LEGOS are taking over the gaming world…seriously. Between Indiana Jones 2, LEGO Rock Band…and now with the announcement of LEGO Harry Potter, it looks like another franchise will now be immortalized in interlocking plastic bricks of all sizes and colors. Check out the trailer below:

From the press release:

LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 1-4 will give gamers the chance to experience the magic and adventure of Harry Potter in a new and uniquely LEGO way. Playing as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley™ and Hermione Granger™, as well as other favourite characters, gamers will have the opportunity to attend lessons, cast spells, mix potions, fly on broomsticks and complete tasks to earn house points. Throughout the game, players will also have the freedom to explore iconic settings from the wizarding world including Hogwarts castle, Diagon Alley™, the Forbidden Forest and the village of Hogsmeade™!

For my first ever guest blogger week, my fellow bloggers wrote some awesome posts - from thoughts on Rock Band and Final Fantasy to game inspired music and innovation in gaming. Because it was so much fun, I’m looking to do it again with 5 more bloggers. Bloggers can write about anything video game related and the post can be any type (review, list, rant etc.) and any length. I will publish one post a day the week of June 15th - June 19th. Interested? Send me an email with your post idea carmen [at] iuwii.com

Data Design Interactive’s E3 showcase includes two Wii Motion Plus golf games. I think its great that developers are utilizing Nintendo’s new peripheral and technology, but the only golf game I plan on buying is Tiger Woods 10. I don’t think I need two more regardless of how different they are. Besides, at some point, I need to get off the couch and go play the real thing.

Golf Training
The new Nintendo Wii™ MotionPlus™ controller extension for the Nintendo Wii™, gives players a realistic experience with a fresh approach to play, incorporating the Wii MotionPlus’ unique gyroscope-based, motion-sensing functionality. Golf training at home is set to become the new leisure past-time. Golf Training will be the first ever golf game which captures the players ACCURATE moves, enabling the player to adjust their techniques to become the next Golf Pro.

Kidz Sports - Crazy Mini Golf
One of the first titles to take advantage of the new Wii MotionPlus™ Accessory, which enhances the fun with its highly accurate gyroscope based, controller extension. ‘Kidz Sports - Crazy Mini Golf’ already had the most accurate golf swing of any Wii title, and now with Wii MotionPlus™ it is even better. Unlike other golf games which turn any flick of the Wii Remote into a swing, ‘Kidz Sports - Crazy Mini Golf’ feels like the real thing. Every subtle movement is detected and shown immediately on-screen, giving you accurate and constant feedback.”

The most exciting thing about Majesco Entertainment’s E3 lineup is A Boy and His Blob. The game was previewed in Nintendo Power a couple of months back and it looks great. Also, it isn’t just a port of the NES original, it builds on the original storyline with 40 levels and new jelly beans. Majesco’s other upcoming previews include Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum 2010, another balance board compatible fitness game with a boot camp track, Flip’s Twisted World, a puzzle platform game for Wii and Go Play City Sports, a family style sports game that includes stickball, kickball, handball, rooftop hockey, shootout soccer and jump rope. Its also balance board compatible. For the DS, Majesco will be demoing My Hero Firefighter, an aspirational game for those who want to be firefighters when they grow up.

I’m looking forward to seeing some video from A Boy and His Blob, hopefully they’ll have video and screenshots available soon.

I think this is the game you would get if you turned Pokemon into a racing game. I’ll post pics and video when I get them.

From the press release:

Monster Racers for the Nintendo DS™ will take you on a quest around the globe in search of monsters to train, nurture, and race. For the first time in the genre, your skill in controlling your monster will be a key factor to winning each challenge. Races are filled with obstacles that will test your skills in controlling speed, jumping ability, and reaction time. By combining real-time racing, platform-style action, and role-playing with the fun of monster collecting, KOEI is bringing to life a colorful and unforgettable world where everyone can be a champion. This product is rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB.

From the press release:

Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced Trauma Team™ for Wii™, an entirely new medical entertainment experience from the makers of the award-winning Trauma Center® series. Encounter unprecedented depth across six distinct fields of medicine: play as a general surgeon, diagnostician, E.M.T., orthopedic surgeon, endoscope technician, and medical examiner. Follow the story as never before with all-new dynamic story sequences inspired by Japanese animation and comics; each dramatic chapter comes vividly to life with distinct style! Hand-drawn art, innovative animation, and quality voice acting perfectly capture the raw intensity, excitement, and danger of every heart-pounding moment!