NOW CLOSED – Harry Potter fans be at-the-ready – new popularity data released from PriceSpy reveals Hogwarts Legacy appears to have cast a spell over Kiwis, with the new release claiming February’s top spot as most-popular game listed on the fully impartial price and product comparison site.

Liisa Matinvesi-Bassett, New Zealand country manager for PriceSpy, says:  “According to our click data, Hogwarts Legacy, which launched mid-February, has Kiwis spellbound – as consumer purchase interest is currently skyrocketing.”

But it’s not just new game releases that are grabbing the attention of gamers.

Despite launching five years ago in 2018, PriceSpy’s data also found popularity for Flashback: 25th Anniversary was on the up, with the game securing a strong second position in February rankings.

“Even though big game releases, like Hogwarts Legacy pulls people in, we are increasingly noticing older games rise back through the popularity rankings, says Liisa.

“We believe a key factor for this shift in shopping behaviours is price, as retailers will often sell older games like Flashback: 25th Anniversary, at significantly discounted price points – to help sell-through older stock, says Liisa.

“During a time where price points are otherwise more expensive due to rising inflation rates and a cost-of-living crisis, for those watching the purse strings, buying older release games really work in a consumer’s favour.

“For example, when we look at the price history of Flashback:25th Anniversary, the game was priced at $99.69 in July 2022. However, today’s* pricing data shows it can now be purchased from $20, offering a significant saving of 80 per cent.”

Liisa concludes: “For anyone looking to make a new gaming purchase, whether it be a new game on the market or one that’s been around for some time, we suggest people always conduct important price research first.

“And as as looking for the shop that offers the cheapest price, consumers are also encouraged to check a product’s price history data – as this important information will help ensure the price consumers are being asked to pay is actually worthwhile.”

PriceSpy has teamed up with us here at STG to giveaway top two of the most-popular games from February 2023., The Legend of Zelda – Tears of the Kingdom on Switch (releases on 12th May 2023) and Hogwarts Legacy on PlayStation 5 (PS5).

To enter in for two selected top games of February 2023 with Pricespy, you need to answer this question correctly:

One of the top games for February 2023 is Hogwarts Legacy. Tell us why you are the ultimate Harry Potter fan!

There’s no wrong or right answer and you can be as creative as you like (but please keep it short-ish) and boom you’re in the draw.

You can give us your answer by placing a comment below, hitting us up on Facebook, Tweet to us, or Email Us.

Important stuff: Winner(s) will be randomly selected from those that Comment below / Facebook Comment / Email in accordance to the above Question. Winner(s) will receive a physical copy of Hogwarts Legacy on PlayStation 5 (PS5) and The Legend of Zelda – Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch. Hogwarts Legacy is rated PG, The Legend of Zelda – Tears of the Kingdom releases on the 12th May 2023, which will be sent to the winner on release day and is rated PG. There is no age restriction to enter this competition. Competition ends on the 30th of March 2023. Only New Zealand entries are accepted for this promotion.

Download the PriceSpy app here.

www.pricespy.co.nz

The post Pricespy Giveaway – Kiwis spellbound w. Hogwarts Legacy appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A wizard enters New York City in the late 1920’s with a suitcase…

A suitcase full of magical creatures, a doorway to another realm where the creatures live. Unfortunately some of the creatures escape.

Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), a British (former) student of Hogwarts is on a quest to rescue a creature that has been terrorizing NYC. He is there to not only capture it but to rescue it from muggles (average, non-magical humans) who do not understand and most likely will kill or harm the beast, if they could see it. It’s invisible.

Soon he bumps into Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler, a lowly factory worker who has dreams of owning his own Bakery in the city. A chance meet where they literally bump into eachother at the Bank where Jacob had tried unsuccessfully to get a business loan Jacobs and Newts suitcases get swapped.

Also to throw into the mix of characters is Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton). she is also a muggle (like Jacob) but she is aware that there are witches and wizards throughout the city and tries to warn the public, using the children from her Orphanage to educate citizens on the impending dangers.

Mary Lou is a dark and twisted lady who tends to be suspicious of everyone, including her children that she takes care of. Her Orphanage is much like a religious sect and very very strict. One of her actual children; Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) receives regular abuse from his mother. Quiet and very subdued he tolerates the discipline while adhering to his mothers rhetoric.

While in NYC a Niffler escapes from Newts suitcase. Nifflers love shiny things and it is unfortunate that it escapes at the city Bank, where there are copious amounts of gold, silver and coins for the Niffler to steal.

Before Newt can recapture the Niffler he gets himself arrested by Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) from the local Wizard council, as Newt is an unregistered Wizard in the city.

Eventually Tina gets herself caught up in the goings on with Newt and (at times) begrudgingly assists Newt in the retrieval of his suitcase and the creatures that escape from it.

With Jacob and Tina’s mind reading sister Queenie (Alison Sudol) the four of them witness sinister plans unfolding from one of the NYC Wizard Council members and discover that the quiet and shy Credence is not exactly what he appears to be.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film from Warner Bros. is based of the novel penned by J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter books) and is based some years before the events at Hogwarts that we are already familiar with.

Fantastic Beasts, the film, retains the same flavour as the previous Harry Potter movies but has more adult appeal to it. Some areas may be a bit dark for younger audiences (or over their heads) but this does not mean that Fantastic Beasts is not a film for the entire family.

All characters make their mark on the story, with secondary characters having pivotal roles to the story. What I was also pleased with was the CGI was not overly done. Just the right amount to play out the narrative.

Slightly long at 133 minutes (over 2 hours) yet highly enjoyable.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a definite for Harry Potter fans, even those that have read the books, (including the one that this film is based on) will not be disappointed.

If you are keen to get into the Harry Potter mytho – start with this one and work your way back. Fantastic Beasts although it is a major part of the Harry Potter lore, it is as equally a stand alone. A must see film for everyone.