1067 lines
59 KiB
Plaintext
1067 lines
59 KiB
Plaintext
From news Wed Mar 4 22:48:03 1992
|
|
Path: uwm.edu!linac!att!ucbvax!halluc.COM!Richard.Lawrence
|
|
From: Richard.Lawrence@halluc.COM (Richard Lawrence)
|
|
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
|
|
Subject: Lynx reviews part 1 of 6 [NOTE: all 6 were edited into one]
|
|
Message-ID: <UUCP.699018852@halluc>
|
|
Date: 25 Feb 92 08:04:00 GMT
|
|
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
|
|
Lines: 143
|
|
|
|
Release 3 - Rich's Light Reviews - quick Lynx game reviews for all games (C)
|
|
1992 by Richard Lawrence.Please attribute these when you quote them.
|
|
|
|
CI$: 71101,2272 GEnie: R.LAWRENCE14 Internet: rich@halluc.com BBS:
|
|
703-425-5824 (Hallucination, 5 nodes, 2 Gigs) Fido: 1:109/345
|
|
|
|
Abbreviations:
|
|
C-pad == Control pad A/B == A button or B button
|
|
Opt1 == Option 1 (Opt2 == Option2)
|
|
|
|
Other Lynx info: Eric Ng maintains a video game voting list at
|
|
video-request@irss.njit.edu (where you should mail him with questions,
|
|
voting is a seperate address). If everybody votes with Eric, we will have
|
|
the best measuring stick available for games. I am not associated with him
|
|
in any way, I just think it's a great idea.
|
|
|
|
Darius Vaskelis maintains an excellent Lynx FAQ list. Mail him at
|
|
U39648@uicvm.uic.edu for info.
|
|
|
|
The format of these reviews is designed to present the most amount of
|
|
information in the least amount of space. Each review is exactly one text
|
|
screen long (25 lines) so that many conventional text viewers for most PCs
|
|
will be able to flip forward one review at a time. Here is a break down of
|
|
the sections of the reviews and their meaning.
|
|
|
|
NAME - I think we can figure this one out. Top left hand corner.
|
|
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Who is responsible for this thing?!?
|
|
|
|
PLAYERS: The number of players supported in any form
|
|
|
|
STEREO: The Lynx II, as it is popularly called (Atari refuses to make a
|
|
distinction) is capable of producing stereo out of the headphone jack. You
|
|
have a Lynx II if you have a "Backlight" button on the bottom left hand
|
|
side of the display screen. If there is a ??? here, it means that Stereo is
|
|
produced but apparently by accident rather than design, as in RoboSquash.
|
|
|
|
RATING: An overall game rating from 1 to 10 (type unsigned int :-) )
|
|
Following my rating, in parenthesis, is the last rating I have obtained
|
|
from Eric Ng's video game rating list.
|
|
|
|
As you can see, I rate games on a scale of 1 to 10. I do not individually
|
|
rate the gameplay, graphics, sounds, sprite count, title screen, or any
|
|
other subdivision of the game. It detracts from the main point: do you LIKE
|
|
it or not? For the purpose of preserving this aspect of the reviews, I try
|
|
to make my RATING figure as ballpark, off the cuff as possible. When you
|
|
ask a friend if he/she liked a game or not, they give you a yes or no. In
|
|
my ratings scheme, anything above a 5 would be a yes, although there would
|
|
probably be a reservation or two about a 6 or 7 game. ****IMPORTANT
|
|
NOTE!*****: I will occasionally rate games 10, and occasionally rate them
|
|
1. I use the WHOLE range of the scale, unlike 98% of the game magazines out
|
|
there. There is no point in having a ten point scale when the only scores
|
|
given are 7+. Using my system, it is entirely possible that a game with
|
|
ho-hum graphics and sound would get a good rating, eg Scrapyard Dog.
|
|
Scrapyard Dog is not an impressive game technically, it is just fun to
|
|
play.
|
|
|
|
TYPE: A very generic attempt to describe the game play style
|
|
|
|
COMLYNX: If they game supports Comlynxing multiple players, this field will
|
|
have a "Yes". Note that it is possible to have multiple players but no
|
|
Comlynx, although a dumb design feature (Fidelity Chess).
|
|
|
|
BLINK: The Lynx II seems to have a small hardware incompatibility with the
|
|
original Lynx chip set. On some games there will appear a single pixel that
|
|
may blink or shine steady, depending on action on the screen. It is not
|
|
very noticeable, does not appear in the same place in all games, and is
|
|
included in the review more as trivia than anything else. If there is a
|
|
"Yes" here, then this game shows a blinking dot on my Lynx II at one point
|
|
or another.
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Describes as succinctly as possible the point (the "plot") of the
|
|
game. Lynx games can be deceptively original; this field helps identify the
|
|
original ones from the scroll-and-shoots.
|
|
|
|
HOW: Attempts to touch on as many aspects of the implementation of the game
|
|
as possible, describing control schemes, options available, ergonomics,
|
|
etc. I try to keep this section as objective as possible, a just the facts
|
|
type of approach.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: is where I climb up on the Soapbox and either laud or rip the game
|
|
to shreds, depending on my mood, the phase of the moon, and on a related
|
|
note, my girlfriends mood that day. This is a completely subjective
|
|
analysis. You should correlate my feelings on games that you already own to
|
|
see if you generally agree with me or think I'm a total twit so you can
|
|
make the best use of this section.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
A.P.B.
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 8 (7.4)
|
|
TYPE: Action COMLYNX: No BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Arrest criminals for crimes ranging from littering to drug dealing
|
|
|
|
HOW : You are officer Bob, and during your typical day you view your patrol
|
|
car from above as you chase after,apprehend, and take back to the police
|
|
station criminals. You drive through big symbolic donuts to get extra time,
|
|
stop at a gas station for extra fuel, pick up hidden stacks of cash now and
|
|
then to purchase enhancements for your veHICle, and generally bust the bad
|
|
guys. The B button accelerates your car, and the A button activates your
|
|
siren to make an arrest. At the start of each level you get your
|
|
assignments, which always include some simple quotas such as honkers or
|
|
litterbugs, but could include a special criminal whom you will have to
|
|
chase down and return to base. As in the arcades, this game features plenty
|
|
of digitized speech and some amusing graphics.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: I find this game a lot of fun. The control scheme is not the best,
|
|
as it is necessary to constantly hold down the A button with the tip of my
|
|
thumb and rock the joint down on the B button to make an arrest (turn the
|
|
siren on), which is backwards from the way it should be. The cars on the
|
|
road don't behave exactly like the arcade, because your siren doesn't make
|
|
them head for the shoulder. But most aspects of the original are preserved,
|
|
including the very funny digitized sounds, and a light hearted game play
|
|
approach.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Awesome Golf
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 4 STEREO: No RATING: 9 (7.7)
|
|
TYPE: Sports COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: A golf simulation, emphasizing realism and nice graphics
|
|
|
|
HOW : Teeing off is a view from behind the player, with animation of the
|
|
swing. Afterwards, view switches to an above the ball perspective, with the
|
|
green shrinking and growing underneath as the ball follows its ball- istic
|
|
curve. A full complement of clubs is available, with three courses of 18
|
|
holes. Various difficulty features including wind, etc. can be set from
|
|
intro screen. The game does not prompt you with the appropriate club for
|
|
the distance to the hole. Overhead view of the green before the tee allows
|
|
scrolling in any direction and user-controlled scaling of display. Bunkers,
|
|
water hazards, and trees are the main enemies.Skill in swing is simulated
|
|
by quick moving bar, requiring precise timing to hit.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: This game is reminiscent of the arcade "Birdie King" and its
|
|
imitations. Awesome Golf is exactly that; awesome - with incredible use of
|
|
the Lynx scaling hardware and digitized sound (including laughs when you
|
|
miss the swing). A must buy for any remote sports fan, a great cart to show
|
|
off the Lynx. Comlynx with up to 4 players should satisfy comp- etition
|
|
urge. The game is no pushover, and does not give away hole-in- ones with
|
|
the ease many others do. The only potential problems are for serious
|
|
golfers:no ability to change your stance, or introduce backspin. But what
|
|
the heck, this game is FUN!
|
|
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Bill & Ted's Ex. Adv.
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 2 STEREO: No RATING: 6 (6.5)
|
|
TYPE: Adventure COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT:Bill & Ted wander through time trying to rescue the princess(es)
|
|
|
|
HOW :This is a "run about and gather items" game. The two key elements are
|
|
musical notes and pages from Rufus' phone book, which allow players to
|
|
continue on to other segments of the game- basically they are success
|
|
meters. Also to be found are musical instruments, used for soothing wild
|
|
beasts,and sometimes to trade with other characters,keys and other misc-
|
|
ellaneous items.Overhead perspective is used throughout,with independent
|
|
scrolling screens for each player (in a one player game,only one charac-
|
|
ter is used).A sixteen character password will save the players location
|
|
and inventory for later playing. The game is much too large to finish in
|
|
one sitting. Some timing puzzles are extremely close.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Despite the repetitive nature of these types of games, this one
|
|
has some fairly innovative ideas. The time theme is used well (players will
|
|
have to leave items for themselves to find in the future, etc.) and even
|
|
the worn Bill & Ted "bogus" terminology is funny at times.The prob- lem is
|
|
that game play can be very frustrating in certain timing puzzles, resulting
|
|
in a lot of aggravation (at least for me). The rating of this game went
|
|
down after I had played it through some more, mostly because game play
|
|
involved lots of thumb action and not a lot of cranium work.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Blockout
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 8 (6.3)
|
|
TYPE: Tetris 3-D COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Drop various block shapes into a 3-d pit, attempting to create a
|
|
filled level at the bottom of the pit, much like Tetris but in 3-D.
|
|
|
|
HOW :Various difficulties,in terms of speed,complexity of block shapes, and
|
|
the size of the pit can be selected. The 3-D effect is well done, both with
|
|
receding lines to show depth and darker colors for far away blocks. A new
|
|
block enters the screen at the top of the well. New blocks are transparent,
|
|
with white outlines to show you their shape. The trick is to get the block
|
|
rotated in such a way that it will fit optimally into what already exists
|
|
in the well. When an x-y plane is complete, that level disappears,your
|
|
score goes up,and the game speeds up. Holding down the B button and moving
|
|
the C-pad left or right gives a Y-axis rotation, up or down is an X-axis
|
|
rotation. Z axis rotation is performed by pressing the A and B buttons
|
|
simultaneously. The A button drops a block into the well. Blocks will
|
|
proceed down themselves at various speeds depending on difficulty. An
|
|
indicator on the left will show how high up in levels the highest block in
|
|
the well is.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Z-axis rotation is difficult, which detracts slightly from the
|
|
game. But it is certainly playable, and fast paced, with great graphics and
|
|
good sound. This is not a game that suffers much from the lower resolution
|
|
of a handheld,but some players simply won't like the concept.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Blue Lightning
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 7 (7.5)
|
|
TYPE: Afterburner clone COMLYNX: No BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT:Fly your super jet fighter against a variety of enemies
|
|
|
|
HOW :View is from slightly behind your plane. Left and right C-pad turn up
|
|
to 90 degrees - if you turn and then hit Option2 you will do a roll (no
|
|
real benefit though). A fires your guns, and B will fires homing missiles.
|
|
When a target is bracketed on your screen, you can fire a missile, the
|
|
bracket turns red and you can then move on to your next target. The horizon
|
|
does NOT tilt with your turns, just the plane,so you always see a level
|
|
horizon. There is no cockpit instrumentation; just indications of the score
|
|
and number of missiles left. It is impossible to crash into the ground, but
|
|
you can hit landscape features like hills or buttes in the canyon area.
|
|
There is a password option to start over.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX:Blue Lightning doesn't really offer much in the way of game play
|
|
and is pretty easy, but it has great graphics that really give it value.
|
|
The pity is that you don't see the better graphics right away, so many
|
|
people pick it up and play it a little while without being impressed. Once
|
|
you get to the canyon sequence (with all the Close Encounters mountains)
|
|
you'll see some neat scaling effects. And the game does offer fast action.
|
|
See if you can find it discounted; it was one of the first four games out
|
|
and should be pretty cheap nowadays.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
California Games
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 2 STEREO: No RATING: 6 (5.8)
|
|
TYPE: Sports COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: 4 games in one - BMX racing, Surfing, Half pipe, and Footbag
|
|
|
|
HOW :BMX Racing is a side view scrolling racetrack.The A button pulls a
|
|
wheelie, the B button attempts a flip. Right control pad moves forward,
|
|
up/down moves towards top/bottom of track. The trick is timing the two
|
|
basic maneuvers to cause "cool" things to happen,which result in points.
|
|
Surfing is also a side view. C-pad left and right turns your board. Pushing
|
|
A will result in a sharper turn. Banking on the wave correctly will build
|
|
velocity to the point that you can do multiple 360's in the air, which
|
|
gives you the most points. Trivia: if you die at just the right time, you
|
|
can land on the bird. Half-pipe is a skateboard game, where you perform
|
|
tricks like flipping direction, hand standing at the top of the pipe, and
|
|
more. Timing is crucial; use the cement lines to judge your moves. In
|
|
footbag you try to keep the ball in the air as long as possible using your
|
|
feet, hands and head. The control pad to moves around and A hits the ball.
|
|
C-pad down gives a special "spin" move for extra points. Timing special
|
|
shots will also increase your score.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX:The original packaged Lynx game,came with all the first run Lynx
|
|
units.The games are simple and are all based on timing. They get old pretty
|
|
quickly, but Comlynxing makes them fun again, especially BMX. It is
|
|
possible to "surf the bird" in surfing. Suuuuurfffer biiiirddd..
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Checkered Flag
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 6 STEREO: Yes RATING: 8 (9.0)
|
|
TYPE: Arcade Racing COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Fast paced Formula 1 racing
|
|
|
|
HOW :View is from within a cockpit of sorts, but with your car directly in
|
|
front of you. Side view mirrors to either side accurately depict any
|
|
following cars, and a simple instrument panel shows speed and an analog
|
|
graph of the RPM. The road display is a basic single lane that dwindles to
|
|
a point on the horizon, much like that used in Super Monaco et al at the
|
|
arcades.When turning the entire horizon shifts left to right or vice versa,
|
|
complete with trees and the occasional billboard. Up to six players can
|
|
link and play, but a total of ten cars can be on the track (the others
|
|
controlled by computer). A wide variety (18) of tracks are provided.
|
|
Shifting can be automatic or manual,with either 5 or 7 speeds. Shifting is
|
|
accomplished by control pad up or down.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: A great competition game, either against the computer or fellow
|
|
players. Up to nine computer drones with up to fifty tracks makes for a
|
|
wide variety of difficulties. Several nice touches include scaleable Atari
|
|
ads on the billboards, and the ability to select the color of your car and
|
|
(this is original) the sex of the driver, which effects your reward at the
|
|
end of a race.Computer cars drive well, particularly after you pass them
|
|
(they never fall far behind). Rivals Warbirds in the Comlynx fun department
|
|
- I wish I could find five other players!
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Chip's Challenge
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING:10 (8.2)
|
|
TYPE: Strategy Puzzle COMLYNX: No BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT:Help Chip win the respect of Melinda by completing 144 chip puzzles
|
|
|
|
HOW : Chip is viewed from overhead, typically in a maze configuration.He
|
|
can see all parts of the maze.Basically,all Chip can do is move and pick
|
|
things up; by his actions he can cause many things to happen, though.His
|
|
objective is collect enough computer chips on each level to pass through
|
|
the chip gate. There are tens of objects in the game; basic blocks that are
|
|
immovable, blocks of fire, water, ice, dirt (can be moved around),
|
|
invisible blocks, magnetic ones that tug Chip along against his will,and
|
|
more.Mix these in with monsters, nasty ones and mostly harmless ones and
|
|
even a few friendly ones,and you have the building blocks of some fiend-
|
|
ish puzzles.If that's not enough, the clock is ticking, and the time you
|
|
have per level can vary from plenty to split seconds available.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Some will inevitably argue with my 10 rating on this game. But to
|
|
me, this is the perfect Lynx game. Simple in concept, but with enough
|
|
variety to provide for high replay value. Good graphics and sound,
|
|
excellent mix of strategy and reflexes. This game is original,well done,
|
|
and FUN.Since it was one of the original Lynx carts,it's often available
|
|
discounted. Buy it, it's worth it. Has the best "hidden feature" I've found
|
|
in any Lynx game: type MAND for a password and play with a very complete
|
|
implementation of the Mandelbrot.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Electro-Cop
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 7 (6.6)
|
|
TYPE: Adventure COMLYNX: No BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Rescue the President's daughter, kidnapped by an evil robot
|
|
|
|
HOW : You are electro-cop, a computer analog brain running a powerful
|
|
mechanical body. Since you have hyper fast reactions etc, you have been
|
|
selected to rescue the President's daughter. The C-pad moves you around, A
|
|
fires, B will make you jump when running or squat when standing still. You
|
|
have the ability to run side to side or front to back. Occasionally you
|
|
will find doors, or corridors, always front to back - when you run through
|
|
these the screen scales that level closer, and you are on it.You can also
|
|
see the level you were JUST ON in a sort of outline mode as a light white
|
|
overlay.This is helpful if you have to run backwards,because you will see a
|
|
robot before you run into it.View takes some getting used to, but is unique
|
|
and makes good use of Lynx capabilities. Various power ups are to be found,
|
|
mostly for more firepower. Computer nodes will help open doors and give you
|
|
information- including three small "hidden" game programs. Door
|
|
combinations are always the same. You have one hour to rescue the princess,
|
|
real time. There are a wide variety of enemies.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Surprisingly, I still haven't finished this game. I keep loosing
|
|
my list of door combos. It's fun though, and fast paced. Give it a try.
|
|
This is another one of the original four, so look for it cheap.
|
|
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Fidelity Ultimate Chess
|
|
MANUFACTURER:Telegames PLAYERS: 2 STEREO: No RATING: 7 (6.2)
|
|
TYPE: Chess COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Classic no-frills chess
|
|
|
|
HOW :The traditional chess board can viewed either from overhead (2D) or
|
|
from an angle (3D).While the 3D view is a nice feature,it is often hard to
|
|
properly distinguish pieces. Play can either be against the computer or a
|
|
human opponent, but not through a Comlynx cable - the unit must be handed
|
|
back and forth. The computer appears to play a solid game,compar- able to
|
|
many 6502 based dedicated chess sets. It seems to have a library of several
|
|
openings, but they must be played through; as there is no option to start a
|
|
game at a given move. A colored square selects a piece to be placed, and
|
|
the player then moves to the desired destination and pushes a button to
|
|
make the move.The computer signals its own moves in the same manner.
|
|
Various difficulties can be selected.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: I'm no good at chess. I know how to move the pieces around.
|
|
Consequently Chess Challenge beats the pants off me every time; I think
|
|
I've come close once. I did at one point match it against various levels of
|
|
a dedicated chess set and it played well. A big annoyance is the wait after
|
|
the computer signals a move,which is totally unnecessary and can't be
|
|
skipped. Also desireable would be a Comlynx feature. This game has special
|
|
programming to prevent Lynx auto-shutdown from loosing a match. I just wish
|
|
they would get with it on the pause issue.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Gates of Zendocon
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 8 (6.8)
|
|
TYPE: Side scroll shoot COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: A side scrolling shoot-em-up reminiscent of Scramble
|
|
|
|
HOW :The average gamer knows the controls for this one before he even sits
|
|
down to play it. The C-pad moves around, B fires your laser, and A
|
|
activates a limited time shield. Holding B will continuously fire the
|
|
laser, but pushing it on and off quickly will also drop slightly more
|
|
powerful bombs.There are 51 levels to blast through plus a hidden level.
|
|
Opponents are too varied to list, but be assured they have different
|
|
characteristics, so there is a minimal element of strategy involved in how
|
|
you fight particular opponents. There are also, of course, a variety of
|
|
power ups in the form of "friends" you can find to aid you in your combat.
|
|
In all you can have four friends around your ship, which makes you quite a
|
|
blast center.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: We all know the drill on this one. Everybody involved in video
|
|
games has played a shooter. Gates delivers on several fronts; neat
|
|
graphics, game play and frantic action. In particular I like the variety of
|
|
"enemies" - there is one level where you fight growing crystals, one where
|
|
you fly through an example of the Life pattern, etc. The hidden level
|
|
contains faces of the designers of the Lynx and the game. There is a lot of
|
|
attention to detail in this cart.Good as a thumbbuster shooter.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Gauntlet III
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 4 STEREO: No RATING: 6 (5.1)
|
|
TYPE: Dungeon explore COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: A top view dungeon exploration, with lots of monsters and levels
|
|
|
|
HOW : Gauntlet 3 only very superficially resembles the arcade Gauntlets; so
|
|
don't buy it on the assumption they are alike. They are both top down view
|
|
and multiple players with different fight/magic characteristics,but that's
|
|
about where it ends.There is actually more depth to Gauntlet 3 in many
|
|
respects; there are many more potions; lots of different character classes
|
|
to choose from (the Robot is the best in the long haul).Controls are what
|
|
you might expect - C-pad moves (diagonals work) and A fires. B activates an
|
|
inventory view, which allows you to use, drop or just look at items you
|
|
carry. 3/4ths of the screen is an overhead view of the dungeon,to the
|
|
bottom left is a unique first person view of what you are approaching (for
|
|
instance, monsters will appear in close up here during combat) and to the
|
|
bottom right are your vital stats. There are secret doors, keys, potions,
|
|
gold, and other goodies spread throughout the game.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: The only quibble I have with Gauntlet is that it is too easy, even
|
|
though it's quite large. I beat it in four days, but that last game was
|
|
long. There is no password feature. It gets VERY easy with multiple
|
|
players, and it doesn't have a high replay value, since nothing changes
|
|
from game to game. The "plot" is pretty weak, but at least the levels have
|
|
a fair amount of variety.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Hard Drivin'
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 1 (4.7)
|
|
TYPE: Driving sim COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Polygon-rendered driving simulation
|
|
|
|
HOW : View is from within the car when driving. Two methods of control are
|
|
available, one with automatic transmission (C-pad steers) and one with
|
|
manual shift, which requires the use of the Opt1 and Opt2 buttons for
|
|
up/down shifting. After wrecks, a non-controllable replay view of the wreck
|
|
is shown. B button accelerates. There is one course with two loops - the
|
|
speed track and the stunt track. The speed track allows high MPH but has
|
|
little excitement, the stunt track features loops, jumps and inclined
|
|
turns. Faster lap times are to be had on the stunt track, assuming one can
|
|
handle it.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Hard Drivin' is a total dud.I was fairly addicted to the arcade
|
|
version- it's high resolution polygon graphics and tactile feedback were
|
|
revolutionary.The Lynx version preserves none of that, and is so pathet-
|
|
ically slow it makes you wonder why Atari ever let it out of the gate. I
|
|
have to believe the machine itself is not at fault here, but rather the
|
|
program. If the frame rate were higher this would be an ok game, but the
|
|
difficult control in shift mode and slow as molasses response kill it.
|
|
Don't buy this.I mean it. Did I mention that the control is impossibly
|
|
touchy on steering? Avoid this game like the plague. Nada. Do not buy.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Ishido
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 2 STEREO: No RATING: 8 (6.7)
|
|
TYPE: Strategy COMLYNX: No BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT:Heavy thinking game,requiring placing of colored stones for points.
|
|
|
|
HOW :The game board is a 12x8 grid.Game pieces have two distinct charac-
|
|
teristics: color and shape. Pieces must be laid down in such a way that
|
|
either of these two traits is shared with the piece you place next to.
|
|
Certain combinations result in points, with highest points being awarded
|
|
for difficult three-way formations of both color and shape. The outside rim
|
|
of the board is a "no score" area, and is used to set up potential scoring
|
|
formations on the inside. Rules are easy to learn but very diff- icult to
|
|
master. The Lynx can show you potential placements, as well as stones yet
|
|
to placed at the cost of your chance for a high score. Completing certain
|
|
formations results in tidbits of wisdom from the "Oracle" (basically an
|
|
electronic fortune cookie).
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: The key to this game is whether you enjoy the type. It is an
|
|
excellent IMPLEMENTATION, with distinctive graphics and good sound, what
|
|
there is of it. But keep in mind this is a simple colored stones game with
|
|
very few gee-whiz features about it. Unfortunately the buxom lady on the
|
|
cover is nowhere to be found in the game. Those who appreciate games such
|
|
as Go or Shanghai will like this as well. If you do like this style, you
|
|
will get hours of fun out of this one. There seems to be a bug in the
|
|
Oracle: he only gives you ONE fortune per play session.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Klax
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO:YES! RATING: 10 (8.5)
|
|
TYPE: Tetris action COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Catch falling tiles on a moving platform,and then attempt to stack
|
|
them in special scoring configurations.
|
|
|
|
HOW : Klax is a sideways-viewed game (you hold the Lynx with the c-pad
|
|
either at the top or bottom of the display). The playfield consists of a
|
|
top section which is a conveyor belt 5 spaces wide, down which will flop
|
|
colored tiles. You have a tile holder in the middle of the screen which can
|
|
hold up to five tiles, and can flip them back onto the conveyor or drop
|
|
them below, into a 5x5 grid. Completing certain configurations of tiles
|
|
will result in points and the tiles disappearing. The most basic winning
|
|
combination is three tiles in a row, vertically, diagonally, or
|
|
horizontal.Much more complex winning structures are possible, e.g. a 5x3
|
|
"X". You have a certain quota of Klaxes (winning combos) per level.Some-
|
|
times levels will have special requirements,like the aforementioned X,to be
|
|
completed before moving on. The further you get, the faster the tiles come
|
|
down the belt and the more complicated the winning conditions.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: I love this game. It's loads of fun, can be understood easily, and
|
|
is easy to get into in a short time. It requires both fast reflexes and
|
|
quick thinking for high scores, and features good graphics and
|
|
*spectacular* sound to boot. This is *the* demo for Lynx stereo sound, so
|
|
hook it up into your amp and crank it.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Ms. Pac-Man
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 2 STEREO: No RATING: 8 (7.0)
|
|
TYPE: Pac-man COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Classic Ms. Pac-man game, with a few enhancements
|
|
|
|
HOW :If you don't know what this game is like,then you've been in a cave
|
|
for the past ten years.But for the benefit of those in caves,the Pac-Man
|
|
games are mazes viewed from overhead that take up one screen each.In the
|
|
maze is Ms. Pac-Man, a bunch of dots worth points, four ghosts intent on
|
|
eating Ms.Pac-Man,and four power pills that temporarily allow Ms.Pac-Man to
|
|
eat ghosts.In Ms.Pac-Man, unlike the original Pac-Man,there are paths off
|
|
and on screen again to the sides.Also,the "fruit" (high points item)
|
|
bounces and moves in Ms.Pac-Man.The c-pad moves, and that's about it for
|
|
controls (you can view the high scores with Opt2 and the regular pause,
|
|
flip etc. work). Ms. Pac-Mac moves slower when eating dots, the Ghosts move
|
|
slower in the side corridors, and at higher levels the ghosts won't stay
|
|
blue when you eat a power pill.This game adds a little variety from the
|
|
original with the option for more complex mazes, and a special lightning
|
|
power-up that lets Ms. Pac-Man move much faster.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: A classic. Yes, the intermissions are there. Hampered slightly by
|
|
the c-pad (it plays significantly better on a LynxII versus the older Lynx)
|
|
but still very playable. Sounds and graphics are very faithful to the
|
|
arcade original. Wocka wocka.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Robotron:2084
|
|
MANUFACTURER:Shadowsoft PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: Yes RATING: 7 (8.7)
|
|
TYPE: Arcade shoot'em COMLYNX: No BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Save humanity from evil robots bent on destruction
|
|
|
|
HOW : Another faithful arcade port, Robotron places the player, a lone
|
|
human with a big ray gun,in the center of a rectangular field surrounded by
|
|
various killer robots and some other humans.The object is to save the
|
|
humans (by touching them) and shoot the robots. The humans aren't harmed by
|
|
the ray gun,but the robots can kill them in various ways.The original
|
|
arcade featured two joysticks; one for movement and one for firing. This
|
|
version has three methods to suit different tastes;either the ability to
|
|
fire in the direction of movement/opposite of it;the ability to rotate a
|
|
continuous fire stream in a circle with A/B, or a permanently rotating
|
|
stream.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: No question about it,the control schemes detract from the game.
|
|
After you pick one you can get used to it; but you'll never get the high
|
|
scores you did in the arcade.That aside, this is a fabulous translation,
|
|
with all the sounds reproduced exactly as they were in the arcade, and
|
|
graphics faithfully recreated as well. It's as if a Robotron machine has
|
|
been shrunk down and stuck in your Lynx. Two bad Shadowsoft didn't program
|
|
a two player cooperative mode for moving and firing at the same time, it
|
|
would have made this cartridge a 10 of 10. The only stereo effect is when
|
|
you get killed, as far as I can determine.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Rygar
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 6 (6.4)
|
|
TYPE: Hack n' Slay COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Free the land from the evil creatures (hack n' slay)
|
|
|
|
HOW : Rygar was a fairly popular arcade game in '86 or so.Basically,it's a
|
|
left to right scrolling hack and slay. C-pad left and right moves,down
|
|
makes you squat down, A slashes and B jumps. You can jump on top of
|
|
critters to temporarily disable them. Levels are pre-defined,so repeated
|
|
play will teach you where to expect creatures and how to beat them.There
|
|
are a plethora of power ups; you can make your weapon stronger, double your
|
|
points for a period,get more time,destroy everything on the screen, etc.
|
|
Getting hit ONCE kills your character. You start with three lives, and can
|
|
get others with points.On each level you start with 100 seconds, but you
|
|
can often find time increasing power ups.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Rygar is not what you would call a complex game. As one of the
|
|
first in the hack and slay category, it is a classic to many people, and
|
|
those looking for a recreation will be well pleased by this conversion,
|
|
which does a good job of replicating the arcade game.Graphics are rather
|
|
plain (they were that way in the arcade), but there is some parallax
|
|
scrolling and a few other touches that make up for the bland colors.
|
|
|
|
Tidbit: Lynx games I'd like to see - Berserk, Moon Buggy, Gyruss (with the
|
|
great soundtrack intact!)
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Scrapyard Dog
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 7 (7.8)
|
|
TYPE: Adventure COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Pursue the evil Mr. Big who has stolen your dog
|
|
|
|
HOW : A side-scrolling jump and shoot game. A jumps, B "fires" (Louie, the
|
|
main character, throws soda cans as his main and only weapon). Opt1 and
|
|
Opt2 also launch soda cans. Generally the character moves left to right,
|
|
jumping over various obstacles and unleashing torrents of cans at Mr. Big's
|
|
henchmen. At various points in the game shops can be found to purchase
|
|
options with money discovered along the way,such as shields and other
|
|
helpful abilities. Also to be found are special bonus areas, with different
|
|
tasks, such as jumping on a huge piano to play a particular tune or playing
|
|
the old shell game.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: I can't figure out its specific appeal, but this game is fun if
|
|
you bother to give it a try. The cartoon graphics are simple but effective,
|
|
and make sense given the theme of the game.Music is light and manages to
|
|
not get on your nerves after extended play. This game needs a password
|
|
feature, because the 15 levels are NOT a breeze, despite the apparent
|
|
"childrens" nature of the game. Don't dismiss it because of the graphics or
|
|
the theme; the graphics are actually pretty well done, and the theme is
|
|
just a non-violent platform game, ala Pac-Land.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Shanghai
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 2 STEREO: No RATING: 8 (8.6)
|
|
TYPE: Strategy COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Ancient game of strategy, removing matching tiles from a pile
|
|
|
|
HOW : Shanghai is based on an ancient Chinese strategy game of the same
|
|
name. The concept is simple - a large pile of "tiles", with different
|
|
symbols and numbers on them, is created. You remove tiles in matching
|
|
pairs, making sure each tile selected is not partially obscured by another
|
|
tile on top of it. Piles can be of different shapes; named after real or
|
|
mythical beasts they resemble-for instance,the dragon formation. When
|
|
selecting a tile, you move a pointer above it with the control pad and
|
|
press either button. Then you must find another that matches it, click on
|
|
it, and both will be removed from the playing board. The board is
|
|
represented in a reduced view because of resolution limitations, so
|
|
whichever tile you have the pointer over is magnified for eas of ident-
|
|
ification. Two player games can be cooperative or competition.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: This is an excellent implementation of Shanghai. For a game to
|
|
have survived this long means it has lasting value, and Shanghai certainly
|
|
delivers in the play area. Graphics are also well done, with the only
|
|
disappointment of this cartridge being the mediocre sound, which thank
|
|
heaven you can turn off. A good strategy cartridge that requires patience
|
|
and careful thinking to complete. Good cartridge to take on a trip.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Slime World
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 8 STEREO: No RATING: 9 (7.7)
|
|
TYPE: Weird adventure COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Explore a world full of slime infested critters in search of gems
|
|
|
|
HOW :You are Todd, exploring the Slime World for Slime Gems. Todd has a
|
|
water pack on his back and a squirt gun - yes, you fight with a squirt gun
|
|
- that the aliens find deadly. He can move around via the c-pad, and fires
|
|
with A, jumpa with B.Opt1 cycles through special items or actions, and Opt2
|
|
executes what you selected with Opt1.You have by default a com- puter that
|
|
will map the area as you go along.You can pick up mega-bombs, cleansers
|
|
(turn slime infested pools into water), gun enhancements, jet packs, slime
|
|
gems (points), super slime gems (invincible) and some other items. If you
|
|
get slimed, you are injured, but you can clean yourself in the occasional
|
|
pool of water.If you are slimed too heavily you will die, and there are
|
|
aliens that kill you with a single evil red slime glob.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Talk about your original games, Slime World is it. This must be
|
|
the place where all aliens from horror movies come from,because they all
|
|
seem to have the gooey slime you find all over in this world.SW is loads of
|
|
fun to play, humorous, and has some tricky sections requiring quick
|
|
thinking on your slimy feet to get out of. Lots of options. Another MUST
|
|
PLAY with the Comlynx - especially with several other players. There is
|
|
reason this is being ported to other platforms - it's lots of fun.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
S.T.U.N. Runner
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 8 (8.4)
|
|
TYPE: Action racing COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: The player is a pilot of an ultra-fast tunnel traveling vehicle
|
|
|
|
HOW : STUN Runner is a faithful adaptation of the arcade (the author of the
|
|
arcade version has said on UseNet that he feels this it is an excellent
|
|
job). The player is propelled at high speeds down twisting tunnels, some
|
|
that enclose completely, some that are open with see through scenery.
|
|
Controls are simple: left, right, and fire. Some travelers of the tunnels
|
|
cannot be destroyed. Occasional helpful objects such as speed boosters can
|
|
be found, important in making time against the ever ticking clock.
|
|
Occasional not-so-helpful objects will be found as well, such as hover
|
|
craft that shoot at you and slow you down.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: This is an _extremely_ fast game. One of the most enjoyable
|
|
aspects of the arcade version was the feeling of barely being in control of
|
|
the incredible speed of the vehicle,and that is well translated here.
|
|
Although the game is by nature repetitious, it has high replay value
|
|
because of increasingly difficult levels and different opponents or
|
|
obstacles. Sound quality is high as well, with some digitized speech, so
|
|
this is a good demonstration cartridge.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Tournament Cyberball
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 4 STEREO: No RATING: 4 (4.0)
|
|
TYPE: Arcade sports COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Futuristic football with robot players
|
|
|
|
HOW : View is from above the field at an angle,allowing the width of the
|
|
field but not the entire length to be seen at once. Play is similar to
|
|
football, with basic running and passing plays. There are no downs as in
|
|
football, but the ball will get "hotter" unless a specific goal in terms of
|
|
yardage is reached; if it gets too hot it explodes.A quick time limit
|
|
forces fast play selection;emphasis is on thinking fast on your feet.The
|
|
player also controls one of the robots on the field,usually the quarter-
|
|
back at first and then a receiver/running back, or a chosen defensive
|
|
linerobot. Comlynxing results in several players cooperating on a team.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Although I played this occasionally in the arcade, I don't have a
|
|
solid feel for that version, so I can't tell if this is a good port or not.
|
|
It has poor control, especially when running the ball (I've never been able
|
|
to with much success) so I'm guessing this is not a great ver- sion.
|
|
Graphics are not great either, with the small bitmapped players hard to see
|
|
in the 3/4 overhead perspective. Sound is equally ho-hum.The cooperative
|
|
Comlynx feature sounds fun, but I haven't been able to find anyone to try
|
|
it, so someone feel free to contact me on how enjoyable it is. As the
|
|
rating says, I consider this a low cart. Buy others first.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Ninja Gaiden
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 6 (6.5)
|
|
TYPE: Chop Suki COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Ninjutsu everybody to death
|
|
|
|
HOW : In this left-to-right scrolling hack and slay, you are the lone Ninja
|
|
against a horde of weird bad guys inhabiting your city. From the basic
|
|
punch and kick to the ill-explained ninjutsu attacks, you have a variety of
|
|
moves to use against this ill ilk to waste them in classic Ninja fashion.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: I don't really like this type of game, but this is a passable
|
|
version of it. The biggest problem is the short length; I was able to
|
|
complete the entire game (while never getting a firm handle on any of the
|
|
special moves) in about three days. There is no problem solving or even
|
|
thinking involved; you just bang away at the buttons until things are dead.
|
|
The graphics are well done, with often humorous enemies (a bunch of
|
|
Jason-types, and biker/loggers!). The dreaded Atari instruc- tion "poster"
|
|
does a terrible job of hinting how to make special attacks. This game cries
|
|
out for a Comlynx ability with multiple players at once.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Pac-Land
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 6 (6.3)
|
|
TYPE: Mario clone COMLYNX: No BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT: PacMan must safely escort the princess through ghost-infested areas
|
|
|
|
HOW : The princess is under Pac-Mans hat (don't ask). As with most plat-
|
|
form games, the c-pad is directional, and the button jumps. Pac-Man has no
|
|
weapons to speak of. Pressing the control pad twice in succession makes
|
|
Pac-Man run, most of the time required because of a time limit on each
|
|
level. Fruits will appear along the way to gobble up, and the occasional
|
|
power pill from the arcade will make an appearance, at which point Pac-Man
|
|
can go chasing after and eat the ghosts trying to get him. The challenge is
|
|
mostly getting timing right for various jumps and weaving your way between
|
|
threatening ghosts.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: This game bears no relationship to any of overhead perspective
|
|
Pac-Man games from the arcade. Mario has a new set of clothes, in other
|
|
words. Unfortunately the Pac-Meister just doesn't bring off Mario very
|
|
well; Pac-Man doesn't have a lot of variety or replay value.The graphics
|
|
are simple, true to the Pac-Man tradition, but don't have the neat
|
|
intermission scenes. This game has none of the strange appeal for me that
|
|
Scrapyard Dog did, for instance. I don't like it; maybe you will.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Paperboy
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 6 (5.5)
|
|
TYPE: Scroll & "shoot" COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Deliver papers on the toughest street in town
|
|
|
|
HOW : A good conversion. You see a 3/4 perspective of the screen, with
|
|
scrolling from top to bottom. The objective is to deliver papers to your
|
|
loyal subscribers, and do willful destruction to non subscribers.You can
|
|
carry ten papers at a time, and launch them with either A or B. C-pad left
|
|
or right steers, up accelerates and B brakes.Since you must stay on your
|
|
bike, you cannot come to a full stop.Time is limited,so moving fast is
|
|
preferred. You have many more papers than you need, so you can take a few
|
|
extra and break a window here and there in a non-subscribers house, or bean
|
|
an innocent pedestrian.If you finish a course perfectly,you will gain a
|
|
customer; customers are lost by missing a delivery. At the end of each
|
|
level you face the fanciful "paper boy training course", where you must hit
|
|
bullseyes with papers and jump over ramps.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Well,it IS a good conversion.While this game plays well and has
|
|
decent control, it just doesn't cut it for me. The sound is hopelessly
|
|
annoying,which probably has something to do with it.It's not a bad game,
|
|
but it's not a great one either, so I put it in the middle of the pack,
|
|
ratings wise.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Qix
|
|
MANUFACTURER:Telegames PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 7 (6.7)
|
|
TYPE: Arcade COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Segment off sections of a rectangle while avoiding bad guys
|
|
|
|
HOW : Exactly like the arcade game. The player moves a cursor around the
|
|
screen, attempting to draw lines that complete an enclosed area,which is
|
|
then claimed for points. In the open space is an abstract set of colored
|
|
lines called the Qix, which is instant death for the player if touched.
|
|
Along the edges of the open area travel the Sparx, which also kill the
|
|
player with a touch. The only escape from them is to venture into the open
|
|
area, thus exposing yourself to the Qix. Either button allows the player to
|
|
leave the edges and move into the open area,and holding down a button will
|
|
move the cursor slowly, resulting in higher points but greater risk from
|
|
the Qix.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Much as the box advertises, this is a very faithful version of the
|
|
classic, especially in the sound department. It is plagued by the Lynx
|
|
control system, however, as it is often difficult to make precise turns and
|
|
reversals using the c-pad. This makes later levels where the Qix splits
|
|
especially frantic. Perhaps the most faithful feature of this recreation is
|
|
the movement of the Qix; just like in the arcades it has a maddening
|
|
tendency to always be nearby when you need to leave a wall, despite its
|
|
apparently random movement.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Rampage
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 4 STEREO: No RATING: 8 (6.8)
|
|
TYPE: Destruction COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Take the role of a movie monster, destroying a city
|
|
|
|
HOW : View is from the side with horizontal scrolling. You can use the
|
|
c-pad to move your monster around, and when beside a building up or down
|
|
will climb the building in that direction. Pressing A will either punch a
|
|
building, grab a human to eat, or destroy a tank/helicopter depending on
|
|
the timing (whichever is right in front of you). You have a limited amount
|
|
of health against an almost unlimited amount of human opponents. Luckily,
|
|
eating humans and some potions restore your health. You have to be careful
|
|
of what you eat, however,because some things that you uncover in the
|
|
buildings are bad even for a monster. While you are climbing and destroying
|
|
buildings, sometimes humans will plant a bomb on the building to try to
|
|
hurt you - you can either jump down and throw the bomb away or jump off the
|
|
building as it disintegrates.Multi-players can either fight each other or
|
|
play a cooperative game.The object? Find the technician at the end of the
|
|
game who can cure your condition-you may be a monster now, but you used to
|
|
be human!
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: This game is a hopelessly infantile release of hostile energy.I
|
|
love it.It is very like the arcade, with slightly different graphics and an
|
|
additional monster (a rat). Easy control and very funny Comlynx play,
|
|
especially when you give up on cooperating.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Road Blasters
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: ??? RATING: 7 (7.3)
|
|
TYPE: Combat racing COMLYNX: No BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Fight evil Death Squad cars in a post nuclear war road rally
|
|
|
|
HOW : View is very similar to that in Checkered Flag. You see your car from
|
|
slightly above and behind, sitting on a road that diminishes to a point on
|
|
the horizon. The c-pad up and down accelerates or brakes, left or right
|
|
steers, and A fires your laser. Periodically a jet will drop a special
|
|
weapon for you, which you can catch and then use with B. The object is to
|
|
shoot enemies that can be destroyed (blue cars can't be by conventional
|
|
weapons) as accurately as possible,as bonus multipliers are given for
|
|
accuracy. You must also be careful to conserve your fuel,which depletes
|
|
rapidly. Luckily there are fuel globes on the course that you can pick up
|
|
and use.Other obstacles include mines,gun turrets on the side of the road,
|
|
and helpless motorists who don't appear to understand there is a death race
|
|
on.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: This game has great graphics and sound, but isn't very easy to
|
|
control. This was one of my favorites in the arcades, but I just can't get
|
|
the hang of the pad to steer, so it keeps the game from getting high marks.
|
|
It is extremely well done however. If you already have Checkered Flag you
|
|
might want to think twice, or vice versa,because they have many
|
|
similarities in play,the exception being you don't kill people in CF. Watch
|
|
out for the motorcycles.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
RoboSquash
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 2 STEREO: ??? Rating: 2 (3.4)
|
|
Type: 3-D Pong COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Play pong/air hockey against an opponent in a 3-D field
|
|
|
|
HOW : Picture a zero-gravity cube, with you at one end and an opponent at
|
|
the other. You both have magnetic paddles that you can move in two
|
|
dimensions on your end, but not on the Z access (towards the other player).
|
|
A ball bounces back and forth. If you miss the ball with your paddle it
|
|
"splats" across your field of vision (maybe it's a tomato?) and makes it
|
|
harder to see. Sometimes there are icons floating in the middle of the room
|
|
that give you extra paddles, special characteristics like being able to
|
|
catch the ball, etc., and if you hit these with the ball then you receive
|
|
that special ability. The ball goes faster as time goes by. Winning a round
|
|
will give you a colored ball on a sort of large tic-tac-toe playing grid;
|
|
if you win several rounds in a row to complete a line on the grid then you
|
|
get more points. Thus there is minimal "strategy" (if you can call
|
|
tic-tac-toe that) involved in picking spots.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Until Hard Drivin', Robo-Squash had the dubious honor of being the
|
|
worst Lynx cartridge in existence. To complement its pathetic game play and
|
|
truly ancient concept (come on folks, Pong was the FIRST VIDEO GAME!!) it
|
|
has ho-hum sound (and really messed up stereo) and mediocre graphics. It
|
|
might be fun in Comlynx mode, but I've never found another person who
|
|
bought it. Not recommended at all.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Turbo Sub
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 2 STEREO: No RATING: 6 (4.5)
|
|
TYPE: Arcade sports COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT: The player pilots a underwater/air vehicle and blows things away
|
|
|
|
HOW : View is from within the cockpit of the Turbo Sub,a vehicle capable of
|
|
both flying and operating underwater, with the ability to dive or surface
|
|
at will. The distinction is more or less arbitrary, since the objective is
|
|
the same in either environment: shoot just about anything you see. The
|
|
c-pad is a standard directional, A fires an endless supply of shots, and B
|
|
unleashes the ever popular smart bomb, which the player can collect more of
|
|
over time. The horizon does not slant when turning, but rather moves right
|
|
to left or vice versa. Varying degrees of success will lead to more points,
|
|
which can be used to purchase armament at the end of a level. Two player
|
|
mode is basically a points competition.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: TS is certainly fast paced and features some good graphics. If you
|
|
ever played Buck Rogers (the shoot 'em up) of some time ago, you've got the
|
|
basic idea. Move the display around and shoot everything, avoid the
|
|
immovable objects like pillars underwater.The idea of a sea monster that
|
|
could eat a submarine is kind of stretched, but it gives you more things to
|
|
obliterate. What TS is short on is replay value; especially if you already
|
|
own Blue Lightning, which is much the same game. Some nice graphical
|
|
touches (windshield wipers) make this a fun game to watch.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Viking Child
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 1 STEREO: No RATING: 5 (6.3)
|
|
TYPE: Jump,hack,slay COMLYNX: No BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Run about and hack enemies, jumping to and fro on platforms
|
|
|
|
HOW : The c-pad moves Brian (the main character) left and right. A hacks
|
|
his sword, B makes him jump.There are various hills and moving platforms to
|
|
jump on and off.Some special items can be bought with gold found when
|
|
killing monsters. The special items are mostly weapons, selected in
|
|
rotation by using Opt2 and activated by using Opt1. A password feature
|
|
exists to resume play after extended play time.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: This is a very basic hack and slay. While the graphics are fairly
|
|
well done and expressive (Brian looks comical when he falls, and the enemy
|
|
critters are discernible but not believable as armed turtles, etc) the
|
|
sound is strictly second rate and seems like it has mostly been recycled
|
|
from Gauntlet III. You can only program Mario so many times,and this game
|
|
offers nothing new that I can see over any of the other thousands in this
|
|
genre. Don't be fooled by the neat map on the back; this is not a thinking
|
|
game, but a mindless one. Lots of hacking and slaying, if that's your bag.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Warbirds
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 4 STEREO: No RATING: 9* (8.5)
|
|
TYPE: Combat flight sim COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Fly in a WWI rotary engine prop plane, shooting down enemies
|
|
|
|
HOW : View is from within the cockpit.Pressing down B allows the view to be
|
|
changed with the c-oad; you can look out either side, down at your
|
|
instrument panel, or out the back. Release B and the c-pad is a standard
|
|
directional. There is no throttle control, but Opt2 can be used to turn the
|
|
engine on and off which sometimes allows for tighter turns. A fires a
|
|
stream of bullets. Options can determine number of opponents, their skill,
|
|
amount of ammo, how damage is assessed, and where you start the game
|
|
relative to your enemies. You have the ability to land to rearm,but you can
|
|
be shot while helpless on the runway.Limited terrain (mountains) exists and
|
|
extensive clouds provide cover.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: The * is a caveat about number of players. With four players,
|
|
Warbirds is a 10 and can't be equaled. With 2 it's a 9,and with 1 player it
|
|
can be an 8 or a 7 depending on who you are talking to. As a flight
|
|
simulator it isn't very impressive;but it's running on a small handheld,
|
|
after all. As a fun combat game it is great, with good graphics but poor
|
|
sound (the rat-a-tat of the machine guns is more of a beep-a-beep). Most of
|
|
the arguments about this game, however, seem to be whether it's a must buy
|
|
or a really really must buy. Either way, you need this cart.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Xenophobe
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 4 STEREO: Yes RATING: 8 (7.9)
|
|
TYPE: Side view shoot COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: Yes
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Rid the space station of nasty phlegm spitting Xenos
|
|
|
|
HOW : Basically,this game is an early, unlicensed rip off of the concept in
|
|
Aliens. Luckily, it's a GOOD rip off! You (and possibly your friends) are
|
|
charged with the duty of cleaning up your space stations, which have been
|
|
infested with Xenos. You play one of many characters, each equipped at the
|
|
beginning of the game with a phasar (more powerful weapons can be found).
|
|
You get a side view of the station,with each segment coincident- ally one
|
|
Lynx screen wide.There are many segments to a level,many levels to a
|
|
station,and 23 stations in all.Translation:lots of aliens to blast. C-pad
|
|
left/right moves you in those directions, down makes you crouch and crawl,
|
|
up makes you stand up. A fires, and while firing you can adjust the angle
|
|
of your gun with the c-pad. B makes you jump, Opt1 throws bombs. A variety
|
|
of aliens exist, including the nasty and hard to kill Phester, who can be
|
|
played by another player Comlynxed!
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: One of the good early games for the Lynx,this conversion proved
|
|
that you can capture the essence of an arcade classic in a hand held.
|
|
Multiplayer options are great, especially with a human playing Phester. The
|
|
game is hard solo; I have yet to make it to the Mother Phester (anybody
|
|
that has,e-mail me and tell me what it is like).
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Xybots
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 2 STEREO: No RATING: 7 (7.0)
|
|
TYPE: Maze action/shoot COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Eradicate the Xybots infesting a space station with your blaster
|
|
|
|
HOW : Xybots is another faithful arcade port. View is more or less first
|
|
person, although you can see yourself directly in front of your view.You
|
|
are in a maze full of Xybots, killer robots, and you must destroy them with
|
|
your blaster. You have a limited amount of energy, and loose it by getting
|
|
shot, using your "zap" (more powerful shot), or just by sitting around. You
|
|
may find energy boosts and keys to short cuts to help you on your way. A
|
|
fires your regular blast, Opt1 fires a "zap", and Opt2 shows you an
|
|
overhead map of the maze. The c-pad moves. Pressing B and c-pad right or
|
|
left will turn you in that direction,since you can have enemies on all four
|
|
sides.You can move while the map is displayed, but it's not a smart thing
|
|
to do. You can also pick up coins, used at vending machines between levels
|
|
to purchase various ability enhancements.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: I never saw the attraction of this game, so I wasn't really
|
|
jumping up and down about the Lynx version. It's a good job though;
|
|
graphics are fine and speed is no problem. It may be too easy -the first
|
|
time I played I made it to level 16 and killed a Master Xybot on the way.
|
|
You wouldn't be able to do that in the arcades, certainly. Two player
|
|
Comlynx is fun but makes the game even more easy.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Zarlor Mercenary
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Atari PLAYERS: 4 STEREO: No RATING: 8 (7.7)
|
|
TYPE: Shooter COMLYNX: Yes BLINK: No
|
|
|
|
WHAT: Shoot everything. I mean EVERYTHING.
|
|
|
|
HOW : An overhead view scrolling shooter, with the screen scrolling from
|
|
top to bottom.The c-pad moves your ship, A fires missiles, and B fires a
|
|
laser (which will always shoot at something airborne, doesn't have to be
|
|
aimed).The best arrangement seems to be holding the middle of your thumb
|
|
down over A, and using the tip to push B when something is on the screen
|
|
for the laser, since the laser doesn't auto repeat. This game was
|
|
programmed by the same person who did Gates of Zendocon,and has much the
|
|
same approach - a wide variety of enemies, a large number of options to
|
|
help you blast them, and lots and lots of explosions on the screen.There
|
|
are too many enemies and assistance options to list here; you name it, this
|
|
game has got it.
|
|
|
|
SOAPBOX: Well, this game will make your thumb tired. It's pretty hard solo,
|
|
but with four players I imagine it would be pretty easy. There's not much
|
|
to be said to it because there is no depth - it doesn't profess to be a
|
|
thinking game, and it isn't. As the manual says - "Shoot everything that
|
|
moves. Shoot everything that doesn't move". Pretty much sums it up.
|