DA” AND

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SMAJO

October 2000

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Do you have the grapeíruits to get in the ring with these guys?

"m

“...

Been

Nine (54 uperstars in the ring at once. Can't handle the heat? Stay out of the kitchen. This is gonna get ugly. Or the boiler room. Or the parking lot.

© 2000 World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. World Wrestling Federation, its logo, and all other distinctive regen titles and names used herein are trademarks of World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks of THQ ‘Animated Viol Inc. THQ ™ 1998 THQ INC. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Sega is registered in the U.S. Patent кини YONI and Trademark Office. Sega, Dreamcast and the Dreamcast logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sega Enterprises, Ltd. All

Rights Reserved. [xmi

Suggestive Themes

беда Dreamcast

How to tell if you're ... ready for F Royal Rumble".

W You spend hours in the mirror working on raising one eyebrow.

М You call co-workers "Jabronis."

М You've created your own entrance video for whenever you enter a room.

М Your apartment is furnished with metal chairs and cheap buffet tables.

W You give your girlfriend the “stinky-face-

М You've rigged your apartment with elaborate pyrotechnics for dramatic effect.

М Finally having a =, game for your Sega Dreamcast brings a tear to your eye.

PRESS START : PRESS START

All's fair in the WE . When you're gettin’ whupped, Call in a partner to help you out.

Wcom “J Е

ACTIVE

World Wrestling Federation? www jakkspacitic.com МЛАДО. сот

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Qu one game has this kind of effect on people. Introducing Kessen, the military conquest experience so epic it could only happen

on Playstation 2. Immerse yourself in the world of 17th century Japanese warfare, where you command huge armies through sweeping

Hoz m LX: (кое!) . Software © 2000 KOEI Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Kessen is a trademark of KOEI Co . Lid. Electronic Arts E іш PlayStation. ELECTRONIC ARTS isa trademark or registered trademark of Electronic Arts in the U S. andior other countries. Ай rights reserved.

You can always tell who's been playing Kessen.

®

mee è

ИЕ ET ne eee ETT ORE e Aas e

landscapes to wage history-deciding battles. To get a taste of this spectacular new DVD title,

preview its eye-popping screen shots and adrenaline-pumping battle sequences on our website.

www.kessen.ea.com

PlayStation 2 and the PlayStation 2 logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

emos

м зе Ө АК QUT OF ме

www.eidos.com

Visit www.esrborg I| 10077]

for more info.

In this 3D action adventure, it’s up to you

to lead Ginger, Rocky and their feathered

comrades in an attempt to escape Farmer

Tweedy's deadly pie-making operation. Using stealthy, strategic moves rather

than pure firepower, you'll sneak

around the farm collecting your tools

of escape while avoiding the evil farmers

and their bloodthirsty dogs.

What are you, chicken?

CHICKENRUN-

www.chickenrungame.com

ks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc

тъ&© DreamWorks LLC, Aardman Chicken Run and Pathe! Image. Eidos Interactive and the Eidos interactive logo are all registered trademarks of the Eidos group of companies. © 2000 Eidos Interactive. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos аге Sega, Dreamcast and the Dreamcast logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sega Enterprises, LTD. The ratings icon is а trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association. All rights reserved. Screenshots shown are from the Pl

From the new *Play as апу Skill Receiver" feature, to the tons. of new perfectly scal

PlayStation.

/ £ §

PLAYERS

© 2000 NFLP. Team names and logos are trademarks of the teams indicated. All other (NFL-related mi © 2000 PLAYERS INC. 989 Sports and the 989 Sports logo are trademarks of Sony Computer Ent

d motion captured an

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imatio

are trademarks of the National Foo merica Inc. PlayStation and

captured the power and athleticism of the NFL. It'll get іп your head and stay there.

League. Officially licensed product of PLAYERS INC. The PLAYERS INC logo is a registered trademark of the NFL players.www.nflplayers.com. PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. © 2000 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc

DOWNLOAD THE TONY HAWKS PRO SKATER" 2 PC DEMO АТ WWW.BLUETORCH.COM

Mild Animated Violence Mild Language

GAME BOY EE © Dreamcast. COLOR

Playstation

© 1999, 2000 Activision Publishing, Inc. All Inc. Activision is a registered trademark and Licensed by Sony Computer Entertainment trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Li

1989, 1998 Nintendo of America, Inc. Sega, Dreamcast 02235.997.05

d Distributed by A Skater 2 are tra

PlayStation" game console. PlayStation and the PlayStati intendo. Game Boy and Game Boy Color are trademarks of Ni and the Dreamcast logo are either trademarks or registered trademar

CREATE YOUR OWN

LEGEND

Hawk's back. And this time he's brought new pros (Caballero, Koston, Mullen), new tricks (Bluntslides, BS/FS Noseslides + Tailslides, Hurricanes, Heelflip Varials, Melon Grabs, Airwalks, Judos, etc.) and new technology (Real-Time Skatepark Editor, Create -A-Skater). Build a skatepark in your house. Then shred it (the park, not the house). Build your own pro (mullet or not, you decide). Then compete against the real ones. You'll also find sick new terrain, insane videos and a Career Mode where you earn cash money to move up in the rankings. THPS2, taking you to levels that were once reserved for mere legends.

TONY]HAWK 5 PROJ SKATER]

OVERVIEW:

ЕЕЕ

тә елге ІІ supo = 254 300 ЕХ PLAYER MODE NEW TRICKS + TERRAIN

SKATEPARK EDITOR

2-Player Modes and New Tricks, New Terrain 3D Real-Time Single-Player Career Mode and New Skaters Skatepark Editor

FEATURING SKATEBOARDING'S TOP PROS BURNQUIST / CABALLERO / CAMPBELL / GLIFBERG / HAWK / KOSTON LASEK / MULLEN / MUSKA / REYNOLDS / ROWLEY / STEAMER / J. THOMAS

INCLUDES HIP HOP AND PUNK SOUNDTRACK FEATURING: RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE NAUGHTY BY NATURE “PAPA ROACH & MORE

БАЗЕ ® ACTIVISION.

www.activisionseon.

TTA —À.

D d

By Joe Funk • joe_funk@ziffdavis.com

ELECTRONIC Number 13.10

GAMING october 2000

MONTHEY www. videogames.com | Editor in Chief EDITORIAL * erik ре funk@zitfdaviscom n 5 ‘Bean jager e dean_hager@ziffdavis.com Б а Пр BO} y г e crispin boyerGziffdavis.com Whoa Nellie Conguimer Hardware Editor on mum кеуі hawn jum e shawn smithGziffdavis.com | че Macho e mark macdonaldGziffdavis.com if Р n Е А is "C" Johnston e chris johnstonGziffdavis. hen | reviewed NCAA GameBreaker this coming from. If a guard sneaks up from behind Previene Editor Д А я pu T month, | was struck by how much the your left shoulder, you can hear him coming form i HOF kulawa@zifdavis 22 inclusion of legendary announcer Keith behind your left shoulder. In Sega's spectacular am kennedy s sam_kennedy@uifdavis com Jackson’s voice added to the game. Virtua Tennis, the subtle but unmistakable plunk ле Ос Кпа OcKi art Ez Ida. cO Instead of playing yet another football sim, | was of the ball zinging off racket strings can transport | wesla e tricks@zifdavis.com transported to a Midwest autumn day as my you courtside for Courier vs. Philippoussis. In соң Дол to this months Git were ер beloved Fighting Irish battled Michigan. Samba De Amigo, the integration of music is " Jos Rybka и e nan Morem Rater " 2: 8 " ion Sound has come a long way since the clinical essential to playing the game as you must rattle аорту ө sushi xGeilidavi | AN + г uds ^ tones of Atari 5 Pong, and indeed with the maracas (that's right, wired maracas are your | EM ео ИЯ | proliferation of affordable home theater for a game interface) in sync with popular Latin tunes. | At лесок n О ОИ СОМ | dwelling as modest as a dorm room, we are іп the Looking ahead, the growing importance of Mike Кесеге rae reise aae cm | midst of a renaissance in sound. Take Medal of sound is not lost on Microsoft. At ЕЗ, where they | WE Entertainment ; | peat Levy, СЕО & Bureau Chief | Matthew барат, Producer | “ j ini P | ial Ohba Japanese correspondent | Sound has come a long way since the clinical tones of Atari's Е Ты | 5 a ч m ng Сору Pong, and indeed with the proliferation of affordable home theater === - for a dwelling as modest as a dorm room, we are in the midst of MY г | i i " г ҚЫРЫН apres Manager | n а renaissance in sound. ШАЛ пав | КОКТЕ те e mark lefebvre@ziffdavis.com | Honor and its sequel, for instance. That game's provided a very early demo of the X-Box Vice President/Game Group | designers didn't rely on stock explosions and capabilities, showing off the tremendous audio | Editoral Direc ror | tinny gunshots like so many other developers. processing potential of the X-Box was a significant | cre: ive rector Me | > Я PAD. š И А » Michael Stassus e mstassus@ziffdavis.com | Erik Kraber, Medal of Honor's audio director, part of their 20-minute demonstration. And let's Business Directo | actually dragged his recording gear out into the not forget that Sony's PlayStation 2 supports DTS | сеа Pirector | field and shot at his microphones to capture the and Dolby Digital—buzzword audio formats that | Ста laron О ctor | whiz of speeding bullets. are all the rage with DVD aficionados. You better Senior Newsstand Sales Manager | With popular bands like Limp Bizkit, Primus, believe games are starting to support these | КАД UMBER: | Offspring, Stone Temple Pilots and Rob Zombie formats, too. | dipl Serves Web Ste: | already making significant contributions to game This month, we cut through the cacophony of | | soundtracks, sound is finally being recognized for Web site and TV hype like a chainsaw-wielding Game Group Em 2 А 50 Beale, 12th floor, San Francisco, СА 94105 | what it is—an essential part of any truly unique monkey to tell you the 42 games you must check Telephone: 415-547-8783 | and immersive gaming experience. out this holiday season. Not coincidentally, many а In Perfect Dark, if you wear headphones ог have ofthe titles make effective use of sound to Pu dc uice a a really good speaker setup, you can absolutely enhance the gaming experience. Turn to page District Sales Representative Tallie Fishburne hear the direction those shuffling boots are 128...and listen up! SAILS MONESTAND AE RACE Navis com

Jo Fui Regional Sales Manager Marc Callison 6 nk Account Executive. Emily Olman |. 415-357-5226 « emily_olman@ziffdavis.com

SALES, NORTHWEST. (ыу Area Peninsula, OR, WA, ID,

= = = MT, WY, Western Сапа Contributing Writers и Senior Account Executive Joann Casey

|Ң9 257-4920 e joann_casey@ziffdavis.com

i ; i | SALES, SOUTH-CENTRAL (Bay Area: San Francisco, Marin editors, enjoys mud Science at the County, East Bay; TX, AR, LA, MO, GA, FL, TN SC, NC, CO) baths, herbal wraps University of Regional Sales Manager Marci Yamaguchi

» м М Account Executive Магу Gray | 3 | and anything else Wisconsin. He has EER reme euin com | that he feels. been a regular Regional Sales Manager Karen Landon | Пратете nim contiputonto | properly. He can EGM as well as Official Senior Marketing Manager p бее Director Rey Ledda |

" 415-547-8775 * геу leddaGziffdavis.com usually be heard EU U.S. PlayStation | makeing Coo ДЫ ПЕ Lipscome | д | 8 “р, 8 415-547-8248 * annie_lipscome@ziffdavis.com

yelling, “I'm bored, Magazine, and Advertising Coordinator Tipler Ubbelohde > | Todd Zuniga bring me some free Andrew Pfister videogames.com. 5155 25/4930 «tile ubbelohde@ritidevis:com | Todd, in addition to sh*!" This month Andrew, an While he prefers the | 415-547-8778 * kristeen_laut@ziffdavis.com | being one of Official ^ Todd reveals his accomplished hand action genre, Andrew PE dictan CROIRE we пие | U.S. PlayStation thoughts оп Madden model, is currently will play almost nde | Magazine's slimmest 2001 for the PS2. studying Political anything. [o Bie Harris

ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY (ISSN #1058-918Х) is published monthly by Ziff Davis Media Inc., P.O. Box 3338, Oak Brook, IL 60522-3338, Periodicals Class Postage Paid at Lombard, IL and additional mailing offices. Single issue rates: $4.99. The on Tate is $24.97 in the U.S. and $40.97 outside the U.S. Checks must be made payable in U.S. currency only to Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Electronic Gaming Monthly, P.O. Box 55722, Boulder service questions, call (303) 665 8930 (U.S. Only) and (303) 604-7445 outside the U.S, or visit us at our subscription Web site at htp:/ /sevice.egmmag.com. We periodically make lists of our customers available to mailers of goods and se

not wish to receive such mailings, please write to us and include a copy of your mailing label. Please include your subscription label when writing to us. It contains valuable information about your subscription that will help us. Please allow 6-8 weeksbefore receiving you first issue as well as for any subscription changes to take place on any existing subscription. The editors and the publisher are not responsible for unsolicited materials. Without limiting the rights under copyrights reserved herein, по part of this publicaton may be reproduc in, ог introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by апу means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the the prior written notice of Ziff Davis Media Inc. To reuse any material in this publicaton, obtain a permission r form at winwicopyright.com/ziffdavis or have a form faxed or mailed to you by calling (425)430-1663. © 2000 Ziff Davis Media Inc. АП Rights Reserved. Electronic Gaming Monthly and EGM are trademarks of Zff Davis Media Ic. TM and © for all other prodits and the cha Contained therein аге owned by the respective trademark and copyright owners. All materials listed inthis magazine are subject to manufacturers change and the publisher assumes no responsibility for such changes, The Canadian GST Registration number is

Printed in the USA.

THE SURVIVAL OF HUMANITY BEGINS WI ONE NAME

For generations, the title of Turok has been given to only the bravest, strongest and most courageous of warriors. It is an honor like no other bestowed on mortal beings. But with it follows a life of war, hardship and loss. Now, a new generation of warriors, Joseph and Danielle Fireseed, fight to continue the legacy of Turok. And they must face a savage cosmic entity of unspeakable evil, called Oblivion. They do this for honor. They do this for humanity. Most

of all, they do this because they are heroes. JOIN THE LEGACY. ГТ" | | & | [м | | | ا‎ Eo | | № | | р 3 : | | Fight as either Danielle or Joseph New "Save Anywhere" function Battle through 20 menacing levels Wield 24 devastating weapons Fireseed, each with unique and 25 hidden game features! spanning 5 living environments! through 8 intense character skills! multi-player modes!

Animated Blood and Gore Rights Reserved. Turok: &

64 and "N' logo are trademar

Entertainment, Inc.All 2 ш © ved. Nintendo, Nintendo у am inc. Game Boy and Game Boy Color rica Inc. © 1989, ии.

1998 Nintendo of America Inc. Licensed by Nintendo. The ratings icon is а registered trade-

mu a ere буш Soma eso www.turok.com

Animated Violence

Animated Violence

INVITE YOUR

IENDS OVER

FOR SOME

i . САРСОМ and the CAPCOM CO., LTD. POWERSTONE Ci CAPCOM CO., LTD. Sega, Dreamcast and the Drear tered trademarks or trademarks of Sega Enterprises, Lid. The ratings icon trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association.

а great party game! - Next Gen

Battle ише Bosses!

Sega Dreamcast.

s

FE i | Eve Il.

Combat monstrous enemies with an optimized real-time battle system.

Horrifying CG cinemas and sharper graphics bring the shocking new storyline to life.

Upgrade and customize your weapons and armor to take on new foes.

Use powerful new Parasite Energy abilities to attack the new Neo Mitochondrion Creatures.

= 29

Playstation

www.squaresoft.com Published by Square Electronic Arts L.L.C.

Ауа Brea is back on the job. The Neo Mitochondrion Creature infestation has resurfaced and has к а sinister twist. The outcome of this battle will determine earth's dominant species.

Animated Blood and Gore

Animated Violence х ШІЛІГІ d. SQUARE SOFT and the SQUARESOFT logos are registered trademark Hideaki Sena “parasite EVE (Kadokawa Horror Bunko). Character designed by Tetsuya Nomura, 3006. tte PlayStation gos are «estere ааа of Sony Compuler аас аара on is а tradem

CONTENTS

90,178,180 T

112

Action Bass

Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes 2 ATV: Quad Power Racing

Blade

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Cannon Spike

Chicken Run

Crash Bash

Dance Maniax

Dave Mirra Freestyle BMK Donald Duck: Quack Attack Dragon Warrior Ізі

Dynasty Warriors 2

Ducati

Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future ECW Anarchy Rulz

ESPN International Track & Field ESPN NFL Primetime

ESPN X-Games Snowboarding Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles Fi Championship Season 2000 Final Fantasy IX

Flintstones: Bedrock Bowling Frogger

Frogger 2: Swamny's Revenge Galaga

Grid, The

G-Surfers

Gunhird 2

Hundred Swords

Jarrett & Labonte Stock Car Racing King of Fighters 2000 Knockout Kings 2001

7 Koushien Baseball

Madden NFL 2001

Mario Tennis

Medal of Honor Underground Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Mortal Kombat Special Forces Moto GP

Mummy, The

MTV Sports: Skateboarding Feat. Andy MacDonald

NBA Live 2001

NCAA GameBreaker 2001

NFL GameDay 2001

NFL Quarterback біш 2001

NHL 2001

116 NHL Faceoff 2001

Parasite Eve И

Perfect Dark

Pokémon Stadium Gold & Silver Pro Pinball Big Race USA Q*Bert

Railroad Tycoon Il

RG Revenge

Road Rash

Roswell Conspiracies

Rush 2049

Samurai Shodown: Warrior's Rage Sega GT

SNK vs. Capcom

Spec Ops: Omega Squad Spider-Man

SSK

Summoner

Swing Away Golf.

Tenchu 2

Test Drive V Rally Timesplitters

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001

10 Tomb Raider Chronicles

Ultimate Fighting Championship Vampire Hunter D

Virtua Athlete 2K

Wait Disney Magical Racing Tour Warlocked

Woody Woodpecker Racing World Is Not Enough, The

World Series Baseball 2K1

WWF Royal Rumble

WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role 10:

October 2000 Issue 135

Hsu and Chan comment on Driver 2

175 А 19705 "GRAND THEFT AUTO" IN 3-D!

WELL, EXCEPT You

CAN'T RUN OVER, PEDESTRIANS OR

SHOOT ANYBODY,

THERE'S ALWAYS, TWISTED METAL 2, 1 GUESS.

EGM’s Fall Preview-o-Rama 20 pages of information and speculation on this holiday season’s must-play games for every system. From Driver 2 to Zelda: Majora's Mask, we'll sift out all the good stuff for your reading pleasure—barring any interruptions from fictional comic characters. pg 128

Metal Gear Solid 2 Would you like to see some new pics of Kojima's PS2 masterpiece?

We thought so. pg 74

Final Fantasy IX We take an in-depth look at Square's final PlayStation FF installment. pg 98

Sega GT High-octane Dreamcast racing at its finest...or something like that. pg 62

Half mammal...well, all-mammal. Ecco the Dolphin gets his dorsal fin reviewed. pg 174

18

Departments

C Editorial 12 @ Letters 24 News 34

A preview of Nintendo’s upcoming Space World Show in Japan, a report on the 2000 Classic Gaming Expo, and a close look at fan- translated import games.

6) Gossip 41

owW--2BHMS Previews 96

Virtua Athlete 2K and Sega GT for DC; Crash Bash, Medal of Honor Underground and Tomb Raider Chronicles for PS; TimeSplitters and Dynasty Warriors 2 for PS2; TWINE for N64 and tons more.

Review Crew 110

This month, we take on World Series Baseball 2K1, Mario Tennis for N64, Parasite Eve ІІ, Spider- Man and Tenchu 2 for PS.

@ Tricks 194 @ The Final Word 202

In this month’s aptly named Final Word section, resident loon Shawn Smith bids EGM readers a heart- felt farewell. Bring a hanky.

| HO Dreamcast |

| № | Nintendo 64

| = = PlayStation2

| № PlayStation

| BB Game Boy Color | Neo*Geo Pocket Color Arcade

FOOTWEAR

сом

SKECHERS

FREE CATALOG 1

800.201.4659

© Volleycrest Productions, Ltd. PloyStation ond the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

—A ENTRE

Good news, now you get to be the genius that | blew the easy question. Okay, smarty pants, strap on your thinking cap and let's get down to

= * NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void in Florida and where prohibited. You must be 13 or older and a US resident to enter. Sweepstakes ends December 31, 2000. See ‘www.codemasters.com for complete rules. © 2000 The Codemasters Software Company Limited. ("Codemasters") All Rights Reserved. "Codemasters"" and the Codemasters logo are registered trademarks owned by Codemasters. “Mike Tyson Boxing"™ and “Genius At Play™” are trademarks of Codemasters. "Mike Tyson" ™ is a trademark of Mike Tyson Enterprises. Mike Tyson's name and image are used under license. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The ratings icon is a trademark of the Interactive Digital Software. Association. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

Animated

Violence

CODEMASTERS.COM

аг KNOCKOUTS.

* And counting...

Congratulations. You win an InterAct controller. You will be receiving a Barracuda (PS), an Alloy Arcade Stick (DC) or a SharkPad Pro 64? (N64).

See page 205 for official rules.

LETTER FACT

*Number of requests for a poetry section: 2

Number of readers enraged by Sega's WSB 2K1: 12

«Number of readers sickened by flabby butts in ads: 23

*Letters about politically incorrect Teletubbies: 1

Parents To Raise Own Children

I've just finished reading your July issue and | felt compelled to write. l've been a loyal reader of many different magazines, but I’ve never written to any of them. What inspired me? Two things—violent video games under the gun again (EGM #132) and the ratings debate in the Final Word column. Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan’s comment defies common sense. He urges retailers to enforce the ratings system, yet does he have any idea as to how it could be enforced? Does he know what the retail store atmosphere is like?

l've worked at Electronics Boutique for almost two years. l've seen children under 17 purchase M-rated games. I’ve sold them to young people—Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat, Metal Gear Solid and more

“The power to enforce

exisis—parents hi provides the infort

recently Perfect Dark. Do | feel guilty? No.

Let me give two of my experiences to illustrate where the power to enforce ESRB ratings lies. Once, a young boy of about 14 purchased a Mature-rated PC game—I think it was Dungeon Keeper. Five minutes after he left, his mother stormed in and demanded | refund his money and take the game

While we’re tired of seeing anti- anti-video game letters (as we’re sure you are), we wanted to share the unique perspective of this

on the parents need 1 involve themselves in the decision.”

back. She was upset that | had sold the game to her son. І apologized, refunded the money, and told her that it was too difficult for me to monitor all the transactions. | told her | was pleased she had noticed the rating, and had involved herself in her son's recreational pursuits. She apologized for her anger and the matter was settled.

On another occasion | sold Resident Evil 3 to a 10-year-old boy. This wasn't my idea. | refused at first, but then I was screamed at [by his father] for not selling the game to his son. When | indicated the Mature rating on the package, | was told it was none of my business what his son played.

What am | getting at here? The power to enforce the ESRB rating already exists— parents have the power. The ESRB provides the information the parents need to involve themselves in the decision to purchase a game. Yet far too often parents ignore the rating and games

ower. The ESRB

end up in the hands of kids who should not be playing them. Parents are the ones who know their children best, and can decide whether or not a game is appropriate. | don't know your child well enough to judge if he would consider DOOM as target practice for real-life violence.

Name withheld by request

reader. It seems like common sense but it bears repeating: Parents are the only people who can really enforce the ESRB ratings.

Bare Butts Sicken Reader

You guys need to get rid of those sick Sega [Virtua Tennis] ads! Who wants to See some locker room full of naked, over-the-hill male court-jockeys?! All this to try to get the more "adult audience" to buy an E-rated game? Good freaking grief.

Matthew Newton

We contacted the ad agency responsible and passed along your complaints about the “over-the-hill male court-jockeys.” You'll be happy to hear they have agreed to reshoot the ad, this time using "really hot guys." Seriously, you will notice a change in the ad this month.

Gamer's Mommy Won't Let Him Play

| am 19 years old and my mother has been getting on me about being too old for video games. I told her that many people of all ages play them, and that includes adults too. Now that I have been discouraged from playing video games, | haven't touched my N64 or GBC in a long time. My question is, can you guys convince her that video games aren't just for the youth? Thanks.

Randy Moore

We could convince her, but what's in it for us? Can you hook us up with say, some household appliances? Dean needs a new toaster oven, and Sewart's curling iron has definitely seen better days. So how about it? You scratch our back, we convince your old lady, dig?

In Memorium: NeoGeo Pocket Color

As one who knew the NeoeGeo Pocket Color closely, | would like to give a eulogy.

The Neo*Geo Pocket Color led a

cont. on pg. 26

arrarei Spring TÎ ЕТА:

www.phys-sci.com

LETTERS

EGM@ziffdavis.com

Send us your thoughts, your wishes, your innermost weirdness. ..or your pictures, crazy screenshots or Dhotos of bizarre game-related

‘cont. from PS. 24 beautiful, if short, life. Almost all of its games were excellent, both in gameplay and in graphical splendor. Its 16-Bit graphics and slightly larger screen put the Game Boy to shame. Its “click stick” joystick pleasured my thumb for hours while Puyo Pop, SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium and Metal Slug occupied my mind. The NGPC had a good home in my pocket, forever accompanying me.

| will make no attempt to convince you of its excellent games; they speak for themselves. Samurai Shodown 2 has occupied me for до hours so far, and I’m not even bored yet. | figured that because of its stellar library it would lead a long, full life. | was wrong. | hadn’t figured that NGPC’s parent, SNK Japan, would brutally murder it and recall all its games.

Not only did SNK Japan kill the NGPC, but it killed the sense of hope in all of us NGPC owners. As the games are silently pulled off the shelves, my heart sinks. In stores, on Web sites, it's as if this excellent handheld never existed. And guess who facilitates this? The ignorant gamer. No one even misses the damn thing. SHAME ON YOU! | miss it. | feel sorry for myself because | know what I’m missing. But | feel worse for all of you “gamers” because you don’t.

In conclusion, the NeoeGeo Pocket Color led a short but spectacular life, providing joy and entertainment to the few of us who were willing to open our hearts to it.

Rest in peace, sweet prince.

Steve Gilhool general_tso1o@hotmail.com

We are all deeply saddened as well my friend, the little fella was like a son to us.

Evil Teletubbie Makes Leap To Video Games

| found out something rather interesting when | popped a demo CD into my PlayStation. My wife tried the “Play With the Teletubbies” demo. Imagine our surprise when we heard

“Po,” the red one, talking. It isn’t the fact that he/she/it was talking, but what it was saying. Remember the Teletubbie Po dolls that were recalled because of their voice sample? Well, surprise! It’s back! The phrase that sounds remarkably like (and feel free to edit) “f****t, f****t, bite my butt” has made it into the game. In fact, this phrase was repeated several times. | just wonder how many “Teletubbie horrors” we will soon be hearing about. Jeff Dabbs Lake Elsinore, CA

We did some research on this topic, and apparently it is within Po’s contract that it can hurl politically incorrect epithets in whatever form of media it appears іп. And then it puts the lotion on itself.

Video Games Appear In Video

| was just wondering if you’ve seen the new Janet Jackson video “Doesn’t Really Matter.” The reason I’m asking is because in the scene where she is dancing with some people there is a big screen in the background that is playing something that looks like Jet Grind Radio, and when I looked closer, | also saw a character from Samba De Amigo. Is the video really showing these games?

Yes, yes, we know. We keep hearing this damn legend, however, none of us has the intestinal fortitude to sit through an entire Janet Jackson video to validate these outlandish claims.

Man Speaks With No Jaw, Tongue

OK. I loved your story on Soul Reaver 2, but you forgot one major stoopid question. How does Raziel speak? | mean really, he has no jaw, tongue or lips. The most he could do would be a bunch of pathetic grunts yet he speaks better than an English

“It is amazing that SNK cannot even last as long as the hatteries in ту Неоебео Pocket."

The very bottom of the EGM letters barrel.

| have an idea for a new section you could add to EGM. A section for poems. Poems that are related to video games. It would be. interesting, and might bring more readers to EGM. SNFSeph @aol.com

It would not be interesting, it would be horrible. It would signal the coming of the end times.

Might | request a poetry section be added? InosentoAerith @aol.com

See response listed above.

Is E-Sak back from vacation in Turkey yet? He didn’t really retire from the Turkish Wrestling League, did he? andrewjohnson @gamespotmail.com

The Sak is Back! Say it, SAY IT! The elusive Мг. Saccerelli is indeed still in action, and he cannot wait to “sit on your spit.” Watch for his hilarity to ensue in an upcoming issue.

26

How do you feel about the death of SNK in the USA?

SNK? catkuma@juno.com Гат pissed off about the death of SNK!! | really started to like the NeoeGeo Pocket. They were coming out with some decent games like Metal Slug and SNK vs. Capcom. It's a shame to see the company leave the U.S. market, but it looks like in the end Game Boy reigns supreme. DaLOX28@aol.com What's the big deal with the death of SNK? It was a weak platform that had crappy games and no support. Good riddance to it if you ask me. xtrabondage@hotmail.com Uh...who? (Goes back to playing Mario Golf.)

MRTSC@aol.com | bought а NGPC months ago. I played it by myself with no linked games for the entire time | owned it. Now, suddenly, all of my friends want one too. Pathetic.

TheGrandN@aol.com | purchased my Меоебео Pocket six months ago and have enjoyed the hell out of it. The batteries that came with it still work! It is amazing that SNK cannot even last as long as the batteries in my Neo*Geo Pocket.

joeredifer@film-tech.com I'm sure gonna miss that little machine... oh wait! I've never even used an SNK. hackysack85@hotmail.com | personally think it’s a shame, they had some great games. mdoverkill&hotmail.com This sucks. Now РИ never get to play Bio Motor Unitron 2 or Cool Cool Toon. F* you, Aruze. fan-addict@excite.com

Next Month’s Question of the Moment:

What Р52 launch title are you going to buy first? Send your short but sweet responses to: EGM@ziffdavis.com with the subject heading:

Launch Title

Visit www.esrb.org J or call 1-800-771-3772

LETTERS

You can write ЕСМ at:

EGM Letters P.0. Box 3338 Oak Brook, IL 60522-3338

e-mail: EGM@ziffdavis.com

Please note: We reserve the right to edit any correspondence for space purposes. If you don't want your name, city/state or e-mail address printed, tell us 50 (but please include your phone number and mailing address for Letter of the Month consideration).

cont. from pg. 26

professor. | can see in the spirit realm

his voice would be a projection of his

thoughts, but he still speaks with his

vampire brothers in the material world. matt8@SoftHome.net

You’re right—that’s one stoopid question we forgot to ask. So we sent it on over to SR2 director Amy Hennig, who had this to say: “It’s all about the uvula.”

There ya go. Ask a smart-ass question, get a smart-ass answer. What, did you expect a metaphysical discourse on how Raziel actually speaks?

Reader Buys “Worst Game Ever"

I'm so mad | don't even know where to start. | have been a Sega fan forever. І have never been mad or held a grudge about any of the mistakes they have made before. The 32X? | saw it as a company trying to better its hardware. The Saturn? A system that could've been a classic, but the third-party companies were afraid of it and “ran” to Sony. But this latest injustice CANNOT be justified by any excuse. After seeing NFL 2K, NBA 2K and NHL 2K | knew Sega was back to making great sports games. And knowing that traditionally their best sports game has always been WSB, and hearing all the hype, | couldn't wait for the release of WSB 2K1. | even went out and paid for it in full weeks before its release. THIS IS NOT ONLY THE WORST BASEBALL GAME EVER, IT’S THE WORST GAME EVER! First off, how do you possibly make a sports game where you CAN’T control your own defenders? The whole point to playing a game is that YOU are playing! Second, they lied about all the options. There are no batting hot-cold zones, no VMU pitch selection, and overall the game doesn’t even warrant a rental, let alone a purchase! Now | know Sega felt pressure to release this game after all the hype, but | would have been less disappointed if Sega would have just issued a press release stating that while they tried, they couldn’t make WSB 2K1 up to the company's standards, that they were sorry and they promise to bring it out next year when it was truly ready (and maybe

“Has this even incorporate online play!). EGM, my experience fellow Sega fans, | am LIVID! soured me to REDRZA@aol.com the PlayStation We received a lot of similar letters forever? No. this month, and we feel your pain— But it has check out our review of WSB 2K1 on made me pg.176. We asked Sega about the wonder why promised features not found in the Sony can't game, and they told us the ‘hot and cold zones [that] illustrate batters’ make a good streaks and slumps’ (from the back of RPG for their the WSB 2K1 box) are actually іп the own system, game, and are “embedded in the with such statistics.” We have no idea ү" that means, but there you go. As for the examples = other missing features, Sega told us FFVII to guide they scrapped them to get the game them.” out on time, something that happens

often in the development of any title.

Man, have I got some major complaining to do! | just recently purchased Sony's Legend of Crap-oon. Talk about disappointment in the fullest. | was expecting an epic tale worthy of Homer, and instead | was

treated to a high-budget cesspool of idiotic dialogue and repetitive gameplay. Now, | know what you're thinking. We told you so, right? Well, I just had to see for myself how bad it was. Another thing was the lack of originality. The world is in peril and a group of plucky youngsters use powers to fend off the evil, while the hero and heroine discover new feelings about one another. Now ат | crazy or do | see a correlation here. Dart/Shana, Cloud/Aeris? | mean come on! It was so obvious that Sony ripped off Squaresoft! Has this experience soured me to the PlayStation forever? No. But it has made me wonder why Sony can't make a good RPG for their own system, with such examples as FFVII to guide them. Anyway, І hope you print this letter, in an attempt to show Sony the error of their ways.

See, fool, we don't just drop knowledge on you little g's for fun. We been down in it since back in the day, you know what I’m sayin'? We take the wack hits so you don't have to, know what I’m sayin’? So next time you gettin’ ready to sling some of your ducets, remember how tight our science is. You know what I’m sayin’?