Who can remember Scooby Doo? Scooby-Doo was created over forty years ago and two decades later they are still popular. People can’t get enough of the stories of a group of teenagers and Scooby Doo solving mysteries. They have now released a game, Scooby Doo: First Frights. Be part of the adventure and dive into mysteries, follow clues and chase down the criminals.

The game play is straightforward. There are four mysteries for you to solve and each has twenty levels. Each story is unique with its own setting and villain. There is always a criminal trying to convince the public that a certain place is haunted and you have to try to collect clues to solve the mystery. There is a mixture of puzzle solving, collecting clues and beating enemies. Each time you solve a mystery you can go back and explore the mystery in more detail. After each level, based on the evidence you have gathered, you choose who you think the villain is.

All the familiar characters from the Mystery Inc team are there – Shaggy, Fred, Velma, Daphne and Scooby Doo. They appear slightly younger than what they usually do to appeal to the younger audience. You can swap between characters or invite friends to join in drop-in/drop-out co-op play. Each character has different skills, costumes and weapons. There are many unlockable costumes that can be used to camouflage yourself or gain new abilities e.g a space suit that equips Shaggy with a ray gun.

The presentation of the game is quite cartoony which is great to suit the young audience. The controls are easy to use and it has been well designed. This is a great game for kids. There are enough activities to keep them interested but they are not to difficult to get the hang of. It also has a dual player mode which is perfect for when the kids have a friend over.

If you love solving puzzles and cartoon games then Scooby Doo: First Frights will be the perfect game for you. It is great for children and also great for adults to bring back their childhood memories of Scooby Doo. Get your adrenaline pumping and help Scooby Doo and the gang solve mysteries and defeat the villains.

Feel like something that melts in your mouth and is irresistible? Want to indulge in some delicious chocolate? Whittaker’s is the perfect solution for all you chocoholics. With products ranging from peanut slabs to toffee milks there is something to suit young and old. Chocolate is one of life’s pleasures and Whittaker’s is certainly one of the best.

In 1890, James Henry Whittaker came to NZ and brought his chocolate knowledge from working for a confectioner in England at 14. Since 1896 he has been making Australasia’s premium chocolate. Today it is still owned and run by the Whittaker family. All the products are made in the factory in Porirua, Wellington and they source the best ingredients from all around the world.

The Whittaker’s range now includes 65 delicious different treats. It is exported to countries such as Singapore, Australia, Vietnam and India. The milk chocolate contains 33% cocoa, compared to their competitor, Cadbury, whose milk chocolate only contains 21% cocoa. The dark chocolate contains 50% to 72% cocoa. The cocoa comes from Ghana and Madagscar so it is some of the best quality chocolate in the world. It is all Halah accredited by FIANZ (excluding Rum and Raisin) and all gluten free (except Kiwifruit Block and Toffee Milks). Milk also isn’t an ingredient in the dark chocolate which is great for the lactose intolerant and for vegans.

For all of those chocoholics out there, head to your nearest convenience store and devour some delicious Whittaker’s chocolate today.

Are you excited about the Rugby World Cup? Want to feel like you are one of the players? Wellington based studio, Sidhe, has developed the All Blacks Rugby Challenge game which is due to be released at the end of this week. We are a rugby mad nation and Sidhe have spent hours and hours on every little detail to ensure that no-one is disappointed. It will feature teams such as the All Blacks and the Wallabies with competitions such as the Super Rugby and ITM cup. There is a lot of excitement in the rugby and gaming communities with the release of the All Blacks Rugby Challenge game.

As you start the game Mils Muliaina, Dan Carter and Ritche McCaw are setting up a try. Just what you need to create that extra hype to start the game! A cool feature is that this will change depending on which country you are based in. The game will detect this and select that country’s national team. Sidhe wanted to create excitement around the rugby world cup and that meant creating a game that had the hype and anticipation as it would in real life. The game has tried to highlight the personalities of the players and the teams. It provides an emotional and engaging experience. I can see people jumping out of their couches and screaming at the TV just as they would with a real game.

There is a tutorial to get you up to speed so you don’t have to worry if you are a novice. These include running between cones and practicing kicks, the same drills that you would do when you first start to learn how to play rugby. When choosing a game mode, players can select from a number of matches. Games can be played for 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 or 80 minutes. The game includes 96 teams and 31 stadiums. Fourteen New Zealand stadiums are featured and all look the same as what they do in real life.

The motion capture has been designed at Weta studios to make the game more realistic. Instead of the whole crowd moving in one motion, this rugby game has every person moving individually. The individual’s composure is also based on if the game is a home, away or neutral match. The wind direction is also shown to create a feeling that you are really there. The camera angles are dramatic and provide a very ‘real’ gaming experience. Justin Marshall and Grant Nisbett are the commentators which provide a nice little New Zealand touch. The attention to detail is astonishing.

All Blacks Rugby Challenge is an impressive game and one that a lot of rugby fans will be excited about. It will be released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and PlayStation Vit this Friday so pre-order yours at The Warehouse.

Do you love the circus? If you have never been to a Cirque Du Soleil show then you are definitely missing out! Cirque Du Soleil is back and ready to amaze you. Colourful acrobatics with acts ranging from juggling, duo trapeze and artistic bicycles will leave you in a daze of how skilled these performers are. Cirque Du Soleil presents Saltimbanco and will be showing in Auckland for two weeks.

Saltimbanco is an imaginary city where diversity is a cause for hope. It is a dreamlike world where you can see crazy colourful characters, ranging from the ringmaster to the masked worms, perform acts that to most people seem almost impossible. It is inspired by the diversity of cultures and languages that is also apparent in their large cast. It features an international cast of 50 originating from 20 different countries. Just by the amount of diversity of the cast shows that there will be something to suit everyone’s tastes.

Cirque Du Soleil started of with 20 street performers in 1984. They have come a long way since the beginning and now have more than 5000 employees including more than 1300 artists from around 50 countries. They now bring the wonder to five continents and are currently presenting 21 shows around the world.

The breath-taking artistry and agility will inspire you. Saltimbanco is overflowing with colour and energy. The enchanting live music, humour and spectacular costumes will leave you feeling like you just watched the show of your life.

They are returning to New Zealand for the 4th time. Last time they were here in 2009 I went to one of the shows and it is spectacular. It will be like nothing you have ever seen before and the skills of these talented individuals will amaze you. The show will run for two weeks from August 25 to September 4 at the Vector Arena.

Saltimbanco is an artistic theatre circus performance that you will not want to miss. The bright colourful costumes combined with magical breath-taking performances. A fantastic show for the whole family to enjoy that they will remember for years to come.

We have a double pass to give away to the Saltimbanco show at Vector arena on Wednesday 31 August at 8pm. This is a fantastic prize and to win this all you have to do is answer the question: what are your favourite acts of Cirque Du Soleil?

Winter has well and truly come, and after the cold blast over New Zealand this week, it has left a fresh lot of snow. For those who love to hit the slopes it will be the perfect time to get out and explore. Skiing is an expensive hobby so it’s important to buy the correct gear for you and your ability. If you are only skiing once a season then hiring is probably the easiest option, however if you are opting to hit the slopes frequently then you should buy some skis to get the best out of the season. Skis have changed enormously over the years and there are a huge range of brands and types so it’s important to get an experts advice before you plunge into purchasing some skis.

Ability Level:

-Beginner: if you’ve only been skiing for a few years then you are a beginner. Most of us fall into this category. Beginner skis are soft which makes it easier to turn at slower speeds. Once you have mastered skiing at slower speeds then it’s time to get some advanced skis.

-Advanced: Advanced skiers can ski the entire mountain. The skis are stiffer and respond quicker. In order for these types of skis to be used to their full potential they need to be skied at higher speeds to make them respond.

-Expert: Experts can ski in any condition extremely well and thrive on challenges. Not many of us would fall into this category.

Ski Length:

Most men’s skis range from 155-175cm and the majority of women’s fall within the 140-160cm range. As a general rule the shorter the ski is, the easier it is. A ski should reach up to the chin for beginners, the nose for intermediates, and the forehead or above for advanced skiers. However if you are a heavier skier then you need a longer ski and likewise if you are lighter then you should go for one a bit shorter. Also if you like to ski with wide turns then go longer and if you enjoy faster turns then go shorter. There are many different points to take into consideration when you are purchasing skis and should all be thought about very carefully.

Ski Type:

-Piste: these are to be performed on the piste.

-Freestyle: these are twin tip skis which allow for easy spins. The latest freestyle skis work well in deep snow which means that you can invent some new tricks. They are usually wider than most skis and are designed for the adventurous.

-Big Mountain: These skis have a huge surface area which is excellent in all conditions.

-Race: For skiers that like to ski fast with control then these are perfect. They provide fantastic edge grip and confidence. They are generally suited for expert skiers and racers. They are typically longer and narrower than most skis. If you are not a racer, then do not consider race skis.

For those of you who are looking to buy some skis and hit the slopes more frequently then getting the expert advice from a ski shop is highly recommended. There are a lot of different conditions on the type of skis you should use and what you are trying to achieve. Most of all hit those slopes and take advantage of the amazing mountains and snow that New Zealand has to offer.

Congratulations to the three winners of the All Blacks jersey competition.

-Sally Laurie

-Marie McNaught

-Scott Belesky

Email us at nzlasoo@gmail.com and we will send you your All Blacks jersey!

Blue alien-like creatures, mystic lush scenery and special powers all came to reality in the movie, Avatar. It created such a phenomenon and truly captured the essence of the human imagination of alien life. Ubisoft have now released a game that is inspired by the movie but takes place two years before and reveals more of the epic universe of Avatar.

Set on the lush scenery of Pandora players control the solider, Ryder, who has landed on Pandora and is wanting to take control of the planet to extract its natural resources. At the start you will choose to play the game as either a human solider or an indigenous blue-skinned Na’vi warrior. Both have a six hour game that you can play. As you choose your body you are quickly entered into the stunning world of Pandora. The human side will feel like a third person action game but if you love an adventure game then you will be best suited to playing as a Na’vi.

If you choose to play as a human you gets guns and vehicles. As a Na’vi you get bows, melee weapons and animals to ride. Both sides have various skill powers such as quickly healing yourself or going invisible for a couple of seconds. However you need to choose when it is appropriate to use them. As a Na’vi you can hack your way through the forest and kill wild bests. The acrobatics that the Na’vi can perform enhance the playing experience. I found playing as the Na’vi more exciting and thrilling as it is different to playing the usual shooting games out there. However if you love predator type games then you may be suited to the human version where you can feel powerful as you use guns to blow up stuff as you walk through the lush forest.

Just as I was impressed with the visuals in the movie, I am also impressed by the visuals of the game. It captures what it would feel like to be inside Pandora and have a body of a Na’vi. Try flying one of the Na’vis creatures through the stunning mountain ranges and explore Pandora as you play the game. The visuals will amaze you.

Creating a human and Na’vi version means that there is hours of game play and fun to be had in Pandora.

Totally addicted to chocolate? Love to indulge in an explosion of sweetness? Gu will have you hooked. It is a totally new desert extremism that has just been launched in New Zealand and the addiction has started. You may have heard about these delicious little things already and now Kiwis can be sweetened up and indulge in some great tasting pud too.

Gu’s founder, James Averdieck, came up with the idea for a high end chocolate pud brand while he was working in Belgium. Belgium is well known for their amazing local patisseries and chocolate. Belgian chocolate is used as the key ingredient and is presented in the supermarket chillers as a high range indulgent desert. They have created such a phenomenon that it is estimated that a Gu pud is now eaten somewhere in the world every 2 seconds.

My favourite is the Gu Hot Choc Melting Middle Puds. The deliciously decadent dark-centred hot choc melting middle puds are the perfect treat for a chilly winter’s night. The rich centre is encased with the softest chocolate sponge. It is definitely designed to be served hot so heat it and dish it up at your next dinner party. They are incredibly moreish. I can guarantee that your guests will be impressed.

Gu has gone one step ahead of the rest and produced restaurant-quality deserts for your home. Impress your friends and family or even buy some to treat yourself, but make sure they are hidden otherwise you may come back to find them empty. I bet you are already salivating thinking about when you can get your hands on these scrumptious puds. Caution: Addiction will happen after one bite!

Sick of putting all those harsh expensive chemicals on your face and want something natural that will actually work? Living Nature is a 100% natural skincare range that is produced right here in New Zealand. Established by Suzanne Hall in 1987, Living Nature is now regarded very highly nationally and internationally. It has pure and effective ingredients with scientifically proven results.

Suzanne Hall researched, developed and tested product formulations and wanted to show people the power of nature. Many of New Zealand’s native plants have nourishing, purifying and healing skin benefits which will leave your skin supple and fresh. Living Nature is one company that can claim that it is truly natural and they don’t test any of their products on animals. It produces and sells more than 200 skincare, hair care and makeup products. Some of there powerful ingredients include Harakeke Flax Gel, Totarol, Active Manuka Honey and Manuka Oil. Living Nature’s products have won many awards globally and are a much respected brand.

For over 23 years Living Nature has led the market with their natural, safe and effective skincare. They are 100% natural unlike a lot of beauty companies that claim that they are natural but are not. We often buy expensive beauty products to get the perfect skin. But we forget all the harsh ingredients that we are putting on our face and bodies which can often have a harmful effect on our health. With Living Nature you know that it is all natural and will help you achieve the skin you want.

If you have not yet discovered this globally respected Eco luxe range of 100% natural made of New Zealand Skincare, then give it a try it will do wonders for your skin.

Thanks to the amazing team at Living Nature, http://www.livingnature.com/, we have a travel set to give away to one lucky fan. The normal skin travel set contains 50ml vitalizing cleanser, a hydrating toning gel and nourishing day cream with flax serum. To win this amazing prize pack, go to our Facebook page and answer this simple question: What are two ingredients that are used in some of the Living Nature products?

Do you want a fun warm-hearted film to sit down and enjoy? Do you love Adam Sandler? If you love a classic comedy then check out Grown Ups. It is a chuckle-worthy movie for all the family staring the multi-talented Adam Sandler. Grown Ups follows five men as they re-unite and learn about the importance of life that is often forgot in the busy lifestyles that we live today.

The film is based around five actors, Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider. The movie opens with a flashback to their fiercely competitive childhood basketball game. 30 years later they reunite to mourn the loss of their basketball coach. Adam Sandler plays a 40-ish man who is a successful businessman and his wife, Salma Hayek, is a fashion designer. Kevin James is the all over family man with a wife (Mario Bello) who still breast feeds their 4 year old son. Rob Schneider is a massage therapist married to woman in her 70’s. Chris Rock is the stay at home dad and David Spade is the single man.

The movie is very laid back and shows them all bonding again after such a long time apart. Grown Ups is full of pranks such as shooting an arrow into the air and then trying to dodge it, which proves very painful for Rob Schneider. The pranks are bound to leave you in hysterics in your seat.

The main message of the film is the importance of family and enjoying those good old-fashioned childhood pastimes. They realise that playing out under the sun in the lake is much more fun than the world of video games and designer clothes. This is something that is fast becoming forgotten in society today.

Adam Sandlers ability to write, act and produce some of the funniest movies is evident with this movie. Grown Ups is a good family-centric movie that is bound to keep you laughing for the entire time. And while we often live our busy lives forgetting the most simple times, this film will make you remember what life is about so ‘that when the final buzzer of life goes off, you’ll have no regrets’