@database AEM105.guide @$ver AEM 1.05 @node main "Amiga Entertainment Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 5 - November 1, 1994" Amiga Entertainment Monthly --------------------------- The MONTHLY information source for the Amiga gamer! --------------------------- Vol. 1, Issue 5 - November 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: Reviews of King's Quest VI (Amiga), Guardian (CD남), Clockwiser (Amiga) Bubble and Squeak (Amiga) and Arcade Pool (CD남) Zappo/Overdrive CD-ROM for the Amiga 1200 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (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} - Oh, boy! More waiting! @{" 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" Well, Halloween has come and gone and there are still no official new owners for the Amiga. Many Amiga related publications are now just assuming that Commodore UK has gotten the nod. This is a dangerous practice. It doesn't do any good to do this, it just confuses people. Many people have gone out of their way to keep the Amiga community informed and up-to-date. Jason Compton from Amiga Report has arranged online conferences with Alex Amor from CEI. Dan Stets from the Philadelphia Inquirer has been appearing on Compuserve every Sunday night with updates. Dan Sullivan and AmigaWorld have been doing their best to keep their telephone information line updated. We'd like to thank them all for doing their part in getting the truth out and keeping all of us closer to the action (or lack thereof.) Amiga Entertainment Monthly hasn't been as active in keeping our readers up-to-date mainly because we don't have the resources to do so. We will not, however, assume that one group or another has gotten the green light to manufacture and market the Amiga again. That's just unethical and we don't need story ideas bad enough to do that. We will report on the new owners as soon as they've been officially announced. We'll attempt to bring the true story to you as soon as possible. Until that happens, we've got some goodies for you. This month, we present a complete review of the Zappo CD-ROM drive for the Amiga 1200. I believe we're the first US publication to have a review of the drive, but I can't verify that. Next month, we should start seeing a lot of the Christmas releases appearing. FIELDS OF GLORY arrived just a little too late to make this issue. It looks like a decent war simulation at first glance. Also too late to make this issue is the AGA version of UFO: ENEMY UNKNOWN! It'll be interesting to see how well it can stack up to the PC version (which is known as X-COM: UFO DEFENSE here in the States.) Until next month, have fun with your Amiga! Sean Caszatt, editor & founder of Amiga Entertainment Monthly Click here for @{"electronic addresses." link ADDR} @ENDNODE @NODE MAIL "The Serial Port - Mail from our readers!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- No mail this month. Hello!? Is anyone out there!? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- @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 (preferred address) CASZATT@DELPHI.COM (Please note the change of the preferred address to the FIDONET.ORG address. This gets your message directly to me and I can respond faster.) 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!" Thanks to all the readers that keep reading this newsletter every month. We seem to be getting quite a following. Keep supporting the Amiga and we'll do the same! We had planned a contest that was to be a sort of "thank you" to all the readers. However, we have decided to do a reader survey. This reader survey will help us improve AEM, plus one lucky reader will win an Amiga or CD남 game just for responding to the survey. @ENDNODE @NODE ERRORS "Whoops! We goofed." No major errors last month! Wow! @ENDNODE @NODE CREDITS "Credits" Amiga Entertainment Monthly Staff --------------------------------- Founder & Editor: Sean Caszatt This issues's contributors: -------------------------- Marc Buhmann Jason Christie Would you like to write for Amiga Entertainment Monthly? If so, send a letter to this Internet address: sean.caszatt.f512.n2601.z1.fidonet.org and we'll send you our writer's guide. This will explain exactly how to write a review or article for the newsletter. This newsletter is created and written on an Amiga 3000T/030/25 MHz with two CD-ROM drives, a US Robotics Sportster 14.4K Fax Modem, and an Archive Viper tape drive. 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 @{" Arcade Pool " link GAME1} - A billiard room on your CD남! @{" Guardian " link GAME2} - Starfox for the CD남? @{" King's Quest VI " link GAME4} - Sierra returns to the Amiga! @{" Quick Capsule Reviews " link GAME5} - Games at a glance @{" Previously Reviewed... " link PREV} - Previous Reviews @{" Ratings Explanation " link RATINGS} - How we rate the games. @ENDNODE @NODE GAME1 "ARCADE POOL Review" ARCADE POOL System: CD남 There haven't been many good two-player games for the CD남. There have been some attempts at them though. Some like CD FOOTBALL and BRUTAL FOOTBALL succeeded, while others like DANGEROUS STREETS and SUMMER OLYMPIX have missed the mark. ARCADE POOL attempts to recreate the experience of going down to the local pool hall and shooting a few games. The CD남 version goes so far as to include a constantly running track of background noise from a pub, complete with laughter, conversation and coughing to "enhance" the experience. ARCADE POOL includes UK and US versions of the game as well as trickshot and tournament modes. Instant replays of the last shot and a statistics screen are also available at anytime during the game. I'm sure most of you are familiar with the basics behind pool and it's various games. All of the major games are included here: US and UK 8 ball, US 9 ball and 15 ball. The rules are all very easy to learn and you may be finding yourself playing a game you'd never think you'd play. (I've been playing a lot of the UK 8 ball, for some reason.) One major downfall with most computer billiards games is the correct application of physics to the software. If the programmers can't accurately make a shot act as it should in real-life, there's no point in the game. The physics in ARCADE POOL are among the best I've seen in an electronic pool game. Bank shots and cuts are very much like they'd be on a real pool table. The only quibble is the size of the balls. They're a bit on the large side. I have no major gripes about the game at all. The accurate physics and easy to learn shot mechanism make ARCADE POOL a satisfying solitaire game and an outstanding two-player game. @{"Ratings:" link RATINGS} Graphics: 80% Manufacturer: Gameplay: 90% Team 17 Control: 90% Marwood House, Garden Street Sound: 85% Wakefield, West Oaks, England OVERALL RATING: 87% Video Mode: PAL @ENDNODE @NODE GAME2 "GUARDIAN Review" GUARDIAN System: CD남 Remember all the hoopla surrounding the release of STARFOX for the Super Nintendo? It didn't look all that impressive to me. Yet, to those people that have never seen an Amiga in action, it was impressive. I knew the Amiga could handle a game like that with no problem (and since the CD남 is also an Amiga, I knew it could handle it as well.) GUARDIAN isn't exactly like STARFOX. It's more of a 3D version of DEFENDER, the old arcade game that put you in charge of destroying aliens before they could steal humans from the face of the planet. If you've never seen STARFOX, it's a 3D polygon based flight game in which you witness everything from slightly behind the on-screen representation of your ship. GUARDIAN has a similar type of setup, but allows more freedom in where you can fly and also allows you to change your view to be pretty much wherever you want it to be. Numerous enemies come after you in an attempt to snuff you out. A very confusing control system (that involves all four action buttons on the CD남 controller) makes it hard to concentrate on what you're doing while you should be doing it. I spent a lot of time flying around in circles just shooting blindly hoping to hit something until I thinned out the enemy enough to use the onscreen radar to single out opponents and go after them. It's a shame that the game is so hard to control, because it looks fairly impressive at first glance. After playing if for awhile, it's another frustrating and disappointing CD남 game that doesn't do the machine justice. The controls do not need to be so confusing and the graphics appear to be more than the machine can keep up with when a lot is going on (which is most of the time.) It's obvious that a lot of work has gone into the game. The designers even went so far as to include a preferences option that allows you to move the screen position to allow the normally PAL mode game to fit on an NTSC screen. That's a feature I wish more CD남 games had. If you've been searching for something a little different, you might want to try GUARDIAN. It's limitations aren't severe, just frustrating. With a proper amount of patience, it might be possible to salvage some fun from this disc. @{"Ratings:" link RATINGS} Graphics: 85% Manufacturer: Gameplay: 60% Acid Software Control : 60% Unit 15, Guildhall Industrial Estate Sound : 80% Doncaster, S. Yorks DN3 1QR UK OVERALL RATING: 71% Video Mode: PAL/NTSC @ENDNODE @NODE GAME4 "KING'S QUEST VI Review by Marc Buhmann" KING'S QUEST VI SYSTEM: Amiga 500 or higher HARD DRIVE INSTALLABLE: Yes MEMORY REQUIRED: 1 MB or higher CONTROLLER: Joystick Workbench 1.3/2.x/3.x compatible The company Sierra has been out of the Amiga industry since mid 1992. Their last game was a game based on Robin Hood (the name escapes me at this time). When that game was released, Sierra's last words to the Amiga community was that the Amiga was a poor computer and that the games they were going to release would not work on the Amiga. With that they left the Amiga platform for the other "advanced" computers. Though Sierra hasn't really entered the Amiga platform again, they have given the rights to Revolusion Software to do a port. In case you don't know, Revolusion Software was the company that released "Beneath A Steel Sky", one of my personal favorites. I have no doubts that this game will be a hit also. One thing I dislike is Sierra takes all credit for the game "King's Quest VI". No where on the box or in the manual is Revolusion Software mentioned. I just feel this is a bit unfair and that RS should recieve some credit. Now onto the actual game. Installing to a hard disk is not a quick procedure. So be ready to do something while the program installs. It doesn't take as long as "BASS", but that's because it only has 10 disks compared to "BASS"'s 15 disks. It takes an estimated 1 hour and 15 minutes to install. Remember that this was installing with a 68000 processor, it might be sped up if you have a faster processor. Though the graphics are nice, they don't attract me to them like some other games. RS did a good job at changing the graphics from 256 colors to the ECS 32 colors. They are nice, but not real great. The animation is choppy at some points, but MUCH faster than "King's Quest V" was. This, I'm sure, is also due to the fact I only have a 68000 processor. My guess would be 68020 would be good, but 68030 would be the best. I don't know how fast the game will be with a 68040 and I can't even imagine what a 68060 will do. The inventory pictures are another thing entirely. They are all in a tannish color. Some of the pictures don't look anything like what they're supposed to be. They could have spiced this up a bit. The music is nice. But it seems that there is only one piece of music. No matter where you go, the music is the same. To bad you can't shut it off some how. The puzzles are complex, but very logical. The usual Sierra game. You can't pick up a weapon, like a sword, but you can pick up a tooth pick. For the most part, the puzzles will take a little thinking to figure out. LIKES AND DISLIKES I like the fact that a game company like Sierra who said they'd never produce a game for the Amiga again finally realized the Amiga IS capable of playing their games. It's also a nice fact that Sierra realized that they don't know how to program for the Amiga so they got a company who DOES know to port "KQ6" for them. They may be becoming brighter. Any other "likes"? No. Everything about the game is just plain average. Music isn't special, graphics aren't special, game plot isn't special, etc... Dislikes are another story completely. There is no way to exit the game when your done so you have to reboot. I don't like how long the game takes to install on a hard disk. When you die in the game, you to go through the entire opening sequence from when you wash ashore. Not all the bugs have been taken out of the game (e.g. once I walked into the library to find the librarian was missing half his body. Another example is when I wanted to talk to a book worm, I had to talk to him from a stack of books behind him) A final thing I dislike is that the Amiga version has a few things removed from the original IBM version. I called Sierra to find out what they all removed, but they didn't know (duh!). @{"Ratings:" link RATINGS} Graphics: 80% Manufacturer: Gameplay: 85% Sierra On-Line, Ltd. Control: 80% 4 Brewery Court Sound: 80% Theale, Reading, Berkshire RG7 5AJ UK OVERALL RATING: 83% Video Mode : NTSC TO LOOK FOR... When I solve "King's Quest VI" I will be writing up a complete walkthru for the game. It will first be published in "Amiga Entertainment Monthly" and then it will be put on Aminet. Marc Buhmann is reachable via the Internet at wl-unreal-wow@society.com @ENDNODE @NODE GAME5 "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: CLOCKWISER - (Amiga) A puzzle game with a few interesting twists. Definitely NOT a game that will win any awards for graphics, but the puzzles are brain benders and very clever. This is a game that the whole family can play and enjoy. This kind of game that may not set the world on fire, but could definitely be a sleeper. A game worth seeking out if you like puzzles. OVERALL RATING: 85% Video Mode: PAL BUBBLE AND SQUEAK - (Amiga) Ugh, another cutesy platform game. Unless you're completing a collection of all the Euro-platform games with mindless scenarios and unbearably cute characters, avoid this like the plague. OVERALL RATING: 45% Video Mode: PAL @ENDNODE @NODE PREV "Previously Reviewed Titles" Here are the games we've taken at a look at so far: Title System Rating Date ----- ------ ------ ---- ALFRED CHICKEN CD남 65% 6/1/94 AMIGA CD FOOTBALL CD남 79% 4/1/94 APIDYA Amiga 91% 9/1/94 ARABIAN NIGHTS CD남 60% 3/1/94 BATTLE CHESS CD남 80% 8/1/94 BATTLETOADS Amiga 25% 7/1/94 BENEATH A STEEL SKY Amiga 96% 7/1/94 BLUE AND THE GRAY Amiga 80% 7/1/94 BRUTAL FOOTBALL CD남 87.5% 5/1/94 CASTLES II CD남 50% 3/1/94 CHAOS ENGINE CD남 90% 5/1/94 CHAOS ENGINE AGA Amiga 50% 9/1/94 D/GENERATION CD남 65% 3/1/94 DANGEROUS STREETS CD남 17.5% 5/1/94 DEEP CORE CD남 80% 3/1/94 DEFENDER OF THE CROWN II CD남 71% 6/1/94 DELUXE GALAGA Amiga 87% 10/10/94 DIGGERS CD남 45% 6/1/94 ELFMANIA Amiga 90% 8/1/94 FRONTIER: ELITE II CD남 45% 5/1/94 GUNSHIP 2000 CD남 82.5% 6/1/94 HEIMDALL 2 CD남 75% 9/1/94 IMPOSSIBLE MISSION 2025 Amiga 82% 8/1/94 IMPOSSIBLE MISSION 2025 CD남 82% 8/1/94 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 LOST VIKINGS CD남 75% 8/1/94 MEAN ARENAS CD남 75% 3/1/94 MICROCOSM CD남 91% 4/1/94 NICK FALDO CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF CD남 75% 7/1/94 NIGEL MANSEL CHAMPIONSHIP RACING CD남 85% 3/1/94 OSCAR CD남 80% 3/1/94 OVERKILL/LUNAR C CD남 65% 10/10/94 PINBALL FANTASIES CD남 90% 3/1/94 PIRATES! GOLD CD남 87.5% 3/1/94 ROBOCOD: JAMES POND 2 CD남 80% 3/1/94 THE SETTLERS Amiga 80% 9/1/94 SIMON THE SORCEROR CD남 85% 10/10/94 SLEEPWALKER CD남 20% 3/1/94 SUMMER OLYMPIX CD남 54% 5/1/94 SUPER PUTTY CD남 84% 8/1/94 SURF NINJAS CD남 10% 7/1/94 TOTAL CARNAGE CD남 53% 9/1/94 TROLLS CD남 75% 3/1/94 UFO: ENEMY UNKNOWN CD남 91% 10/10/94 ULTIMATE BODY BLOWS CD남 84% 7/1/94 VALHALLA Amiga 79% 9/1/94 WHALE'S VOYAGE CD남 3% 3/1/94 WILD CUP SOCCER Amiga 70% 10/10/94 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 control method specified by the manufacturer. 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. A game that is programmed to use a mouse when a joystick would be much more appropriate would also be penalized. Of course, a game that's just plain hard to control with any control method will also feel the sting of the rating. @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. @{" AEM Reader Survey " link NEWS3} - Reply and maybe win a game! Columns @{" Hardware Corner " link ZAP} - The Zappo CD-ROM Drive! @{" The Humor File " link COL2} - New Commodore Simulator! @{" GameTips/Tricks " link COL3} - Game Tips & Tricks. Duh! @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 NEWS3 "AEM's Reader Survey" OK, the rules are pretty simple: Just fill out this reader survey and send it back to us. Either send it as a text file via E-Mail, or print it out and send it to us via regular mail. One survey will be picked at random and the reader will win either an Amiga or CD남 game. So, without further ado, here's the survey. (Don't worry, it's pretty simple.) AEM's READER SURVEY NAME:__________________________________________ ADDRESS:_______________________________________ CITY:___________________________ STATE/PROVINCE:__________________ ZIP/POSTAL CODE:________________ COUNTRY:_________________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS: (Internet, FIDONet, etc):________________________________ Where do you most often obtain your copies of AEM? Do you have any trouble finding it every month? Do you ever make game purchases based on the reviews in AEM? Which Amiga system(s) do you own? Can your Amiga play PAL video mode games? (If you're in Europe, do you play NTSC games much?) Do you plan to buy a PC or other computer system because of the Commodore liquidation situation? Do you plan to buy a PC or other computer system for any other reason? (If so, why?) What's your favorite Amiga (or CD남) game? If you win this little contest, which game would you rather receive?: ARCADE POOL (CD남) or FATMAN (Amiga) (Both require the PAL video mode, so if you can't do PAL and you win, we'll offer you a substitute NTSC video mode game. No other substitutions are possible.) That's it! Click here to see where to send the completed survey: @{" CLICK! " link ADDR} @ENDNODE @NODE RUM1 "AmigaWorld's 1-800 #" This is not a rumor...this is true. AmigaWorld and TechMedia had to disconnect the 1-800 information line that they had provided to keep everyone informed of the situation regarding Commodore. It was swamped with calls and it cost them a LOT of money. So, the number will now be direct dial only 1-603-924-2195. @ENDNODE @NODE COL1 "Hardware Corner" @{"The Zappo/Overdrive CD-ROM" link ZAP} - CD남 compatibility for your Amiga 1200! @ENDNODE @NODE ZAP "Zappo/Overdrive CD-ROM Drive Review" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: I know a lot of readers are really interested in reading about the Zappo CD-ROM drive for the Amiga 1200. I would like to warn all of you that this review is based on two weeks of testing the Zappo drive. After that period of time, the drive began to fail on a regular basis. We may have received a defective drive. We are getting a new one in and will re-test it using the same basic methods used to construct this review. However, I don't think the performance of the drive was affected in any way because this review was completed before the drive failed. If any performance difference is noted, we'll post an update in the next AEM. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ever since the CD남 arrived on the scene, A1200 owners have been asking for a way to play CD남 games on their machines. It's not an unreasonable request since the machines are virtually identical, except for the Akiko chip that is present only in the CD남. Commodore had promised a CD남 compatible drive, and had even displayed it in Europe, but it never made it to production. Zappo, a UK company, announced a drive that would do the same thing and also beat Commodore at it's own game because Commodore's drive asked the A1200 user to give up his trapdoor expansion slot. Zappo's doesn't use the trapdoor slot; it makes use of the little used PCMCIA slot on the left side of the machine. The Zappo/Overdrive CD-ROM drive (aka the Archos CD-ROM drive) is a standard Mitsumi double speed CD-ROM drive with a special interface allowing the cable with the PCMCIA card connector to be attached. A disk with special driver software is included as well. For our tests, we used a stock Amiga 1200 with no FAST RAM and no accelerator board. We wanted to stay as close to the configuration of a CD남 as possible. If you've got any FAST RAM or an accelerator board, your results with the Zappo may differ from ours. Setting the drive up is fairly simple once a proper power supply is obtained. The Zappo we received came with a power supply meant for European use. A trip to Radio Shack provided us with the proper power source: A 12 Volt power supply. Just plug the PCMCIA card connector into the slot and install the software (which automatically makes necessary changes to your startup-sequence.) [Take note: The PCMCIA connector has some writing on it. The natural inclination is to have that writing facing up, so you can read it, when you plug the connector in. In fact, the writing should be facing down or the drive won't work. The manual didn't mention this at all.] After rebooting, the computer will automatically recognize any CD placed in the drive just like putting a disk in the disk drive. You can access any ISO-9660 format CD-ROM disc with this method. This makes a wide variety of CD-ROM software available to you, like GIFS GALORE, AMINET and the ULTIMATE MOD COLLECTION to name a few. What I'm sure most of you want to know, though, is how it handles CD남 games and software. By pressing the left mouse button and holding it down while the machine reboots, you are presented with an option to boot from a CD-ROM. Placing a CD남 disc in the drive, pressing CTRL-LEFT AMIGA-RIGHT AMIGA to reset the machine, and then holding down the left mouse button to get the menu will allow the world of CD남 software to open for you. I was surprised at the number of CD남 titles that ran without any problems at all. Even PAL games were no problem. (Although, they added some steps to the process: You have to put the disc in the drive, reset the machine, hold down BOTH mouse buttons to get the display menu, select PAL, then boot the machine from the menu, then hold down just the LEFT mouse button and select the CD BOOT option. It's confusing at first, but it works like a champ.) We tested a LOT of CD남 software on the Zappo drive. A lot of them worked with the above methods without a problem. Some, however, needed to be booted from the disk version of the drivers rather than the ones installed on the hard drive. We weren't really sure why this was, but it was limited to only a few games. Here's a list of the CD남 games and software we tested on the Zappo drive: INSIGHT: TECHNOLOGY ZOOL WHALE'S VOYAGE ULTIMATE BODY BLOWS TROLLS UNIVERSE SUPER METHANE BROTHERS SUMMER OLYMPIX GUNSHIP 2000 OSCAR NIGEL MANSELL'S CHAMPIONSHIP RACING NICK FALDO GOLF MEAN ARENAS JAMES POND III HEIMDALL II LOTUS TRILOGY LOST VIKINGS FURY OF THE FURRIES INTERNATIONAL KARATE + BANSHEE SIMON THE SORCEROR BRUTAL FOOTBALL FIRE FORCE DIGGERS DEFENDER OF THE CROWN II DEEP CORE DANGEROUS STREETS CASTLES BATTLETOADS NAUGHTY ONES FRONTIER RYDER CUP GOLF CD FOOTBALL UFO: ENEMY UNKNOWN We, unfortunately, didn't have a copy of MICROCOSM to test on the Zappo drive. This would have provided the ultimate compatibility test. The manufacturer's claim that the Zappo drive emulates the Akiko chip through software. I don't know how true that is, but the drive does run a lot slower than the CD남 during heavy animations that may use the Akiko chip. For example, the GUNSHIP 2000 intro animation runs fairly smooth on a CD남. On the Zappo drive, the animation was choppy and jerky and the sound was slightly out-of-sync. It DID run though. That's one of the reasons we were so interested to see if MICROCOSM would run or not. It wouldn't be very playable if it was as choppy as the GUNSHIP 2000 animation was. We will test MICROCOSM as soon as we get a copy to test. Well, what doesn't work? The following is a list of the games that we tested that didn't work. These games just plain refused to run no matter what we tried. The symptoms of each game are listed to explain possible compatibility issues that may be addressed in the next update to the Zappo's software drivers. GAMES THAT DON'T WORK ON THE ZAPPO DRIVE SIMON THE SORCERER Error message - "No disk present in device CD0" OSCAR Must boot from the floppy and the game will load, but it crashes soon after. SURF NINJAS Error message - "No disk present in device CD0" CD FOOTBALL Game loads, but options are cycled through by the computer. If one is picked, the game crashes. The game doesn't get far enough to see if the CDXL animations work or not. UNIVERSE Game loads and then crashes right after. DEFENDER OF THE CROWN II Error message - "Bookit only works on CDTV" BATTLETOADS Game doesn't load - black screen is the only result. BANSHEE Error message - "Bans.exe not enough memory available" LOTUS TRILOGY Game loads, displays logo and then goes black. RYDER CUP GOLF Game loads, plays music and looks fine, but as soon as a course is selected, the machine GURU's. According to the manufacturer, an update to the software will increase CDTV compatibility as well as allow the drive to be used with the Amiga 600 (although, it will not run CD남 software on the 600). SUMMARY The Zappo drive is a surprisingly good piece of hardware. I had my doubts when I first heard about it, but it made a good impression on me. I'd really think about buying it if I had an Amiga 1200 instead of a CD남. There are some weaknesses with the Zappo drive though: 1) The interface that plugs on to the back of the Mitsumi drive to connect the PCMCIA connector doesn't fit well and can work itself loose. 2) The aforementioned "does the writing face up or down?" problem needs to be addressed. 3) The manual is not much of a help with any potential problems. This review has more information than the manual contains. 4) The access time is slow and that may cause problems with discs that access a lot of information all the time, like UFO: ENEMY UNKNOWN, which is slow enough on the CD남. How it will affect a game like MICROCOSM is yet to be seen. (If that game runs at all.) All in all, the Zappo drive bridges a gap in a way that's similar to the way the Paravision SX-1 bridges the gap for CD남쟯wners. It's not quite as reliable as the SX-1, but it's got room for improvement and I'm sure it will receive those improvements with software updates. OVERALL RATING: 80% @ENDNODE @NODE COL2 "The Humor File" Virtually Unheard-of are pleased to announce the release of our first ever Anarchyware game. If you like this game vote Libertarian. Or throw a bomb. I don't care. This preliminary version has a somewhat crude interface. __________________________________________________________________________ Commodore Management Sim v.001a You are the president of Commodore Business Machines. You start the game with the greatest computer ever made, and one billion dollars a year is sales. Round 1: (P)ad account (B)ackpedal (D)o Nothing (a)dvertise >p You add $100,000 to your private account. >b You release the Commodore 64jr. >d You become the second highest paid computer company president ever! >a Sorry, that feature not available this version. __________________________________________________________________________ I hope you have enjoyed this "playable preview." Future releases will include many new features such as 24-bit animations and 16-bit sound. Maybe. Jason Christie What-was-our-name-again? Unlimited -------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can contact Jason via the Internet at Jason.Christie@f26.n3800.z1.fidonet.org @ENDNODE @NODE COL3 "GameTips/Tricks" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some Game Tips/Cheats for some older Amiga games: F-15 STRIKE EAGLE If you run out of ammunition, simply type CTRL, ALT and R all at the same time to reload all your weapons. JOHN MADDEN FOOTBALL How to do an onsides kick perfectly: You must be playing as Cincinnati, Minnesota, Kansas City or All Madden. When kicking, move the bar as far to the right as possible and kick with as little power as possible. You should always catch the ball around the 40 yard line and have a first down. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- @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 "AEM'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 Antik Slovenskej jednoty 10 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia Phone: +42 95 35511 Fax: +42 95 426815 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 The Event Horizon 351 N. Air Depot Rd Midwest City, OK 73110 Phone: (405) 733-3232 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. Readers are also encouraged to submit dealer information. With the Amiga community in danger of losing dealers, we need to know where to find one when we need one. Support your local Amiga dealer! (The prices may not always be as low as mail order, but the service is face-to-face and they'll really appreciate it!) We can be reached via the Internet, FIDONet Netmail or US Mail. Internet: Sean.Caszatt@f512.n2601.z1.fidonet.org (preferred address) CASZATT@DELPHI.COM (Please note the change of the preferred address to the FIDONET.ORG address. This will get your message directly to me and I can respond more quickly.) 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 December, 1994 issue of AEM, look for the following: o Reviews of UFO:ENEMY UNKNOWN (A1200), FIELDS OF GLORY (CD남 and A1200), SUPER STARDUST (A1200 and CD남) o Hopefully, a LOT more reader contributions!!!! o And, even more hopefully, news on who's got control of Commodore! But don't hold your breath! 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)240-1593 (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 AmiTrek BBS Fileworks BBS Kissimmee, FL Fairport, NY (407)348-3365 (716)377-0719 FIDONet 1:3633/1701 FIDONet 1:2613/278 Sysop: Ken Rumsey Sysop: Tom Waterstraat International Distribution Sites: The Hell BBS The Hague, Netherlands +31-(0)70-3468783 FIDONet 2:281/418 Sysop: Robin Vermaat 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. More international sites are needed! To become an official distribution site, please send a request to us at SEAN.CASZATT@F512.N2601.Z1.FIDONET.ORG via the Internet. We WILL get back to you! @ENDNODE