@database AEM101.guide @$ver AEM 1.01 @node main "Amiga Entertainment Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 1 - July 1, 1994" Amiga Entertainment Monthly --------------------------- (incorporating CD남View) The MONTHLY information source for the Amiga gamer! --------------------------- Vol. 1, Issue 1 - July 1, 1994 Table of Contents: @{" The Front Page " link front} @{" New Game Reviews " link reviews} @{" Amiga News/Stuff " link anews} @{" The Back Page " link back} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This issue: Welcome to the newest not-so-new newsletter! Reviews of Ultimate Body Blows (CD남), Nick Faldo's Championship Golf (CD남), The Blue & The Gray (Amiga), Surf Ninjas (CD남) and Beneath the Steel Sky (Amiga) A look at the SX-1 Module for the CD남! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (c) 1994 Sean Caszatt All Rights Reserved Although freely distributable, no part of this electronic publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright holder. @ENDNODE @NODE FRONT "Welcome!" The Front Page @{" Editorial Column " link edit} - Hello! Again! @{" The Serial Port " link mail} - Mail from the Readers! @{" The Bulletin Board " link corr} - Corrections/Comments @{" How to Reach Us " link addr} - How to contact us @ENDNODE @NODE edit "Editorial Page" As I write this editorial, this newsletter has no name. We used to be known as CD남View, THE information and review source for the Amiga CD남 game machine. For four months, we managed to review a lot of games and generate a lot of interest. With Commodore liquidating and the future of the CD남 in doubt, we decided to shift this newsletter's focus towards the Amiga. In the last issue of CD남View, I asked the readers to name this new version of the newsletter. It's still quite early in the month and I have only received one idea so far. Hopefully, a good one will come along soon! With the change in the newsletter, I've also regained a lot of enthusiasm. I've already completed three reviews in the last week. I want this newsletter to kick some serious butt and I want to review as many games as possible each month. I still want reader contributions! This will make the newsletter something for the readers to look forward to. In CD남View, we reviewed 4-5 games every month. I'd like this newsletter to review at least 10 games a month. I don't know if I'll make it this month, because I'll probably be writing them all myself, but I want to hit that goal next month for sure! If you want to submit a review for inclusion in the newsletter, just send it to one of the e-mail addresses found in multiple places throughout the newsletter. There are no writing guidelines that have to be followed. Just make sure you give us the name of the game, the manufacturer's name and address, the amount of memory and any other system requirements for the game. Make a note of the video mode the game needs (NTSC or PAL) and whether or not it's hard-drive installable or not. Make sure you rate the game in the four categories we use (Graphics, Sound, Gameplay and Control) and then average those for the overall rating. That's it! You can review the game anyway you want to as long as that information is included. I think the newsletter will benefit a lot due to the inclusion of Amiga games and related information. I hope you enjoy this new format. Please ask your local Amiga BBS to carry the newsletter or to contact me about being a distribution site. For the CD남 users and owners out there, please don't think we're abandoning you. We will still review the newest CD남 games as soon as we get them. We will stay committed to the CD남 and the Amiga. We ask you to do the same in these difficult times. The Amiga is a computer that was definitely ahead of its time. Although its future is up in the air, it still remains one of the most powerful home computers of all time. Sean Caszatt, editor & founder Click here for @{"electronic addresses." link ADDR} @ENDNODE @NODE MAIL "The Serial Port - Mail from our readers!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, this being the first issue and all...we haven't received any correspondence relevant to the new format. Send us MAIL!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @ENDNODE @NODE ADDR "How to Contact Us" We can be contacted via the following means: FIDONet Netmail: 1:2601/512 (Sean Caszatt) BBS Number: (412) 962-1590 Internet: Sean.Caszatt@f512.n2601.z1.fidonet.org CASZATT@DELPHI.COM (preferred address) Compuserve: 72143,521 Or good old Snail Mail: 2978 Ford Avenue Sharpsville, PA 16150 @ENDNODE @NODE CORR "The Bulletin Board" The Bulletin Board ------------------ @{" Thank You! " link thanks} - Our way of saying thanks! @{" Whoops!!! " link errors} - The board of corrections. @{" Credits " link credits} - Informational stuff @ENDNODE @NODE THANKS "Thanks and Kudos!" This month I'd like to thank all of the distribution sites for remaining with the newsletter. I really appreciate the support. Thanks to all those that read and supported CD남View. I really appreciated the suggestions I recieved. I'd also like to thank the few people that did send in their votes for naming the newsletter. Unfortunately, none of them really were what I was looking for. I think the new name gives the reader an idea of what one will find within this newsletter, don't you? @ENDNODE @NODE ERRORS "Whoops! We goofed." Well... ------- I would like to apologize to those people who wanted to be distribution sites for CD남View that really never received a reply from me one way or the other. I didn't really get organized as far as collecting all my mail from the various addresses until recently. Hopefully, with Internet access via Delphi, I can stay in better contact with all of those interested in being distribution sites for the new newsletter. I may be able to UUENCODE the newsletter to get it to you via the Internet which would greatly expand circulation. If you check the list of distribution sites for this issue, you will notice that only sites in the USA are listed. I would like to have distribution sites outside the United States. If you are interested, please E-mail me at this address: CASZATT@DELPHI.COM Thank you! Also... The report on joysticks scheduled for this issue has been pushed back an issue due to the non-availablity of some of the sticks we wanted to look at. Hopefully, these sticks will come off of back-order status in time for next month's issue. @ENDNODE @NODE CREDITS "Credits" Amiga Entertainment Monthly Staff --------------------------------- Founder & Editor: Sean Caszatt This issues's contributors: -------------------------- Marc Buhmann David W. Martin Chris O'Donnell This newsletter is created on Amiga computers. It is worked on in various stages using an Amiga 2500 or an Amiga 3000T. It all depends on where I am sitting at the time I'm typing...and I'm always carrying a disk in my jacket with the most current version. Software used: MEmacs, the editor supplied with every Amiga. It's SIMPLY the best. I've tried others, but only MEmacs works for me. Hey, at least I don't use ED! Guide2Doc, by Bernd Koesling, is used to produce the ASCII/ANSI version of the newsletter. Thanks Koessi! BadLinks, by Roger Nedel, is used to test the links in the Amigaguide version of the newsletter. Thanks, Roger! @ENDNODE @NODE REVIEWS "GAME REVIEWS" GAME REVIEWS @{" The Blue & The Gray (Amiga) " link GAME1} - Civil War comes to life. @{" Ultimate Body Blows (CD남) " link GAME2} - Team 17's Ultimate beat-em-up! @{" Nick Faldo Golf (CD남) " link GAME3} - Hit the links with Nick. @{" Surf Ninjas (CD남) " link GAME4} - Movies & Games do not mix! @{" Beneath the Steel Sky (Amiga) " link GAME5} - Sierra who? @{" Quick Capsule Reviews " link GAME6} - Games at a glance @{" Previously Reviewed... " link PREV} - Previous Reviews @{" Ratings Explanation " link RATINGS} - How we rate the games. @ENDNODE @NODE GAME1 "The Blue & The Gray Review" THE BLUE AND THE GRAY SYSTEM: Amiga 500 or higher HARD DRIVE INSTALLABLE: Yes MEMORY REQUIRED: 1 MB or higher CONTROLLER: Mouse only Workbench 1.3/2.x/3.x compatible Simulations were not my thing. I'll admit that now. I thought I'd take a look into one to see what they had to offer. Feeling slightly bored with the standard videogames, my brain was begging for something more substantial. I might have gotten in over my head with THE BLUE & THE GRAY. The game comes with four books. One is a technical supplement and tutorial. (The technical part applies mainly to the PC version of the game. The Amiga version is supplied with a "technical information" insert to compensate.) The second book is a campaign manual that points out all the workings of moving your armies and the various options available to them. The third book is a "Micro Miniatures" Battle Manual that explains the battle mode used by the game, which allows the gamer to control individual or groups of soldiers. The fourth book is a history book containing all sorts of information about the Civil War. This was all quite intimidating, but interesting. Needless to say, I wasn't very good at this game the first few times I played it. I did, however, manage to rewrite history by allowing the Confederate Army to capture New York City. My meager forces were no match for the South and fell quickly. The game is played by moving your troops around the map of the U.S. as it was in the 1860's. You can recruit new soldiers and equip them. You're allotted so many moves before the opposition takes it's turn. This is probably not new to regular players of simulation games, but it was new to me. All in all, I feel I can recommend this game to hardcore simulation players due to the complexity of the game and its many different options. I also believe I can recommend it to novice players because of the nifty tutorial that's included. The graphics are sparse as most simulation graphics are, and the sound is minimal but effective. It's the gameplay that keeps the game interesting. It's not a perfect game, but it is certainly not mindless. For a change of pace from those run-and-jump, hack-and-slash games. give THE BLUE & THE GRAY a try. Set aside an afternoon to get a grip on the mechanics of the game and get into it. It's not a game you can just plop down in front of and expect to get anything out of it! @{"Ratings:" link RATINGS} Graphics: 75% Manufacturer: Sound: 75% Impressions Software, Inc. Gameplay: 85% 222 Third St., Ste 0234 Control: 85% Cambridge, MA 02142 USA OVERALL RATING: 80% Video Mode: NTSC @ENDNODE @NODE GAME2 "Ultimate Body Blows Review" ULTIMATE BODY BLOWS SYSTEM: CD남 BODY BLOWS was _the_ beat-em-up on the Amiga. It annihilated the lame Amiga version of STREET FIGHTER II and grabbed the fighting game crown. It went unchallenged until the Amiga version of MORTAL KOMBAT appeared. Team 17 tried to recapture the crown with BODY BLOWS GALACTIC, a disappointing update/sequel that featured an AGA version but hopelessly goofy characters with ridiculous powers and hard to control moves. Now, Team 17 attempts to capture the CD남 fighting game crown with ULTIMATE BODY BLOWS, a combination of the two original games' characters and backgrounds. A whopping 22 characters are available for the player to choose from. All the characters from the original BODY BLOWS are back, along with the entire goofy cast from BODY BLOWS GALACTIC. Since the only other beat-em-up games available for the CD남 are INTERNATIONAL KARATE + and DANGEROUS STREETS, both of which are horrible, ULTIMATE BODY BLOWS wins hands down in terms of being the one to get. The game improves on the first two in two main ways. The first is that it is PAL/NTSC switchable through a menu option. The second is that the horrible disk swapping that was really a pain on the first two games is gone. I do have some gripes though. The GALACTIC characters are still too hard to control and the computer is still too hard to beat even on the easiest difficulty setting. No manual comes with the game, so there are no diagrams of even the most basic moves. Most of the basic moves are the same with each character, but it would be convenient to know what they were to start with. Overall, though, Team 17 has produced a winner. It squashes the other beat-em-ups into the ground and gives the CD남 a game that is easily just as good as those available on the other console systems. However, if the CD남 version of MORTAL KOMBAT appears, ULTIMATE BODY BLOWS may fade from memory. @{"Ratings:" link RATINGS} Graphics: 85% Manufacturer: Sound: 90% Team 17 Gameplay: 80% Marwood House, Garden Street Control: 80% Wakefield, West Yorks, England OVERALL RATING: 84% Video Mode: PAL/NTSC switchable @ENDNODE @NODE GAME3 "Nick Faldo Championship Golf Review" NICK FALDO'S CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF SYSTEM: CD남 I don't golf in the real world, but I do enjoy a good golf videogame. Past favorites of mine include LEADER BOARD on the Commodore 64 and the Amiga version of LINKS. (I have an A3000, so the slow drawing times experienced with LINKS on the slower machines never bothered me.) NICK FALDO combines elements of those two games into a playable, but yet somewhat disappointing CD남 golf game. The graphics are hand-drawn, not digitized like LINKS, and are updated rather slowly. (Although, you don't see them being updated as you did in early versions of LINKS.) I'm sure you all know the basics of golf, so I won't describe the object of the game. There are several options that allow you to get the shot you want, type of club to use and such. That's all well done. The only real gripe I have with the game is the annoying commentary provided by the computer. The voice grates on you after awhile. (A friend of mine, who DOES play golf in the real world, kept yelling "Shut up!" at the game.) A nice touch allows the game to work on NTSC and PAL systems without any fumbling around with boot-up options. You simply can scroll the screen to see what you're missing. (This is used before taking a swing at the ball.) I was expecting a little more, so that's probably why I was disappointed with this game. There's really nothing wrong with it...as golf games go. With improved graphics and speed, it'd be a winner. @{"Ratings:" link ratings} Graphics: 70% Manufacturer: Sound: 70% Grandslam Video Limited Gameplay: 80% 3 Rathbone Square Control: 80% 28 Tanfield Road Croydon, Surrey CR0 1AL UK OVERALL RATING: 75% Video Mode: NTSC/PAL @ENDNODE @NODE GAME4 "Surf Ninjas Review" SURF NINJAS SYSTEM: CD남 Games based on movies are notorious for usually being a way to disguise a poor game by using a highly desireable character or situation from a movie. Ever since E.T. appeared on the screen of Atari 2600 game systems, the track record of movie licensed games has been poor. (Notable exceptions being Ocean's ROBOCOP 3D and LucasArts' INDIANA JONES AND THE FATE OF ATLANTIS, which isn't based on a movie per se, but a movie character.) SURF NINJAS, a movie I didn't see, did not strike me as a game waiting to be made. Since I didn't see the movie, I can't tell you how faithful the game is to the spirit of the movie. However, I can tell you that if it IS faithful to the movie, I advise you to avoid the movie without hesitation. SURF NINJAS, the game that is, requires you to fight off ninja warriors while trying to collect various objects to complete each stage. The screen scrolls from right to left as you try to do this. I say "try" because this would be a fairly simple task if the game hadn't been programmed in what seems to be BASIC. As soon as more than two characters appear on the screen at the same time, the game goes into what appears to be slow-motion. (A jump and kick move will take approximately 2-3 SECONDS to execute completely from start to finish when three or more characters are on the screen. This is opposed to less than a second with one or two characters are on the screen.) Collision detection between characters is dreadfully slow and inaccurate. You can only kick someone while jumping up, not on your way down. Sometimes your character will act as if he has one of the ninjas in a headlock...but he doesn't. It hard enough to control a game in slow motion, but when you can't even be sure that you're hitting someone when you clearly should be is enough to make you feel like screaming. Enough about the control of the game. The graphics and music are also in the same quality vein: Crap. The music would sound appropriate on a Commodore 64 game. The graphics reminded me of the 8-bit Nintendo game N.A.R.C. I found it interesting that there was no warranty card in the box nor any address on the packaging. Whoever is responsible for this mess doesn't seem to want to answer for it. Flair's name appears when the game boots up, but their name appears nowhere on the packaging. MicroValue is the company named on the packaging. Neither lists an address on the box. Whoever's responsible can step forward to accept this month's (and the first ever) @{"LAME GAME OF THE MONTH" link LGTM} award. @{"Ratings:" link ratings} Graphics: 10% Manufacturer: Sound: 10% MicroValue/Flair Gameplay: 10% (No address listed on box) Control: 10% OVERALL RATING: 10% Video Mode: NTSC @ENDNODE @NODE GAME5 "Beneath the Steel Sky Review by Marc Buhmann" BENEATH THE STEEL SKY SYSTEM: Amiga 500 or higher HARD DRIVE INSTALLABLE: Yes MEMORY REQUIRED: 1 MB (1.5 MB for HD installed game) CONTROLLER: Mouse only Workbench 1.3/2.x/3.x compatible Beneath a Steel Sky was one of those games that just sits on the shelf, drawing you towards it. I remember when I first walked into that store in Edinburgh that had an entire wall covered with Amiga products. Boy was I in heaven. I saw many games sitting on the shelf I wanted to buy, but only Beneath a Steel Sky drew me towards it. I picked it off the shelf and flipped to the back side. The pictures I saw looked fabulous! The description of the game made me want to buy it even more! Before I knew what I was doing, I was walking out of the store with a brand new (bought) game. I felt pitty for myself because I had to wait another week and a half before I could play it. When I finally got home and all the "fun" stuff about vacations was done (unpacking), I sat down at my computer. I opened the box and looked at those fifteen glorious disks just waiting to be installed on my hard drive. The first disk installed fine, but when I got to the second disk I began to worry. It had been installing the second disk for over eight minutes. I was tempted to boot the computer and start over, but decided to let it go. Another four minutes passed (twelve minutes all together) and it finally asked for the third disk. I sighed with relief and continued installing. After an hour and a half of work, the game was finally installed. I went and used Degrader(tm) to flip to PAL (remember I bought the PAL version). Then I went and started the game. I was amazed at how fast the loading time is. The first thing to the game is an intro animation which lasts about thirty seconds. It loaded the first part of the intro in less than ten seconds, and then the second part in under five. And the animation is SMOOTH! Not like the crap you used to see from Sierra(R). When I finally started the game, the graphics just pull you in. It's amazing what a 32 colored computer can do. And Sierra(R) says that the Amiga can't handle anything? I say bull*#%! to them. Anyways, the graphics are done with reds, blacks, and shades in between. It gives you a dark look to the game which I really enjoy. After many days of grueling play, I finally got stuck. Actually I'm still stuck, so if anyone has a walk through, cheat sheet, or other form of "hint", please contact me. My address is will be at the end of this documentation. Well anyways. The game is difficult, and with a droid who talks back (Joey... your helpful, medal-brained, side-kick) it adds a touch of British humor. Some of the puzzles are complicated and are hard to figure out, others are just common sense. The music is your average computer music, but it does have a nice quality that doesn't disappoint you. The sound effects are good and are in synch with the actions. No complaints here. I've also heard rumors that this is a sequel to Lure of the Temptress. I haven't been able to get hard core proof of this, but I'm in the process of trying to find a copy of the game. I'll get the answer out on the nets sometime later this month. By far, this is one of the best 3-D adventure games I've played. The only other game that is as good that I've seen is Legend of Kyrandia(tm). If you liked that game, I really think you should check out this game. It is worth a look at. LIKES AND DISLIKES First the dislikes. I really didn't like waiting twelve minutes for one disk to load. The only other thing I dislike about the game is that you have to go through the entire intro animation before you can restore a game. I feel that they could have made it possible to reload right from the start. Sorry to say, but Sierra(R) has 'em beat here. Now the likes. I liked everything about the game! The graphics, sound, music, animation, etc... all perfect! Some even beyond perfect! I hope Revolution Software and Virgin Entertainment are happy with their finished product. It's kick ass. @{"Ratings" link ratings} Graphics: 98% Manufacturer: Sound: 94% Virgin Interactive Entertainment Gameplay: 92% 338A Ladbroke Grove Music: 95% London, England W10 5AH OVERALL RATING: 96% Video Mode: PAL This review contributed by Marc Buhmann. You can reach him via the Internet at: WL-UNREAL-WOW@SOCIETY.COM @ENDNODE @NODE GAME6 "Quick Capsule Reviews" This is a quick glance at some games I had a chance to play for a bit, but didn't get a chance to do a complete review of: BATTLETOADS - (Amiga) Ugh! This was announced about two years ago. It's finally hit the shelves. I think it should have stayed where ever it came from. The graphics are 8-bit quality and yet still don't fill the whole screen. The control is horrible. Just a complete mess. OVERALL RATING: 25% ELFMANIA - (Amiga) This game WILL get a complete review next issue. It's a beat-em-up with a bit of arcade challenge thrown in for good measure. The graphics are good...even when they move, unlike DANGEROUS STREETS. The control was a little on the sloppy side, but it could have been the joystick I had. (That's why I don't want to pass judgement in this review.) Look for a full review next issue...it looks like a winner, though. @ENDNODE @NODE PREV "Previously Reviewed Titles" Here are the games we've taken at a look at so far: Title System Rating Date ----- ------ ------ ---- AMIGA CD FOOTBALL CD남 79% 4/1/94 ARABIAN NIGHTS CD남 60% 3/1/94 BRUTAL FOOTBALL CD남 87.5% 5/1/94 CASTLES II CD남 50% 3/1/94 CHAOS ENGINE CD남 90% 5/1/94 D/GENERATION CD남 65% 3/1/94 DANGEROUS STREETS CD남 17.5% 5/1/94 DEEP CORE CD남 80% 3/1/94 FRONTIER: ELITE II CD남 45% 5/1/94 INSIGHT: TECHNOLOGY CD남 80% 5/1/94 INTERNATIONAL KARATE + CD남 45% 4/1/94 JOHN BARNES EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CD남 46% 4/1/94 LABYRINTH OF TIME CD남 79% 3/1/94 LIBERATION CD남 90% 3/1/94 MEAN ARENAS CD남 75% 3/1/94 MICROCOSM CD남 91% 4/1/94 NIGEL MANSEL CHAMPIONSHIP RACING CD남 85% 3/1/94 OSCAR CD남 80% 3/1/94 PINBALL FANTASIES CD남 90% 3/1/94 PIRATES! GOLD CD남 87.5% 3/1/94 ROBOCOD: JAMES POND 2 CD남 80% 3/1/94 SLEEPWALKER CD남 20% 3/1/94 SUMMER OLYMPIX CD남 54% 5/1/94 TROLLS CD남 75% 3/1/94 WHALE'S VOYAGE CD남 3% 3/1/94 ZOOL CD남 80% 3/1/94 @ENDNODE @NODE RATINGS "The Ratings - Explained" We judge the games we review in four different categories: Graphics -------- This is pretty self explanatory. The higher the percentile, the better the graphics are. Sound ----- Another no-brainer. The higher the percentile, the better the sound. Although, this also relates to it's coordination with the gameplay. If the sound seems inappropriate for the type of game it is, the game will score lower in the Sound category even if the sounds are technically well done. Gameplay -------- The gameplay refers to the addictive quality of the game as well as the way the game plays. If you find your self sitting and watching rather than interacting with the game, the game will score lower than one that actually involves you. Control ------- This refers to how easy the game is to control given the standard CD남 controller. A game requiring a special controller that is not specified or not included will be penalized. A game that comes with a special controller or one that recommends that, say, an Amiga mouse might work better than the standard CD남 controller will not be penalized. @ENDNODE @NODE LGTM "Lame Game of the Month" This is an award presented to one game per month for being the worst of that month's issue. It's mainly to warn you, the consumer, about a game that's REALLY bad. If we have an issue with no really bad games...there'll be no award given. A game that wins this award DESERVES to win! @ENDNODE @NODE ANEWS "Amiga/CD남 News & Stuff" Amiga & CD남 News @{" Rumors/Rumors/Rumors " link NEWS1} - What's buzzing around. Columns @{" Hardware Corner " link COL1} - The SX-1 module facts! @{" The Humor File " link COL2} - Amiga Humor! @ENDNODE @NODE NEWS1 "Rumors/Rumors/Rumors" Rumors...oh, those nasty rumors: @{" AmigaWorld 1-800 # " link RUM1} - Information hotline! Please remember that all information found in this section is based on information from sources that may or may not know what's really going on. Rumors make for interesting conversation. Rumors make for active imaginations. Don't base purchasing decisions on anything other than something you've seen or know is true. @ENDNODE @NODE RUM1 "AmigaWorld's 1-800 #" This isn't a rumor, this is a fact! AmigaWorld Magazine, with the help of its publisher, has set up an information hotline to distribute information about the Commodore liquidation. Call 1-800-441-4403 and ask for extension 365 to hear the latest information about the Bahamian Supreme Court hearings. (If you're calling after business hours, simply type in 365 on a touch tone phone when prompted.) Many thanks to AmigaWorld and TechMedia for setting this line up. It will quell a lot of rumors! @ENDNODE @NODE COL1 "Hardware Corner" This month we've got some actual facts about the SX-1! @{" The SX-1: Check the Specs " link SX1} - The facts!!! @ENDNODE @NODE SX1 "The SX-1's Specs by Chris O'Donnell" The SX-1 Expansion for the CD32 By the time CD32 was released my trusty Amiga 1200 already had a 030 accelerator and 4MB Fast RAM. I had always envisioned a time when the CD32 adaptor would be released and I would be able to enjoy full motion video on my 1200. Now I know this will never happen. The specs on the CD32 adaptor that CBM released before they "went under" revealed that there would only be support for the AKIKO chip - no full motion video! Assuming, of course, that it is ever released at all. Even worse - no accelerator support! Yep - my 030 would have to be unplugged whenever I wanted to use the CD32 adaptor. For the CD32, the news is a little more encouraging. Thanks to Paravision, CD32 owners can now upgrade their machines into enhanced Amiga 1200s. You have problably heard a lot of rumors concerning this device. Tired of rumors, I called Paravision and they gave me the details. Heres what the SX-1 has for features: 2.5" internal and 3.5" external IDE drives 1 72 PIN SIMM socket Parallel,Serial,RGB,Keyboard ports Audio input Hardware disable switch Will not interfere with the FMV module! PROS: For starters by including both connectors for the 2.5" and 3.5" they have given us the best of both worlds. If desk space is your main concern the 2.5" drive will fit inside the SX-1 case. On the other hand if price is your main concern the 3.5" drives are much cheaper but you will need an external case which will take up more desk area. The SIMM socket is a very important feature of the SX-1. Some games such as Wing Commander CD32 should see a noticable speed increase with the addition of Fast RAM. Remeber the CD32 has 2MB of ram but just like the 1200 this is Chip ram which runs on a 16 bit data path. This cripples the system to a crawl. In fact when I added my 50MHZ accelerator to my 1200, I saw NO noticable speed increase until I added Fast RAM! Since only one socket is available to add ram you must choose the amount you are going to add wisely. I would reccommend 4 MB. This will give you ample RAM for most applications. The SX-1 will use up to 8 MB but anything above the 4 meg mark will not be used if you have the Full motion Video module plugged in. With the RGB connector you can add any monitor the 1200 can use. The Serial and parallel ports will allow you to use a number of different add-ons such as Printers and modems, And the floppy drive port uses standard Amiga floppy drives. The keyboard port accepts a standard AT type 101 key keyboard. The Required decoder chip is built into the SX-1 and according to Paravision, all AT keyboards they have tested with it work. IMHO This was a smart move. With Commodores current crisis it may be hard to locate the Amiga type keyboards while the AT keyboards are cheap and plentiful. A hardware switch allows you to turn the SX1 off in case of compatibility problems with any CD32 disks. The audio input is intended for karaoke and presentation type applications my first reaction was to assume it is an 8 bit audio digitizer. It isn't. I am still unsure as to the immediate applications open to this port. CONS: The SX-1 will not provide accelerator support nor will it allow the addition of any SCSI devices. The end result? The SX-1 is an outstanding value for the CD32 owner. It allows you to transform your game machine into an expandable productivity machine. For those looking for the hard to find 1200 here is a viable alternative. Paravision has demonstrated it's commitment to the Amiga platform and released the real power in the CD32! PRICE: Basic SX-1 - $277.00 SX-1 with 40 MB HD - $451.00 SX-1 with 4 MB RAM - $445.00 SX-1 with 40 MB HD/4 MB RAM - $619.00 NOTE: All prices are MSRP - actual prices may be lower Scheduled Release date is June 27, 1994 The specs released in the Summer '94 AC's Guide were incorrect! According to Paravision The keyboard decoder chip and the Ram activation Kit are all included with the SX1! Thanks goes to Paravision! I have only great things to say about their Product support. When I called with questions regarding my M1230XA accelerator they were patient and helpful. And when my setup disk crashed - they sent me two replacements. (saving me from myself) ;) @ENDNODE @NODE COL2 "The Humor File" This month's contribution from David W. Martin, who can be reached via the Internet at MARTIN_D_W/ICPO_00%LESC.LOCKHEED.COM@vm.ucs.UAlberta.CA IF OPERATING SYSTEMS WERE AIRLINES Amiga Airline: The airport terminal is nice and colorful, with friendly stewards and stewardesses, easy access to the plane, an uneventful takeoff. For the more adventurous: travelers can travel on multiple planes and visit multiple destinations all at the same time. During these multiple plane trips the user can even take a side trip on Mac, DOS, Unix, or Windows airlines. DOS Airline: Everybody pushes the airplane until it glides, then jump on and let the plane coast until it hits the ground again, then push again, jump on again and so on. DOS with QEMM Airline: The same thing but with more leg room to push. Mac Airline: All the stewards, stewardesses, captains, baggage handlers, and ticket agents look the same, act the same, and talk the same. Every time you ask questions about details, you are told you don't need to know, don't want to know, and everything will be done for you without you having to know, so just shut up. MPE Airline: It's a little difficult to get a ticket because you have to sign up for the right plane, specify you want a seat to sit in, identify each piece of baggage and list it on your ticket, and once you enter the plane you may never see the same steward/ess twice. However, once the plane takes off, the ride is exceptionally smooth and usually on-time, unless you cross a timezone (this results in your being placed in a holding pattern for 1 hour until the plane's clock and the local clocks are synchronized). Should the unthinkable happen and your flight ends in a crash, you will be magically whisked back to the origin of the flight where you will be placed on the next plane out. OS/2 Airline: To board the plane, you have your ticket stamped ten different times by standing in ten different lines. Then you fill out a form showing where you want to sit and whether it should look and feel like an ocean liner, a passenger train, or a bus. If you succeed in getting on board the plane and the plane succeeds in getting off the ground, you have a wonderful trip...except for the times when the rudder and flaps get frozen in position, in which case you have time to say your prayers and get yourself prepared before the crash. Windows Airline: The airport terminal is nice and colorful, with friendly stewards and stewardesses, easy access to the plane, an uneventful takeoff...then the plane blows up without any warning whatsoever. NT Airline: Everyone marches out on the runway, says the password in unison, and forms the outline of an airplane. Then they all sit down and make a whooshing sound like they're fly- ing. Unix Airline: Everyone brings one piece of the plane with them when they come to the airport. They all go out on the runway and put the plane together piece by piece, arguing constantly about what kind of plane they're building. @ENDNODE @NODE back "The Back Page" AEM's The Back Page @{" Amiga/CD남 Dealers " link dealers} @{" What's coming next month? " link next} @{" AEM Distribution Sites " link sites} @ENDNODE @NODE DEALERS "Amiga/CD남 Dealer Directory" AEM's Dealer Directory @{" Dealer Listing " link DEALLIST} @{"HOW TO GET IN THE LISTING" link HOWTO} @ENDNODE @NODE DEALLIST "CD남View's Amiga/CD남 Dealer Listing" Amiga Entertainment Monthly Dealer Listing: Amiga Crossing 176 Gray Road, Unit 5 Cumberland, ME 04021 Phone: (207) 829-3959 Fax: (207) 829-3522 Applied Computer Systems 6108 Watt Avenue North Highlands, CA 95660 Phone: (916) 338-2000 Fax: (916) 338-2004 BBS: (916) 338-2543 Computer Advantage 7370 Hickman Road Des Moines, IA 50322 Phone: (515) 252-6167 Computer Basics, Inc./Amiga Warehouse 1490 N. Hermitage Road Hermitage, PA 16148 Phone: (412) 962-0533 Fax: (412) 962-0279 BBS: (412) 962-0961 Moebius Computer Concepts Suite #101-306 Burnside Road West Victoria, BC V8Z 1M1 CANADA Phone: (604) 386-2667 Fax: (604) 380-3032 Video Computer Resources 1200 N. Battlefield Blvd, Suite 110 Chesapeake, VA 23320 Phone: (804) 436-9508 Fax: (804) 436-9508 Note: AEM does not endorse the dealers listed here. They are listed for the convienence of our readers. No compensation is required to be listed. @ENDNODE @NODE HOWTO "How to get listed in the AEM Dealer Listing" If you're an Amiga dealer or CD남 dealer, big or small, please send us your business' name, address, telephone number and fax number to be listed here. We'd like to provide our readership with a list of places where accessories and software can be found. We can be reached via the Internet, FIDONet Netmail or US Mail. Internet: Sean.Caszatt@f512.n2601.z1.fidonet.org CASZATT@DELPHI.COM (preferred address) Compuserve: 72143,521 FIDONet Netmail: Sean Caszatt at 1:2601/512.0 US Mail: Sean Caszatt 2978 Ford Avenue Sharpsville, PA 16150 @ENDNODE @NODE NEXT "What's coming next issue?" In the August, 1994 issue of AEM, look for the following: o The Joystick Report - What controllers are the best for the Amiga? o The SX-1 Review - It's finally shipping. Now, is it worth it? o Hopefully, lots of reader contributions!!!! This is a tenative list. (I hope I can have these in next time!) @ENDNODE @NODE SITES "AEM Distribution Sites" Amiga Entertainment Monthly Distribution Sites ---------------------------------------------- The latest issue of AEM can be file-requested (FREQ'd) at these BBS' under the magic name AEM. You can also download the magazine from these systems in the traditional way as well. (File-requests not available from non-FIDO sites.) United States Distribution Sites: Project Aurora Harbour Lights Sharpsville, PA Kennebunkport, ME (412)962-1590 (207)967-3719 FIDONet 1:2601/512 FIDONet 1:326/209 Sysop: Sean Caszatt Sysop: Rick Lembree Mike's Video House Applied Computer Systems Glendale, CA North Highlands, CA (818)240-5769 (916)338-2543 FIDONet 1:102/852 FIDONet 1:203/227 Sysop: Mike Moon Sysop: Jeff Hayer The Gateway BBS Pioneers BBS Biloxi, MS Edmonds, WA (601)374-2697 (206)775-7983 FIDONet 1:3604/60 FIDONet 1:343/54 Sysop: Stace Cunningham Sysops: Mike & Marthe Arends Glenn's World Amiga Haven Salem, OR Ellerbe, NC (503)581-6524 (910)562-2367 FIDONet 1:3406/32 FIDONet 1:3634/40 Sysop: Glenn Schworak Sysop: Tom Clayton We're also looking for non-FIDONet sites as well, so if you run a BBS and would like to be a distribution site, don't hesitate to ask. To become an official distribution site, please send a request to us at CASZATT@DELPHI.COM via the Internet. We WILL get back to you! @ENDNODE