon returns for "Warnado" search.

Warnado was hatched in the fury of a rare and powerful Enchanted Twister. Although initially frightened and quite dizzy, over the passing years he grew to enjoy his whirling surroundings and learned many abilities and secrets of the Air Element. This led to Warnado becoming a powerful force and the only known turtle of his kind. Now, the only time he gets dizzy is when standing still.Upgrades include:Spin AttackSummon TornadoSharp ShellWhirlwind FlightTurtle SlamCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Coming Soon

UK Availability: In 360, PS3 and Wii Starter Pack.

US Availability: In 360, PS3 and Wii Starter Pack.

Gill Grunt was a brave soul who joined the Gillmen military in search of adventure. While journeying through a misty lagoon in the clouds, he met an enchanting mermaid. He vowed to return to her after his tour. Keeping his promise, he came back to the lagoon years later, only to learn a nasty band of pirates had kidnapped the mermaid. Heartbroken, Gill Grunt began searching all over Skylands. Though he had yet to find her, he joined the Skylanders to help protect others from such evil, while still keeping an ever-watchful eye for the beautiful mermaid and the pirates who took her.Primary Strength: Harpoon GunSecondary Strength: Water CannonUpgrades include:Boiling Water HoseWater Jet PackAnchor CannonTriple HarpoonDouble HarpoonCharacter Stats:Max Health: 270Speed: 35Armour: 6Critical Hit: 50Elemental Power: 25Card Stats:Strength: 70Agility: 40Defense: 60Luck: 50

UK Availability: As part of Single Pack.

US Availability: As part of Single Pack.

Zap was born into the royal family of water dragons, but a riptide washed him to a distant sea, where he was raised by electric eels. Growing up, he excelled in everything and even created a special gold harness that allows him to carry an endless electrical charge and shock things at a great distance. Zap also proved to be a gifted racer, outstripping any opponent... with the possible exception of the dolphins. With them, it became a good natured challenge to see who could keep up with Zap. But an electric current in his wake often reminded them who they were dealing with. Despite his mischievous streak, Zap grew to be a true protector of the seas and Skylands.Primary Strength: Electric BoltSecondary Strength: Water SurgeUpgrades include:Electro-SlimeMega-VoltWave RiderCharacter Stats:Max Health: 260Speed: 50Armour: 24Critical Hit: 30Elemental Power: 32Card Stats:Strength: 30Agility: 65Defense: 70Luck: 65

UK Availability: Coming soon.

US Availability: Coming soon.

Slam Bam lived alone on a floating glacier in a remote region of Skylands, where he spent his time ice surfing, eating snow cones, and sculpting amazing ice statues. It was a peaceful life, until Kaos destroyed the glacier, stranding Slam Bam on an iceberg that drifted through the skies for days. He awoke on Eon?s Island, where he was taken in and trained to become a Skylander. Now his ice sculptures serve as a frosty prison for any evil-doer that gets in his way.Upgrades include:Yeti FistsIce PrisonArctic ExplosionYeti Ice ShoesIce Knuckles

UK Availability: Available from Smyths.

US Availability: Coming soon.

Wham-Shell was ruler of a kingdom deep in the oceans of Skylands that for a long time lived peacefully. That is, until his underwater utopia was invaded by a legion of oil-drilling trolls that scattered his people to the wind. Armed with a powerful mace that had been handed down from one king to the next for generations, Wham-Shell defeated the greedy trolls and drove them away. Soon after, he joined the Skylanders to help defend against this type of atrocity ever happening again.Upgrades include:Malacostracan MaceStarfish BulletsKing?s MacePoseidon StrikeMega TridentCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Coming soon

UK Availability: In 360, PS3 and Wii Starter Pack.

US Availability: In 360, PS3 and Wii Starter Pack.

Spyro hails from a rare line of magical purple dragons that come from a faraway land few have ever travelled. It?s been said that the Scrolls of the Ancients mention Spyro prominently - the old Portal Masters having chronicled his many exciting adventures and heroic deeds. Finally, it was Master Eon himself who reached out and invited him to join the Skylanders. From then on, evil faced a new enemy - and the Skylanders gained a valued ally.Primary Strength: Fire BreathSecondary Strength: Horn ChargeUpgrades include:Dragon FlightTriple ShotFire ShieldCharacter Stats:Max Health: 280Speed: 50Armour: 18Critical Hit: 30Elemental Power: 25Card Stats:Strength: 60Agility: 90Defense: 50Luck: 60

UK Availability: In 3DS Starter Pack.

US Availability: In 3DS Starter Pack.

Spyro is a rare magical dragon with the ability to harness the power of the other elements, though he prefers to master fire. However, this innate power also leaves him vulnerable to the influence of dark magic. When the Darkness is nearby, Spyro can channel its energy and combine its power with his own, becoming Dark Spyro. Over the years, he has learned to focus and control his power, using this dark magic to fight the forces of evil.Primary Strength: FlameballSecondary Strength: Horn ChargeUpgrades include:FlightFire ShieldTriple FlameballsCharacter Stats:Max Health: 280Speed: 50Armour: 18Critical Hit: 30Elemental Power: 25Card Stats:Strength: 60Agility: 90Defense: 50Luck: 60

UK Availability: As part of Legendary Pack.

US Availability: As part of Legendary Pack (Toys R Us Exclusive).

Primary Strength: FlameballSecondary Strength: Horn ChargeUpgrades include:FlightFire ShieldTriple FlameballsCharacter Stats:Max Health: 280Speed: 50Armour: 18Critical Hit: 30Elemental Power: 25Card Stats:Strength: 60Agility: 90Defense: 50Luck: 60

UK Availability: As part of Triple Pack and Single Pack.

US Availability: As part of Triple Pack and Single Pack.

Voodood was a brave warrior among his people. During his rite of passage as a young Orc, he entered the Cave of Trials to prove his worth. It was there he found much more than expected. Lured by a brilliant light, Voodood discovered the skeleton of an enormous dragon with an ornate axe buried where the heart would have been. The village was astonished when he exited the cave holding the legendary Axe Reaver and wearing the dragon skull on his head. Voodood quickly became warrior leader and defended his homeland from many beasts and invaders... until he was the last of his tribe. Soon after, he joined the Skylanders.Primary Strength: Axe ReaverSecondary Strength: Zipline AxeUpgrades include:Magical TripwireExtended BladeElectro AxeCharacter Stats:Max Health: 290Speed: 35Armour: 12Critical Hit: 30Elemental Power: 32Card Stats:Strength: 75Agility: 60Defense: 50Luck: 35

UK Availability: Coming soon.

US Availability: Coming soon.

Double Trouble was an adept spellcaster. On an expedition to find exotic ingredients for his potions, he travelled in search of a rare lily that was said to multiply the power of any spell. So thrilled was he when he found it, Double Trouble instantly ate the plant and performed a spell. Suddenly, there was a loud pop? then another? and another ? until Double Trouble was surrounded by exact copies of himself. As it turned out, he had misunderstood the details about exactly what would multiply. But it didn't matter, for he quickly realized the clones were delightful companions? never mind that they were only half his size and would explode on contact.Upgrades include:Eldritch BeamConjure Exploding DoubleSummon Magic BombArcane Eldritch BeamMagical CataclysmCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Coming soon

UK Availability: Coming soon.

US Availability: Coming soon.

Wrecking Ball was once a tiny grub worm about to become the main ingredient in an old wizard?s cauldron of magic stew. But when he was dropped in, the wizard was shocked to see the little grub devour all of the soup and emerge from the cauldron 20 times larger and with a long, sticky tongue. The poor old wizard was even more surprised seconds later, when Wrecking Ball proceeded to swallow him whole. Eventually he ran, quite literally, into the powerful Portal Master Eon, who was intrigued by how he came to be and impressed with his unique abilities.

UK Availability: In 360, PS3 and Wii Starter Pack.

US Availability: In 360, PS3 and Wii Starter Pack.

Trigger Happy is not just his name, it?s his solution to every problem. No one knows from whence he came - he simply showed up one day with his hand-crafted shooters, blasting gold coins everywhere and it?s been like ever since. And while his home is a great mystery to everyone throughout the lands, they all know him as a crazy gold slinger that will take down any bad guy... usually without bothering to aim.Primary Strength: Gold Coin ShootersSecondary Strength: Safe Cracker BombUpgrades include:Pot O? GoldGolden Super ChargeCoinsplosionMachine gunUnlimited CoinsCharacter Stats:Max Health: 200Speed: 50Armour: 30Critical Hit: 50Elemental Power: 25Card Stats:Strength: 40Agility: 60Defense: 20Luck: 100

UK Availability: As part of Triple Pack or Single Pack.

US Availability: As part of Triple Pack or Single Pack.

As a young troll, Boomer loved to blow things up - particularly sheep. Later, he was drafted into the troll army, where they gave him LOTS of things to blow up. However, Boomer realized the sole mission of the army was war and conquest. Even though he was a troll, these things didn't interest him. So he left the trolls after saving a town from being destroyed by them. Not long after, he was invited to be a Skylander - the only troll ever to win such an honour. Now he uses his explosive skills to fight evil... much to the relief of sheep everywhere.Character Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Strength: 70Agility: 40Defense: 50Luck: 75

UK Availability: As part of Triple Pack.

US Availability: As part of Single Pack and Triple Pack.

Dragons are smart, but none so much as Drobot. He was born in the highest reaches of Skylands, where dragons spent all their time competing in aerial battles. But Drobot was more interested in taking things apart to see how they worked. While exploring one day, he came upon some mysterious technology, which he used to assemble a robotic suit. Features include laser beams that shoot from his eyes, flight enhancement technology, a vocal synthesizer that gives him a deep booming voice, and the ability to shoot spinning gears. With such power - more than most other dragons - Drobot joined the Skylanders to help protect the residents of Skylands.Upgrades include:Mega BlastersTactical BladegearsThruster FlightHover ModeQuadratic BlastersCharacter Stats:Max Health: 290Speed: 43Armour: 24Critical Hit: 20Elemental Power: 32Card Stats:Strength: 40Agility: 60Defense: 75Luck: 45

UK Availability: Coming soon

US Availability: Exclusive to Sams Club in US.

Availability: In 3DS Starter Pack and Single Pack.

US Availability: In 3DS Starter Pack and Single Pack.

As a small child, Stealth Elf awoke one morning inside the hollow of an old tree with no memory of how she got there. She was taken in by an unusually stealthy, ninja-like forest creature in the deep forest. Under his tutelage, she has spent the majority of her life training in the art of stealth fighting. After completing her training, she became a Skylander and set out into the world to uncover the mystery behind her origins.Primary Strength: Blade SlashSecondary Strength: StealthUpgrades include:Dragonfang DaggersArboreal AcrobaticsElf JitsuCharacter Stats:Max Health: 270Speed: 50Armour: 12Critical Hit: 50Elemental Power: 25Card Stats:Strength: 60Agility: 100Defense: 30Luck: 70

UK Availability: As part of Triple Pack and Single Pack.

US Availability: As part of Triple Pack and Single Pack.

Stump Smash was once a magical tree that spent most of his time sleeping peacefully in the forests of Skylands. Then one day he awoke to discover his entire forest had been chopped down and logged by trolls - himself included. His long branches were gone, leaving him with only powerful mallets for hands, which he used to smash the troll tree-cutting machines. Although still grumpy about what happened to him, Stump Smash has vowed to protect Skylands against those who would do it harm... especially trolls.Primary Strength: Wood HammerSecondary Strength: Acorn SpitUpgrades include:Petrified PummelThorn BarkStump Crusher CombosDouble StumpCharacter Stats:Max Health: 340Speed: 43Armour: 30Critical Hit: 20Elemental Power: 32Card Stats:Strength: 90Agility: 20Defense: 70Luck: 40

UK Availability: Coming soon.

US Availability: Coming soon.

UK Availability: Coming soon.

US Availability: Coming soon.

Zook hails from a strange and unusual species called Bambazookers, who once lived their entire lives standing in place? until Zook discovered they could walk simply by stepping out of the mud. After that, he became a wandering hero, using his hand-carved bamboo tube as a bazooka that fires special explosive thorns. Campfire songs were even written about him. Now, Zook spends him time as a Skylander, figuring he can be an even bigger hero? and have even more songs written about him.Upgrades include:Bazooka AttackFoliage BarrierMortar AttackFullSplinter JacketExploding ShrapneCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Coming soon

UK Availability: As part of Single Pack.

US Availability: As part of Single Pack.

Chop Chop was once an elite warrior belonging to the ancient race of Arkeyan beings. Like many of the Arkeyans, he was created from a hybrid of elements - in his case, undead magic and technology. Chop Chop is a relentless, highly-skilled solider who wields a sword and shield made of an indestructible metal. With the Arkeyans having vanished long ago, Chop Chop wandered Skylands for centuries looking for his creators. Eventually, he was found by Eon and recruited as a Skylander.Primary Strength: Sword SlashSecondary Strength: Arkeyan ShieldUpgrades include:Spiked Shield BashArkeyan Vorpal BladeVampiric AuraCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Strength: 65Agility: 60Defense: 100Luck: 20

UK Availability: As part of Legendary Pack.

US Availability: As part of Legendary Pack (Toys R Us Exclusive).

Chop Chop was once an elite warrior belonging to the ancient race of Arkeyan beings. Like many of the Arkeyans, he was created from a hybrid of elements - in his case, undead magic and technology. Chop Chop is a relentless, highly-skilled solider who wields a sword and shield made of an indestructible metal. With the Arkeyans having vanished long ago, Chop Chop wandered Skylands for centuries looking for his creators. Eventually, he was found by Eon and recruited as a Skylander.Primary Strength: Sword SlashSecondary Strength: Arkeyan ShieldUpgrades include:Spiked Shield BashArkeyan Vorpal BladeVampiric AuraCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Strength: 65Agility: 60Defense: 100Luck: 20

UK Availability: Toys R Us Exclusive Darklight Crypt Pack.

US Availability: In the Darklight Crypt Pack.

There was a time when Ghost Roaster was neither a ghost nor a roaster. Instead he was a chef living in a village high in the mountains. One day, while clipping wool from a sheep to use in a recipe, he accidentally fell into the Valley of the Undead and transformed into a ghost eating ghoul! After eating an entire spectral village, its Ethereal Ruler chained Ghost Roaster to a spiked ball as punishment - its rattle heard as he wanders the night, warning nearby spirits. When Master Eon eventually heard of his predicament, he figured even a ghost eater could be useful. So he made Ghost Roaster a Skylander... after he promised to eat only evil ghosts.Upgrades include:Chain WhipSkull ChargeEctoplasm ModeHauntNightmare TouchCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Strength: 60Agility: 40Defense: 85Luck: 40

UK Availability: Coming soon.

US Availability: Coming soon.

Long ago, Hex was a gifted and powerful sorceress who travelled deep into the underworld to confront the Undead Dragon King named Malefor, who made several attempts to capture her to learn her secrets. Though she successfully battled the dragon, Hex returned from the underworld changed ? having unwillingly joined the ranks of the Undead. Many are wary of her since her transformation, suspecting she has used her powerful magic for evil purposes. But Eon trusts her, and views her as a most valuable Skylander ally.Upgrades include:Conjure Phantom OrbRain of SkullsWall of BonesStorm of SkullsCaustic Phantom OrbsCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Coming soon

UK Availability: Coming soon.

US Availability: Coming soon.

While just an egg, Cynder was stolen by the henchmen of an evil dragon named Malefor and raised to do his bidding. For years, she spread fear throughout the land until she was defeated by Spyro the Dragon and freed from the grip of Malefor. But dark powers still flow through her, and despite her desire to make amends for her past, most Skylanders try to keep a safe distance? just in case.Upgrades include:Spectral LightningShadow DashCynder FlightBlack LightningShadow ReachCharacter Stats:Coming soonCard Stats:Coming soon

Steph Flemming writes the Collecting Gamer column.

"There are as many way to collect games as there are to play them. I want to bring together old, new, classic, rare, sealed game collectors together in one place, and make sense of it for us everyday people."

Steph Flemming recent reviews:

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