Video Games: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Metroid: Advance

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, EA Ubi Soft (GBA) £24.99

This game is a shameless attempt to cash in on the success of the film, and almost certain to be the subject of endless nagging from would-be wizards. EA have actually done a pretty good job of this game: it is closer to the book than the film, and does not produce too many really contrived puzzles. The animation on Harry himself is rotten, and controlling the little fellow is irritating. But there is plenty of fun to be had at Hogwarts; and the game does not suffer from being on a smaller screen.

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Metroid: Advance, Nintendo (GBA) £24.99

All the best games for the GBA are coming from Nintendo itself at the moment, and Metroid is no exception. The game is an open clone of the original Metroid series, but a lot of thought has gone into making this perfect for the GBA. It plays a little like a futuristic version of Castlevania – puzzles, vast areas to explore, frequent power-ups – and is the sort of title that grabs you from the outset and doesn't let go.

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