TheGamesMachine16 by Zetmoon

A NEWSFIELD

THE FUTURE IN YOUR HANDS

PUBLICATION

TX: 016

£1.50

MARCH 1989

SATURN DAY PHANTOM FIGHTER

NEWKONIX: FULL REVIEW OF A _ / DREAM WtuHlNE '

DIAL * 0898 555080 A N D WIN WEC LeMANS FROM OCEAN!

A Blasteroids arcade machine! Cyberpunk videos, books and games! THE GAMES MACHINE is a dedicated multi-format computer games magazine covering Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore 64, Spectrum, PC, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Nintendo, Sega and PC Engine • ARCADES" TIPS" ROLEPLAY" ADVENTURE

SPECTRUM AM5TRAD COMMODORE

SPECTRUM

COMMODORE

ATARI 5T

CBM AMIGA

THIS ISSUE EI

WIN!

E G

T G M NEWS AND PREVIEWS

DIAL

In t h e n e w s t h i s m o n t h a m a z i n g A m i g a b u n d l e s , Defender Of The Crown is t h e f i r s t g a m e o n CD R o m a n d U S G o l d s i g n M i c h a e l J a c k s o n f o r t h e g a m e of Moon Walker. Prev i e w side c a t c h P a l a c e ' s all s i n g i n g , all s h o o t i n g g a m e s c r e a t i o n utility f o r 1 6 - b i t s SUECK, plus Cosmic Pirate a n d CRL's interactive entertainments package for t h e A m i g a Rumble

OCEAN!

See page 80 tordetaite

ADVENTURE R o b Steel b e n d s h i s a l i e n m i n d a r o u n d Zak

McKraken

T G M REVIEW CATALOGUE

Phantom Fighter o n t h e A m i g a , Nemesis 3 o n M S X , Top Gun o n N i n t e n d o , w h a t m o r e d o y o u w a n t ?

BLAS7EZOIM

ARCADE

MACHINE

Plus copies of Blasteroids

for the runners up.

ARCADES Let R o b i n H o g g l o o s e a t t h e A T E I s h o w in L o n d o n a n d w h a t d o y o u g e t ? P a g e s of j u s t i f i a b l e h y p e r b o l e f o r , o t h e r t h i n g s , Operation Thunderbolt, Narc, a n d

See page 21

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• ROBIN HOGG'S PLAYING TIPS P a g e s of c h e a t s , t r i c k s a n d j a m m y d o d g e s f o r j u s t a b o u t e v e r y c o m p u t e r k n o w n t o m a n (well, a l r i g h t , not t h e O i i c )

FANTASY GAMES

J o h n W o o d s g e t s h i s g e n r e s in a t w i s t w i t h w i t h

WIN!

READERPAGE

LOIS

CYBERPUNK

GOODIES Neuromancer-style

See page 66

4/124 TGM

GURPS.

H a v e t h e h i - t e c h g a m e s of t o d a y l o s t t h e i r s e n s e of f u n ? M a n y o l d f o g e y s l o n g f o r t h e lazy, h a z y d a y s w h e n s i t t i n g u p all n i g h t p l a y i n g w i t h y o u r V C S w a s a n u n a d u l t e r a t e d p l e a s u r e . W h a t w e n t w r o n g ? R e a d e r p a g e r e v e a l s all.

CHARTS books, videos and games.

016:3-89

If y o u c a n c l a s s i f y it, t a b u l a r i s e it a n d s t i c k it in a b o x t h e c h a n c e s a r e y o u ' l l f i n d it in a T G M c h a r t

n It's that the leisure computing QBfl nL nitlii r>nnn« momcm <iH3 ncn wnn opporlast arrived In the UK thanks to i will be coming off the production loth the Sega Mega drive and the mising, but their arrival In the IIK en a better time to be a computer I wont bo - If s boring! Mtsofes department doesn't mean ton. Far from It Witness TV Sports re on the Amiga. Ift-Mt machines r potential, but pretty graphics and jreat game make. So often wo are ot down by Inlet lor gamoplay. This compete and, as letters this month vtng out for the fun to be put bac*

BACK BYTES Y o u r o n e - s t o p g u i d e t o h a r d w a r e a n d p e r i p h e r a l s includi n g Infodesk, 16-bit a r t p a c k a g e s a n d t h e c o m p l e t e g u i d e t o viruses

tnTOJUtAIIO HEAD O F R C f 47firm*MW, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1QS » ( 0 5 8 4 ) 5 8 5 1 / 2 / 3 Editor Jon Rose Rovtow* Editor Nk i W*6 Tmtmm Editor Barnabv Paoe M H r t a ' A44l,t»<rt,: ^ ^ *Croucher. 2 5 ; ^ Warvnck i ^ T Brompton. ™ Carolme Biakc IM to wdNr Pete Day*Wames Peters P t o t f o g r o p t e y : Cameron Pound MfflM i cB hfT a ewl P Contributor*: 2 Mel Robin Evans." Richard Henderson. Andrew Rrtson, Marshal Rosenthal. Jota Woods P 1 K W U C T 1 0 I DEM i t^ o^ ^j ^Z * Ludlow. Shropshire SY8 1AQft(0684) 5861/2/3 Product** M i M | r . Jonathan R.gnall Sonlor Dosl«oor Wayne Allen RoprooropMcs S u p o r v t o ^ ^ W n d T p r o S u ^ taJn Chubb VvonnePnest Mehryn F.sher. Robert M.n.champ. Robert Hamilton. T,m Moms. JennTReddard ADVWrnSHIG AND A D t o m ^ S u S o ^ / u m l ^ E d ^ Doctor Geoff Gomes Group Arfvartfeomoat Director Roger Bennett Adwwdsomwt Manager Neil Dyson Advorhsemont Satos Executtvos: Andrew Smales Sarah Chaoman l u k t M t i lark- unm." L e e ^ a <0584,4603cr 5852Uo^Pnuootto™ E i o c u t t v o : Rjchard bS^BWSE.Onsey laEacrlpd,,.,:BBBKEoS^^

T a r t o t o a Ml P r a o s . Ludlow and on our Apple Macintosh H running Quart Xpress 2.0 Colour origination by S c a nS t u d i o s Wallace Road. London N1 Pnnted mEnoiand bv Carta* Wot O t t m 7 Newtown Tradmg Estate Carts*. Cumbna CA27NR- a member of the BPCC Group Distribution by C O M A S Tavistock Road. West Drayton. wSSu 3 Tne Editors decuuoo .5 final ill matters restingto*J)ud*at<x- and wMe we o«er prues m good farth pru«taingscrapped) we reserve(hertgm tosuosctute pruesdcomparable value w»'l doourwry toalto«spafc*pnmae* cvrwpcrtence con m tnMd *ntoragardmgtoecompeWons < unless weve w * ^toyou datingtoalyou have won a prw and «d mt reiabonaho. no matter now remoto.toanyone who worto tor either Nswsflttd or any ollho companies offering pruee may ante* consent offf*copyngM hciden We cannot i**tortafcetoretwn anytfvng sert irto TGM - Including written and photographi —> — c matenal w , our co»n«rCtKxw • Mo m m . ^ • • ow ru ncn io address)foam*. hardware and s o r t w w ? - ^ T f t S ' S S WMucxcl m pan or h ^ l S h S S . ' S revdtodreadera pasui enqunes cannot always De oiswered Unsolicited wntten or photograph* mater* o welcome. •"•tonal. v^rfuMdjr oft* Editor 0 0 * HrwHtoW puOhcabont are ClUSH (SpecOwn). ZZAP iCorTVTKxfcreft4/*niga).FEAfl (fanttsy and horror) and MOV*

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The new Atari Games Ce It's w h a t every computer games player has been waiting for. Hundreds of brainboiling software titles that'll push your skill and judgement t o t h e limit. All under one roof. When it comes t o packing hardware, Rambo's got nothing on us. Everything f r o m the

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ritres have hit town. stunning Atari VCS t o the mindblowing Atari XE Games System. So get down to your local Atari Games III A T A OL Centre. They're smashing. •

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PREVIEWS

Something nasty in the Palace

SEUCKing up

O u t l a w s arc i n for '89 as Palacc Software a n d t h e i r O u t l a w label l i n e u p a string of h o r r i f i c heroes plus a 16-bit Shoot-'Em-Up Construction Kit (see box). First off the loathsome list comes Cosmic Pirate\ an a m o r a l space-piracy a d v e n t u r e . Raiding cargo-laden space trucks a n d b u y i n g better craft w i t h the profits, you-'ll soon have the chance t o become t h e Lex L u t h o r of the M i l k y W a y . Dozens of different missions arc offered i n the h u m o r o u s title f r o m Zippo Games, w h o ' v e c o n t r i b u t e d to m a n y console and c o m p u t e r products i n the past. Expect ST a n d Amiga release i n February at £19.99. w i t h CPC. C64 a n d Spect r u m f o l l o w i n g - a l l o n the O u t l a w label, w h i c h Palace reserve for games w r i t t e n by freelance programmers. Also from Outlaw comes Astounding Astral Adventures that's o n l y a w o r k i n g title - for the Amiga. P r o g r a m m e d by T h o r n t o n Software, the team w h i c h did special effects for the h o r r o r / c o m edy m o v i e High Spirits, this sets y o u d o w n as a suitably unpleasant mercenary o n an a n t - i n f e s t e d planet. But there is a m o r a l message h i d d e n a m o n g the blasting, looti n g and a n t - i n t e r r o g a t i o n c h a m bers: y o u c o u l d be the first mercenary ever to b r i n g peace to a w a r r i n g planet. Astounding Astral Adventure w i l l be o n ST a n d A m i g a .

Rob, steal

O n the Palacc label itself comes arcade a d v e n t u r e Superthief. by Dan M a l o n e (Sacred Armour Of

I m a g i n e o w n i n g as m a n y s h o o t - ' e m - u p s as y o u w a n t e d . . . a n d all for the price of a single package. It's possible w i t h O u t l a w ' s Shoot'Em-Up Construction Kit. n o w set for release o n S T a n d A m i g a f o l l o w i n g its h i g h l y - a c c l a i m e d C64 i n c a r n a t i o n by Superior Software.

In a world of your own: gameplay, graphics and sound can all be created on Outlaw's Shoot- 'Em-Up Construction Kit (Amiga screen)

SEUCK. as it's k n o w n , is a n easy-to-use system for designi n g graphics, s o u n d a n d gamcplay o n t h e classic shoot' e m - u p m o d e l . Up to 100 different sprites can be created for each game, each w i t h its o w n characteristics like strength and firepower. Backgrounds, weapons a n d so o n are all designablc too. at t h e p i x e l - b y - p i x c l level - so e v e r y SEUCK-created game really can be d i f f e r e n t . There's a b u i l t - i n l i b r a r y of sampled s o u n d effects, a n d if y o u have a sampler, IFF-form a t sample files can be used too. The package w i l l also i m p o r t IFF graphics files for title screens.

SEUCK s h o u l d be available for A m i g a i n February a n d ST later this spring, at £24.99. Details here refer to the A m i g a version; the ST package should be similar but hasn't been finished yet. Shoot- 'Em-Up Construction Kit sprites can be up to 24x24 pixels, with seven different colours (Amiga screen) Antiriad). The h o r i z o n t a l scroller, featuring c o m p l e x backdrops, casts the player as a m o d e l of u n s u l l i e d selfishness. r o b b i n g t h e f u t u r e for all it's w o r t h . M a l o n e ' s been w o r k i n g for o v e r

Micro mayhem: a realistic control screen from Outlaw's

Cosmic Pirate

a year o n the ST a n d A m i g a versions, a n d 8 - b i t s h o u l d f o l l o w . Palacc hope for release later this year. O t h e r games o n Palace's m e a n m e n u i n c l u d e Monster Museum, a n arcade a d v e n t u r e w i t h graphics by

Gary Carr (Barbarian) and main p r o g r a m m i n g by A n d y W i l s o n (Dan Dare). And for future-shock fans there's Complex-a police-training course of a distant c e n t u r y , w i t h 2000AD-style c o m i c - b o o k graphics actually created by a comic artist.

PWtSS ANY

Cosmic Pirate (Amiga screen)

<£v

TGM

016:3-899/124

God simulator from Electronic Arts Electronic A r t s give y o u a chance t o play god i n their m a j o r 16-bit game for t h i s s p r i n g - Populous. But creation c o n t i n u e s all day elsew h e r e i n the A m e r i c a n software c o m p a n y , w i t h titles like ' h o r r o r m o v i e ' Project Firestart a n d a hanga r f u l of simulations. Populous is a n e w twist o n the old colonisation theme: two nations, each f o l l o w i n g a d i f f e r e n t god. struggle to populate n e w territories, evolve i n t o civilisation and finally t h w a r t their o p p o n e n t . As the god of one n a t i o n - the other can be the c o m p u t e r , or a player on another machine - y o u build cities, create soldiers a n d use acts of god like earthquakes a n d floods against the e n e m y . H u n dreds of w o r l d s are available, based o n f o u r d i f f e r e n t landscapes in 3-D detail; w o r l d s can also be designed f r o m scratch. Not everything's under heavenly c o n t r o l , t h o u g h - sea monsters a n d giant birds appear r a n d o m l y to harass b o t h nations. A n d a n o t h e r i n n o v a t i v e feature of Populous is its support for datalinks a n d m o d e m s , a l l o w i n g y o u to play at l o n g distance or a n d even against someone o n a different m i c r o (the u l t i m a t e ST/Amiga war?). U K Populous p r o g r a m m i n g t e a m B u l l f r o g recently d i d Fusion for t h e same software house. Amiga release of Populous is set for M a r c h a n d ST for A p r i l , b o t h at £24.95.

Ferrari F l / 8 6 o n 16 d i f f e r e n t tracks i n a detailed recreation of the 1986 F o r m u l a O n e season. T h e ST version is d u e i n M a r c h at £24.95, w i t h C64 f o l l o w i n g i n A p r i l a n d PC. CPC, a n d S p e c t r u m all o n t h e cards too. Also d u e o n t h e ST is Skyfox II: The Cygnus Conflict, ' s i m u l a t i n g ' a n imaginary warpfighier of the f u t u r e . Besides a n e w plot. Elect r o n i c A r t s c l a i m t h i s one has faster action a n d a m o r e realistic f l i g h t feel t h a n the o r i g i n a l Skyfox.

T h e p l a y i n g area has been enlarged, too, to cover m o r e t h a n 50 starbases. Expect ST release in M a r c h at £24.95.

Chuck up

8-bit isn't being i g n o r e d , h o w e v e r . Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer, already available o n C64, s h o u l d be o n CPC n o w or very soon, w i t h S p e c t r u m f o l l o w i n g i n March. This sim, w h i c h t h e e p o n y m o u s A m e r i c a n General Yeager says

Movie-style space mission: Electronic Arts's Project Firestart (C64 screen) 'takes t h e t e r r o r factor o u t of testpiloting', coaxes the player t h r o u g h t h r e e stages of f l i g h t t r a i n ing, l e a d i n g u p to f o r m a t i o n flying across 3 - D t e r r a i n a n d aerobatic obstacle courses. A f t e r t h a t it's t i m e to tackle racing. A n d for t h e d i f f i c u l t - t o - t c r r i f y . there's also a test-pilot section, w h e r e y o u can choose f r o m 14 air-

Ferrari racing

M e a n w h i l e , back o n Earth, Elect r o n i c Arts's s i m u l a t i o n series continues w i t h the release of A m i g a hit Ferrari Formula One o n o t h e r major formats. T h e d r i v i n g / t e a m m a n a g e m e n t game simulates a

A whole new world of opportunity:

10/124 TGM

En route: Electronic Arts's Ferrari Formula One. soon for ST release (ST screen)

zoom to any point on the hundreds of worlds in Electronic Arts's Populous (Ami^a screens)

016:3-89

PREVIEWS

Grand slam entertainment N o , t h e y ' r e n o t t r o p h i e s f o r nastiness - G o l d e n G o b l i n s is t h e n e w a r m of G e r m a n s o f t w a r e house R a i n b o w Arts, a n d t h e y ' r e set t o t r o l l o v e r t o B r i t a i n t h i s A p r i l , w h e n US G o l d w i l l release sadistic s p o r t s g a m e G r a n d M o n s t e r Slam. The c h a r m i n g l y ugly sprites and imaginative events of Grand Monster Slam h a d t h e T G M players going horns o v e r hooves w i t h l a u g h t e r , as t h e y k i c k e d heads across a field t o t h e cheers o f m i s s h a p e n ores. T w o subgames p r o v i d e v a r i e t y a n d q u a l i f y y o u f o r h i g h e r levels o f t h e m a i n game.

Bigger and better: Skyfoxllfrom

Electronic Arts. ontheSTin

craft old and n e w - ranging f r o m the S o p w i t h Camel F-1 t o the F-18 or an experimental craft. • Just out f r o m Electronic A n s is Project Firestart. a film-style space-

March (ST screen)

rescue thriller for C64 disk o n l y . Close-ups, fades and m o v i e music add to the atmosphere of the mission set i n an o u t - o f - c o n t r o l spacecraft.

Getting a head: notice the crowds in Grand Monster Slant's main game

Pole position: pushing 'beloms' aside in Grand Monster Slam's interlude game

Death-defying: Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Simulator, soon for major 8-bits from Electronic Arts (CPCscreen)

Lord of the rings for £2.99 The field seems almost e m p t y of big sports names as software houses scramble t o sign t h e m up. After Grandslam Entertainments snapped u p Liverpool Football Club for an ail-formats licence sometime this year, Newcastlebased budget house Zeppelin

Games aimed at . . . darts star Jocky Wilson. Jocky Wilson s Darts Challenge w i l l be an 8-bit budget title, but Zeppelin are also m o v i n g i n t o full-price w i t h a n e w label, Kognito. Watch this s p a c e . . . for a shoveh a ' p e n n y c h a m p i o n , perhaps?

Wheel of misfortune: knife-throwing in Circus Attractions

Open wide: kick carefully to get the right trajectory in Grand Monster Slam's qualification round

Spitting images: the Grand Monster Slam players

Balls up: juggling dangers in Circus Attractions include elephants and dynamite

A l s o c o m i n g f r o m G o l d e n G o b l i n s is Circus A t t r a c t i o n s , f o l l o w i n g T y n e s o f t ' s Circus Games a n d M a r t e c h ' s Circus, Circus a l o n g t h e s u d d e n l y m u c h - u s e d t i g h t r o p e . • T h e n e x t R a i n b o w Arts release f r o m US Gold will be Spherical, a spell-casting arcade a d v e n t u r e featuring m o r e than 100 levels. C64, A m i g a , PC and ST versions are planned.

Alternative go 16-bit Fresh f r o m last a u t u m n ' s launch of Again Again. A l t e r n a t i v e Software are going i n t o 16-bit w i t h a couple of titles for ST and Amiga. Mad Flunky, p r o g r a m m e d byD o n Priestley, is a h u m o r o u s arcade adventure set i n the Royal household - a 16-bit version of Piranha's 8-bit Flunky by the same p r o g r a m m e r , released some 18

m o n t h s ago. Mad Flunky is o n ST o n l y , but Amiga mania arrives i n Wrangler, a space puzzle game w i t h 32 levels and 288 screens. ( A n ST version is also available, of course.) A n d also set for 16-bit release is Mystery Of The Indus Valley for the ST. A l l Alternative's 16-bit titles w i l l cost £14.95; screenshoissoon.

UMS sequel Zeppelin: Jockying for position. Darts star Wilson is seated first front

right.

A UMS II is lined u p for the combat — but it w o n ' t be c o m i n g f r o m Rainbird. w h o released the original wargame construction kit Uni-

versal Military Simulator last year. Instead the sequel to the highlyacclaimed strategy classic (TGMOOJ) w i l l be brought by SSI. midyear.

TGM

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PflfSS ANY KEY I

First CD-ROM game from Cinemaware C i n e m a w a r e have a n n o u n c e d t h e 'first ever' C D - R O M c o m p u t e r game - Defender Of The Crown. The emphasis of the C D - R O M version is o n sound, w i t h a stereo, fully-orchestrated soundtrack, s o u p c d - u p effects a n d spoken dialogue. But so far the C D - R O M version w i l l r u n o n l y o n PC-compatibles, and of course an expensive CDR O M drive is r e q u i r e d too. T h e game, w h i c h s h o u l d be o u t by t h e l i m e y o u read this, costs ÂŁ49.95. This isn't t h e first t i m e C D - R O M has been used for games: t h e PC Engine console f r o m Japan's NEC, featured n e x t issue, also has a n a d d - o n C D - R O M drive. O n the PC Engine, t h e C D - R O M

Defender Of The Crown: king on CDROM storage m e t h o d - w h i c h uses disks l i k e music CDs to h o l d u p to 6 8 2 M b of data - is used for s o u n d effects a n d the very l o n g programs o f f a i t h f u l arcade conversions. C i n e m a w a r e : contact M i r r o r soft, Headway House. 66-73 Shoe Lane. London EC4P 4AB S (01) 377-4645.

conTcsTonT

The snow goes on: Epyx are back on winter's tail with The Games - Winter Edition, now available on 16-bits (STscreen). TGM009's original review called the game 'true to the Epyx standards' shown in seven different Games games

US Gold get a wacko licence

US Gold's Mad Mix t i e - u p w i t h Pepsi has really pepped u p t h e Birmingham-based software house - because it led t h e m to the licence for M i c h a e l Jackson m o v i e Moonwalker. Superstar Jackson is w e l l - k n o w n for advertising Pepsi's e p o n y m o u s cola. Set for a u t u m n release, the

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Michael Jackson : going to Gold game w i l l p r e s u m a b l y feature p l e n t y of Jackson tracks, a n d the movie's science-fiction theme makes it a m o r e suitable candidate for c o m p u t e r i s a t i o n than US Gold's last film star - C h a r l i e Chaplin.

At last. Sega's classic beat- 'em-up Shinobi is set for life on all major 8-bit and 16-bit formats, from Virgin Mastertronic. Using ninja magic, exotic weapons and good old-fashioned muscle, you battle through five missions (19 levels) to free a horde of trapped ninja brats. Detailed graphics, nonstop kicking and some terrific end-of-level obstacles (how about a huge helicopter full of ninja nasties?) make this a game with punch. C64 programmers are Random Access, who also appear on these preview pages with Silkworm: ST. Amiga, CPC and Spectrum versions come from Binary Design. Sadly, no news of a PC version yet. But when you wish upon a shuriken . . . Very moving: multidirectional, multilayer scrolling is the distinguishing feature of slaughtering shoot- 'em-up Guardian Moons, out on ST from .Microdeal

PREVIEWS

War in the Pacific "Black objects s u d d e n l y f l o a t e d e e r i l y f r o m t h e i r w i n g s . . . ' . T h a t w a s a Japanese n a v a l c o m m a n d e r ' s r e c o l l e c t i o n o f t h e US a i r b o r n e a t t a c k a t M i d w a y i n J u n e 1942, a p i v o t a l v i c t o r y i n A m e r i c a ' s w a r against t h e Japanese. N o w L u c a s f i l m Games - p r o d u c e r s o f Z a k M c K r a c k e n A n d T h e A l i e n M i n d b e n d e r s , r e v i e w e d b y a d v e n t u r e colu m n i s t Rob Steel t h i s i s s u e - a r e s i m u l a t i n g t h e a i r c o m b a t o f t h e Pacific W a r w i t h B a t t l e h a w k s 1942, d u e f o r PC release l a t e M a r c h o r e a r l y A p r i l . O t h e r 16-bit f o r m a t s w i l l d o u b t l e s s f o l l o w ( b o t h screens h e r e are PC). Players can t a k e e i t h e r side i n f o u r d i f f e r e n t b a t t l e s , a n d choose f r o m t h r e e k i n d s o f p l a n e f o r each o p p o s i n g force ( f i g h t e r s , five b o m b e r s a n d t o r p e d o b o m b e r s ) . Each b a t t l e f e a t u r e s d i f f e r e n t missions, a n d t r a i n i n g f l i g h t s are available too. Packaged w i t h a b e a u t i f u l l y - p r o d u c e d 128-page m a n ual c o n t a i n i n g c o l o u r m a p s a n d a u t h e n t i c p h o t o s , B a t t l e h a w k s 1942 adds a f a s c i n a t i n g h i s t o r i c a l d i m e n s i o n t o t h e w e l t e r o f f l i g h t sims r e c e n t l y released.

Training's over; this is the real thing

City slicker: look oui for violent gang warfare in Virgin Mastertronic's Street Fighting Man (PC EGA screen; release date not set)

I t w i l l also, n o d o u b t , b e n e f i t f r o m t h e p u b l i c i t y g i v e n t o J a p a n ' s Second W o r l d W a r r o l e since E m p e r o r Hirohito's death in January.

Battlehawks

1942: we're banking on it

Rocky role Swiss s o f t w a r e h o u s e L i n e l give y o u a R o c k y Balboa f o r your o w n home in The Champ - t h o u g h it's n o t a licence o f t h e m o v i e , t h i s glovely b o x i n g sim features t h e m e m u s i c f r o m t h e Sylvester S t a l l o n e h i t !

Rocky in a different w a y is Dugger, the latest episode i n t h e l i f e o f t u n nel-digging Herbie Stone, the computer character f r o m Crack. ST a n d A m i g a versions o f b o t h are i m m i n e n t , a n d PC follow. Solid space: pilot a sophisticated ship through ten 3-D levels in Orion's Belt front Ocean. Innovative features of the Saturn shoot- 'em-up include remote-control robot cameras to see beyond the 'boundaries' of the screen. Expect ST and Amiga release in March (STscreen).

TGM

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PREVIEWS

Games ghouls play As software houses bid for the Nightbreed licence, Andrew Ritson gets to grips with gruemaster Clive Barker Just w h e n y o u t h o u g h t the last n i g h t mare had struck a n d the final bead of sweat has d r o p p e d o n t o t h e bedshcet, another bat o u t of hell flaps its w i n g s disguised as an i n n o c e n t b l u e - e y e d boy of 36 - Clive Barker. W h e n publishers Fontana harnessed his fertile i m a g i n a t i o n i n a £2 m i l l i o n deal, one of the results was Cabal. a novella c r a m m e d sardine-tight w i t h bizarre themes l i k e the image of a w o m e n falling i n l o v e w i t h a dead man. It was first published, i n paperback (£2.95), at the end of January.

Cabal is already en r o u t e to the big screen - filming starts i n M a r c h o n the m o v i e , entitled Nightbreed - a n d t h e n it's set t o stretch its grisly h a n d o n t o the c o m p u t e r screen. The film's producers a n d specialeffects c o m p a n y Image A n i m a t i o n have been t a l k i n g to a few top software houses, i n c l u d i n g US Gold, a n d a licence deal s h o u l d be a n n o u n c e d in February. T h e game w i l l probably be u n d e r the n a m e of the film, to avoid c o n f u s i o n w i t h the T A D coin-op. The game w i l l be 'basically an o u t l i n e taken f r o m the m o v i e ' , says Barker, 'about t w o w a r r i n g elements - the h u m a n beings, cops and the psychoanalysts. The 19th c e n t u r y monsters w h o are the shapeshifters a n d transformers; creatures w h i c h have developed f r o m w e r e w o l v e s a n d vampires.'

b r i n g i n g w i t h it the question of censorship. ' C e r t a i n l y I t h i n k there's got to be [some restrictions],' says Barker. 'Censorship opens a w h o l e can of w o r m s . T h e film-censorship lobby has g e n u i n e anxieties. 'Cabal contains a lot of explicit sex and violence.'

A n d Barker hopes t h e game w i l l b r i n g his n a m e h o m e to m o r e t h a n t h e b l o o d ' n ' g o r e f r a t e r n i t y of h o r r o r fans. I n f a c t , ' I w o u l d prefer it if people played t h e game first', he says. 'There's a lot o f illiteracy a r o u n d a n d I t h i n k w e s h o u l d leave t h e b o o k o n the shelves for people to b u y it if t h e y want to.'

Death dealing

C o m p e t i t i o n to purchase the game rights came f r o m all directions. A n d t h o u g h US Gold approached h i m first, he's n o t just o u t for the best financial offer. ' I w a n t someone g e n u i n e l y creative,' he says, ' w h o can create a game w h i c h is as visually arresting a n d as c o m p l e x as possible.' A n d t h o u g h he confesses to being ' a n t i t e c h n o l o g i c a l ' . Barker's w e l l familiar w i t h the micro's p o t e n t i a l - his b r o t h e r is a gamedesigner f o r Liverpool-based Synopsis. The player w i l l be t h e ' h e r o of the n i g h t ' Boone, w h o m Death denies. It shifts f r o m h i m a n d he ends up n o t i n Heaven, n o t i n Hell, not o n Earth, b u t i n M e d i a n : ' t h a t a w f u l legendary place w h i c h gathered i n t o itself, its m o n s t r o u s embrace the half-dead, t h e Nightbreed'. B u t just h o w m o n s t r o u s can y o u get? W h e n software b o o m e d i n 1982, a game of The Evil Dead materialised.

Clive Barker: can we stomach him?

Barker's t e c h n i q u e of o p e n i n g u p the i m a g i n a t i o n involves scalpelclean prose, injected w i t h p o w e r f u l images. O n e w h i c h remains glued w i t h i n t h e reader's m e m o r y comes f r o m Cabai. Narcisse 'sgut uncoiled, falling like a flesh apron to his knees. Help me.' he hollered. 'I'm coming undone.' ' I d o n ' t k n o w w h e t h e r I w a n t to o p e n u p that part of the i m a g i n a t i o n i n a t e n - y e a r - o l d . ' he says. I don't t h i n k it's a g o o d t h i n g for preschool m i n d s to be subjected to m y stuff. I n fact I ' m d a m n sure it's n o t . ' T h e Cabal game designers may find themselves h a r d pressed to m a t c h the book at its s h u d d e r i n g best - but as a m a j o r film licence, it w i l l have huge development funds from whichever s o f t w a r e house w i n s t h e race. W a t c h this space.

Tecmo twosome • Organic doesn t mean healthy in Gemini Wing - because the creepycrawly sprites of this vertically-scrolling shoot-em-up are more lethal than any E number. Giant butterflies, beetles and even fish populate the seven levels of the Tecmo coin-op conversion, highlighted on 16-bit versions by the colourful, crowded screens (as shown here). Gemini Wing, like Silkworm, may be on the Sales Curve label or another. Expect April/May release on major 8bit and 16-bit formats.

Fly cool in Silkworm, an air-and-ground fighting title licensed from the Tecmo coin-op. One player can fly the chopper while another takes a jeep, guaranteeing a constant barrage of screen-ripping explosions on the 16-bit versions we saw The first game from new programming team Random Access. Silkworm is set for March or April release by development house The Sales Curve - or they may sell it to another label.

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NEWS

TGM REPORT EPYX- YET ANOTHER CONSOLE

American software house Epyx has a cheap n e w console i n development j o i n i n g the e v e r - g r o w i n g band of games machines w h i c h includes the Konix Multi-System, finally reviewed i n this issue of T G M . Sources at the California-based company have reported for several months that a large section of Epyx's factory has been closed to all but the most trusted employees. A n d David Morse. C h a i r m a n of Epyx and one of the Amiga's original hardware designers, was said t o be involved i n the top-secret project. N o w . stories emerging at January's Consumer Electronics Show i n Las Vegas suggest that Epyx are p l a n n i n g a handheld console at about £100. No official a n n o u n c e m e n t has been made yet. and the release date is equally unclear..

[EXCmN6 /L/WNCH IN

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Sega snatcher

M e a n w h i l e , w e regret w e can't b r i n g y o u the full report o n Sega's Mcgadrivc promised this m o n t h - o u r machine was stolen f r o m British Rail! A n o t h e r one is due w i t h i n weeks, so look out for specs and c o m m e n t s soon. A n d if anyone offers y o u a cheap Megadrive, y o u k n o w w h o t o call . . .

In the open after months of secrecy: Konix Multi-System review, page 16

see

Coin-op pops Both 16-bit Sega Megadrives and 8-bit Nintendo consoles can n o w be f o u n d i n Britain's arcades - as the Mega Syst e m and N i n t e n d o Play Choice 10. On both, y o u r cash buys y o u a set length of time o n the machine, d u r i n g w h i c h y o u can elect to play o n any of the b u i l t - i n games. On the N i n t e n d o Play Choice 10. these range f r o m the hard'n'fast (there's a version of Operation Wolf, using sticks instead of a machine gun) to the m o r e traditional, such as tennis and golf. The Mega System, m e a n w h i l e , features eight games: Altered Beast. Out Run. Shinobi. Space Harrier 2. Super Thunder Blade. Great Golf, World Soccer and Alien Syndrome.

March debut for MSX2+? There are n o w plans to release the M S X 2 + (TGM014) o n European soil - if all goes according to plan, it should be blasting off f r o m the Hannover Computer Show, West G e r m a n y , i n March. The 8-bit machine, w h i c h comes i n three models f r o m Panasonic, Sanyo and Sony, has an advanced specification including a 19,268-colour palette and 512x424 resolution.

• Sons of S A M: M iles Gordon Technology are growing more ambitious by the minute. Starting out as a small-scale Spectrum peripheral outfit, they finally launched iheir Spectrum-compatible micro SAM in December (full specsinTGM014 Back Bytes). Now it seems the SAM Coupe, as it's called, will be followed by an enhanced model this autumn and another in 1990.

• Great ad, shame about the name: Promoted lately in glorious black, white and blue in Mi/ PCisaPC 'like a Savilc Row suit or handbuilt motor c a r . . . a natural choice for the discerning'. Its name? The ST series, comprising ST200, ST300. ST400, ST500 and ST700. startingat £573.85. So if someone triesfloggingan ST with a 60Mb hard disk, don't say we didn't warn you . . . • Thalamus hype: Very little happened at Thalamus last month. • We're quite crazy: Prices ol Japanese daisy wheel printers should fall - the EEC has cut import duties to 23.5%, a little over half the previous rate. Oddly generous to computer users, this move follows a massive levy imposed on on dotmatrix printers by the EEC mere months ago(TGM014).

It's unlikely to be 16-bit, though - MGT say 'upgrading will be a matter of adding components rather than replacing the whole computer". A coupla corrections to TGMOM's report: we got display Mode 3 and Mode 4 the wrong way round, and the sound chip is from Philips not Mullard. It also seems likely that the diskdrive version could cost as much as £229.95, unless the price of components comes down. Expect it in small retailers by May and high-street chains by August. • FAST work: The Federation Against Software Theft claim to have snatched back about £250,000 worth of illegally copied games dunng 1988. But the majority of the organisation's work still comes from swooping on the lucrative area of business-software piracy, of which about £1 million worth was recovered last year. • Great magazine, shame about the ads: We (well, two of us) went Phaze 1 crazy when we saw the new magazine for up-and-coming musicians, produced by the same Cambridgeshire-based firm as The Guitarist and Home & Studio Retarding, But webei Microdeal weren't so excited about the placing of their ad for the ST Super Conductor MIDI sequencing package. For just three flicks of the page earlier was an ad from Akai, who are pushing dedicated sequencer hardware... and mocking the clutter that computer music causes. 'No bulky monitor, no separate keyboard or disk drives, no interface boxes or electronic rodents and no tangled mass of interconnecting cables,' Akai say . . . and illustrate it all with a pic of the ST. Ah well, all's lair in piracy and advertising.

TGM

• Indecent: The Advertising Standards Authonty (ASA) have cracked down on sexisi software ads - with US Gold's Psycho Pi$s UXB being, predictably, among those cited. The ad. which featured two sprogs gazing adoringly at a barely-dressed woman and comparing her to the game, sparked off controversy in readers' letters at the time.

Also slammed were network firm Sagesoft. who ran an ad for their Mainljm product which showed a woman and the phrase 'If she understands this headline. she'll understand our new network Stupid or what? Nonsexual offenders in recent ASA reports include Commodore. who claimed that a £399 Amiga could do things it couldn't (like talk sensibly?), Daiel Electronics for an incorrecl price, and On-line Solt ware -for claiming, rather morbidly, thai their software would work even after the purchaser died. • No sexism please: Concerned micro folk who believe that software is becoming an area of exdusivdy male participation can now share their fears - with members ol the Organisation Against Sexism In Software (OASIS). OASIS hope to redress the bal ance with a magazine (every two months) and campaigns', as yet undefined. They may have a hard time getting antisexist software' on the shelves, though -many companies, such asC6de Masters and Audiogenic, have spoken about the problem, without much visible resuh OASIS: Sandra Vogel, J Alden Court. Stanley Road. Wimbledon London SW198RP. • Now you FSCM, now you don't: The Federation Of Small Computer Magazines (FSCM) hasa new head - Jonathan Morris. editor of Computer L YNX. Assisting small computer magazines (better known as fanzines) with distribution, advertising, obtaining review copies, and stands at shows, the FSCM can be contacted c/o Jonathan Morris at J87 Perrysfield Road. Chethunt. Hertfordshire ES80TL

DATELINE February 21-24. Which Computer? Show. NEC. Birmingham March 7-April 2. Ideal Home Exhibition. Earls Court, London March 31-April 2. Amstrad Computer Show, Alexandra Palace

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GENERATION

And now for something completely different - a console which makes the leap from little black box to living-room arcade machine. Konix's Mutti-System will be in the high streets this autumn at £149, and TGM was one of the first to Sfc?eit.

magine a c u b e : a s i m p l e wireframe s h a p e o n a screen. N o w imagine that o n o n e side a character b e g i n s to m o v e : a colo u r e d sprite, w a l k i n g a c r o s s the surface of the c u b e . N o w i m a g i n e that y o u raise the f o c u s of your eyes a little higher a n d notice that o n the next s i d e of the c u b e another sprite is m o v i n g . Slowly, the c u b e b e g i n s t o rotate: then faster: a n d y o u notice that every side s h o w s a different graphic, s o m e m o v i n g , s o m e static. A s t h e c u b e s p e e d s up. the sensation is like c l i c k ing t h r o u g h TV c h a n n e l s at m i n d blasting velocity one image appears, n o w another, n o w another, a n d t h o u g h it's m o v i n g t o o fast n o w to m a k e o u t clearly w h a t ' s h a p p e n i n g , as the c u b e a p p r o a c h e s s t r o b e s p e e d y o u c a n register that y o u ' r e seeing s o m e t h i n g never before seen this side of a five-figure graphics w o r k s t a t i o n .

The computer is coming close to real 3-D - handling screen objects as detailed as real-life objects. Only it isn't a c o m p u t e r , n o t in the k e y b o a r d a n d - o p e r a t i n g - s y s t e m sense; this is the Konix M u l t i - S y s t e m , w h i c h will be the first 16-bit c o n s o l e t o a p p e a r in British s h o p s w h e n it's released this a u t u m n . It is also m u c h m o r e t h a n a console, as the n a m e s u g g e s t s .

Weird dream T o say the M u l t i - S y s t e m l o o k s strange is an understatement, as the p i c t u r e s o n these p a g e s s h o w . A n d it w a s the physical a p p e a r a n c e of t h e Multi-System, before even the a s t o u n d i n g s p e e d of its graphics-handling, that r e d u c e d Fleet Street's h a r d e n e d repr-

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INSIDE THE DREAM MACHINE Graphic genius and the disk-drive trick The Konix Multi-System may be the first 16-bit console to cross the barrier from 'coming soon' to here now', but ironically its 16-bit processor is one of the less dazzling components. And this processor, an Intel 8086 chip running at a zippy 12MHz, may also be one of the bigger hurdles for Multi-System programmers to jump Because the 8086 is used mainly in PCs, It's not nearty as familiar to games-writers as the Motorola 68000 found in the ST and Amiga, or the Zilog Z80 of the Spectrum However, the 8086 will do little of the processing that really makes a game it's simply parceling out work to other chips. At the heart of the machine are two specialist chips, one for graphics and one for sound; and it's in these that the wonders are worked

Chips for everything

These ASICs (application-specific Integrated circuits) were designed specially for

esentative to d u m b s t r u c k a m a z e m e n t w h e n T G M . a l o n g w i t h The Guardian a n d C o m p u t e r T r a d e Weekly, w a s g i v e n a sneak preview last m o n t h . L o o k i n g like a toilet seat w i t h h a n d lebars, the £ 1 9 9 M u l t i - S y s t e m - w h i c h was previously codenamed the S l i p s t r e a m a n d first revealed in T G M 0 1 2 - will s t a n d o u t o n the shelves a n d in the h o m e . T h a t ' s p a r i of K o n i x ' s intention: as the c o m p a n y ' s founder-boss Wyn Holloway o b s e r v e s , ' w e ' r e b a s i n g our h o p e s o n t h e visual rather t h a n the electronic*. But he g o e s o n t o m a k e it clear that ' t h e visual' is m u c h m o r e than the unusual b l u e - a n d - s t e e l colouring or the shape. 'It is not just a square box. It allows the user t o b e involved in the g a m e , h a n d s - o n , with a lot of feedback.' A n d for o n c e , the t e r m ' h a n d s - o n ' is n o s i m p l e clich6. Probably the cleverest a n d m o s t attractive feature o f the M u l t i - S y s t e m , g r a p h i c s - h a n d l ing apart (and w e ' r e only sorry our s c r e e n s h o t s c a n ' t s h o w h o w fast they z i p past), is the w a y it c a n b e a d a p t e d a n d e x p a n d e d to suit t h e kind of g a m e s y o u w a n t to use.

First t h i n g s first, however. C o m e this a u t u m n , £199 (including VAT) will b u y y o u a M u l t i - S y s t e m with a joystick. t w o g a m e s , a 1 M b disk drive a n d a 1 2 - m o n t h guarantee - all y o u n e e d t o set u p a n d go. Further g a m e s will c o s t £14.99 each. But you'll t h e n be able t o b u y a d d o n s ranging f r o m a light g u n with recoil t o a bike ( w h o s e p e d a l s tighten as the g a m e t a k e s y o u 'uphill', natch) to a chair. T h e Afterburner-style chair, w h i c h has b e e n the m o s t remarkedu p o n (and i n d e e d d o u b t e d ) of the M u l t i - S y s t e m p r o d u c t s , is d e s i g n e d t o take b o t h the c o n s o l e itself a n d a TV. It t h u s b e c o m e s the closest thing yet t o ' a n a r c a d e cabinet in your h o u s e ' , as the system w a s first d e s c r i b e d t o T G M b a c k in S e p t e m b e r .

CONSOLES

FLARE • WERE THERE 'The Flare team are brilliant designers," says Konix boss Wyn Holloway - so it's no wonder that he called them in to work on the Multi-System. Ever since news of the Konix project leaked out last autumn, there's been speculation as to Flare's Involvement. Cambridge-based Flare Technology had already developed a console, the Flare One (TGMOIO), which hasn't seen the light of day yet.

•

THE JAPANESE CONTENDER

The land of the rising sun also rises where consoles are concerned - and next month TGM brings Britain's first full reviews of the PC Engine and its leading games. The tiny £199.95 console from NEC, which is currently only available on mailorder here, draws astounding sound and graphics from the 2Mb capacity of its ROM cartridges. And with the added power of a CD-ROM drive it looks set to be the Multi-System's punchiest opponent. TG M017 is on sale March 23.

fts specs were great, but it had a few antiquated features, like an 8-bit 280 processor and, horror of horrors, tape loading! Holloway stresses that the Multi-System is not the Flare One. bqt admits that the Flare team were involved: 'We had only been working on ours a year when Flare had been working on theirs three years. Their knowledge is what I wanted.' And the Multi-System goes far ahead of even the Flare One on graphics, with a blitter chip three times as fast.

the Multi-System, so they give the console capabilities that can't be found elsewhere-yet. The graphics chip can produce 9 million pixels per second (in other words, theoretically it can change the screen 87 times per second at high resolution). It can draw rectangles, lines and 3-0 vector graphics itself, making life easier for the programmer - rather than having to tell the machine how to produce a shape in painstaking detail, he can simply define it in terms of basic shapes and leave the rest to the ASIC. The entire palette of 4,096 colours can be used onscreen at the same time And though there are - as with all systems some restrictions on what colours can be used next to each other, the palette of colours in use can be different for every line of pixels, giving at least the illusion of unrestricted colouring. Several resolutions are possible, up to 512x200. and different resolutions can be used on different parts of the screen Output is via composite video and RGB. so the Multi-System can be used with an RGB monitor as well as a TV.

Ear experience

Sound is as important as vision, as anyone who's visited the arcades (or the PC Engine!) recently wiM realise The Multi-System's stereo sound is described by Konix as CO-quality. and they compare the sound chip itself to the Yamaha DX7 synthesiser It can be played through headphones or a hi-fi system

TGM

016:3-8917/124

'It's designed for games - we didn't try to design a computer'.

KONEXT? After the Multi-System. Konix plan a new kind of electronic experience - the Total Home Control System. Boasting "four or five things in one unit for what they'd pay for one of them.' according to the firm's Wyn Holloway. this will be 3 step in the direction of computer-controlled homes (TGM007).

• Sitting pretty: this picture from a Multi-System demo shows the £129 chair, which Konix describe as 'the key peripheral - It allows you every movement of a plane'. Responding to 'movements' of the Joystick, steering wheel or whatever, the chair can move up to 1Ct in any direction (including up and down) or twist. The original design was for a 15" maximum tilt, but the engineers found themselves staggering out airsick! The console itself and a TV (up to 14 inches) clip into the chair and plug into sockets on the chair, so there's only a single power lead to the wall. Add-on packs for the chair, such as speakers behind the head, are under consideration - and the firm promise they'll 'convert that chair to something out of Star Wars'. The chair may also be sold with the console itself for some £300.

PROFILE

Wyn Holloway ' H e is g o o d at t h i n k i n g in s h a p e s very m u c h a s h a p e p e r s o n r a t h e r t h a n a word person.' Considering what one longtime acquaintance says of W y n H o l l o w a y , it m i g h t s e e m t h a t he w a s m a d e for t h e M u l t i - S y s t e m , w h i c h h a s more s h a p e than a dairy fridge. But t h e 3 9 - y e a r - o l d K o n i x f o u n d e r first m a d e his m a r k in t h e m i c r o w o r l d w i t h a shape of a quite different kind - the I Speedking joystick.

k e n f r o m Daley Thompson's

Holloway. a carpenter by trade, w a s w o r k i n g in a c o m p u t e r s h o p in C a r d i f f ' s c e n t r a l C l i f t o n Street w h e n h e n o t i c e d the number of g l u m faces arriving w i t h b r o k e n j o y s t i c k s - b r o Decathlon, the Ocean sports classic.

His c r a f t s m a n m i n d b e g a n t o g r i n d a w a y at t h e p r o b l e m , a n d h e s o o n realised t h a t m o s t u s e r s hold t h e j o y s t i c k in their h a n d s : t h e y h a v e n o u s e for t h e s u c t i o n c u p s b e l o v e d of early j o y s t i c k m a n u f a c t u r e r s . T h e result w a s t h e S p e e d k i n g j o y s t i c k , built t o b e h a n d h e l d , w i t h m o r e t h a n t h r e e m i l l i o n sales now notched up. T o d a y , t h e s h a p e s p e r s o n is n e c e s s a r i l y a w o r d s p e r s o n t o o , s p e n d i n g more time o n management than getting to grips with the screwdriver. Hollow a y d r i v e s a n F - r e g jag. w e a r s a m o d e s t p i n s t r i p e a n d d r i n k s h i s o f f i c e c o f f e e f r o m c h i n a c u p s a n d s a u c e r s , a far c r y f r o m t h e d o z e n s of w o r k e r s a s s e m b l i n g S p e e d k i n g s in t h e 4 0 . 0 0 0 - s q u a r e - f o o t f a c t o r y w h i c h h i s o f f i c e s overlook. B u t h e r e m a i n s c l o s e l y i n v o l v e d w i t h his p r o d u c t s , h a n d l i n g m u c h o f t h e b a s i c d e s i g n h i m s e l f ; his s e c r e t a r y files all t h e b l o t t i n g p a p e r f r o m his s p a c i o u s d e s k , o n w h i c h t h e first d o o d l e s o f a n e w j o y s t i c k o r c o n s o l e m a y b e made. A n d Holloway w a s determined that w h e n the time c a m e to drive d o w n f r o m K o n i x ' s s p a n k i n g n e w f a c t o r y near E b b w Vale in his n a t i v e s o u t h W a l e s , t h r o u g h t h e t r e e - l i n e d hills t h a t just a f e w y e a r s a g o w e r e g r e y s l a g h e a p s , and into L o n d o n for the Multi-System's launch at t h e end of January . . . he w o u l d finally e n j o y p l a y i n g it. ' A f t e r t w o y e a r s a n d all t h i s a g g r a v a t i o n , I w a n t t o b e first in t h e c h a i r . T o m e p e r s o n a l l y , i t ' s e v e r y t h i n g . '

18/124 TGM

016:3-89

And of course, like the MultiSystem. it's going to look different from the average total home control system It likely won't be released under the name Konix. however.

HANDS• OFF!

Are pirates sunk? By opting for a cheap 3.5-inch disk, Konix laid themselves open to the piracy problem because blank disks are available off the shelf But with a few modifications. they've managed to make the disks both cheap (allowing cheap software) and uncopyable. Each Konix 3.5Inch disk differs from the normal kind in three ways, which of course they're not revealing - in fact, only three people in Konix itself know what's been done The changes are chemical as well as electronic and mechanical, so it will be Impossible for pirates to reproduce custom Konix disks without expensive equipment. And the disk drive will also slightly different from the norm, to read these disks. Says Konix's Wyn Holloway 'We're not saying It's going to be 100% copyproof. but what It will eliminate is schoolyard copying, which Is 90% of the problem.' The disk alterations will also stop software houses from producing Multi-System games without Konix permission - just as Nintendo use all the legal weapons at their disposal to prevent unauthorised Nintendo games. It's particularly important to Konix that they're involved in all software releases, because much of their profit will come from a cut of the software houses' income.

CONSOLES

OUT OF THE BLUE

How - and why - they did it m a Las Vegas hotel room early this year, Wyn Holloway finally fell asleep amid the crowds of console-watchers After 28 months of development, Mr Konix's Multi-System was at last on the launch pad; the design was all but complete, software houses were signed up. and magazines would soon be splashing the curious-looking blue beast over their frontpages But as the brightest and best of America s programmers filled his room at the Consumer Electronics Show and pored over what one described as genuinely advancing video-game performance standards', Holloway perhaps recalled that the idea had originally come not from these masters of machine code, from multinational software producers or from the technophiliacs of the computer press, but from users Readers, m fact For in the autumn of 1986. Holloway had been sitting, bored out of my mind', leafing through the letters columns of the computer magazines which strew his office He remembers: It just sort of jumped out of the page' All the letter-wnters were hinting, consciously or not, at their desire for a better machine, a machine for games The Mult-System was bom then, on one of the blotting pads where HoHoway sketches hts ideas before they're dated and filed by a careful secretary Later, software developers were asked what their ideal machine would be like, and we've taken a lot of their ideas and a lot of their criticism*. There were certainly tweaks to the electronics along the way, and several different processors were contemplated before the Intel 8086 was chosen But it hasn't changed much since design began in earnest some 18 months ago - the original idea and the original design are the best'. Holloway says.

SALES • PITCH

The image matters When Konix start a £2 million TV ad campaign for the console this September, they'll need to get everything right to achieve the 100,000 sales that they expect in the first year. A number of names were considered before Multi-System, which Konix reckon sums up the machine's multifaceted potential. The codename Slipstream was rejected, says Holloway, because 'what is a Slipstream? You need a name that the user, whep he reads it. gets an image in his mind.' Arcade System was another possibility, but was also dropped because of the grimy drugs'n'wasted cash connotations that arcades have in some moralists' minds. And the selling line 'A Real Experience' was dropped because someone noticed that on packaging it looks like' Real Expensive'! Instead, the choice is 'Experience The Reality".

THE • SOFTWARE All this and flight sims too 'It's designed for games - we didn't try to design a computer.' Konix boss Wyn Holloway sees the Multi-System's greatest potential in its ability to change control methods via peripherals and, of course, in its arcade-quality sound and graphics. So it should be no surprise if flight and vehicle simulations play a large part in the Multi-System's software, which will be released on 3.5-inch disks. But even among the 15 titles which Holloway promises will be available as soon as the machine Is. there'll also be original arcade titles and conversions of the most successful micro games - Top Ten only, of course. It's not yet clear, however, how many

games will depend on the peripherals for full enjoyment. Financially, Konix expect to make more profit out of the peripherals and software than from the basic system itself, so it seems likely that at least some games will require the full set-up of chair. 3-D visor and what have you.

The price is low

As for price, at £14.99 each the MultiSystem games will already be cheaper than most 16-bit titles What's more. Konix themselves will provide at least two games per year at less than half price. A total of 40 games Is promised by Christmas, and 100 altogether by next spring. About 20 software houses have been signed up. and though the only ones Holloway will admit to are Ocean and US Gold, there is also believed to be interest from American firms such as Lucasfilm, MicroProse and Mindscape. and from Rainbow Arts in West Germany. As Holloway says, 'programmers, as soon as they've seen the machine, have commented they can now do a game they've only dreamed of. And software developers who've seen the Multi-System echo him.

READY FOR • TAKEOFF? Real-life pilots could be taking a Multi-System home soon and not to play games on. For Konix are hoping to set up a deal with producers of professional flight-training simulators, and give amateur pilots the chance to learn the basics on a Multi-System with chair and realistic controls. It wouldn't take many modifications to turn the Multi-System into a passable cockpit, and the setup would be far cheaper than a specially-built simulator. Amateur flying clubs with planes like Cherokees and Pipers are likely to be approached first.

• Self-portraits: though pictures of the Multi-System's peripherals aren't available yet, one demo showed them on the machine's screen - first rotating in wireframe at astounding speeds, and then filling in as shown here. The steering wheel (left) has a built-in solenoid to give tactile feedback'-left gives realistic resistance on sharp or difficult turns. The handlebars (right) can be used either for flight control or motorcycle riding after you've selected the mode, the Multi-System's pedals change their function to match the vehicle. Both are included in the basic £149 system.

CONSOLE •

CHOICE

The odds-on favourites

* Driving force: with its full fleet of peripherals, the Multi-System wHI be most suitable for vehicle simulations. This demo was written to show off the speed of Its graphics- handling, including parallax scrolling In the background and rapidly-changing graphic detail.

In a world where the marketplace rules, there are too many consoles around - and some are bound to be knocked out in the fierce fight for sales Arrayed against the Multi-System already are the 8-bit Atari VCS2600. Nintendo and Sega, with the PC Engine also set for a big sales push this year So far. the Sega and the ten-year-old Atari have been the most successful - and in late 1989, Sega's 16-bit Megadrive will also appear " The Sega 16-bit is a brilliant machine.' concedes Konix's Wyn Holloway.' but it is a box ' There are things to be learned, though 'You gotta look at their products, stnp them down, see what they do and do it better' Writing the others off as uninspired designs despite their electronic whizzery. he sees the biggest threat coming from something we may not even have heard of yet A small design house is going to come out with something far superior (to the Multi-System)' Perhaps - but as the experience of countless computers from the MSX to the OL to the Archimedes has shown, what counts is marketing as much as machinery, So while we consider the Multi-System and the PC Engine as the strongest contender!, on specification - and the Multi -System will have more and bigger advertising - the scene a year hence is anybody's guess As Holloway observes, the Sega is a far better machine than the Nintendo; but (in other countries! the Nintendo succeeded'

TGM

016:3-8919/124

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machine's program cards to the ST and Amiga, reproducing the ships, asteroids a n d s p a c e s c a p e s of t h e original. A n d s o y o u c a n just s e e h o w w e l l t h e g a m e m a t c h e s u p t o its original,

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1 W h i c h I m a g e w o r k s puzzle g a m e features levels f r o m programmers such as Andrew Braybrook, Jeff 'Llamasoft' Minter and Jon Ritman? 2 W h i c h I m a g e w o r k s g a m e w a s set i nthe mythical dict a t o r s h i p o f El D i a b l o ? 3

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TALKIN' ABOUT A

• PC

Engineering

REVOLUTION Cash is dead - long live the smart card! Micro genius can now put a computer in your wallet, and the revolution which began in France is about to hit Britain. Mel Croucher gives a personal view of the pocket-sized future, while Richard Henderson describes the technology.

n the beginning, human beings h a d n o n e e d for a n y t h i n g as d a f t as m o n e y . C i v i l i s e d p e o p l e used the barter system, and u n c i v i l i s e d folk u s e d f o r c e . Nothing m u c h changes, but w e ' v e had t o wait a few thousand years for history t o c o m e full c i r c l e - for t e c h n o l o g y t o m a k e c a s h , a n d all t h e d o c u m e n t s that c r o w d your wallet, redundant. T h e b a n k n o t e a r r i v e d in t h e m i d 1500s. a n d t h e p e r s o n a l c h e q u e a p p e a r e d in t h e last c e n t u r y , w i t h c r e dit c a r d s d o i n g nicely after W o r l d W a r II. N o w c a s h is d e a d . It m a y be r u n n i n g a r o u n d like a s m e l l y , h e a d l e s s c h i c k e n or w e i g h i n g d o w n y o u r p o c k e t s like

t h e l u m p s o f a m b e r a n d b a g s o f salt t h a t p r e h i s t o r i c t r i b e s u s e d for m o n e y , b u t i t ' s d e a d all right - b e c a u s e m o n e y m o v e s electronically these days, i n s t a n t l y , a n y w h e r e in t h e w o r l d . Y e t it w a s n o t till 1 9 7 8 t h a t c a s h w a s d e a l t its final d e a t h b l o w b y a little F r e n c h m a n . R o l a n d M o r e n o l o o k s like a c r o s s b e t w e e n Art G a r f u n k e l a n d W o o d y A l l e n , b u t t h a t isn't h i s o n l y claim to fame. Just over ten years ago he c a m e u p w i t h t h e brilliant i d e a o f mating a microchip with a plastic card, a n d t h e little b a s t a r d s that r e s u l t e d are a l r e a d y c h a n g i n g our lives. T h e s e are the smart cards, sometimes called intelligent c a r d s . If y o u ' v e b e e n t o F r a n c e r e c e n t l y , y o u will h a v e b e e n a m a z e d t o s e e h o w

m u c h Roland M o r e n o ' s invention has changed the whole concept of ' m o n e y ' . Yet ten years b a c k only t w o o u t f i t s s h o w e d a n y i n t e r e s t in his ideas, a c o u p l e o f F r e n c h c o m p a n i e s n a m e d Bull a n d S c h l u m b e r g e r . W h e n t h e y r e a l i s e d t h e i m p l i c a t i o n s of t h e i n v e n t i o n t h e y t o u t e d it a r o u n d , a n d in 1983 F r a n c e - T 6 l 6 c o m p l a c e d its first o r d e r for s m a r t c a r d s .

Within a few months, the world's first fully r o b o t i c f a c t o r y w a s set u p . operating 24 hours a day. 365 days a year, a n d b y 1 9 8 8 o v e r 4 0 m i l l i o n French phonecards had been sold. But that's nothing c o m p a r e d to w h a t is h a p p e n i n g n o w . Invisible c u r r e n c y is s w e e p i n g a c r o s s F r a n c e in t h e s h a p e o f s m a r t c a r d s for p e t r o l s t a t i o n s , h o t e l s , c i n e m a s , libraries, hypermarkets, and even parking m e t e r s - a n d t h e m a s t e r p l a n is for e a c h c i t i z e n t o h a v e o n e c a r d t h a t will c o v e r t h e lot. N o r w a y has already o p t e d for the system, a n d Spain. Holland. West G e r m a n y . A u s t r a l i a a n d J a p a n are t e s t i n g it o u t . So those phonecards need not simply a c t as a pile o f l o o s e c h a n g e , b u t c o u l d a l s o k e e p a r e c o r d of e v e r y number dialled and the time, date and d u r a t i o n of y o u r call, as w e l l as c h e c k y o u r p h o n e bill ( a n d a c t as a w i t n e s s in t h e d i v o r c e c o u r t after i t ' s p r o v e d t h a t y o u p h o n e d y o u r lover f o r m t h e motel room). A n d t h i s is w h e r e I d o m y p r e d i c t a b l e t e c h n o p h o b e bit. b e c a u s e s m a r t c a r d s are g o i n g t o t a k e o v e r m u c h s o o n e r t h a n later, a n d w e m u s t u s e t h e m b e f o r e t h e y u s e us.

Credit risks

My holographic colleague Stuart ' C r a c k e r s ' W y n n e will b e a b l e t o g i v e y o u a c o m p l e t e list of all t h e s c i e n c e fiction b o o k s that feature h u m a n beings reduced to nothing more than their c r e d i t r a t i n g s , in t h e ' y o u are what you're worth' mould.

* Putting his money where your mouth was: phonecard Hiscocks

collector

Steve

M y f a v o u r i t e is t h e o n e w h e r e e v e r y b o d y is f i t t e d w i t h a n e l e c t r o n i c collar around the neck, which shines ebony b l a c k all t h e t i m e y o u are in c r e d i t , turns red w h e n y o u get into debt, a n d t h r o t t l e s y o u if t h e c r e d i t c o m p u t e r s r e c k o n y o u c a n never r e p a y y o u r e r e -

TGM

NEC's fabulously sexy PC Engine uses credit-card-sized ROM cartridges These aren't really smart cards as such, as there's no way for the user to change the data on the card, and there's no onboard processing power - just lots and lots of memory But they're a good example of just how much data could be crushed into a smart card.

B Play your cards right Mel Croucher meets a collector with ringing in his ears 150 years ago, a bnght spark named Sir Roland Hill came up with the idea of the postage stamp. A tiny handful of people began collecting these massproduced tots of paper, while the rest of the world simply used them and then chucked them away Today stamps are a better investment than many, and the rarest are worth hundreds of times their own weight in gold! So imagine if you had been around back in the 1840s. when postage stamps were just beginning to spread all over the world, and you knew then what you know now . . . Imagine 7 You don't have to' Exactly the same thing Is happening with computerised phonecards. and some of them are already valuable1 There is one man in Britain who is the acknowledged expert in collecting phone cards - Dr Steve Hiscocks, a civil servant, working for the Department of Energy's nonnuclear Research Department when he's not collecting little squares of coloured plastic. Mel Some people would regard collectors of phonecards as somewhat eccerttric. How did you get into this? Steve I am one of a blessed breed, a bom collector, and I spend a lot of my time in Paris. Mel And Paris is the centre for phonecard collectors? Steve There are already very active collectors' clubs setting up, and it is quite big business with professional dealers operating there Mel How big? Steve £200 and £300 deals Mel For a collection of phonecards7

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ditors. As I write this piece, the average h o u s e h o l d in the U K is in h o c k t o the tune of £1.500 e x c l u d i n g m o r t g a g e repayments, a n d 9 0 % of all salaried e m p l o y e e s are l o g g e d in t o m o r e t h a n 20 private d a t a b a s e s that s w a p personal i n f o r m a t i o n c o n c e r n i n g their credit risks, b u y i n g habits, d e b t s a n d investments. Those science-fiction stories s u d denly look very o l d - f a s h i o n e d indeed. C o m p u t e r s already k n o w what nine out of t e n of the w o r k i n g p o p u l a t i o n in this c o u n t r y are ' w o r t h ' ! The n e w E u r o p a s s p o r t s will c h a n g e into identity s m a r t c a r d s before the e n d of the next d e c a d e ; in fact, I p r e dict that they will n o t only h o l d a

r e c o r d of your travelling habits, but will also act as your driving licence, your m e d i c a l file a n d your p o l i c e record. A n d they'll p r o b a b l y k e e p one hell of a lot m o r e personal d a t a that is currently retained by the Social S e c urity vampires, educational authorities, c l a p clinic, electoral roll, y o u n a m e it. Naturally, the P o w e r s That Be will d e n y that m o s t of this i n f o r m a t i o n is held o n your identity s m a r t card, a n d they will b e quite right. But as s o o n as your c a r d is s c a n n e d by a portable reader, w h i c h is linked t o the Central Scrutiniser mainframe, all of your intimate details c o u l d be called up at the t o u c h of a b u t t o n , a n y w h e r e in the world.

Brave new world?

f d o n ' t w a n t t o play d o w n the incredible a d v a n t a g e s that the s m a r t c a r d is a b o u t t o h a n d us. W e will be able t o c h e c k the state of our b a n k b a l a n c e

Steve For a single card. Mel Are you kidding? Steve Like all such things, it depends on rarity. For example, Plessey issued only 100 of their standard service cards overprinted for China in 1988. They are probably the rarest cards in the world, worth around the £600 mark. But I know of individual cards selling for over £1,000 in Japan, and the Japanese telephone company tells me that they estimate 30% of all the cards they sell are disappearing into private collections, and are never used! Mel And the rarest British phonecard? Steve Hmm, the Muirfields Open Golf Championship commemorative 100-unit card, about £70 in mint condition. Mel Have you got one?

f r o m a restaurant, instead of wandering a r o u n d a w i n d s w e p t s h o p p i n g precinct l o o k i n g for a cash dispenser that w o r k s . W h e n w e get k n o c k e d d o w n b y a d o u b l e - d e c k e r bus, the p a r a m e d i c s will b e able t o w h i p o u t our smart c a r d s (before w h i p p i n g o u t our kidneys) a n d d i s c o v e r our b l o o d g r o u p , w h a t d r u g s w e ' r e on, if w e are carrying HIV a n t i b o d i e s (the AIDS test) a n d if w e c a n a f f o r d t o p a y for the privatised a m b u l a n c e fare. W e will be able to travel t h o u g h d a n g e r o u s p l a c e s like Marseilles, Beirut a n d L u d l o w , carrying a fortune in s m a r t - c a r d credit - a n d not give a t o s s w h e n w e get r o b b e d , b e c a u s e t h e thief w o n ' t k n o w our personal identification n u m b e r . W e ' d just p o p a l o n g to the nearest s m a r t - c a r d centre, key in our ID n u m b e r , give a t h u m b print, voiceprint a n d retina print, a n d bingo! Our n e w c a r d p o p s o u t o f t h e slot.

Of course, there's a p r o b l e m for the homeless, the u n e m p l o y e d , the m e n tally h a n d i c a p p e d , the criminal o n the run, a n d a n y o n e w h o deliberately chooses t o o p t out of the s m a r t - c a r d future - c o m p u t e r i s e d e c o n o m i c c o n trol is going t o force t h e m into a s u b class of citizen. But after all, this s u b c l a s s already exists in everything b u t name. For all the rest, the smart c a r d ' s c a s h - f r e e society will s e e m like a natural p r o g ression f r o m t o d a y ' s credit culture; the only people w h o lose will be h a n d bag manufacturers. N o b o d y will have to cart a r o u n d a sackful of junk consisting of coins, bank notes, credit cards, driving licences, passports, insurance covers, visiting c a r d s , a d d r e s s b o o k s , lottery tickets, c h e q u e b o o k s , t i m e t a bles. p h o n e n u m b e r s , s e a s o n tickets, blood donor cards, traveller's cheques, l u n c h e o n vouchers, library cards, d o c t o r ' s prescriptions, parking

Steve Well, naturally... though I don't know anyone else who has, they all seem to have disappeared temporarily. My collection of UK cards is almost complete, only two to go, and I've probably got the biggest collection of overseas cards in this country. Mel So it's in your interests to hype up the value of cards? Steve Not a bit of it. a true collector is much more interested in shaping their collection, making contacts, swapping items and exchanging information. Value is secondary. Mel But as with stamps, value will depend on whether a phonecard is in mint condition, or used. Steve Smart cards of the type used in France. Japan, Italy and Egypt show no visible change when they have been used. Certain magnetic cards are punched or indented, and for most countries a white band over an optical strip marks the number of units used, with a black mark clearly showing the end of each call. I have compiled the first catalogue of phonecards which sets out the value of each issue. Mel When did things start to get interesting in the UK? Steve Christmas 1986. That was when we saw the first advertising card over here. This was followed by commemoratives. things like the Valentine Card, and well over 40 advertising cards as well as a score of'art'cards. Mel So how do you set about collecting the damn things? Steve Buy them! On the other hand you can appeal to friends in other countries, exchange them with collectors, and easiest of all. pick them up for nothing' Most users leave expired cards on top of the telephone when they have used up all the units. And if you can afford it, you can even buy the appropriate tube of Mentadent. packet of Persil, can of Australian lager, or bottle of Scotch! Mel Very many thanks, Dr Hiscocks. I'm afraid I'll have to end the interview there. Steve Why? Mel My phonecard's run out. Bye-ee!

• CONTACTS • Collector s information exchange: Andrew Hall, Telegraph & Telephone Study Circle. PO Box 62. York Y01 1YL.

m The Collector 's Book of Telephone Cards is available on mail order from Dr Steve Hiscocks. PO Box 77, Woking. Surrey GU22 0H8. Price £4.30 (UK) or £4.50 (rest of Europe), including postage. Hiscocks is also producing a collector's newsletter update every quarter.

t o k e n s a n d last wills. S o if it's already h a p p e n e d in France, w h e n will t h e revolution reach t h e U K ? The EEC has d e f i n e d electronic m o n e y as follows: ' T h e c o m b i nation of c o m p u t e r , m a g n e t i c , ©loctronic a n d i n f o r m a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y t o enable f u n d s to b e transferred w i t h o u t the e x c h a n g e of coin or d o c u m e n t s , involving a t h r e e - w a y relationship between banks, merchants and consumers'. Cash a n d credit barriers will be dism a n t l e d in E u r o p e o n J a n u a r y 1 1992. A s a w e l l - k n o w n singer o n c e wailed: ' People g e t ready!' Mel Croucher

o w w o u l d y o u like t o o p e n l o c k e d d o o r s using a credit c a r d ? No. this isn't The TGM Guide to Housebreaking for Fun & Profit, w e are talking s m a r t cards - p r o b a b l y the m o s t useful things s i n c e Sony invented the Walkman. The s m a r t c a r d is the s a m e size as a normal credit or c a s h p o i n t card, a n d i n d e e d c o u l d easily b e m i s t a k e n for o n e of its h u m b l e r c o u s i n s . L o o k within a s m a r t card, h o w e v e r (here, b o r r o w m y X-ray specs), a n d e m b e d d e d in the plastic you'll find a p r o c e s sor c h i p a n d u p to 1 M b of FIAM ( p h o n e c a r d s store only 2 5 6 b i t s of information). This is w h a t gives a s m a r t c a r d its ' s m a r t n e s s ' a n d sets it apart f r o m its brainless relatives. It's like a plastic c a r d with A levels. M o s t s m a r t c a r d s have e x p o s e d electrical c o n n e c t o r s that allow t h e m t o be interfaced to another device, s u c h as a n EFTPOS (Electronic F u n d s Transfer At Point Of Sale) terminal or a p h o n e c a r d p a y p h o n e , b u t their future a p p l i c a t i o n s c a n g o further t h a n that.

Because the smart card has o n b o a r d p r o c e s s i n g p o w e r , it c o u l d easily i n c o r p o r a t e a tiny k e y b o a r d a n d L C D screen (well, i t ' d b e easy if y o u w e r e an e l e c t r o n i c s w h i z with an i m m e n s e budget) a n d be m a d e into a personal database, electronic n o t e b o o k or other g a d g e t . As d a t a storage devices, smart c a r d s c o u l d b e a w o r t h y alternative t o disks. T h e y ' r e a lot smaller, a n d the d a t a s t o r e d o n t h e m is less likely t o b e damaged, because the embedded m e m o r y c h i p s are better p r o t e c t e d t h a n the e x p o s e d m a g n e t i c s u r f a c e of disks. Sir Clive Sinclair's ill-fated P a n d o r a m a c h i n e w a s t o have u s e d s m a r t c a r d s as s t o r a g e media, b u t b y the t i m e the P a n d o r a e v o l v e d into the Z 8 8 portable, Sir Clive's worries a b o u t e x p o s e d electrical c o n n e c t o r s o n the c a r d s h a d killed the idea. Several pilot s c h e m e s exist a r o u n d the w o r l d , testing s m a r t - c a r d t e c h n o l o g y in different applications. C u r rently, the m o s t popular use for s m a r t c a r d s is in t h e w o r l d of finance, a n d m a n y b a n k s are c o n d u c t i n g smallscale trials right n o w . So, in the n o t - t o o - d i s t a n t future, the c a r d y o u get f r o m your b a n k will have all y o u r financial r e c o r d s s t o r e d o n it. W h e n y o u b u y s o m e t h i n g using the card, your b a l a n c e is s i m p l y recalculated a n d the c a r d u p d a t e d . W h e n a p a y m e n t is m a d e t o your a c c o u n t , the

c a r d c a n b e ' l o a d e d ' w i t h t h e extra c a s h . Rubber c h e q u e s m a y b e c o m e a thing of t h e past! All b a n k - a c c o u n t holders in France will be issued w i t h a s m a r t c a r d by 1990, a n d a L u x e m b o u r g bank is a b o u t t o replace its 4 0 , 0 0 0 m a g n e t i c strip c a r d s with smart Visa cards.

Peanuts and TV

Other s c h e m e s in operation, or being tested, range f r o m health care p a t i e n t s ' m e d i c a l r e c o r d s a n d pres c r i p t i o n details c a n b e s t o r e d o n s m a r t c a r d s - t o agriculture: sales of p e a n u t s in the s o u t h e r n states of the U S A are controlled a n d m o n i t o r e d with s m a r t cards. It s e e m s likely that Rupert M u r d o c h ' s Sky Television will use smart c a r d s t o extract p a y m e n t f r o m viewers of its t w o s u b s c r i p t i o n - b a s e d satellite channels. Sky M o v i e s a n d The Disney C h a n n e l . The signals will b e s c r a m b l e d , so a d e c o d e r will b e n e e d e d t o u n s c r a m b l e t h e m . The i n f o r m a t i o n n e e d e d to d e c i p h e r the p i c t u r e will b e held o n a s m a r t card, w h i c h is inserted into the d e c o d e r unit t o give a perfect picture. D o n ' t think you'll get a w a y with b u y i n g just o n e d e c o d e r card, t h o u g h : it c o s t s £ 1 2 a m o n t h t o view S k y ' s pay c h a n nels. a n d they'll b e c h a n g i n g the m e t h o d of e n c o d i n g the signal e a c h m o n t h , s o you'll have t o keep forking o u t t h e readies for n e w c a r d s 12 t i m e s a year (total c o s t £144 . . . ) . In Japan, y o u c a n buy s m a r t - c a r d s o u n d samplers. Essentially miniature digital recorders, t h e y c a n b e u s e d to record spoken messages which can t h e n b e played b a c k at will. Smart c a r d s c o u l d also b e u s e d t o replace keys - already, m a n y hotels a n d large organisations use e n c o d e d magnetic cards to open locks, b e c a u s e t h e y ' r e t o u g h t o forge. The security a p p l i c a t i o n s are endless; m a y b e the c a r d of 2001 w o u l d n ' t let y o u into t h e hotel r o o m if y o u hadn't p a i d t h e minibar bill.

Getting cheaper

Y o u r average smart c a r d c o s t s a r o u n d £3 t o m a k e , c o m p a r e d w i t h 1 0 p for a normal m a g n e t i c - s t r i p card. As always, though, costs will d e c r e a s e as smart c a r d s b e c o m e m o r e a n d m o r e c o m m o n , a n d the increase in price d o e s n ' t really s e e m t o o drastic w h e n y o u consider the capabilities of a smart c a r d c o m p a r e d t o a m a g n e t i c one. Besides, smart c a r d s m a y offer s o m e savings in other ways. British T e l e c o m ' s p h o n e c a r d s are d e s i g n e d t o b e u s e d till their credit expires, then c h u c k e d a w a y . A smart p h o n e c a r d . h o w e v e r , c o u l d simply be ' r e c h a r g e d ' w i t h extra credit w h e n it runs out. A n d the c a r d ' s o n b o a r d m e m o r y m e a n s y o u c o u l d load your m o s t c o m m o n l y - u s e d n u m b e r s o n t o it. then just select t h e a p p r o p r i a t e n u m b e r f r o m a m e n u w h e n y o u w a n t t o dial. T h e r e ' s n o d o u b t that smart c a r d s will have a great effect o n our lifestyles w h e n t h e y ' r e available o n a large scale. I only h o p e that the p o w e r s that b e c a n get all the different s m a r t - c a r d s y s t e m s t o interact property - I d o n ' t relish t h e t h o u g h of the entire c o n t e n t s of m y b a n k a c c o u n t b e i n g f o r w a r d e d t o British T e l e c o m every t i m e I try to use a c a s h p o i n t m a c h i n e . . . . Richard Henderson

TGM

016:3-89101/124

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GETTING ADVENTUROUS STEEL SHAVINGS

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ZAK McKRAGKEN AND THE ALIEN MINDBENDERS US GOLD/LUCASFILM GAMES

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w i n d o w , b e l o w w h i c h sits t h e s e n t e n c e line f o r i n p u t , a c t i o n w o r d s available - the vocabulary c h a n g e s t o suit t h e s i t u a t i o n - a n d your inventory. At the very t o p of t h e s c r e e n is t h e m e s s a g e line.

Sentences are formed by p o i n t i n g t h e c u r s o r at a c t i o n s , c h a r a c t e r s o r o b j e c t s (either t e x t or graphic). and clicking. C o m m a n d s s u c h as w®ik To, open, PICK up a n d use are a v a i l a b l e . M o r e c o m p l e x s e n t e n c e s are c o n s t r u c t e d b y , for example, c l i c k i n g o n use, t h e c r a y o n a n d t h e p i e c e of w a l l p a p e r . T h e p r o g r a m adds adverbs automatically, thus the complete sentence should read ' U s e crayon with wallpaper'. A c l i c k of c o n f i r m a t i o n a n d , if i t ' s p o s s i b l e , t h e i n s t r u c t i o n is c a r r i e d out.

Work, rest and play

T h e r e ' s p l e n t y t o d o in e a c h location. Zak's b e d r o o m alone c o n c e a l s a n u m b e r of n e c e s s a r y objects and some intrigueing loose floorboards. As the heroic q u a r t e t are a b l e t o c a r r y a ridiculous n u m b e r of i t e m s w i t h them, regardless of bulk, and due t o t h e alien e l e m e n t in p u z z l e s / s o l u t i o n s , p i c k u p e v e r y t h i n g that isn't s c r e w e d d o w n . If h i s c a s h c a r d h o l d s o u t . Z a k ' s adventure takes him to many places: Stone Henge, Miami ( u n f o r t u n a t e l y c l o s e d for repairs). Nepal and numerous bustling airport terminals. A n d his quest isn't c o n f i n e d t o e a r t h , t o finally p u t

T is phoning home with a vengeance! Space aliens have built a machine that, via the telephone system, is slowly reducing everyone's IQ to single digits (not much of a reduction for some of us)! The only person who has a chance of stopping them - with more than a little help from you of course - is Zak McKracken, daring reporter for the National Inquisitor. Fortunately f o r Z a k ( a n d M a n k i n d as it h a p p e n s ) , t h e r e a r e f r i e n d s o n w h o m he m a y call for help: A n n i e (without her gun), h e a d o f t h e S o c i e t y For A n c i e n t W i s d o m a n d her t w o b u d d i e s , M e l i s s a a n d Leslie, t w o Yale c o e d s w h o c l a i m t o have t r a v e l l e d t o M a r s ( b a s e for Zak and Yak back to back - well nearly

M i l k P u ^ i t i*M t t li» VI?

t h e alien a t t a c k ) in a c o n v e r t e d van. T h e s e f o u r u n l i k e l y h e r o e s , guided by you, attempt to piece together fragments of a n ancient p u z z l e , u n m a s k t h e aliens a n d d e s t r o y their m a c h i n e . The game is predominantly as an

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p a i d t o t h e a l i e n s ' p l a n s , h e travels to Mars (where the g a m e loses atmosphere) to hopefully o p e n n e w d o o r s in h i s a d v e n t u r i n g career. P a t i e n c e is a n e c e s s i t y w h i l s t playing (though not s o m u c h on t h e A m i g a version): T h e f l a s h of light c r e a t e d in y o u r m i n d u p o n reaching an inspired solution to a particular p r o b l e m can b e d i m m e d b y t h e s l o w p a c e at w h i c h Z a k a n d his c h u m s carry out your orders. However, the pictures, animation a n d m e s s a g e s a l o n g t h e w a y are s u f f i c i e n t l y a m u s i n g t o render t h e trek n o n t o o a r d u o u s .

A T M O S P H E R E 81% INTERACTION 79% OVERALL 81% TGM

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Marketing

D l x o n s

VOTE FOR THE BEST IN 1988 Computer Leisure Awards

For the first time ever, you will be able to join with the readers of many other British magazines to decide who and what was best in 1988. Awards will be made to software producers resulting from your voting through, this, your own magazine, for what you considered to be the best games you have played on your computer during the past year. Many other magazines are carrying this voting form. It means the results will truly be democratic, and therefore really mean a lot to those w h o receive them. The votes will be collated by an independent company, to whom you should post your voting form, and the awards will be presented at the Computer Leisure Industry's 'get together' — Computer Arena — in March 1989. So, simply fill-in the voting form below, cut it out (or photocopy it) and send it to:

GAMES OF THE YEAR MICHAEL BAXTER SOLUTIONS PR 2 WELLINGTONS COURT VARNDEAN ROAD BRIGHTON BN1 6TD

^COMPUTER LEISURE AWARDS 1988 VOTING FORIVp C l o s i n g date 2 5 t h F e b 8 9

1) Please tick the computer format you arc voting for. AMIGA

•

A M S T R A D CPC

•

ELECTRON

•

COMMODORE 64/128

•

PC COMPATIBLES

•

ATARI ST

•

3) Please state what you consider to be the BEST G A M E O V E R A L L of 1988:

4) Which Software House do you choose as being the most consistent in producing high quality computer games during 1988:

SPECTRUM 2) Please name your choice of best game (from the format ticked above) of 1988: 1. Best A R C A D E game 2. Best A D V E N T U R E g a m e 3. Best STRATEGY/WAR game 4. Best M U S I C with game 5. Best USE OF G R A P H I C S

Name Add ress .•••••

..............

.Postcode

Pocket 3-D POOL o n . . .

Well here's your chance to prove it. European champion 'Maltese Joe' Barbara is waiting to rack 'em up and blow you out. Unlike any other pool simulation, 3-D POOL incorporates a unique "move around the table" feature — allowing shots to be played from any position, just like in a real game.

Atari ST Amiga IBM Commodore 64 Cassette Commodore 64 Oisc Amstrad Cassette Amstrad Disc Spectrum MSX BBC Electron Archlm^es

£19.9 £19 9 £19 9 £9.9 £12.9 £8.9 £14 9 £7.9 £7 9 £8 9 £19 9

3-D POOL will take all your skill to master and if you do get that lucky break, how about entering the nationwide 'Maltese Joe' high score competition with the chance to play a real frame with the champ. Full details in every box. Cue up for a shot at big Joe. Telecomsoft, First Floor, London WC1A IPS. Firebird

and Firebird

64-76

Logo are trademarks

New

Oxford

of British

St,

Telecommunica

tions PLC.

A LEGEND IN GAMES 5DFTWARE

REVIEW

60 • P H A N T O M

40 • TV SPORTS: FOOTBALL

FIGHTER

T h e f l e s h y little K o r t s n e v e r d i d a n y o n e a n y h a r m , b u t t h e F a r r o n z a r k fleet i n v a d e d t h e i r p l a n e t a n y w a y . N o w t h e K o r t s a r e rebelling a n d reducing the colonies to dust with a bizarre collect i o n of s p a c e c r a f t . In t h i s h o t s c r o l l i n g s h o o t - ' e m - u p f r o m M a r t e c h , you've been g i v e n the task of e l i m i n a t i n g the Kort fleet u s i n g y o u r multi-weapon s h i p , w i t h o n l y a handful of i c o n s to help y o u . P r o b a b l y t h e b e s t PC s h o o t - ' e m - u p i n t h e w o r l d . ' A n d it's n o t b a d on the Amiga, either.

machine

Would-be Joan Collins' can now out-do their soap i d o l s w i t h h u g e 'n' b u l k y s h o u l d e r - p a d s — Cinemaware have branched out from medieval conquerors and heroic jet-packers to the sporting w o r l d of A m e r i c a n Football. TV Sports: Football mixes detailed use of tactics w i t h joystick dexterity a n d high quality graphic definition and animation. Reviewed here o n the Amiga but s o o n to grunt o n other f o r m a t s , m o v i e - l i k e intermission screens polish presentation to create a simulation so effective you'll think you're w a t c h i n g C h a n n e l 4.

PLAYER

48 •

.£19.99 £19 99 £19 99 ... £9 99 £12 99 ... £8.99 £14 99 ...£7.99 ... £7 99 £8 99 ..£19 99

36 • SPITTING IMAGE — C64

LED S T O R M

This C a p c o m c o i n - o p may not be a n a m e o n e v e r y b o d y ' s lips (probably cause they're still tied in k n o t s f r o m saying this sentence), b u t w i t h t h i s g r e a t m u l t i - f o r m a t r e l e a s e , U S G o l d h a v e s h o w n u s t h a t it c e r t a i n l y s h o u l d be. O n t h e v i o l e n t r o a d s of t h e future, y o u d r i v e a r a u n c h y roadster w h i c h leaps a n d b o u n d s over treacherous g a p s and evil motorists, and even g a i n s c a r - c r u s h i n g powers by picking up power icons. A road- (and Robin) h o g g ' s d r e a m , LED Storm i s o n e o f t h e m o s t p l a y a b l e r a c i n g g a m e s y e t .

to C P C Advanced Dungeons And Dragons Last Duel Spitting Image

Advanced Dungeons F And Dragons Circus Games Last Duel — LED Storm Spitting Image -

MSX Nemesis III

COMMODORE Circus Games LED Storm Legend Of Blacksilver l-Tv tting Image

56 65 36

Batman Crazy Cars Custodian 61 Galactic Conqueror — Last Duel LED Storm

Manhunter—New York Nighl Hunter Operation Wolf Purple Saturn Day Rambo III Spitting Image ... Superman Times Of Lore Wanted

AMIGA

ATARI ST .43 .48 .39 .50 36 .55

TRASH

56 35 64 65 48

Advanced Dungeons And Dragons Circus Games Custodian Dragon's Lair Galactic Conqueror

If y o u t h o u g h t t h e T V p r o g r a m m e w a s u n f u n n y , w a i t till y o u see t h e g a m e ! Spitting Image f e a t u r e s p o o r g a m e p l a y a c r o s s all f o r m a t s , b u t t h e C64 v e r s i o n d i e s o n i t s feet t h a n k s to n a f f g r a p h i c s , s t o d g y a n i m a t i o n a n d a nega t i v e p a y a b i l i t y f a c t o r . It e v e n m e n tions Barry Manilow o n the packaging... T h r e e t i m e s ! .63

Last Duel .......^1 LED Storm Operation Wolf Phantom Fighter Purple Saturn Day TV Sports: Football Wanted

PC Battle Chess Circus Games .... Phantom Fighter

NINTENDO Castlevania Top Gun

T G M TX 016:3-89 31/116

VRE

PURPLE SATURN DAY Infogrames

^ M very 29 years 167 days — a single year for the planet Saturn — the galactic games are held. I They are the brainchild of Hanz Morlok — uncle to Bob Morlok (AKA Captain Blood) — inventor, alternative medicine expert and pizza playmate. Eight forms of at least semi-intelligent life are gathered and paired up to compete in four events. The options screen shows icons of t h e f o u r e v e n t s , w h i c h m a y b e s e l e c t e d for practice. O t h e r w i s e , t h e P u r p l e S a t u r n D a y l o g o is disp l a y e d s h o w i n g p a i r i n g s for t h e q u a r t e r finals. Profiles o n c o m p e t i tors c a n also b e s e l e c t e d , this s h o w s a g r a p h i c of t h e aliens.

(Mastering Mental Waves), w h e r e e a c h player a t t e m p t s to guide electrical charges from t h e i r s i d e of t h e b r a i n t o t h e c e n t r e . To d o t h i s , switches must be flipped a n d charges coaxed over bridge components

The option screen surrounds an alien's profile box. Might be best to let him win. his nibs looks pretty mean — Amiga screen

with a n electro-ball — a living c u r s o r f i r e d at t h e c i r c u i t f r o m a high vantage point. C o n d e n s o r s a r e u s e d to e n e r g i s e the electro-ball so that chips c a n be a c t i v a t e d to c o m p l e t e a p a t h to t h e c e n t r e , b u t p r o g r e s s is h i n d e r e d by o p p o n e n t s evil d o i n g s . E n e r g y i n t h e f o r m of f a s t m o v i n g s p a r k s is c o l l e c t e d t o fuel the gravity-catapult for T i m e J u m p (Mastering Time). W h e n enough have been collected, t h e s p e e d o f l i g h t is e x c e e d e d and another dimension entered. T h e w i n n e r is t h e o n e w h o t r a v els furthest through space and

time. T h i s p a c k a g e of f o u r s u b games retains the unusual a t m o s p h e r e of C a p t a i n B l o o d , a n d w i t h p u r p l e s a n d b l u e s liberally u s e d , h a s similar HR G i g e r - i n f l u e n c e d g r a p h i c s particularly in B r a i n Bowler. Events are quite simple (particularly Time J u m p ) but, t h o u g h well p r o g r a m m e d , none generate real enthusiasm. T h e aliens learn as g a m e s are played, and their n e w characteristics s a v e d t o d i s k , s o c h a l l e n g e is a l w a y s present. But the great a n o m a l y is t h e l a c k of a two-player option. This corrected. Purple S a t u r n D a y w o u l d be a fun. highly competitive multi-event g a m e , rather than a mildy entertaining one.

ITronic Slider section:t's no good firing at the badly drawn ship, it's hitting the energy ball that gains points — Amiga

opponent's screen

their t o p s c o r e s , s u c c e s s p e r c e n t a g e s a n d c h a r a c t e r i s t i c ratings: agility, m e n t a l fluid, a g g r e s s i o n , t e m p o r a l flux (time-travelling ability), s i z e a n d e y e s i g h t . E v e n t s are p l a y e d in a n y o r d e r a n d in direct c o m p e t i t i o n w i t h y o u r opponent. Ring Pursuit ( M a s t e r i n g S p a c e ) is set a m o n g s t S a t u r n ' s a s t e r o i d belt, w h e r e c o m p e t i t o r s r a c e to c o m p l e t e a circuit. R e d a n d y e l l o w static-spacecraft act a s m a r k e r s w h i c h t h e l e a d e r p a s s e s right a n d left respectively. P o i n t s a r e a w a r d e d for l e a d i n g a n d correctly p a s s ing m a r k e r s — incorrect m a n o e u v r e s g i v e t h e o p p o n e n t points. Taking p l a c e in a r e c t a n g u l a r a r e n a , d i s p l a y e d in p e r s p e c t i v e . Tronic Slider ( M a s t e r i n g E n e r g y ) h a s c o m p e t i t o r s firing at a n energ y ball. W h e n hit. it f r a g m e n t s a n d t h e p i e c e s of e n e r g y a r e c o l l e c t e d for p o i n t s b e f o r e a n o t h e r ball is generated.

Brain drain A plan v i e w of a s y m m e t r i c a l electronic circuit provides the location for Brain Bowler

32/124 TGM TX 016:3-89

There's no fear of a short with circuits

this long, the action's

shocking

and it's all power to the brain

REVIEWS

US Picture r i g h t : weaving in and out of static spacecraft markers lin Ring Pursuit s quite a headache on its own without having to avoid the asteroids as well. If you're in front you get the points, but at the back It's... well, no good at all. B e l o w : pull back on the joystick and collect enough fuel for a time jump. Your objective Is to travel further In time and space than your opponent. The picture — Amiga — Is actually from the section's loading screen, so don't expect the game itself to look quite this good. This is the simplest of the four events to play, however the reward for winning is an interesting graphical representation of a mutating flower — well what do you expect from another dimension?

OTHER FORMATS

AMIGA £24.95

ATARI ST £24.95

Commodore 64 128, Spectrum, Amstrad CPC (Cassette £9.95. Diskette £14.95) and PC compatibles (£24.95) soon.

Other than b e i n g a little s l o w er, t h i s is i d e n t i c a l t o t h e Atari S T v e r s i o n i n all r e s p e c t s .

T h e u n u s u a l c o l o u r s a n d a r t i s t i c d e s i g n s o f t h e g r a p h i c s a r e let d o w n slightly by s i m p l e definition in places, s u c h as circuits in B r a i n B o w l e r a n d the e n e m y s h i p in Tronic Slider, but o n the w h o l e t h e y ' r e w e l l d r a w n . O b j e c t s m o v e at a n i m p r e s s i v e s p e e d a n d i n t h e p a r a l l a x a s t e r o i d f i e l d It i s p a r t i c u l a r l y e f f e c t i v e . T h e s a m p l e d t i t l e m u s i c a n d j i n g l e s a r e u n r e m a r k a b l e b u t t h e FX a r e very atmospheric a n d often bizarrely futuristic. Visually impress i v e y e t b o r i n g t o p l a y , t h e g a m e s h o w s o f f t h e ST*s g r a p h i c s capabilities nicely — but what can you do with pictures?

OVERALL 7 2 %

Events are quite simple, but none generate real enthusiasm"

OVERALL 7 3 % TGM TX 016:3-89 33/116

VERSION UPDATE

TIMES OF LORE MicroProse

Atari ST: £24.95 C H A O S r e i g n e d in A l b a r e t h until t h e arrival of t h e E l d e n s . T h e i r king r u l e d well a n d b r o u g h t harm o n y to t h e l a n d w i t h the aid of

t h r e e m a g i c a l artefacts. An ensuing battle against invading barbarians ended in d e a d l o c k ; to k e e p the p e a c e t h e i n v a d e r s w e r e g i v e n t h e t o w n of Ganestor.

King V a l w y n g r e w w e a r y of rulership, a n d left for his h o m e l a n d w i t h t h e M e d a l l i o n of P o w e r . Rebellious Elden lords took a d v a n t a g e of his a b s e n c e a n d launched a n attack o n the barbarians. V a l w y n d o e s not return, a n d chaos abounds once more. After s e l e c t i n g a c h a r a c t e r f r o m a c h o i c e of three, y o u b e g i n t h e q u e s t to r e s t o r e order. Viewed from above, your g r a p h i c self is s t e e r e d in four d i r e c t i o n s a r o u n d t h e scrolling

Your character is selected — a raunchy Valkyrie with a Medusa stare — stone me! A l b a r e t h . T h e fire b u t t o n is u s e d to attack other characters. Objects left b e h i n d b y slain sprites a r e p i c k e d u p via o n e of t h e i c o n s at t h e b o t t o m of the s c r e e n O t h e r i c o n s e n a b l e y o u to talk to c h a r a c t e r s a n d e x a m i n e , u s e , offer a n d d r o p objects. T h e title s e q u e n c e is very well d o n e a n d p l e a s i n g to t h e e y e . but is t e d i o u s l y slow. T h i s is in c o m m o n w i t h t h e g a m e , w h i c h scrolls at a frustratingly s l o w s p e e d while b e i n g equally a s jerky as t h e C 6 4 original. Introductory s c r e e n s a n d g a m e g r a p h i c s a r e a d e q u a t e but m a k e little u s e of t h e ST. A p a s s a b l e rendition of t h e s o u n d t r a c k is given. G a m e p l a y s p e e d m a r s this conversion of an absorbing g a m e , c o n v e r t i n g it into a n e x e r c i s e of p a t i e n c e .

ATARI ST: OVERALL 59% COMMODORE 64/128: TGM014 73% Taking a gentle scroll through the fantasy land of Albareth sadly reveals weak ST graphics

VERSION UPDATE

A chequered future n

•

a n d most standard chess options (displayed by hovering cherubs). Battle Chess places heavy e m p h a s i s o n g r a p h i c s , i n t e r m s of c o m p l e x i t y t h e g a m e of c h e s s is

secondary to presentation. N o n e t h e l e s s , t h e e n d - r e s u l t is a decent strategy g a m e with humorous. well executed (pun intended) graphics.

•

f nterp * ay/Electro n: c Arts PC: £24.95 C H E S S p r o g r a m s m a y not b e t h e m o s t g r a b b i n g s o f t w a r e , but Battle C h e s s h e l p s itself by c o m b i n i n g the intricacies of t h e a n c i e n t g a m e of strategy with quality a n i m a t i o n . T h e P C v e r s i o n is a s h u m o r o u s as its A m i g a c o u n t e r p a r t , f e a t u r i n g chess pieces hacking chunks out of e a c h other a n d u s i n g n u m e r o u s dirty tricks to rid t h e b o a r d of opponents. Best a p p r e c i a t e d w i t h a n E G A or V G A g r a p h i c s b o a r d , a n i m a t i o n is as g o o d as o n t h e A m i g a , w i t h n o n o t i c e a b l e d i f f e r e n c e in definition _ c h a r a c t e r s fight a n d w a l k in crisp, f l o w i n g m o v e m e n t s . Ten skill levels are o n offer, a l o n g with a d u a l c o m p u t e r m o d e

34/124 TGM TX 016:3-89

Gratuitous

pixel-violence

on the scrambled

zebra crossing

of a game

board

OVERALL 81% AMIGA: TGM012 83%

REVIEW

TIME IS TIGHT CRAZY CARS II

riving at 200 mph in a Ferrari F40 is a sure-fire way to get yourself in a right state. In Crazy Cars II you experience four states (not including panic) in a high-speed bid to rid America of its stolen-car racket.

Corrupt p o l i c e m e n a r e b e h i n d t h e scam, a l t h o u g h straight f e d s still diligently patrol h i g h w a y s . Deft driving is r e q u i r e d as y o u a r e against t h e clock a n d m u s t a v o i d law a b i d i n g c o p p e r s as they attempt to s t o p y o u b r e a k i n g t h e speed limit — t h e y erect r o a d barriers. T h e bent c o p p e r s (and there's n o t h i n g w o r s e ) m e r e l y try to ram y o u off the road! T h e c h a n c e s of g e t t i n g lost a r e lessened b y a r o a d m a p c a l l e d u p to help y o u n a v i g a t e a route f r o m A to B — t h e easiest w a y is not always t h e safest. You are t h o u g h t f u l l y s u p p l i e d with infinite c a r s ( n e c e s s a r y a s t h e controls are m e g a sensitive), it is a zero time o n t h e clock that e n d s your g a m e . Left a n d right, h i g h or l o w gear, acceleration a n d d e c e l e r a t i o n are the only c o n t r o l s y o u n e e d w o r r y about, a l t h o u g h y o u r d a s h b o a r d is adorned w i t h m a n y u s e f u l a n d distracting g i z m o s .

Back to your routes R a d a r lets y o u k n o w if t h e r e are bears about, score and bonus are c o n s t a n t l y o n display, a s is y o u r s p e e d ( c h o o s e either k p h or m p h ) . In m a p - m o d e t h e c a r t o g r a p h i c a l d i p l a y t a k e s u p m o s t of t h e s c r e e n a n d t h e d i s p l a y to t h e right of y o u r b o n u s a l t e r n a t e s b e t w e e n time r e m a i n i n g a n d t h e n u m b e r of t h e r o a d y o u ' r e o n . W h i l s t y o u ' r e imitating a bat o u t of hell, this element also provides information on up-and-coming junctions. H a v i n g all this h i g h t e c h at y o u r d i s p o s a l is g r e a t — if o n l y y o u h a d t i m e to look at it. Take y o u r e y e s of t h e r o a d for a s e c o n d w h e n c r u i s i n g at 2 0 0 m p h a n d it's Ferrari f r i c a s s e e t i m e . O n c e c o n t r o l of y o u r v e h i c l e is m a s t e r e d , t h e f e e l i n g of s p e e d p r o v i d e d b y C r a z y C a r s II is brilliant. A l t h o u g h t h e o n l y r o a d s i d e obstacles are lamposts. telegraph poles a n d bollards, the s m o o t h scrolling a n d fast u p d a t i n g m a k e this a n incredibly realistic d r i v i n g simulation. Backgrounds scroll nicely left to right a s y o u b u r n rubber t a k i n g c o r n e r s , a n d hills a n d dips are so p l a u s i b l e that a hint of q u e a s i n e s s m i n g l e s subtly w i t h t h e e x c i t e m e n t of h a v i n g to take o u t t h e n e x t b l a c k a n d w h i t e (or brown and white — depending on w h i c h state y o u ' r e in). T h e t i m e limit is tight a n d m o r e traffic o n t h e r o a d s w o u l d h a v e b e e n nice, but C r a z y C a r s II t w o is a vast i m p r o v e m e n t o n its predecessor and wonderfully compelling to c o m p l e t e .

ATARI ST £19.95 A n interesting piece of m u s i c accompanies the attractive loading screen but in-game FX a r e d i s a p p o i n t i n g . N o n e theless. Crazy Cars II is s m o o t h , fast, realistic and addictive.

OVERALL 8 2 % Junctions, telegraph poles, state borders, overhead wires... and Crazy Cars, too Whacky, loopy, silly and altogeth er ma-a-a-ad automobiles make the roads a not-so-safe place

Take your eyes of the road for a second and it's Ferrari fricassee time"

OTHER FORMATS B r e a k i n g the s p e e d limit is s o o n to be a l l o w e d o n the A m i g a for a very reasonable fine of £19.95

TGM TX 016:3-8935/116

REVIEWS

LEADERBORED SPITTING IMAGE Domark

lthough Domark have themselves been on the receiving end of Spitting Image's wrath, thanks to their "86 release, Split Personalities, time has healed the wounds it seems. They return to the take-the-piss-out-of-all-and-sundry world of latex with a game they claim is more exciting than Ninja Gerbil— proud boasting indeed. You g e t to play o n e of six w o r l d leaders — including Margaret Thatcher. M i k h a i l G o r b a c h o v a n d t h e P o p e — in a n effort t o beat u p t h e other five in o n e - o n - o n e c o n frontations a n d e v e n t u a l l y rule the world. E a c h l e a d e r h a s different attack m e t h o d s , tricks a n d tactics a n d t h e y g o a b o u t d u f f i n g e a c h other u p in w h a t D o m a r k h o p e is a n a m u s i n g f a s h i o n . It isn't! Seeing a drunken Dennis sway o n - s c r e e n to aid a n ailing M a g g i e is a tired a t t e m p t at h u m o u r . A n d watching P W Botha urinate over his a d v e r s a r i e s w a s so f u n n y I w e t

AMSTRAD CPC Cassette: £9.95, Diskette: £14.95 L o o k s t h e b e s t of t h e 8-bit versions, though backgrounds aren't brilliant. It plays better than the C64 g a m e , but not as well as the S p e c t r u m . It s t i l l l a c k s a d d i c tion, payability, amusement a n d lastability.

OVERALL 3 5 %

myself — a l m o s t . E v e n t h o u g h this is basically a combat game, one expected m o r e d e p t h t h a n that of IK or Exploding Fist. Unfortunately, the limitations of f o u r m o v e s , p l u s a partner to h e l p out. p r o v e s otherwise. R e s t i n g w h o l l y o n its tie-in with, a n d s o - c a l l e d h u m o u r of. t h e TV p r o g r a m m e . Spitting Image fails to rise a b o v e t h e r a n k s of a very p o o r m a n ' s Exploding Fist. II y o u ' r e b u y i n g it for t h e h u m o u r ( w h y e l s e ? ) y o u m a y h a v e a fun t i m e for t h e first h o u r — but that's all.

ATARI ST £19.95 Graphics prove the selling point, featuring detailed b a c k d r o p s and characters to m a t c h — these don't help the g a m e in any w a y though. A limited move, limited interest slapstick fighting game l i k e Spitting I m a g e c a n ' t h o p e t o c o m p e t e w i t h t i t l e s l i k e IK.

OVERALL 3 2 % Botha. Sooty and the Ayatollah (below, on the ST), decide to settle their differences in the way they know best — with senseless violence. Right, on the C64 : blocky dwarfs and cheap backgrounds abound in this trashy format

C o n f u s i o n reigns o n the C64 and small world leaders scampering a r o u n d in front of nomore-than-average backdrops d o n ' t help. A n attractive title screen and front-end doesn't make up for desperately poor gameplay.

OVERALL 2 8 %

& $

SPECTRUM Cassette: £9.95 t Diskette: £14.95

mitt*

S p e c t r u m Spitting Image is n o better to play, but at least the g r a p h i c s a n d p r e s e n t a t i o n are better than average.

OVERALL 3 9 % OTHER FORMATS A m i g a o w n e r s m a y i n d u l g e In r u b b e r f o r £ 1 9 . 9 5 — if t h e y s o desire.

Fails to rise above the ranks of a very poor man's Exploding Fist" (CI

36/116 TGM TX 016:3-89

THERE WILL BE MOMENTS WHEN YOU'LL WISH YOU HADN'T TAKEN OFF!

It is daybreak,foujoin the other pilots in the squadron crewroom to discuss objectives for the day ahead, lactics, combat manoeuvres; all are captured completely by F-16 COMBAT PILOT. During your pre-flight briefing you instruct the ground crew on weapon loading and plan your attack... The threat of imminent destruction and the stress of high-g combat you take in your stride. Your training perfected, you are now master in all five roles of the F-16, from air-to-air interception to

F-16 GQMBATPILOT T

interdicts strike.

•! I 'Wi m sr- £24.95

M - £24.95.

C$4 CASOT -

£14.95.

But now - Operation Conquest - the conflict you hoped would never happen. Aircraft, ground forces and the entire strategic infrastructw is under threat. You haven't faced anything like this before... ever! ORDER YOUR F-16 COMBAT PILOT NOW. Simply phone (0276) 684959 quoting VISA or ACCESS credit card number, name and address.

! •%.• fI 1t^m m-m

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t mwm

I k Seal lofW of SiBiUtiu

Digital Integration Limited, Watchmoor Trade Centre. Watchmoor Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3AJ (0276) 684959.

C84 OfSK - £19.95 AMlUftf 1989 SKCTWi CASS£77F - £14.95 SKCTRUM DISK £19.95 AMSTW CPC CASSfTTE - £14.95 AMSTMO CPCWSK-£19.95 AW64 £24

95 HRTMD

REVIEWS

MINE ORE CONFLICT THE LEGEND OF BLACKSILVER US Gold/Epyx

Take this opportunity to arm yourself to the teeth — or to the eyebrows If you're less subtle

he land of Maelbane had rich deposits of iron and copper ore which were mined greedily — until the banished mage Minon arrived. He discovered a magiacal rock and took control of the mining industry to get it. No other ore was mined, only the newly-found mineral, Blacksilver.

Blacksilver w a s the only s o u r c e of magic on the world of B a n t r o s s . a n d w i t h h i s b a n d of f o l l o w e r s . M i n o n u s e d its p o w e r to m a k e M a e l b a n e p r o s p e r o u s a n d to f o r m a p o w e r f u l u n q u e s tioning army. They invaded nearby Thalen a n d took c o m mand with ease. O n c e the land was conquered. however. Minon's minions grew bored, and combat took place between rivalling wizards and their armies. As they used m o r e a n d more m a g i c to fight e a c h other, the Blacksilver d e p o s i t s disappeared and M a e l b a n e s a n k into the o c e a n , l e a v i n g the m a g i cians p o w e r l e s s . Peace r e t u r n e d for 2 7 years, then the reclusive Baron Taragus re-discovered Blacksilver and mined it. L e a r n i n g of t h e B a r o n ' s p l a n s for d o m i n a t i o n . K i n g D u r e k s e t out w i t h h i s b e s t k n i g h t s t o e l i m inate t h e f o r c e s w i t h i n T a r a g u s ' fortress. It e n d e d i n d i s a s t e r , t h e King w a s k i d n a p p e d a n d t h e fortress m a g i c a l l y v a n i s h e d . Now, the w i z a r d Seravol has advised the troubled Princess Aylea that a m a s s e d attack against T a r a g a s will not w o r k ; a single heroic warrior must defeat h i m .

o w n ^ r r a y of i n h a b i t a n t s . The Legend of Blacksilver s c o r e s n o points for originality as the g a m e design a n d g e n e r a l plot h a v e b e e n s e e n m a n y times before, especially o n the C64. T h e s c r e e n d i s p l a y is c r u d e a n d , u n l i k e Ultima V, c o m m a n d s a r e not sophisticated enough to c o m p e n s a t e . T h e Fight option only a l l o w s c a r e f u l or r e c k l e s s attacks, rendering hostile

COMMODORE 64/128 Diskette: £14.99 L a n d s c a p e a n d c h a r a c t e r s a r e c r u d e l y d e f i n e d — r e m i n i s c e n t of the a n c i e n t T e m p l e of A s p h a i trilogy — a n d a n i m a t i o n is equally basic. More care has been taken in d r a w i n g the isometric 3-D t u n n e l s a n d m o n s t e r s o f t h e d u n g e o n s , b u t t h e a t t e m p t s at a n i m a t i o n are poor. A n irritating title tune a n d sparse effects provide the backing.

OVERALL 5 9 %

The Legend Of Blacksilver scores no points for originalty"

encounters extremely boring. C o m m u n i c a t i o n is b a s i c i n t h a t you have no control over what you say, other than asking questions which require a yes/no answer. T h e p l a y i n g a r e a is l a r g e a n d t h e r e is m u c h t o d o . s o a l t h o u g h t h e i d e a is o l d a n d q u i t e s i m p l e , t h e r e a r e m a n y h o u r s of p l a y a v a i l a b l e for t h o s e w h o f e e l a n e e d to indulge.

OTHER FORMATS A PC l e g e n d s o o n , £19.99.

Attribute to RPGs Needless to say y o u are that warrior, s h o w n o n - s c r e e n a s a small white figure s u r r o u n d e d by a p l a n v i e w o f y o u r i m m e d i ate area. Your c h a r a c t e r h a s five attributes — Strength, Endurance. Dexterity, Intelligence a n d C h a r i s m a — w h i c h b e g i n at 15 a n d i n c r e a s e with experience or decrease with misfortune. A s standard for R P G s . Hit P o i n t s i n d i c a t e y o u r g e n e r a l s t a t e of h e a l t h , t h e i r m a x i m i u m n u m b e r is e x p e r i e n c e related. There are 17 commands, a c c e s s e d f r o m a c o l u m n at t h e left of t h e s c r e e n , a l l o w i n g s t a n dard actions such as taking a n d using items, casting spells, attacking assailants, a n d e x a m ining your s u r r o u n d i n g s . S o m e c o m m a n d s lead to a s u b - m e n u of o p t i o n s . The adventure takes place over various terrains (grassland, forest, d e s e r t , s w a m p l a n d a n d so o n ) , e a c h t y p e f e a t u r i n g its

You too can become a heroic postboy

In The Legend Of

Blacksilver

vyn'JI

TGM TX 016:3-89 39/116

TV SPORTS FOOTBALL Cinemaware/Mirrorsoft

he roughest, toughest and one of the most popu\ lar sports in the USA arrives on the Amiga backed by a winning team. The first of aTV Sports range of software to be released — planned future events include boxing and basketball — the sponsors, Cinemaware, join the sporting fraternity with a history of professionalism and success. TV Sports: Football puts you d o w n o n t h e fifty y a r d line for t h e g a m e of y o u r life. I n s t e a d of a d o p t i n g t h e s e v e r e l y l i m i t e d f i r s t - p e r s o n v i e w p o i n t of a game — such as in A c t i v i s i o n ' s GFL Football — TSF is played from above/behind. T h e h e a r t o f TSF is m a d e u p of t w o s c r e e n s , t h e p l a y c a l l i n g screen where tactics are selected, a n d the field screen, where plays are called and tactics put into effect. Through the play calling s c r e e n , a n y of f o u r b a s i c t e a m formations are selected t o g e t h e r w i t h a n y of f o u r p l a y s — defence formations are s t a n d a r d for this s p o r t . Inside and outside runs along with blitzes and pass defence m o v e s are also possible. For the offence team, Shotgun. Pro-Set, I Formation a n d Kick

moves can be called.along w i t h a n y of 8 p l a y e r m o v e s . O n c e all is ready, y o u b e g i n the match. A s the q u a r t e r b a c k shouts the calls and yells Hut! Hut! Hut! for no logical r e a s o n , the ball flies into the air. Obviously the entire t e a m can't be controlled all at once. Instead o n e p l a y e r is u n d e r direct control (either a safety, cornerback. linebacker or the quarterback). Whether passing. rushing or blocking, your p l a y e r h a s a critical j o b to p e r form. While you're busy with your o w n team player, the c o m p u t e r c o n t r o l s t h e o t h e r s a s t h e y try to b l o c k t h e o p p o s i t i o n , get into p a s s p o s i t i o n s , a t t e m p t to s a c k t h e rival q u a r t e r b a c k a n d g e n e r a l l y m a k e life u n p l e a s a n t for t h e o t h e r t e a m . Action

. isn't

confined

WEEK « 2 CHICAGO AT I N D I A N A P O L I S C I N C I N N A T I AT P H I L A D E L P H I A D E T A O I T AT A N A H E I M KANSAS C I T Y A T S E A T T L E LOS A N G E L E S A T HOUSTON M I A M I AT BUFFALO NEW E N G L A N D A T M I N N E S O T A NEW O R L E A N S A T A T L A N T A NEW J E R S E Y ( T C L E U E L A N O P I T T S B U R G H AY -'ASHINGTON SAN D I E G O A T S N U C R SAN F R A N C I S C O A T .YORK TAMPA BAY A T GR V B A Y D A L L A S A T PHOfiV

kA 1?

C L I C K I N M I D D L E BOX TO S E L < £ T GAME L I C K I N S T A T U S BOX TO TOGGLE H O L O / A U T O

Put the TGM All-Stars up against the ZZAP! Aquarists. And watch us trash em

offence and defence: field goals feature cameras zoomi n g in to treat t h e v i e w e r to a behind-the-kicker ring-side seat. Lining u p a c r o s s hair on t h e f o o t b a l l i c o n , t h e b a l l is kicked between the goal posts. T h e defence can only muster a lone player who l e a p s u p a n d d o w n in v a i n to c a t c h a rare low-flying ball.

K i c k i n g punts Time outs, punts and fake punts, incomplete passes, fumbles. o f f s i d e calls by the referee a n d interceptions (complete w i t h s p e e c h ) a r e all t h e r e to b e experienced. N e a r e v e r y t h i n g to d o w i t h t h e s p o r t of

The embarrassment! The degradation! Being stopped by someone with such a ridiculous name!

40/124 TGM TX 016:3-89

REVIEWS

American Football has b e e n squeezed into the g a m e . TSF i s n ' t j u s t a s i n g l e - p l a y e r game, a player v player m o d e is i n c l u d e d a l o n g w i t h a t e a m mates option w h e r e two players t a k e o n t h e m i g h t of a computer t e a m . Four options are a v a i l a b l e : an Exhibition g a m e , p r a c t i c e modes (for k i c k i n g a n d p l a y

QTR aCKLMO HEM JERSEY

tactics), a clipboard/statistics screen and league game o p t i o n . In t h e latter. 2 8 t e a m s t a k e o n o n e a n o t h e r in t h e fight for t h e C i n e m a w a r e Football League trophy. Flexibility in d e f i n i n g t a c t i c s and creating winning plays m a k e s this a very entertaining game, ideal for armchair sportspeople a n d perfect for

TOTPL

DOWN TO 60 ON t

3 6 11

American Football fans. H o w e v e r , n o v i c e s s h o u l d try before they buy because although the accompanying manual details everything about the sport, the strategy e l e m e n t a n d d e g r e e of w a i t i n g a r o u n d i n v o l v e d m a y not be t h e i r c u p of c o f f e e . T h e i n f a m o u s d i s k a c c e s s is v e r y l o w - k e y in r e l a t i o n to previous Cinemaware g a m e s and only slows d o w n the pace marginally (with dual-disk d r i v e s it's n e g l i g i b l e ) . In t r u e C i n e m a w a r e f a s h i o n , a t t e n t i o n to d e t a i l a n d e x t r a s

Graphically superb, in-game action features small but beautifully formed players c o m p l e t e with realistic animation. Faultless p r e s e n t a t i o n is accompanied by good sampled speech. This is an unmissable simulation for those with an American Football bent.

of tactical

options

a b o u n d : adverts, half-time prog r a m m e s . results a n d statistics, b u x o m c h e e r l e a d e r s , a n appreciative crowd, waving footballers a n d more create the f u n a t m o s p h e r e of w a t c h i n g a l i v e g a m e . T h e o v e r a l l e f f e c t is of a p o l i s h e d a n d v e r y c l a s s y p r o g r a m — p e r f e c t f o r f a n s of American Football.

OTHER FORMATS AMIGA £29.99

Vary your play with the multitude

It's gooood!' — you'll no doubt soon hear the opposing player cry

OVERALL 9 0 %

Cinemaware have decided to wait until t h e b e g i n n i n g of the next Superbowl season ( A u t u m n 89) b e f o r e r e l e a s i n g T V S p o r t s : Football o n t h e P C (£29.99), S T (£24.99) a n d C64 ( D i s k e t t e o n l y £14.99).

"Attention to detail and extras abound" TGM TX 016:3-89 41/116

C R A Z Y GULF Konami j team-catapulting from USS Enterprise into the wild blue yonder, your F-14 storms through middle easte r n skies to take on enemy MiGs. A real-life situation? Uncomfortably close but fortunately this is only a game. T h i n g s are hotting u p in t h e G u l f , a nameless enemy has successfully t a k e n c o m m a n d of oil fields a n d is a t t a c k i n g allied c o u n t r i e s a n d t h e U S Task F o r c e . W o r s t still, if their n e w l y c o n s t r u c t e d s p a c e b a s e l a u n c h e s its killer satellites, t h e f r e e w o r l d g o e s down the plughole. In retaliation, E n t e r p r i s e is s e n t to t h e r e g i o n a n d her F - 1 4 s l a u n c h e d . E n g a g i n g in b a t t l e o n four s p e r a t e m i s s i o n s . T o m c a t s are u p a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y ' s entire air, s e a a n d g r o u n d f o r c e s . B e f o r e t a k i n g off y o u n e e d to a r m y o u r craft — c h o o s e w e a p o n s to b e s t suit t h e t y p e of m i s s i o n y o u ' r e on. A g a i n s t e n e m y fighters any missile will do. Already o n b o a r d is a m u l t i - b a r r e l l e d c a n n o n — just in c a s e y o u r u n out of missiles. E v e n w i t h a t o p - c l a s s fighter p l a n e s t r a p p e d to y o u r b a c k s i d e y o u ' r e not i n v u l n e r a b l e . A m i s s i l e u p y o u r tailpipe isn't g o i n g t o d o y o u m u c h g o o d , n e i t h e r is t a k i n g too m u c h d a m a g e f r o m c a n n o n fire. Similarly, a n y e n e m y that

l a t c h e s o n t o y o u r rear h a s t o be s h a k e n off p r o n t o , e l s e y o u ' r e g o i n g flying w i t h o u t w i n g s .

MiG-air clash

T h e first m i s s i o n is just a c a s e of surviving a n o n s l a u g h t of fighter jets. O n t h e t h r e e o t h e r m i s s i o n s , your m a i n priority is a well-protecte d m a j o r e n e m y target. A g a i n s t naval forces t h e target is a n aircraft carrier, o v e r l a n d it's t h e e n e m y fortress a n d t h e last m i s sion is a g a i n s t t h e s p a c e b a s e .

Give the nice man you taxi along the burn him to a pile ash with your jet

a wave before runway and of smouldering engines

If you aren't in too demanding a mood, take to the skies and around with this low-brow flightcombat sim S h o u l d y o u m a n a g e to t u r n e n e m y t a r g e t s into s o m u c h s c r a p m e t a l , it's t i m e to h e a d for h o m e . L a n d i n g o n t h e carrier is t h e final c h a l l e n g e a s y o u r jet a t t e m p t s to m a i n t a i n a set s p e e d a n d height o n t h e final a p p r o a c h — m i s s a n d t h e t a x p a y e r s a r e g o i n g to h a v e t o fork o u t a g a i n . W h e n fuel g e t s low a t a n k e r is c a l l e d into t h e a r e a , t h e refuelling s e q u e n c e f o l l o w s a similar style t o that of l a n d i n g , w i t h y o u r F - 1 4 trying to h o o k u p to t h e flying p e t r o l pump. A s in m a n y N i n t e n d o g a m e s , t h e e m p h a s i s is o n p a y a b i l i t y rather t h a n g r a p h i c p r e s e n t a t i o n . O n this level Top Gun s u c c e e d s as it p r o v i d e s f o u r limited, but v e r y p l a y a b l e m i s s i o n s with extra features — l a n d i n g , refuelling a n d a m i s s i l e strategy — to s p r u c e u p the a c t i o n

Cruise

NINTENDO £29.95 An atmospheric picture of your Tomcat starting up kicks o f f t h e a c t i o n , a l t h o u g h Ing a m e g r a p h i c s are little m o r e than a detailed cockpit and fast m o v i n g enemies. Limited three-dimensional movement belies the real F-14's m a n o e u vrability but remains acceptable. A pleasant anthem and i n - g a m e t u n e s beef u p the otherwise weak spot effects.

OVERALL 6 5 %

"Top Gun provides limited, but playable missions"

VERSION UPDATE

R A M B O III

Ocean

ATARI ST: £19.99 R A M B O ' S off o n his a n t i - c o m m u nist e s c a p a d e s a g a i n , this t i m e to rescue C o l o n e l T r a u t m a n f r o m t h e c l u t c h e s of evil R u s s k i e s . In t h e first of t h r e e s e c t i o n s , muscle-brain moves around a R u s s i a n fortress s e a r c h i n g for his imprisoned Colonel. O n c e old Trautman is r e s c u e d Rambo m a k e s his w a y N o r t h t h r o u g h t h e s e c o n d section. T h e final part takes p l a c e in O p e r a t i o n Wolf style as R a m b o r u m b l e s a l o n g in a stolen tank towards the A f g h a n i s t a n border. S T o w n e r s m a y not like t h e lack of a scrolling play a r e a (which c o u l d h a v e easily b e e n a d d e d ) but Rambo Ills appeal lies in its c r o s s - b r e e d i n g of a r c a d e - a d v e n t u r e action. L o o k i n g earthy, w i t h w o o d e n floorboards, crates, walls and o b j e c t s all f e a t u r i n g l o w - k e y shading. Rambo III f e a t u r e s high-

42/124 TGM TX 016:3-89

g r a p h i c detail. M i s t a k e s are e a s y to m a k e a n d . d u e to a lack of s a v e o p t i o n , h a v i n g to repeat m o v e s b e c o m e s tiresome and lessens the game'sa p p e a l . H o w e v e r , this t y p e of g a m e is still q u i t e r a r e o n 16-bit and as such is entertaining e n o u g h to w a r r a n t a look.

ATARI ST OVERALL 7 0 % COMMODORE 64/128: TGM016 7 2 % SPECTRUM: TGM016 7 2 %

A b o v e : Soldiers and trucks compound to confuse our hero's big feet and tiny brain Left -.Froggy went a courting and he did ride. Ram-bo...

REVIEWS

LOITERING WITHIN TENT CIRCUS GAMES

Tynesoft

• j B a d i e s and gentlemen, boys and girls, we proudly preI sent...Warren, the famous Birmingham artiste. Watch I and wonder as Warren competes in international circus P S competition...' Now every Tom.lDick and TGM reviewer can experience the thrills of performing amazing feats in the Big Top. The o p t i o n s a r e s t a n d a r d for multievent g a m e s : y o u practise e v e n t s or c o m p e t e in o n e o r all of t h e m . Up to four p l a y e r s c a n t a k e part and be h u m a n - o r c o m p u t e r - c o n trolled. T h e d i z z y i n g h e i g h t s of t h e Top are t a c k l e d first w i t h t h e d e x t r o u s footwork of t i g h t r o p e walking. Balance is k e p t by a d j u s t i n g t h e pole y o u carry, but to g a i n s u b stantial points y o u m u s t p e r f o r m tricks while t r a v e r s i n g t h e g e n t l y swaying rope: s o m e r s a u l t s , h a n d -

corkscrew and somersault as you g o . t h e n a d o u b l e o r triple s o m e r sault b e f o r e b e i n g c a u g h t by a s e c o n d artist. T h e final e v e n t is t h e m o s t d a n g e r o u s — t r a i n i n g e x t r e m e l y feroc i o u s tigers. Y o u a t t e m p t to g u i d e t h r e e f a n g y felines a c r o s s a n obstacle course, using a whip as a n incentive. A w a r y e y e s h o u l d b e k e p t o n t h e tigers' T h r e a t M e t e r s — t h e y t e n d not to like b e i n g t o l d w h a t to d o . A chair c a n b e u s e d to k e e p t h e m at bay. but

it's all t o o e a s y to b e c o m e a tasty tiger-treat. A c i r c u s Olympics is a n o n g i n a l , if silly, idea, but d i s a p p o i n t m e n t is expected even before the g a m e is l o a d e d , as t h e r e are o n l y four e v e n t s (acts). A n d b e c a u s e t h e acts aren't e x c e p t i o n a l . Circus Games is d o o m e d to limited lastability. T h e difficulty level for e a c h e v e n t is c o n s t a n t a c r o s s t h e v e r s i o n s : t i g h t r o p e w a l k i n g is q u i t e easy, tiger t r a i n i n g t o o difficult, but m o r e importantly, n o n e of t h e acts h o l d attention for long. Circus Games is s i m p l y t o o e x p e n s i v e for w h a t little entertainm e n t it offers.

Care-ful-ly, across zee pogo stick of rhubarb He sells through the air with the greatest ol ease, on the flying trapeze — Spectrum screen stand, c a r t w h e e l s , a n d a 180 turn. Fall, and o n e of your t h r e e lives is lost. S u c c e s s leads y o u to t h e second stage, w h e r e t h e w i r e is crossed o n a unicycle. Performing a quick s e x - c h a n g e (not part of y o u r act), you becomea f e m a l e b a r e - b a c k h o r s e nder and, o n c e in t h e s a d d l e , attempt to p e r f o r m a n u m b e r of moves. S t a n d , sit, h a n d s t a n d , jump to left or right, spin left or right, a n d s o m e r s a u l t are r e q u i r e d for the s e t - m o v e s e q u e n c e s .

Nothing more than felines Up in the air again to be a d a r i n g y o u n g m a n o n t h e flying t r a p e z e . Left a n d right m o v e m e n t s build u p your swinging s p e e d a n d a p l a n view shows you when the trapezes s w i n g closest together. In your three-part p e r f o r m a n c e , you first s w i n g f r o m t r a p e z e to trapeze. then perform a

Colour-restrictive CGA is the o n l y g r a p h i c s o p t i o n available, s o all t h e f u n of t h e circ u s is a w e i r d m i x t u r e of a q u a blue and pale purple. This aside, graphical presentation is reasonable, and surprisingly, t h e P C g i v e s t h e b e s t r e n d i t i o n of t h e m a i n c i r c u s t u n e .

OVERALL 4 2 % COMMODORE 64/128 Cassette: £9.95 Diskette: £14.95 Passable backdrops are ruined by m u t a t e d sprites. T i g h t r o p e w a l k i n g is made extremely difficult by the w a l k e r d e s i g n : it i s often i m p o s s i b l e to tell w h i c h w a y t h e b a l a n c e p o l e is tilting. Various t u n e s burble away in the background, made worse by the lack of s o u n d effects.

OVERALL 4 0 %

zee amazing Warren Ninja' Lapworth (above) makes eez way slender C64 wire..." Next (below) he's got to make it across on a whilst juggling three pears and an avocado and balancing a stick on the end of his nose — Amiga screen

SPECTRUM Cassette: £8.95 Diskette: £14.95 M i d d l e - o f - t h e - r o a d s p r i t e s o f t e n b e c o m e o b s c u r e d In t h e d e t a i l e d m o n o c h r o m e backgrounds, and the ring master gradually b e c o m e s m o r e of a m e s s as the c o m p e t i t i o n p r o g r e s s e s . W h e n c o l o u r i s u s e d o n c h a r a c t e r s , t h e u p d a t e is s l o w , s o t h a t it l a g s behind the sprite.

OVERALL 3 6 %

PC £24.95

AMIGA £24.95 Pleasant circus scenes support adequately defined and animated sprites. The graphical h i g h l i g h t is the tiger training — the big cats walk with graceful realism. One or two sampled s o u n d effects and mildly irritating circus tunes are an uninspiring soundtrack.

OVERALL 4 3 % OTHER FORMATS ST (£24.95) a n d A m s t r a d (cassette £9.95, d i s k e t t e £14.95) to follow shortly.

"Circus Games is doomed to limited testability" TGM TX 016:3-89 43/116

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REVIEWS)

DIRK MEETS AN OLD FLAME DRAGON'S LAIR

ReadySoft/Entertainment International I n 1983, a coin-op appeared in the arcades which I caused quite a storm and developed a cult following. I Though six years is a very long time in the field of • 10p-eaters, Dragon's Lair still generates interest, as shown by the response to our feature on Journey Into the Lair — a laser disc game for the ST based on the coin-op — in TGM009. It was translated to 8-bit pixels by Software Projects, but now it's time for the graphical power of the Amiga to be seen, courtesy of programmers, Visionary Design Technologies. T h e h e r o of t h e tale is o n e Dirk t h e Daring, a brave and dynamic knight w h o is also a bit of a fool. Like all c h a r a c t e r s in t h e g a m e , he w a s c r e a t e d b y e x - D i s n e y artist D o n Bluth. W h a t e v e r his shortc o m i n g s . Dirk likes to d o what k n i g h t s d o best: r e s c u e d a m s e l s in distress. In this c a s e t h e fair maide n is D a p h n e , a p r i n c e s s t r a p p e d d e e p inside a h u g e , s p o o k y a n d c o b w e b b e d castle. C a p t u r e d by Singe, t h e less-than-jovial d r a g o n , s h e is h e l d in it's t r e a s u r e - s t r e w n d o m a i n — the d r a g o n ' s lair.

spiking t h e d r a g o n , o h n o — it wouldn't be m u c h of a g a m e if it w a s . T h e castle's v a r i o u s r o o m s a n d tunnels are g u a r d e d by sneaky traps of vicious and diverse design, a n d are inhabited by a m o t l e y c r e w of bizarre, malicious beasts, First c r o s s i n g a rotting drawbridge a b o v e a t e n t a c l e - i n f e s t e d moat, y o u influence t h e actions of the a d v e n t u r e r using t h e four m a i n joystick d i r e c t i o n s a n d t h e fire button for a hefty sword-swipe, O b j e c t s a n d portals o f t e n flash to

It isn't just a c a s e of strolling through the echoey c h a m b e r s a n d

indicate p o s s i b l e d i r e c t i o n s or actions, but c a n also signify d a n -

Oh no! In the top picture someone's pulled out the plug!!' Water way to go. The Impressive hl-res mode (above) shows Dirk fighting a weird chemical-monster as It leaps from the cooking pot — Amiga screens ger. T i m i n g is important for all m o v e s — o n e slip a n d Dirk loses o n e of his three p r e c i o u s lives, usually in a violent or a m u s i n g manner. Points are awarded a c c o r d i n g to t h e difficulty a n d n u m ber of m o v e s n e e d e d for t h e scene.

Dirk's disks Dragon's Lair, t h e c o i n - o p . u s e s a laser disc, a high-density stora g e m e d i u m akin to a giant c o m pact disc which c a n hold a large a m o u n t of q u a l i t y i m a g e s a n d s o u n d . For a c c u r a t e t r a n s l a t i o n , a h u g e a m o u n t of d a t a is n e e d e d — 1 3 0 M e g a b y t e s in f a c t ! T h i s h a s b e e n c o m p r e s s e d t o fit o n t o six A m i g a d i s k s , b u t e v e n t h e n , a M e g a b y t e o f m e m o r y is n e e d e d This Is how it looks in high-res mode — much the same really with slightly more game area but no sound effects

46/124 TGM TX 016:3-89

REVIEWS (or 5 1 2 K for A 1 0 0 0 o w n e r s ) — a n d a s e c o n d d r i v e is h e l p f u l . Being essentially an interactive c a r t o o n , joystick moves don't directly m i m i c w h a t D i r k needs to d o . s o a p p r o x i m a t i o n s have to b e m a d e . F i n d i n g t h e right m o v e c a n b e a m a t t e r of trial a n d e r r o r a n d . like t h e c o i n op, Dirk d o e s n ' t i n s t a n t l y r e a c t , so ill-timing a m o v e c a n l e a d y o u to believe t h e w r o n g o n e w a s made. Dragon's Lair f a n s w o n ' t f i n d the g a m e p l a y a p r o b l e m a n d should i n s t a n t l y w a r m t o t h i s conversion, but t h o s e u n f a m i l i a r with Dirk's j o y s t i c k m a y find response f r u s t r a t i n g . With no c o n t i n u e - p l a y facility and only t h r e e l i v e s , h a v i n g t o start again after making progress t h r o u g h t h e d i s k s m a y have y o u e a t i n g y o u r m o n i t o r in frustration. T h e f e e l i n g of s a t i s faction w h e n a s c e n e is c o m p l e t ed is t r e m e n d o u s , h o w e v e r , a n d makes t h e effort w o r t h w h i l e . Fans of t h e c o i n - o p a n d a n y one willing t o t r y a n o r i g i n a l game format will be r e w a r d e d with this a c c u r a t e t r a n s l a t i o n o f the c o m p e l l i n g c a r t o o n a d v e n ture.

AMIGA £44.95 C o n s i d e r i n g J o u r n e y Into T h e Lair c o s t s £ 1 2 0 p l u s t h e p r i c e of a laser disc player — A m i g a owners aren't paying too high a price as both g r a p h i c s a n d s o u n d are as c l o s e to t h e o r i g i n a l a s anyone could reasonably expect. B a c k g r o u n d s are faithful to t h e c o i n - o p — b r i l l i a n t u s e of colour and shading — and a l t h o u g h the m o v i n g characters/objects have relatively few c o l o u r s and are simply outlined in black, they're s u p e r b l y animated, exactly as they are in the coin-op. There's even a hi-res mode where graphics are cond e n s e d into a small area making the g a m e virtually indist i n g u i s h a b l e f r o m the original. J i n g l e s a n d a p l e t h o r a of realistic s o u n d e f f e c t s are all sampled, and a l t h o u g h there is background hiss, they c o m b i n e with the visuals to create a magical atmosphere. Impressive. Top: Dirk's daring deeds seemly are deemed dangerous down in the dastardly dragon's domain. While across in the ... Centre: Bravley setting forth across the ROTTING TIMBERS (subtle hint) of the drawbridge Left: Jump for the flashing bits (eh!! eh!!) or you'll fall to your doom... bat's the way It goes — Amiga screens

OVERALL 8 1 % OTHER FORMATS 8-bit versions have been a r o u n d for a while; ST o w n e r s will have to spend several h u n d r e d p o u n d s o n a laser disc system or like PC o w n ers. sulk.

The feeling of satisfaction when a scene is completed is tremendous" TGM TX 016:3-89 47/116

machine LED STORM

US Gold

PLAYER

Great road-holding, even when wet. or so we've been LED to believe — C64 screen

itting the accelerator, your LED machine's wheels squeal as you roar away from the starting line in a cloud of burning rubber. In the distant future, car racing is even more thrilling than today's high speed competitions. Ideas and goals remain the same, but circuits are refreshingly futuristic.

Your o b j e c t i v e , like m a n y g a m e s b e f o r e it. is to m a k e it t h r o u g h e a c h s t a g e w i t h i n a t i m e limit. In this c a s e , t i m e t a k e s t h e f o r m of decreasing energy — topped up by c o l l e c t i n g i c o n s e n r o u t e or from passing tanker vehicles.

All s e l f - r e s p e c t i n g L E D r a c e r s t a k e a p e d a l - t o - t h e - m e t a l policy in t h e fight to w i n . B u t to c o m p l i c a t e m a t t e r s , cars, m o t o r b i k e s , j u g g e r n a u t s . oil. g r e a s e , c h a s m s a n d h o l e s in t h e r o a d p o s e p r o b l e m s .

o n b o a r d . U n f o r t u n a t e l y it's practically u s e l e s s at n a v i g a t i n g — it's u p to y o u to k e e p the car o n the f r e e w a y s a n d a v o i d collision in y o u r r a c e to t h e ninth c h e c k p o i n t , S k y City. Software Creations (Bionic C o m m a n d o s ) have created a good, fast-paced race game. A n d . w h i l e lacking variety, t h e s i m p l e n a t u r e of L E D Storm k e e p s a d d i c t i o n levels h i g h a n d instils a s t r o n g c o m p u l s i o n to progress.

Stormy revver

A normal automobile wouldn't g e t five y a r d s o n s o m e of t h e c o u r s e s . Luckily, y o u r S t o r m 11 r a c e r is s t a t e - o f - t h e - a d four w h e e l driving. A l o n g w i t h a p h e n o m e n a l ly o v e r - t h e - t o p e n g i n e t h r o b b i n g under the bonnet, a n a w e s o m e h o t - r o d c h a s s i s a n d a specially s t r e n g t h e n e d shell, y o u r S t o r m 11 h a s t h e u n i q u e ability t o t u r b o - l e a p over obstacles. To spoil y o u r aerial fun. m u t a n t frogs h o p a l o n g l o o k i n g for c a r s to h a n g o n t o . S h a k e t h e m off or jump over them, otherwise you're grounded. A s w e l l as a car to b e p r o u d of, a K1 n a v i g a t i n g c o m p u t e r is fitted

Monochrome LED S t o r m

but fun:

Spectrum

ATARI ST £19.99 W h i l e faster t h a n 8-bit vers i o n s , this g a m e is remark ably easy to get into. Sporting g o o d graphic quality a n d definition, and featuring surreal colours, the screens scroll smoothly. Unfortunately the c o i n - o p ' s parallax effect has been omitted.

OVERALL 7 1 % AMIGA £19.99 G u e s s w h a t ? Yes. a n o t h e r p o r t a c r o s s f r o m t h e ST. G rather than very g o o d graphics reside, with colours restricted to the S T s palette T h i s m a k e s it l o o k e x a c t l y l i k e the ST game complete with push-screen scrolling, luckily g a m e p l a y isn't affected to a major degree.

OVERALL 67% COMMODORE 64/128 Cassette: £9.99, Diskette: £14.99

Disappointingly Amiga screen

similar

to the ST but the music is great — and of course It plays very well (spot the award) —

48/116 TGM TX 016:3-89

Software Creation's tradem a r k s c o m e to light with f u n k y s o u n d t r a c k s a n d professional presentation. But. surprisingly, scrolling backd r o p s a r e g r a p h i c a l l y b a s i c It m a y l o o k s l o w e r than the rest but it's b y no m e a n s easier — t h a n k s to r a m - c r a / y c a r s a n d depleting energy levels w h i c h leave little m a r g i n for error.

OVERALL 7 4 %

REVIEWS

E MOTORING SPECTRUM 48/128 Cassette: £8.99, Diskette: £12.99 As fast as the S T g a m e b u t without the colours, S p e c t r u m LED S t o r m i s h e c t i c t o p l a y , featuring an e x t r e m e l y n i p p y car a n d h i g h l y v i c i o u s r o a d users. Super-smooth and highly effective parallax scrolling together w i t h great 128K m u s i c a n d s o u n d e f f e c t s give t h e g a m e a c l a s s t o u c h — though backdrops are generally b l a n d .

OVERALL 7 6 % OTH HER FORMATS Ride out the storm soon on Amstrad (Cassette £9. Diskette £14.99) and P< (£24.99).

"State-of-the-art four wheel driving Hectic future racing,

who needs it. It's all a Storm in an ST cup

VERSION UPDATE CASTLEVANIA Konami

Nintendo £29.95 ORIGINALLY released by Konami for the M S X (under the title Vampire Killer), N i n t e n d o — knowing a g o o d g a m e w h e n they see one — h a v e l i c e n s e d this Drac-busting a r c a d e adventure for their console. Count Dracula is b e i n g a p a i n m the neck again, s u c k i n g b l o o d left, right and centre. T h e n e a r b y town of Dransylvania h a s s u f f e r e d many a n attack by t h e p r i n c e of darkness, therefore a hero is c h o sen to kill t h e Count. A r m e d with only a whip, simple S i m o n arrives at the gates of Drac's p a d . Within the b a s e m e n t , s e w e r s , belfries, g r a v e y a r d and deep inside Dracula's h o m e lie t h e many minions slave to the ruler of the undead. To help S i m o n battle through, weapons a n d special objects are available to find a n d u s e — 15 in all, with a variety of p o w e r s a n d effects on the mansion's inhabitants. M a n y e n e m i e s require more than just a taste of t h e w h i p to send t h e m packing. An energy level for e a c h life, rather than straightforward deathon-contact. gives y o u a w h i p p i n g

c h a n c e , a n d a d d s to p a y a b i l i t y . Castlevania is m o r e a r c a d e orie n t a t e d t h a n the M S X v e r s i o n , k e y s are no l o n g e r n e e d e d a n d t h e r e are s h o r t - t e r m o b j e c t i v e s to

reaching the next level. Unfortunately, infinite continuep l a y s are t o o g e n e r o u s , m a k i n g p r o g r e s s i o n e a s i e r t h a n it s h o u l d be Graphically. Castlevania is a m o n g t h e best N i n t e n d o g a m e s . featuring constantly c h a n g i n g backdrops and many highly d e t a i l e d s p n t e s . Sonically, it is a

real treat: m u s i c c a p t u r e s t h e m o o d of e a c h level, getting e v e r m o r e s p o o k y as y o u near t h e t o m b of Dracula.

OVERALL 7 1 % MSX: TGM002 6 9 % Ghost-busting monster-bashing action a la MSX Vampire Killer

TGM TX 016:3-89 49/116

REVIEWS VERSION UPDATE

AMIGA: £24.95 ATARI ST: £19.95

T H E eagerly awaited conversion of Operation Wolf, the s m a s h Taito c o i n - o p , to 16-bit p r o m i s e s everything — have O c e a n delivered? Boasting graphics ported more or less intact f r o m the c o i n - o p . t h e t w o v e r s i o n s are visually identical, displaying detailed backdrops a n d excellent b e t w e e n - s t a g e s c r e e n s . T h e S T falls d o w n w i t h m i d d l i n g m u s i c a l p i e c e s , quiet b u t c l e a r s a m p l e d s p e e c h a n d w e a k ing a m e s o u n d effects. O n t h e o t h e r hand the Amiga provides loud speech, beefed up explosions and solid m u s i c b a s e d a r o u n d excellent u s e of kettle d r u m s . In play, t h e A m i g a is faster but v e r y difficult — s o l d i e r s a n d bullets m o v e s o q u i c k l y y o u r c h a n c e s of survival are slim. T h i s r e n d e r s t h e g a m e mildly frustrating — but is in k e e p i n g w i t h t h e c o i n - o p . T h e S T version's slightly slower (but just a s s m o o t h ) horizontally-scrolling stages give you a little m o r e t i m e t o t h i n k a n d k e e p the situation under control, allowing steady progression. This m a k e s play a s h a d e easy, r e s u l t i n g in a l a c k of l o n g - t e r m appeal. T h e constant disk swapping gets tedious too.

Take a l o o k , h a v e a blast a n d e n j o y it, but don't e x p e c t it to be t h e b e s t t h i n g yet.

SPECTRUM: TGM013 87%

AMIGA OVERALL 8 2 %

AMSTRAD CPC: TGM013 89%

ATARI ST OVERALL 7 7 %

C64: TGM013 7 9 %

Now, if you re a real mean dude you could accidently-on-purpose shoot the hostage by mistake (Inset top above on the ST). The Camouflage Combat formation dance team put on a demonstration for you — Amiga screen

VERSION UPDATE

rt a i v j E Electric Dreams

COMMODORE 64/128 Cassette: £ 9 . 9 9 , Diskette: £ 1 4 . 9 9 T H E I r e m c o i n - o p , R-Type. is e n j o y i n g a n e w l e a s e of life t h a n k s t o s u p e r b c o n v e r s i o n s to Spectrum and ST (see last issue). Rainbow Arts — the peop l e w i t h a f i n g e r in t h e K a t a k i s p i e — a r e r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e C64 conversion. F r o m a t e c h n i c a l p o i n t of v i e w . R-Type is a h o r i z o n t a l l y s c r o l l i n g Nemesis clone, improving o n the c o n c e p t w i t h t h e a d d i t i o n of a n u p g r a d e a b l e R- Type d r o n e . Sprites are small a n d hence l o s e d e f i n i t i o n , b u t c o l o u r is limite d to s h a d e s w h i c h c r e a t e s u b tle. a t t r a c t i v e l e v e l s — n o t in t h e Armalyte class though. Of w o r t h y n o t e is t h e f a d i n g in a n d o u t of b a c k g r o u n d g r a p h i c s as your R9 enters the alien fortress o n level one. Of l e s s - t h a n - w o r t h y n o t e is the h o r r e n d o u s cassette loading s y s t e m . E v e n f a i l i n g to c o m p l e t e level o n e is r e w a r d e d w i t h h a v i n g to r e l o a d t h e l e v e l a g a i n .

50/116 TGM TX 016:3-89

H J - H M 0 8 3 3 0 0 This eliminates long term appeal. P l a y a b l e f a r e certainly, b u t , a s i d e f r o m its n a m e , t h e r e ' s not a lot i n R-Type t o m a k e it s t a n d out from the crowd.

OVERALL 6 5 % ATARI ST: TGM016 8 2 % SPECTRUM: TGM016 90%

It may have all the Ingredients mega shoot-'em-up, but they quite gel. It's not a bad blast though

of a dont

^ ^ ^ himself and his car far ^ beyond limits reH B r quired by any other race. He must use his sixth sense as he becomes one with a machine which is perilously insensitive to human frailties.

WEC Le Mans is the a 24-hour world endurance championship. All W other races pale in com^^ parison. No other race challenges a driven physically or emotionally as WEC Le Mans 24. The racer must push

Shell

WEC Le Mans is not a game - it is the ultimate driving experience

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TANGLEWOOD SOFTWARE

DEPT TGM 157 W A R W I C K ROAD. R A Y L E I G H ESSEX S S 6 8 S G Proprietor: J. MOSS

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C h e q u e / P . O . m a d e o u t t o D & H G a m e s p l u s a large S.A.E. w i t h 25p s t a m p attached. Please state clearly w h i c h game or games you require & for w h i c h c o m p u t e r . A l s o w r i t e y o u r n a m e & a d d r e s s o n the r e v e r s e s i d e of a n y c h e q u e s . O v e r s e a s o r d e r s p l e a s e i n c l u d e £1.50 P o s t a g e & P a c k a g i n g .

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REVIEWS

A HELSING HAND NIGHT HUNTER

UBI Soft • • •

hat's the most popular subject matter for computer games ?Space aliens. Apart from aliens? I Sport. OK. Apart from sport and aliens, what H H H might be the most popular? Think of horror. Not gribbly? No, something undead. Have they done a computer version of Hearts Of Gold then? Think teeth. I was! Forget it! Since the dawn of computer games. Dracula has been one of the most popular subject matters for software. Oh. Holy m e d a l l i o n s h a v e h e l p e d k e e p C o u n t D r a c u l a a n d his n e f a r i o u s necksploits u n d e r c o n t r o l But o h h o w t h e p r i n c e of d a r k n e s s thirsts! H e p l a n s to steal t h e m e d a l l i o n s . c r e a t e a bit of c h a o s a n d e v e n t u ally rule t h e world. A v e i n h o p e ? P r o f e s s o r Van H e l s i n g h e a r s of D r a c s p l a n s a n d f o r m s a n a r m y of w h a t t h e p a c k a g i n g calls anti-

e n o u g h g e t s g r a b b e d by the throat a n d s u c k e d dry. to suitably s l o b b e r i n g s o u n d effects. p n r n C Q h l i m o w

Keep collecting those keys and you'll be finished in necks to no ,ime

Dlimey

It d o e s n ' t all g o D r a c u l a ' s w a y t h o u g h , t h e a r m y c o n s i s t s of m e n armed with b o w s and arrows ( D r a c himself is into a bit of

All the guy up-top can do is stand and stair as his friend is sucked dry

ATARI ST £19.99 Interesting but repetitive music paves the way for s o m e great In-game effects —particularly the blood-sucking s o u n d as Orac q u e n c h e s h i s t h i r s t . A n i m a t i o n of all c h a r a c t e r s is brilliant a n d the count's transformation s e q u e n c e is very tidy. D o o r keys are difficult to spot in places but the pause m o d e a l l o w s c l o s e r s c r u t i n y of e a c h s c r e e n (or s h o u l d that b e scream?). UBI Soft have been quiet for s o m e time. Night Hunter heralds their w e l c o m e r e - a w a k e n i n g t o t h e l a n d of the semi-living.

OVERALL 8 1 %

"Brilliant sound effects, well animated characters and suitably spooky backdrops1' v a m p i r e - f i g h t e r s ' . T h i s c o u l d spell disaster for Van H e l s i n g a s e v e r y b o d y w o u l d b e fighting him, c a u s e he's definitely a n t i - v a m pire. Luckily t h e a r m y he c r e a t e s is actually m a d e u p of v a m p i r e fighters — o t h e r w i s e t h e prof w o u l d b e in a g r a v e s i t u a t i o n — t h e y set traps for D r a c a n d i n f o r m t h e p o p u l a t i o n of their d o i n g s . N o w for t h e twist... You play D r a c u l a ! But this m u s t be t h e French revamped version, as the c o u n t is able to not o n l y turn into a bat but also a w e r e w o l f (bet t h e y can't k e e p h i m at bay!). T h i s c o m e s in h a n d y for c r o s s i n g water and duffing up Van Helsing's a r m y o n your q u e s t to find t h e m e d a l l i o n s . D r a c himself is no pushover, w h e n his p o w e r gets low. a slick p r e s s of t h e firebutton and any h u m a n close

artery), holy water, a x e s a n d fists. T h e r e are a l s o flying g r e e n w i t c h es w h o c a c k l e a s t h e y l a u n c h magic attacks o n Drac (giving him a g r e e n w i t c h m e a n t i m e ) . Luckily t h e r e are n o d w a r f s in t h e g a m e , D r a c is hell w h e n he's b e e n o n t h e s h o r t s . O n later levels the c o u n t f a c e s ladies w i t h c r o s s e s to bear, birds of prey a n d a r m e d policem e n . But the deadliest adversary of all is t h e prof. H e turns u p at t h e e n d of e a c h level, o n e of his s t a k e s a n d o u r a n t i - h e r o is t u r n e d to d u s t — he s h o u l d try t h e local diner. C o n s i s t i n g of 3 0 levels, t h e a i m is to p r o c e e d a n d e v e n t u a l l y succ e e d (or s u c k b l o o d ) by f i n d i n g a n d c o l l e c t i n g five k e y s a n d t h r e e p a r c h m e n t s in e a c h . A c o d e - w o r d s y s t e m p r e v e n t s y o u h a v i n g to start n e w g a m e s f r o m level o n e .

Basically a n a r c a d e a d v e n t u r e , Night Hunter s t a n d s o u t f r o m t h e rest d u e to its brilliant s o u n d effects, well a n i m a t e d c h a r a c t e r s a n d suitably s p o o k y b a c k d r o p s . T h e only d r a w b a c k is D r a c u l a ' s slow response. Standing there t a k i n g a r r o w after after a r r o w is not t h e w a y to w i n . b u t t h e b l o o d y v a m p i r e just w o n ' t c r o u c h d o w n until he's taken about three t h r o u g h that c o l d h e a r t of his. Very frustrating, ' e s p e c i a l l y w h e n V a n H e l s i n g s e r v e s u p his d e a d l y stakes.

Nothing to disturb the still of the night but the sound of suckln' n' coffin

OTHER FORMATS You can s o o n get your teeth into v e r s i o n s for the Amiga, PC (£19.99), C 6 4 , Spectrum a n d A m s t r a d ( D i s k e t t e £14,99)

TGM TX 016:3-89 53/116

MARSHAL ARTS WANTED

Infogrames

ver fancied yourself as a rootin', tootin', son-of-agun whose job it is to clean up a wild west town which ain't big enough for the both of us? Like to mimic John Wayne's drawl and the menacing whisper of the man with no name? Then look no further than Infogrames' latest release, pardner!

There must be something about A r k a n s a s w h i c h attracts t h e w o r s t sort of p e o p l e . In 1880. t h e r e are four real m e a n d u d e s u p to n o g o o d , a n d their b o s s is e v e n tougher. N o t o n l y this, but lots of b a d g u y s have j o i n e d t h e m to m a k e sure they w i n t h e w e s t a n d b a g all t h e loot.

Luckily, y o u ' r e t h e r o u g h e s t , toughest, s h a r p e s t - s h o o t i n g b o u n ty hunter w h o e v e r c o c k e d a sixshooter — a n d t h e p e o p l e of A r k a n s a s h a v e put a prices o n t h e g a n g ' s h e a d s that y o u s i m p l y c a n ' t resist. D o n n i n g y o u r b i g g e s t n o n metric hat a n d s p u r s that jingle jangle jingle, y o u set out to retire the b a d m e n to Boot Hill.

A mighty fine shootin' iron Before the shoot-out begins, you choose your target from a g r o u p of f o u r w a n t e d p o s t e r s . Bounty r a n g e s f r o m $ 5 , 0 0 0 to 20.000 determining the bad guy's t o u g h n e s s and the level's difficulty. All e n d - o f - l e v e l outl a w s m u s t b e p u t o u t of a c t i o n

b e f o r e t h e i r b o s s is t a c k l e d . A n aerial v i e w of y o u r pistolp a c k i n g pixel p a r d n e r is s h o w n in vertically-scrolling s c e n e s a n d feature various bad g u y s running t o w a r d s y o u or t a k i n g c o v e r — but m o s t l y s p r a y i n g bullets in y o u r direction. Luckily, y o u ' r e a r m e d w i t h a pair of pretty b i z a r r e p i s t o l s w h i c h fire in t h r e e d i r e c t i o n s at o n c e — y o u lose this m u l t i p l e p o w e r w i t h lives ( y o u b e g i n w i t h three). Throwing dynamite has a smart b o m b effect, w i p i n g o u t all e n e m i e s o n s c r e e n , but y o u o n l y h a v e t h r e e s t i c k s to b e g i n with. A s w i t h

gun firepower and ammunition r e s e r v e s , d y n a m i t e is g a i n e d by p i c k i n g up a n a p p r o p r i a t e icon, r e v e a l e d by s h o o t i n g barrels. A l s o a v a i l a b l e are b o o t s to h e l p y o u m o s e y faster, rifles for l o n g r a n g e firepower, a n d a sheriff's star to

AMIGA £19.95 A comical theme tune precedes the game, c o m p l e t e with horse hooves, banjo and c o w b o y c h o r u s . Game g r a p h i c s are a disapp o i n t m e n t : w a n t e d portraits are crude, sprites lack believable detail a n d are feebly animated. The only skillfully-fashioned g r a p h i c is t h e hat o n y o u r s p r i t e ' s h e a d ! S a m p l e d g u n s o u n d s a n d silly s c r e a m s — s o m e bad guys' s o u n d like sheep as they turn into skeletal corpses — are the only In-game audio.

OVERALL 6 0 %

Wi m

fSTjl

The man with no name has got the outlaws over a barrel — II he reaches the Icons In time s p e e d u p t h e level. H e a r t s symb o l i s e a n e x t r a life, a m o n e y b a g g i v e s b o n u s points, a n d a s h i e l d m a k e s y o u invincible for a limited time. A d d - o n i c o n s a r e lost w i t h e a c h life, a n d six are t a k e n if y o u pick u p a skull. Wanted has the Commando label s t a m p e d firmly o n it. Multidirection weapons and speed-ups h a v e b e e n a d d e d to t h e s i m p l e s h o o t - a n d - r u n a c t i o n but g a m e play r e m a i n s limited. However, the mindless shoote m - u p f a r e is u n d e n i a b l y f u n (if difficult) for a limited period.

ATARI ST £19.95 O t h e r t h a n m i n o r p o i n t s of definition a n d colouration, the ST v e r s i o n looks, a n d indeed plays, similarly to the Amiga. S o u n d e f f e c t s are replaced with beeps w h i c h lose the g a m e its atmosphere, a n d the title t u n e is less c o m p l e x .

OVERALL 5 8 % This town ain't big enough for the both of us. Your pistol-packing pixel partner fights his way to the top of the screen and the bossman. hiset: the four pesky varmints who have to be sent to Boot Hill before the gang leader can be tackled

OTHER FORMATS None planned

"Simple shoot-andrun action" 54/124 TGM TX 016:3-89

REVIEW

A TIGHTS SITUATION SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL

Tynesoft

efore we had superheroes to save our puny world from domination or destruction by supervillains, there weren't actually any supervillains around to worry about. If heroes hadn't come along, perhaps the supervillain would never have surfaced? If so. it's Superman and his buddies' fault that the world is in peril 24 hours a day... who needs heroes? Today. Earth is b e i n g torn apart by volcanic e r r u p t i o n s a n d earthq u a k e s Terrorists h a v e hijacked a yacht | w i t h L o i s L a n e and the govenor of M e t r o p o l i s o n b o a r d - a n d g u e s s w h o ' s b e h i n d it all? Yeah, supervillains. In this i n s t a n c e it's D a r k s i d e a n d Lex Luthor w h o ' v e t e a m e d u p to b r i n g Earth to her k n e e s .

Cloaking device

A c o m i c clip i n t r o d u c e s e a c h of t h e g a m e ' s eight levels a n d explains s o m e t h i n g of w h a t y o u . as S u p e r m a n , h a v e to d o in t h e m . Dunng your race against time, only c e r t a i n of y o u r powers are available e a c h level, s u c h a s s u p e r

b r e a t h , h e a t - v i s i o n or flight. T h e s e p o w e r s quickly d r a i n f r o m either o v e r - u s e o r t a k i n g hits, o t h e r abilities a r e s e l e c t e d to g i v e t i m e for s p e n t p o w e r s to r e p l e n i s h . Levels consist of first-person views from behind, above or t o t h e side of t h e m a n of steel. And the action comprises of such heroic d e e d s as fighting off d e m o n s , protecting satelites from asteroids and dealing with deadly robots. Tynesoft were r e s t r i c t e d by DC C o m i c s as to h o w t o treat their m a n of steel a n d h e n c e he f i g h t s i n a nodie situation he c a n o n l y fail.

Superman

protects

the space shuttle from hurtling

asteroids

— C64 screen

ATARI ST £24.95 A slightly warbly rendition of the theme from Superman The Movie heralds what is visually a very attractive game. Control can be sticky in places but the slick animation and artwork used, more than make up for it. The scene where Superman sorrowfully walks his fortress of solitude after losing the battle is particularly atmospheric (you get to see this section a lot). What does ruin the game is the fact that you are sent right back to the start of level one every time you fail. This ruins the incentive to get anywhere and thus the will to play. Tynesoft would have an excellent game o n their hands were it not for this stupid idiosyncrasy.

OVERALL 4 3 % OTHER FORMATS The red, yellow and blue avenger should be making a quick change to Amiga. PC (£24.95) Amstrad (cassette £9.95, diskette £14.95) and Spectrum (cassette £7.95. diskette £14.95) as you read this.

COMMODORE 64/128 Cassette: £9.95 Diskette: £14.95 ST

screenshot

The theme music is good... but that's about all. Although the little Superman sprite is quite nicely drawn animated and you have a choice of three skill levels, the fact that he doesn't die makes the game ridiculously easy. I finished it by sitting back and letting the thing run on its own — the congratulatory screens are quite nice though. The only incentive to play is to get a good score — the fun is taken out of the game by having, to all intents and purposes, infinite lives. For Superman to fail (as in the ST game) on cassette versions would mean lots of frustrating tape rewinding and reloading.

OVERALL 3 8 %

• • • • • • The atmospheric

scene where Supesy-babes

gets all depressed

In his Fortress of Solitude — ' varnt to be alone'

"He fights in a no-die situation" TGM TX 01 6'3 89 55/116

PRESS ANY KEY

REVIEWS VERSION UPDATE

u s e d i n t h e c o u r s e of solving t h e arcade adventures. S u p p l i e d o n t w o disks, t h e r e m i x of t h e T V p r o g r a m m e ' s m u s i c d r o n e s o n (but w i t h a m u s ing A u s t r i a n s l a p - d a n c i n g p e r c u s sion) from t h e title screen. Occasional ineffective sound effects are a n option. The large, d e t a i l e d Batman sprite walks menacingly, b u l a l w a y s g a p e s stupidly w h e n f a c i n g y o u ( w o n d e r w h y ) , a n d his p u n c h e s a r e poorly a n i m a t e d . O t h e r c h a r a c t e r s a n d b a c k g r o u n d s are colourful a n d well-drawn. B a d guys remain annoyingly damaging. A g a m e better s u i t e d t o 8-bits but still w o r t h y of s o m e h o u r s head-scratching a n d joystickt h r a s h i n g o n t h e ST.

BATMAN OCEAN

Atari ST: £19.95 POWER to t h e Bat-monitor, e n g a g e Bat-disk in B a t - c o m p u t e r a n d utilise Bat-joystick for O c e a n ' s Caped Crusader conversion. Batman i s split into t w o indep e n d e n t parts (the g a m e , not t h e hero), b o t h involving a s u p e r v i l l a i n e n d a n g e r i n g G o t h a m City. Part o n e sets t h e D a r k K n i g h t against the Penguin who's creating r o b o t s f r o m the c e n t r a l c o m puter in his m a n s i o n . T h e trickier part t w o f e a t u r e s R o b i n k i d n a p p e d by t h e J o k e r a n d b o m b s p l a n t e d beneath the Bat-cave. B o t h a r e p l a y e d i n a similar manner (the Wayne manner?). Henchmen a n d various rogue d e v i c e s are t a c k l e d w i t h fighting m o v e s , o f t e n at t h e c o s t of energy. O b j e c t s are p i c k e d up. d r o p p e d or

ATARI ST: OVERALL 7 2 % COMMODORE 64/128: TGM015 7 1 % Sophisticated multiple windows, killing — Batman on the ST

VERSION UPDATE HEROES OF THE LANCE

U S Gold

Amiga: £24.99 Amstrad CPC, Spectrum 48/128: Cassette £ 9 . 9 9 , Diskette £14.99 SIX h e r o e s of t h e l a n c e e n t e r t h e r u i n e d city of X a k Tsaroth t o locate t h e fabled Disks of Mishakal, with w h i c h they h o p e to rid K r y n n of d e m o n d r a g o n s . Taking the f o r m of a m u l t i - c h a r a c ter c o m b a t g a m e w i t h e x p l o r a t i o n o v e r t o n e s . H e r o e s Of T h e L a n c e w a s c r e a t e d to c o v e r t h e a c t i o n side of t h e c l a s s i c R P G . A m i g a H e r o e s i s a straight-forward conversion which has made no effort t o i m p r o v e t h e lurching scrolling, p o o r s o u n d o r s l o w a n i m a t i o n of i t s p r e d e c e s s o r . Technically, t h e g a m e t a k e s a significant s t e p b a c k w a r d s . That's t h e g o o d n e w s ! T h e

planty of kicking

and punches,

but no

SPECTRUM 48/128: TGM015 7 6 %

A m s t r a d b r i n g s t h e b a d : use of c o l o u r is limited to t h e e x t r e m e , basically c o n s i s t i n g of pink a n d g r e y (very Habitat). G a m e - s p e e d is fast, b u t this i s d u e to t h e m a c h i n e o n l y h a v i n g to m o v e poorly a n i m a t e d single colour midgets around. O n the Spectrum, things are a little better _ if o n l y b e c a u s e t h e potentially horrendous u s e of c o l o u r s i s a b s e n t . Scrolling is fair, animation forgettable and combat a m o u n t s t o t w o m a t c h s t i c k s feebly t a p p i n g o n e another. T h e fact that t h e r e ' s v e r y little difference b e t w e e n the A m i g a a n d Spectrum versions loses t h e g a m e its credibility.

AMIGA: OVERALL 4 4 % AMSTRAD: OVERALL 30% SPECTRUM: OVERALL 38% Eat honed blade. Draconian scum!!' — one of Tanis's crowd gets a bit over-excited — Amiga screen

ATARI ST: TGM012 7 8 %

Displaying how an originally OK game can go to pot — In this case when It turned up on an Amstrad screen

56/116 TGM TX 016:3-89

(What are Boots playing at?)

Your mission > Buy any Spectrum. Commodore or Amstrad game for £7.95 or more. Your prize > A budget game, worth up to £2.99. completely free. (To be chosen from any title in stock.) To start > enter Boots.

A better buy at subject t o a v w w » l i t y in l a r g e r s t o r e s only c n f f i r r u n s t r o m February 13 march 4 i ^ o t

A NEWSFIELD

PUBLICATION

~ A

F A N T A S Y , H O R R O R A N D SCIENCE F I C T I O N Five Staggering Issues of FEAR, the world's foremost periodical genre magazine Issue One: International Splatter Punks Skipp & Spector Scream! • Director John Carpenter has seen them, and T H E Y LIVE! • Exclusive interviews with: Peter Straub, Neil Jordan, Ramsey Campbell & Stephen Gallagher • Plus three great short stories from Shaun Hutson, Ramsey Campbell and Nicholas Royle Issue T w o : James Herbert is haunted by success! •Exclusive interviews with Dean R. Koontz, Clive Barker, Christopher Fowler, Shaun Hutson & Sheri T e p p e r » Features on Stephen King's Dark Tower and Zombies in the movies •Original fiction from: Brian Lumley, Kim N e w m a n & Stephen Laws Issue Three: Hellraiser II: Hellhound revealed — the inside story! • Exclusive interviews with: Robert R. McCammon, David Gemmell, Alan Moore, Guy N . Smith, Guy Magar, Brian Lumley & Clive Barker® Fiction from: Pete (Hellhound) Atkins, Ian Watson & Don Webb Issue Four: World Exclusive! Ray Bradbury (part one) reveals his innermost secrets • Interviews with: Raymond E. Feist, David Cronenberg, Wes Craven & David Lloyd • Features on: Richard Christian Matheson, David J. Schow, Chet Williamson & director Chuck Russell plus Jack the Ripper filmography (part one) • Fiction by: John Brunner, Nicholas Royle & Simon Clark C O M I N G I N ISSUE FIVE (February 1989) FEAR visits Elm Street — massive full-colour souvenir guide, plus an interview with Robert Englund • Interviews with: Tim (Batman) Burton, Stephen R. Donaldson, Graham Masterton, Douglas E. Winter, Ray Bradbury (part two), Jonathan Carroll, Iron Maiden & SFX w i z , Mick Garris* plus more great fiction ( as yet unrevealed!)

Bi-monthly £2-50 FEAR M A I L ORDER PO BOX 20, LUDLOW, SHROPSHIRE SY8 1DB

1Mb DISK DRIVE £ 4 5 0 OF SOFTWARE ARCADE

GAMES

ArkanoW II Imagine B e y o n d The Ice Palace Elite Black L a m p Firebird B u g g y Boy Elite Chopper X Mastertronlc Ikari Warriors Elite Marble Madness Electronic Arts Ouadrailen Logotron Ranarama H e w s o n Consultants Return T o Genesis Firebird Melbourne House Mandarin Electronic Arts . Firebird J Elite Ocean Melbourne House Hewson Consultants

SPORTS The Alan Sup* Pack la usaitoryou ii you want to oat off to • ityww «an Eddie Edwards Super Ski «*m me oost m eniettaminem software The Pact. n c U n a S20STFM Seconds O u t -Itr RAM • ouin^n i Mb <Mk o n * . w w wao oe iop games and a S u m m e r O l y m p i a d "88 T toyMKk M y c j Buy the Supwr Pack at Silica Snop - . I M U w c w - S I Suryr Kit |wc*T o«r OX,. Free Of Charge Return trw coupon lor OeU.li PRODUCTIVITY

£19.95 £19.95 £19.95 £19.95 £9.99 £14.95 £24.95 £19.95 £19.95 £19.95 £19.95 £19.95 £24.95 £9.95 £19.95 £19.95 £19.95 £19.99

SIMULATIONS Elite £19.95 Tynesott £19.95 Tynesof! £19.95

A ATARI. The range of Atan ST computers offers something tor everyone From the games enthusiast who wonts the challenge of the very best in arcade action, to the businessman who wants to make financial forecasts or faultless presentations. The ST offers high quality graphics, sound and speed lor the gamer, whilst providing a fast, user friendly and affordable solution to business The ST is now firmly established in the home environment and boasts a wealth of users in education, local government, television, and a variety of different businesses Software for the range stretches to cover applications as diverse as ENTERTAINMENT. ACCOUNTS, ART. C O M M U N I C A T I O N S . COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN DATABASES, DESKTOP PUBLISHING. EDUCATION. MUSIC, PROGRAMMING. SPREADSHEETS, WORD PROCESSING and more. For a full list of the software available, as well as details of the ST range, complete and return the coupon bolow u v a w M a N M n ^ u m i not

520ST-FM EXPLORER PACK W I T H

SOFTWARE

Triangle Publishing

B U I L T - I N

1 M b D I S K

D R I V E

£49.95

JOYSTICK Atari CX40 Joystick

Atari C o r p

£4.99

FREE ATARI BUNDLE VALUE:£458.97

INCLUOINO VAT W i t h S M 1 2 4 m o n o m o n i t o r : £ 4 9 8 55

With SC1224 colour monitor

£ 6 9 8 SS

1040ST-FM PROFESSIONAL PACK NOW WITH TV MODULATOR

For the serious home user and the small business, we aro pleased to announce a new package based around tho 1040ST-FM The 1040ST FM nas 1 Mbyte RAM and a 1 Mbyte Ou>lt-in disk drive In addition, the 1040ST-FM now comas with a TV modulator built-in (The previously available l 0 4 0 S T - f was designed for use with a monitor only and did not come with a modulator) This modulator aliowa tne l040ST-f to be plugged directly into any domestic TV set. and comes complete with a load t o allow you t o do so The new Professional Pack' from S iica includes the new 1040ST-FM with modulator plus four high quality software packages including a spreadsheet. database word processor and programming language. This Professional Pack' software will enable you to get straight down to business with your n»w computer In addition to this software (worth C384 84), if you buy the Professional Pack I rom Silica Shop, y o u will also toceive me Silica ST Staner Kit (worth over £200). Free Of Charge Return the coupon for further information

£499

T h e value f o r m o n e y o f f e r e d by t n e Atari ST r a n g e is reflected i n t h e Explorer Pack featuring t h e 5 2 0 S T - F M c o m p u t o r w i t h 512K R A M T h e 520ST-FM c o m p u t e r n o w c o m e s w i t h a b u i l t - i n 1 M b d o u b l e sided disk drive as well a s a free mouse controller a n d a b u i l t - i n T V m o d u l a t o r . T h e n e w 5 2 0 S T - F M Explorer Pack includes t h e 520STF M c o m p u t e r , t h e a r c a d e g a m e Ranarama, a t u t o n a l p r o g r a m a n d s o m e useful d e s k t o p accessories I n addition, if y o u b u y t h e Explorer Pack f r o m Silica, w e will give y o u t h e Silica S T Starter Kit w o r t h over £200, FREE O F C H A R G E R e t u r n t h e c o u p o n tor details of o u r Starter Kit a n d of the full S T range

ATARI 1040ST-FM (Compute.) £ 4 9 9 . 9 9 VIP PROFESSIONAL (Spreadsheet i £149.95 MICROSOFT WRITE (Word Processor) £149.95 SUPERBASE PERSONAL (Database) £ 5 9 . 9 5 BASIC DISK A M A N U A L (Language) £ 2 4 . 9 8

I N C L U D I N G VAT

With S M I 2 4 m o n o m o n i t o r With SC1224 colour m o n i t o r

N O R M A L RRP: £884.82

£59855 £7983?

LESS

DISCOUNT:

-£385 82

P R O F E S S I O N A L PACK PRICE: £499.00

2Mb & 4Mb MEGA ST

£1199

DTP PageStream £149 PubMferg (OTPj n one of the taslest grow«r>g apfWcatuns for personal am ptoesod lo announce a powerful low coat pec*age lor the Atari ST •eoSttam coca aMy CH9 (-VAT-tUi3S) and. because it Alan I040ST ana a Senear* SP-180A/ printer, you can be up and a compile system (or lata man C'OOQ Some ol me Matures of are UMrt to the rghl II you wouto *ke further inform*** on the complain and rwhjm the coupon below. iiCSing the OTP Do* in on comer

4 VAT =£171.35

TEXT-FLOW A R O U N D G R A P H I C S ROTATION O F TEXT A G R A P H I C S SLANT OR TWIST A N Y O B J E C T POSTSCRIPT COMPATIBLE TAQ F U N C T I O N AUTOi-MANUAL K f H N I N O * HYPHENATION G R O U P I N G Of OBJECTS

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SILICA SHOP:

V A T =

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WHY SILICA SHOP?

Before you OeoOe when lo buy your nam Atan ST carpuint. we suggest you consider vary carefully WHERE you buy * There are MANY ccnpone* who can offer you a computer, a few penpheratt and the top tan selling titles There are FEWER companies who can offer a wide range ot product! tor your computer and Mpert adnce and help when you neeo it There a ONLY ONE company who can provide the largest rings of Alan ST rotated products m thw UK, a M tune Atan ST tpeoalitt technical Niplnt and m-depth altar sales support, including tree newsletters and brochures deivensd to you door tor at long as you reqiore alter you purchase your computer That one company is Silica Shop We nave been established m the home computer W d lor ttri yaan with i n annual turnover in excess of 0 m®on and can now claim to meet our customers requirements an accuracy and understonong which is second to none But donl |ust take our word lor it Compfate and return the coupon betow tor our latest literature and beg* V> wpenence the Silica Shop speoatist Atan service

The MEGA ST computers are styled as as hgntweighi keyboard with a separate CPU. connected by a coiled tefepnone style cable There are two versions of the MEGA ST. one with 2M bytes of RAM end the other with 4MbyU» Each version has s 1Mbyte double sKJed dish drive burft-m to the CPU unit The MEGA STs do not come with modulator built-in and must therefore be used with a monitor With every MEGA ST purchased, we win add the Professional Pack' software (worth C364 83) detailed above, plus me S*4Mb MEGA S T 2Mb MEGA S T ica ST Suner Kit (worth ove* £700) boei Free Of Charge • m o n o m o n i t o r = £1298 Retum the coupon • m o n o m o n i t o r = £ 9 9 8 for hxtner details * c o l o u r m o n i t o r = £1198 • c o l o u r m o n i t o r = £ 1 4 9 8

£ 8 9 9 s

£260

•

SILICA STARTER KIT: Worth over £200 FREE with every Aun 8T computer bought from Silica PROPOStOMAL mat Frwe buwneee software wWi XM06T-FM and MEGA STs bougw horn S-ea DEDICATED

SERVICING

Ml-tane Ai

naif with years of experience on Atan ewtctfig THE FULL STOCK

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etrtors on a same product same price been FREE TECHNICAL

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DTP Q J

KORT BY THE MULTIPLES PHANTOM FIGHTER

Martech

uriosity killed the cat. so they say. This could be the case for the people of Farronzark. though their ventures into the galaxy were generally fueled by desperation — the common problem of overpopulation forcing colony ships out to search for new homes. One such target, the planet Kortran, was hospitable yet unnervingly familiar; the elders likened it to Farronzark in its early stages of civilisation. Indigenous lifeforms (Korts), knowing w h e n they weren't wanted. took to h i d i n g in t h e arid B a d l a n d s of t h e planet. A c o l o n y ship w a s sent o u t to d e s t r o y t h e m but failed to return. T h i s is w h e r e y o u e n t e r t h e story. W i t h a n elder, M a c M i x D u n e . as a c r e w m a t e , y o u pilot a s h i p to the Badlands a n d witness a startling s i g h t : a fleet of ships, craft f r o m all o v e r t h e star s y s t e m a n d e v e n f r o m different times. T h e fleet s p e e d p a s t y o u a n d d e s t r o y your colony. M a c M i x D u n e tells y o u of t h e early y e a r s of F a r r o n z a r k . T h e

people were superstitious and w e n t into t h e w i l d e r n e s s w h e n t h e y felt their d e a t h w a s near, to purify their s o u l s by killing evil there. M a c w a s t h e only p e r s o n e v e r to return, a n d he s a w t h e s a m e fleet a s w a s h i d i n g in t h e Kortran Badlands.

Bury elders

H e is n o w d e a d , but y o u are t h e Phantom Fighter, destined to d e s t r o y t h e s t r a n g e fleet a n d f r e e t h e s o u l s of all e l d e r s slain b y t h e m . To d o this, y o u r s h i p is a r m e d w i t h a n u p g r a d a b l e laser to blast w a v e s of aliens.

To help y o u , particularly a g a i n s t t h e big 'n' n a s t y e n d of level guardians, some destroyed waves l e a v e i c o n s b e h i n d to e n h a n c e y o u r ship's p o w e r s . Slick s h o o t - ' e m - u p s are few a n d far b e t w e e n o n 16-bit m a c h i n e s . Phantom Fighter is a w e l c o m e r e l e a s e to h e l p fill t h e g a p . Fast, attractive alien flight f o r m a t i o n s a n d s m o o t h scrolling are t h e p r e c e d e n t a n d Phantom Fighter f e a t u r e s t h e s e a l o n g with s h a r p control response and g o o d graph-

You can look at this pretty picture while your waiting for battle to commence — Amiga screen ics. S w i t c h i n g scrolling d i r e c t i o n s d e e p e n s the Amiga g a m e . and. t h o u g h t h e P C o n l y scrolls vertically, it r e t a i n s d e p t h w i t h its additional w e a p o n s , s u c h a s F r i e n d s . Defenders, and Whacks(?l). Phantom Fighter is a difficult but playable arcade g a m e which w e l l d e s e r v e s a p l a c e in your softw a r e collection.

AMIGA £24.99 The g r a p h i c s are not quite arcade quality but are certainly well drawn, with sprites moving rapidly across effective, animated b a c k d r o p s . Your s h i p is a very c u m b e r s o m e l o o k i n g vehicle but d e a l s o u t s o m e h e a v y d a m a g e . A n d it n e e d s t o . a s a l i e n s a d a p t their attack patterns to h o m e in o n y o u . Music and s o u n d effects are d i s a p p o i n t i n g but are not d e t r i m e n t a l to the hectic g a m e p l a y .

OVERALL 7 8 % Pilot the Flying Bathtub (as it's affectionately known) through the Caverns of Despair (above). Dazzling PC shoot'em-up action across the barren wastes of the Badlands (below) — Kort in the act?

PC £24.99 Supporting EGA, the status areas facia is q u i t e realistic and, like m o s t sprites, is attractively shaded. Graphics are c r u d e in places, but o n the whole, s h o w the PC's capabilities. W i t h a b o u n c i n g screen effect and 11 types of weaponry, Phantom Fighter h a s f e a t u r e s w h i c h m a k e it the best shoot-'em-up o n the PC to date.

OVERALL 8 0 % OTHER FORMATS None planned

"Fast, attractive alien flight formations and smooth scrolling" 60/124 TGM TX 016:3-89

REVIEWS

L A S T

I f you hear anyone describe Hewson's latest game as 'ancient' or dead', don't think they're being critical of the multi-direction shoot-'em-up: it's set within a tomb. A tomb of the future, on another world, where gleaming metal and sophisticated electronic devices make up the chambers. The dead and the decorated facades are defended by... The Custodian.

As a s q u a t s y n t h e t i c b r a i n a n d | w e a p o n s m o d u l e o n legs, y o u ' v e a d v a n t a g e of w i t h credits — t h e s e h a d a pretty e a s y time of it t a k i n g double as a scoring system. c a r e of your d e s i g n a t e d t o m b . N o t h i n g but yourself a n d the quiet h u m of m a c h i n e r y to k e e p y o u You're a w a r d e d 1 0 0 0 c r e d i t s w h e n company. you begin the g a m e and approxiN o w t h i n g s are far f r o m p e a c e mately 24 for each alien ful. A l i e n s h a v e i n v a d e d , intent o n destroyed. The ten types of stealing e n e r g y a n d m i n e r a l s w i t h w e a p o n s available cost b e t w e e n w h i c h to fuel t h e m s e l v e s , a n d one and 500 credits and include they're not likely to be s c a r e d off Ramcon 10mm rocket shells, by a single C u s t o d i a n robot. Tridant vertical r o c k e t s , d i a g o n a l They've already planted Pods, laser beams, and Megaclear w h i c h e v e n n o w are d r a i n i n g t h e smart bombs. tomb's power source. To help y o u travel quickly G u i d i n g t h e r o b o t b o t h o n foot a r o u n d t h e t o m b , t h e r e a r e telea n d in j e t - p a c k flight, y o u r m a i n port d e v i c e s , w h i c h , a l t h o u g h a i m is to collect t h e P o d s b e f o r e c o s t i n g 100 credits to u s e . give they d r a i n all t h e t o m b ' s energy. back energy points. T h e thiefing aliens try to p r e v e n t H e w s o n a p p e a r to b e in t h e y o u f r o m d o i n g this, b e i n g hit by m a r k e t of stealing i d e a s f r o m their t h e m or their missiles r e d u c e s o w n g a m e s , a s Custodian has your o w n energy. To r e b e l , y o u quickly recognisable similarities

S T A N D as t h e C u s t o d i a n robot d o e s ) a n d you have a finite s u p p l y ol weaponry, only o n e type may be u s e d at o n c e . The credits and ammunition s y s t e m w o r k s well — particularly as you can gather a small arsenal right at t h e start. X 1 5 h o m i n g missiles are particularly brilliant, d e f e n d i n g y o u r robot a n d g a t h e r ing c r e d i t s w h i l e l e a v i n g y o u to c o n c e n t r a t e o n other m a t t e r s .

A r e a s of t h e t o m b are largely u n d i s t i n c t i v e . but this is t h e price y o u p a y for having a large scrolling play a r e a rather t h a n t h e restrictive s c r e e n - b y - s c r e e n techn i q u e of Cybernoid. While certainly playable a n d a quality shoot-'em-up arcade adventure. Custodian doesn't h a v e t h e a p p e a l of t h e a g i n g classic a n d s o is d e s t i n e d lor shortlived attention.

To your credit

Today's special offers; 3 credits off Ramcon 10mm rockets Megaclear smart bombs for the price of one' — ST screen Zoom around the tomb or soon it will meet its doom — Amiga screen

and two

AMIGA £19.99 Custodian has the general a p p e a r a n c e of a g r a p h i c a l l y polished C64 shoot-'em-up. Detailed sprites, outlined in black, and bold colour s c h e m e s give the g a m e a lively appearance. Animation is s m o o t h a n d the music sounds like a remix of Speedball; s o u n d e f f e c t s also b r i n g o n f e e l i n g s of d e j a v u .

OVERALL 7 0 % ATARI ST £19.99 Similar to the Amiga version except in the s o u n d department, where the ST's simple a u d i o facilities d o their best without resorting to sampling.

OVERALL 7 0 % OTHER FORMATS 8-bit f o r m a t s are planned for the s e c o n d half of the year. begin with a full c o m p l i m e n t of 9 9 e j e c t a b l e turrets — short-lived, automatic hovering guns. Your robot h a s m u l t i - w e a p o n capabilities which are taken

w i t h Cybernoid a n d its s e q u e l . Your sprite is c o n t r o l l e d in t h e s a m e manner (Cybernoid. the ship, didn't h a v e legs but m o v e d smoothly over horizontal surfaces

"The credits and ammunition system works well" TGM TX 016:3-89 61/116

GONE FOR A BURTON

Easter already? Monolith upon monolith spews out trom the huge robotic... er, monolith

NEMESIS III: THE EVE OF DESTRUCTION

Konami

early 200 years after the Salamander wars the artificial intelligence computer Gaudi picked up time and spacial disturbances. The Bacterions, it seemed, have travelled to another time to cause havoc. Tracing their path and possible objective. G a u d i learned that the Bactenons had g o n e back t w o centuries — their plan is to kill J a m e s Burton, star of previous Nemesis battles, before he w a s born a n d hence negate all resistance to their evil plans. U n b e k n o w n t o the Bacterions. J a m e s fathered m a n y sons, a m o n g t h e m David — a n a c e pilot with the s a m e high E S P rating as daddy. With fire in his heart. David strapped himself to his Vixen fighter to take o n the Bacterions, g o back in time to rescue d a d a n d j u m p back to the present day for the final conflict. At the start, any o n e of four classes of Vixen is c h o s e n to fly into combat. Each has its o w n type of arsenal to build up on.

o n a truly m a s s i v e s c a l e f r o m t h e front e n d (with its five m i n u t e aural a n d visual introductory s e q u e n c e ) t h r o u g h the s t a g e s a n d o n t o t h e astonishingly ferocious end-level adversaries. Sights to s e e a n d d e s t r o y include a fiery p h o e n i x , a n e n o r m o u s Easter Island h e a d a n d the p e n u l t i m a t e e n e m y , a full-

screen-in-height skeletal robot. W h i l e t h e difficulty level of Nemesis III h a s b e e n t w e a k e d in favour of the player, overall difficulty remains high, as hidden w e a p o n s a n d m a p s n e e d to b e found. Failing to d o so t a k e s y o u b a c k into t h e fray — a n unwelc o m e prospect e v e n w h e n a r m e d

to t h e teeth. W i t h presentation, a t m o s p h e r e a n d f e a t u r e s to parallel coin-op quality. Nemesis III is t h e best of the series yet. W h i l e lacking t h e e n t e r t a i n i n g dual-player option of Salamander. Nemesis III is the best s h o o t - ' e m - u p yet to g r a c e t h e M S X screen.

Hunt the salamander T h o u g h Nemesis III is not the official c o n v e r s i o n of Vulcan Venture the first level is lifted straight from the coin-op. S t a g e s include black holes that s u c k your Vixen all over the place — another is set in a Salamander- style flame planet. T h e m o s t entertaining though, is level 4 in w h i c h y o u are t a k e n b a c k in time through Nemesis II, Salamander A N D Nemesis, facing all the old e n e m i e s a l o n g t h e w a y ! Nemesis III is the biggest g a m e in the series so far. Everything is

KONAMI SOFTWARE CLUB The Konami Software Club newsletter has undergone c h a n g e a n d Is n o w q u a r t e r l y a n d at t h e n e w p r i c e o f £ 8 . 0 0 . The magazine has been e x p a n d e d t o 24 p a g e s a n d covers not only K o n a m i titles a c r o s s MSX a n d N i n t e n d o form a t s b u t a l s o c o n v e r s i o n s of Konami coin-ops by software houses like Ocean. The address for the Konami S o f t w a r e C l u b Is Sherwood House, 22 Courtnay Park, Newton Abbot. TQ12 2HB.

62/124 TGM TX 016:3-89

Fielding from the right, an awesome world on fire

fiery Phoenix attempts

to set your

The menu screen at the game's beginning which allows you to select fighter's add-on capabilities ready for the various battles ahead

E I

MSX-I/II 2 Mega-bit Cartridge: Price to be announced. your

A s ever the scrolling is pretty dire a n d in places graphic presentation isn't always perf e c t (a c r u d e b l a c k s q u a r e appears w h e n the giant flower o n level t w o e x p l o d e s , f o r example). The former problem is not noticeable d u e to t h e t o u g h d e m a n d s of s a v i n g d a d a n d the latter b e c o m e s a m i n o r fault w h e n y o u consider the a m o u n t of g a m e y o u ' r e getting.

OVERALL 8 6 %

H M I

"The biggest game in the series so far"

REVIEWS

I'LL TAKE MANHATTAN MANHUNTER

Sierra On-Line

It w o n ' t w i n a n y p r i z e s f o r g r a p h i c s b u t it d o e s c r e a t e a r e a l i s t i c , if s i m p l i s t i c , a t m o sphere of a run down, oppressed metropolis. That it's s p r e a d a c r o s s five d i s k s belies the limited nature of the game.

OVERALL 6 7 %

NEW YORK

hough previous Sierra games have been reviewed as adventures, Manhunter — New York is their first release to rely almost totally on a mouse driven environment. Indeed upon seeing minimal presence of text input and arcade sections (shock!) Rob Steel immediately handed it down to us lesser mortals on the review team. Life is h a r d in t h e Big A p p l e — particularly if it's in t h e year 2 0 0 4 — h u m a n s n o longer c o n t r o l Iheir o w n lives — t h e O r b s h a v e s e e n to that. Two years ago they landed o n Earth. Far f r o m arriving w i t h o u t stretched tentacles, they invaded a n d swiftly e n s l a v e d t h e p o p u l a tion. T h e O r b s i m p l a n t e d t r a c k i n g disks in h u m a n s a n d g a v e t h e m the f r e e d o m ' of t h e M a n h a t t a n Island area. Fortunately the disks were faulty a n d not o n l y lost their s i g n a l w h e n u n d e r g r o u n d , but a l s o failed to identify t h e wearer. To k e e p track of p o s s i b l e s u b versive elements, the Orbs c h o s e selected humans to become Manhunters, and equipped them with M A D ( M a n h u n t e r A s s i g n m e n t Devices) tracking c o m p u t e r s . It's their task to track d o w n s u s p e c t s a n d report their activities t o t h e Orbs. Today, h u m a n i t y is well a n d truly u n d e r a l i e n rule. A n d y o u a r e a Manhunter. O n e particularly gloomy morning an Orb entering y o u r b e a t - u p flat. It o r d e r s y o u t o i n v e s t i g a t e a m y s t e r y e x p l o s i o n at Bellevue Hospital. A n y f i n d i n g s a r e t o b e reported back — and the Orbs don't take no for a n a n s w e r , t i m e to g o to w o r k .

ATARI ST £29.99

a n d in m a n y w a y s t h e g a m e u n f o l d s like a futuristic d e t e c t i v e m o v i e as y o u p i e c e t o g e t h e r e a c h investigation. A n y n a m e s or identities u n c o v e r e d c a n b e c h e c k e d u p o n via y o u r M A D ' s I N F O facility. In k e e p i n g w i t h p r e v i o u s S i e r r a g a m e s there are animated scenes for m o s t a c t i o n s , all q u i t e h u m o r -

ously carried out, but some include gruesome sequences when things go wrong. A Save/Restore function along with a friendly c o n t i n u e - p l a y o p t i o n are p r e s e n t for l o n g t e r m a n d risky play. Arcade-action sections are tricky but s i m p l e a n d ultimately unnecessary.

T h o s e of y o u w h o thrive o n Agatha-Christie-style g a m e plots with clues and puzzles aplenty s h o u l d a p p r e c i a t e Manhunter — New York. P r o b l e m s are t o u g h and independent investigations a r e c l e v e r l y i n t e r t w i n e d to f o r m a n involved 'adventure'. Unfortunately, t h e r e a r e no false trails to g i v e m o r e d e p t h a n d . w h i l e v a r i e d , t h e r e aren't that many locations — Less than t w e n t y at t h e last c o u n t . A q u e s tionable departure from the norm for Sierra, but e n j o y a b l e to play.

Do you really want to play? The Halls, Walls. Balls. Dolls!!' (sic) coin-op in the Flat Bush bar (wishful thinking for American democrats?)

OTHER FORMATS B e l i e v e it o r n o t t h e P C v e r s i o n ( £ 3 4 . 9 9 ) c o m e s o n 13 disks! A n A m i g a version is planned for M a r c h — price to be c o n f i r m e d . Perhaps the PC g a m e w i l l b e b i g g e r — w i t h 13 d i s k s t o j u g g l e w i t h it s h o u l d be!).

"Problems are tough and independent investigations are cleverly intertwined'

Your MAD

At the start of e a c h i n v e s t i g a t i o n y o u consult y o u r M A D c o m p u t e r to track t h e s u s p e c t s . T h e M A D follows t h e m around Manhattan using a p l a n v i e w to s h o w their movements. E a c h location t h e y visit is n o t e d a n d y o u are a d v i s e d t o g o t h e r e yourself using a h a n d y teleport facility. E a c h location is totally g r a p h i c a l in representation, clues are s e a r c h e d for using t h e m o u s e . Finding t h e m is easy, e v e n if they're h i d d e n f r o m view. M o v i n g the c u r s o r a r o u n d the s c r e e n reveals a n y t h i n g w o r t h y of a closer look. C l u e s are satisfyingly c r y p t i c .

Brotherly love may be one thing, but In 2004AD it proves music Is good

that you must've

lived the life of a monk to think

Bros's

TGM TX 016:3-89 63/116

PflCSS ANY KEY

PEACE OFF GALACTIC CONQUEROR

Titus

• • y the mid-21 st Century, peace on Earth became H a reality, people went about their lives happily — • most of them that is. Some found it all too borM ing, particularly the strict peace-keeping force, who, tired of living in Yawnsville. rebel in an effort to take control of the planet. Galactic dog-fights followed and the Stellar League was created to protect the interplanetary military base. Gallion. The war between the League and t h e rebels is in d e a d l o c k , neither side g a i n i n g a d v a n t a g e , but n o w T h u n d e r C l o u d II. a galactic fighter, is ready. Its f i r e p o w e r is 1 0 , 0 0 0 t i m e s g r e a t e r t h a n that of t h e original T h u n d e r C l o u d ( f e a t u r e d i n Titus's Fire A n d Forget), plus it h a s a n e g a t i v e ionization ultrasensorial p r o t e c t i o n s h i e l d ( a n d a v e r b o s e creator). T h e r e ' s only p r o b l e m : n o - o n e ' s

skilled enough to pilot it. Eventually h o w e v e r , y o u , b e i n g t h e latest c h a m p i o n of t h e Off S h o r e battle (fought in Off S h o r e Warrior), are chosen. Only y o u c a n restore p e a c e f u l o r d e r to t h e galaxy. After a short p r a c t i s e flight, y o u ' r e p r e s e n t e d w i t h a m a p of t h e local s y s t e m , w i t h G a l l i o n a n d its four m o o n s in t h e c e n t r e . E n e m y

Afterburner-s/y/e action, banking crazily ( Gimme a Vector account, yeah!!') and admiring the nice stripey planet — Amiga screen

p l a n e t s a r e s h o w n a s red circles a n d ally p l a n e t s a s blue. Strategic d e c i s i o n s a r e m a d e as to w h i c h enemy planets you should a t t e m p t t o purify. F a c t o r s affecting strategy are t h e safety of Gallion a n d its satellites, surveillance m o o n s , a n d individual ally planets.

You world saver you O n c e a w o r l d is c h o s e n , a m o t h e r s h i p r e l e a s e s T h u n d e r C l o u d II into t h e a t m o s p h e r e a n d t h e first p h a s e of attack is launched. Mines, probe-robots, missiles a n d m e t e o r i t e s w i z z by in 3 - D as y o u s k i m t h e p l a n e t ' s s u r f a c e at full s p e e d . D o d g i n g left a n d right vertical m o v e m e n t is r e s t r i c t e d in this s t a g e — wing-tip lasers destroy enemies while your shield gradually wastes away. T h e r e is no lives system." b u t

ATARI ST £19.99 Lack of c o l o u r s in the m o t h e r s h i p Is p a r t i a l l y c o m p e n s a t ed for by shading, but generally g r a p h i c s are a little w e a k er than the A m i g a — the horiz o n i s s l i g h t l y j e r k i e r a s it banks. Sound effects are sometimes simplistic — w h e r e the A m i g a samples are u s e d , there is o n l y backg r o u n d hiss.

Ha, fueled you! Thunder Cloud II is now restored screen

64/124 TGM TX 016:3-89

to Its former glory — ST

OVERALL 6 2 %

w h e n your ship e x p l o d e s , the i planet r e m a i n s in t h e h a n d s of the e n e m y , e n a b l i n g t h e m to c a p t u r e more worlds. P h a s e t w o t a k e s p l a c e at a higher altitude, a l l o w i n g y o u to b a n k violently or e v e n fly u p s i d e d o w n as y o u t a k e o n missiles, m e t e o r i t e s a n d , m o s t importantly, ! t h e e n e m y fighter fleet. For the last section, t h e battle c o n t i n u e s out in s p a c e , w h e r e , as j well as a s t e r o i d s a n d e n e m y craft, you deal with Imperial Enemy Ship. S u c c e s s f u l or o t h e r w i s e , plane t s a r e t a c k l e d until t h e e n e m y c a p t u r e s Gallion. Galactic Conqueror has a very h i g h s t a n d a r d of presentation, from the huge mothership which r e l e a s e s y o u r ship, to t h e i n f o r m a tion w h i c h o v e r l a y s t h e g a l a x y m a p , but unfortunately g a m e p l a y is repetitive. T h e fast Afterburners t y l e a c t i o n is f u n but p l a n e t s are v e r y similar t o e a c h o t h e r a n d interest s o o n w a n e s .

Atmospheric sound and graphics combine beautifully on the Interstellar map screen (well on the Amiga, as seen above, they do)

AMIGA £24.99 The game impresses as soon as the detailed mother ship s c r o l l s Into view. A n d the fast, s m o o t h - t i l t i n g horizon of the s h o o t - ' e m - u p action w h i c h foll o w s is e q u a l l y g o o d , despite some dubious perspective. T h e galactic m a p s e c t i o n is excellent — very atmospheric visually a n d aurally — but t h e r e just Isn't e n o u g h gameplay i n Galactic Conqueror.

OVERALL 6 3 % OTHER FORMATS PC (£24.99) and Amstrad (cassette £9.99, diskette £14.99) available as w e g o t o p r e s s ; C64 a n d S p e c t r u m vers i o n s to be r e l e a s e d later In t h e y e a r (at A m s t r a d p r i c e ) .

"Wing-tip lasers destroy enemies while your shield gradually wastes away"

REVIEWS

HOLY SHEETA! LAST DUEL

US Gold

ast Duel concerns duality in that it involves the tribulations of twin planets. Mu and Bacula. Being of a like nature, it seemed rational for them to join forces against all things hostile in the galaxy. This they did quite happily for decades. In the end, though, greed got in the way. as it often does, and imitation, intentional or otherwise, became not the sincerest form of flattery. B a c u l a h a d d e v o t e d m o r e f u n d s to w e a p o n r y . Her G a l d e n tribe invade d M u a n d c a p t u r e d the lovely Princess S h e e t a . S h e is b e i n g h e l d s o m e w h e r e i n t h e tribe's n e w c o m p l e x , a n d m u s t b e r e s c u e d to p r e s e r v e t h e m o r a l e a n d future of M u ' s p e o p l e . T w o heroic w a r r i o r s h a v e b e e n f o u n d to c o n t r o l M u ' s most advanced assault vehicles — a t h r e e - w h e e l c a r c a p a b l e of l e a p i n g into t h e air a n d a s p a c e plane, b o t h a r m e d w i t h rocket l a u n c h e r s — to fight their w a y to

d e s t r o y , a n d it is quite e a s y t o a c c i d e n t l y try to t a c k l e aircraft w h e n controlling t h e car. or l a n d f e a t u r e s w h e n piloting t h e s p a c e plane. In t h e c o i n - o p m a r k e t , particularly t h e h u g e s h o o t - ' e m - u p field, o n l y big (or at least m e d i u m - s i z e d ) names are worth converting, u n l e s s t h e c o i n - o p is s o m e t h i n g s p e c i a l that m o s t p e o p l e h a v e overlooked. Unfortunately. Last Duel is a bog-standard two-player game

w i t h little interest a d d e d by t h e t w o vehicles and leaping car — s h a d e s of LED Storm h e r e , w i t h level three being particularly inspired from the racing game. Duel is n o t h i n g a m a z i n g but w o r t h l o o k i n g at if d r i v i n g s h o o t ' e m - u p s a r e y o u r thing.

The oft-confusing collection of black-on-colour objects spoil Spectrum Last Duel t 's double trouble flying through level two — beware the giant bat

AMSTRAO CPC Cassette: £9.99, Diskette: £14.99 A

sickly yellow and orange i t u s p a n e l lies to tlv a n d sprites feature b o l d outlines around eye-stinging c o l o u r s . This is m a d e w o r s e by juddery scrolling. Sound effects are a n n o y i n g warbles and bleeps. Control response is s l u g g i s h .

OVERALL 5 5 %

AMIGA £19.99 T h i s is a neat game, w i t h colourful compact sprites moving over a smoothly scrolling (vertically — the occasional sideways movem e n t is v e r y jerky) u n o b t r u sive background. Colours slowly change on the extreme sides or centre of a scene, a pleasant if unspectacular effect. A m o n g s t the s t a n d a r d s a m p l e s are s o m e nice metallic t h u d s a n d t o n e s , they match the sometimos grim but generally soothing theme tune.

OVERALL 7 0 % SPECTRUM

LED St... Sorry. Last Duel offers lots of speedy hole-leaping, fun — ST screen her. Last Duel is d e s i g n e d to b e a t w o - p l a y e r g a m e , but a lone fighter c a n b e a real h e r o by t a c k l i n g t h e G a l d e n tribe single h a n d e d . T h e r e are six levels to get t h r o u g h , e a c h full of p o t h o l e s , gun emplacements and enemy craft. O n e v e n levels e a c h p l a y e r controls a space plane, on odd. player o n e g u i d e s a car a n d player t w o a p l a n e . B o t h i n c r e a s e their f i r e p o w e r by c o l l e c t i n g 'P" s y m b o l s . A n d t h e y n e e d to to defeat the huge end-of-level g u a r d i a n , w h e t h e r it b e a n animated dinosaur skeleton, metal spider or. t h e ultimate b e h e m o t h , a mechanical crab monster.

The sprites of life Extra e n e m y sprites are a d d e d for the flying p l a y e r t w o t o

car-dodging

C a s s e t t e : £8.99, D i s k e t t e : £12.99

Vehicles are clearly d r a w n but, with the detail in the b a c k g r o u n d a n d g r o u n d features, t h i n g s get c o n f u s e d in a m a s s of m o n o c h r o m e , p a r t i c u l a r l y In a t w o - p l a y e r g a m e . S c r o l l i n g judd e r s s l i g h t l y b u t i s s w i f t at t o p s p e e d ; it n e e d s t o b e s o t h a t y o u c a n a v o i d the a n n o y i n g l y d e v i o u s craft that creep u p b e h i n d you.

OVERALL 6 3 % Two of the terrible dragon trio show their ugly mugs in this scene from the end of stage one — Amiga screen

ATARI ST £19.99 T h o u g h it l o o k s a l o t l i k e t h e A m i g a version (player sprites are s l i m m e r ) , it's u n n e r v i n g l y faster, m a k i n g an already tricky game difficult. This c o u l d b e a n i r r i t a n t , b u t it doesn't ruin Last Duel.

OVERALL 6 5 % OTHER FORMATS C64 (cassette £9.99. d i s k e t t e £14.99) out n o w .

"A bog-standard two-player game" PRESS

ANV KEY

TGM TX 016:3-89 65/116

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(The tranquil surface of the Pacific Ocean belies the battle of wits taking place in the world's territory. A perfect hiding-place for a determined enemy or is it? Vbur jet-bike and advanced bathyscaphe should help, but there are still the enemy bases to destroy, lines of to be knocked out, and the natural predators of the deep just waiting for a tasty snack at blood! So check your oxygen supply, and dive, dive, d i v e Atari ST, PC, Amiga £24.95 CBM64, Amstrad £14.95 (disk), £9.95 (tap€)

last unexplored technologically communication the first sniff of

I N F O G R A M E S , MITRE H O U S E , ABBEY R O A D , E N F I E L D , M I D D L E S E X , E N1 2 RQ.

INFOGRAMES

CONFRONTATION: C O I N ^ ^ ^ ^ M

The recent ATEI (Amusement Trades Exhibition International) at Olympia In London brought together manufacturers of one-arm bandits, pinball machines and video machines. This veritable heaven of electronic entertainment w a s experienced by Robin Hogg and all In the line of duty. It's enough to make you sick.

If your girlfriend had just been blown to pieces, you'd be a bit miffed They're gonna paaaayyy for this!

too.

T h e a w a r d for t h e m o s t s u r p r i s i n g title w a s t o b e s e e n o n t h e A t a r i s t a n d in t h e f o r m of Tetris, a c o i n o p conversion of M i r r o r s o f t ' s horrifically s i m p l e b u t c o m p u l s i v e p u z z l e g a m e . This is a m o s t unlikely g a m e t o c o n v e r t b u t in p l a y it w o r k s e x t r e m e l y w e l l either as a single or d u a l p l a y g a m e . Tetris offers highly original g a m e p l a y t o test t h e b r a i n a n d p r o v e s as a d d i c t i v e as it is o n t h e h o m e c o m p u t e r s . M y o n l y m o a n is that an e x p e r t c o u l d b e o n it for hours, but then again so could an expert on any game! Atari w e r e a l s o s h o w i n g t h e Namco slash-'em-up Splatterhouse. In t h i s r e w o r k i n g o f t h e Friday the 13th t h e m e J a s o n himself is b r o u g h t b a c k t o life t o stomp through dungeons and slime-encrusted hallways battling alien b e i n g s , w o r m s a n d t h e like in the goriest manner possible. Simple gameplay devoid of a n y t h i n g n e w b u t w o r t h a l o o k for the 'interesting' graphics. Also on s h o w w a s the American Football of t h e 21st Century, Cyberball. R a t h e r t h a n h a v e p u n y h u m a n s t a k i n g p a r t Atari h a v e g o t together t w o t e a m s of 21st Century robots t o play o n e even r o u g h e r a n d t o u g h e r s p o r t t h a n it n o r m a l l y is. T h e t w i s t in t h i s v i o l e n t tail is that t h e ball is a m i n i a t u r e reactor and with the progression of t i m e t h e b a l l h e a t s u p . If a r o b o t doesn't score a t o u c h d o w n or get n d o f it q u i c k it e x p l o d e s t u r n i n g t h e player i n t o s o m u c h s c r a p metal! Cyberball is g r e a t if y o u like American Football, it's got over 100 offensive a n d defensive plays to choose from, extra robotic f e a t u r e s s u c h as t u r b o s p e e d , s o m e really n a s t y m o v e s a n d a four player e l e m e n t for s o m e really chaotic games! The p r i d e of t h e Atari s t a n d t h o u g h just h a d t o b e Hard Drivin', a s u s p i c i o u s l y familiar c a r r a c i n g g a m e b u t o n e t h a t will p r o b a b l y turn the whole racing theme upside d o w n . Why? Well, the p r e s e n c e of flight s i m u l a t o r style polygon constructed 3D graphics c r e a t e s a m u c h m o r e realistic environment t o the g a m e than the more c o m m o n layered graphics.

68/124 TGM TX

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OPERATION INITIATED? RESCUE ALL HOSTAGES The exciting dual-Uzi kill-or-get-killed Not exactly a game which goes like t h e c l a p p e r s b u t t h e s m o o t h m o v e m e n t is a s t o n i s h i n g as t h e car r a c e s p a s t m o u n t a i n s , b r i d g e s a n d other roadside features. A n o t h e r f e a t u r e is t h e p r e s e n c e o f a c l u t c h a n d f o u r g e a r s . T h i s is optional d e p e n d i n g o n the driver's skill b u t t h i s l o n g a w a i t e d f e a t u r e m e a n s t h e driver is g i v e n far m o r e flexible control of the vehicle than in Out Run a n d its c l o n e s . T h e i d e a s b e h i n d Hard Drivin' a r e n ' t n e w . T h e m a j o r p a r t of t h e g a m e involves negotiating stunt courses, avoiding other vehicles a n d racing against them. An instant replay feature, grudge races a n d even an ignition key s p i c e u p w h a t is a s t a r t l i n g if unoriginal race game. E l e c t r o c o i n . t h e m a s t e r s of distributing top Japanese games w e r e in f o r c e at t h e s h o w . A s w e l l a s a h u g e n u m b e r of their e x i s t i n g games on show, they had T a i t o

manic-blasting

follow-up

to Operation Wolf

g a m e s galore. The biggie c o i n - o p w a s Operation Thunderbolt, the f o l l o w - u p t o Operation Wolf now

b o a s t i n g d o u b l e the firepower w i t h two Uzi g u n s b o l t e d o n t o t h e c a b i n e t . T h e c a r n a g e w i t h just o n e

WOE CONTACT WITH INTELLIGENCE

ARCADES gun was pretty phenomenal but w i t h t w o i t ' s s i m p l y o u t o f this world! Unsurprisingly the new m i s s i o n s are e v e n h a r d e r a n d mean double the enemies with new enemy weapons to blow away or be b l o w n a w a y by. Great fun f o l l o w i n g in t h e e x c e l l e n t t r a d i t i o n o f Operation Wolf a n d b o o s t i n g the g a m e ' s appeal even further with the t e a m w o r k dual play o p t i o n . E x p e c t t h i s t o b e at t h e t o p of t h e 1989 X m a s s o f t w a r e c h a r t s w h o e v e r g e t s t h e l i c e n c e . It's a 9 9 % c e r t a i n t y it'll b e O c e a n . Also on the Electrocoin stand w a s C a p c o m ' s Stridor (originally titled Falcon). A n Olympic s t a n d a r d of p h y s i c a l t r a i n i n g a n d d e x t e r i t y is t h e m i n i m u m r e q u i r e d if y o u w a n t t o b e Strider. In t h i s g e m ( w h i c h is s o o n t o u n d e r g o t h e U S Gold conversion) graphics go h a n d in h a n d w i t h t h e m o s t manoeuvrable future warrior yet seen - boy d o e s this bloke move! From what I saw the game was d e v o i d o f m u c h plot b u t i n v o l v e s t h e athletic Strider l e a p i n g f r o m platform to platform, sliding up a n d d o w n r a m p s , u n s h e a t h i n g his laser s w o r d t o t a k e o n aliens a n d c o l l e c t i n g p o w e r - u p c a p s u l e s in a r u n o f t h e mill w a y . Using new C a p c o m technology t h e result is g r a p h i c a l l y s t u n n i n g . Strider m o v e s around a suitably dark, future b a c k g r o u n d high a b o v e g r o u n d z e r o r i s k i n g his n e c k leaping from platform to platform, scaling ramps a n d sliding d o w n o t h e r s . Strider c a n u n s h e a t h e a p r e t t y i m p r e s s i v e laser s w o r d t o h a c k at t h e aliens. N o t really a s h o o t - ' e m - u p b u t this is c e r t a i n l y o n e real g o o d p l a t f o r m g a m e . S h a r i n g s t a n d s p a c e w i t h Operation Thunderbolt and the other Taito m a c h i n e s w a s C a p c o m ' s s u p e r b Ghouls'n'Ghosts (comi n g s o o n f r o m t h e U S G o l d stable). P r e v i e w e d in T G M 0 1 4 t h e final game is absolutely brilliant. Gameplay is traditionally Ghosts 'n' Goblins and hence c a n ' t fail in c r e a t i n g s u p e r b p l a y a e f f e c t s . G r a p h i c a l l y t h i s is o n e o f C a p c o m ' s b e s t yet a n d j u s t fantastic. Enough said. W h i l e in t h e l e a p i n g , s l a s h i n g , jumping mood, Tecmo have Shadow Warrior s t a r t i n g t o m a k e a UK appearance. Kicking off with t h e Shadow Warrior e n t e r i n g t h e USA it's d o w n o n t o the g r i m y s t r e e t s o f A m e r i c a f o r Ninja a c t i o n

Ooh dear! Mr Underpants guy always wins

of t h e violent kind. Shadow Warriors is an | e x t e n s i o n of t h e o v e r l y u s e d martial arts t h e m e and so wins.no prizes for originality. the g a m e p l a y isn't startlingly n e w either b u t t h e w a r r i o r h a s s o m e highly original m o v e s providing a new approach to the old theme. Typical moves centre around

himself is in a bit of trouble. Never mind, the good

bility. A n d g r a p h i c a l l y C a p c o m w i p e s t h e floor w i t h n i g h o n all o t h e r p l a t f o r m g a m e s (bar m a y b e Stridei). T h e a t m o s p h e r e is d a r k a n d f o r b i d d i n g w i t h all t y p e s o f b e a s t s of the night a n d titanic creatures t o defeat. S o m e lovely touches

include Arthur turning into an old m a n w h e n z a p p e d b y a spell, t h e g r a p h i c a l l y far o u t u s e of s o r c e r y , birds turning into feathers with swift s w o r d blows etcetera. Go out a n d p l a y this g a m e n o w ! It's t h e most playable game I've e n c o u n t e r e d y e t , full o f w o n d e r f u l

The sequel of the sequel of the C o m m a n d o sequel - and not a very good one at that

TGM

016:3-8969/124

PRESS ANY

KEY

connecting foot with face and using swords, shurikens and the like. A s well as this t h e w a r r i o r c a n show off with some very impressive ' M o n k e y ' (remember t h e TV series?) s t y l e m o v e s . L i k e Double Dragon, objects around the playing area can b e used to great e f f e c t a g a i n s t t h e evil g a n g s , m a j o r villains a n d very b i g b a d guys! Picking up a thug, throwing him into a phone box a n d then swinging on a post to kick him into t h e m i d d l e of n e x t w e e k is immensely entertaining. D o d g i n g c a r s o n t h e f r e e w a y is a n o t h e r hazardous but fun occupation. The graphics are superb c o n t a i n i n g i m m e n s e detail w i t h i n the backdrops and characters t h e m s e l v e s . T h i s is all t i e d in w i t h a horribly g o r y c o n t i n u e p l a y screen, a great front e n d a n d

You'd better go faster than 0 mph or your posey Porsche Is gonna go BOOM!! Instead of VROOMI Z a a s ' s f i e n d s line u p t o b e k i c k e d around, barriers need t o be p u n c h e d a n d o t h e r o b s t a c l e s bar t h e m a n of steel's way. With an up. up a n d away Superman then aims skywards to shoot down incoming asteroids, the o d d helicopter g u n s h i p a n d o n e of Z a a s ' s e n d level a t a c k s p a c e c r a f t . Made up of five levels, Superman goes onto San Fransico, Las Vegas, Washington D . C . a n d finally Z a a s who's c r u i s i n g a l o n g in his s p a c e c r a f t . T h e c r e a t o r s o f Superman will b e pleased to see an enjoyable, action p a c k e d g a m e such as this b u t if y o u ' r e i n t o originality y o u may be disappointed.

The athletic Stridor is confronted

by a laser-spitting

superb presentation (watch the excellent attract m o d e to see what I mean). W i t h t h i s p r o d u c t T e c m o l o o k s set for s t a r d o m - if t h i s isn't converted to the h o m e c o m p u t e r s w i t h i n t h e year I'll eat m y P C B . 'Thank you for your cooperation' - the immortal w o r d s s p o k e n b y l a w m a n of the future RoboCop, t h e latest hit f r o m D a t a E a s t . At t h e start h u m a n c o p M u r p h y is b l o w n t o s m i t h e r e e n s b y hoods. Reconstructed by t e c h n i c i a n s t o b e c o m e t h e all w a l k i n g , all t a l k i n g , all a r r e s t i n g c y b o r g R o b o C o p is o u t t o c l e a n u p O d Detroit. Mainly horizontally scrolling w i t h t h e o d d vertically s c r o l l i n g stage, RoboCop takes on l a w b r e a k e r s w i t h his fists a n d o n e m e a n g u n (very nearly a c a n n o n ) . T h e first s t a g e is set in a O l d D e t r o i t street w i t h t h e b a d d i e s a p p e a r i n g at w i n d o w s , r i d i n g b i k e s , h o l d i n g females hostage a n d performing other criminal acts. At the e n d of t h e level is a n E D - 2 0 9 w h o ' s o u t t o stop you. A n d performing with u n h e a l t h y e f f i c i e n c y this t i m e . As RoboCop progresses t h r o u g h level after level, he g e t s t o

70/124 TGM

016:3-89

pod. Can his hi-tech blade give him the edge he needs?

wander through the cinematic locations following the bare thread o f t h e film. F o l l o w i n g target p r a c t i c e in a 3 D s e c t i o n , t h e m e t a l man moves onto the drugs factory, O C P h e a d q u a r t e r s ( w i t h military E D - 2 0 9 ' s t o m a t c h ) a n d m o s t of the other cinematic locations. Graphically very g o o d . RoboCop is very t o u g h , q u i t e n g h t l y t h e r e ' s o n l y o n e life b u t t h e r a t e w i t h w h i c h e n e r g y is lost is at t i m e s v e r y severe. T h e later levels d o t e n d t o g e t r e p e t i t v e l y similar a n d t h e e n d i n g is a c o p - o u t (no p u n i n t e n d e d ) b u t RoboCop s h o w s .hat D a t a East c a n still p r o d u c e p l a y a b l e g a m e s w i t h great sonics a n d graphics. W a t c h t h e film, p l a y t h e c o m p u t e r g a m e a n d treat y o u r s e l f t o a g o o n the coin-op. S u r p r i s i n g l y it t o o k until late last year before anyone g o t round to c o n v e r t i n g Superman into a coino p hero. T a t t o h a v e h a d a g o a n d brought out a great g a m e but breaking away from convention slightly in h a v i n g two S u p e r m e n . O n c e again a super-villain has d e s i g n s o n h u m b l e Earth, in t h i s c a s e t h e alien E m p e r o r Z a a s is

sending hordes of his minions d o w n to cities around the US a n d S u p e r m a n (or m e n ) are o u t t o s t o p his plans. With a mighty kick, controllable power punches, sonic b l a s t a n d heat v i s i o n lasers Superman is o n e t o u g h s a v e r - o f the-day. T h e a c t i o n s t a r t s in N e w Y o r k as S u p e r m a n r u n s a n d flies t h r o u g h the horitontally scrolling streets.

Woooo! Spooky action in the follow-up ' N ' Goblins

O n t h e S e g a s t a n d w a s Monster Lair - f e a t u r i n g W o n d e r B o y w h i c h is g r e a t if y o u like Super Mario Brothers s t y l e a c t i o n , great if y o u like Wonder Boy, b u t n o t s o g r e a t if y o u w a n t s o m e s e r i o u s action. A g a m e involving shooting w a l r u s m e n , c a t c u s p e o p l e , killer snails, l o b s t e r s , c r o c o d i l e s a n d other comical foes can't be s e r i o u s b u t this is w h e r e Monster Lair's a p p e a l u n d o u b t e d l y lies. Superbly surreal to look at Monster Lair s e e s W o n d e r B o y L e o a n d girlfriend Papillo g o t h r o u g h 14 r o u n d s in a n illogical a t t e m p t t o i m i t a t e t h e v e n t u r e s of a p a s t h e r o . T h i s is t h e t h i r d in t h e series a n d it's even m o r e playable than the others. As Double Dragon c o m p u t e r s , so Double

hits Dragon

the 2 -

to the classic Capcom coin-op, Ghosts

FOOTBALL

IN THE

21ST

ARCADES

Forget g o i n g t o r e s c u e y o u r l o v e d o n e in t h i s g a m e . S h e ' s b e e n n d d l e d vyith b u l l e t s b y t h e b i g b o s s . L o o k s like i t ' s t i m e f o r v e n g e a n c e in T a i t o ' s s e q u e l t o t h e evergreen b e a t - ' e m - u p . Double Dragon 2 will d o u b t l e s s p u l l i n t h e c r o w d s but the gameplay is dismally unoriginal. JUST SAY N O TO DRUGS! that's the message shoved d o w n y o u r t h r o a t all t h e w a y t h r o u g h William s superb new coin-op NARC. A l o n g w i t h A t a r i a n d t h e t h e n l o w key T a i t o , W i l l i a m s w e r e the c o m p a n y o f y e s t e r y e a r for arcade amusement. With classic titles like Defender. Bezerk, RoboTron a n d Star Gate t o their name, Williams have been n o t i c e b l y m i s s i n g a s o f late. H o p e f u l l y NARC w i l l c h a n g e all that as it n o t o n l y a f i n e b l a s t - ' e m up but it a l s o incorporates d i g i t i z e d r o t o s c o p e m o t i o n for t h e b a d d i e s . T h e m o v e m e n t of t h e s e c o n d level b a d d i e s is e x t r e m e l y g o o d and indicates the way t o go in g r a p h i c a n i m a t i o n . Y o u c o u l d say R o t o s c o p e m o t i o n i n j e c t s life i n t o t h e g e n r e (ouch!). O n e or t w o narcotics agents ( l o o k i n g m o r e like f u t u r i s t i c bikers) leap o u t o f their r e d P o r s c h e t o p u t p a i d t o s u s p e c t s d a b b l i n g in d r u g s . W a l k i n g t h r o u g h e a c h level, t h e s u s p e c t s are m a n y b u t t h e g o o d guys have s o m e pretty impressive firepower to hand. As well as m a c h i n e g u n s , r o c k e t b o m b s c a n b e u n l e a s h e d f o r large scale destruction. You'll need t h e m as t h e m a n y villains (all clones of the one suspect) c o m e o u t in great n u m b e r . T h e o b j e c t o f e a c h level is t o either arrest t h e p n m e s u s p e c t s o r kill t h e m - killing t h e m is easier b u t y o u d o n ' t get the points (although y o u c a n get the hyperdermic point o n the s e c o n d level). D r u g s , m o n e y a n d extra w e a p o n s can be picked u p for b o n u s p o i n t s a n d f i r e p o w e r .

If y o u t h o u g h t y o u ' d s e e n t h e last o f t h e Ikari Warriors/ Victory Road/ Guerilla Wars lot t h e n t h i n k a g a i n . S N K are d r a g g i n g t h e last f e w d r e g s o f life o u t o f a t i e r d (but still profitable) game idea and attempting to c o m p e t e with the b i g g e r b o y s w i t h Ikari 3The Rescue. W i t h o n e o r t w o s o l d i e r s leaping, kicking a n d punching the e n e m y it fails t o i n s p i r e a n d S N K l o o k like t h e y ' v e p u s h e d t h e Ikari W a r r i o r s t h e m e w a y t o o far t h i s time.

The agents move onto a subway p l a t f o r m , i n t o a w a r e h o u s e (look o u t for t h e d o g s ! ) , o n t o a b r i d g e and more facing not only suspects b u t c r i m e l o r d s in their h e l i c o p t e r s ( h e r a l d e d b y a s u p e r b s o u n d of t h e 'copter starting u p a n d then taking off t o a t t a c k t h e a g e n t s ) . I cannot enthuse enough about t h i s c o i n - o p . G a m e p l a y is as original as t h e y c o m e (i.e. n o t very) but t h e i n c r e d i b l y o v e r - t h e - t o p violence along with a very clever animation technique makes this g a m e wih a social m e s s a g e a winner. Cyborg versus machine, A conversion from Friday The 13th, Jason is now a monster-slicing Splatter House - eat your heart out Shaun Hutson! (Urrhh)

Robocop hero in

versus ED-209, RoboHogg

versus coin-

op.

A glimpse of the future was offered by Hard Drivin'but Namco were the ones to show what could really be done with polygon graphics. Their new 30 Real Time CG Simulation System known as System 21 looked incredible as it showed off the new game Winning Run on the Deith Leisure stand. Using Polygon shapes as building blocks for graphic structures this Formula 1 racing game adds a whole new dimension to car driving - true first person perspective with no compromises! What the polygons lack in colour within the shapes they make up for in realism. To all intents and purposes you and your car are there as you race around the track, through flood-lit tunnels, into the pits and up onto steep cambers (feeling the pull of gravity as you do so). Fancy going the wrong way around the course? Winning Run allows you to do just that! Watch out for more details of this astonishing coin-op soon!

TGM

016:3-8971/124

D THE NIGHT

by Cyberdyne System; T w o freedom fighters lost in eight sections of a deadly galaxy are a lone force, their o w n control and determination are the only things standing between them and oblivion. Featuring eight levels of frantic shoot 'em up game play w i t h stunning and original graphics, animation and superlative music and sound FX - it's an eye and ear shattering experience!

CBM 64/128

Diskette: ÂŁ12.99

Coming soon for the ATARI ST and AMIGA

" E i g h t b e a u t i f u l l y d e f i n e d h o r i z o n t a l l y - s c r o l l i n g levels . . . it's a m e g a - g a m e " ZZAP; Thalamus. 1 Saturn Howe, Caftrvj Pari, Aldermaston. BwishÂŤt RG7 4QW SI07356177261

TIPS

ROBIN HOGG PLAYING TIPS

• YOUR GUIDE TO BETTER GAMING Last m o n t h w e left y o u s t r a n d e d at the e n d of a level in Last Ninja 2. A s s u m i n g you haven't p r o g r e s s e d any further (whadaya m e a n y o u have?), here is the rest of the solution.

• LAST NINJA II C64

• LEVEL 5 - T H E OFFICE

Leave the first screen a n d g o t h r o u g h the blue d o o r a n d t o u c h the c o m p u t e r in the office. The c o m p u t e r will give y o u a n u m b e r w h i c h y o u s h o u l d note d o w n . G o b a c k out a n d follow the p a t h d o w n a n d a r o u n d t o a screen with t w o d o o r s o n it. G o t h r o u g h t h e t o p one a n d walk over t o the d e s k near the pictures. S t a n d at t h e b o t t o m a n d use the ' p i c k u p ' m o v e m e n t to t o u c h the b u t t o n o n t h e table, t h u s o p e n i n g a secret d o i r. C l i m b the ladder o n the next screen to reach the s e c o n d floor o f t h e offices, then g o o u t t h r o u g h the door. G o through t o a r o o m with a fan in it. s t a n d c l o s e to the wall a n d face b a c k w a r d s . Keep n u d g i n g the ninja b a c k w a r d s until y o u reach

ELITE

(Amiga)

• W h e n asked for the p a s s w o r d in

the b a c k wall t h e n g o t o the grate a n d use ' p i c k u p ' again t o o p e n it. G o o u t o n t o the ledge. Follow the ledge a r q u n d a n d g o u p the ladder. Kill t h e next m a n y o u see t h e n put a w a y all your w e a p o n s . W h e n y o u get t o the last s c r e e n of t h i s level y o u will see Kunitoki m a k i n g his e s c a p e in a helicopter. S t a n d at the t o p right h a n d corner of the screen a n d w h e n t h e helicopter leaves, somersault off t h e b u i l d i n g a n d o n t o its landing skid. The helicopter will n o w carry y o u to the next level.

pnusfiD •Hi

• LEVEL 6 - THE MANSION

This level starts w i t h y o u still h a n g i n g o n t o the helicopter, so t o get off w i t h o u t killing yourself, pull d o w n o n the joystick w h e n it flies past the turret a n d y o u s h o u l d d r o p d o w n safely. Somersault f o r w a r d , landing in line w i t h t h e turret o n the left, t h e n s o m e r s a u l t again t o land o n it. N o w gently n u d g e left off the turret a n d walk along t h e grey strip until y o u r e a c h t h e w i n d o w . Face the w i n d o w a n d s o m e r s a u l t again to land inside the m a n s i o n . Walk d o w n t h e corridor into t h e next r o o m , g o t h r o u g h t h e b i g d o o r a n d collect the r o p e so that y o u c a n g o d o w n in t h e d u m b

the m a n u a l t y p e S A R A , t h e n t y p e in the c o r r e c t w o r d . W h e n the g a m e starts, p r e s s t h e " ' key o n t h e n u m e r i c k e y b o a r d to enter the hacker screen, c h a n g e o n e or

waiter. Turn off the a l a r m t h e n walk b e h i n d the plant w h e r e y o u s h o u l d f i n d an entrance. P u n c h the s w i t c h e s o n the wall t o s w i t c h o n the lights in the m a z e w h i c h is o n the next screen. Get yourself t h r o u g h the m a z e (this is pretty easy) a n d y o u s h o u l d f i n d a s t e a m engine. Redirect t h e s t e a m b y t o u c h i n g t h e right h a n d s w i t c h o n the boiler a n d y o u c a n walk t h r o u g h the d o o r t o the next level

• LEVEL 7 - T H E FINAL BATTLE

t h e n walk t h r o u g h t o t h e r o o m w i t h the p e n t a c l e o n t h e floor. G o over to the tapestry o n the wall a n d lift it u p t o reveal a safe. U n l o c k the safe w i t h the c o m b i n a t i o n f r o m the c o m p u t e r in the office a n d take out the orb. T h e m a n himself. Kunitoki. will n o w enter the r o o m a n d y o u ' v e g o t t o kill h i m so that he falls s o m e w h e r e inside the pentacle. Before he regenerates, light the c a n d l e s o n the p o i n t s of the star a n d p u t t h e o r b b a c k in the safe t o finish t h e g a m e .

Kill the g u a r d in the first screen.

m o r e of the following. W h e n finished press the E s c a p e key t o return t o t h e g a m e . T h a n k s t o A n d r e w McGarringle o f Yorkshire. C h a n g e n u m b e r f r o m the first t o

the s e c o n d . 23 t o 0 2 24 t o 01 3 2 t o 01 2 8 t o 01 26 t o 01 2 C t o 01 3 C t o 01 2F t o 01 3F t o 01 34 t o 0 3 3 8 t o 01 3 6 t o 01 4 0 t o 01 47 t o 01 49 t o 01 4 C t o 01 50 t o 01 54 to 01 5Cto01 63 to 01 67 t o 01 69 t o 01 6 C t o 01 7 2 to 01 75 to 01 79 t o 01 83 t o 01 84 to 01 88 t o 01 8 C t o 01

TGM

Large c a r g o b a y ECM system Docking computer B e a m laser Pulse laser Escape capsule ECM Jammer Energy b o m b Cloaking device Galactic hyperdrive Military lasers M i n i n g lasers Food Textiles Radioactives Slaves Liquor/Wines Narcotics Computers Machinery Alloys Firearms Furs Minerals Gold Platinum Gem stones Alien i t e m s U n h a p p y refugees Thargoid documents

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• OPERATION THUNDERBOLT

(Arcade,

•

—

•

B r a n d new t i p s for a b r a n d n e w corn-op' • As'de f r o m general survival g o for the laser sight as s o o n as y o u see it. W i t h that little red spot o n screen you c a n aim w i t h t o t a l a c c u r a c y (very useful for the terrorist airliner seige) • G o for the g r o u n d targets m o r e than the aircraft a n d helicopters.

the M I G 2 5 ' s are t o o iast to c a u s e m u c h d a m a g e a n d the helicopters take their time t o t u r n r o u n d a n d fire. Soldiers, t a n k s a n d the rest are a lot quicker a n d m u c h m o r e dangerous'

•THUNDERBLADE (Sega) • T o w a r d s t h e e n d of level fortresses, guide your helicopter to the left or right t o p c o r n e r s a n d w i t h o u t having t o risk a life t o

d e s t r o y t h e final g u n turrets, the fortress i m m e d i a t e l y g o e s u p in fire a n d s m o k e .

• Get another player m o n the action. W i t h d o u b l e the players y o u g e t d o u b l e the firepower a n d d o u b l e t h e destruction 1

OPERATION INITIATED!

RESCUE ALL HOSTAGES.

TRANSBOT (Sega) • The quickest a n d easiest w a y t o I use fire p o w e r A for n o r m a l fire, or d e s t r o y the e n d of g a m e alien is t o | fire p o w e r B for b e a m .

•HEROES OF THE LANCE (ST)

• Use t h e FIND T R A P S spell often, as falling r o c k s t e n d t o severely d a m a g e your t e a m .

WANTED (ST/Amiga) • D o n ' t g o for p o w e r - u p barrels if t h e y ' r e in t h e b o t t o m half of the s c r e e n - t h e a u t o m a t i c scrolling invariably t r a p s y o u against a r o c k f a c e a n d the b a d d i e s have no q u a l m s a b o u t filling y o u with lead w h e n y o u ' r e in this p o s i t i o n . • R e m e m b e r the fixed layout of power-ups. collecting skulls d e c r e a s e s the n u m b e r of items y o u have so w a t c h w h e r e y o u walk. • I m m e d i a t e l y kill any c o w b o y s that appear just a b o v e your p o s i t i o n , t h e y ' r e d e a d l y at s u c h c l o s e range a n d have a nasty habit of f o r c i n g y o u into the throng of bullets fired b y others

• THE NINJA (Sega) • W h e n fighting walk b a c k w a r d s a n d walk f r o m s i d e t o side while pressing fire b u t t o n 2. This is. particularly useful when you e n c o u n t e r the p a c k of wolves.

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TIPS

• BOMBUZAL

• AFTER BURNER

(Amiga) In e a c h case the c o d e w o r d is followed by the corresponding level. ROSS RATT USA SINK DAVE BIKE IRON BIRD LEAD TAPE WEED

8 16 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56

VASE 60 RING 64 PILL 68 GIRL 72 SPOT 76 GOLD 80 PALM 84 OPAL 88 LOCK 92 SONG 96 SAFE 100 FIRE 104 WORM 108 LAMP 112 TREE 120

(Sega)

T h a n k s t o B o b M a n n e r s for the c o m p l e t e list of c o d e w o r d s for B o m b u z a l o n the A m i g a . A n o n y m o u s of N e w c a s t l e is an avid ST g a m e s player. Here are a c o u p l e of t i p s for it.

• FOOTBALL DIRECTOR 2 t o b u y any player f r o m skill 6 a n d upwards.

• W h e n o f f e r e d a n e w p o s t take it. even if the t e a m is d o i n g well.

• W h e n giving extra training try to have at least o n e s p a r e player for e a c h position as injuries are quite c o m m o n d u r i n g training.

• In the third a n d fourth divisions use your y o u t h t e a m to d e v e l o p players. • In the first a n d s e c o n d divisions use your y o u t h t e a m to d e v e l o p players t o sell a n d use the m o n e y

• Never b u y players over a skill 7 y o u c a n usually raise their level to 9 b y using extra tahning.

• If y o u take o u t a m o r t g a g e , m a k e sure the players y o u n e e d are c n offer that w e e k - the directors have a nasty habit of t a k i n g at least half of your current a c c o u n t w h e n

KUNG-FU KID (Sega) • Kick the wall t o w a r d s t h e t o p at the highest floor o n the right o n level 5 t o get a jar of water t o w a r d off enemy fireballs a n d also turn your hair pink.

• O U T RUN (Sega) • The quickest a n d easiest route t o o n e of the finishing lines is to keep g o i n g hght. Y o u get a faster t i m e a n d m o r e points.

(ST)

• W h e n y o u first start the g a m e accept only short c o n t r a c t s (up t o about 25 weeks). This allows y o u t o s p e n d lots of m o n e y o n players whilst avoiding g e t t i n g s a c k e d for overspending.

• W h e n c o n f o n t e d by the Flying Fortress after stage 6 just guide your F - 1 4 to t h e t o p left h a n d side of t h e s c r e e n a n d then after a few s e c o n d s y o u immediately rea p p e a r o n stage 7. D o the s a m e for later c o n f r o n t a t i o n s .

it g e t s t o o large! • A l w a y s p u t G o l d m o o n a n d Tanis t h i r d a n d fourth in y o u r party with your smallest t e a m m e m b e r first, as he c a n a v o i d m o s t spells a n d is d e a d l y w i t h his axe. • During the early stages, t h e only real p r o b l e m in c o m b a t s h o u l d be the hatchlings. They are invunerable t o m a g i c , so use your deflect d r a g o n breath spell t o g e t Tanis t o the front. Use his range w e a p o n (the b o w ) a n d a i m at the hatchlings s t o m a c h . 5 or 6 well p l a c e d a r r o w s will d i s p o s e of him.

• KINGS VALLEY 2 (MSX) TRYAGAIN FESTIVAL M B M A H K P L ( M U S I C STAGE) D D M A E M D P (LAST ROUND) T h a n k s to Harry Robbertsen of H o l l a n d for these p a s s w o r d s .

THE MUNSTERS (Amiga)

• O n the fifth level g o t o the wall o n t h e left of the s e c o n d highest floor, then quickly kick the wall repeatedly to get a b u n w h i c h t o p s u p your energy bar.

• From t h e start g o right t o t h e e n d r o o m a n d wait in the m i d d l e of t h e r o o m , then s h o o t t h e g h o s t s until y o u fill the spell jar to t h e t o p , t h e n g o d o w n t h e stairs a n d collect the object to the left, t h e n s h o o t the g h o u l t o t h e nght.

ghouls, collect the bottle, g o nght t w o s c r e e n s to collect the key.

• G o right t o t h e g r a v e y a r d a n d collect the c r o s s , g o left a n d u p the stairs a n d k e e p g o i n g until y o u c o m e t o the b i g flight of stairs.

• G o left a n d get the o b j e c t , g o right t o w h e r e H e r m a n and G r a n d p a are. collect the o b j e c t , g o left u p the stairs a n d wait in the m i d d l e of the r o o m for the vampire t o kill him. You'll have t o find out h o w m u c h spell p o w e r you'll need t o kill t h e vampire.

• G o d o w n , w a t c h o u t for a certain ghost b e c a u s e if he t o u c h e s y o u he r e d u c e s the spells very quickly. Quickly g o left, s h o o t t h e three

• G o left a n d u p t h e stairs, g o far right a n d d o w n the stairs, g o left, kill t h e ghoul, g o quickly d o w n the stairs a n d kill the three ghouls.

MHH TGM

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TIPS

SORCERY

LED STORM (All formats)

Brendan Linehan of Mallow, C o u n t y C o r k has sent a cheat for t h e ST version.

• Pretty o b v i o u s really, k e e p e n d ot the s e c o n d c a n y o n a n d t u r n j u m p i n g o n t h e straights but learn h a r d left or nght t o a v o i d t h e first where the r a m p s are a n d use t h e m a n d then s e c o n d cliff face. Level over the gaps. G o for the b u m p e r four is a d o d d l e , stick t o the not s o i c o n s t o give y o u t e m p o r a r y straight a n d n a r r o w b n c k r o a d a n d invincibility a n d anticipate b e n d s . a v o i d the Easter Island heads. G o O n level t w o . slow d o w n before the flat out o n c e y o u g e t t o t h e ribs.

• T y p e in G A S M A S K W H E E L E R WANTS CHEAT (including spaces) a n d your sorceror will n o w be invincible.

• THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING (ST) • This isn't really a hint, m o r e a bit of t e c h n i c a l advice! W h e n trying to decipher the five coded t r a n s m i s s i o n s the best w a y to g o a b o u t it is t o r e c o r d t h e m o n t o a blank t a p e a n d , if y o u can. slow d o w n t h e t a p e speed. This allows y o u to w o r k out w h a t are d o t s , d a s h e s a n d w o r d breaks. By using an equaliser y o u c a n also get rid of s o m e of t h e b a c k g r o u n d noise which disrupts your concentration.

TOP GUN

(Nintendo)

• If any e n e m y planes are c o m i n g up f r o m directly behind, just stay still a n d w a t c h as they fly directly into your waiting sights (you m a y need to c l i m b or dive to see them). • Any jets that lock o n t o y o u c a n be shaken off with first a bank t o the left/right as far as p o s s i b l e followed by a s m o o t h l y e x e c u t e d and sustained bank in the o p p o s i t e direction. • W h e n landing immediately correct any deviations in height or airspeed. Landing leaves no r o o m for mistakes. Y o u c a n ' t c r a s h into the g r o u n d so d o n ' t w o r r y a b o u t your altitude. • If you see a missile c o m i n g t o w a r d s you. try t o s h o o t it d o w n . D o d g i n g it is difficult a n d often the missile c a n m a t c h your turns. W i t h multiple missiles y o u ' r e in it d e e p

so try t o s h o o t d o w n a c o u p l e of t h e m a n d a v o i d the rest. • LEVEL 1 • For level one. use t h e h o u n d missiles, t h e y ' r e in a b u n d a n c e a n d they d o the j o b as well as any other. • A s this is a training m i s s i o n , just k e e p i n g firing at anything the flies past. • LEVEL 2 • A r m u p w i t h t h e Wolf missile with its d o u b l e d e s t r u c t i v e p o w e r a n d reserve t h e m for the battleships, submarines and the aircraft carrier. U s e c a n n o n s o n the aircraft a n d missiles.

MANHATTEN DEALERS (ST) • O n the s c r e e n in w h i c h four p e o p l e t h r o w b r i c k s a n d spanners at you, just p o s i t i o n your m a n i n b e t w e e n t h e p e o p l e in the small

NEMESIS 3 (MSX) • A b o v e all else, learn t h e p a t t e r n s a n d k e e p o n the offensive a n d d o n ' t let anything t h r o u g h . M o b i l e a n d fixed g u n e m p l a c e m e n t s t e n d t o c h a n n e l y o u into a corridor of d e a t h if y o u d o n ' t take t h e m o u t sharpish.

• O n the w e a p o n s selection screen g o for t h e b o t t o m left Vixen star fighter - the n a p a l m missile it offers d e s t r o y s f o r m a t i o n s of aliens w i t h o n e b l o w . G o for the forcefield t o provide w e a k b u t total cover a n d also the fixed multiples. T h e rotating multiples are g o o d for

•SHINOBI (Sega) • On the title s c r e e n p u s h t h e controller diagonally d o w n a n d right whilst pressing j u m p b u t t o n 2 a n d you'll b e able to select w h i c h ever screen y o u w a n t to tackle.

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alley in the m i d d l e of the screen. N o w wait a n d s o o n the p e o p l e run o u t of t h i n g s t o t h r o w at you. Y o u also c a n n o t get hit.

clearing m a s s s e c t i o n s of biog r o w t h b u t not m u c h g o o d for a c c u r a t e fire. • W h e n u p against mother-aliens w h i c h t h r o w out m a s s e s of aliens a n d bullets a Ripple laser is your best bet. D o n ' t try a n d collect the Fireblaster special w e a p o n - it's c o m p l e t e l y useless against l o n g range targets. • O n the black hole level try a n d get all s p e e d ups, you'll n e e d t h e m all t o a v o i d g e t t i n g w a r p e d b a c k to t h e start of t h e level.

T h a t ' s it for M a r c h . Gary S h a w s c o o p s t h e £40 s o f t w a r e j a c k p o t this m o n t h , a n d if y o u w a n t to d o the s a m e s e n d your g a m i n g t i p s to the usual address: T H E G A M E S M A C H I N E , PO BOX 10. Ludlow, Shropshire. SY8 1DB. Please mark your e n v e l o p e PLAYING TIPS a n d include a list of the s o f t w a r e of your c h o i c e .

BAAL * * * *

A n addictive m i x t u r e of s t r a t e g y a n d a r c a d e a c t i o n f e a t u r i n g : 8 w a y ultra-smooth scrolling through 3 distinctive domains c o n t a i n i n g m u l t i p l e levels Over 2 5 0 h i g h l y d e t a i l e d s c r e e n s , s u p e r b g r a p h i c s a n d s o u n d effects M o r e t h a n 1 0 0 m o n s t e r s a n d 4 0 0 traps.

The f u t u r e of t h e w o r l d lies i n t h e h a n d s of s n e l i t e s q u a d r o n of men. Y O U a r e t h e leader of t h e T i m e W a r r i o r s . Can y o u s a v e t h e e a r t h f r o m t h e evil BAAL? His a r m y of u n d e a d h a v e s t o l e n a n a w e s c m e w e a p o n o f destruction, a War Machine. A s leader of the u l t i m a t e b a t t l e f i g h t e r s , y o u r q u e s t is to i n v a d e B A A L ' s d o m a i n , f i g h t i n g o f f h i s m o n s t r o u s d e m o n i c b e a s t s to r e t r i e v e t h e W a r M a c h i n e . ... b u t . . . y o u m u s t kill B A A L i n t h e process. Can y o u succeed? T h e r e i s n o o p t i o n . . . t h e a l t e r n a t i v e is l i t e r a l l y H e l l o n Earth'.

A T A R I S T / A M I G A - ÂŁ 1 9 95

Screen

Shots

from the Atari

version

PSYGNOSIS FREEPOST LIVERPOOL L3 3AB UNITED KINGDOM Tel: 051-207 0825

RADAR OF THE LOST

•ARGONAUTS •

How do you simulate a plane thafs top secret? In this second instalment of the TGM/Argonaut diary, programmer Pete Warnes explains how the X team managed to recreate realistic radar.

W e r e a l i s e d it w a s p o s s i b l e t o e m u l a t e t h e w o r k i n g s o f t h e radar w i t h o u t h a v i n g t o k n o w p r e c i s e l y h o w t h e real M c C o y ' s software worked. A n d anyw a y . if w e ever g o t a c l o s e l o o k at t h e real t h i n g y o u c a n b e t w e ' d s o o n b e g u e s t s of t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t of Defense...

A choice at last

B y far t h e b e s t d a t a w e p o s s e s s e d o n r a d a r w a s for t h e H u g h e s A N / A P G - 6 5 C o h e r e n t P u l s e D o p p l e r R a d a r , as fitted to the Northrop F/A-18 Hornet, w h i c h is t h e U S N a v y ' s r e p l a c e m e n t for b o t h t h e F - 4 P h a n t o m a n d A - 7 Corsair. This w a s mighty fortunate for t w o r e a s o n s : t h e H o r n e t is a r e m a r k a • Creating the pilot's view: x b l y c a p a b l e f i g h t e r , w i t h versatile programmer Pete Wames radar.

hristmas 1988 was fast approaching and hardware p r o b l e m s p l a g u e d us, b u t t h e X development schedule forced us t o p l o u g h a h e a d . X. w e w e r e c o m i n g t o realise, w a s g o i n g t o b e t h e m o s t c o m p l e x g a m e w e ' d ever s e e n ! There w e r e m a j o r n e w r o u t i n e s t o w r i t e a n d n o n e o f t h e m l o o k e d like being easy. I w a s to spend a few months working o n r o u t i n e s for t h e radar a n d t h e p i l o t ' s h e a d - u p d i s p l a y (HUD), as w e l l as d a t a s t r u c t u r e s for t h e c o m p l e x g a m e p l a y . W e d e c i d e d t o start off w i t h what w e thought w o u l d b e easiest: the radar a n d its d i s p l a y s c r e e n s .

As it t u r n e d o u t , t h e H U D w a s intim a t e l y t i e d in (rather t o o i n t i m a t e l y ) w i t h t h e w o r k i n g s of t h e r a d a r , s o I e n d e d u p w o r k i n g o n b o t h r o u t i n e s at t h e s a m e time. T h e t a s k w a s t o s i m u late a m o d e r n f i g h t e r r a d a r , b u t w e d i d n ' t really k n o w w h e r e t o start! Where could w e gather the information o n w h a t a real o n e l o o k s like - a n d w h a t d o e s it really d o ? W e r e c k o n e d t h e b e s t p l a c e t o start w a s t h e b o o k s t o r e s . A f t e r all. t h e r e m u s t b e h u n d r e d s of b o o k s w r i t t e n a b o u t jet f i g h t e r s a n d their r a d a r s . . . Surely all w e h a d t o d o w a s d r o p b y Foyles or D i l l o n ' s in c e n t r a l L o n d o n a n d t h e y ' d p o i n t us at t r e e f u l s of books... Alas, n o t s o . T h o u g h t h e r e are countless thousand books wntten a b o u t jet f i g h t e r s , a l m o s t e v e r y o n e h a d as m u c h t e c h i e detail as a L a d y b i r d b o o k (no o f f e n c e t o L a d y b i r d b o o k s , of c o u r s e ) . T h e r e w e r e l u w e r t y g l o s s y arty c o l o u r p h o t o s of aircraft

78/124 TGM

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a n d w a d s of t e x t a b o u t t h e a r m a m e n t s a n d e v e n t h e p o w e r o f their m e g a t h r u s t y jet e n g i n e s , b u t t h e s e b o o k s h a d p r e c i o u s little t o say a b o u t h o w w e a p o n s actually worked, or h o w radar c o m p u t e r s on the g r o u n d calculate t h r e a t e v a l u a t i o n s of p o t e n t i a l targets, or h o w t h e pilot interacts with t h e radar d i s p l a y s a n d c o n t r o l s . It w a s a l m o s t a s if t h e r e w e r e a c o n s p i r a c y a g a i n s t us. D i d n o b o o k e v e r m e n t i o n H U D or r a d a r i n t e l l i g e n c e ? W a s all t h i s stuff really c l a s s i f i e d , o r w a s it j u s t h i d i n g in o b s c u r e b o o k s like 101 Things To Do With YourF-16 HUD And Radar Attack Computed I remembered reading about s o m e Soviet f i g h t e r s w h o s e r a d a r s w e r e allegedly d e s i g n e d f r o m stolen American technology. But w h e r e w a s the nitty-gritty? N o d o u b t a m u c h l e s s sinister reason w a s that techie b o o k s o n radar innards can't exactly be mass-market s t u f f . I m e a n , little J o h n n y w h o w a n t s a p o p - u p b o o k of Soviet M i G 29 f i g h t e r s d o e s n ' t really w a n n a k n o w h o w t h e radar w o r k s w h e n all h e w a n t s t o d o is c u t o u t t h e p i c c i e s a n d g l u e t h e m t o g e t h e r i n t o a n i c e little m o b i l e for h i s b u n k b e d , c o m p l e t e w i t h T o m C r u i s e in a n u p s i d e - d o w n F - 1 4 g i v i n g one-fingered salutes . . . W e e n d e d u p buying an unnecess a r y n u m b e r of b o o k s o n t h e s u b j e c t in the vain h o p e that eventually o n e might provide enough information to b e g i n w r i t i n g t h e X radar r o u t i n e s . A lot of s e a r c h i n g later, w e finally m a n aged to glean what w e needed, mostly f r o m a c o u p l e of particularly fine b o o k s in t h e Aviation Fact File series.

NEW READERS • START HERE The story of Xis the story of a new kind of simulation - a flight game that looks ahead of our time to the Nineties, when stealth planes (undetectable by radar) will be the norm. But as this month's inside story shows, if the simulation's to be realistic it still needs a radar function more sophisticated than any around now. Jez San and his team at Argonaut Software, who earned 97% in TGM011 for their ctoud-cruising classic StargMer 2. are writing the program codenamed Xfor Electronic Arts, who hope to release it later this year The first part of their diary appeared in TGM015; more will follow from different members of the team Now read on . . .

A n d of c o u r s e it w o u l d b e a f u n jet t o simulate! N o t only d o e s the Hughes A P G - 6 5 radar offer powerful features, t h e c o c k p i t i n t e r f a c e is o n e o f t h e m o s t c o m p u t e r i s e d in a n y fighter t o d a t e , w i t h a g l i t t e r i n g array o f m u l tifunction graphic displays and powerful radar software. As w o r k started o n c o d i n g the radar, w e realised that the routines i n v o l v e d m o r e t h a n j u s t a s c a n of s u r r o u n d i n g o b j e c t s . T h e H u g h e s radar h a s t h e p o p u l a r ability t o s e e k o u t enemies, a n d c a n even carry out threat evaluations on multiple targets. It c a n k e e p files o n t h e t e n m o s t threatening targets while presenting t h e p i l o t w i t h t h e t o p eight - p u r e l y for e d u c a t i o n a l p u r p o s e s , of c o u r s e , not like h e ' d w a n t t o s h o o t t h e m d o w n o r anything . . . It h a s f u n k y m o d e s t o d e t e c t o b j e c t s a g a i n s t a b a c k g r o u n d of r o u g h sea. It c a n e v e n m a p o u t terrain, g u i d e t h e p i l o t t h r o u g h o b s t a c l e s In p o o r visibility, d i s c e r n t h e n u m b e r of e n e m y in c l o s e - p a c k e d f o r m a t i o n at g r e a t d i s t a n c e s a n d (they t h i n k of e v e r y t h i n g ) l e a d t h e pilot t h r o u g h a close-range dogfight by giving continual steering information and

GAME DESIGN TURNAROUND TIME

q u i c k l y , or the t i m e spent o n threat evaluations will s l o w d o w n the graphics. After all. other p e o p l e o n the X t e a m w e r e w o r k i n g very h a r d t o m a k e the g r a p h i c s faster t h a n ever; w h o w a s I t o d e s t r o y all their h a r d w o r k b y letting t h e radar c o d e cripple the s p e e d of the g a m e ?

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Tricks of the 3-D trade Rotation is the art of rotating a 3-0 object about any axes There are three: pitch, yaw and bank fin our terminology these are x. y and z angles) All our rotations are done at viewing time - when an aircraft wants to turn we just adjust its angles in the alienblock". a clump of data that represents where that aircraft or building lives (It's called the alienblock for purely historical reasons.) Tins differs from some other companies' 3-0 techniques Some 3-D graphics methods, notably the early 8-txt systems, used incremental rotation Every time an aircraft wanted to turn they would manually turn each coordinate of it in a data area, and whenever they wanted to draw it. they just read out the coordinates and drew them This was fine for a few objects, but it's overkill when you have large numbers of things moving and rotating every single frame!

The 3-D illusion

Projection is the art of converting a 3-0 point (with x-. y- and z-coordinatesl into a 2-D coordinate for viewing on a flat screen To display a 3-0 view on the screen, all the objects within view have to be rotated, projected and finally rendered {scan converted) into polygons The maths and logic to perform these tasks isn't that hard: it consists of a few multiplications and divisions for every single point of every 3-D object that's visible, and it's in the graphics textbooks What's difficult ts making it go fast, and optimising it so it takes as littte time as possible1 We've spent a long time refining our 3-D and graphics routines (many manyears). so we now have well-optimised routines These program components, which don't have to be completely rewntten for every game, allow us to spend a lot of time writing a deep, powerful simulation like X

Sorting enemies out

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we ever goto close look at the real thing, you can bet we'd soon be guests of the US Department of Defense"

O n e of t h e m o s t significant p i e c e s of c o d e I t a c k l e d w a s t h e sort routine, w h i c h w o u l d p u t all the threats into a priority list m a n y t i m e s a s e c o n d . Since it h a d b e e n d e c i d e d t o c o p y t h e H u g h e s A P G - 6 5 radar as closely as w e d a r e d , this routine h a d t o sort the targets into t h e ' t e n m o s t w a n t e d ' . just like the real thing. After d i s c u s s i n g the p r o b l e m , w e settled o n a sort routine that only sorts the current list o f t e n targets b y inserting n e w o n e s as they d e v e l o p - ie, as the pilot/player flies a l o n g and e n c o u n t e r s different threats. Since t h e n u m b e r of targets w o u l d never b e over (say) 50. this w o u l d w o r k quite nicely. W e started writing the sort routine w i t h t h e a i m of m a k i n g it as fast as h u m a n l y (computerly?) p o s s i b l e . The immensely complicated code was finished in three or four d a y s , b u t it t o o k t w o more d a y s t o d e b u g ; w e w e r e quite pleased, b e c a u s e d e b u g g i n g these nasty intricate routines has b e e n k n o w n t o t a k e weeks. T h e sort routine w a s p l a c e d into the niche in the radar c o d e that w e ' d reserved for it, a n d w e c o u l d finally t u r n our t h o u g h t s fully t o t h e H U D . But t h a t ' s another story . . . M e a n w h i l e , as all this w a s b e i n g d o n e , I w a s busy g e t t i n g t h e g r a p h i c s e v e n faster, a n d i m p l e m e n t i n g 3 2 - b i t m a t h a c c u r a c y . This a l l o w s f a r - a w a y o b j e c t s t o b e visible, s h o w i n g details that not m a n y g a m e s have s h o w n

before, like cities, long roads, runw a y s . airports etc. The c o d e w a s d e s i g n e d to allow arbitrary scalings of o b j e c t s up to a few t h o u s a n d miles in diameter. Since y o u c a n only see a f e w h u n d r e d miles a h e a d (tops) this s h o u l d allow us more flexibility in the scenery w e d e p i c t , as well as s t o p p i n g that a n n o y i n g p r o b l e m of large o b j e c t s b e c o m i n g 'visib l e ' b e f o r e y o u c o u l d see t h e m in real life. Y o u see, in a 16-bit w o r l d y o u w o u l d orbit a planet very quickly. A s s u m i n g o u r m i n i m u m units were metres, the m a x i m u m diameter of a planet w o u l d be only 64 k i l o m e t e r s (km) - hardly e v e n a s t e r o i d size. This explains why y o u c o u l d orbit a Starglider l a n d s c a p e in m e r e s e c o n d s , flying at 4 0 0 m e t r e s per video frame (or in real terms 2 0 k m per second!). In Starglider 2 w e i m p r o v e d our routines, using 32-bit c o o r d i n a t e s t o increase the size of our 3 - D w o r l d , b u t w e k e p t all the 3 - D calculations t o a local 16 bits for p e r f o r m a n c e p u r p o s e s (back then, w e t h o u g h t 32-bit 3 - D calculations w o u l d b e t o o slow w h e n the p r o c e s s o r is only 16 bits). S o y o u w o u l d b e flying a r o u n d a larger planet, b u t y o u c o u l d only see up to 6 4 k m a h e a d of y o u at any one time. This s u i t e d us fine at the time. But c o m e X, w e n e e d e d the flexibility t o see large d i s t a n c e s in any direction. M o u n t a i n s o u g h t a be visible a f e w h u n d r e d k m a w a y , a n d cities a n d roads s h o u l d n ' t s u d d e n l y a p p e a r large - they s h o u l d fade in f r o m the distance. S o the 32-bit m a t h s w a s i m p r o v e d t o allow rotation a n d projection (the technical t e r m for h o w the 3 - D view is c o n s t r u c t e d ; see b o x h e a d e d Turn a r o u n d Time), a n d at last w e h a d the capability for large o b j e c t s a n d distant objects.

weapon-launch cues. Altogether, there are 14 different m o d e s , all of w h i c h we have to emulate. W e b e g a n writing the main s t r u c ture of these e m u l a t i o n routines, b u t already w e were planning h o w t o tackle the other vital r a d a r - a s s o c i a t e d feature, the H U D . It w o u l d b e easier t o integrate the t w o routines if they w e r e written concurrently. The c o d e for s c a n n i n g nearby o b j e c t s w a s n ' t t o o h a r d t o write: the really t o u g h w o r k w a s for the threat evaluations. These all s e e m e d m u c h easier on paper, m a d e u p of phrases such as 'sort the targets in the order of h o w soon each will b e in range of the aircraft*. T h a t ' s easy for s o m e o n e to fe//you, the h u m a n brain being c a p able e n o u g h t o u n d e r s t a n d ' t i e your shoelaces' or 'huzzle that pizza', but p u t t i n g it into c o d e isn't quite so simple! For a m i c r o c o m p u t e r to d o these kind of huge calculations o n a lot of m o v i n g targets is a t a d d e m a n d i n g o n processor time. The c o d e m u s t be as efficient as possible to get t h e m d o n e

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'^UDuEKS M ^ ^ ^ ^ DELIVERY The Amiga 500 is one of a new breed of technologically advanced computers, which are now emerging as the new standard for home computing, based around the new Motorola 68000 Chip T h e A500 has 512K RAM and a 1Mbyte double sided disk drive built-in It c a n be connected directly to a wide range of monitors, or to a domestic TV set through a TV modulator Designed with the user in mind, the A500 features a user friendly WIMP environment and comes supplied with a free mouse And. when y o u buy your Amiga from Silica Shop, the UK's No1 Amiga specialists, y o u will experience an after sales service that is second to none, including a technical support helpline and free newsletters and price lists Return the coupon below for our current information pack, which will give details of the Silica service and the very latest Silica Amiga offers e&oe J

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Where worlds collide ROLEPLAY

GURPS

(GENERIC UNIVERSAL ROLE-PLAYING SYSTEM)

softback book Steve Jackson Games, £12.95 bleak landscape dotted with peasants, each struggling to make a living from the barren land. A rough road leads past them to the horizon, losing itself in the • foothills of a mountain range which stretches far into the clouds. A ragged bunch of adventures, armour clanking, trudge their weary way toward the farm in the hope of finding a place to spend the night. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a spaceship emits a roar of retro-fire and ploughs into the newly-sown field. A moment passes, steam billowing from where the hull of the ship touches the damp soil. RlP G g e n r e s h a v e j u s t c o l Two R lided! Nearly all role-playing g a m e s are d e s i g n e d w i t h a p a r ticular s e t t i n g for their a d v e n t u r e s firmly in m i n d , o f t e n a v e r y s p e c i f i c one such as RunieQuest's Glorantha o r Traveller 2300s highly detailed future earth. There are t w o m a i n a d v a n t a g e s t o c r e a t i n g a s y s t e m t h a t is s o s t r o n g l y t i e d t o a p a r t i c u l a r w o r l d of a d v e n t u r e the players a n d referees can b e provided with a g o o d s u p p l y of b a c k g r o u n d detail t o b r i n g t h e s e t t i n g t o life, a n d t h e rules o f t h e R P G will a u t o m a t i c a l l y suit t h e skills, weapons, technology, magic and s o o n of t h e c h o s e n e n v i r o n m e n t . B u t t h e r e are p r o b l e m s t o o w i t h such an approach. Players a n d referees h a v e t o k n o w ( a n d p u r c h a s e ) a n e w set of rules f o r e a c h different c a m p a i g n t h e y w i s h t o play, a n d - as s u g g e s t e d in m y s h a g g y - d o g introduction - it's no e a s y m a t t e r t o transfer c h a r a c t e r s and ideas f r o m o n e g a m e t o another.

GURPS is a n a t t e m p t t o o b t a i n t h e best of b o t h w o r l d s b y presenting

a s y s t e m o f rules w i t h d e t a i l e d supplements to flesh out a w h o l e r a n g e o f s e t t i n g s f r o m t h e Final Frontier of t h e future c o n q u e s t of s p a c e t o h o r r o r in 1 8 9 0 L o n d o n .

GURPS comes from US company Steve J a c k s o n Games, also k n o w n for t h e h i l a r i o u s llluminati c a r d g a m e . For £ 1 2 . 9 5 y o u r e c e i v e a h u g e r u l e b o o k . v e r y clearly set out with a sprinkling of b l a c k - a n d w h i t e i l l u s t r a t i o n s , a n d t h a t all t o o often absent essential of any RPG rulebook a comprehensive i n d e x ! T h e p r e s e n t a t i o n really is impressively user-friendly, with anything not essential to t h e m a i n p a r t o f t h e rules t u c k e d a w a y in c o l u m n s o f s m a l l e r print in t h e w i d e m a r g i n s , m a k i n g it m u c h e a s i e r t o p i c k o u t t h e b a s i c s , yet k e e p i n g t h e o p t i o n a l rules a n d additional examples together with t h e s e c t i o n s t h e y e x t e n d o r refer to.

lightsabre, starship drive maintenance, shipbuilding, alchemy, nuclear physics a n d pretty well a n y t h i n g e l s e y o u c a n t h i n k of. T h e c o m b a t s y s t e m , t o o , is i m p r e s sively c o m p r e h e n s i v e - a c h a r a c ter in a f i g h t h a s a r a n g e of a t t a c k i n g a n d d e f e n s i v e o p t i o n s available. s u c h as all-out a t t a c k , f a i n t i n g to distract an o p p o n e n t a n d parrying a blow with a weapon. Also h a n d y for n e w p l a y e r s are t w o introductory adventures: one for solo play, t h e other a scenario for 3 - 6 players.

enture, but whether such material comes from the GURPS woddbooks. other roleplaying g a m e s, novels or films or even the p l a y e r s ' o w n i m a g i n a t i o n is u n i m p o r t a n t - t h e GURPS rules c a n h a n d l e it. T h e s y s t e m is s i m p l e t o l e a r n a n d p l a y , yet realistic a n d detailed e n o u g h for the average g a m e r . If t h e i d e a o f a g e n e r i c s y s t e m appeals, or y o u want a s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d set o f rules w i t h w h i c h t o r u n a d v e n t u r e s in a s e t t i n g o f y o u r o w n m a k i n g . GURPS is w o r t h a l o o k .

As a Generic system, the GURPS basic rulebook doesn't include any b a c k g r o u n d material a s s u c h . T h e r e are h o w e v e r c h a p ters o n t h e design of g a m e worlds, c o v e r i n g s u c h f e a t u r e s as d i f f e r ences in technology and e c o n o m i c s , a n d l i s t s of w e a p o n s a n d equipment for m o d e m a n d f u t u r i s t i c w o r l d s . For m o r e d e t a i l t h e r e are m a n y Worldbooks available. costing around £5.95. GURPS Horror, f o r i n s t a n c e , g i v e s

N o w a q u i c k l o o k at Cities, t h e latest of A v a l o n Hill's r e l e a s e s for its R u n e Q u e s t R P G . T h i s 64 p a g e b o o k l e t is b u r s t i n g w i t h streetlife o f all f o r m s : b e g g a r s , a r i s t o c r a t s , slaves, spies, thieves, magicians, bureaucrats, gypsies and even g o d s . S u i t a b l e for u s e in a n y fantasy setting, t h e booklet will be of e n o r m o u s h e l p for a n y g a m e s master wanting t o run adventures i n a n u r b a n s e t t i n g . A s w e l l as extensive tables of suggestions for e n c o u n t e r s p l a y e r s m i g h t r u n into.

GURPS

HORROR

T h e rules i n c l u d e lists of skills available t o characters c o v e r i n g almost any setting, including c o m bat with anything f r o m a club to a

STEVE new skills, magic, monsters, e q u i p m e n t lists a n d s o o n f o r s p i n e - t i n g l i n g a d v e n t u r e s in V i c t o rian E n g l a n d , p r o h i b i t i o n A m e r i c a or the present day. All i n all. GURPS a c h i e v e s i t s objective of presenting a s y s t e m that c a n c o p e with just about any adventure you care t o imagine pretty well. Inevitably referees will need m o r e b a c k g r o u n d material t h a n is p r e s e n t in t h e b a s i c set r u n any but the m o s t superficial a d v -

84/124 TGM

016:3-89

ranging f r o m a potentially deadly run-in with an assassin t o a smelly meeting with discarded dish w a t e r , t h e r e are p a g e s o f a d v i c e for designing a n d populating your t o w n or city a n d s o m e very useful tables that allow characters to p a s s their t i m e in p r o f i t a b l e employment during adventures. A u s e f u l p r o d u c t for a n y f a n t a s y s y s tem. but as with other p r o d u c t s in t h e series a little p r i c e y at £ 7 . 9 5 .

LETTERS

READERPAGE "Despite all the technical advances in the last seven years, what is really missing in computing is the originality of the early days"

Paul Stanley is just one of many who, fond of nostalgia, argue that the new breed of computer games just aren't as fun as their predecessors THE GOOD OLD DAYS Dear Games Machine When I was first introduced to computing I was only ten years old. I was given a ZX81 as a present and, despite the fact that it only had a small memory no sound and no colour, it was fun! Games such as 3D Monster Maze and Flight Simulation were really exciting to play, in many ways more so than some of the recent releases on the high powered 16-bit machines (I currently own an Atari ST). Releases on the ZX81 were always eagerly anticipated, as almost invariably they broke new ground in computing. Nowadays however so many games seem to be the same, such as many shoot-'em-ups which involve simply blasting everything in sight whilst looking at pretty graphics. Despite all the technical advances in the last seven years, what is really missing in computing is the originality of the early days, so games such as Carrier Command deserve all the success they get Paul Stanley, Rainham, Kent

ALIEN

HORROR

Dear Games Machine. I am writing to you as an Amiga mum. A mum who would like to strangle Dear Nige alias Nigel Palmer (TGM 011) whose letter earned him £40 worth of software and convinced my son to purchase his by mail order from Holmesoft. Cautionary parental advice was thrown to the winds in view of Nige's fulborne praise for Holmesoft. but he's now £16.95 worse off and I'm dreading my phone bill. He ordered Alien Syndrome and in the days preceding its arrival treated me to gruesome descnptions of the creatures about to take over his existence. At last the day arnved and there it was stuck in the letter box in the sunshine but the storm clouds soon followed • it would only load to level one However, all was not lost after one weeks patience its replacement arrived or at least a part of it did. because the guys to be rescued didn't come along - perhaps they fell out of the envelope somewhere between Dudley and Leeds. After lots of phone calls and having the game checked and confirmed as faulty at a local computer store. Holmesoft were finally persuaded to send the replacements replacement, and. yes you've guessed it. it only loaded to level one1 Trading Standards are now involved in the whole mega mess as having returned the game once again we have no refund, no replacement, nothing! So Nige. cause problems for your own

long suffering mother next time or take up stamp collecting! Mrs Susan 'turn that computer d o w n ' Young, Leeds. P S. I may have written this letter with some tongue in cheek humour but I do feel very angry that younsters should be used in this way. I was prepared to try and help my son though it got us nowhere and has probably cost me the same amount again. But many parents won't be prepared to loose more money trying or waste the time I have on these people.

'a front for drug abuse'.

Grant Robson, Renfrewshire.

DEFINITIVE

TGM

Dear Games Machine. I am one of those many consumers who stalk the magazine racks of the local newsagents in search of a definitive guide or quality publication, normally when concerned with a new field of interest, in order that one can be enlightened sufficiently prior to making the important first-time investment decision. To give you an example, I would turn to What Car magazine for anything on 4 wheels and Which Compact Disc mag for info on digital paraphenalia! I strongly believe TGM offers that same important supportive information that one requires when researching or updating games machines and their software. It doesn't even need a pronoun like what or which to enhance its purpose in this trade

ICS. Tham, Middlesex.

LONGING FOR MSX

OVERPRICED

Dear Games Machine. Your magazine is just perfect, except that there's not enough MSX coverage. The MSX computer is better than every one thinks - there are more than 2 million In Japan alone and in Holland 300.000 MSX I s and 45.000 MSX 2's.

Dear Games Machine, I must agree with many of your readers about the price of 16-bit games. It really is sheer madness.

The MSX 2 in particular is a magnificent computer. Can't you compare, for example. Bubble Bobble on the MSX with the Amiga version? And what about MSX CD? For £33 pounds you can buy a disk with 30 games on it. Just to keep you interested, think of all these lovely titles! Out Run (MSX 2 . 2 meg) Operation Wolf (MSX 2) Arkanoid 2 (MSX 2) Bubble Bobble (MSX 2) Afterburner (MSX 2) 1942 (MSX 2) Metal Gear (MSX 2) Rastan Saga (MSX 2 , 2 meg) Space Harrier (MSX) Dragonslayer 2 & 4 (MSX 2) HarTy Robbertsen, Holland

CHARITY DO Dear Games Machine. In accordance with the recent BBC Children In Need Appeal, five people, including myself, raised £150 using computers. Alan Anderson. Kevin Feely, Jeremy Hardem, James Hoskin. David Robson and I all participated in a sponsored 24 hour computer games playing event We would like to thank Paul Sutton at U.S.Gold. Marcia at CDS. Kim at Incentive. Elite Software and Gremlin Graphics for their co-operation in this event. All of these companies donated over £350 worth of software for this event, so again thank you. Apart from giving credit, this letter is intended to give inspiration for other charity events using computers, but please don't just use it as an opportunity for free games. At this rate, who knows what might happen - we may even loose our image of being 'spotty teenagers' or

I myself have a Spectrum but I am thinking of upgrading to an ST. While the average price of a Spectrum game is £8£9. a 16-bit game can be anything up to £30. You could probably buy a second hand Speccy for that! Admittedly more time and effort goes into a 16-bit program than an 8-bit one. but 16-bit games are just 8-bit games with tarted-up graphics and sound. I'm not critisising them, but you must admit that most game play the same on all formats. So why the ridiculous prices?

Michael Clanny, Nottingham

KONIX

DOUBTS

Dear Games Machine, After reading about the new Konix games console in TGM012 and TGM 0141 have to say that I am rather skeptical about the whole thing. I don't doubt that Amiga quality graphics are possible at £150. After all the PC Engine has arcade quality for a similar price. It's when I read claims of compact disc quality sound in stereo that I start to have my doubts. However, the one thing to me that really seems unreal is the sub £100 hydraulic chair which, and I quote from TGM 012. is AfterBumer style'. For £ 100 or less this would seem an impossibility. At a cost of £100 what sort of quality and reliability would the hydraulic chair be? I expect the repair costs, in the event of a fault, would be high as well. If you add up the cost of buying the items that the Konix console emulates' (i.e. an Amiga, a CD player and a hydraulic arcade machine) you get a bill running into at least £3000 Konix are offering all these things for a tenth of the price. If Konix can produce a 'home arcade' with Amiga graphics. CD quality stereo sound and a hydraulic system for around £300 that's reliable, they will certainly have my admiration.

I await the release of the Konix console with eager anticipation.

Scott Burgess, Ayrshire.

CONSOLES Dear Games Machine, What I've always liked about TGM is its coverage of consoles. I was one of the thousands of owners with an Atari VCS in the early eighties. Since then I've owned a Spectrum and an Atari ST, but I always find my way back to my good old VCS for a blast at Defender Although computers have got much more powerful in recent years, computer games just aren't fun any more. I recently purchased a Nintendo and found the games really fun to play - it was enough to take me back to the good old days of gaming when I sat up all night playing with my VCS. Now something else with superior graphics and sound has taken my fancy - the PC Engine (no. not that again!). If it's as good as it sounds, it looks to be a winner. It's great to see consoles making a comeback, and I hope us console fans can count on TGM to bring us more Info on the subject in the future.

Ashley Beeching, Kent.

PC OR NO PC Dear Games Machine, I really enjoy reading your mag because it's so much better than all the others. I used to read C&VG but now that I've seen TGM there is no other mag I will need to read again. I own a PC and am very happy to find many game reviews for my computer in TGM. unlike many other computer magazines. I find now that many more games are coming out for the PC than ever before, although there are many more exciting and detailed games on the Atari ST.

Todd Savage, London SW15. If you're interested in the PC Engine, you can't afford to miss next month's TGM where you'll find an exclusive Engine supplement detailing all available product and where to buy it.

AND MORE

NOSTALGIA

Dear Games Machine I'm pleased to see that the mag's got even better, witty, informative and well written. It's a shame 16-bit software's not in the same state. I've got numerous titles for my ST and not one is worthy of my machine. Every one of them could be achieved on an 8-bit machine with a bit of effort. Pretty graphics and fast 3D are magnificent as cosmetics, but where are the Paradrokf s and Sentinef s of the 16bit era? Now a moan about Novagen. I'm so sick of the Damocles saga and hype I'm having second thoughts about it when it comes out. The series on Argonaut is excellent, keep it up TGM1

Nopquex, Dover. What a sensible chap.

Send your letters to READERPAGE, TGM,PO Box 10, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1DB. With £40 worth of software up for grabs, you'd be an idiot not to. WIN Kern Thorpe, tlw £40 Mnmr ol M mofltht TGM. please stand t f ? We need your address so's we can do tfie business with the software. Thank you for your cooperation.

Dept. 8 VECTOR SOFTWARE 10 Barieymow Passage Chiswick London W4 4PH

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HOW TO GET YOUR 48K SPECTRUM REPAIRED FOR ONLY £19.95

TEN * REPAIR SERVICE

• While you wait repairs £M.5048K Spectrum £23.00 Spectrum+2 • AH computers fully overhauled and fully tested before return • Fully insured for the return Journey

ARE YOU ANOTHER CUSTOMER-fed up waiting weeks for your estimate?

Need your computer repaired fast? Then send it n o w to the vtdeovault 24hr Repair Service We are able t o repair your 48K Spectrum using all the latest in test equipment for only 19 95 w e can also supply you w i t h power supplies & mempranes w e will repair your computer while you wait and help you w i t h any of your technical problems Commodore computers repaired for only £35.00. Please note we give you a 100% low fixed price of £19.95 which includes return post and packing VAT not a between price like some other Repair Companies offer w e don't ask you t o send a cheque in for the maximum amount and shock you w i t h repair Pills £30 upwards. Don't forget we are Amstrad approved for quality and speed don t risk your computer t o any other unauthorised repair centre w e don t just repair the fault and send your computer pack we give your computer a free overhaul.

Ltd. Old Kingsmoor school Railway Street Hadfieid. Hyde. Cheshire SK148AA Tel 04574 66SSS/67761/69499 Main Office enquiries and orders only Manchester telephone 061-256 0376 While you wait centre only we regret the Manchester Branch cannot take man orders, please use main Branch number

C COPYRICHT VIDEOVAUIT NO 885071

• Fixed low price of 19 »5 including post packing,parts.iabour Spectrum »2 repairs only £25.00 fully Inclusive • Discounts for schools and colleges

• Six top games worth £39 00 free with every Spectrum repair Now includes FREE memory/keyboard test • we also repair commodore 64 s. VK 20. Commodore 16+4.Spectrum* 2and • J • The most up to date test equipment developed Dy us to locate faults withm your computer • Rubber keyboard repair (replacement membrane only i Just £10 00 including p«p • 3 month written guarantee on ail repairs

OVERHAUL WITH EVERY REPAIR WE DO:-

we correct colour, sound, keyboard, check the loading and saving chip even put new feet on the base if required Check for full memory, check all sockets including ear/mlke and replace where needed. All for an Inclusive price of £19 95 which Includes VAT. parts ft labour, return post, packing I Insurance. No hidden extras whatsoever. (should a computer be classed as unrepairable due to tampering we may be able to offer a replacement circuit board at additional charge )

'URGENT NOTICE

on t oe misled by adverts showing between prices A recent complaint agamst a Manchester repair firm, Mancomp was upneid Dy the Advertising Standards Authority on two counts, it had stated BBC repairs between c 14 and £45 then charged the customer £85 Their guarantee policy was misleading as it did not make clear that an repairs were not covered

THE VIDEOVAULT COMPUTER COMPANION

EDITION NOW HOT OFF THE PRESS New digger catalogue now avaiiawe conta-.ning ever 2 500 items including software for an computers joysticks scare parrs, business software books plus many more Just senfl J » i 8 o stamps for your free copy Over 20 pages h; : of too quatty products oe<fvereo to your door by return post

FAX NO 04574 68946

S3*io

v? s,

SHOPPING

K O N I X NAVIQATOR Brand new ergonomcaly designed handheld joystick with Fire button posiioned Orectly beneath the trigger finger lor superfast reactions Unbreakable s o M steel shall OFFER 14.99.T235H

DYNAMICS COMPETITION PRO SOOO ( n o r m a l ) Features arcade Quaky mooewrtches. dual fire buttons, robust steel shaft «*>d rubber reti*n tor smooth control and longer lite OFFER 13.50 T243H

DYNAMICS COMPETITION PRO EXTRA Features rapid fire, i n q u e slow motion and see-through body OFFER 15.00 T500H

E U R O M A X JOY B O A R D The supor control console provides you wi?h every possible ftnng and movement cpton Directional control is switchabte Detween m«c*osw*ch acton joystick and two games oadties Rnng can be activated with two large fire buttons and Auto Fire features variable frequency setting. Two LED s indicate 'nng acton Suitable lor VC20. C64. C128. C128D and Amiga 500 OFFER 19.95 T248H

E U R O M A X E L I T E GRIP OFFER 10.95 T238H

E U R O M A X PROFESSIONAL STANDARD l * g r (Xxapoty rapid response and cflra sensitive movement accuracy from this advanced ergonomc design OFFER 15.95 T239H

E U R O M A X PROFESSIONAL FIRE OFFER 18.95 T241H

POWERPLAY CRUISER RED/ WHITE/BLUE Th«s oxceHent joystick features mtcroswrtch directional control and fire action A unique variable tension contra allows the user to adjust the return torce to extra sensitive, normal and firm OFFER 9.99. T245H

E U R O M A X W1ZCARD OFFER 3.95, T242H

KONIX MEQABLA8TER Preoson moulded control knob with steel shaft lor complete reliability. Dual fire buttons lor left or nght hand use. Heavy duty teal switches provide directional control with long lasting operation Includes suckers for table top fixing OFFER 6.99 T236H

AUTO-

EUROMAX PROFESSIONAL GRIP OFFER 13.95 T24QH P O W E R P L A V CRUISER S T R E A M LINE A L L B L A C K WKh dual lead tor S p e d rum 48K/128K/ P*us ana FVjs ? & 3 OFFER 12.99 T450H KONIX SPEEDKING The joystick that act ualy fits y r * * hand. with a Are button angled lor your tngger foger to ensure accurate high speed acton Solid steel tyeakproof shaft wrth neat ekekng sound OFFER 10.99 T246H

DYNAMICS COMPETITION PRO SOOO (clear) The designer lOystick with see-through body OFFER 14.00 T244H

POWERPLAV CRUISER CLEAR A U T O FIRE Smpty py holding down e*her ol the fro buttons engages Auto Fire OFFER 12.99 T451H

POWERPLAY CRYSTAL STANDARD Desgned by Peter L a w t o n H a m s o f Z i p S t * and Super Professional fame. Clear with red Ve buttons and pistol gnp handte OFFER 14.99 T452H EUROMAX ELITE S T A N D A R D

&ort travel rr*ro switch action n ergonomc and ntgWy durable designed body OFFER 9.96 T237H

P O W E R P L A Y T U R B O CRYSTAL Provides fast Auto Fre action OFFER 16.99 T453H

JOYCON A D A P T O R F i r ^ . Amstrad CPC owners haveachace of connecting any two Ala- oompatibte joysticks to their Amstrad CPC 464. 664 and 6128 computers lor two player games. OFFER 4.50 T251H

TOM BINDER Stop your favounto mags from disappearing Enshrine them in this tovefy brown leather look brxler with gold embossed logos ' OFFER 4.50, T252H

M I C R O - M A T E PSU The a l t e r n a t e C64. C64c and W:20 power SuPPty. M c r o mate wrt replace your dicky ongrvi' CBM unit and provide re«able power to your computer n won't overheat, has a failsa«e cut-out against over-current Output short-circuity) and Over-temperature |jusl to be on the sate side), and ndudes a t month i^oorxitional warranty ALL units are .ndrwJually tested OFFER 19.95 T249H

LOAD-IT Elmnates tape loadirvg problems on your C64. Acf*cves 100% loading success even on the most obstinate tapes. It provtde6 permanent head alignment adjustment with tho help of an LED array for optimum Signal mdcation. Guaranteed for one year. OFFER 39.99, T250H

AMIGA GOODIES AMIGA A 5 0 1 5 1 2 K RAM EXPANSION U P G R A D E CLOCK CARD Interna Ram upgrade to 1024K RAM OFFER 129.99. T253H

rt«fl8L

AMIGA A 5 2 0 MODULATOR Use your Amiga with a domestic TV set or composite vwjoo monitor OFFER 24.99 T254H DIGIV1EW 3 . 0 W I T H A 5 0 0 A D A P T O R captures image via your video camera OFFER 149.95. T265H

SPECTRUM • 3 CASSETTE LEADS Lrfc your Spectrum+3 to your cassette recorder and gam access to your large coltaction ol Spectrum 48K tape software OFFER 3.95. T247H

AMIGA DIGIDROID A motorized filtor vttieel that automates colour digitizing with Dgrview OFFER 52.95, T266H A M I G A C O P Y S T A N D FOR DIOIVIEW A 2' stand for dQfltfmg objects OFFER 59.95. T257H

'Ijf.fWi.

AMIGA RENDALE GENLOCK A lowoost genlock enabang tne user to merge computer graphics with kve video and record tho results on VCR OFFER 249.99. T258H

EASYL DRAWINO A 4 ORAPHICS T A B L E T FOR ABOO De*uxo Pa«nt t 4 2 compatible, mcl Easyl pant progI and general background b dr. .••« OFFER 299.00 T259H CHERRY A 3 DIGITISING T A B L E T Works with Am>ga, Atan ST and PC and comes complete with drawing stylus and tour button puck OFFER 499.95 T260H X E R O X 4 0 2 0 C O L O U R INK J E T PRINTER Pnnts seven «Jiv<Juai colours or more than 4000 shades In enhanced mode n prints a page in tour mnutes Integrates colour graphics with black text using five resident fonts at 80cps draft and 40 cps krttor quality OFFER 1222.00 T261H X E R O X 4 0 2 0 S T A R T E R PACK includes paper ro» hotter. 8 cartridges irk. - and maintenance * u d 199.99 ' . - ,•« XEROX C U T SHEET FEEDER for use wflh Xerox 4020 printer OFFER 215.00 T263H P R O F E S S I O N A L PAOE Word prooesssng. desktop pubtehing. colour separation and CAD Postscript compatible output OFFER 199.96 T264H MERCY DASH CALENDAR Yes, the virgin ske Samt of tho industry has fnaty made it to stardom' She's mad. she's oad and she appears on tweM) months o l this mono R o b r Evans masterpiece of a calendar OFFER 4.95, T4&5H

RECOMMENDED SOFTWARE A QUESTION OF SPORT Elite T506M SPEC48/128 c a s s OFFER 11.99 SPEC • 3 disk OFFER 11.99 CBM64/128 cass OFFER 11.99 CBM64/128 disk OFFER 11.99 A L B E D O Lonoels T464M ATARI ST disk OFFER 15.99 AMIGA disk OFFER 15.99 A R M A L Y T E . Thalamus T416M CBM64/128 c a s s OFFER 7.99 CBM64/128 disk OFFER 10.44 AROUNO THE W O R L D IN 8 0 DAYS, Pandora T476M CBM64/128 c a s s OFFER 7.20 ATARI ST disk OFFER 15.95 AMIGA disk OFFER 15.95 A R T U R A Gremlin Graphics T47SM SPEC48/128 c a s s OFFER 6.44 SPEC • 3 disk OFFER 10.44 ATARI ST disk OFFER 15.99 • C A P T A I N B L O O D , Infogrames T450M PC disk OFFER 19.95 DALEY T H O M P S O N ' S O L Y M P I C C H A L L E N G E Ocean T472M SPEC48/128 cass OFFER 7.95 SPEC • 3 disk OFFER 10.40 AMSTRAD CPC c a s s OFFER 7.95

AMSTRAO CPC disk OFFER 10.40 CBM64/128 c a s s OFFER 7.95 CBM64/128 disk OFFER 10.40 AMIGA d i s k OFFER 19.95 D O U B L E D R A G O N Mastertronic T485M SEGA cartridge OFFER 24.95 D R I L L E R . Incentive T466M ATARI ST disk OFFER 19.95 AMIGA disk OFFER 19.95 D R U N K E N M A S T E R Micro Mecka 7488M PC ENGINE c a r t n d g e O F F E R 24.95 ESPIONAGE, Grandslam T487M SPEC48/128 c a s s OFFER 7.20 SPEC • 3 disk OFFER 11.95 CBM64/128 cass OFFER 7.95 CBM64/128 disk OFFER 11.95 AMIGA disk OFFER 15.95 E X O L O N , Hewson T455M ATARI ST disk OFFER 15.99 E X P L O D I N G FIST - . Melbourne House T490M SPEC48/128 cass OFFER 6.44 CBM64/128 c a s s OFFER 7.99 CBM64/128 disk OFFER 10.44 G O L V E L L I U S Mastertromc T484M SEGA c a r t r i d g e OFFER 19.95

T491M ATARI ST disk OFFER 19.99

G U E R I L L A W A R Imagine T482M SPEC48/128 c a s s OFFER 7.20 SPEC i 3 disk OFFER 11.95 AMSTRAD CPC c a s s OFFER 7.95 AMSTRAD CPC disk OFFER 11.95

M E N A C E . Psyclnpse (Psygnosw) T470M AMIGA disk OFFER 15.95

H E L L F I R E Martech T471M ATARI ST disk OFFER 15.99

M I R A C L E WARRIORS Sega T463M SEGA cartr OFFER 32.95

HOSTAGES Infogramos T454M ATARI ST disk OFFER 19.96

M O N O P O L Y . Sega T462M SEGA cartr OFFER 29.95

J O A N OF ARC. US Gold T498M ATARI ST disk OFFER 15.99

N E B U L U S Hewson T456M ATARI ST disk OFFER 15.99 AMIGA disk OFFER 15.99

K E N S E I D E N Sega T461M SEGA cartr OFFER 24.95 L A S T N I N J A I I . System 3 T498M SPEC48/128 c a s s OFFER 10.44 SPEC - 3 disk OFFER 11.99 C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 c a s s OFFER 10.44 C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 d i s k OFFER 11.99 LIVE A N D L E T DIE Domark T492M CBM64/128 c a s s OFFER 7.95 CBM64/128 disk OFFER 11.95 AMSTRAD CPC c a s s OFFER 7.95 AMSTRAD CPC disk OFFER 11.95 ATARI ST disk OFFER 15.96 M A N H A T T A N DEALERS. Silmanls

O P E R A T I O N WOLF. Ocean T4S9M SPEC48/128 cass OFFER 7.20 SPEC • 3 disk OFFER 11.95 AMSTRAD CPC c e s s OFFER 7.95 AMSTRAD CPC disk OFFER 11.95 CBM64/128 cass OFFER 7.95 CBM64/128 disk OFFER 11.95 P.O.W., Aciionware T451M AMIGA disk OFFER 23.95 P A C M A N I A Grandslam T473M AMIGA disk OFFER 15.95 P O W E R D R O M E Electron* Arts T458M

THOUGHT P R O V O K I N G C D S C O L O S S U S C H E S S X OFFER! Check mate! Strategic discussions with C D S software has led to this superb reader deal you can't possibly refuse. Colossus is n o w available o n most systems including new in ST a n d Amiga format:

THE MEGA CHOICE: APART FROM OUR HIGHL Y RECOMMENDED GAMES LIST, YOU CAN ORDER AMY OA MM RELEASED BY THE MAJOR SOFTWARE HOUSES TO DATE ON CASSETTE,CARTRIDGE OR DISK. OUR OFFER PRICES ARE VALID FOR ANY FULL-PRICED GAMES AND INCLUDE FIRST CLASS POSTAGE AND PACKING - NO OTHER EXTRA CHARGES LOOK UP THE PRICE OF EACH GAME IN THE OFFER TABLE. ENTER THE OFFER PRICES ON THE ORDER COUPON. THEN ADD THEM UP. ORDERS FOR TITLES WHICH ARE NO LONGER IN DISTRIBUTION WILL BE RETURNED. YOU WILL BE REGULARLY NOTIFIED OF ANY DELA YS CAUSED BY LATE RELEASES

ST disk OFFER 20.00. T456H A M I G A disk OFFER 20.00 T4$7H SPEC48/128/ +• 2 c a s s OFFER 6.50 T458H C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 c a s s OFFER 6.50 T4&9H A M S T R A D CPC c a s s OFFER 6.50. T460H ATARI 8 - b i t c a s s OFFER 6.50. T461H MSX c a s s OFFER 6.50 T462H SPEC - 3 d i s k OFFER 8.50 T463H C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 disk OFFER 8.50 T464H A M S T R A D CPC d i s k OFFER 8.50 T465H A M S T R A D PCW disk OFFER 9.50. T466H A T A R I 8 - b i t disk OFFER 8.50. M 6 7 H

SOFTWARE OFFER PRICE TABLE

NEW R E L E A S E S Coda

Tide

Labal

T5100 T512D T5010 T5150 T516D T511D T507C T5070 TS08C T5080 T503D T5050 T5130 T5000 T509C TS090 TS04C T504D T517D TSQ2C T5020 T514D TS06D

20,000 LEAGUES disk BATTLE HAWKS disk C R A Z Y C A R S II d i s k CUSTODIAN disk DRAGON'S LAIR disk GALACTIC CONQUEROR disk LAST DUEL cass LAST DUEL disk LED STORM caas LED STORM disk L E G E N D OF B L A C K S I L V E R d i s k MANHUNTER: NEW YORK disk NIGHT HUNTER disk PURPLE SATURN DAY disk REX c a s s REX d i s k SPITTING IMAGE cass SPITTING IMAGE disk TV S P O R T S F O O T B A L L d i s k VICTORY ROAD cass VICTORY ROAD disk WANTED disk ZAK McKRACKEN disk

CokttfVteon Lucasflhn THUS Hewson Readysoftlnc Titus USGckJ USGcW US Gold US Gold Epyx Siorra Utx Soft Infogrames Martech Martoch Domartt Doma* Mirroisott Ocean Ocean infogrames LucasMm

ATARI ST disk OFFER 19.95 B - T Y P E ||. Micro Media T497M PC ENGINE c a r t r i d g e OFFER 24.99 R A S T E R S C A N Mastertronic T467M PC disk OFFER 7.99 RC P R O - A M Nintendo T499M NINTENDO c a r t r i d g e OFFER29.9S REVENGE II. M a s t e r t r o r x T465M A M I G A disk OFFER 7.99 R O C K E T RANGER C.nemaware T452M AMIGA disk OFFER 19.99 SAVAGE F v e b r d T489M SPEC48/128 c a s s OFFER 7.20 A M S T R A D CPC c a s s OFFER 7.20 A M S T R A D CPC d i s k OFFER 11.96 C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 c a s s OFFER 7.95 C 8 M 6 4 / 1 2 8 disk OFFER 10.40 SENTINEL W O R L D S Electronic Arts T478M PC d i s k OFFER 19.95 SHINOBI. Mastertrooic T483M SEGA c a r t r i d g e OFFER 19.95

S P E E D B A L L . Image Works T477M A M I G A disk OFFER 15.99 SUPER S P O R T S . Gremlin Graph.cs T479M SPEC48/128 c a s s OFFER 6.44 SPEC »3 disk OFFER 10.44 A M S T R A D C P C c a s s OFFER 7.99 A M S T R A D C P C d i s k OFFER 11.99 T E R R O R P O D S . Melbourne House/ Psygnosis T457M C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 c a s s OFFER 7.95 C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 disk OFFER 11.95 T E T R A QUEST. Microdeal T481M A T A R I ST d i s k OFFER 15.95 A M I G A disk OFFER 15.95 TNE G A M E S - S U M M E R EDITION Epyx T469M C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 c a s s OFFER 7.99 C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 disk OFFER 11.99 PC disk OFFER 19.99 T N U N D E R B L A D E . Sega T460M SEGA c a r t r OFFER 24.95 T I M E S OF LORE. Mtcroprose T494M C 8 M 6 4 / 1 2 8 c a s s OFFER 7.95 C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 d i s k OFFER 11.95

SPE

C B M CPC

AMI 15.95

15.95 15.99 15.99 36.95 15.99 18.99

7.24 7.99 10.44 11.99 15.99 7.24 7.99 10.44 11.99 15.99 11.99 23.99 15.99 19.95 19.95 7.24 7.99 11.99 11.99 7.95 7.95 7.95 11.95 10.40 11.95 15.95 15.95 23.99 7.95 11.95 15.95 15.95 11.99 19.99 19.99

T O T A L ECLIPSE. Incentive T495M SPEC48/128 c a s s OFFER 7.95 SPEC - 3 disk OFFER 11.95 A M S T R A D C P C c a s s OFFER 7.95 A M S T R A D C P C d i s k OFFER 11.95 U G H - L Y M P I C S , Electronic Arts T480M C B M 6 4 / 1 2 8 c a s s OFFER 7.96 C 8 M 6 4 / 1 2 8 disk OFFER 11.95 VETERAN. Software Horizons T474M A T A R I ST d i s k OFFER 11.95

BUDGET RANGE ORDER FOUR GAMES IN THE £1.99 RANGE AND PAY FOR THREE (£5.97 PA YMENT TOTAL) - A SAVING OF £1.99! ORDER FOUR GAMES IN THE £2.99 RANGE AND PAY FOR THREE (£8.97 PA YMENT TOTAL)-ASA VING OF £2.99! JUST FILL IN THE NAME AND PUBLISHER OF THE FOUR GAMES REQUIRED AND THE PA YMENT TOTAL OF C5.97/T8.97 (DONT USE THE OFFER PRICE TABLE)

4.99 5.95 7.95 7.99 8.95 8.99 9.95 9.99 11.99 12.95 12.99 14.95 14.99 19.95 19.99 23.00 24.95 28.95 29.95 34.95

3.99 4.74 6.40 6.44 7.20 7.24 7.95' 7.99 9.99 10.40 10.44 11.95 11.99 15.95 15.99 18.40 19.95 23.15 23.95 27.95

1.00 1.20 1.55 1.55 1.75 1.75 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.55 2.55 3.00 3.00 4.00 4.00 4.60 5.00 5.80 6.00 7.00

HOW TO ORDER: WRITE REQUIRED GAME(S) ON ORDER LIST. INCLUDING MEDIA TYPE, COMPUTER AND ORDER CODE (WHERE LISTED). IF OFFER PRICE NOT INDICA TED.CHECK IN AD OR REVIEW FOR CORRECT RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE (RRP). L OOK UP SPECIAL OFFER PRICE AND WRITE ON ORDER FORM. ADO UP TOTAL AND ENCLOSE CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER OR AL TERNA TIVEL Y USE ACCESSWISA FACILITY (DON T FORGET TO INDICATE EXPIRY DATE!). REMEMBER. GAMES ORDERS REQUIRE ORDER CODE OR MEDIA TYPE AND COMPUTER. GARMENT ORDERS ORDER CODE OR GARMENT SUE. HARDWARE ORDERS ORDER CODE. INCOMPLETE ORDER FORMS WILL BE RETURNED. PLEASE DOUBT!

RING (0SS4)

0620

IF IN

PRICES VALID FOR UK/EIRE/ EUROPE ONLY. FOR OVERSEAS ORDERS PLEASE ADD £2.00 PER ITEM FOR AIR MAIL DELIVERY

DELIVERY: NOT ALL LISTED PRODUCTS WILL HAVE BEEN RELEASED AT PRESS TIME. GOODS WILL BE DESPA TCHED AS SOON A S POSSIBLE. CUSTOMERS WILL BE INFORMED OF ANY LONG DELAYS.

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6Ag<NUMBERS TX:OOC May 88

Battle Between Prog - Axion's Techforco fighting robots! John Gilbert assesses the impact of microchip technology on modal trains and spiders! Interview with Bulletin 1000! Grow Your Own Radto - Mai Crouchar on the broadcasting revolution! TGM has a go at KJC's Play By Mail game! Boardgame news! John Woods plays a Nordic RPG bid and indulges in gruesome reading from Ham! A double doss of Mercy Dash! Forever musical Jon 8atos rehearses Atari ST instruments! TX.007 June 88

TX:008 July 1888

Bulletin Bawdy - Mel Croucher investigates the bulletin boards! Marshal T Rosenberg flies the shuttle - the biggest video game in the world! The Camcorder revolution! Old labels, new companies - changing trading names tactics! New wave multimedia SF genre CYBERPUNK! Target Games and a new presentation for strategy! Robin Candy Photon Drive!engages Microlllusions's TX.-OOO August 1088

- warn Machine Spooks - TGM investigates the computer heuntings! Deluxe Photolab reviewed! TX:010 September 1088 Conning The Computer - Mel Croucher I looks at computer fraud! Archimedes Special - game and graphics on the 32bit micro! Telerevolutlon - Satellite TV is really hare! Is The Law Still An Ass Bamaby Page examines copyright! Typical Games Machinist - TGM questionnaire results!

October 1888 MM Crooch^ JnvwbolT* N t n t »^o?1 theft! Robin c l ^ Z computer — a

s s R s s s S a ^ — "ynoe I * * *

,ntzrr'"Z!

S,uar1

TXi012 November 1888 The First British Console? - The Slipstream! The Real Cybernauts Technology for the disabled! Cyberpunk and Robocop! Eddy Shah's The Post and Mac technology! Walk this way - State of the art in Walkman technology! The World of Nintendo! TGM looks at STOS - The Game Creator!

TX:013 December 1988 Pirates - an investigation of the wrong side of the law! Mel Croucher looks at commuters In the brave new world! Pictures from an exhibition! Life In the farce lane - the TGM team! Trillion Byte Trips - SF book reviews!

" " O H * — *

f t *

ORDER FORM

The Special Software D i s c o u n t Offer Prices only apply t o r e c o m m e n d e d retail prices for s o f t w a r e , not t o already highlighted, d i s c o u n t e d special offers, h a r d w a r e and other goodies. No other d i s c o u n t s m a y be applied.

CODE

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PRICE

I want to subscribe to 12 issues of TGM and receive the KNIX SPEEDKING joystick for free. If I've already got a T G M subscription, and it is running out soon I extend it for a further t w e l v e issues - and get a free KONIX SPEEDKING joystick. If I a m a current subscriber, but d o not w i s h to extend my subscription, I can still get the KONIX SPEEDKING joystick for an amazing £7.95. - a special subscribers discount price. Please tick the appropriate box: j I enclose £18.00 for a new T G M s u b s c r i p t i o n mainland UK • I enclose £25.00for a new TGM s u b s c r i p t i o n outside mainland UK - surface mail • I enclose £38.00 for a new TGM s u b s c r i p t i o n outside Europe - Air mail • I enclose £3.95 for the special subscriber MERCY DASH offer. l a m a new subscriber

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EARLY WARNING: If you wish your sub to c o m m e n c e w i t h Issue 16, w e must receive your c o u p o n no later t h a n 3 r d February 1988. Please allow 28 days for your free gift.

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4 1 2 3 7 8 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 TX:015 February 1089 Right Formation - diary of tho c r e a t i o n of a n e w 16-blt flight g a m e - Mol Croucher as daddy of antique robotoys - ISDN - playing games over the phone - Fly the devastating aircrafts of t o m o r r o w , o n the c o m p u t e r

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Full compatibility w i t h all A t a r i S T m o d e l s . A m i g a 5 0 0 & A m i g a 1000 Top quality Citizen drive mechanism One megabyte u n f o r m a t t e d capacity External plug in PSU (Atari ST) Throughport (Amiga) Very quiet Slimline design C o l o u r m a t c h e d to c o m p u t e r L o n g cable f o r l o c a t i o n e i t h e r side o f c o m p u t e r F u l l 12 m o n t h s g u a r a n t e e

AATARI

AMIGA VERSION ONLY

Don't forger®I prices shown

include VAT and delivery

Ail our ST prices include: mouse eic. plus 5 disKs oi software including ^coprocessor utilities, grooves game and demos Phone us now for a quote on any combination of hardware

S P E C I A L OFFER A M I G A Amiga 500 computer TV Modulator Mouse & Mouse mat Joystick Photon Paint Karate Kid I I Gold runner

User Guide and 5 disks of Public Domain Software. Softwaro included is: Tost c>nv» Bugoyjkiy

Summer Ohrmpwd Afkanoid II Eddie Edwards SU

Xenon vvut>a« Seconds Out Zynnpa

Chopper X Rananwna

r e

,. tftlS

Thrust

£349.oo

Inc VAT & delivery ik*. Wamors Organiser Business S/wara 520 STFM with 1 MEG internal drive fitted £279.00 520 STFM 1MEG internal 3.5* drive upgrade kit inc. full instructions £74.95 1040 STFM with TV modulator. Microsoft Write1 & VIP Professional' £419.00 1040 STFM model with software as above, with mono monitor £529.00 1040 STFM model with software as above, including all extras as suppiiod with abovo described '520STFM Super Pack' £489.00 1040 STFM inc. 'super pack' extras as above, with mono monitor £599.00 Mega ST2 with mono monitor. MS-Write' & VIP Pro.' £849.00 Mega ST4 with mono monitor. MS-Write' & 'VIP Pro.' £1099.00 SMI24/5 mono monitor £119 00 SCI224 colour monitor, good low price £279.00 Mega-FUe 30Mb hard disk £539.00 Mega ST2 special offer package including Mega ST2. 2nd 3.5" drive. mono monitor. SLM804 laserprinter. 'Microsoft Write". 'VIP Professional', 'Fleet St Publisher' and 90 days on site maintenance all for only £1795.00 Philips 15- FST Teletext TV/monitor model 1185. full rem/ctrl. c/W cable .... £269.00 Philips CM8833 colour monitor c/w ST or Amiga load £229.00 Philips CM8852 as abovo. higher resolution £299.00 Cameron Handy Mouse, high quality replacement ST mouso £39.95

cable

W e u s e a n d r e c o m m o n d Star p r i n t e r s s i n c e t h e y o f f e r a n u n b e a t a b l e c o m b i n a t i o n o f features. print quality, reliability a n d value. Make t h e s e n s i b l e d e c i s i o n • g e l il r i g h t w i l h a Star printer ai our special, all in. prices.

Star LClO best-selling 144/36cps printer. 4 NLQ fonts. Inc.2 extra ribbons free .. £199.00 Star LC10 7-colour version of above printer, inc.2 extra black ribbons £249.00 Star LC24-10 leature-packed muftifont 24 pin printer £339.00 Star NB24-10 great value 24pin inc. cut sheet feeder • 2 extra ribbons £499.00 Star NX-15 budget wide carriage pnnter .. £329.00 Star NB24£649.00 1-15 wide carr.version of NB24-10 Inc. free cut sheet feeder NEC P2200 budget 24pln. great value 168/56 cps £319.00 Amslrad DMP31( P3160/3250DI good value 10* with senal & parallel interlaces £189.00 Amstrad LQ3500 10' 24pin "with both serial and parallel ~ Interlaces £329.00 Panasonic KXP1081 reliable budget 10* printer 120/24 cps £169.00 Epson LX800 popular 10* 180/25 cps £199.00 Epson LQ500 good 24pin printer 150/50 cps .. £319.00 Citizen 120D good value 10* 1CT 120 cps £139.00 Crtizen 180E budget 10* carriage 150/30 cps .. £199.00 Citizen HQP-45 bargain 24 pin wide carriage printer £399.00 Sheet feeders available for most ot the above printers - call us for details

3.5"

DOUBLE TAKE!

10 B u k packed DS/DD 3.5" disks with labels, fulty guaranteed 25 bufc disks as above 10 disks as above with plastic case 25 disks as above, witn 40 capacity tockaWe storage unit Verbatim DS/DD disks, lop quality media with lifetime guarantee. Box of 10 only SKC MF2DD DS/DD 3.5* disks. Box of 10 ...

£11.95 £27.95 £13.95 £34.95 £19.95 £17.95

G r i d Start Demolition XR 35 Atax Las Vegas plus 5 disks of public domain i / w i r t

all t h i s for o n l y

£399.00!

Superb quality, stylish medium resolution FST colour TV/monitor to suit the ST or Amiga. Features teletext, full Infra red remote control. Euroconnector. Video/Audio input and headphone output connectors. 40 tuner presets, external aerial includes VAT connecior and loop aerial. Supand computer plied with cable (please state computer type when ordering). connection food

SPECIAL OFFER I

PYE 15" FST TV/MONITOR (MODEL 1185)

£269.00

POWERFUL ATARI ST DISK UTILITIES

• • • •

SOFTWARE BACKUP with new turbo nlbbler Version 4 incorporates a very last and powerful menu-driven backup utility. Makes use ot all available drives and memory. 56 SOFTWARE BACKUP PARAMETERS Parameters now includes 56 individual routines to backup and de-protect tho toughest protection schemes. FAST BACKUP Will backup a non-protected disk as quickly as possible using 'File Allocation Copy' techniques. EXTERNAL DRIVE BOOT Allows many programs to startup from drive B. ORGANISER ACCESSORY New look Version 4, providing extremely useful disk management commands under one desktop-based accessisory. including FORMAT. RENAME. DE EXTRAA FORMAT to maximise usable space on your disks - provides over 15% additional user storage space per diskl RAMDISK and SET DAT&TIME accessories plus UNDELETE, DISK A N A L Y S I S . U N F O R M A T DISK S P E E D C H E C K and much more I

How to order from

Disks

* * * * *

following:

T h e t o t a l r e t a i l v a l u e o f e x t r a s s u p p l i e d Is £ 2 7 0 . 4 5 .

•

All prices include VAT, delivery a n d

PACK

Our new special offer pack includes the

5 2 0 S T F M SUPER P A C K Includes 520 STFM with 1MEQ drive, over E450 worth of software. Joystick, mouso. MarW® Madness Beyond Ice Palace

including VAT and delivery

flSfl Phone us with your w m m i ACCESS or VISA m w m card details on :

E l 3 ® 0386-765500

Only

u £ 2 4 . 9 5 —Dlsectof - d S ST disk

upgrade your for only C7J5*

All prices Include VAT and delivery. Next day delivery £5.00 extra. |

f w l Send cheque, Postal Order ^ or ACCESS/VISA card details G o v t , educ. & P L C orders welcome Same day despatch whenever possible All goods subject to availability, F.&O.E. Open to callers 6 days, 9J0-5J0

Evesham Micros Ltd 63 B R I D G E S T R E E T EVESHAM WORCS WR11 4SF

<& 0 3 8 6 - 7 6 5 5 0 0 fax 0386-765354 telex 3 3 3 2 9 4

Alio at: 1762 Pcrshore Rd., CoUcridge, Birmingham B30 3BII Tel: 021 458 4564 |

CHARTS

the charts CHRISTMAS •

CHART-TOPPERS

1 Operation Wolf (Ocean) 2 RoboCop (Ocean) 3 Ghostbusters (Mastertronic budget) 4 Double Dragon (Melbourne House) 5 Afterburner (Activtsion) 6 Thunder Blade (US Gold) 7 Through The Trap Door (Alternative budget) 8 Giants (US Gold compilation) 9 Falcon (Mirrorsoft) 10 End Zone (Alternative budget) Whatever happened t o the high-fliers - Afterburner a n d Thunder Blade - in this Christmas of c o i n - o p conversions? Despite massive hype. Activision's much-criticised s h o o t - ' e m - u p with a fighter plane and US G o l d ' s not-at-all-bad helicopter g a m e failed t o reach the giddy heights of the Christmas sales charts, c o m p i l e d by research organisation Gallup. Instead Ocean took the t w o pole positions with Operation Wolf, a tough a n d thoroughly satisfying blaster f r o m the arcades benefiting from its first-person view, a n d RoboCop - a curious kind of c o i n - o p game, because it w a s developed simultaneously with the arcade 'original'. The film's cult and commercial s u c c e s s probably helped.

* Stocking up: Christmas crowds choose coin-op conversions they're g o n n a call. Further d o w n the chart, another rerelease and a couple more budget titles scored, along with Mirrorsoft's 16-bit-only Falcon. Other titles w h i c h d i d n ' t quite make the Gallup T o p Ten. which refers t o December 19-31 1988, were R-Type from Electric Dreams. Prism Leisure's Football Manager 2 a n d Ocean's compilation The In Crowd. A c o i n - o p conversion, a sports management sim, a c o m p i l a tion . . . w h o said predictability was dead?

Modest successes

Melbourne House m a n a g e d to get Double Dragon into fourth place virtually without hype - a sign of what a g o o d licence can d o for sales - while their sister budget label Mastertronic astonished pundits with the success of the rerelease Ghostbusters. A n old g a m e , an o u t - o f date film . . . yet obviously plenty of p o c k e t - m o n e y buyers k n e w w h o

AND THE LOSERS ARE... Well, who dares loses at these kinds of sports. The response to TGM014's Epyx comp, where you were asked to design a sports game on the model of Summer Games etc, had us grinning inanely so long that we decided to print the winner plus the best of the rest. The big winner is A Ward of Colwyn Bay, Clwyd (Suicidal Games), who receives an Amiga . . . runners-up receive copies of The Games - Summer Edition. Full list of winners: page 121.

a SUICIDAL GAMES Cave swimming Stampede running Javelin-catching The 100-kitovott hurdles Grenade tennis Crocodile pit-leaping The flaming high jump (top bar

drenched in blazing petrol) Minefield vaulting (Robins tip: be careful not to plant your pole on a mine) from A Ward. Colwyn Bay, Clwyd

HARES AKE

a GOAT GAMES Butt the Welshman 100 metres trot Milk the goat Grass-chewing Shearing Bavarian goat cross-country Thai goat boxing Morris dancing from Stephen Harcourt, Harlow. Essex

m GREAT MOMENTS IN HISTORY The Battle of Hastings (aim for that eye') Stonehenge weightlifting The Henry VIII wife marathon Swimming the channel The Berlin Wall high tump Invading France (long jump from a boat-watch out for a budget Dunkirk done) Spacewalk hurdles Titanic swimming challenge This winner missed out his/her name - please send it to TGM.

I gqi.ZTO x O

m YUPPIE GAMES The subway obstacle race 100-metre dash from subway to Stock Exchange Fight for starting prices BMW racing from Stock Exchange to disco Gin & tonic marathon (first to ten...) Chat-up challenge Catch a falling share Window-ledge jump from Simon Spong, Poles worth, Staffordshire

VERY U LARGE « NUMBERS m Every year £30 billion is spent on computer software worldwide

Pu^R £

I 6^5,190

U There are more than 50 million computers woddwide... and another million are installed every month rn 450 million 256K RAM chips are manufactured every year... enough memory for 225 million STs 1 • A laser reading Information from a CD-ROM disk travels almost three miles SOURCES: 1 US Government, 2 Briosh OUvHti. 3 Fln*nci»l Times

TGM

016:3-8993/124

WHEN THE EMPIRE INVADED...

the SPECTRUM remix Pit your wits against the perils f r o m the sky, fight against an alien e m p i r e intent on mankind's destruction

â&#x20AC;˘

-.v'.

Get^ ready to expierence 12 levels o f the fastest, meanest shoot 'em up scrolling o n t o your s i reens w i t h graphics to astound and sound to a m a / e ! O p e r a t i o n Sanxion is active!

By S o f t S t o r m D e v e l o p m e n t s Thalamus, 1 Saturn House, Calleva Pari, Aldermaston, Berkshire RC7 4 Q W

C D t r T D I I K A S(07356) 77261 J l

t L

I K

Cassette: Diskette:

ÂŁ12.99

BACK BYTES

CONTENTS 96 100 102 104 108 114 115 116 118 121 122

INFORMATION DESK COMPUTER VIRUSES: FEARS AND CURES TOOLBOX 16-BIT ART UTILITIES: IN DETAIL GUIDE TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS MERCY DASH: MAD AND BAD CONTROVERSY CLASSIFIEDS REPAIR SERVICES COMPETITION RESULTS/TRIVIA QUIZ NEXT MONTH

TGM

016:3-89101/124

INFORMATION Trilogic m a k e a good low-cost m o d e l , the A m i g a A u d i o Digitiser. Housed i n a small box. it is designed to w o r k w i t h most sampler software, such as Audiomaster and Prosound. It costs a m e r e £24.99 a n d y o u can contact Trilogic at Unit I. 253 New Works Road. Bradford BDI2 0QP « (0274) 691115.

Music questions m a k e the biggest noise in this month's Information Desk, as our Back Bytes staff answer your enquiries

Desperately seeking synth links

Electronics are at F e n t o n I n d u s trial Estale, G o v a n Road. Fenton. Stoke-on-Trent <0782) 744707.

/ own a C64 and would like to link it up to a synthesizer. What hardware or software would I need to turn my C64 into a tapeless music studio? ParysJon. Belgium

I own an Amiga and a Yamaha PSS 480 synthesizer and wish to link them together, so I can write music on my Amiga and play it back on my synthesizer. Could you recommend a peripheral which would allow me to do this? Roger Macias.

Like the w r i t e r above, the first t h i n g y o u ' l l need is a M I D I i n t e r face. Datel's M I D I 64 c o n t a i n s all the necessary ports l o l i n k y o u r C64 to a synthesiser, a n d at £29.95 it provides excellent value for m o n e y . Datel's address is i n the i t e m above.

Gibraltar

M I D I - Musical I n s t r u m e n t Digital Interface - is w h a t y o u need. M I D I is n o t a particular p r o d u c t , b u t a standard w h i c h allows several musical i n s t r u m e n t s to be l i n k e d together or to a c o m p u t e r so that e v e r y t h i n g is c o n t r o l l e d f r o m onesou rce. Datel's M i d i m a s t e r is a standard M I D I interface w i t h w i t h o n e i n p o r t , one t h r o u g h p o n and three o u t ports - m o r e t h a n e n o u g h for most musicians. Of course, y o u ' l l also need software to get the most out of y o u r M I D I l i n k - u p . W a t c h T G M for a review of A m i g a music programs i n t h e n e x t f e w m o n t h s .

T h e n y o u ' l l need software. T h e r e arc several good packages available for the C64. i n c l u d i n g Rainbird's Advanced Music System (£39.95). Rainbird can be contacted at first floor, 64-76 New Oxford Street. London WCIA IPS S (01) 2 4 0 - 8 8 3 8 .

A m i g a sound sampling Could you please advise me on a good sound sampler for the Amiga A500? Andre Rosso. Reading

M i d i m a s t e r costs £34.99. Datel

r r

j •"JWHi

mmt&a* WBsssum: 71 J-ic •

.at

Datcl's A m i g a Pro Sampler Studio is m o r e expensive at £69.99, b u t includes its o w n software. Also, samples can be saved i n IFF f o r m a t , w h i c h is the standard used by m a n y sample packages. Also i n c l u d e d is f o u r - t r a c k sequencer software.

I own an Amiga and the Aegis Sonbc music program. The program is excellent. but the number of instruments is rather limiting. I was thinking of buying a sound sampler to rectify this. Can I use samples from the sampler within the Sonix program? Would I need any additional software? Anthony Hicks. Kingsdown There are several low-cost samplers available for the A m i g a , b u t y o u ' l l need extra s o f t w a r e to be able to use the samples w i t h Sonix. The £125 F u t u r e S o u n d sampler for £125 includes all the s o f t w a r e necessary to use customised samples w i t h i n Sonix.

Virus fears I've just bought an Amiga and have heard about an Amiga virus. Could you please explain what this virus is and how I can avoid it? David Hall. Wickford T h e v i r u s is a short p r o g r a m o n a

disk

w h i c h transfers itself i n t o the A m i g a R A M w h e n that disk is used. It can t h e n lie d o r m a n t w h i l e disks are swapped. Sooner or later, it strikes by d a m a g i n g the boot file of w h a t e v e r disk is i n the drive, m a k i n g it impossible t o load w h a t ever software's o n that disk. There's m u c h m o r e l o say o n viruses, a n d w h a t y o u need to k n o w is o n page 100 of this issue. Suffice it to say. h o w e v e r , t h a i t h e r e are several reliable ways of a v o i d i n g viruses, and as l o n g as y o u ' r e careful t h e y d o n ' t JKJSC a great threat. T w o m o r e things m a y p u t y o u r m i n d at resi. Firstly, it's very u n l i k e l y l h a i a v i r u s w i l l physically damage y o u r c o m p u t e r ( t h o u g h it's technically possible; again, see page 100). Secondly, a c o m puter virus cannot h a r m humans - y e s . some p e o p l e d believe that 1

16-bit miscellany 1) Will a 512K RAM expansion card make the Amiga A 500 compatible with Amiga A1000 software, and ifso where can I get hold of one? 2) What DTP packages are available for the Amiga? Are Mirrorsoft planning a version of Fleet Street Editor for the Amiga? )) Is there likely to be a boom in Amiga software and hardware during 1989. and will it ever overtake the A tari ST? 4) Will software houses take advantage of the ST Plus s enhanced graphics and sound capabilities? Samuel Flanagan. Hontcastle 1) Since the A 1 0 0 0 had o n l y 2 5 6 K R A M . the A 5 0 0 w i l l already r u n all A 1 0 0 0 software. H o w e v e r , a R A M expansion is necessary to r u n programs designed for the A2000. Commodore manufacture t h e i r o w n expansion card, the A 5 0 1 , priced at £149.95. Y o u can contact C o m m o d o r e o n S (0628) 770088. 2 ) There arc few DTP packages available for the A m i g a - a n y o n e considering DTP as their m a i n use for a c o m p u t e r is strongly advised t o go for a PC-compatible or. at greater expense, one of t h e Apple family. Professional Page, a Canadian import costing £250.70 from T r i C o m p u t e r Software, is one of the m o r e p o w e r f u l - t h o u g h y o u need at least I M b R A M to r u n it (that's w h e r e the A 5 0 1 card comes i n h a n d y ! ) . F u l l specs were given i n T G M 0 1 3 ; contact T r i C o m p u t e r Software at 161-169 Uxbridge Road. Ealing. London W13 9A U « (01) 840-6136. M i r r o r s o f i have n o f i r m plans to release Fleet Street Editor o n the

96/124 TGM

016:3-89

BACK BYTES Amiga. It w o u l d n ' t surprise us, given that it's already o u t o n five formats i n c l u d i n g ST a n d PC, b u t o n the o t h e r h a n d it m a y seem a trifle outmoded. DTP has developed greatly i n the past couple of years. 3) It certainly looks as if there's going to be a n increase i n A m i g a software, as sales of the c o m p u t e r itself are o n the up and u p , b u t as to o v e r t a k i n g the S T . . . o u r g u e s s is as good as yours. Does it matter? ( A n d please, Readerpagc doesn't need replies to that!) 4) A t a r i have yet t o c o n f i r m the existence of the r u m o u r e d ST Plus, but a spokesperson for A t a r i said that t h e y ' r e ' a l w a y s l o o k i n g for ways of increasing p o w e r a n d value for m o n e y of o u r c o m p u t e r range'. T h i n k of that w h a t y o u w i l l . . . but bear i n m i n d that Atari are very good at t a l k i n g about products before t h e y ' r e completed, let alone released.

What a PD / own an Atari 520 STFM. Could you please tell me where I can obtain public-domain software? Michael Gravelle. Blackheath Send an S A E . t o McSoft, 21 Purbrook Road. Tadley. Basingstoke. Hampshire RG26 6PR for a list of public-domain software and prices.

Disk doubts As a C64 disk user. I'd like to know whether it's true that Amiga disk drives are also slow, and that they

have no directory or catalogue function! CA Hester. Bradford To a v o i d endless letters f r o m o u t raged A m i g a users, let's just say that the A m i g a d r i v e is n o t the fastest a r o u n d ! This can be i r r i t a t i n g w h e n y o u ' r e using utilities that need f r e q u e n t disk access, but for games w h i c h load as a w h o l e - o r level by level - it really o n l y means a f e w seconds extra. T h e A m i g a does have a d i r e c t o r y f u n c t i o n , i n the CLI ( C o m m a n d Line Interface) - part of the system w h i c h loads f r o m Workbench but involves typed-in commands rather t h a n m o u s e a n d icons. B o t h LIST a n d DIR w i l l do t h e j o b (LIST give* m o r e detailed i n f o r m a tion). The o n e p r o b l e m is that w i t h a single-drive system, y o u have to k n o w the disk's v o l u m e name, so that w h e n y o u r e m o v e t h e Workbench disk a n d insert t h e one y o u ' r e interested in, the o p e r a t i n g system is sure i t ' s g o t the right one! It's a bit of a hassle. W i t h a second disk d r i v e , h o w ever, y o u can simply leave Workbench i n o n e d r i v e , put the desired disk i n the o t h e r , a n d access it using the d r i v e n u m b e r .

PCW power? / am interested in buying an Amstrad PCW8256 or PCW85I2. but I don't know how much data the disk drives can take. David Linford. Horley W e ' r e n o t sure w h e t h e r y o u m e a n h o w m u c h data t h e disks t h e m -

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selves can store, or h o w m u c h i h e y can load i n t o t h e system before it fills up. So w e ' l l a n s w e r b o t h questions. The 8256 disks can take a total of 360K, 180K o n each side - as m u c h as the standard ST a n d most PCs ( h o w e v e r , y o u do have t o physically t u r n the disk a r o u n d to access t h e second I 8 0 K ! ) . The 8 5 1 2 is an odd beast i n that its t w o drives take different-size disks - t h e y ' r e the same 3 - i n c h things i n appearance, b u t d r i v e A behaves l i k e a n 8256 d r i v e w h i l e drive B takes disks w i t h 7 2 0 K capacity w h i c h don 7 have to be t u r n e d over. It's probably a case of A m s t r a d b o l t i n g o n a second drive b u t n o t wanting to make expensive changes to the o r i g i n a l 8256's design . . . The m e m o r y of t h e m a c h i n e s ie the a m o u n t of programs a n d data t h e y can h a n d l e at one t i m e is explained by t h e names: t h e 8 2 5 6 has 2 5 6 K , the 8 5 1 2 5 1 2 K . Incidentally, w e t h i n k that for the business or p r o g r a m m i n g user, t h e y ' r e fine computers, if a tad expensive.

Unravelling upgrades I have had an STfor about six months, but now with some extra money I'm wondering if it's worth trading in the ST for an Amiga or even a PC. What do you suggest? Are the Archimedes, PC and Amiga actually better than the ST. as their higher prices imply? David Schoenberg, Dumbarton We seem to be spending all m o n t h a v o i d i n g the great S T / A m i g a dispute, b u t here goes . . .

U p g r a d i n g really depends o n w h a t y o u w a n t the c o m p u t e r for. If y o u ' r e interested p u r e l y i n games-playing, the ST is to all i n t e n t s a n d purposes as g o o d as the A m i g a - o k a y , so t h e A m i g a sometimes has marginally better graphics a n d sound, b u t is it w o r t h w r i t i n g off y o u r i n v e s t m e n t i n ST s o f t w a r e just for that? The ST is u n d o u b t e d l y ahead of t h e A m i g a i n music software, because of its b u i l t - i n M I D I port, b u t the A m i g a leads i n art utilities. For p r o g r a m m i n g pursuits, t h e y ' r e about equal. T h e o t h e r t w o machines y o u m e n t i o n are u n l i k e l y to be the right choices for a typical T G M reader ( t h o u g h w h o said y o u ' r e typical?). T h o u g h the A r c h i m e d e s is a v e r y fine c o m p u t e r for its price, the range of software is very l i m i t e d it's really only suitable for advanced p r o g r a m m i n g or scientific-applications. A n d t h e PC, w h i l e u n d o u b t e d l y the single best m a c h i n e for progr a m m i n g a n d w o r d processing, is still t h e ugly sister of the games w o r l d . It's also, generally, an expensive m a c h i n e to r u n peripherals a n d g o o d software are pricey because t h e y ' r e sold m a i n l y t o businesses rather t h a n i n d i v i d u als. POWER PACKS CBM PSU £19.95 SPECTRUM PSU C9 95 SPECTRUM MEMBRANE C9 95 OUST COVER (PLEASE STATE MACHINE) C3 95 Pnces include P 4 P 4 VAT. Send CheqmvPO To: OMNIDALE LTD |GM) 23 CUZON STREET DERBY DE12ES Tel. 033? 291219

H A R D W A R E AND DISKS AT TRADE PRICES Atari Super Pack Atan 520FM inc. 1 Mb Drive Amiga + Mod Commodore PC 1 Mono Amiga Gen. Lock Panasonic 1081 Printer Star LC-10 Colour Printer Star LC-10 Mono Printer Cumana Disk Drive

Disks

£349 £275 £349 C359 £113 £169 £269 £229 £99

10 x 3.5" DS/DD : £9 25 x 3.5" DS/DD £20 50 x 3.5" DS/DD £38 100 x 3.5" DS/DD £74 250 x 3.5" DS/DD £180 500 x 3.5" DS/DD £345 1.000 x 3.5" DS/DD £675 100 Capacity 3.5" Disk box £7.50 Dm PWta Qi— But THeyAre Top fimmr-hMt Hillmil i a Pnrrtnr* inc. Lead All price* INC VAT 4 3-day cJeftvery l add 5% lo an prices il ordering by cretM card. Cheques ind postal order* lo

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Fun with filenames I use an Amstrad PCI 512 for producing a user-club newsletter, writing essays etc. and I am constantly hating trouble with forgetting the filenames of old files which I haven 7 touched for a while. Is there any way to keep an index of the disks with notes attached, apart from writing it all down? Martyn Watson. Hull A surprisingly l i t t l e - k n o w n but v e r y useful f e a t u r e of M S - D O S is t h e > o u t p u t d i r e c t o r , w h i c h sends t h e o u t p u t of a c o m m a n d s u c h as DIR o r CHKDSK l o a text file r a t h e r t h a n t h e screen. So t o get a text file o f a f l o p p y disk d i r e c t o r y , s i m p l y t y p e ( w i t h the disk in drive A:> DIR A:>FILENAME. FILENAME Can, o f course, be a n y n a m e u p t o t h e usual l i m i t of eight characters before t h e f u l l stop a n d t h r e e a f t e r . You can t h e n v i e w a n d e d i t FILENAME as a n A S C I I file. A n o t h e r w a y t o keep track of w h a t ' s w h a t is t o use logical filenames! The s u f f i x ( t h e bit after t h e f u l l stop) Is p a r t i c u l a r l y u s e f u l here - y o u m i g h t w a n t t o p u t .LET after all letter files, NOT after files of notes, ESS after essay files, etc. For e x a m p l e , o n T G M ( w h e r e most of t h e w r i t i n g is d o n e o n systems r u n n i n g M S - D O S o r t h e rather similar C P / M ) . w e a l w a y s put the issue n u m b e r as t h e s u f f i x . This a n s w e r is in t h e file INF02.I6. m e a n i n g it's t h e second file of I n f o r m a t i o n Desk i n T G M 0 1 6 . Sensible filenames are essential whenever you've got large a m o u n t s of data floating a r o u n d .

98/124 TGM

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w h a t e v e r t h e system - w h o w a n t s t o p l o u g h t h r o u g h acres o f files called THURSDAY a n d JOHNFILE a n d ODDBTTS?! A w e d by the A m i g a ? Stuck w i t h the ST? M u d d l e d by M S X ? Pretty c o n f u s e d by PCs? This has b e e n s o m e t h i n g of an A m i g a m o n t h at I n f o r mation Desk, n o d o u b t thanks to all the n e w users Santa b r o u g h t . But w e h a n dle queries a b o u t all micros, even the f e w T G M d o e s n ' t n o r m a l l y cover. So send y o u r c o m p u t i n g questions to I n f o r m a t i o n Desk, T G M , P O B o x 10, L u d l o w , S h r o p s h i r e SY8 1DB. N e a r l y all questions are a n s w e r e d s o o n e r o r later e v e n if it's in a reply to s o m e o n e else's letter. So it's not really all that b a d that w e can't g i v e replies by post or p h o n e , is it n o w ?

Correction

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SPECTNUM TITLE CASSOtSC AFTERBURNER 7.46 1146 AR I BORNE RMIGE* UB AfK l AMOO 2 fftWGE u o 996 ARMVYTE _ 6-95 W&MVM 2 PAL BAflCS TALE 1 •Jft WtMNtCAPEECflUSAK? 125 998 BEST Of a m VOL 1 I K BKMC COMMANDS ft-96 196 BLACX. TG I ER BCMBWA 6.45 5.46 198 BUBBLE BOBBIE BUGGY SOY 1-50 CAPTAIN BLOOD 8.96 rjfsmp. C OMMANO 9.K 1196 COMWMCttffOHMICf 8J6 12.96 CWCARS2 8.95 CHOSSWT ...... 4.96 OAtFY THOMPSON 88 6-50 DAfWRjSION V9B 8.96 DRW BELLS l i MANS DOUBLE DRAGON MB 196 196 196 DRAGON NPCA DHdCONSLAYW DYHMNCOUO _... 5-45 EUNMATOR 6.96 ENLfll HUGHES FOOTBALL196 196 EtWSTRttSBACK 196 SJB MB FSPO l NAut 100 EVUXM6RST 196 R» RSTSftTWCTTLES 145 196 FMSTAR 2 196 RJGHTAd . — 9.96 12.96 rOOTBAiL OWECTOR 145 196 F15STRWE EAGLE F l« COMBAT PIOT 196 12.96 2.96 4.96 FOOTHAX i MANAGER .. FOOTWLL MANAGER 2195 9.95 196 196 GAA*0*R2 GAME SETftMATCH 2196 I t * 100 GARFIELD BOLD SMiR BAOKZE 1146 12.96 GRAND WUCKUT _ 6 95 996 OMSWP HEROES OF LANCE 7-4S 1146 MCSMRMMGSPttAE »04CS 6ACX 996 12J6 KTBtSITY 100 616 1196 "ON LORD JfTBKESIH KONAMI COLLECTION 196 12.B5 196 KRAOOCT LANCELOT ,_ 196 11.96 LASER SQUAD 196 UBTMKIA? „ 196 11961196 L BOARD PAR 3 L BOARD PAR A 196 996 LED STORM iMtlFTW 196 196 198 196 WKKfY MOUSE HCROSOCCW .... MMOFRCE 2 MM MJTT 196 1146 MOTOR MASSACRE _5.96 196 MU»0« (T WRECKSl 196 1146 1943 196 198 19BOOTCAMP 8.96 MGEL MANSELO? 196 MGHTOAOER 7.« OPERATO I N WOLF 5.75 196 OUTRUN 196 i V ) ft Oft r u a u i v a WW 125 PACLAND PACMAMA 5.96 PHM PEGASUS 196 1196 weoA'c* 7.48 PR0S0CC8ISM 5.96 196 PUFFY5 SAGA _____196 1146 0UIST10N0F SPORT „9J6 1196 •> M aujfl^ J i ftft •• * 0 • » 196 RED0CT0B6I 196 196 WTURNOf JED 196 10-46 S U ft-9610.96 AMD BLASTERS ft Jftft WMCOP * wftft RTWC 196 1146 4J6 SAAMIAI WARRO IR SAVAGE 150 7.45 SDI lACTMSIONl 196 1146 attOBMU SKATIORWE 196 1146 sac GOLD 7.45 1196 1148 12J6 SPACE ACE 196 196 SPtTTKG MAGE STAR TREK 196 STARWARS STEALTH FG I HTER 196 916 STRPPOKER 2 196 SUPER DRA60K SLAYER 7.46 SUPERHANGON SUPCAMAM 125 ft UBflft SUPREME CHALLENGE 196 11.96 196 11.96 TAfTOCOMOPS THE GAACS SLMMER 196 1196 THEHCROKC 196 THE MUSTERS 196 n u c e e u i K 1*5 196 196 196 TG I ER RO« THEftMAGK 9J5 9.96 TOTAL ECUPSE 198 196 1RACKSUT MANAGER 196 TRNN ESCAPE 196 10.46 TRN«\RSLT 196 WWRNEWBEON 196 TYGER TYGER 100 («T0UC«ABL£S ... 5.96 196 •E ARET>«CHAI»WNS196 12-B 196 9.96 WCC IE MANS RHRLOC 4J6 196

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BACK BYTES

COMPUTER VIRUSES FANTASY OR THREAT? T

o their victims, they're a n u i sance - or a disaster. To their perpetrators, they're a bit o l a joke - o r a cruel way to wreak revenge. A n d to the quality press, t h e y ' r e a n excuse for publishing scare stories w h i l e still sounding serious. Probably because of their name and the inevitable connotations of an electronic AIDS, computer viruses have gained a notoriety beyond their real threat. I n fact, because of their nature, they pose little danger to h o m e - m i c r o o w n ers; because viruses have to travel f r o m one file to another, they're most damaging w h e n m a n y files are accessible at once, either t h r o u g h linked computers (as i n large business installations) or o n hard disks. Contrary to popular belief, viruses are not necessarily h a r m f u l they don't all w o r k by w i p i n g out files. The d e f i n i t i o n given by Ralf Burger, a u t h o r of Computer Viruses: A High-Tech Disease, is as follows:

A program must be characterised as a virus program if it combines the following attributes: 1) Modification of software not belonging to the virus program by binding its program structures into these other programs. 2) Capability to execute the modification on a number of programs. 3) Capability to recognise a modification performed on a program. 4) The ability to prevent further modification of the same program upon such recognition. 5) Modified software assumes attributes I to 4. In other words, a virus is a program - usually a short one. to m i n i m i s e the risk of discovery - that ' r e p r o duces' itself by copying i n t o other programs. These, i n t u r n , then

become viral programs and look for other uninfected programs i n t o w h i c h they can copy the virus code. Some viruses just carry o n d o i n g this for e v e r - l i k e soft ware pirates, the authors of these viruses are just s h o w i n g off their o w n code wizardry a n d seeing h o w far the virus can get undetected. The only bad effect of such a virus is that it increases the size of programs and can thtis make t h e m slower to load or even too long to r u n . (This is the reason for Burger's attributes 3 and 4: if a virus kept o n infecting programs that had already been infected, their increased size w o u l d very q u i c k l y be noticed. It's also, one suspects, a w a y of keeping the d e f i n i t i o n of c o m p u t e r viruses dose to that of organic viruses, w h i c h d o n ' t infect the same cell twice.) Other viruses are lethal. Probably the most notorious is a PC virus that sometimes goes under the filename EGABTR - this erases e v e r y t h i n g o n the disk and displays the message ' A r f ! A r f ! Got you.'. Similar PC viruses, according to Burger, are DOSKNOWS, SKCRIJT>BAS and vDiR.cbM. T h o u g h they d o n ' t display the laughing message w h i c h is little consolation - they make the disk unusable. Of course, these viruses could quite easily appear w i t h different, i n n o c e n t - s o u n d i n g filenames . . . ST/Amiga viruses Viruses can o n l y w o r k o n diskbased systems, because they can't press the keys to start a tape r u n ning! So w h i l e PC a n d m i n i f r a m e / mainframe viruses are the most c o m m o n , the Amiga and ST are also likely victims. The t w o b e s t - k n o w n Amiga v i r uses are the Swiss Crackers' Association (SCA) program and the Byte Bandit virus. The SCA virus, w h i c h is notorious but apparently harmless, sits in R A M and copies itself to the

Binary pests: illustrations from Ralf Burger's excellent computer-virus book sum up the parallels with living viruses

100/124 TGM

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boot block of every disk that is inserted till the machine's t u r n e d off. After 16 copies, it announces: ' S o m e t h i n g w o n d e r f u l has happened. Your Amiga is alive Irritating, but not particularly dangerous; the data is left safe. The Byte Bandit virus is more serious - it, too, copies itself to boot blocks, but instead of displaying a message it causes the system to crash and overwrites data. ST viruses seem to be less comm o n . t h o u g h German programmers have even produced a virus construction set for the machine!

Doctor, Doctor! How to recognise a virus Is your machine slow, listless, uninterested? Unexplained files o n your disk directory? Disk drive m a k i n g f u n n y noises at the w r o n g times? If so, y o u may have a virus. A virus may not be blindingly obvious till it's too late a n d a message saying 'all y o u r files are destroyed' appears. So keep an eye out for the followi n g symptoms: • Slow loading. • Programs that used to r u n okay n o w w o n ' t fit i n t o memory. • Disk space fills up for no obvious reason. • Unexplained error messages • U n k n o w n files appear on the directory. • The disk drive performs a r e a d / w r i t e operation w h e n it s h o u l d n ' t . (You can usually tell this by the light glowing, and by t he sound of the drive m o v ing.)

Miracle cures? Because viruses come in so many different types, there's n o o n e surefire cure. The safest m e t h o d is prevention: • Keep disks write-protected (using the w r i t c - p r o t e c t tab) as m u c h of the t i m e as possible. • T u r n the machine off and o n w h e n e v e r possible — unless y o u ' v e got a hard disk, the virus lives in R A M . so it has to re-enter the system w h e n e v e r y o u reset. • M a k e backup copies of as m a n y disks as y o u can (but remember it is illegal to make backup copies of software even for honest backup pur-

A n y list of viruses is b o u n d to be incomplete - there are probably still some out there that no-one (except the miscreant programm e r ) has noticed. But there are ways to look for viruses, and ways to stay safe - see t he boxes Doctor. Doctor! and Miracle Cures?. • The technicalities of viruses are extremely complicated. For further reading, this general book is recommended: Computer Viruses: A High-Tech Disease by Ralf Burger. Abacus 1988. ISBN 1-55755-0433. T h o u g h it's largely PC-oriented, w h a t Burger says is applicable to all disk-based machines. poses - unless the producer authorises y o u ) . • If y o u suspect a disk is virusinfected, do not use it at a l l - i t ' s not true thai y o u have n o t h i n g to lose, because some files on the disk may still be u n i n fected. Contact the software house or an independent c o m p u t e r retailer for advice o n virusdetection services (a highstreet store is u n l i k e l y to be very interested). • I n the worst case, if no virus cure is available, y o u must reformat the infected disks. This destroys all data o n t h e m - i n c l u d i n g the virus.

Fearless Amiga virus killer Silica Shop sell a virus killer for £1.95 w h i c h w i l l detect a n d erase m a n y viruses f r o m your disks. Silica Shop: 1-4 The Mews, Hatherlev Road. Sidcup. Kent DA 14 4DX « (01) 3091111.

Hardware damage Viruses can h a r m hardware. They do this by forcing the computer to p e r f o r m an operat i o n such as reading' part of a disk that doesn't exist, and thus damaging the sensitive diskdrive head. Fortunately, these viruses are rare. If one docs appear to have h a r m e d y o u r micro, do not use the computer again till y o u ' v e contacted the manufacturer to ask w h e t h e r the guarantee covers this damage. If y o u k n o w w h o originated this virus, or if someone passed it on to y o u k n o w i n g l y , y o u may have a good case for criminal damage. Ask the manufacturer or a c o m p u t e r expert before calling in the police, h o w e v e r , as they're not likely to be impressed by a broken Amiga disk drive unless y o u have some hard evidence . . .

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SPECTRUM T, N 1050

AFTERBURNER AOUESTW OF SPORT ARMALYTE AFLBORNE RANGER ACTON SERVICE IJRYAFLM I MNNOKMBHTS BAAOSTALE BARBMW PSYGNOSS BEJWOSLEY-S SOCCER BATMAN BLACK NCTR CAPTAMBLOOO CYBERNOCI CJKWER COMMAND OMOY DALEY THOMPSONS ' DC DOUBLI DRAGON DRAGON MNJA

aM j NATOR EOCION

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LH) STORM

MKROPROSE SOCCER MOTOR MASSACRE 1*43 •9B0CTCJU4P

NETXRWORLO

NIGEL MANSE1L WGHT RACER OPWA HON WOLF CMRLANOER PMW (CONIZATION'

PC-UNO

-ACMAMA PMMMMBHIS MMB03

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Cheques & Postal Orders payable to SOFTSELLERS. Post & Packing Free in U.K. CI 50 per item. Shop prices may vary, but personal callers can claim approx 10°o off R.R.P. on most listed items on production of this advert.

TGM

discount

016:3-89101/124

Toolbox

Products and n e w s to m a k e life bearable Eureka! Archimedes prints at pals Archie fax O k a y , so w e ain't m u c h as punsters, but it's t r u e - y o u can n o w send fax messages to y o u r nearest a n d dearest for u n d e r £600, using y o u r A r c h i m e d e s to replace a fax m a c h i n e . A n e x p a n s i o n card f r o m C o m p u t e r Concepts can c o n v e r t b o t h text and graphics files i n t o fax data receivable by a n y g r o u p 3 fax m a c h i n e ( i n practice, t h e m a c h i n e at t h e o t h e r e n d is almost c e r t a i n to f o l l o w t h e g r o u p 3 standard most models of t h e do). A l l fax images are s h o w n i n a w i n d o w o n screen w h e r e t h e y can be edited before b e i n g saved as a fax file. T h e Fax Pack card is available c i t h e r w i t h a 2 0 0 d p i (dots per i n c h - h a n d h e l d digitiser for £918.85, thus c o n v e r t i n g the

Triple bill for Amiga programmers HiSoft have released a c o u p l e of A m i g a p r o g r a m m i n g u t i l i t i e s at m u c h t h e same l i m e as M i c r o d e a l l a u n c h GFA BASIC for t h e machine. Firsi o f f is version 2 of HiSoft's Dexjfac. w h i c h is faster a n d easier to use. a l l o w i n g access to b o t h i h e assembler and debugger f r o m t h e editor. It costs £59.95. w h i l e version I has been slashed to £15. M e a n w h i l e . HiSoft BASIC is being n o t e d for its b u i l t - i n c o m piler. its support for s t r u c t u r e d p r o g r a m m i n g , and its f u l l c o m patibility w i t h AmigaBASIC. Indeed, p o r t a b i l i t y is t h e n a m e of t h e game - HiSoft BASIC, w h i c h costs £79.95, is also c o m p a t i b l e w i t h HiSoft BASIC for t h e ST a n d M i c r o s o f t ' s ( ? m t * B / l S / C f o r t h e PC. Microdeal's GFA BASIC, n o w m o v i n g f r o m ST to A m i g a , also supports s t r u c t u r e d ( m o d u l a r ) p r o g r a m m i n g w e l l - but doesn't include a compiler. HiSoft: The Old School. Greenfield.

102/124 TGM

016:3-89

A r c h i m e d e s i n t o a c o m p l e t e fax m a c h i n e , or w i t h o u t t h e digitiser for £573.85. C o m p u t e r Concepts: Gaddesden Place. Hemel Hempstead. Hertfordshire HP2 6EXfS ( 0 4 4 2 ) 6 3 9 3 3 .

BBC utilities go 32bit C o m p u t e r Concepts, ( i n ) f a m o u s for t h e i r v e r y successful Becb p r o grams w h i c h p o p u l a t e every college f r o m here t o e t e r n i t y , have c o n v e r t e d Inter-Word. Inter-Sheet, Inter-Chart a n d Spell Master to disk for t h e A r c h i m e d e s ; they w e r e form e r l y o n l y available i n R O M formal. Address: see t h e A r c h i e Fax i t e m above.

BedfordMK45 5DE1S ( 0 5 2 5 ) 718181. M i c r o d e a l : PO Box 68. St Austell. Cornwall PL25 4YB'S ( 0 7 2 6 )

68020.

• W a t c h for r e v i e w s of b o t h BASICs i n next m o n t h ' s Back Bytes.

Modula-2 on the ST Office rents m a y rise a n d fall, but for m i c r o - o w n e r s t h e price o f a w e some o r g a n i s a t i o n is n o w C2.99. S u m m i t S o f t w a r e , a budget house l a u n c h e d last a u t u m n by A l t e r n a tive, have rcreleased Mini Office I for CPC, C64. Electron a n d Spectrum. Previously costing £5.95 f r o m Database S o f t w a r e , Mini Office I includes a w o r d processor, database and spreadsheet w i t h a graphics-presentaiion program. W e r e c k o n it must be t h e cheapest a l l - i n - o n e package a r o u n d ! S u m m i t S o f t w a r e : Units 3-6. Bailevgate Industrial Estate, Pontefract. West Yorkshire WF8 2I N S (0977) 797777.

Cheap 24pin printer from Citizen C i t i z e n w i l l l a u n c h a low-cost 24p i n p r i n t e r ai t h e Which Computer? S h o w , h e l d i n B i r m i n g h a m ' s NEC February 2 1 - 2 4 . T h e £ 4 0 0 - o d d p r i n t e r w i l l haveo n l y t h e most basic features, b i n Citizen say t h e p r i n t q u a l i t y is similar to that of m o r e expensive models. For a f u l l g u i d e to p r i n t e r s secBack Bytes. T G M 0 1 4 Citizen: Wellington House. 4/10 Cowley Road. Uxhridge. Middlesex UB82XWT2 (0895) 72621.

Mini Office for mini money Serious ST p r o g r a m m e r s w i l l h a p p i l y find £99.95 for HiSoft's FTl Modula-2 Developer. I n c l u d e d i n ihis package, based o n t h e struct u r e d language M o d u l a - 2 , are:

• T h e FTl. M o d u l a - 2 c o m p i l e r , o n w h i c h i h c system is based. • A linker. • A n assembler. • A copy of HiSoft's WERCS resource c o n s t r u c t o r (a GEM tool w h i c h lets y o u a u t o m a t e t h e prod u c t i o n of m e n u s , icons a n d w i n dows). • A m u l t i f i l e GEM e d i t o r . • A h i g h - l e v e l s y m b o l i c debugger/profiler. C o s t i n g £99.95, t h e system is also available for M S - D O S a n d CP/ M m a c h i n e s ; M a c . U N I X . Windows a n d OS/2 versions are i m m i n e n t . Hisoft: The Old School. Greenfield. BedfordMK45 5DEE (0525) 718181.

ST workbench? Put y o u r ST o n t h e shelf - w i t h a w o r k s t a t i o n f r o m C o m p a n y 55. designed specifically for t h e ST. A t h r e e - t i e r design c o n s t r u c t e d f r o m t u b u l a r steel, it takes t h e m o n i t o r o n t h e t o p tier a n d t h e k e y b o a r d o n t h e b o t t o m , a n d also includes a p l a t f o r m for t h e m o u s e . T h e cost? £55. C o m p a n y 55: ® (0494) 29075.

BACK BYTES - 4

Correcting colour in Degas P r i n t o u t s of c o l o u r p i c t u r e s c a n be a hit-or-miss affair - sometimes the printer misinterprets information f r o m the computer, and the colours go awry. N o w Degas Elite users c a n correct c o l o u r p r i n t o u t s u s i n g Colours f r o m Hat S o f t w a r e , a u t i l i t y w h i c h keeps t h e p r i n t e d i m a g e as close as possible t o t h e screen display. Pictures a r c l o a d e d i n t o t h e Colours p r o g r a m , w h e r e t h e c o l o u r codes are a u t o m a t i c a l l y c o r r e c t e d , t h e n resaved a n d l o a d e d back i n t o Degas Elite t o be p r i n t e d o u t . Serio u s artists w i l l l o v e it at £ 19.95. H a l S o f t w a r e : 21 Wyle Cop. Shrewsbury. Shropshire's (0743) 231763.

Rescue for Fractalless Practical fractalists s h o u l d s o o n h a v e t h e i r o w n m a g a z i n e - F r a c / d / Report. T h e p r o p o s e d n e w s l e t t e r w i l l f e a t u r e p r o g r a m s f o r g e n e r a t i n g f r a c t a l g r a p h i c s o n h o m e c o m p u t e r s ( i n c l u d i n g PCs), m a c h i n e - c o d e r o u t i n e s f o r p a r t i c u l a r processors, a n d g e n e r a l articles. T h e r e ' l l p r e s u m a b l y b e a f r a c t a l page 3 t o o .

A n y o n e i n t e r e s t e d i n r e a d i n g o r w r i t i n g f o r Fractal Report c a n o b t a i n t h e f i r s t issue f o r f r e e f r o m J o h n d e R i v a z , West To.wan House. Porthtowan. Truro. Cornwall TR4 8AX. • M u c h i n t e r e s t i n f r a c t a l s is m a t h e m a t i c a l , b u t t h e y ' r e riot p u r e l y a c a d e m i c at a i l . F r a c t a l g r a p h i c s h a v e b e e n w i d e l y u s e d i n g a m e s b y d e v e l o p e r s s u c h as L u c a s f i l m , w h o m a d e t h e t e c h n i q u e f a m o u s w i t h Rescue On Eractalus. Koronis Rift and The Eidolon, s t a r t i n g i n 1986.

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Computerised exam help T h e r e ' s n o n e e d t o pack a w a y y o u r c o m p u t e r as t h e GCSEs a p p r o a c h - K o s m o s S o f t w a r e o f f e r a range o f p r o g r a m s t o h e l p y o u revise. Subjects a v a i l a b l e i n c l u d e geography, history, French. G e r m a n a n d W e l s h , f o r S p e c t r u m (cassette a n d + 3 d i s k ) . CPC. B B C , A m s t r a d PCW and PC-compatibles, w i t h c o n v e r s i o n s d u e s o o n l o r t h e ST.

Presumably. C64 a n d A m i g a o w n ers are so s m a r t t h e y d o n ' t n e e d t o revise a n y w a y . Prices range f r o m £ 4 . 9 5 t o £ 1 9 . 9 5 , d e p e n d i n g o n f o r m a t . For a free 2 0 - p a g e c a t a l o g u e contact K o s m o s at Freepost. Dunstable. Bedfordshire LU5 6BR ( n o s t a m p required) o r S (05255) 3942.

TGM

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GUIDE TO

ART UTILITIES E

ver since m a n d r e w deer o n t h e cave w a l l s , he's b e e n cursing the slow, laborious business o f art ('what do you mean hold and modify. Urg? T h w a c k ! ' ) . B u t t h e latest gene r a t i o n o f m i c r o art u t i l i t i e s c a n t a k e t h e p a i n o u t of p a i n t i n g w i t h a v a r i e t y of p r e d e f i n e d , and user-definable, devices that create c o m p l e x effects quickly. This is a g u i d e t o t h e best o n t h e A m i g a a n d ST. W e h a v e n ' t i n c l u d e d e v e r y package t h e r e is - o n l y t h e f r o n t - r u n n e r s and w e haven't strayed i n t o related areas l i k e d e s k t o p p u b l i s h i n g (DTP) o r c o m p u t e r aided design ( C A D ) e i t h e r , t h o u g h b o t h w i l l be c o v e r e d i n Back Bytes. (For DTP details, sec T G M O I J.) For listed:

each

package

we've

• SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. T h e h a r d w a r e y o u n e e d t o get

Sprites for sore eyes PACKAGE The Advanced OCP Art Studio. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ST, 512KRAM SCREEN 16-colour low-resolution mode only. BRUSHES 8 preset brush shapes and sizes. Rectangular customised brush grab. Customised brushes can be flipped vertically or horizontally and rotated in increments of 90°. USP Screens can be downloaded to other machines via the senal port. HowThe knight animation animation.

the program up and r u n n i n g .

• SCREEN. T h e size o f t h e screen m e a s u r e d i n pixels, a n d t h e n u m b e r of c o l o u r s t h a t c a n a p p e a r o n s c r e e n at a n y o n e lime. Higher resolutions allow lor m o r e d e t a i l e d graphics, b u t t h e y also r e q u i r e m o r e m e m o r y (because t h e r e are morepixels i n each p i c t u r e for t h e c o m p u t e r t o ' r e m e m b e r ' ) . So t h e size of t h e palette t e n d s t o decrease as t h e resolution increases. • BRUSHES. F r e e h a n d d r a w i n g i n a n art u t i l i t y is u s u a l l y d o n e w i t h p e n s ' o r pencils', w h i c h are d r a g g e d a r o u n d t h e screen w i t h m o u s e ( o r occas i o n a l l y c u r s o r ) c o m m a n d s . As t h e y m o v e , t h e y leave a m a r k a f e w pixels w i d e , i n t h e t i m e h o n o u r e d style o f m a n u a l w r i t ing implements. A

BRUSH

GRAB

picks u p a section of t h e screen a n d t h e n uses i i as a p e n o r p e n cil.

• EASE OF USE. H o w easy is the program to handle? D o y o u n e e d a degree i n E n g l i s h t o understand the manual? V i r t u a l l y all a r t u t i l i t i e s w o r k i n a W I M P ( w i n d o w s , icons, mouse, pull-down menus) e n v i r o n m e n t , so t h e r e ' s n o need to type in commands. • USP M a r k e t i n g j a r g o n for ' u n i q u e selling p o i n t ' - what distinguishes this utility f r o m t h e rest of t h e b u n c h .

Most functions can be accessed from a main menu, which is a separate screen from the work area. The manual is readable. and since most functions are represented by words rather than ambiguous icons the main menu is largely selfexplanatory

TGM GUIDE Contains all the essential functions such as a wide range of brushes and shapes, airbrush and an excellent zoom mode Degas Elite is very easy to use and at little more than the cost of a game it certainly provides good value for money. PRICES24 95 PRODUCER Electronic Arts. Langley Business Centre. 11-49 Station Road. Langley. near Slough. Berkshire SL3 8YN « ( 0 7 5 3 ) 49442.

• TGM GUIDE. What we t h o u g h t o f it. It's possible t o create a n o u t s t a n d i n g p i c t u r e o n e v e n t h e m o s t basic of utilities, but sophisticated comm a n d s c a n speed u p t h e p r o cess t r e m e n d o u s l y . . .

command

ever, you must take into account the graphics capabilities of the target machine when designing a picture: the Spectrum will only accept monochrome pictures that do not exceed its screen size. Font-designer, map-maker and spriteanimation commands are all included. EASE OF USE All the options are on a separate screen from the work area, and are represented by rather ambiguous icons. But the program is surprisingly easy to use.

games), and several commands which would be useful to the screen designer are missing. There are no shade or smear options, and the brush commands are rather basic. Designed by Oxford Computer Products. this made its debut on the Spectrum; it was the first Spectrum software using a WIMP environment. PRICES.24 95 . PRODUCER Rainbird. first floor, 64/ 76 New Oxford Street. London WC1A 1PS « ( 0 1 ) 240-8838

TGM GUIDE The OCP Advanced An Studio is particularly suited for games design The program seems more concerned with sprite design than complete pictures (Ocean use it for sprite design in

Budget buy

demo that comes with Art Studio, showing ten frames of

PACKAGE Degas Elite. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ST. 512K RAM. SCREEN 16 colours in low resolution. 4 colours In medium resolution and 2 colours in high resolution (a hi-res monitor is needed for that). BRUSHES 15 preset brush sizes and shapes. Rectangular customised brush grab. Customised brushes can be rotated by anything up to 360°. flipped, tilted or stretched either horizontally or vertically and distorted. DISTORT allows the user to move each comer of the block to a different position on the screen, thus changing the original image radically. Images can be folded over themselves using this command. However, the process tends to be rather slow. USP A font-editor program is included, to create your own typefaces. Pictures can be imported from an Atari 800XL. XE or Amiga if stored using the Electronic Arts file format. EASE OF USE WIMP environment.

An example of the effects that can be created using Degas Elite's block manipulation commands.

Perfect introduction PA CKA GE DeluxePaint. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Amiga. 512K RAM SCREEN Low-resolution only (320x200. 32 colours). BRUSHES Ten built-in brush sizes and shapes. Rectangular customised brush grab. Brushes can be flipped horizontally and vertically; rotated through any angle; stretched or shrunk to any size; or bent horizontally or vertically. EASE OF USE WIMP environment. The functions of some of the icons aren't immediately obvious but are soon learned. The manual is fairly short for an art utility, but does give all the essential information on each option. However, it would have been nice if a tew tutorials were included to familiarise first-time users with graphics techniques USP A good, well-presented utility in Electronic Arts's highly-regarded Deluxe series

TGM GUIDE One of the first good utilities available for the Amiga. Several packages have surpassed DeluxePaint in terms of functions - including its little brother. DeluxePaint II - but it's still a good introduction to the world of

BACK BYTES graphics. PRICE No longer available new, but sometimes available as 'free' software when buying an Amiga. Or borrow it. PRODUCER Electronic Arts, address under Degas Elite

Amiga power PACKAGE DeluxePaint II. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Amiga, 512K RAM. SCREEN Four modes are available: 320x200 (32 colours). 320x400 (16 colours). 640x200 (16 colours) and 640x400 (16 colours). BRUSHES Ten built-in brush shapes and sizes. Rectangular customised brush grab. Customised brushes can be rotated through any angle; flipped horizontally or vertically; bent through horizontal or vertical planes and stretched to any size. DeluxePaint II also includes a powerful perspective command. A customised brush can be rotated through its x, y and z coordinates to occupy a new threedimensional plane. EASE OF USE Uses the same icons and menus as DeluxePaint, but with addi-

Sans Visage is a blow-up of one of the eyes from the Marilyn pic. The picture was recoloured and the pupil retouched using the CIRCLE command. Sans Visage was drawn on DeluxePaint.

Picture processing PACKAGE Deluxe Photolab. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Amiga, 1Mb RAM. SCREEN Several resolution modes are catered for. ranging from 320x200 up to 640x400 The AlOOO's Extra-Halfbnte mode is an option on some resolutions, effectively doubling the onscreen colour range to 64 by displaying two banks of 32 colours The user specifies the contents of the first bank, while the second bank repeats the same colours but displayed at half their brightness.

The Marilyn picture was done by tracing a rough outline onto acetate and sticking this on the TV screen, as a guideline. The face was then divided into segments which were individually shaded using a restricted palette. Marilyn was drawn using DeluxePaint II. tional commands. Tutorials have been included in the manual but it's easy to get lost in some of the detailed descriptions of functions. USP There are several powerful commands: GRADCNT FILL shades and fills an area at the same time, while BLENO. SHADE and SMEAR all speed up the process of colouring. DeluxePaint II is now sold with DeluxePrint. a cards/stationery layout system (TGM015). TGM G UIDE Certainly one of the best utilities available for the Amiga. After a little practice DeluxePaint II is very easy to use; flicking through menus at speed soon becomes second nature. The commands are very powerful, and once mastered they save a tremendous amount of planning time in creating complex effects.

PRICE ÂŁ69 95. PRODUCER Electronic Arts, address under Degas Elite.

Something Evil was created in black and white on Photon Paint, making extensive use of the brush and smear commands

HAM mode Is also available. BRUSHES 16 preset brush sizes and shapes. Rectangular and irregular customised brush grab. Customised brushes can be flipped vertically and horizontally, rotated through any angle or rescaled to any size. EASE OF USE Experienced users of 16-bit art utilities will have no trouble operating Deluxe Photolab. First-time artists will have to learn the functions of each icon, but these are easy to grasp. The manual is generally good except when it comes to explaining HAM. And nontechnical types may find talk of bitmaps a little confusing! USP Deluxe Photolab includes three separate programs: Paint. Colours and Posters. Posters is a layout system and pnnter driver which allows pictures to be printed out at any size. Colours is a colour-processing program: pictures can be changed from one display mode to another and elements from several pictures combined while the colour palettes are matched.

TGM GUIDE Deluxe Photolab is a complete picture-processing package, so some of the options are useless unless you own the hardware to exploit their facilities. For instance, the Posters program is largely redundant unless you have a high-quality printer. The Paint program is good but not outstanding. All the basic functions are catered for. and there are some very powerful commands such as GRADIENT FILL and SHADE.

TGM

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BACK BYTES EASE OF USE Generally easy to use. All commands are located on a separate screen from the work area Defining the extended palette presents no problems. USP The new colour modes are definitely Quantum Paints selling feature. Also included is an animation program to create moving sprite sequences. TGM GUIDE Colour is what this program is about. A little rough planning of your artwork is necessary to determine where you will need particular colours, but in practice it's far easier to use than HAM on the Amiga. However, an otherwise good program has been let down by underdeveloped brush commands

As a whole the package is particularly suited to DTP applications or the retouching of digitised graphics. PRICE £69 95. PRODUCER Electronic Arts, address under Degas Elite.

Best for brushes PACKAGE?hoton Paint. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Amiga, 512K RAM However. 1Mb is required for certain resolutions and functions. SCREEN HAM mode. Several screen sizes are also supported. BRUSHES Eight preset brush sizes and shapes. Rectangular and irregular customised brush grab. Customised brushes can be flipped horizontally and vertically, rotated through any angle and resized. Photon Paint also includes some other powerful brush commands. TWST distorts the brush into a 3-D spiral; the degree of twisting is set by moving the mouse. WRAP-ON wraps the brush onto one of several 3-D shapes such as a cone, or any symmetrical freehand shape. BENO distorts the brush through one of several directions, and TI.T redraws the brush on a 2-D plane which is positioned in 3-D. EASE OF USE The manual is excellent - some functions seem complicated, but they're covered in such depth and straightforwardness that using them is very simple. USP Very powerful brush commands, and up to 4.096 colours onscreen TGM GUIDE The list of functions is impressive. The brush menu. In particular. has been developed lo such a high level that creating astounding effects is simplicity itself. So if you use a lot of brushes in your pictures this is the utility to buy. The only drawback is HAM. It's not always very easy to use and can result in nasty glitches on screen if you're not careful when defining your base colours. PRICE i69 99 PRODUCER Microillusions, PO Box 3475, Granada Hills. California 91344. USA ® 010 1 818 360 3715.

Coordinated colour PA CKA GE Quantum Paint. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Man ST. 512K RAM. SCREEN There are four screen modes: in low resolution you can have 128, 512 or 4.096 colours, but medium resolution allows only 32. This is a big improvement on the ST's normal colour capability of 16 colours in low resolution and four colours in medium resolution. The new screen modes are created by specially developed 'wideband colour" routines in the program, which divide the screen into areas, each with their own palette. In the case of 128-colour mode the screen, is divided Into eight areas, each with a different 16-colour palette. But sacrifices must be made. The wideband colour routines take up extra processor time, in 32- and 128-colour modes this is only 5%. but can rise to 90% in 512- and 4.096-colour modes. Obviously graphics that take up 90% of the processor time cannot be used in

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The Text Control menu from Quantum Paint overlayed over the top of the mam menu screen, games! BRUSHES 12 preset brush shapes and sizes. Rectangular and irregular cus-

tomised brush grab. Customised brushes can be repositioned anywhere on the screen.

When Quantum Paint is improved. Eidersoft will supply the new version to registered users for a £5.50 fee. PRICE £24.95. PRODUCER Eidersoft. 44A Stanley Street. Bedford. MK41 7RW fS (0234) 273000

Even the HAM is a bit plane Hold A n d M o d i f y ( H A M ) is a screen mode o n the Amiga w h i c h allows all the machine's 4.096 colours to be displayed at once ( o n a still image, not i n m o v i n g graphics!). N o r m a l l y , h o w e v e r , the Amiga i n l o w - r e s o l u t i o n and high-resolution modes can display any 32 colours onscreen f r o m a range of 4,096. These colours are made out by c o m b i n i n g red. green and blue •(often abbreviated to RGB) i n different strengths. The machine defines the colours using b i t - p l a n e s , w h i c h are like rows of m e m o r y bits, each bit representing one pixel o n the screen. Each bit is o n or off. Of course, if there were o n l y one bit-plane, there c o u l d o n l y be t w o colours: o n a n d off, or I black and w h i t e . But if there arc t w o bit-planes (let's call e m A a n d B>. each pixel c o u l d be o n e of f o u r colours, represented i n m e m o r y by ' A o n B o n ' . ' A off B o n ' . A onB o f f . a n d A off B o f f .

that, as each bit-plane is either o n ( I ) or off (O). this can be d o n e by t a k i n g the value of bit • plane n. m u l t i p l y i n g it by 2 ' , doing the same for bit-plane n + 1 . etc. and t h e n adding together the products. Not that it makes Phantom Fighter any easier... ) T h e H A M trick " Ironically. H A M can o n l y display all 4.096 colours by copying the RGB c o m p o s i t i o n of the previous pixel o n the screen! It does this by using four bitplanes t o giye a value between O and 15 (4 = 1 6 ) . and t h e n reading a n o t h e r t w o bit-planes t o f i n d out w h e t h e r that value is for a n o r m a l colour or a H A M colour. If it's for a n o r m a l colour, t h e n o n e of 16 colour registers (base c o l o u r s ) is selected in the way described above. But if those t w o bit-planes signify that it's for a H A M colo u r . a different system swings i n t o action. One of the three

RGB components carried over f r o m the previous pixel is dropped. and replaced by a complete extra colour. If the extra colour is t o replace the previous green value. H A M mode w i l l colour the n e w pixel w i t h the red and blue elements f r o m the previous pixel plus the entire contents of one of the colour registers. This is the advantage, and the disadvantage, of H A M . Because each pixel can have any three of 16 base colours, the total n u m b e r of combinations is 4.096 ( 1 6 x 1 6 x 1 6 ) . But as o n l y one of the three colour elements can change o n each pixel, it can take several pixels' distance to change f r o m one colour t o a completely different one. The c o m p l e x i t y of H A M also makes it unfeasible for m o v i n g graphics, and to avoid getting tied i n knots w h e n using H A M it's very i m p o r t a n t t o define the 16 base a ) l o u r s carefully.

Three bit-planes make eight possible colours, four make 16. and five make 32 - so to display its usual 32 colours, the Amiga uses five bit-planes (astute mathematicians w j l l have noticed that 3 2 = 2 ). Producing colour So big deal. You've got (say) a colour represented by the five bit-planes a s ' A o n B o n C o f f D off E o n ' - n o w h o w does the Amiga t u r n that i n t o a colo u r e d pixel onscreen? W e l l , the actual d e f i n i t i o n s , of the colours are stored i n the 32 c o l o u r registers of R A M . and a quick mathematical r o u t i n e using the bit-planes can come u p w i t h any n u m b e r between 0 a n d 31. inclusive. This tells the machine w h i c h colour register to read; it t h e n colours the pixel using its normal screen-colouring method. (Geniuses w i l l q u i c k l y see

No beefs: static HAM screens from Mandarin Software s Amiga game Pioneer Plague were described as very pretty' in TGMOI5 s review

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GUIDE TO

COMPUTER SYSTEMS M

osi people k n o w w h a t they want i n a computer, but it's n o t always easy t o f i n d o u t the exact details o f w h o offers w h a t - p a r t i c u l a r l y w h e n n e w h a r d w a r e is s u r r o u n d e d by even m o r e h y p e a n d t e c h n o j a r g o n t h a n the latest games.

Y o u m a y w a n t to spend t h e rest of y o u r life i n j o y o u s h a r m o n y w i t h an A c o r n Archimedes, b u t d o y o u k n o w w h a t Its screen r e s o l u t i o n really is. or h o w m a n y notes it can play? Y o u m a y w a n t t o take p a n i n the p e r e n n i a l ST vs A m i g a a r g u m e n t , b u t w h e r e do y o u f i n d t h e facts? Here - a n d a r m e d w i t h t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n y o u can bravely w a l t z i n t o y o u r local dealer and say ' I k n o w w h a t I w a n t so give it to me'. It's also guaranteed to break t h e ice at parties. For each m a c h i n e w e ' v e listed:

• PRICE (usually the recomm e n d e d retail price), i n c l u d i n g V A T — u n l i k e some reports. C o m p u t e r s are being sold w i t h ' b u n d l e s ' (software, joystick etc) m o r e a n d m o r e often, a n d prices change f r e q u e n t l y . Sometimes particular h i g h street shops offer t h e i r o w n bundles, so shop a r o u n d a n d w a t c h T G M for advance reports. • MEMORY-don't be fooled by demos or p u b l i c i t y w h i c h s h o w an apparently cheap m a c h i n e r u n n i n g fantastically sophisticated software. M a n y computers - the ST, for instance - c o m e i n different versions w i t h d i f f e r e n t memories, a n d because of c h i p prices, m e m o r y is c u r r e n t l y v e r y expensive. This is particularly i m p o r t a n t i n packages using digitised graphics or sampled music. M e m o r y is measured i n bytes, kilobytes ( a b b r e v i a t i o n K ; I K * 1.024 bytes), or megabytes (abbreviation M b ; l M b = 1,048.576 bytes). A few expensive models have h a r d disks - literally that, h a r d disks built i n t o t h e c o m p u t e r . T h e y ' r e useful for s t o r i n g freq u e n t l y - u s e d applications software, because y o u can load from them m u c h quicker than f r o m a disk or tape d r i v e ( ' e x ternal d r i v e ' ) . But for gamers.

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t h e y ' r e really a waste of money.

• PROCESSOR. T h e i m p o r t a n t aspects of a processor are a) w o r d l e n g t h a n d b) speed. A high w o r d length and high speed m e a n c o m p l e x graphics can m o v e very q u i c k l y (and n u m b e r - c r u n c h i n g i n applications l i k e databases is speeded up too). W o r d l e n g t h is usually 8, 16 o r 32 b i t s - a 16-bit m a c h i n e can process t w i c e as m u c h i n f o r m a t i o n at one go as a n 8 bit m a c h i n e . Speed is measured i n megahertz ( M H z ) , w h i c h means ' m i l l i o n things d o n e each second'. So a m a c h i n e l i k e the Sinclair Professional PC. w h i c h has a processor r u n n i n g at 8 M H z , can d o 8 m i l l i o n things every second - t h o u g h each w o r d takes several separate operations to process. M o s t personal c o m p u t e r s have o n e processor t o m a k e t h e s o f t w a r e d o its s t u f f ; some, l i k e the A m i g a , also have ' d e d i cated' processors to h a n d l e graphics a n d s o u n d , w h i c h speeds t h e m up.

• RESOLUTION, o r t h e n u m b e r of pixels o n the screen. High resolutions m e a n m o r e detailed, realistic graphics. R e s o l u t i o n is measured w i t h t w o n u m b e r s : n u m b e r of p i x e l r o w s across the screen x n u m b e r of p i x e l r o w s d o w n t h e screen. H o w e v e r , h i g h resolutions can generally use f e w e r colours together o n the same screen, because t h e y l a k e m o r e m e m n o t e d h o w m a n y colours are available onscreen at a n y o n e time. • COLOUR PALETTE - t h e total n u m b e r of colours available o n t h e c o m p u t e r ( t h o u g h n o t at t h e same t i m e ! ) . fl SOUND. T h e i m p o r t a n t factors here are channels (the n u m b e r of d i f f e r e n t pitches that can be played at a l i m e ) a n d p i t c h range (measured i n octaves - a n octavc is t h e distance f r o m . say. o n e C to t h e next on the piano). M o r e channels give a less t i n n y s o u n d .

richer,

• VIDEO. M o s t games c o m puters can be connected to the T V o r t o a m o n i t o r , via a lead w h i c h plugs i n t o a p o r t . Today, most m o n i t o r o u t p u t is the h i g h - q u a l i t y RGB standard. B u t some older machines (such as BBC a n d M S X micros) use composite video o u t p u t , w h i c h doesn't a l l o w such h i g h resolution.

• SOFTWARE FORMAT. Software comes o n tape, disk o r ( f o r consoles) cartridge. Generally this isn't a factor i n p u r chasing - if the m a c h i n e is i m p o r t a n t e n o u g h , people w i l l produce s o f t w a r e for it. H o w ever, t h e r e are a f e w considerations . . . Tapes are n o t o r i o u s l y slow to load ( a n d less reliable t h a n disks). A m s t r a d ' s 3 - i n c h disks are used o n l y o n t h e i r CPC, PC W a n d S p e c t r u m + 3 m o d els. w h i c h means graphics, w o r d s etc stored o n t h e m cann o t be used i n a n o t h e r machine without communications software a n d h a r d w a r e . A n d if y o u b u y a P C - c o m p a i iblc. t r y t o go for o n e w i t h a 3.5i n c h disk d r i v e - 5 . 2 5 - i n c h disks arc fast b e c o m i n g unpopular, and the software supply i n that f o r m a t m a y d r y up. Also, if y o u ' r e d o i n g m o r e t h a n p l a y i n g games, m a k e sure t h e m a c h i n e can f o r m a t largem e m o r y disks (all blank disks m u s t be f o r m a t t e d before use). It c o u l d be f r u s t r a t i n g t o w r i t e a 4 5 0 K masterpiece if all y o u ' v e got is a n A t a r i 520 STFM - yes, the m e m o r y can h a n d l e it, b u t disks f o r m a t t e d b y this m o d e l can o n l y take 360K of data. Blank disks usually cost a r o u n d £3.

• PORTS. Joysticks, printers, m o d e m s , mice. M I D I m u s i c e q u i p m e n t , extra disk drives etc all p l u g i n t o special ports. M a k e sure t h e m o d e l y o u choose has all t h e ports y o u need—and w h e r e salesmen are concerned, never take ' p r o b a b l y ' for a n a n s w e r . • SOFTWARE. It's o b v i o u s b u t . . . that i n c r e d i b l y fast, cheap n e w w o n d e r is useless unless there are some games to r u n o n it!

32-BIT ACORN ARCHIMEDES PRICE Cheaper models range from £801.60 for the Archimedes 305 - which includes the keyboard, mouse and one external disk drive - to £1.280 for the Archimedes 31OM which also has a colour monitor and PC emulator (so it can run PC software) MEMORY 305 models 512K. 310 models 1 Mb. PROCESSOR 32-bit Acorn ARM. 4 MHz RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) technology increases program speed but its real value is still debated RESOLUTION 320x256 (up to 256 colours onscreen). 640x256 (up to 16 colours onscreen) and 640x512 (up to 16 colours onscreen but needs a multisync monitor) Great potential for graphics COLOUR PALETTE 4.096 colours and shades. SOUND 16 channels (8 left and 8 right). 6-octave range One built-in speaker but stereo output is available Excellent sound chip rivals many lowcost synthesizers. VIDEO Composite video and RGB outputs. No TV output. SOFTWARE FORMAT 3.5-inch disks. Formats to 800K. PORTS 9-pin mouse socket 3.5mm stereo jack. RS-423 senal. Centronicscompatible parallel. 1/0 interface for programs requinng input/output. IEC 320 video outlet. 64-way DIN 41612 expansion port But for MIDI a £79.35 expansion card is necessary SOFTWARE Despite gloomy talk, there are over 200 releases for the Archimedes - but only 13 games at last count' These include Terramex and the famous Zarch, both at £19.95 (some £14.95 titles available too). Terramex requires a 310 model, but most run on the 305. There are arcade and adventure construction kits, some impressive graphics software and essentially one music package (EMR Arpeggio Music System. £29.95).

16-BU ATARI ST PRICE 520 STFM £299.99.1040 STFM £599.99. Both have one built-in external disk drive. Often available with a lot of free' software. Also Mega ST2 (£1.034.99 with mono monitor) and Mega ST4 (£1.379 99 with mono monitor). MEMORY 520 model 512K. 1040 model 1Mb, Mega ST2 2Mb. Mega ST4 4Mb PROCESSOR 16-bit Motorola 68000, 8 MHz RESOLUTION 640x400 In monochrome display. 640x200 in 4-cok>ur display and 320x200 with 16 colours onscreen. COLOUR PALETTE 512 colours and shades. SOUND 3-channel 8-octave through TV or monitor. VIDEO RGB. TV port on 520 model, and expected for future 1040 models SOFTWARE FORMAT 3.5-inch disks 520 model formats to 360K. 1040 model to 720K. PORTS 5-pin MIDI in and out. RGB Serial modem Two mouse/joystick ports. Cartridge Second disk drive Hard disk TV port (only on 520 model at present) SOFTWARE Support for the ST has been rapidly growing during 1988. Most

BACK BYTES

new 8-bit releases are now converted to the ST. Though the sound chip is poor compared with the C64 and the Amiga, the ST now dominates music software because of the built-in MIDI ports

1.000 business and applications programs are available.

COMMODORE AMIGA

NOTE The original PC was produced by IBM in 1982. But though IBM are still the largest single PC producer, selling about 28% of all PCs. dozens of others produce 'compatibles' which run the same software and are often seen as better value. PRICE Prices start from £343.85 (Sinclair Professional PC without monitor) and rise . . . as high as £9,000 (Compaq DeskPro 386). Affordable models include Commodore PC1 (effectively the cheapest £369.99 with mono monitor), Olivetti Prodest PC1 (£399 with mono monitor), and Amstrad PC1512 (£458.85 with mono monitor) PCs are usually sold with monitors. MEMORY From 256K upwards; at least 512K is recommended. PROCESSOR PC-compatibles are usually described as 16-bit. but in fact there are 8-bit and 32-bit models as well Earty PCs used the 8-bit Intel 8088; most now use the 16-bit Intel 8086; and the expensive new generation uses the 16bit Intel 80286 or 32-bit 80386 Speed on cheap machines ranges from 4.77 MHz (eg Commodore PC1) to 8 MHz (eg Amstrad PC1640) RESOLUTION Originally designed as a business machine, the PC had very basic graphics But there are now three major PC colour graphics standards: • CGA (Colour Graphics Adapter), at 320x200 (4 colours) or 640x200 (mono); • EGA (Enhanced Graphics Adapter) at 640x200 ('200-line mode ) or 320x350 ('350-line mode') (both 16 colours); • and VGA (Virtual Graphics Array) at 640x480 (2-colour and 16-cok>ur modes). But this is rare and expensive, and doesn't work with standard RGB monitors. Some PC-compatibles have built-in CGA. EGA or VGA - check which - and add-on graphics boards (or 'display

PRICE The Amiga A500 including one built-in external disk drive, 'free software- and a TV modulator is £399.99. Without software and modulator, they can be found cheaper if you shop around. The Amiga A1000 Is only available second-hand The Amiga A2000 starts at £1.489.25 including mouse. Packages including the A2000, a monitor and a hard disk are also available. MEMOR VA500 model 512K. A1000 model 256K. A2000 model 1 Mb PROCESSOR 16-bit Motorola 68000. 7.14 MHz. The processor runs slightly slower than the ST's but specialist graphics, video and sound chips effectively make the Amiga faster than the ST for games. RESOLUTION Several modes from 320x200 (32 colours onscreen) to 640x400 (16 colours onscreen) Some art packages offer an additional Hold And Modify (HAM) mode which allows all 4,096 colours onscreen COLOUR PALETTE 4.0% colours and shades. SOUND 4-channel. 9-octave range. Stereo output through monitor. TV or hi-fi system. Built-in synthesizer "speaks1 typed-in text. VIDEO No built in TV port but a modulator is available. RGB output to monitor. SOFTWARE FORMAT 3.5-Inch disks. Formats to 880K PORTS Audio left and right, two joystick/mouse. RS-232 serial, Centronics parallel. RGB. additional disk drive, monochrome video, expansion bus. No built-in MIDI port - a serious problem for musicians. SOFTWARE More is coming out. but on the games front the Amiga is still behind the ST and 8-bit computers. Over

PC-COMPATIBLES

adapters') are now available from about £100. There are also many other, rare standards, including Hercules and MDA both mono only. If you buy a PC with VGA or EGA and acquire the monitor separately. It's very important to check that the monitor supports the PC's graphics modes! COLOUR PALETTE EGA 64 colours and shades. CGA 16. SOUND One channel, but the speed of the processor allows pseudo-threechannel sound to be produced. Not designed as a music machine. VIDEO No TV port Output usually via RGB. SOFTWARE FORMAT Older models mainly have one or two external drives for 5.25-Inch disks, but 3.5-Inch disks and drives are taking over. All drives format disks to 360K; some do more. PORTS Vary from model to model. Most have expansion. RS-232 serial and Centronics parallel ports. SOFTWARE Huge range of utilities - word processors etc (because about 25 million PC users worldwide). Also more games than you might expect, largely because of the many PC game-players In America. However, poor display and sound are problems and PCcompatibles are not recommended if you're only into games, graphics or music. If buying a PC for utilities, check which version of MS-DOS or PC-DOS operating system Is supplied - a primitive version older than MS-DOS i.2 or PCDOS 2 may cause problems.

AMSTRAD CPC PRICE The CPC464 (built-in tape deck) is £199 with green-screen monitor or £299 with colour monitor CPC664 models are no longer produced. The CPC6128 (one built-in external disk drive) is £299

with green-screen monitor or £399 with colour monitor MEMORY CPC464/CPC664 64K. CPC6128 128K. PROCESSOR 8-bit Zitog Z80.4 MHz RESOLUTION 160x200 (up to 16 colours onscreen). 320x200 (4 colours) or 640x200 (mono) COLOUR PALETTE 27 colours and shades. SOUND 3-channel 8-octave through built-in speaker, but stereo output is available. Sound quality is reminiscent of early arcade machines. No MIDI ports. VIDEO Monitor supplied with all models. RGB sync output. SOFTWA RE FORMA T Tape or 3inch disk Disk drives format to 180K on each side. PORTS CPC464 has Centronics parallel. 6-pin DIN RGB with sync luminance. 3.5mm stereo socket, joystick, PCB extension port for disk dnve and RS-232 serial interlaces CPC664/6128 have Centronics parallel. 6-pin DIN RGB with sync luminance. 3.5mm stereo socket, joystick, cassette port, PCB extension port and second disk dnve port SOFTWA RE Most Spectrum and C64 games are converted to the CPC but they tend to run slightly slower Also a good selection of word-processing, graphics and music packages

COMMODORE C64/C128 PRICE C64 is £149.99 including dedicated Commodore cassette deck and ten jjames. C128D including disk drive MEMORY C64 64K. C128/C128D 128K. PROCESSOR C64 8-bit 6510 2 MHz. C128/C128D 8-bit 6502 plus 8-bit Zilog Z80, 4 MHz RESOLUTION C64 320x200 (8 colours onscreen, but attribute system limits the number of colours that can be placed adjacent to each other) C128/C128D in 128K mode has a resolution of 640x200

TGM

016:3-89121/124

BACK BYTES COLOUR PALETTE 16 colours and shades. SOUND 3-channel 8-octave sound chip which outputs through the monitor/ TV. The 6581 SID chip {Sound Interface Device) is one of the most sophisticated sound chips on a 8-bit computer. VIDEO TV ports on all models. C64 has a composite video port, C128/C128D both have RGB ports for an 80-column display. SOFTWARE FORMAT Tape Of 5.25-inch disk (C128D only). Two external 5.25-inch dnves are available at extra cost from Commodore - the C1541 (formats to 140K) and the C1571 (formats to 340K) Blank disks very cheap but easily damaged PORTS RGB (CI 28/C128D), composite video (C64), two joystick ports, cassette, TV. expansion port, serial (nonstandard), user port. SOFTWARE The Commodore 64 is an old computer with years' worth of games and utilities, many Imported from America. Many users, s o new software likely to flow for some years yet. Z80 chip on CI28/CI28D allows It to run software written for CP/M operating systems (as found on Amstrad PCW8256 'Joyce', PCW9512. and CPC6I28, and Spectrum

8-BIT ACORN BBC NOTE The BBC has appeared in many models: BBC A BBC B. BBC B + . BBC Master Series and BBC Master Compact.

110/124 TGM

016:3-89

Only the last two are now available. Listed below are the specifications for the BBC Master Compact. Despite its name, the BBC range has always been produced by Acorn (who now do the Archimedes). But when the British Government decided to put computers in schools, they called on Auntie Beeb to provide a specification for manufacturers to work to - and Acorn got the contract PRICE Master 128 £458.85; Master Compact £396.75 on its own, £417.45 with TV modulator. £458.85 with mono monitor, £626.75 with colour monitor. MEMOR V128K PROCESSOR 8-bit 65C12. RESOLUTION Several modes, rang-

ing from 160x256 (16 colours onscreen) to 640x256 (black and white). SOUND 4-channel 6-octave output through internal speaker. VIDEO Composite Video, RGB. optional TV modulator available. SOFTWARE FORMAT Cassette and disk. PORTS 50-way expansion port, joystick/mouse port. Centronics parallel. PCB Shugart standard disk drive interface. SOFTWARE There's a vast range of educational software and applications, because until recently the BBC was the most common computer in British schools (it's now being overtaken by PCcompatibles and. occasionally. STs and Amigas). A few games still appear

MSX-II NOTE MSX and its successors. MSX-II and MSX-II+, are not brand names of actual machines - MSX is a compatibility standard, or a set of rules for designing computers, developed by Japanese inventor Kay Nishi in the early Eighties. The situation is a bit like that of PCcompatibles: many manufacturers have produced MSX machines, but basically the same software runs on them all. The most famous MSX manufacturers are Sony. PRICE Prices start from about £340 and rise according to model The MSXII+ (see TGM014 news) is not yet availa-

MOMEDIA T h e Moor Hall. Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 3EG. T E L : 0 5 8 4 7 5 6 0 4 , F A X ' 0 5 8 4 75387

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ATARI ST 5StarComp»lat>on Advanced Rugby SWn Afterburner Baal Barbananfl Batman Captain Btood Carrier Command Chrono Quest ChukieEgg Corruption Crazy Cars II OT Olympic Challenge Double Dragon Dragon Ninja Drier Dungeon Master EBte

RRP OUR

ATARI ST

2495 19.99 1999 19.96 1999 19.95 24.95 24.95 29 95 19.95 24 95 19.99 1995 19.99 19 95 2495 24 95 24.95

F16 Combat P*o« Falcon Federation Free Traders Fish! Flying Shark Football Director 2 Football Manager 2 Galactic Conqueror Heller Shelter Hero's of the Lance Hostages IK • Incred. Shrink. Sphere Joan of Arc Kennedy Approach Lancelot LeaderboardBircke Uve&Let Die Lombard RAC %My Manhattan Dealer* Munsters 1943 Nebulus Oids Operation Wolf Overlander Pac Mania President is Missing

15.50 12.50 13.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 15.50 15.50 18.50 12.50 15.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 15.50 15.50 14.90

3.5" DSDD DISKS UNBRANDED 135TPI £9.95 BOX OF TEN

RRP OUR ATARI ST 24.95 2499 29 99 24.95 19.95 19.99 1999 19.99 1499 24.99 24.95 19.99 1999 19.99 24.95 19.95 1999 19.99 24 99 1999 19.99 19.99 19.99 19.95 1995 19.99 19.95 24.95

15.50 15.50 22.95 15.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 9.50 19.15 15.50 13.50 13.50 15.35 15.50 12.50 1535 12.50 15.50 12.50 12.50 15.35 15.35 12.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 15.50

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24.95 19.99 19.99 19.95 19 95 19 99 SKtewincto 9 99 Soldier of Light 19.99 Space Hamer 19 99 Speedbafi 24 .99 SprTbng Image 19.95 39.95 Star Goose 19.95 Star Ray 19.95 StargMoar2 24 95 STOS 29.95 Super Hang On 19 99 Superman 24 .94 ThundertXade 19.99 Times of Lore 24.95 Tracksmt Manager 19.99 Triad Vol I 29.99 Turbo Cup 19 99 Vermmator 24.95 Victory road 19.95 Virus 19.95 Wall in Middle Earth 24 99 Where Time Stood Still 19.95

15.50 12.50 13.50 12.50 12.50 13 50 6.40 12.50 12.50 14 .99 12.50 25.90 12 50 12.50 15 50 19.90 13 50 15.50 15.35 15.50 12.50 18.50 12.50 15.50 12.50 12.50 15 50 12.50

RRP OUR AMIGA

19 99 Action Service 24.95 Batman 19.95 Baal 2499 Cafcfomia Games 2495 Captavi Blood 24.95 Camer Command 29.95 ChronoQuest 24.95 Corruption 1995 ChukieEgg 1499 Crystal Hammer 1999 Double Draqon 24.95 Dragon N n ) a 2495 DnBer ftjngeon Master 1MB only 2 4 9 9 24.95 EWte(outnow) 19.99 4 x4 29 99 Falcon Federation Free Traders 29 99 24 95 Fish 1999 Football Director 2 1999 Football Manager 2 24.99 Galactic Conqueror 14.95 Helter Skelter 24.99 Heroes of the Lance 24 95 Hostages 24.99 IK« Incred. Shnnk. Sphere 24 99 19.95 International Soccer

12.50 15.50 12.50 19.50 15.50 15.50 1850 1550 1250 9.50 12.50 15.50 1550 15.90 15.50 15.35 18.50 22 95 15.50 12.50 12.50 15.50 9.50 19.15 15.50 16.90 16.90 12.50

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24 99 24 95 24.95 24 99 19.95 19 99 24.95 1999 19.95 24 99 24 95 19.99 29 95 RO0V M M Shoot "em up Cons. Kit 24 99 24 99 Spitting Image 1995 Starghder2 24 95 Super Hang On 24 99 Superman TimeeofLore 24 95 Thunderttade 24 95 Triad Vol 1 24.99 Tracksurt Manager 29 99 TV Sports Football 19.99 Turbo Cup 29 99 Ultima IV 1999 24 95 Universal Military Sim 2 4 9 5 Virus 1995

19.15 15.50 15.50 1550 12.50 1250 15.50 15 36 12.50 15.50 15.50 1250 1850 16.90 15.90 12.50 16.50 16 90 1550 15.50 1915 1850 12.50 1850 12.50 15.50 1550 1250

T G M MAR

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ITEM

MICRO

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Purple Saturn Day Question of Sport R-Type Ramtoolll Return of Jedi S.D.I.

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BEST BYTE (DEPT TGM 15), 2 QUARRY GARDENS, TONBRIDGE, KENT TN9 2SG

T h e Black O r c h i d Atari ST

£19 99

Available only by mail order from Mundane Software

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BACK BYTES We m Britain. MEMORY Models range from 64K to 256K PROCESSOR 8-bit Zilog 280A. 3.57 MHZ. RESOLUTION Various modes: 512x212. 256x212,512x424 (interlace). COLOUR PALETTE 256 colours and shades. The MSX-II+ has 19.268 colours! SOUND 3-channel 8-octave sound chip which outputs through monitor/TV. VIDEO TV port and SCART plug for RGB monitors. SOFTWA RE FORMA TTape, ROM cartridge or 3.5-inch disk. PORTS Varies according to model but most include TV. Centronics parallel, two joystick ports. MSX expansion port, DIN plug to connect to cassette recorder, and cartridge port. SOFTWARE Plenty of games and applications are available, but don't expect to find much in the high street. The most well-known MSX supporters in Britain are Konami. who run a users' software club-(0626) 56789. MSX software is upwardly compatible - that is, software written for the MSX will run on the MSX-II and the MSX-II+ (but not vice versa!). The MSX machines have the same BASIC programming language (called MSX BASIC, predictably enough) and the same Microsoft operating system (MSXDOS).

SINCLAIR ZX SPECTRUM NOTE The Spectrum, now manufactured by Amstrad, has appeared in many models: 16K. 48K. 4 8 K + . 128K+. + 2 , + 3 and + 2A. Only the last three are now available new. PRICE + 2 / + 2 A with built-in tape deck costs £139; + 3 with one built-in external disk drive £199. Other models available very cheap second-hand. MEMORY Mostly obvious from names! + 2 / + 2 A a n d + 3 have 128K. PROCESSOR 8-bit Zilog Z80.4 MHz RESOLUTION 256x192 (eight colours onscreen, but only two colours can be used in any given 8x8-pixel block. This often causes 'colour clash' in games that use a lot of colour.) COLOUR PALETTES colours, can be increased to 16. SOUND 128K+, + 2 , + 2 A and + 3 have 3-channel output via monitor or TV. 16K/48K/48K- have 1-channel output via built-in speaker. VIDEO All have TV port. 128K+, + 2 and + 3 also have RGB ports. SOFTWARE FORMAT Mostly tape. Early models load from ordinary cassette player (extra cost), + 2 has builtin tape deck. + 3 takes 3-inch disks though many people prefer to use tape because of disk-loading problems; one built-in reversible single-sided external disk drive can format disks to 180K each side PORTS 16K/48K/48K+ expansion port, two 3.5mm jack sockets to connect the Spectrum to a tape recorder and a TV port. 128K+ has expansion port. TV port. Vero phone connector for MIDl/RS-232 serial, two 3.5mm jack sockets. RGB port. Vero phone connector for add-on keypad. + 2 has expansion port, TV port. RGB port and Vero phone connectors as 128K+; also two nonstandard joystick ports and a 3.5mm socket for outputting sound. + 3 Is as 128K+ and also has Centronics parallel printer port and port for second disk drive. Early + 3 s have two 3.5mm audio in/out jack sockets, later models have one which performs the same function. Also MIDI port on the later

models. The recently-released + 2 A is technically virtually identical to the + 3 . apart from the fact that it has no disk drive. On the outside, it looks like a + 2 except that it's black, rather than grey. However, it has several serious incompatibility problems and will not work with many + 2 add-ons. SOFTWARE The Spectrum is the biggest-selling home computer in the UK and (at an informed guess) at least 2.000 games are available. Until the growth of 16-bit this year, most of the great classics were Spectrum titles - many still are. A wide range of utilities is also available, but the machine is inadequate for graphics work. Slow/unreliable loading and small memory cause severe problems with any data processing (eg accounting, word processing).

SOUND 3-channel sound including speech synthesis played through a TV. VIDEO TV only. The Nintendo cannot be used with a monitor. SOFTWARE FORMAT Special unerasable Nintendo cartridge. Despite some efforts by independent firms, no disk or tape software is available for the Nintendo. The Japanese-owned manufacturer once developed a disk drive but abandoned It because of piracy problems. PORTS Game controller, TV. cartridge. SOFTWARE Games only, £20£25 each. So far l i t t l e software has been released In the UK, though hundreds are available in Japan and the US (see Back Bytes, TGM012). Nintendo now promise at least two new games per month in the UK - look for the TGM reviews.

CONSOLES

PC ENGINE

NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

PRICE Entry level price of £199.95 buys you a PC Engine with a SCART connector (for use with a computer monitor), power pack and joypad. MEMORY 1Mb onboard RAM plus video RAM. PROCESSOR 8 bit custom chip. RESOLUTION 256x216. up to 64 sprites onscreen at once. COLOUR PALETTE 512 colours and shades. SOUND 6-channel. 8 octave through TV or monitor. Stereo sound via HiFi or suitable monitor. VIDEO TV or monitor (via supplied interface). SOFTWARE FORMAT Special unerasable PC Engine 2-meg ROM cards - no tapes or disks. CD-ROM games

PRICE The standard version includes console, game controller (used instead of keyboard/joystick) and one game at £99.95. The Deluxe version includes game controller, light gun. ROB (Robotic Operated Buddy) robot and two games at £14995. MEMORY Not known, but software cartridges are mostly 256K. PROCESSOR 8-bit RESOLUTION 256x240 (up to 52 colours onscreen). COLOUR PALETTE 52 colours and shades.

(loaded from disks like music CDs) are also available. PORTS Cartridge slot, one joystick port, large expansion port (possibly to connect PC Engines for two-player games). S O F T W A R E G a m e s o n l y . 20 t i t l e s a r e a v a i l a b l e so f a r a t £29.95 e a c h . F u t u r e t i t l e s a r e planned contact Micromedia.

SEGA MASTER SYSTEM PRICE Games console Including light gun, game controller and one game retails at £79.95. RESOLUTION 256x192 (up to 64 colours onscreen). COLOUR PALETTE 64 colours and shades. SOUND 3-channel sound played through TV. VIDEO TV only. The Sega cannot be used with a monitor. SOFTWARE FORMAT Special unerasable Sega cartridge - no tapes or disks. PORTS Cartridge slot, two game controller ports (for two-player games) and TV port. SOFTWARE Games only, mainly conversions of Sega coin-op games. After a lukewarm start, the Sega was selling like hot cakes in late 1988 and we predict good software support. This scction is updated every month and we make every effort to ensure the information is accurate. Let us know if we've missed anything!

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BACK BYTES

Playing the waiting game Half the hyped-up products may never exist at all, says Robin Candy n l a t e 1 9 8 7 , ads a p p e a r e d f o r Attack Of The Mutant Zombie Flesh-Eating Chickens From Mars Starring Zappo The Dog t h e first g a m e f r o m M a t t h e w S m i t h (Manic Miner f o r o v e r t h r e e years. F o r t u n a t e l y f o r r e v i e w h e a d ings e v e r y w h e r e , t h e g a m e n e v e r appeared a n d w e w e r e all spared t h e AOTMZFECFMSZTD abbreviation.

P e r h a p s t h a t w a s n o g r e a t loss t o m a n k i n d . B u t w e ' v e a l l seen t h e ads for n e w games a n d n e w machines w h i c h w i l l c h a n g e t h e face o f c o m p u t i n g a n d i m p r o v e o u r v e r y exist e n c e - if t h e y ' r e t o be b e l i e v e d , selfactualisation can be y o u r s for o n l y £ 1 9 . 9 5 . T r u e , t h e r e m a y be d e l a y s a l o n g t h e w a y , but if it's w o r t h h a v ing it's w o r t h w a i t i n g for, right? Unfortunately, delays have become a w a y of life i n t h e m i c r o w o r l d - sometimes the delays are of infinite length and the product n e v e r a p p e a r s at a l l . A n d d i d it e v e r e x i s t i n t h e first p l a c e ? I t ' s b e c o m e a l m o s t a c c e p t e d t h a t if y o u h a v e a g o o d idea o n e b e e r y e v e n i n g y o u i m m e d i a t e l y a n n o u n c e that it w i l l be a v a i l a b l e o n a l l m a j o r f o r m a t s f r o m M o n d a y next, and rake i n a little publicity. No need to actually produce i t . . . Probably the most i n f a m o u s failure of this k i n d came f r o m I m a g i n e , b e f o r e it w a s b o u g h t b y O c e a n . B a c k i n 1 9 8 4 , Bandersnatch a n d Psyclapse w e r e b i l l e d as t h e t w o m o s t o r i g i n a l games conceived ( y o u betta believe it). Enhanced by a h a r d w a r e addo n . t h e y w o u l d c h a n g e t h e face o f g a m i n g as w e k n e w i t . It l a t e r t r a n s p i r e d , a f t e r I m a g i n e h a d c r a s h e d , t h a t d e s p i t e t h e glossy advertisement claims there was v e r y little of the megagames to s h o w . Psyclapse h a d p r o g r e s s e d n o f u r t h e r t h a n a piece o f paper, a n d though programming had begun on Bandersnatch it was far from finished; I m a g i n e w e r e n ' t the o n l y software house w h o tried to change the face o f g a m i n g w i t h a h a r d w a r e add-on. In 1985 Mikro-gen launched the Mikro-Plus, a device w h i c h increased t h e S p e c t r u m ' s m e m o r y to 64K by o v e r r i d i n g the R O M . Several games w e r e p l a n n e d but only o n e ever saw the light of d a y . Shadow Of The Unicorn was poorly received by both reviewers and public, and the Mikro-Plus and all f o l l o w - u p games w e r e scrapped. Even w h e n a w o n d e r p r o d u c t does a p p e a r , it m a y f a l l flat.

R e v o l u t i o n cancelled In the battle of the consoles, the F l a r e O n e w a s a l l set t o s w e e p a w a y the opposition. RISC (Reduced I n s t r u c t i o n Set C o m p u t i n g ) p r o c e s sing. 5 1 2 x 2 5 6 screen r e s o l u t i o n .

b u i l t - i n M I D I ports, a video/blitter c h i p a l l f o r a r o u n d £ 2 0 0 ? It c e r tainly looked impressive o n paper.

Lots o f p a p e r , i n f a c t : at least t w o m a j o r magazines w i t h ' c o m p u t e r ' as t h e s e c o n d w o r d o f t h e i r t i t l e devoted glossy pages to rave r e v i e w s . T G M t h o u g h t it s o u n d e d g r e a t , t o o , b u t w e w a r n e d last y e a r i n T G M 0 1 0 t h a t it ' w o n ' t b e o n t h e shelves this Christmas'.

it w a s t o o s i m i l a r t o t h e i r l i c e n s e d R-Type. w h i l e N i n t e n d o f o r c e d US G o l d t o w i t h d r a w The Great Giana Sisters b e c a u s e it r e s e m b l e d Super Mario Bros. H o w e v e r , n e i t h e r R-Tvpe nor Super Mario Bros can be d e s c r i b e d as o r i g i n a l . . . US Gold w e r e too quick off the mark with another announcement w h e n they p r o u d l y proclaimed in 1987 that James Dean. M a r i l y n M o n r o e and Charlie Chaplin were s o o n t o be m a j o r c o m p u t e r g a m e s . O n l y t h e C h a p l i n t i t l e a p p e a r e d , last year, a n d the software house q u i e t l y a d m i t t e d that after acquiri n g t h e licences t h e y ' d decided D e a n a n d M o n r o e w e r e u n s u i t a b l e for pixelisation.

CJf c o u r s e it w a s n ' t , a n d t h o u g h F l a r e T e c h n o l o g y say i t ' s s t i l l o n t h e c a r d s , it s e e m s n o m a n u f a c t u r e r h a s been f o u n d yet. T o Flare's credit, they did little of the h y p i n g ; that w a s l e f t t o t h e press, a n o t h e r g u i l t y party in the m e r r y - g o - r o u n d of incredible n o n h a p p c n i n g revolutions.

This catalogue of cockups touches o n l y a f e w of the software a n d hardware world's countless broken p r o m i s e s . A l l areas of c o m p u t i n g are f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e p r o b l e m ; users h a d t o w a i t so l o n g f o r t h e latest v e r sion of Lotus Development Corp's spreadsheet /-2-3 that headlines saying '6-7-8?' became a r u n n i n g joke.

I n t e r e s t i n g aside: t h e Flare O n e ' s designers formerly worked at Sinclair Research o n the Loki. the mythical 'super Spectrum', w h i c h also l o o k e d g o o d o n p a p e r a n d f a i l e d l o materialise. Sir C l i v e Sinclair h a d l o n g been k n o w n for t a l k i n g himself into trouble with unkecpablc promises; i n h i s case, t h e p r o b l e m w a s often thai unforeseen technical difficulties arose. Atari are m o r e guilty t h a n most at p r o m i s i n g p r o d u c t a n d n e v e r d e l i v e r i n g . T h e 2 5 6 K ST w a s o r i g i n a l l y p l a n n e d as a r i v a l t o t h e Spect r u m a n d the C 6 4 but was scrapped v e r y early o n . A n d w e ' r e still w a i l i n g f o r t h e A t a r i C D - R O M a n d ST Plus. D o n ' t p u t t o o m u c h m o n e y o n t h e ST c o n s o l e a p p e a r i n g t h i s s u m m e r as s c h e d u l e d , e i t h e r . O r S t a c e y , t h e p o r t a b l e ST; so m a n y A t a r i m a c h i n e s are s h o w n to selected s o f t w a r e a n d r e t a i l i n g b i g w i g s at t h e major computer shows, put on the shelf, a n d s h o w n a r o u n d again t h e f o l l o w i n g year.

One-part trilogy Back to games. Gargoyle Games's Marsport was critically acclaimed a n d w e l l - r e c e i v e d b y t h e p u b l i c , so t w o f o l l o w - u p s were planned to c o m p l e t e a Siege Of Earth trilogy: Fornax a n d Gath. N e i t h e r e v e r m a d e it t o t h e s h o p s , b e c a u s e G a r g o y l e felt t h a t ihe financial rewards w e r e n ' t going to be great e n o u g h to j u s t i f y the development time. So they l a u n c h e d t h e Faster T h a n L i g h t label a n d c o n c e n t r a t e d o n arcade g a m e s w h i c h t o o k m u c h less t i m e to program. Legal disputes are a n o t h e r t h r e a t . Katakis a n d The Great Giana Sisters, t w o excellent games f r o m Rainbow A r t s / U S G o l d , t h a t d i d n ' t m a k e it t o t h e shops because of legal w r a n g l e s . Both were heavily advertised and b o t h g o t r a v e r e v i e w s - t h a t is, t i l l the writs started flying. Electric D r e a m s o b j e c t e d t o Katakis. saying

Waiting

is half the fun

PHOTO: Charlie C h a p l i n i n

B u t it w a s n o j o k e t o users w h o d e s p e r a t e l y n e e d e d it t o i m p r o v e their business, a n d t h e h y p e a r o u n d g a m e s a n d g a m e s m a c h i n e s is n o j o k e e i t h e r - if o n l y b e c a u s e it c o n fuses t h e s c e n e . W h o k n o w s w h a t t h e y s h o u l d really s a v e t h e i r cash f o r i f h a l f t h e p r o d u c t s a d v e r t i s e d are pure fantasy?

• Next m o n t h i n T G M : 32-page Controversy p u l l - o u t section plus the a s t o u n d i n g 64-bit parallel-processing supercomp u t e r i n an easy-to-assemble DIY k i t - no soldering experience required!

(Exact tfxrvmcation m a y vary according 10 availability of c o m p o n e n t * . )

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READER CLASSIFIEDS music maker organ, joysticks. 40 mags, £180 or swap for working Atari STFM £70. Leyton-Stone. London. Phone Ian 556-9147

Atari 520 STFM with over £1500 worth of games including latest titles, still under guarantee and boxed with manuals. all Tor £450 or swap for Amiga. Contact Jason. 21 Drovers Place, Peckham, London SE15 2RP. Phone 6359437 Commodore 128 computer 1 yrs old, excelerator plus disk drive, freeze machine cartridge. 2 data cassettes, loads of games, Salamander. Gauntlet, Helicopter, Gunship £250. Interested? Ring Ascot (0990) 25275 and ask for Paul Atari 520 STFM. excellent condition with all leads, mouse, box, 18 boxed mint condition games including Carrier Command. Dungeon Master. Gauntlet II. Virus. Xenon; worth £375 will sell for £300 o.n.o. Phone Andy - Coventry (0203) 73398 8pm-9pm

T G M will not k n o w i n g l y p l a c e adverts for p i r a t e d s o f t w a r e . In an effort t o c o n t r o l t h e p r o b l e m , w e will n o t p l a c e any a d w h i c h doesn"t include a full n a m e a n d address. B o x n u m b e r s a n d c o d e n a m e s are u n a c c e p t a b l e . T h a n k y o u for y o u r c o o p e r a t i o n .

WANTED BETA Plus or BETA disk drive interlace for Spectrum. Write to V. Vitovec. Pilestredet 31 -811.0166 O S L 0 1 . Norway Video game magazines and game cartndges for Atari. Coleco. Vectrex, Intellevision. Sega, will buy or trade American magazines and cartridges. Let me know what you have. Originals only. Steven Burrage. BX1288. Orlando. Florida USA SA 32802 Wanted: games for Sega System. Wonder Boy. Rocky. Outrun. Space Harrier. Shinobi. Afterburner, any others considered. Please send list and prices to Stephen Salter. 16 Domby Road. Ipswitch. Suffolk IP2 OJS

FOR SALE Atari ST original games for sale. Eliminator. Starglkjef II. Thunder Blade. Leatherneck £8.50 each or the lot for £30. Tel John EveningsAVeekends 01 391 4187 C64, C2N. Music Maker keyboard, over £650 worth of games including classics like Last Nmjail. Platoon. Bards Tale 1. Ikan Warriors. Gauntlets 1 and 2 and Predator. Bargain £300 call 0225 310291. Daniel after 4pm-Bath Atari ST with over £130 worth of soft-

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ware and books including Gaunlet 2 and Epyx Epics only £260. Write to Grant Robson. 3A Castle Terrace. Bridge of Weir. Renfrewshire PA113EF MEGA DEALS Commodore 64C. datasette, three joysticks. 'Action Replay Mk4 Professional' cartridge, mouse, cheese. 30 games, all excellent condition. Worth over £400 sell for just £149. Don't be beaten to it - phone (0769) 80312 NOW! CBM64, 1570 disk drive. 1702 colour monitor, two C2N's. double expert, thermal printer, all perfect condition £300 of games, total value £900 will sell complete £450 ono. Will seperate. Tel: (051) 263 8806 6pm-7pm Sega System for sale. Still boxed. Games-Out Run, Choplifter, After Burner, World Soccer, Great Golf, plus Hang On. Very good condition worth £230 will sell for £65. Ring Durham (091) 3868401 any night. Genuine bargain!

Sega games system with 5 games including Hang On. Space Harrier. Ghost House. Fantasy Zone and Choplifter. All boxed very good condition only £100. Phone (0704) 24676 after 5pm Two 48K Spectrums, mlcrodrrve, printer, interface, modem, data recorder. lots of software and magazines. Tel: 07375 51217 only £130 Spectrum + 3 , multiface 3. software worth £400. radio cassette, joysticks, books, mags, etc etc. Fully guaranteed, cost £1000, sell £300 o.n.o. Phone Lee on 0684 292093. No reasonable offer refused Atari STFM, joystick, mouse, sharp colour TV, 18 games: Outrun. Virus etc. £300. No Offers Tel:01 533 3664 after 5.00pm MSX2 software for sale: games include Scramble Formation. Word Up, Wizards Apprentice. Deep Forest, Fantasy Zone. Laydock. Breaker for MSX only. All letters replied to: Please write to P. Jess, 58 Legacurry Road. Lisburn. Co. Antnm, BT27 5LZ N. Ireland Commodore 64 plus datasette £80. also games worth over £300. All in excellent condition- will sell for £70 Tel: Fleet (0252) 623141

Atari 520 STFM with built in 1 meg double sided disk drive, with STOS. mouse, joystick. Sell for £270.00 or swap for Amiga A500. Good condition. Tel: (091) 5262825 and ask for Michael

C64 for sale, loads of games like Double Dragon and loads more, lots of magazines, 1 joystick, C2N, excellent condition, sell for £200. Tel Blackpool (0253) 697150 after 5pm

Nintendo with fun. five games £70. Phone 798 8^41 ask for Lee. Only callers in WhitefiekJ. Bury. Prestwich areas.

Swlvat/Tilt monitor stand £10. Amiga games, Black Shadow. Joe Blade. Tetris. Golden Path. Hacker 2. Quantox, 737 Flight Simulator, Jump Jet. £3 each or swap. P/Exchange anything for A500. Phone Steve (0429)

C64, boxed as new. 110 games (Op. Wolf. After Burner), tape recorder.

Amiga A500, TV modulator. Joystick, many games, one month old, £380. Write to Scott Lea. 285 Giascote Road. Tamworth. Staffs or phone (0827) 69406 after 7pm and ask for Scott. Ring Now!

Spectrum +2 . £200 worth of software includes Renegade and Out Run. Crash issues 38 to 60. also ZX81 10K all for £250 o.n.o. or swap for Nintendo and cartridges. Phone 01 959 2569 after 6pm HUGE C64 system C64.2 datasettes. 3 joysticks, joyball. wizcard. grafix Tablet. lightpen. Action Replay MK4. well over £2.000 games (!). s<5und sampler system, 10 books. 60 mags more! Full list, phone 0925 753076 £350 BARGAIN! CBM64, new cassette unit, new joystick. 6 games cartndges. paddles. 50 cassette games, including Hawkeyeyyyyy, Arkanoid. Wizbali. Impossible Mission. All for £160 Tel: James on Wakefield (0924) 259 655 after 6pm Atari ST software for sale, very latest £3 each, all originals. L Seinstna. PO Box 6g 2980 AD. Ridderkerk. Holland Amiga games. Originals. Portal. Pacmania, Starglider, Speed ball. Red October. Tass Times. Defender, Kings Quest 3. Golf. Baseball. Football, all £10. Zork 1. Zork 2. Suspended. Stationfall, Deadline, Starcross. Wishbnnger all £8. Black Cauldron (Import) £20 Ring 0353 661080 Atari 520 STFM. one meg disk drive. upgraded| | one meg memory, mouse, joyballf aanc n d games Very good condition. leads inc. £320 or nearest offer. Phone 021 427 1084 Spectrum + 3 for sale .one year old. very good condition with 20 disk games, joystick, multiface 3. tape recorder and 130 original tape games. Phone (0767) 315786 after 5pm £250 CBM 128 computer pack. CBM 4 computer pack 1901 colour monitor, leads included. Action Replay Mk3. Expert cartridge, over £1.500 of ori^nai software, over 40 mags. 5 joysticks, modem. Sell for £450 phone Sulaimon on (01) 986 6802 anytime between 3.45pm and 11.30pm Amiga 500 brand new with modulator £300 original software inc. Rocket , Interceptor. Speed ball and more only £350. Tel Rob Turton, (Birmingham) 554 5534 after 4pm Amstrad 6128, colour monitor, disc drive, colour monitor, speedking Joystick. lightpen. Dup 1 Pnnter. Pascal. Worth over £1250. offers around £495 Phone after 4pm (061) 483 9066 (Stockport) LOOK HERE: CBM 64C for sale in perfect condition and games. Phone (1)

BACK BYTES 940 2644. 248 Kew Road. Richmond. Surrey C o m m o d o r e 64 software. Over £450 new. Sell for £100. Commodore 64 plus data cassette and pro 5000 joystick. Sell for £100, or sell both Commodore 64 and software for £170. Phone Langport 251366 (between 6pm - 9pm) Yamaha CX5M best sound on any computer' (TGM 009). Music Composer, Voicing Program, Music Macro, selection of MSX games. Cost in total over £1.000. Will sell for £200. Phone Martin on (01) 5540436 after 7.30pm Amiga A1000 (512K) plus 2MB expansion plus midi interface £650ono Phone 01 859 2523 anytime Commodore 64C. Hollywood TV pack bought Jan 89 unwanted gift under guarantee, paid £150.00 sell for £120.00. Phone Tilbury (Essex) 5991 (03752) Software for Atari ST. over £360 worth including Virus. Carrier Command. Gauntlet II. Quantum Paint, Buggy Boy. Right Simulator II etc. boxed and with instructions. Just £90 ono. Telephone (0295) 58980 Amstrad 464. colour monitor, great bargain, over £400 games latest include Total Eclipse. Gunahlp, F-15 Strike Eagle. Heroes of the Lance.Elite, Spy Vs Spy £200. Bargain phone Ian on (01) 200 9759 evenings. Don't miss this! Amstrad CPC464. colour monitor, joystick, stereo speakers, multiface two. 100 mags, over 250 games (worth £1000 ) inc. Dark Side, Renegade. Out Run. Savage. R-Type. Operation Wolf. Worth £1650. sell for £450. Tel (0763) 71109

SWAPLINE CBM 64, data recorder, joystick, £550 of software including Platoon, Combat School and 50 more brilliant titles. All in excellent condition, all together worth £700. will sell for £220 o.n.o. Phone 01 789 1364 evenings Sega Master System still boxed includes over £250 worth of games including Choplifter. Quartet. Out-Run. Thunder Blade, Double Dragon, Shinibo. Transbot and others. Worth £350 sell for £200. Phone Steve on (Medway) Kent 0634 252958 Amiga contacts worldwide wanted to swap software, demos etc - write to: Martin Roberts. 8 Peter Tee. Castor Bay. Auckland 9. NZ. All letters answered promptly. New titles prefered. If necessary French, Russian. Indonesian also spoken Computer 64 Swop Shop. Bored with your games, why not join our SWOP SHOP. All members receive our quarterly mag. SAE for membership. Send to: 64 Swop Shop. 3 Old Church Street. Ayiestone. Leicester

PEN PALS AMIGA OWNER needs contacts. Total reply service, write now! Not yet have you got my contract? No! well its B. Topping. 133 Longshaw Drive. Little Hutton.Manchester. UK M286BD. Now you can run off! Hurry up! Amiga contacts wanted from all over the world. Write to: Marc Stabbinck. Hetdetaan 12.8200 Brugge. Belgium Amiga FREAK wants contacts around the world for swapping hints, programs etc. For 100% guaranteed fast reply write to:Chas. 60 Hall Street. Southport. Merseyside. England (Write now! or regret it!)

Atari ST user seeks similar users worldwide to swap hints, tips etc. All letters will be promptly answered. Write to Grahm Munro, 16 Buchanan Ave. Bishopton. PA7 5ET Scotland Want t o swap Amiga PD. demos or games? If so write now to:- Matthew Burke. 33 Brook House Hill. Sheffield. S10 32B (send a blank disk along if you want some free PD software) Amiga penpals wanted. I am interested in all types of software new games every week. Overseas welcome. Send letters, lists, disks to Stefano Gilardo, P.O. Box 2098, 40100 Bolongna. Italy. Tel: 01039 51/534581 IBM PC and compatibles. I want pen pals all over the world, to exchange games and programs. I've got a lot! Write to: Helge Loy. Storheia 62, 5046 Radal. Bergen. Norway Amiga Usar wants contact with other Amiga users! Aim to swap tips, demos, and anything else for this mega machine! Contact Jonathan Moms. 187 Perrysfield Road. Cheshunt. Herts. ENS 0 T L Don't delay, contact me straight away!!! Amiga o w n e r wants contacts all over the world, especially C-Net members eg Plasma, Pazza. Woody and God. Write to Ram bod, (Rammy) 386 Cathall Road. Leytonstone. London, E11 4NR England. I am not on C-Net now Amiga c o n t a c t s wanted around the world, to swap programs etc. Write to: Joginder, 40 Stanley Road. Southall. Middx. UB11PB or p h o n e d 5719324 AMIGA owner wants Penpals from around the globe to swap demos, games, hints and tips. Send lists and disks to ALF. 22A Duporth Avenue.Maroochydore 4558, Queensland. Australia. I am looking for mainly European contacts Amiga musician wants to get in touch with other Amiga musicians. If possible send anything you have made. For 100% reply write to: Orvlnd Grimstad. N6679 Kvisvik. Norway Amiga penpals wanted to swap games, tips and also videos. New games every few weeks. Ring Andrew 0762 332034 or write 21 Festival Road. Portadown, Co Armagh. N. Ireland BT63 5HE PC ENGINE owner wants to contact others. Anyone translate those Japanese intructions? Write to Onn Lee. 125 Arnold Road. Bestwood Estate. Nottingham. NG5 5HR. I also have an Amiga! All letters answered IBM compatible PC owner seeks penpals from ail over the world to swap tips and programs. Write to Filip. Merel Straat 10. 9720 De Pinte. Belgium. All letters answered Amiga contacts wanted, anywhere in the world. Please send disks, letters, lists to: Clint Geaney. 3 Macdonald Street. Rockhampton 4700. Australia, or call 6179 271213 Amiga & ST contacts wanted. Write to Mike, 8 Arnold Drive, Droylsden, Manchester M35 6RE. England. 061 301 1098.(Amiga) Alex. 30 Scott Road. Droylsden. Manchester M35 6RQ England 061 370 7008 (ST) 100% reply guaranteed

console magazine Computer Lynx has changed its name to Keytxxed. Still just 50p 20p P&P. From 187 Perrysfield Road. Cheshunt. Herts. EN8 0TL (contact the F.S.C.M. at the same address)

Jukka Kosonen. Kumau. 58700 Sulkava, Finland

USER GROUPS MSX U n k International user group for all MSX owners. Free monthly magazine. Link pen on 2nd year membership. For more details about MSX Link write to 11 Ayscough Avenue. Spalding, Lines. PE11 2QB

MISCELLANEOUS Professional PBM soccer league. FuMy computer moderated. features included league and cup games, transfers and international. Entrance Fee £4. subsequent turns £1.30 per fortnight. Write to: Gnmsdale Games. 12 Aspen Way. Cringletord, Norwich. Norfolk NR4 6UA

Aurora Sierra the new Amiga users group. One step ahead of the best. For more info contact Dave or Kev at 20 Park Road. Hunstanton, Norfolk. PE6 5BP. Don't forget an SAE. Chow!

Behind the Unas. Amazing graphic adventures, puzzles and fun for everyone. Cheap too! Only £5.00 Inc P&P. send cheque. PO to: Lee Martin. Impact. 27 Edward Road. Eastwood. Notts. NG16 3EU. Amstrad CPC machines. Cassette

MSX Central (Computer Club). Looking for MSX look no further. MSX Central can help. Send a SAE to c/o David Krawczyk. 14 The Wardens Ave. Allesley Village. Coventry CV5 9GJ Very cheap Public Domain Software, disks from 70p each! Beat that! Please phone (0226) 285330 or write to J. Lee. 11 Bradshaw Close. Barns ley, S75 2UN. South Yorks. Membership £2.50. Join first FREE game ST.

New soccer PBM, computer controlled. ideal for beginner. So come on join now! Send SAE to: AJM Games. Amberley. Park Drive. Little Aston Park. Sutton CoWfieW B74 2YA

FANZINES

Sex of either type can write for advice about earning money with a micro. For details send SAE to S.M. Johnson. 3 Danesmead Close. Futford Road. York. YQ1 4QU

The Amiga. ST. C64. Spectrum and

35 WORDS FOR ONLY £2.50! THE GAMES MACHINE Reader Classifieds are your low-cost opportunity to reach thouswxls of other readers with a small ad, whether you want to buy. sea, swap or advise Just Ml in the form below and enclose with your £2.50 payment, cheque or postal order made payable to NEWSFtELO LTD. Photocopies of the form are acceptable

CLASSIFIED HEADINGS THE GAMES MACHINE Reader Classified Section is not open to trade or commercial advertisers, but Fanzines may use i t The headings are self-explanatory; WANTED. FOR SALE. SWAPUNE. USER GROUPS. PEN PALS. FANZINES and EVENTS DIARY (for d u b ' user group news, meetings br planned events). However, be careful about TGM pubhshmg dates with the last1 e e e e

The maximum is 35 words The service is not open to trade'commercial advertisers Small ads will be printed in the first available issue The editor reserves the nght to refuse ads w h e h do not comply with normal decent practice, or which could be interpreted as e r x x x x a p n g software piracy.

TGM READER CLASSIFIEDS Send to THE G A M E 8 MACHINE READER CLASSIFIEDS. PO Box 10. Ludlow. S h f o p i h l f t SY8 1DB Name .... Address

Postcode Tick CJesaified heading: •Wanted

Cfor

• E v e n t s Oary

Sale

DSwapfcne

QPen

Pals

OUser

Groups

DFarumes

[Miscellaneous

M e t h o d of p a y m e n t

•Cheque

L P o s t a l Order

Write your advertisement here, one word per box. and include name, address and phone number if you want them printed.

Atari ST pen pals wanted, all letters answered, write to John Sanderson. 19 Deame View. Goldthorpe, Rotherham. South Yorkshire S63 9DP Amiga User wants to get contacts all around the world. Please send a list and letter to Glenn Phillips, 69 Stanniland Street. Pakuranga, Auckland. New Zealand Finnish Atari ST user wants to get contacts world wide, please wnte fast to:

TGM

016:3-89117/124

BACK BYTES

GUIDE TO

INDEPENDENT REPAIR SERVICES N

o m a i l e r h o w m u c h you. care lor a computer, eventually something goes w r o n g . A n d y o u can he i y o u r liic it'll happen after i he guarantee has expired, so y o u can lorgei about sending it hack to the manufacturers. In most cases. they w o n ' t w a n t to k n o w . So T G M lias compiled a list o l computer-repair firms together w i t h detailsof t h e machines they service, cost, a m i w a r r a n t y .

• Before l u c k i n g y o u r computer o i l l o a repair l i r m . check l«i see i l your local computer dealer can recommend a local repair o u t f i t . It's easier l o d e a l w i t h a local l i r m . because y o u can always go r o u n d and knock at their d o o r . • Failing thai, it's l i m e to look at one of the firms i n the T G M guide Phone the c o m p a n y y o u choose and try and gel a rough guide o l ihc cost o l t h e repair, h o w long i l w i l l take - and w h e t h e r t h e y ' l l give a w a r r a n t y l o d o i t again for free if the repair

COMPANYBCL (Best Computers Ltd). ADDRESS Galaxy Audio Visual, first floor. 230 Tottenham Court Road. London W1A 3AP « (01) 631 -0139 or 580-6640 COMPUTERS REPAIRED All 8-bit and 16-txt models including PC-compatibles PERIPHERALS REPAIRED All PRICES A typical small repair would cost £15-£20. WARRANTY SIX months ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Free estimates Galaxy Audio Visual also sell micros. COM PA NY Cambridge Micro Surgery. ADDRESS Unit 4. 377B Cherry Hinton Road. Cambridge CB1 4DH JS* (0223) 410234 COMPUTERS REPAIRED Spectrum. Commodore. BBC. Amstrad. PC-compatibles PERIPHERALS REPAIRED Pnnters. monitors, disk dnves etc. PRICES Cheapest is 48K Spectrum at £18 95 plus cost of parts; others from £23.50 WARRANTY Three months ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Will provide annual maintenance for business micros, on a contract basis

doesn't w o r k .

• M a k e sure that i h e quoted price includes parts, labour, VAT. and r e t u r n |>osiagc. • W h e n sending y o u r c o m p u t e r by post, pack it carefully—preferably i n the original box - or y o u could end up paying a loi more t h a n y o u reckoned. • Always include a letter w i t h your address, telephone n u m b e r and the effeels of the fault. • Send i h c w h o l e |tackage by recorded delivery - just 2 4 p o n t o p o l the stamp cost - and pay i h e extra cash for an advice-ofdelivery slip ( 2 5 p if y o u ask for it w h e n y o u post the package. 6 5 p if y o u leave i l till later). That way y o u k n o w it's got there, y o u can hassle the repair l i r m i l i h c y claim it's lost i n t h e post, and y o u can sleep at nights loo.

ADDRESS 97 Market Street. Hindley. Wigan. Lancashire WN2 3AA. 9(0942)522743. COMPUTERS REPAIRED Spectrum. ci 6/64, Vtc20. CPC. PERIPHERALS REPAIRED Some PRICES Set price for each machine, ranging from £17 (48K Spectrum) to £25. 1541 disk drives £32 50. WARRANTY Three months. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Average two-day turnaround - well quicker than the average

016:3-89

COMPANY PM Engineering. ADDRESS Unit 8. New Road. St Ives, Cambndgeshlre PE174BG s (0480) 61394 COMPUTERS REPAIRED All home computers PERIPHERALS REPAIRED Pnnters. monitors and disk drives PRICES Phone. There's a set repair price for each computer, regardless of the fault and including all parts and labour. WA RRA NTY Three months COMPANY RA Electronics. ADDRESS 133 London Road South, Lowestoft. Suffolk. NR330AX » (0502) 566289 COMPUTERS REPAIRED All Spectrums. PERIPHERALS REP AI RED Phone PRICES Spectrum 48K £14. Spectrum 128K £20. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RA Electronics also sell components

COMPANY Roebuck Designs. ADDRESS Victory Works. Birds Hill, Letch worth. Hertfordshire SG6 1HX S (0462) 480723 or 480929. JOYSTICKS REPLACED Roebuck Designs run a clever joystick-replacement COMPANY HS Computer Services. ADDRESS Unit 2, The Orchard. Warton. sen/ice which offers faster turnaround than a repair firm might. Preston, Lancashire PR4 IBS w (0772) 632686 Send in your broken joystick - any model COMPUTERS REPAIRED AJI SpeC- and they'll send back a second-hand but trums. working stick of the same model. Later they repair yours and pass it on to another cusPERIPHERALS R F P A / W E D Phone tomer. PRICES From £14 95 WARRANTY Three months PRICE £4.50 including return postage.

COMPANY Ladbroke Computing International. ADDRESS 33 Ormskirk Road. Preston. Lancashire PR120P » (0772) 21474 or 27236. COMPUTERS REPAIRED Mainly Atan. PERIPHERALS REPAIRED PrintCOMPANY The Computer Factory. ers and disk drives. ADDRESS Analytic Engineering Ltd. Unit PRICES According to machine - for 18A, Grainger Road Industrial Estate, South- example ST £34,50. XL/130 XE £23 (these end SS25DD » (0707) 618455 prices include VAT). COMPUTERS REPAIRED All major WARRANTY Phone for information. models except Atari COMPANY MP Electronics. PERIPHERALS REPAIRED Disk ADDRESS Wendhng. Dereham, Norfolk drives and printers. PRICES £7-£40 NR192LZB (0362) 87327. WARRA NTY Three months. COMPUTERS REPAIRED SpecADDITIONAL INFORMATION trum. C64. BBC B. PC-compatibles - in fact Free estimates. all major makes except ST and Amiga. COMPANY Hindley Electronics. PERIPHERALS REPAIRED Print-

118/124 TGM

ers. plotters, monitors, disk drives etc. PRICES All-inclusive prices for most machines - 48K Spectrum £15.128K Spectrum. BBC B and C64 £27.50. PCs from £20-£100+. These rates cover all faults except those caused by other people's botched repairs! WA RRANTY Phone for information. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Free estimates. £20 overhaul service for 48K Spectrums - MP Electronics replace sockets, keyboard membrane etc and will repair any faults that develop within six months of overhaul.

COMPANY Swindon ITEC. ADDRESS 6 Oppenheimer Centre. Greenbridge Road. Swindon SN3 3JD S (0793)611808. COMPUTERS REPAIRED Spectrum. Commodore 64/128. BBC B and Master senes. CPC. PERIPHERALS REPAIRED 5.25inch disk drives, monitors, cassette-deck alignment PRICES Spectrum from £18. others from £25 (but small repairs may be cheaper). WARRANTY Three months. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Most repairs should be done within seven working days. COMPANY Verran Micro-Malntenance. ADDRESS Albany Park. Fnmiey Road. Camberley. Surrey GUIS 2PL S (0276)

66266. COMPUTERS REPAIRED Spectrum, Amstrad. Commodore. PERIPHERALS REPAIRED Pnnters. monitors. PRICES Range from £19 95 for Spectrum to £95 for Amstrad PC 1512. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Established six years. Approved by Amstrad

COM PA N Y Video Vault. ADDRESS 140 High Street West. Giossop. Derbyshire SK138HJ « (04574) 66555. COMPUTERS REPAIRED Most PERIPHERALS REPAIRED Phone PRICES From £19 95. according to machine. WARRANTY Three months ADDITIONAL INFORMATION While-you-wait service in Manchester. COMPANY VSE Technical Services. ADDRESS Unit 6. 8 Nursery Road. London SW98BP » ( 0 1 ) 738-7707 COMPUTERS REPAIRED AJI Spectrum, Amstrad. Atari and Commodore models PERIPHERALS REPAIRED Opus Discovery drive (partner Ian Vaudrey is official repairperson for the Sinclair Discovery Club) PRICES Each model has a set price which covers all repairs except very major ones like keyboard or disk-drive replacement Spectrums range from £12 90 to £17.90; C64 is £19.90. C128 £24 90; CPCs range from £21.90 to £24 90; all PCWs are £31.90 Parts, labour. VAT and return postage within the UK are all included. WA RR A NTY Four months A t t e n t i o n r e p a i r f i r m s : If y o u w o u l d like a m e n t i o n in the Back Bytes Repair page, please send the relevant details to Back Bytes. T G M . PO Box 10. Ludlow Shropshire SY8 IDB. i n c l u d i n g a phone n u m b e r and t h e manager's n a m e (for our files!.

Console-ation Finding a good console repair shop is a loi harder t h a n g e l l i n g

the computet fixed - limply

because there's not so m u c h demand. B u t T d c g a m e v w h i c h sells joysticks and games lor most major consoles, n o w oilers a repair service t o o . There's a 90-day guarantee, and what's better. Telegames guarantee a three-day t u r naround! They'realsoihcolficial UK repair centre lor Sega and Colecovisitm. Prices, w h i c h include j u r i s , labour and VAT. are L17.95 lor Atari 2600. L I 4 . 9 5 lor Colccovision. L19.95 lor Inlcllivision. and L 14.95 lor Sega. A d d £2.50 lor r e t u r n postage. Telega mes: Kilbv Bridge. Wignon. Leuestet 118 I ft ® (05 51) 880445 o r 81 364)6

High Quality Repairs Low Inclusive Prices

Technical Services £21.90

A m s t r a d CPC6128

£24.90

C o m m o d o r e C64

£19.90

Spectrum 48K/Plus £12.90 UPGRADES Spectrum 16K-48K £19.90

Excluding cabinet damage, replacement of CPCC64 keyboard assembly, or CPC disk drive (free estimate given).

VSE Technical Services (Dept 105), Unit 6, 8 Nursery Road, London SW9 8BP. Tel. 01-738 7707

mmrfi&msiw&iMx r s^vi J£

COMPUTER REPAIRS Standard charges

C o m m o d o r e 64

£25.00

C o m m o d o r e +4

£25.00

£21.00

Commodore C16

All repairs g u a r a n t e e d 4 m o n t h s , prices q u o t e d a p p l y t o a n y single f a u l t * a n d are inclusive o f parts, l a b o u r a n d V A T . Free r e t u r n carr a i g e f o r UK m a i l o r d e r c u s t o m e r s . W e also r e p a i r A m s t r a d PCWs, C o m m o d o r e C128A/IC20, a n d t h e f u l l Sinclair S p e c t r u m range. Please p h o n e f o r prices.

REPAIRS A m s t r a d CPC464

The Logical Choice!

HINDLEY ELECTRONICS

isai

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We are Scotland's leading microcomputer service centre Service and suppliers to trade and local government Sinclair 4 8 K £ 1 9 . 5 0 Sinclair 1 2 8 + 2 £ 2 1 . 5 0 C o m m o d o r e 64 £ 3 0 . 0 0 Amstrad CPC 464 £32.00 Prices available o n request for all other c o m p u t e r s including business machines

Send cheques to:

COTREL LTD

113/115 High Street, Cowdenbeath, Fife, Scotland

C o m m o d o r e Vic 2 0

£18.00

C o m m o d o r e ICs a n d disk d n v e repairs please n n g for details ALL PRICES INCLUSIVE Of VAT AND RETURN POSTAGE INCLUDING INSURANCE

HINDLEY ELECTRONICS

(Dept T G M ) 97 Market Street. Hindley. W i g a n Tel. ( 0 9 4 2 ) 5 2 2 7 4 3 The standard charge may not apply t o m a c h i n e s with multiple faults 3 m o n t h wan-arty o n repairs w i t h very fast turnaround.

SUPERVISION

ELECTRONICS

V i d e o G a m e s & C a r t r i d g e s For -

ATARI (Nintendo)

JUST ARRIVED FROM JAPa.N. THE NEW SENSATION IN COMPUTER GAMING. THE PC ENGINE AVAILABLE IN THE UK.

13 M A N S F I E L D R O A D NOTTINGHAM NG1 3FH TEL: 0602 475151

SOOTH EAST KENT SOFTWARE 78 S0UTKFLEET ROAD, ORPINGTON KENT. TELEPHONE 0689 50204 RJLi RANGE OF COMPUTERS FOR ATARI-AMIGA AN0 ALSO DISK 0RIV€S AND PRMTERS ATARI 520 ST-M 1/2mt) <Jfwe. mouse. £2S8

ATARI 1040 ST-FM Imb drive, mouse. £425 AMIGA 500 1 ml) drive mouse withfreemodulator, £365 FULL RANGE OF GAMES FOR SEGA/NINTENDO. SPECTRUM. AMSTRAD. COMMOOORE. ATARI

THUND€RBLAD€ OPERATION WOLF EUMINATOR AFTER8URNER DOUBLE DRAGON

£17.99 £13.95 £13.95

JOYSTICKS SPEEDING SPEEDKING AUTOFIRE SPEEDKING NAVIGATOR CRUISER CLEAR QUICKSHOT 2 TURBO PRO 5000 EXTRA

ATARI 520 ST-M 1mt> dnve. mouse, £275

ATARI ST £13.95 £13.95 £13.95 £13.95 £16.95

ROGER RAB8TT RAMB03 1943

AMIGA £16.95 £16.95 £13.95

£899 £10.40 £12.50 £10.34 £10.60

£13.95

3.5" untoranded dsdd disks x i f l £8 90 5.25" unbranded dsdd disks x i o £5.00 PAYMENT BY CHEQUE/POST ORDER/COO £1 OVERSEAS EXTRA PAYMENT PAYABLE TO J FERGUSON

COMPUTER REPAIRS Fixed Super Low Prices!

{

Inclusive of p a n s , labour a n d V A T

FIRST AID FOR TECHNOLOGY

1 WEEK TURNROUND

SPECIAL OFFERS

SPECTRUM £14 +Free Game SPECTRUM 128 £18 C64 £22 + Free Game C128 £29 C64 PSU For Sale £20

Please

enclose

C16 VIC 20. C+4 1541 DISK DRIVE 1531 TAPE DECK MPS 801

with item - 3 month warranty se enclose advert with repair

* W.T.S ELECTRONICS (gm)

£18 £22 £36 £19 £38

repair

Studio Master House. Chaulend Lane. Luton. Beds. LU4 8EZ. Tel: 0582 491 949

Authorised Sinclalr/Amstrad Repair Agents Expert repairs from the UK's largest Sinclair/Amstrad repair organisation. Full test equipment, repair procedures and components to original manufacturers specifications. Amstrad PCW8256 £86.00 Spectrum 4 SIC PI us £19.95 Amstrad PCW8512 £75.00 Sinclair OL £34.95 Amstrad PCW9512 CSS.OO Spectrum 128k £22.95 Amstrad PC1512 £96.00 Spectrum Plus 2 £24.96 Amstrad PC1640 £106.00 Spectrum Plus 3 £34.96 Amstrad DMP2000 £44.95 Amstrad CPC6128 £39.96 Amstrad DMP3000 £49.96 ( I n d u i n g Monitor) Amstrad DMP4000 £89.95 Amstrad CPC664 £39.96 Amstrad CPC^64 £34.96 (lnckxVig Monitor) (lnckxfcng Monitor) Prices include: VAT, Post, Packing. Parts. Labour and insurance Prices exclude: Hard Dnve or Cathode ray tube replacement To send us your machine for repair, mail it securely packed, and accompanied by a cheque or postal order (made out to Verran Micro-Maintenance Ltd.) or quote y o u Access or Barclaycard number, and this reference: QM221 Verran Micro-Maintenance Ltd.. Units 2M ft 2J Albany Parfc. Frtmley Roed. Cambertey, Surrey OU16 2PL. Telephone: (0276) 66266. Fax: (0276) 692280. Tetex: 858199.

GEMSOFT We offer the largest selection of Amiga and Atari ST Hardware and Software at the best prices m the area with a level of service you won't expect anywhere

Atari Super Pack £374.00 Atari + Int 1 meg drive £299.00 Amiga + Mod + 10 games + mat + 5 disks £399.00 Star LC10 Colour Printer Inc. Lead £299.00 Panasonic 1081 inc. Lead £189.00 10 3Vfe" Disks DS/DD £9.95 Sega + CBM64 + Spectrums Available Pay by Credit C a r d for F R E E next day delivery. Credit facilities available - A s k for written details 1st Floor, 19-21 Division Street, Sheffield S14GE Tel: 0742 757070

SAMDALE COMPUTERS LTD 7

Better Than The Best of The Rest' Credit Card Hotline 0621-742617 E 3 RING NOW!

*Free Delivery in UK *Orders Despatched in 24 hrs* *Some titles w h i c h are n o w releases may take more 24 hrs*

THE LATEST SOFTWARE FOR ATARI

AMIGA C O M M O D O R E C64/C128 IBM PC

MSX

AMSTRAD AT NEW LOW

SEGA SPECTRUM PRICES!

RING 0621-742617 NOW! FOR YOUR FREE PRICE LISTS OR SEND USA LETTER OR POSTCARD STATING YOUR NAME, ADDRESS & MACHINE TYPE 1a Austral Way, Highfield Rise Althorne, Essex C M 3 6 D N

BACK BYTES

UNCLE MEL'S TRIVIA QUIZ

14) W h y are A m s t r a d 3 - i n c h d i s k s called 'discs'? 15) Eric F o r t h is: a) C l a p t o n ' s g r e a t - g r a n d s o n , b) a S c a n d i n a v i a n p r o g r a m m i n g l a n g u a g e , c) invisible. 16. W h i c h c o u n t r y in t h e U n i t e d Kingdom has the most computers per head?

1) W h o w e r e C o m m o d o r e ' s s p o n sored football t e a m a n d t a m e javelin-thrower, and w h a t h a p p e n e d to them?

6) U n s c r a m b l e s o m e s o f t w a r e houses f r o m this Spanish menu: ' El R r e d M e a t S i c c \ ' L a s P r e y ' . ' El V i n e Ratta*.

VC100?

2) W h a t d i d N i n t e n d o m a n u f a c t u r e before consoles?

7) In April, a £ 1 0 0 . 0 0 0 S w i s s r o b o t n a m e d Toughie will b e challenged by a £ 1 0 0 English robot n a m e d C h a r l i e . W h a t f o r m will t h e c o m b a t take?

11) T r u e o f f a l s e ? Spycatcher, the b o o k Margaret Thatcher tried to b a n , is a b o u t t o b e c o m e a c o m puter game.

3) H o w m a n y a c t o r s d o e s it t a k e t o change a floppy disk? 4) In t h e last 12 m o n t h s , t h e c o s t of D R A M c h i p s h a s i n c r e a s e d b y : a) 3 0 0 % . b) 1 0 0 % . c) s a l t ' n ' v i n e g a r . 5) W h y w a s Sinclair User t r a s h e d o n t h e B B C ' s Watchdog programme?

8) C D S m a n D a v e C a r l o s h a s q u i t the software industry to b e c o m e : a) a s a n d d a n c e r , b) u n e m p l o y e d , c) a Christian missionary.

12) W h o will b e n e f i t f r o m t h e 1 9 8 9 British s o f t w a r e i n d u s t r y ' s c h a r i t y c o m p i l a t i o n : a)autistic c h i l d r e n , b) artistic c h i l d r e n , q j t h e s o f t w a r e industry?

9) H o w m u c h o n b o a r d m e m o r y d o you get on the n e w A m s t r a d

13) T G M is e d i t e d in: a) L u d l o w , b) lager, c) just u n d e r t h r e e m i n u t e s .

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10) W h a t are B i g Blue, B i g A p p l e , B/gK?

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HOW DID YOU DO? SCOTS one point

answer!!!

for each

correct

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(A6oK>uqoai $ aouaios jo IBAQsaj q6jnquip3 aqj IB) siuuaj aiqej. (z 0 points Congratulations! You should present Channel 4 programmes on computer games. 1-10 points You are average. Amstrad was built on hardware-

SEGA HOTLINE COMPETITION W i n n e r receives a Sega Master System plus a b u n d l e of Sega goodies. C r a i g B r o w n . Middlesex

19) W h a t d i d D o m a r k ' s M a r k Strachan auction for 500 quid?

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18) Fill in t h e m i s s i n g n u m b e r s f r o m these science-fiction classics: Fahrenheit XXX, Slaughterhouse X, Saturn X, XXXX A Sex Odyssey.

2 0 ) W h a t will a S c u z z y i n t e r f a c e d o for an ordinary 3.5-inch disk?

iOvfop

»AB(J T.LBUM 'POO OL IB0UOH

17) W h a t w a s r e m a r k a b l e a b o u t M e r c u r y R e c o r d s ' s release o f T c h a i k o v s k y ' s 1812 Overture in 1956?

HAO 2 L S . T e n r u n n e r s u p e a c h r e c e i v e S e g a T - s h i r t s . T h e y are:

SU3MSNV designers like you. 11-19 points You are pretty good, but you do make mistakes. Join Alan. 20 points You cheated. You will go far in the City, or advertising the Peter Silcock, Basingstoke. RQ27 9QP. Simon Cripps, Middx, TW13 5BP. Martin Rett. Suffolk, CB9 7PW. J o h n Hughesman, London SE16 2QF. Zak Pearce, London SE183SY. David P i c k e t t Bucks HP1S 6NP.

Amiga. over 20 points You have revolutionised mathematics. You win an abacus.

Ben CahHI. Staffordshire ST18 0SE. Matthew Ducker. Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Richard A Smith, Leicestershire LE17 4XB. A d i m Brown, HSTTOW.

EPYX COMPETITION W i n n e r receives an A m i g a A500. M r A E W a r d . Clwvd LL28 4YH. 20 runners up each receive copies of The Games Summer Edition. J o h n Quine, Belfast BT15 28T. Paul Mangan. York Y 0 3 7AY. A Bogue, Stourport DY13 8QB. David Peters, London W13 0H8. KoNn Robertson, Lines PE12 9AQ. Kate Mead, London E8 3ES. Robert Wisbey. Herts HP30NN. Sheun Brown, Coxford S 0 1 6GJ. Jonathan Will-

lams, Glos GL7 3DB. Ben Thome. London SE9 3CA. Simon Spong, Staffs B78 1EF. Stephen Harcourt. Essex CM20 3JB. Balra) Ghataore. Warwickshire CV32 7TA. Dean Smith, Manchester M13 0UF. Oftr Galmor, ISRAEL 47203. M Pegg, Milton Keynes. Martin Dodd, Ctwyd CC14 2DN. E Masaba. Liverpool LS6 3JH. S K Jagtianl, Surrey 8M7 2BX. And who wrote m with Greaf Moments m History, featuring Stonehenge. Swim The Channel and Space Walking* We've got your prtte. all we need n your

adOwI

WHO DARES WINS WEEKEND T w o w i n n e r s receive places on an all-action W h o Dares Wins w e e k e n d . T h e y are: D e n e L a n d uch, West Midlands. Paul Speed, Lincoln LN6 0NU. T e n r u n n e r s - u p r e c e i v e a c o p y of an Infogrames g a m e c h o o s e n f r o m Hostages or Action Service

o n ST. A m i g a o r P C , or Blood on 8 - b i t f o r m a t s .

Captain

Chris Garbutt. Essex SS13 1RR. Barry Wooffitt, York Y O l 4DA. B Brand. Perth P H I 5RN. Kolln Robertson. Unca PE12 9AO. Mr Warwick. London SE22 9AQ. Mr J Andyi V , Scotland AB5 1SR. Mr M Collins. Clark,! London NW1 8NB. P D Mummery. Norfolk PE30 3PY. Male Sims, Kent CT1 1YF. Mr O Perrin. Middx UB5 4LR.

TGM

016:3-89121/124

THE GAMES MACHINE APRIL 1989 OUT MARCH 23

• It's mega, it's from Japan, and it's arrived! Way back in the mists of time (TGM008 to be precise), TGM was the first to bring you exclusive news on the remarkable all-singing alldancing console from the land of the rising sun - the PC Engine. • In the computer entertainment industry, when the going gets tough, the tough get out. Mel Croucher asks leading figures why they left when they did. • From classical to pop, TGM investigates the use of micros in the professional music studio. 122/124 TGM

016:3-89

• Kapow! Thwack! Ooer! From high-selling magazines to the computer screen, TGM delves into the wonderful world of comics, Games: the full reviews Competitions Charts Back Bytes: programming in detail TGM017 will be on sale from March 23. Miss it and you've only yourself to blame.

A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME..

D o you remember when computer games were fun? iv up UD all night niaht playing olavina them? HELTER SKELTER unashamedly recreates the thp ^HHir+iv/P When you would stay addictive simplicity, the fun, and the enjoyment that made games like Pacman and Bobble Bobble all-time classics. Bounce your way through 80 challenging screens, squashing monsters, snatching tokens, and collecting bonuses. Or use the built-in designer to create 48 screens of your own, as hard, as simple, as much fun as you like. It's even more fun when t w o play at once! Do you co-operate, or do you compete? Do you play fair, or do you double-cross? If you thought the fun had gone out of computer games, then HELTER SKELTER is the game that'll change your mind!

Out n o w f o r A m i g a and Atari ST ÂŁ14.95 Winchester House, Canning Road, Harrow, Middlesex. HA3 7SJ.

Tel: 01-861 1166

A totally zany, over the top adventure awaits you In the crazy world of Zak McKracken - a world full of jokes and surprises with a rich, multi-layered mystery to solve. A full size copy c the National Inquisitor' packed with hints, clues and laughs comes free inside the game to

I B M PC & COMPATIBLES ATARI ST AMIGA C B M 64/128

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