A multi-platform gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a game on a gaming platform is described. The multi-platform gaming system can include collectible toys depicting or representing one or more game characters or objects relevant to a game adapted to be played on the gaming platform. The collectible toys can have associated therewith an RFID tag including a corresponding unique tag identification number. The RFID tag can include an antenna, integrated circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an associated RFID tag reader, and non-volatile programmable memory for storing game-relevant information describing skills, abilities or attributes associated with one of said game characters or objects.

A plurality of individual toys, at least a first one of which generates acoustic signals and at least a second one of which receives acoustic signals. When the second toy receives acoustic signals from the first toy, it responds, for example, by generating a sound and/or controlling its motion. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the toys flock and/or form a procession of toys which follow a leader toy, for example a mother goose and a plurality of following and preferably quacking goslings.

The present invention relates to a casing for accommodating a computer based device or an activity board having an input/output port interface and/or an interface in form of a touch sensitive screen, comprising one or more operating means (e.g., levers, handles, buttons, knobs) and/or one or more apertures for interacting with said device, wherein said casing, at least partially, can cover the interface of said device.

A handheld gaming device having a non-removable hard disk drive memory is used to perform gaming and non-gaming functions. The hard disk drive memory provides internal mass storage that is utilizable for storing various types of game-related information and non-game-related information. In one embodiment, the hard disk drive is configured to store selected portions of data in assigned regions of memory. The internal mass storage can be used to store saved game data, game specific data, and can be used as a buffer while streaming content from a remote server or drive. The internal mass storage also can be used to store other types of information, such as calendar information, personal appointments, maps, photographs, and other third party game related information.

Methods and apparatus for monitoring video games are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein monitoring a data interface between a game controller and a game port of a game console with a monitoring device. Disclosed example methods also include determining whether the game console is operating a video game in a demonstration mode or an active play mode based on data detected by the monitoring device.

A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact with the video game according to a storyline. A player location is detected and stored. A local element is retrieved from a database based on the player location and the local element is correlated to a local element script actuatable in the video game. This local element script is retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the video game's storyline.

A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact with the video game according to a storyline. A player location is detected and stored. A local element is retrieved from a database based on the player location and the local element is correlated to a local element script actuatable in the video game. This local element script is retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the video game's storyline.

A cartridge may be inserted into a cartridge insertion slot of a game apparatus in a first direction. The cartridge may include: a terminal placement region that includes four groups of terminals configured to electrically connect to terminals in the cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus. Each group of terminals may include a first terminal that extends longitudinally in the first direction and two second terminals that extend longitudinally and are positioned sequentially in the first direction, the first terminal and the two second terminals being positioned sequentially in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. Each group of terminals may be arranged sequentially in the second direction.

A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact with the video game according to a storyline. A player location is detected and stored. A local element is retrieved from a database based on the player location and the local element is correlated to a local element script actuatable in the video game. This local element script is retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the video game's storyline.

A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact with the video game according to a storyline. A player location is detected and stored. A local element is retrieved from a database based on the player location and the local element is correlated to a local element script actuatable in the video game. This local element script is retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the video game's storyline.