From the moment I put the disk in the drive I could not stop smiling. This is a game that every Harry Potter fan with a game console should have.

To start things off, a music score straight from the movies. Being the huge HP geek that I am, I have all the movie soundtracks and think that music plays an important role in what made the movies successful. I was happy to hear the familiar themes from the movies connected with their video game scenes.

Next thing that impressed me was the environment. It may be LEGOs but it certainly makes you feel like you’re at Hogwarts.

As for gameplay, it’s relatively similar to other LEGO games. Move through Harry’s school years learning spells and potions while collecting studs and saving students from peril. Different charters will have different abilities to help you through this wizarding world.

Overall if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll love this game. It may be aimed for kids but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. It’s a funny new look on your favorite books/movies.

Video via ign.com

Somehow I never get tired of playing this game. While I do still enjoy MW2 every now and again, I can only stand it for so long. I get frustrated with the people playing and the 439048290 messages offering 10th prestige lobbies. Not that WaW doesn’t have both I just find that there is less of it.

From Search and Destroy to (REAL) Capture the Flag to Zombies, that’s how my gaming time was spent this weekend. It makes me smile that there are still thousands of people playing this game even after the release of MW2. With Black Ops coming out the end of this year I predict more people dusting off their WaW and remembering what an awesome job Treyarch did with Their COD title.

So how did the rest of you peeps spend your game time this weekend?

Now E rated games are not usually my forte but being the huge Harry Potter geek that I am, I will find it hard to resist the urge to buy this game. Not to mention the fact that my childhood was full of LEGOS. I’m not going to lie, LEGO has put out some great games. They are great fun for children and adults and I expect more of the same from the Harry Potter game.

From the doorstep of the horrible Dursleys to competing in the Triwizard tournament players will be able to explore the amazing world that is Harry Potter with a twist of LEGO. There are over 100 playable characters to unlock and choose from. Pick your favorites and learn spells, fly on your broomstick, and much more.

So next Tuesday, don’t be embarrassed to walk into GameStop or Best Buy and pick up this game. It defiantly looks like a good time for Harry Potter fans of all ages.

Yesterday the first round of DLC for Red Dead Redemption was released. The new four new co-op missions are free of charge. But for many(including myself), playing the new content was not an option yesterday. After downloading the missions I sat forever starring at the loading screen just to get into a free roam session. I finally gave up an went on to play something else.

According to Rockstar Games’ Twitter they have released a fix for the connectivity issues and other glitches for their MP. I look forward to teaming up with my posse to take on the new missions. Word is this DLC is only the first of at least three packs. But this first one is most likely the only one that will be free.

Via msnbc.com

Microsoft has not officially announced the price of its forthcoming motion-control device known as Kinect, but according to their own store it’s likely to run $150.

So it may not be official but it’s looking like gamers will be shelling out big bucks for Kinect. I shouldn’t be surprised but I am a little bit. As cool as Kinect looks (to me at least) the hardcore gamers are just not interested. Hardcore gamers are a staple for the Xbox 360. A price like that will push any thoughts of buying it right out the window.

As for new buyers to the 360 it might prove too expensive for a console, Kinect, and games. Unless they have an amazing bundle around Christmas time. Personally, I would have rather seen the price closer to the $100 mark but I’m still going to buy it.

So MS you’re not fooling anyone. We all expect that to be the actual price. So just get it over with and make it official so you can be bombarded with complaints from people who will buy it anyway.

Yesterday Infinity Ward’s Fourzerotwo had this to say on his blog…

Just uploaded two new playlists to Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer that allow you to play public matches with no Killstreaks in a variety of game modes. This update is currently available on Xbox Live, and will be coming to PC and Playstation 3 alongside the Resurgence Package DLC the week of July 6th. The exact details of each new playlist are below:

Barebones Pro:

Play Team Deathmatch and Free-for-All. All Killstreak rewards are disabled.

Players: 4-8

*Xbox LIVE Party Chat allowed

Objective Barebones Pro:

Play Domination, Demolition, HQ Pro, and Capture the Flag. All Killstreaks rewards are disabled.

Players: 8-12

*Xbox LIVE Party Chat allowed.

I guess he has a different definition of “barebones” than many of us. I’m not being ungrateful for the new playlists I’m saying did he listen to the players at all? Taking out the killstreak rewards does not equal barebones.

Removing killstreaks is only the tip of the iceberg when you’re talking about making a barebones playlist. Perks, attachments, and deathstreaks should be removed for a playlist to be deemed “barebones”. It should just be you and your gun.

It’s a nice attempt at getting back some players IW but alas you have failed once again at satisfying the masses. Too little too late.

It seems that Microsoft has given the new Xbox 360 some brains. As stated in my previous post, there is no more Red Ring of Death(RROD) but that doesn’t mean this console won’t make you see red.

Pics via engadget.com

Looks like we’ll have a red dot to warn us it’s time to put up the shades and expose our pale skin to the sunlight. Although this will be highly annoying if it happens in the middle of a game it is relatively preferable to the death of your console.

To all the gamer Dads out there, Happy Father’s Day!! Hope your kids leave you alone long enough to play today.

That of course doesn’t mean it won’t break. There is just a new error system that I am sure we will create a funny name for in the future.

What this basically means is that you just literally won’t see any red lights. But the hope is that the new systems will have the lowest failure rates of all the past 360 systems. Makes sense since they’ve had a ton of time to work on it since the first 360 generation in 2005.

So gamers if your current system is making you see red, I suggest picking up the new system if you have the cash.

Another rumor confirmed at E3. Last night Cliff Bleszinski officially announced that the rapper/actor would be voicing the new character Griffin in the next installment of Gears of War.

According to Bleszinski’s Twitter, Ice-T is pumped to be a part of the game.