Everbody knows that the N64’s "quality" racing sims are spread pretty thin. On top of all that how many "Rally" titles have we seen in the last year or so? I mean let’s be honest they’re like a dime a dozen, each proclaiming to be different than the others. In truth the only variation between them are colorful case covers. I’ve played many rally titles across different systems, and in the end they all gave me that all too familiar "Where Have I Played This Game Before" feeling. But Woohoooo!!! Finally, somebody’s got it right! That’s right you heard me … Continue reading Rally Challenge 2000 Rocks N64→
I normally only moderately enjoy racing games, BUT this game is outstanding. I usually play these games the proper way the creator had intended them to be played, and then I usually go a little crazy. You should see me on the off road games out blazing new trails! Although still in the early stages, I tried everything available on this Beta CD. I raced against the traffic, I deliberately rolled my car, I did donuts in the pit, on the track, and even in the grass. I used a stick game control, but you don’t have to. The graphics … Continue reading Hasbro Turns Up the Heat→
Oh, why do they insist on making the same mistakes time and again? Like Hollywood, the video game industry is often looking more at how to capitalize on past success, rather than trying the risky business of innovating. Echelon, a "futuristic" flight combat game is a good example of this mindset. Look at the years of success of titles such as LucasArts Secrets of the Luftwaffe (the best combat flight sim ever!) and Microsoft’s Flight Combat and it’s easy to see that there is demand out there for this genre. And hey, futuristic stuff is always good right? But we’ll … Continue reading Do Svidanya to Originality in Russian Combat Fligh→
CRI’s Aerowings was one of the launch titles for the Sega Dreamcast. Featuring a very realistic flight model and graphics that could rival the high end PC flight sims, it was impressive. In fact, it could be considered the first true console flight sim. However, despite being a good title, the squad-based flying became more of a chore, and gamers were looking forward to a little combat. It is now a year since the monumental Dreamcast launch, and now we’re seeing sequels to these launch titles. Aerowings 2: Air Strike is one of those titles, and yes, it does provide … Continue reading Aerowings 2’s Friendly Skies Get More Deadly→
One thing you have to give Sega credit for: they seem to be the only game company to have grapefruits enough to come up with original stuff. Right out of E3 their impressive showing debuted several interesting titles. Space Channel 5, the dancing game, was released last June (when everyone else was playing the same old genres), and later this year Sega fans will be treated to even more original titles with the likes of Jet Grind Radio and Shenmue. In the meantime, another original title has been released. Seaman, which has been mentioned in many Sega publications, and showcased … Continue reading Seaman: New Pet or Potty-mouthed Tamagotchi?→
It’s a problem I have had with Star Trek games for years. Now you would think someone would solve it by now. I was asked to take a look at Star Trek: Klingon Academy this week. This six-CD game takes Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and justly moves it to the Klingon Empire. Wait, did the Klingons have an academy? Hmm”I’ll let that question hang in the balance. For all of the advances the software and hardware, why can’t Star Trek games be more simple? Why does the player have to do all the work? I was supposedly the captain of … Continue reading Unfaithful Klingon Academy makes you do all the work→
I don’t often do reviews. John says it’s like pulling teeth to get me to give him copy. I tell him that running a small publishing house is more like pulling teeth and that he should try it sometime. He then tells me that if I think I’m so smart I should review this new game, ‘Start Up 2000.’ Exit John, looking pleased with himself. Start Up 2000 is a simulation of the business world and the insanity that surrounds the world of high tech start ups. From the demands that your investors can place upon you, to the marketing, … Continue reading Start Up 2000 is tycoon training→
Sega’s Virtual On will always have a place in my heart as one of my all-time favorite Saturn titles. It also is a title responsible for me spending a lot of money at the local Dave & Buster’s a few years ago. It is such a simple game to get into, yet a challenge to master. True one-on-one mech combat against another human opponent is now possible, and as a result, long lines were common. It was just as much fun to watch a battle as it was to play. Pictures of Virtual On Oratorio Tangram (henceforth known as Virtual … Continue reading Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram is a stupendous sequel→
Have you ever imagined yourself in a VW Golf sliding at 90 miles per hour down a muddy slope in New Zealand"sideways!? Well, that is exactly what you will experience in Colin McRae Rally. This game shows you how rough racing really can get. We’re talking off-road racing in cars that you can find cruising around downtown! The idea behind Colin McRae Rally is that it will accurately recreate for you the excitement and feeling of actual rally racing. Rally racing is different from NASCAR racing or Formula One racing. It is much more off-road than a typical race track. … Continue reading Colin McRae Rally: How The Rest Of The World Races Cars→
Tuskegee Fighters is one of the new breed that blends intense gaming with intense realism. Most of us "cultured and seasoned" gamers (ha ha) are bored with shooting at everything on the screen and need more reward than seeing the villain destroyed at the end. So who were the Tuskegee Fighters, you ask? A highly-skilled group of African-American World War II fighter pilots from Alabama that set plenty of records in their day. The missions included in the game, which is an expansion to Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator are historically accurate re-creations of some of their actual missions. Most of … Continue reading Tuskegee Fighters brings honor to MS Combat Flight Simulator→