iile renchi: Stealth Assassins . Streak ME AES EXoddis ¢ Rival Schools

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a $4.95 UK £2.50 82824

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20 ways ۱١۵ 71 ae alien Trash

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“In this revolutionary third person shooter Duke annihilates an ent Rome, conquers the Dark Ages, tames the Wild Wi and lights up L.A., proving once more that the only good alien is a dead one! With a colossal arsenal of high-tech, all-new weapons and more Nukem attitude and humor than ever before, TIME TO KILL gives you more of what you crave. = More hard-core action! More exploration! More shooter mayhem! More of the King of Carnage’!

a ۸ a O

Hard-Core Nukem action, DOING, and exploration!

NEEN

PALL

GT Interactive Software

18 years or older or have i parents permission to call,

i felch tone phones only. y : 0: www.gtgames.com

996, 1997, 1998 3D Realms Entertainment. All rights reserved, Developed by n-Space, Inc. dader sublicense from GT Interactive Software Corp. under ent. Published and distributed by GT Interactive Software Corp. GT is a trademark and the GT logo is a registered trademark of GT Interactive Software 0 the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

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A SURPRISINGLY FAST SPEEDBOAT RACING GAME.

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You'Re ON THE EDGE OF DESTRUCTION! | Sou ve 7 niss INONS, PLASMA

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| have multiple bogeys dead

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NINTENDO

| Departments

Letter from the Editor The Big Question

Dear Game Informer GI readers from across the globe interact with Game Informer.

Envelope Art

You can’t win if you don’t enter Gl’s Monthly Envelope Art Contest.

Gl News

Zelda 64 has a new character, Namco gears up for Ridge Racer Type 4, the latest on X-Men from Activision, and tons-o-fun with Name That Game!, Trivia, and Gl's Top Ten.

Game Informer PC

Gl reviews Unreal, Dominion, MechCommander, Descent: FreeSpace, and more.

Arcade Brigade

Gl examines Blitz ‘99, Area 51 - Site 4, Daytona USA 2, and Gauntlet Legends.

Play To Perfection

Gl ventures where many fear

to go. If you need a guide through the new Eidos adventure, Ninja, then consult our expert strategy guide.

Play To Perfection “The Dragon Strikes Back” - the conclusion to our Spyro The Dragon strategy guide.

Secret Access

Tips from our readers and the infamous Game Genie/Game Shark Swap Shop.

í aii © Classic Gl Pg 54 Gl looks at classic games on the

Genesis, 3DO, and replays some codes from the vault.

Game Informer Magazine” (ISSN 1067-6392) is published monthly at a subscription price of $19.98 per year, or five trial issues for $9.98 by Sunrise Publications”, 10120 West 76th Street, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. (612) 946-7245 or FAX (612) 946-8155. For subscriptions, back issues or customer service inquiries (612) 948-7266. Periodicals postage paid at Hopkins, MN, and additional mailing offices. SUB- SCRIBERS/POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Game Informer Magazine”, 10120 West 76th Street, Eden Prairie, MN 55344- 3728. Foreign or Canadian orders must be prepaid in U.S. dollars and must include $20/year additional postage.

Game Informer” does not claim any copyright in the screen shots herein. Copyright in all screen shots contained within this publication are owned by their respective companies. Entire contents copyright 1998. Game Informer Magazine*. All rights reserved; reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Game Informer* is a trademark of FUNCO, Inc.

Products named in these pages are trade names, or trademarks, of their respective companies.

At a Glance

Cover Story: Rogue Trip Twisted Metal 1 & 2 are still top titles on PlayStation. Fans everywhere have been screaming for TM3, but few realize it’s already here. SingleTrac, developer of the first two Twisted Metal titles, has parted ways with Sony to deliver Rogue Trip, and it’s one serious ride. Inside, Gl totally blows out this explosive,

non-stop deathfeast of destruction. Pg 14

Feature: In The Doghouse - Way of the Warrior to Crash 3 GI was in the doghouse where we got some serious hands-on with the upcoming Crash Bandicoot: Warped. Join us as we visit the Crash creators at Naughty Dog and discover great things about this highly anticipated game.

Nintendo 64

NFL Blitz, WCW/NWO Revenge, Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, NFL Quarterback Club 99, Madden NFL 99, WWF War Zone, NASCAR 99, Space Station Silicon Valley, Extreme G 2

PlayStation

Tales of Destiny, Madden NFL 99, NFL GameDay “99, Abe’s Exoddus, Metal Gear Solid, Tenchu, Streak, Tomb Raider 3, Unholy War, T’ai Fu, Apocalypse, Xenogears, Tiny Tank, | Rival Schools, Final Fantasy VIII, Psybadek, Akuji the Heartless, Jeff Gordon Racing

Pg 74

Beavis & Butt-head, Dragon Seeds, Global Domination, TOCA Touring Car Championship, Monkey Hero, A Bug’s Life, Bomberman World, Pool Hustler, X- Games Pro Boarder, NHL National Hockey Night, NBA Tonight, Tecmo's Deception Il, WWF War Zone, Street Fighter Collection, Wild 9, Team Losi RC Racer, Ninja, Resident Evil: Director's Cut — Dual Shock, Resident Evil 2 — Dual Shock, Spice World, Activision

Classics, Lemmings & Oh No! More Lemmings

Nintendo 64 NHL 99, Buck Bumble, Penny Racers, Virtual Chess

Game Boy

Pokemon (Red and Blue Versions), Harvest Moon, World Cup 98, All-Star Baseball ‘99

The Big Question

BY ANDREW McNAMARA

n all my time at Game Informer | have never

games aren't any good - they rock. However,

:

Thue

MES INDEX

Activision Cassies ................

am VRE a had a more difficult time choosing a game having so many reviewable games to choose MITA A i for the cover of the magazine than | did this from for the cover is a rare occurrence in the MiS E A ichard A. Cihak : : Apocalyps cscs Publisher month. On one hand, this brought me numerous video game world, and leaves us to pick the best f i IÓ 3 WOR Si SHO E اه دوه دوو و‎ Andrew McNamara headaches, but on the other hand, it made the game we can (which isn't bad most of the time, SERRES i i gamer side of me very happy. but sometimes we do pick a real stinker). BE. ees Anton faite, We had narrowed the list down to But all this talk brings me to the most E AOS

Senior Associate Editors

WCW/NWO Revenge for N64, Rogue Trip for

important point of this whole article. In

Crash Bandicoot: Warped

BUCK BUND iaa دند ووو‎

o Borge PlayStation, Blitz for N64, and Tenchu for December, Game Informer is going to start a ۳ eT Robert Stoute PlayStation. Now for those of you who aren't massive push to put our magazine on every rna Sr yT

Associate Editors Thomas Blustin Art Director

Curtis Fung Production Director Web/Graphic Design

loyal followers of Gl, we have for many years followed the rule (with a few unavoidable exceptions) that no game goes on the cover that isn't reviewable. We have always felt putting a game on the cover with a less-than-informative

newsstand from New York to Los Angeles. While we won't be everywhere in the beginning, we should be a lot more accessible to YOU, the Game Informer reader (sorry, | just had to do it again). Now here’s the question of the hour:

Dominion: Storm Over Gift 3 Dragon Seeds rr a Extreme G2 Extreme Tactics

Final Fantasy VIII Gauntlet Legends .................

Ryan MacDonald k i 0 : A West Coast Correspondent article is both sick and wrong. So when the Should Game Informer continue to put only — io MM Oret Paner companies involved told us that getting reviewable games on our cover, or should we PRET reviewable copies of their games would be easy, start doing massive previews for our cover TLE

Advertising Sales John Madden Football .............

Kimberley Thompson-Benike National Advertising Sales Director

it all came down to a judgment call for us. Now making this kind of decision isn't easy.

stories? Now this is a big step for Game Informer and | didn't want to make any decisions

Lemmings & Oh No!

A lot of different factors come into play (our own without hearing from YOU, the um...sorry, you ad le pă secret recipe), so that we can deliver the best get the point. So please drop me an email at ZEUS 64 Vick! Valley possible cover to YOU, the Game Informer andy@gameinformer.com, or send it standard GORE EE 52 Circulation / Marketing Manager reader (I love saying that). As you may have mail to: Cover Controversy, 10120 W. 76th MSA da (612) 946-7274 a E i ده‎ NASCAR 99: ire aes aia 42 Customer Service Manager already noticed, Rogue Trip won this round, but Street, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344. NBA TaN ll 67 a don't let that fool you into thinking the other MEL Bi A ee 34, 68 ada با‎ e NFL GameDay 9O و4 نند‎ or subscription inquiry only NHL 99 ............. nnn 66 (612) 946-7266 Fax (612) 946-8155 NHL National Hockey Night ......... 70 or pi ee NFL Quarterback Club 99 ........... 40 Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3728 Ninja ....... emana ranas 69, 72 Attn: CIS Dept Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus .......... 50 Manufactured and printed Penny Racers .................... 66 in the United States of America POROUS CC a cc ACE e E one 71 e Ed E A POO Husi ERA as ver ten 69 ui Psy badok. PS ده دلب بل سه‎ a 03 Redneck Rampage Rides Again 5 64 Resident Evil 2 Dual Shock ......... 71

Resident Evil: Director's Batis: cantante ec Cul Dual SHOCK acacia 71 Magazine. All rights reserved: 0 Rival Schools: ici و‎ es cad oe 62 Rogue TWD ce sree iw is وه ده ادف وه‎ 12 Space Station Silicon Valley ......... 43 : 2 sa à CO en intel 71 ea cee een Spyro Tha: DEJON AA 78 ENAT OE ER 56 Street Fighter Collection ............ 69 Re nb Ap E 60 ns in connection Tales OF Destin} ces Dni 46 limited to republication of the advertisement in any Team Losi RC Racer ............... 69 a Dali De TAIO aliat a Tecmo's Deception Il .............. 67 TOG ii ananas ve 54 د‎ A ae ac te ne ea TNE UNO WAN asa ais sa 58 “pi e 5 Tiny Tank: Up Your Arsenal ......... 61 liability, loss TOCA Championship Racing ........ 71 int TOMO RAIONS i ie ina 9 cess) 57 9 Turok 2: Seeds of Evil ............. 38 HE AA Pe A e AMM N PE Une... 64 voc i eae one 1089 86 VIRTUE CHESS asas arial 69 WCW/NWO Revenge ............... 36 e OO MATES 68 Wanda و‎ 71 WWE War Zone... 42, 69 Audit Bureau of Circulations X Games Pro Boarder .............. 68 Member KONO iria ala O a 61

Andy, The Game Hombre andy@gameinformer.com

“Since this is the big football issue for Gl, | figured | better say something about my team — the Vikings — because this year we are going to leave bootmarks on everyone's behind. Now the only problem that I'm going to have this fall is figuring out how I'm going to watch football and NASCAR on Sunday. NASCAR you ask? | wish | knew. Somehow or another | got addicted to the art of going fast and turning left. It's a shame EA's game doesn't capture the sport the way it should.”

6 Game Informer +

October ‘98

Robert, The Game Casanova robert@gameinformer.com

“Oh, which one to play today: Azure Dreams, or Shining Force 111? | really want to find out what's on the 15th level of the tower, not to mention which of the girls, Selfi or Cherrl, is sweet on me. But, | have to get back to Shining Force III and see what happens to the Bulzome Sect and what they have to do with the Vandals! Not to mention why the Republican king is being framed! Oh, the ordeals of a gamer, destined to finish every RPG in existence. Xenogears is not too far away! What am I to do?”

Jon, The Greedy Gamer jon@gameinformer.com

“Fall has rolled around again, and as we breathe that sweet northern air and observe the colorful canvas of the world, there’s another canvas that shall be bathed in blood - the venomous venue known as Rich Stadium! I'm predicting 10-6 for the beloved Bills. I've also joined a campaign to make the Chocobo the official state bird of Minnesota, and lm currently breeding a classic muscle- Chocobo to cruise the strip in style. Its army green, stock, with hood stripes and a 4 on the floor.”

Paul, The Game Professor paul@gameinformer.com

“Now that we have a ‘fridge in the office, | anticipate trouble if that nasty Dr. Pepper takes up too much space. Who knows what I'll do if the scourge of soda is occupying valuable space that | could use for my main staple of deviled ham. Other than our new appliance, we just had a new game vault built for all our gear. It's huge and is actually like walking into a museum. It also doubles as a holding pen for those who abuse their

refrigerator privileges. Anyone seen Andy?”

Reiner, The Raging Gamer reiner@gameinformer.com

“My creation is a success! Ha ha ha ha!!! Ha! With this new Powered Armor Linen Symbiont (PALS) I will destroy my fellow workforce and gather a new team of gamers that will worship my every move. Ha ha ha ha!!! But wait... Whats this! The power is fluctuating. What!!! No!!! PALS is frightened by something. It can't be...lt's the bald spot on Jon's head!!! PALS fears this shiny dome and is squeezing me in disgust!!! Aghh!!!! Nol!!! | was so close to global domination!!! Aghhh....”

Bergren, The Game Burrito bergren@gameinformer.com

“While canoeing through the BWCA in Northern Minnesota, my friends and | happened upon another group paddling into the wilderness. | was about to give a polite wave when | noticed a geek in one of the canoes had a Green Bay Packer flag extended from his canoe, fluttering in the wind. Have Packer fans no shame? Have they no life? Disgusted by his display, we bludgeoned the cheddar dork with our paddles and stole his flag to use as toilet paper. Justice served.”

OUT THINK. OUT MANEUVER., OUT LIVE.

OnlYéÆidosichalk your (| 151 |

PlayStation

The Unholy War and the related characters are trademarks of Crystal Dynamics. O 1998 Crystal Dynamics. All rights resreved. Tomb Raider III, Lara Croft, Ninja: Shadow of Darkness and Fighting Force and trademarks of Core Design. © 1998 Core. Eidos Interactive and Omikron are trademarks of Eidos, Ple. © 1998 Eidos. All rights reserved. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Fa

خو د

Email: deargi@gameinformer.com

Bit by Bit, Dreamcast and

Display

| have two questions. When does Sega’s new system arrive? And don’t you

| need a special screen to run 128 bits?

Michael Chlipala

Burnsville, MN

The Dreamcast is due in Japan on November 20th. The U.S. version will

| arrive in Fall of ‘99. Remember, Game

Informer strongly suggests waiting for

| the U.S. version to arrive, since there

could be massive compatibility problems with the modems. To put it simply, the

| Japanese modem probably won't work | in the U.S.As to your second question,

the processor, which you describe, doesn’t necessarily determine display. While the Dreamcast can be described as a ۱28-011 system in terms of

Bring Back Classic MK Characters

Hi, my name is Chris Fox and | have

some things to say about Mortal

Kombat 4. I've been playing MK games

| since the first came out so there are | some people | like in the game. | had never played MK4 before it came out

on the PlayStation but when | played it | was really mad to say the least. Some of my fave people were not there like Sindel, Cyrax, Sheva, and Nightwolf, just

| to name a few. Why were all the good | people gone? See, in MK4, there are

only two people | like and have liked

| since the first and they are Sub-Zero

and Sonya. Now don’t get me wrong, MK4 is a good game but not the best.

| The best to me was MK2. | hope in | MKS, if there will be one, they add these | people in or I'm never playing Mortal

Kombat again. Chris Fox

Pretty harsh words for an MK fan.

| Would a true MK fan say this? That he | or she would never play MK again, just

because some characters are left out of

ja sequel? But then again, you never

Dual Shock Shocker

| just recently became a subscriber to your magazine and | would like to congratulate you on a good magazine well done. | have had a Sony PlayStation since January. In your August issue you had in your E3 section a paragraph

| about Sony and the PlayStation. Anyway,

| would appreciate it if you could answer a few questions. Is the new Dual Shock PlayStation better than the regular PlayStation? Also, I’ve heard of a new “Godzilla” for PlayStation coming out from Electronic Arts. Is that true? Thanks for at least trying to answer my questions in your time.

Devin Muraski St. Louis, MO

g Game Informer + October '98

processing power, the display resolution determines how the game actually appears, and what device it can be played on. Currently, most TVs show up to 800 lines of resolution, so previous consoles didn’t need to include the capability to pump a higher resolution. When HDTV is established, these new televisions will display 1920 x

1080 lines of resolution. Fortunately, |

Sega’s Dreamcast will boast the ability to display up to 1024 lines of resolution, capitalizing on the strengths of HDTV.

Let’s just hope the video cable doesn’t |

cost a fortune, because cables also

determine the display options. We hate |

getting jacked by “hidden costs” on new consoles.

played MK4 in the arcade, so you're

probably not a “true fan” (unless you |

live in a rainforest with no arcades). All the characters were in MK Trilogy. Why do it again? In the evolution of “non Capcom” fighting games, new characters

come in and old characters get axed. It’s |

the way of gaming, and if MK4 had come

out with only one new character, we |

would have been flooded by mail bashing MK4 for doing nothing to improve. Anyway, you can bet MK5 has

been in the works for quite some time |

now. No details are known, but apparently, after talking to Game Informer, the MK team was so inspired by our respect for Way of the Warrior, that MK5 could possibly borrow a few characters from the game, using Gl staff members for the motion capture. Andy, The Game Hombre does a mean “Teleport” to escape long work days, and Bergren, The Game Burrito's “Soft Taco Smash” is pretty much unbeatable, especially when it comes extra spicy.

Hey Devin, maybe youre a little

mixed up. The Dual Shock PlayStation | you refer to is nothing more than the |

standard PlayStation with the Dual Shock controller packed in (in place of the standard controller). The controller is the only difference.And yes, Electronic Arts has purchased U.S. rights to a Godzilla game. In Japan, Toho controls the Godzilla license, which it has licensed to Sega for the Dreamcast Godzilla game. Electronic Arts did confirm acquisition of the Godzilla license for a U.S, game, but wouldn't comment on the game's development status.

Let's Get Ready To Rumble

l am a reader of yours for three years now, and | have something that | want to say to you and questions | want to ask. First, | first want to tell you that you've been doing great for the past three years, and you just keep on getting better. Keep up the great work. Second, here is a hard question. Can you list all the games from the year 1996 to now that have sold over a million units? Also, here is a very very (a hundred times harder) hard question. If all you people fight, who will win? That question has been in my head for a long time now. Fight it out guys! And may the best man win! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Jim Lee

Woodbury, MN

Your first one's a stumper, and we wouldn't feel confident calling any list

The Dawn of Civilization and Gl Issue +1

| was reading some old issues of Gl when | saw the following: Sega Master System, Sega's Virtual Reality Helmet, Sega Channel, and the video Jukebox. What are they, and if possible, where can | get them? Also, what does your first issue look like, what kind of games were inside? James “The Master's Helper” Denner Irvington, NJ The Sega Master System might be

| found at select garage sales or from | collectors. It was Sega’s competition

against Nintendo's 8-bit NES. The Virtual Reality Helmet never came out. It was displayed, but it pretty much sucked, so it was canned. The Sega Channel was a cable channel that allowed you to play

| | Genesis games right on your TV for a

monthly fee. It’s no longer available. The Video Jukebox was an idea dating all the way back to Atari’s 2600. The Video Jukebox allowed players to put about a dozen cartridges into an active cabinet, then select a game to play by hitting a button. Basically, it failed because nobody wanted to pay $60 to avoid changing their own cartridges. Finally, do you really want to know about Gl issue #1? It debuted around the time western civilization first took root — in the fall of 1991. It was 16 pages, and Sonic graced

“accurate.” Companies often brag of “I million units shipped,” but that means what it says — | million shipped, not sold. TRST data tracks these numbers, but it doesn’t count every retailer, so it's an inaccurate sample. If you ask a company directly, the person on the phone would lie — “Sure, we sold, like, 2 million Floating Runners dude.” So, we just don’t know. Then, you're asking about GI tough guy status? It’s a constant battle, a climb, an ascendance. Currently, Jon is the strongest bald guy in the office, due to his recent body sculpting program. Andy’s the quickest, and most likely to fly off the handle. Bergren was a swimmer in college, so obviously, he’s never thrown a punch. Robert's a lover, not a fighter. Paul's tall, with a long reach and a quick jab, but he’s short-winded, and can’t anticipate a counter. Reiner is the unknown quantity. We couldn't get him to fight. We tried for days. Finally, we started chucking his Star Wars figures around. All he said was “Stop.” But when Andy said “Princess Leia wasn’t a virgin when she met Han,” Reiner flew out of his chair and bull rushed Andy. After a tussle, Andy admitted his mistake (or “lie” as Reiner called it). It’s now down to just Reiner and Jon...stay tuned! |

the cover. Only two reviewers appeared | in issue #1: Rick, The Video Ranger and Andy, The Game Dandy (now known as the Game Hombre). Games reviewed include De-Cap-Attack (Rick gave it a 7.5,Andy gave it an 8.5), Micro Machines (Rick 7, Andy 8), and NHL Hockey (Rick 9, Andy 9), plus there's a news article covering Galoob's legal trouble and battle with Nintendo over Game Genie. It's a rare issue. Can you find it? or more importantly, would you want to????

11.6. Dan Day

game informer's got the stuff / the | readers just can’t get enough, of what gi | just hasta say / we all know gi’s gonna | stay / previews reviews tips and more, | arcade pc classics galore / secret codes | it ain't gonna stop, makin it’s way to the | top / reiner is a weirdo geek, some even say he’s a freak / some say that he’s really cool, not so cool to make em’ | drool / but my friend who acts real | dandy, while sucking on a piece of candy, | said his favorite was that andy / cant | think of a word that goes with andy / dat game burrito’s kina neat / dat bergren he got nasty feet / jus’ kiddn’ | bergren / but dat’ jon layin outsaad in da’ lawn, layinn out der until dawn, aint ie so soon he'll be gone / jus’ |

een

some

How Can | Call All the

Shots?

|. What do | have to be in order to be the one who “calls the shots” like the person who says “| want to make this game and this is how | want it to be.”

2. What do | have to do to become a

| game programmer, do you go to school | for it?

| 3. Do you think programming is a good | career in the gaming industry and why? Elias “Chucky” Ybarra III

Houston, TX | In the world of video game design, | especially in America, most members of the team have a large say in how a game lis made. The lead programmer | determines boundaries — what can and | can't be done. The producer holds the most power, with large sweeping decisions about gameplay mechanics, evel themes, endings, etc. The executive producer holds power as well, but deals

kiddn’ jon, jus’ kiddn yall! / you all rule,

Whoa! Now this one took some serious time.

and so does paul! / no one’s sittn on the lawn, an no one’s got stinky feet, an no

one is a weirdo geek.../ you rule.../ keep Chris Williams makin the best magazine in the world! / Germantown, MD PS. Riener Rules! If you want my body, and

Dan Day you play Final Fantasy,

Yo yo our readers rule, cause at dope come on baby let me know! games they bust the tool / yeah they're ugly, their mommas are too, at least they can read an readin's cool / game hype dype they want the fax / GI rules, don't even ask / Reiner don’t rule, we think he's a fool / our readers rule cause theyre high-end cool / high-end cool, yeah the readers rule / they like Aeris, she dead she gone / can’t bring her back, the grrrl done gone / grrrl readers now, they ain't wrong / keepin’ us honest, true to the song / versin's right an Gl's tight, it's got the goods, an it’s come ta fight / fans dey say, you canna | keep me away / keep on | Dan Day, M.C. Dan Day

Note: LP coming soon.

version

زو چو سا

Wai-loon Chan Germantown, MD

| Here's a glimpse of the upcoming : MK4 cheerleading squad.

with more of the business aspects — such as licenses, contracts, coordination |

James Poirier

of the video and programming crews Tiverton, RI

pizza purchases, the list goes on. | Is that a pig on 上

However, in Japan, main power usually a poke ora || ,

rests with who the Japanese call “game director” Much like in Hollywood movies, Hideo Kojima is the “director’ of Metal Gear Solid. But Square Soft is different, and Hironobu Sakaguchi is the | “executive producer” of Final Fantasy | Vil, but could easily be called the | director. To achieve this status, would be like an appointment to the Supreme | Court. Only the very top individuals in | the world are capable of directing high-power games. If you want to | become a game programmer, and | eventually producer, your high schoo guidance counselor, or college career counselor, is a great place to start. Ask him or her to help you find addresses for information. Most companies will be very helpful. Also, as you enter college

and learn advanced programming, try | hard to land an internship at a company. These usually lead to jobs. The industry

poke on a pig? |

BpfdseblesTbadechdactasDtstobd cdi dl

Saare

needs tons of programmers, and i RS although its volatile, and many o 7 companies fail, you can usually find Adam Sprague another programming job in relatively Port Huron, MI short notice. So yes, it’s a good job with Impressive!

room for advancement.

Very impressive.

Game Informer ٥ October '98 0

vA Renton, WA cd Yeah, whatever.

The meek may inherit . the earth,

but we stron:

à

٤ # nes inc. Of and logos are trademarks of the teams indicated. The NFL shield, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl are trademarks of the ٧ Officially Licensed Product of the National Football League. Officially Licensed Product of Players Inc. Distributed by 7 Entertainment Inc. Players Inc Logo is a registered trademark of the NFL Players. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos à trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and the 3-D “N” logo are trademarks of Nintendo of Ameri

` Power-ups enable true arcade play.

Jumbo-size players.

|

SAR

سسسیا

Deadly long-range passing.

eA A ds

: Catch-me-if-you-can speed.

“EVERYONE | 78 Windows” 95 ae Playstation | Compatible PLAYERS =

The Specials are ferocious.

“Unlike a lot of people out there, | did not

ANDY

fall head over heels for Vigilante 8. While THE GAME HOMBRE

it looked nice, there was something about it that just wasn’t quite right. And after playing Rogue Trip | know what it is: It's called fun. Rogue Trip is what vehicular combat games are all about - 8.5

Concept 8.75

lots and lots of destruction. You can Ss

blow up almost everything. Plus, the Tourist is a fantastic addition. It really adds a lot to the game. Overall, the characters are hilarious and the weapons 9.25 of destruction (especially the prowler) are just awesome. While Vigilante 8 may 9.25 have better graphics, Rogue Trip is the : complete package and definitely the best

combat game since Twisted Metal 2.”

9

OVERALL

“| still know a lot of players who can't part with Twisted Metal 2, but it will go by

PAUL

the wayside when they get wind of Rogue THE GAME PROFESSER

Trip. With Twisted Metal 3 nowhere in Concept

sight, it’s hard not to think that this game 8.5

would have had the Twisted Metal name if Sony and SingleTrac wouldn't have

Graphics parted ways. Like the previous game, 9

there’s a crazy variety in vehicles and Sound

environments. | can bet that Oscar Mayer 8.75 will be a little upset with Mr. Richard Biggs. The weapons are great, but what

it all comes down to is playcontrol and 9.25

Rogue Trip rocks. The multiplayer action Entertainment

is outstanding, so much so that you may 9,25

forget about the 1-player game.” ED

OVERALL

“Rogue Trip is yet another stellar release from SingleTrac. There are several REINER

uncanny similarities to SingleTrac'S THE RAGING GAMER

previous series, Twisted Metal, but who Concept gives a flying rip?! Twisted Metal rocked 8.25

hard, and so does Rogue Trip. Explosive : combat, great single and multiplayer modes, and some seriously inventive 9

characters and vehicles await all who 一一一一一 aracter Sound

challenge. The gameplay is well balanced and is loaded with swarming enemy Al, 9.25 intuitive controls, awesome Special Weapons, and hidden moves and areas 8.75 galore. Twisted Metal 2 is still a top-rate

game, but Rogue Trip crushes it in play Entertainment

and look. The textures are no longer 9.25

washed out, and the effects are ten times as impressive. | don't care what 989 does with TM3, because this is the

one and only sequel to TM2.” OVERALL

Game Informer ٥ October 8

Graphics

Playability

Entertainment

Playability

Graphics

Playability

nits

As in TM2, hidden moves are available.

eep within 989 Studios, the third installment in the Twisted Metal franchise is slowly being forged. Across the globe, PlayStation ~ gamers have praised this vehicular combat series as the best available on any console. And when - news hit the streets that another — sequel was in the works, Game Informer readers went completely haywire. Letters and email are continually gushing in by the truckload, asking about characters, how many multipla | there might be, and exactly what ， enhancements or tweaks the gameplay could receive. The gaming nation took notice and eagerly anticipated more details, but there was nothing to be found, and 989 Studio. completely shut out the whines of the des] and needy. To this day, these gamers are ct their search for the whereabouts of Twisi but little do they know...the game they ! just hit retail shelves. So call off the dogs. You're not searct ing for i video game version of Bobby Fisher. You shoul on 1 pursuit of a Bobby Fisher clone who is wearing a mas on. À. à That's right. You may have been barking up the wrong tr ~ along. If you want the next Twisted Metal, then you should necessarily monitor the Twisted Metal series itself; but rather, the developer that created all of the pulse-pounding hysteria you crave so dearly. The new release, Trip: Vacation 2012, is created by SingleTrac, the developer responsible for Twisted Metal 1 and 2. And yes, your assump rrect. This new vehicular combat title is more or less | isted Metal 3 in disguise. a Coming to this conclusion wasn We simply played the game | tor

in

PlayStation

Cover Story |

e Size: 1 CD-ROM e Style: 1 or 2-Player Action (Up to 4-Player Via Link Cable) e Special Features: 11 Characters (Plus 5 More Hidden); 12 Tracks; Hidden Moves; Weapon Upgrades; Tourism; 3 Separate 1-Player Modes; 2-Player Cooperative ! Mode; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible à ٥ Replay Value: Moderately High ae ٥ Created by: SingleTrac for GT Interactive ٥ Available: Now for PlayStation

Bottom Line: ©

mpressive package indeed! The vehicle physics, character and track othe enemy Al, and general wackiness of

|| the other and crown itself king of the vehicular ombat genre.

Rogue Trip is one of the most explosive games on the PlayStation. lt doesn't hit you in the gut with fantastic storytelling or graphical breakthroughs, it simply puts you in a car and says, “Go blow somethin’ p. Almost everything in Rogue Trip can be completely and utterly obliterated (and we mean everything). If you’re not tailing an enemy, or 'shuttling a tourist, then go shoot a missile at the Vhite House or Washington Monument. Heck, you can ke like Monica Lewinsky and free Willy if you want to. Of course, each level holds many secrets and ‘areas that tie into the destruction. To find these ins you will need to thoroughly explore each corner and shoot a missile at almost everything. Destroy a ‘building in one of the levels and it will fall on top of a using structure, which in turn creates a hole that leads to a new sector. All ten of the levels feature some kind of secret "(or two), and all are great for multiplayer matches as well. Believe us, you haven't played this game until you've "s" @ompeted against a buddy. The experience will knock you off +... your feet.

The 1-player game in Rogue Trip is equally impressive. The‏ و computer Al is tricky as all heck, and the amount of weapons‏ and Cars to choose from is excellent. Do you want to whack a big‏ K Biggs, or launch a chicken coop at the enemy with Gator‏ or all of the characters are absolutely hysterical.‏ rsonator, aschoolbus drivin’ nun, a comic book geek,‏ ane doctor. The vehicles suit these personas‏ exclusive Special Weapons for each.‏ 16

he E of the strip won't be based on who you pick though. Well, maybe a little.

Success in this game will come in the shape of accumulated knowledge. Only if you master , = | the ins and outs of basic =y | gameplay, and memorize the additional special moves - like the awesome Shield and 2-Wheel Turn - will you truly excel. Then again, a little knowledge in the arts of Twisted Metal might help too. 8

Aap reny

umum e À‏ يق

مه É‏

wis

4

2

Everything must be blown up!!!

N Multiplayer is where the action’s at.

[13

Game He + October 98

14

BITCHN CAR

definitely looks pretty in pink. Her Special has acquired the name “The Wet Poodles” from the Gl Staff. This strange weapon blasts three pups across the plain of death. The puppies land, then chase the enemy and self destruct on impact. The Bitchn Car may not be the best vehicle in Rogue Trip, but it certainly is one of the most!

entertaining to drive. It's fast and handles quite well.

The Sidewinder

0 than a souped-up go-cart with an extraordinary country design. Yep, it even features the classic Texan trademark of bull horns on the dash. Yee-haw! The |Special is even more ridiculous. The | | Sidewinder shoots out a dynamite arrow, complete with fuse and all. The Sidewinder

may look weird, but it’s a great vehicle that's surprisingly well balanced.

DRIVER: Richard “Dick” Biggs -

kster! ls this the greatest.

character to ever grace the vehicular combat scene? We think so. Big Dick and his Meat Wagon have great versatility, but

the Special they deliver is somewhat. disappointing. It's funny as heck, but

extremely limited in range. Basically, the

wiener jumps off Dick's ride and whacks about ferociously, hitting any enemies nearby. It's not as lame as the Intruder's, |

but its close. Basically, Meat Wagon is the Sweet Tooth of Rogue Trip. x

#

Game Informer e October '98

SPECIAL WEAPON: Auto

Pon: Weenie Wha ker |

ROCK N' RULE

DRIVER: Elvis D. Kang cket >

impersonator as the pilot. It also packs a

nasty punch with its Special. If you are a

fan of the Stinger, then check out this weapon. The Glitter Rocket mimics the

Stinger perfectly and delivers the same results. Some people may say the king is | dead, but Rogue Trip proves he’s still a

rockin’ dude (and fat too).

about all it's good for. lts Special is also a big disappointment. The effect it renders is interesting, but landing the hit is the

problem. The Disrupt-O-Ray is nothing | ‘more than a missile without any kind of

guidance system. (Note: For short-range.

use only!) As the picture shows, wm

himself is just a cross-dressin’ freak with curls.

DESTROYING ANGEL

o is determined to purify the world via means of vehicular combat (and an occasional death or two). Her Special is nothing more than a halo that emits light and damage. Wonder if she's tangled with | Dick Biggs yet?

DRIVER: Sister Mary Lasgiyi SPECIAL WEAPON: و‎ fade |

BASIC TRAINING

TOURISTS = CASH

Basically, you'll need to pick up tourists if you want to stand a chance. There is one tourist per level. All of the combatants are gunning for this sole being. Heck, they’ll kill ya’ if you interfere with their pursuit. The purpose of getting to tourists first is simple: If you give them a ride, they'll pay you cab fare. Take them to one of six different Photo Ops, and they’ll reward you with even more money. The cash you earn can then be used for repairs or weapon upgrades. You cannot repair your vehicle unless you have the dough.

MORE LIVES PLEASE

To add an extra life to your stash you will ; need to finish a level with over $30,000 in ， the bank.

REPAIRS

All of the levels feature two Repair Stations. To access these drive-thru booths you will first need to clean out your piggy bank. If you have the $$$, then these booths willbe * -

available to use. They can be used as many

times as you like.

WEAPON UPGRADES 4 The Weapon Upgrade Station works f

$

just like the Repair Station. Simply highlight the weapon you want to

MACHINE GUN — This is your standard weapon. Try to use it whenever you can, even in addition to other attacks. You never know when you might actually pick off an enemy with stray fire. This weapon can also be upgraded (via a pick-up) for a limited time so it fires two shots instead of one.

SPECIAL WEAPON — Each character has an exclusive Special Weapon. These weapons cannot be picked up. They regenerate within your inventory on a timely basis. [See BIOS for descriptions of each Special Weapon.]

STINGER — This weapon is basically three energy bursts that home in on the enemy. The Weapon Enhancement version

(see Weapon Upgrades in Basic Training) is

extremely powerful and a must-have when

dealing with tons of enemies in small

quarters. It will pick the enemy apart very fast.

BLASTER — This weapon is extremely power doesn’t home at all. Use this firepower when you a for-sure kill. We used it mostly when tra opponents.

STALKER — The Stalker is the annoying weapon that you always seem to get whacked with. It’s basically a stripped-down (singular) version of the Stinger, where only one homed-shot delivers minimal damage.

SCORCH — This weapon is interesting. You don’t want to use it too often though. We found its abilities best used on a drive-by. All it is, is a simple flameburst that will start the enemy on fire and take a little damage off over a greater time period than usual.

METEOR — Just as the name implies this weapon delivers an assault from the skies that smacks the enemy with a smoldering rock. If you want to devastate an opponent, then use this. It’s also quite amusing to watch.

power up, and the Station will work its wonders. Of course, cash is once again required.

FROM THE BUTT

If an enemy won't get off your tail, then light X 2 ‘em up. By holding down the A button, N E weapons can be fired from the rear. Who i knows? A few direct hits might shake a bogey. Also, see the Secret Super Moves section for details on how to lay mines.

BONUS CARNAGE On most levels, buildings, towers, landmarks, and other cool things can be blown up. Underneath are weapons, health, and cash to help finish the level. Experiment on your own to see what happens; but remember, these hidden items are often the secret to surviving a tough

level.

Za wW THE RUBBER BURNIN’ MISSILE PACKIN > > à / ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 41 ^` Here they are gamers. The contestants enlisted to compete in this year’s vehicular deathmatch known as Rogue Trip. As always, SingleTrac - has recruited the best of the best to ensure * the competition stays as ferocious as ever. + Check out the quirky little BIOS we have i y constructed for more info on each character ad, and vehicle,

This guide reveals many of Rogue Trip’s secrets and may spoil your enjoyment of the game.

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

EJECT — Duh? When an opponent grabs a tourist, use this weapon to eject the much-wanted passenger. Surprisingly though, this weapon also delivers a little damage.

RLB — This TNT barrel is devastating, and the most powerful weapon in the game. If an enemy grabs one of these, then flee, because this little wooden death-dealer could end your game with one hit. Just wait until you see the firepower behind this badboy with the Weapon Enhancement. Another great fact about this weapon is it works off a trigger. Throw it out there, then detonate when you think it’s ready to explode. Awesome!

PROWLER — This missile is guided by you. When it fires, you take control of it and abandon your vehicle until the missile explodes. Fortunately, your vehicle is shielded until the Missile explodes. Use it wisely. The Prowler is also equipped with a

lf-destruct and homing option. Hitting the L2 again initiates both of these commands. d

# J

SUPER SECRET MOVES

the 1-player game, then you've probably been hit by a few of y are secret and require “fighting game motions” move, hold down the A button and input the

Mine - Left, Right, Down

Cash Suck - Left, Right, Up

Stun — Right, Left, Up

Reverse Stun - Right, Left, Down Shield - Up, Right, Down, Left Ride On Two Wheels (Left) - Up, Down, Left

Ride On Two Wheels (Right) - Up, Down, Right Turbo - (Doesn't Require A) Double Tap % and hold Jump - (Doesn't Require A) L1 + R1

| és up in Mo i - major a H ¡wears the fashionable superhero tight and drives around in a vehicle similar t Batman’s very first big-screen vehicle. Th Intruder has decent armor and speed, b its special weapon is weak. When you us

two with this attack, you will

blades dig in.

| SPECIAL WEAPON: Chicken Lickin’ | SPEED: 7 |HANOLING: 9

'wraslin' gators. ( the swamp eae to tickle your exhau pipe for a while by sending alittle Chi Lickin’ your way. This Special is extremely | wacky; but more important, incredibly frustrating for the opponent it threatens. The Chicken Lickin’ stuns the enemy, then | takes off a little damage. Gator Bait is

one of our favorites for more

than one reason.

Its a fun ride to

PYRO

DRIVER: Necrobot SPECIE WEAPON: Vapor Cloud

PlayStation

Cover Story

BIOHAZARD DRIVER: Agent Orange

human or machine, and his Special does | some crazy stuff. Basically, the Vapor | Cloud works just like a flamethrower, but doesn't spit out fire. Rather, the enemy Struck with a stream of multicolore chemicals that boil any metals. Like w Said, you don't want to get in this

guy's way. But he is a fun , character to play as. „d

Slow, but armored to the hilt.

indestructible shell, Biohazard shoots 0 six rockets that swirl and a through the air. These En rockets do not

have any o.

kind of

targeting

Capabilities, but if

you get behind enemies, they d

le shed r pray your aim is a i ee

this attack, two blades emerge from the | hull of the Intruder and furiously spin. The vehicle itself bounces up and down making control a serious pain. Plus, to land a hit or

doesn't Dick Ozone features a gre | Special that has full 360° capabilities doesn't matter where the opponent is. nearby, the Shock Treatment will latch o and take off a good hunk of damag Schiz O' Manic may just be

١ another Dr. Giggles rip-

E off, but his car is

need to be right next to ا؛آ‎ the enemy so the

GATOR BAIT

DRIVER: Daisy June McCoy

BLACK HELICOPTER (HIDDEN)

(DRIVER: Agent XQJ-37 7. SPECIAL WEAPON; Prowler SPEED: 10 -

(the other hidden character). The Black! Helicopter doesn't have an exclusive |

- move. It simply regurgitates the Prowler — which happens to be a |

great weapon in itself.

Game Informer * October '98

16

A ‘dy guide is now in your hands. Read, ;

| Welcome to XLAX, the busiest and | | smelliest airport in the world. Planes | launch and land by the second, and utility | | trucks motor from runway to runway on a | | constant basis. The great thing is, all of | | this stuff is destructible, even the entire | | airport. If you think a terrorist may be ! | inhabiting a flight, then by all means, | blow the heck out of the plane. For this | | shameless act, you'll get a bundle of | cash. You can also destroy the utility ， | trucks for nothin’ other than kicks. As for | | the airport itself, shoot down the jetways | } (fun tunnels) on the terminal to reveal a | | path leading up to the snack area. Here ! | you will find weapons, cash, and some | | windows to bust up. The jetways on the ， | far left of the terminal will lead to the roof. | | A2X Machine Gun awaits. The enemies | | on this level are very passive, but easily | | aggravated when provoked. If you're | | going to take them down, then make sure ! | you have plenty of weapons and armor. | | Also, dont forget to snag the tourist and | "hit all the photo shoots. For you | convenience, there are also two Repai

Stations on both sides of the airport. Th

| going doesn't get much easier than | folks.

Game Informer *-OGtaber PQ

| the Repair Stations, then use the jump

ove (L1 + R1) to hop up onto the uildings. At the top of this level, blast the ate, then use the turbo again to reach he rooftop of the building. Otherwise, ave fun and kill ‘em all. This stage eatures easy-to-reach weapons and ash planted in almost every corner. A

_ cakewalk to say the least.

Ait dm‏ فا MER‏

| This level is fun. First off, declare . | independence from America and blast | the Washington Monument. Watch it , blow up, then head for the water. Here | you will find the Prowler Missiles. Finding the next trick was dumb luck on our part. | How we managed to pull it off is still a | mystery. Okay, drive over to the White | House and shoot the newly acquired | | Prowler Missile. Angle your shot up and ! | into the girl's buttocks. Doing this will | remove some clothing. Repeat this

rocess, and the fireworks will fly. Next, last the head off Abe at the Lincoln

| because the enemies on this stage are |

ruthless killers.

Feeling cramped? Yep, this level is tiny | and hard to maneuver in. For some | awesome firepower, blast the windows |

and doors on all the buildings that you

see. Also, on the far ends of the area, go | behind the Alien Inn and the strange solar |

spacecraft to reveal more weapons Blowing the heck out of the Alien Inn and

any unidentified flying objects will land | you some serious jing. Lastly, head for | the weird blue thing in the center of the |

stage. Use the buildings as ramps to get

on top of it, then use the teleporter to

warp to the moon. The driving physics on this nearly weightless area are all out of

whack, so be careful. If you're gunning |

for all of the Photo Ops, then you'll have

to come into this area. Jump up on the |

teleporter to leave this area. Once you k

all of the enemies, or after a certain amount of time expires, a mini-boss will appear. Stay out of his way and blast him from the distance. One hit from that roller

of his will send your lifebar tumbling down |

to one hitpoint. Be careful! And good luck!

Save your game before continuing on to this bonus stage. The goal here is to

collect as much cash as possible within | | the time limit. The total amount that can be | ı gathered is $22,000. To achieve this you | will need to be quick, extremely quick, in ! destroying everything. Most of the targets | need to be shot up. Use the Jump for the |

Ferris wheel and spinning cups and trains. As for the carousel, simply drive on the „ride and smash all the little horses.

| Destroying everything is very difficult, but it | can be done (trust us). Don't be afraid to

continue on even if you don't blow it all up.

From the get-go you'll be dropped on | either the main drag (with all of the ' casinos), or in the rubble pit below. The |

| place you want to be is on the strip. There | are tons of weapons up here and several | key objects to destroy. The pit doesn't

eature too much, except for a few weapons and a Weapon Upgrade

| Station. But the pit is great for combat. |

Both levels of this area are vast and |

| precious cash on it. If the slot machine | | posts all bombs, then the machine will tilt |

and be rendered unusable.

vehicle is cake. Take it down to the pit | and blast away. After half its health is lost, | this combatant transforms into a more | aggressive form — so be careful. Lastly, try to keep it away from the Repair | Stations. It has enough cash to fix most of its damages once. -

There are seven enemies on this level,

but things never get hectic. This level is huge. Everywhere you look there is a hill, | and vast green fields. At one end of this area is a cavern holding a Weapon

| E Sach sae reveals some useful

weapons and power-ups (like Prowlers | _ and Machine Gun upgrades). The Repair | Stations are a good haul away from the |

_ Photo Ops. So make sure you're ready

| for some serious battles before you stray *

| too deep into the war zone. You can also total the helicopters carrying supplies.

| This level is great for so many reasons. | For starters, most of the level can be destroyed. The tall factory in the center of |

the stage is completely destructible and

"even the killer whale tank is ready to @

blow. Shoot the sign in the middle of this -watery home and you'll unlock a Machine : Gun upgrade. Jump into the tank to grab _this piece, but move quickly, because the

_killer whale doesn't want you in its home, : EN and will knock you out with its tail. But if A the whale is kind and lets you get your

siness done, you can blast him into th

ocean by throwing an RLB in the tank. MM

u'll find the RLB in his tank just below BR the À Machine Gun Upgrade. Next, look out to the ocean and shoot the planes |

holding advertisements to receive a quick two grand. If you need repairs, look to the beach and left-hand pier for | Stations. As for weapons, the golf course and waves within the ocean itself are the keepers of the latest and greatest fi ower n this level. The best ——

we can give for beating up on the opposition is keeping yourself in the | | clear. This stage has many tight corners | and areas. Stay out of these and give . yourself some room to maneuver.

| LEVEL 9 — HEL O-STONE

| Whatever you do, don’t jump off the

bridges. Yes, this sounds like a stupid mistake that would never happen, but in this game, it does happen. And the result is instant death. Try to keep the battles

_ technique works quite well against “the enemies. Simply hit the turbo, - fire off a few shots, then circle “around for another run. Be -warned though, the baddies are | extremely deadly on this stage.

away for these sections. Above the MH |

bridges, though, a Blaster and Prowler

| await. Grab these if you dare. The best

“area for combat is down on the plateau

| holding a Repair Station and resort. The only downfall to this scenario is that the !

| enemies can dodge out of combat and '

| repair themselves. You know how much |

_ the CPU loves to use the Shield with one

| hitpoint left. Even with this one flaw, its |

| the best spot to wage war. For cash

shoot the hot-air balloons and resort. In

the General Store to unearth a Machine

“Gun upgrade, and zap Mt. Rushmore

and anything else you can for some

_ additional dough. And for fun, the far side

of this stage contains a bridge that is out.

| You can turbo and jump across it. Ye hah! * | This jump makes you want to scream like

he good ol’ Duke boys!

LEVEL 10 — QUAKE-A-RONI À

First, blow up the huge skyscraper at the | { top of this level. Doing this will cause the

top portion of the scraper to fall on top of another

many power-ups are here, but something

“can be done. If you look out the only £ window you'll see Alcatraz. Now, shoot he watchtower in the center of this new | section. The tower will take off and

on its launch pad. The rest of this leve

basically consists of downhill melee and © | not much more. At the very base of this | level jump on the crumpled building and ı shoot the crane to get the Machine Gun upgrade. On the paths within the |

buildings, and hidden within the parked

cars, are most of the weapons. | Otherwise, the good ol’ hit and run

building. This awesome § spectacle also unlocks a secret area P within the building that got crushed). Not $

_ This bonus level is more like a normal || level than anything else. The differences

eing: you don't need to finish it, and you

| don't lose a life if you die. The goal is the

same as in Funtopia: Blow up all of the

the area containing Mt. Rushmore, blast f cars and buildings and you could very

well earn $20,000. There are eight enemies to kill, with plenty of firepower available to get the job done. If you have a keen eye, then you'll notice there are a

| few platforms hovering way out in the | background. Yes, you can get to these by perfectly timing turbos and jumps. Good luck! You're not required to hit these

platforms, but we highly recommend it.

| There are some good weapons and cash Î pick-ups out on these three areas. We @ also found that grabbing the Prowler (by $

| Is this great or what?! All of the. | skyscrapers can be destroyed and. | knocked down. KABLAMI!! What a . spectacle! Some of these structures : _ require multiple hits to achieve complete

| destruction. Try not to use all of your | weapons on them. Each scraper holds

some kind of weapon or pick-up beneath it. But hear our cry. Only go after these

power-ups if you find peace and quiet, allowing time to hack away on the

structure with your Machine Gun.

| Otherwise, there are plenty of other |

| Gator Bait = | Ozone =

Cover Story

| just victory. Have fun! |

BOSS 2 — BIG DADDY HISSELF |

| Here it is! The grand finale! As with the ， last boss, this one appears on the last | _ level, so you know where the power-ups | | and weapons are. But don't think you can |

outrun this goon. He's fast, and fully | loaded with tons of weapons including the dreaded Meteor. The best technique we found is the hit and run. If you do get away from him for a few seconds, launch | a Prowler or two at him. In total, this guy will transform into three different forms. The changes in appearance come when his hitpoint meter changes colors (green, !

| yellow, red). All three forms feature the |

same attacks, but Big Daddy can only fly | in green and yellow. The last | transformation is the easiest to take | down. Just stay out of his way and blast

î him!!! Defeat the fat pig, then watch the | | ending and get your code!!!

Beating the game with each character delivers a different valuable code. There | are two hidden vehicles (Black Helicopter and UFO) and three different bosses to be unlocked for play. There are also several other codes to enhance the gaming experience. Here’s who gives | what. Bitchn’ Car = Boss 1

Rock N’ Rule = Boss 2 Intruder = Boss Battle 1

| Sidewinder = UFO | destroying the water tower), then $

heading out to the platforms, is a safe | way to deal some serious damage to § | the enemy.

Biohazard = Helicopter Vermin = Gulch Bonus Level

| Meat Wagon = Funtopia Bonus Level

Destroying Angel = Double Pick-Ups Pyro = Infinite Turbo

Infinite Jump

Increased Health

Deciding who deserves the spotlight at Naughty Dog was a tough choice indeed. All of the Naughty Dog staff are craftsmen in their own right, and all play a major role in the development of Naughty Dog games. But we have to choose someone as the leader of the virtual outback community (and even more importantly as the focus of this article), so we go to the top of the list and bang on the door of Naughty Dog's president, Jason Rubin. Yes, Rubin (the Jason is silent) may be the big cheese, the prime mover, and the man with the fastest car at the Dog pound, but unlike most men in power, this guy deserves all that has come to him. He also knows Crash better than anyone. And yes, being close to a video game character does sound silly, but over the last four years, Rubin has animated every move, death, and twitch Crash has per- formed. Saying Rubin has, so to speak, walked in Crash's footsteps wouldn't be too far from the truth.

The road to fame couldn't have been any bumpier for Rubin, but he made it to the top, where it appears he will stand for years to come. Crash Bandicoot is probably the strangest angel to ever

O Game Informer * October '98

long time ago, in an industry far, far away, developer Rareware achieved one of the most sought-after goals in the video game industry. For three consecutive years, this impressive development house released a brand spanking new Donkey Kong Country title just in time for the holidays. The kids cheered and Rareware swam through its money just like that pesky duck Uncle Scrooge. Since then, nobody has repeated this process, not even Capcom. But this year, two developers will hit the milestone. Both Core Design with Tomb Raider, and Naughty Dog with the infamous Crash Bandicoot, will hit the year-in and year-out trilogy status. Lara's adventure is guaranteed to be a blockbuster - since sex is one of its primary selling factors - but Crash has a tougher task at hand: His game has to play well, and it has to be better than the first two, Crash 3 won't sell based on the size of its wumpa fruit or coconuts. This sale will be all about gameplay and nothing more, To make this article come to life in Pulitzer Prize winning form, we were given enough funding to take a Greyhound over to Naughty Dog's office to talk about, and even play, the new Crash game. So sit back, throw on those ugly reading glasses, and let us entertain you for a brief moment as we investigate the whereabouts and whatabouts of Naughty Dog's hot new product, Crash Bandicoot: Warped.

From Rags to Riche

touch anyone, but he freed Rubin from the shackles of defeat. Long ago, Jason (who wasn't known as Rubin quite yet) teamed up with his best friend Andrew Gavin to create games. Both lads were in high school at the time, experi- menting with every gaming drug from LISP to C++. But even under the heavy hand of high school, they still managed to press on into the game develop- ment industry and create Jam Software in 1986 - a two-man corporation with dreams to take over the video game world.

At the time, the Apple ]| was the faster pussycat of the industry. This machine purred with power and Jason and Andy jumped at the chance to make software for it. The first game out of Jam’s mouth was a skiing title. Jason slaved on this project and put everything he had into it, but unknowingly, Andy acci- dentally copied some bootleg games over the only copy they had of the title. Jason may have been knocked down, and a tad angry at his partner, but he wasn't out for the count. He got right back up and created a new skiing game called Ski Crazed (originally titled Ski Stud) within a weekend. It was really slow though, so Andy, the programming nut, tightened a few bolts and it played better. In fact, it played well enough to be picked up and published. Baudville bought this game from Jam Software for exactly $250.00.

Knowing there was cash buried within this indus- try, Jason and Andy began digging again with a new Apple ][GS title called Dream Zone. This graphic adventure was released in 1988 and was the strangest game these two individuals ever made. But Baudville wasn't afraid of it, and even ported it to the Atari ST, Amiga, and PC. After this release, Jam Software squeaked out another title in 1989. The game was called Keef The Thief, and to every- one’s surprise, Electronic Arts published this title for the Apple ][GS, Amiga, and PC. To have EA publish a game was the dream of every developer in the

industry. For Jam Software, this progression was like going from tee ball to the Major Leagues. So to start off fresh (and dissolve the relationship between them and Baudville), Jason and Andy renamed Jam Software as Naughty Dog. If Keef did well, Naughty Dog would probably have a great future. But to much dismay, Keef was a sleeper on retail shelves.

At this point, we come to a time most gamers are familiar with — the early nineties. Naughty Dog creates its second title, a classic in its own right, Rings of Power. Years of hard work went into this massive strate- gy game, and the ever-consuming Electronic Arts bought into Jason and Andy’s work for the second time, publishing the game for the Sega Genesis in 1991. This time, though, their product actually made an impact on retail shelves, and surprisingly, is still talked about today for its secret title screen sequence that featured a topless woman, and its ability to seemingly never end.

Rings of Power gave occasion for these two lads to rejoice, but the good times soon turned sour. As with most small developers, Naughty Dog was broke, and to make things worse, both of these guys were in college. So the cash flow was being sucked out of every orifice of Naughty Dog, yet somehow, the company managed to stay afloat, creating a new title. In 1993, Naughty Dog caught the Mortal Kombat bug and began to develop a 3DO title which we all know so well, entitled Way of the Warrior. Seriously, Naughty Dog was bankrupt and barely had enough cash to finish it. For the game’s combatants, friends of the company were enlisted. Did their friends have any martial arts training? Not exactly. Naughty Dog couldn't even afford a blue screen, or any kind of motion-capture backdrop, so a yellow sheet was glued to a wall in the Dogs' apartment. But as bad luck would have it, the apartment was too small. To film the moves in

couldn't afford costumes for

the game, Jason had to open the front door and shoot from the apartment hallway. The neighbors thought the boys were shooting kinky adult flicks.

Even worse, Naughty Dog

the combatants, so pillow cases and sheets, various items within the apartment, McDonald's happy meals, and inexpensive knick knacks were used to create the costumes. To round out the experience, Jason joined in and participated as two of the char- acters in the game. Most fighting games, especial- ly those using motion-capture, require a fairly large team. Jason and Andy did it all by themselves once again. But the game was made, and like before, Naughty Dog lucked out and found a good pub- lisher, which in this case, happened to be Universal Interactive Studios.

Pleased with Way of the Warrior, Universal Interactive Studios signed on Naughty Dog for three additional games. Apparently, Jason and Andy had impressed somebody, and that some- body was Mark Cerny - game design guru of Universal. Now they had the funds and publisher to back them, but what game was next for the Dogs?

Enduring a cross-country trip by car, Andy and Jason devised a plan to create a 3D action/plat- form game. But they came across one problem: the player would be forced to constantly look at the character's rear. Instantly, the game was jokingly codenamed “Sonic's Ass Game.” Andy and Jason knew this game was going to be “da bomb,” but they had no idea things would explode like they did. In 1994, Naughty Dog began development of its 3D endeavor. Unlike previous games, this one couldn't be finished by just two people. A whole network of artists and programmers was needed, so Naughty Dog began to expand. The first person hired on was one of Andy's buddies from MIT - Dave Baggett, a programming wonder with a brain the size of a basketball. Together, he and Andy cre- ated the development tool for “Sonic's Ass Game” known as GOOL, or Game Oriented Object LISP. Basically, its what the Dogs used to create the characters and gameplay for their platformer. Fearing a geek takeover, Jason immediately hired two artists, Bob Rafei and Taylor Kurosaki. At this point, there was a lot of excitement in the air, but the game was still missing a lead character. So famed cartoonists, Joe Pearson and Charles Zembillas, were enlisted to create the characters, and after a few weeks of knocking heads with Naughty Dog's original ideas and concepts, the character known as Crash Bandicoot was born. Development of the game immediately went into overdrive.

Within weeks, a slew of new employees was hired, ranging from computer wizard Justin Monast to artist Charlotte Francis. For 14 months it's busi- ness as usual at Naughty Dog, until the game is shown to Sony behind closed doors. A few negoti- ations later, Sony signs on to publish the game. There is much rejoicing! A month later the public sees it for the first time at E3 and the rest is history. Naughty Dog had matured into a full-fledged development

house, Jason changed to Rubin, and Andy was lost for- ever in the psychedelic world of GOOL.

Crash sales went through the roof, so the next game in the contract was a no-brainer for Naughty Dog. Crash 2 was born. To ensure success again, Andy perfected a new GOOL 2 engine that was three times as fast, that could han- dle 10 times the animation frames, and twice the polygon count. This sequel was going to rock, and a year later gamers found it was one mean piece of software. Crash 2was completed and even more of the world played. Today, the Crash series has sold more than 6 million units worldwide (2.8 million in the U.S.) and counting, yet Naughty Dog is faced with the tough choice of what to do next. Yes, it has established itself as a powerful developer and could very well achieve the same success with any other product it creates, but Crash is a sure hit, and Naughty Dog still has one game left under contract with Universal.

In January of this year, Naughty Dog began creating Crash 3. But what exactly can Naughty Dog do differently this time? Crash 2 was greatly improved over the original offering, but what else can they do to keep us hooked. We've already retreated from rolling boulders, collected thousands of boxes, and tan- gled with a wart hog. What is the next step in the evolution of Crash? Rubin is more than willing to tell us.

Game Informer is infamous for stirring up trouble at development houses (it just happens), but Naughty Dog was ready and awaiting our arrival. The only game in visible sight was Crash Bandicoot 3. The other project, which happens to be the first time in Dog history that two games are being devel- oped simultaneously, was nowhere to be seen. The morale of the team was extremely high, making us believe that Rubin either just awarded raises that morning, or handed out mandatory sugar sticks just before we rolled in the door. Upon meeting a couple of the new Dog additions like Dan Arey and Evan Wells (who both happen to have worked on Gex: Enter the Gecko), Rubin whisked us away to the confer- ence room for Crash 101. Here, he offered us a soda and jumped right into presenting the game. Before we could ask what we'd see, or even ask a few simple questions, Rubin got to the point - and quick. He said, “With Crash 2 we thought we made the ulti- mate Crash game, and then the question after that was, what do we do for another sequel? Additionally, what can we do in 10 1/2 months? And the answer could have certainly been, just go back and make more levels of the

same type, but we decided not to do that, and instead traded sleep for a better title.”

„Rubin continued, “So Greg, Stephen, and Andy (the three programmers) began work on new engines. And you'll see in this game that there are three completely new gameplay engines. They are kind of mini- engines that dont play like the regu- lar Crash levels that you are used to. They make up about a third of the game, and they do fit however, into the bigger Crash world. We're not making a Die Hard Trilogy here. We're not making a game where you're kind of going off and doing something else that is completely and utterly unrelated. There's always a Crystal on every level. There are always box completion Gems on every level. And there’s always a pro- gression through the levels, regardless of what type of level it is, in the same way as the previous Crash games. So these levels do fit into the overall gameplay of the world. But in terms of standard Crash style of levels, they are no longer that style.”

And he went on, “However, we have returned with two-thirds of the game that is the classic levels. And the reason that we've done this is because Crash 1 and Crash 2 are the number two and num- ber three best-selling character-based platform games on the next generation systems [Mario 64 is #1]. So, were we to abandon that style of gameplay, that would mean that we would be abandoning a significant proportion of the gamers out there. There was certainly ample opportunity to replace the Crash style of gameplay. [Gamers] could have immediately jumped on Gex: Enter the Gecko. They didn’t. They could have eaten Croc. They didn't. There are plenty of games out there that they could have jumped on the bandwagon with. They didn't.”

So the gaming nation didn’t bite on the complete 3D in Gex and Croc. So why exactly is Naughty Dog trying to change the Crash experience by adding the 3D element? Of the three new engines, two are completely three-dimensional. The other engine pits Crash on a kickin’ red motorcycle against a testos- terone-laden gang of roadsters. Basically, its a dri- ving simulator. The new 3D engines, however, take Crash to the air and out to sea. Well, Naughty Dog’s 10 1/2 months are over and it’s time to play the game. It's time to see Crash 3 in action.

Finally...The Game!!!

Now you know about some of the technology that went into making Crash 3, and just what kind of sequel it is. But making new engines is a risky busi- ness, especially with a deadline as short as 10 months. So below you will find the answers to exactly what's new, what's not, and how all the new stuff plays. Read on, enjoy, and in Game Informer fashion, expect to be surprised!

When we first started playing Crash 3, we thought Rubin was just blowing smoke, and this sequel wasn't all that was promised. At the very

Game Informer + October '98

beginning, you are dropped into a circular warp room (just like in the last game). But this time, the warp room is restrained to just one level. You won't need to use an elevator in the center of the room to get to the other levels. The warp room contains five different exits (basi- cally five worlds), and only one is accessible from the start. The others are blocked by electrical fields. So we walked to the only available exit and crossed over a tiny bridge leading to a smaller room. In this room a large reflective sphere (just like the one in Michael Crichton's book Sphere) greets you. In front of the sphere are five buttons labeled 1-5. When you step on a button, a level name is pre-

sented at the top of the screen with the necessary stats of what you need to col- lect (which in this case was two White Gems, a Crystal, and a Relic). So we jumped up into the Sphere and warped to the level.

The theme of this first stage was medieval times. Way off in the distance, Rubin's technical speak of LOD [see Crash 101] can be seen in a castle. It looks great and surprisingly isn't flickering or popping in and out at all. The enemies range from simple goats (like the one in Quantum & Woody) to untouchable invincible chickens, to sword-wielding knights. This level is much more difficult than the first one in Crash 2, but it is still a cake walk for the seasoned Crash veteran. When we first started to run with the orange platform star, we noticed one thing. The animation and moves are identical to those in Crash 2. This wasn't a bad thing necessarily, but it made us think this game was more of an update than anything else. But we pressed on with an open mind (slightly jaded though), grabbed the Crystal, then the White Gem for box completion, and exited through the level exit warp hole.

After leaving the level, Rubin forced us to play it again. We agreed (but were slightly confused). What? Are we supposed to do backflips for ya sandwich boy? But, back to the level we went, and upon arrival, we noticed something quite different. At the very beginning of the stage, a stopwatch was sitting idle in front of Crash. As the curious beavers we are, we ran up and hit the watch. At that moment, we jumped back, and a timer began to tick at the bottom of the screen tallying how much time we'd spent on the level. Rubin barked out a command to get our butt moving! We did. So we raced to the end of the level as quickly as we could, fearing that Rubin would whip us if we sat back and got a breather. At the end nothing happened though. We jumped through the warp hole and exited. Lame! Was Rubin technically insane? Would we have to do the level again? So many thoughts

passed through our minds, but soon the answer appeared.

Immediately after returning to the warp room, we noticed that we just received a Silver Relic (like the one listed in the stat screen). Plus, there was a newly added item on the stat screen. To the right side of the screen three different times were listed, each with a different Relic ranking and time. Rubin explained that we just completed a Relic Time Trial Race, and that to unlock this mode you must first grab the Crystal on the level. We had received the Silver Relic for beating the easy time, but to grab the Gold we would need a faster time. And to nab the Platinum Relic we would need to beat a time set by Sony’s testers or Naughty Dog. Can you say replay value? Because if you want to unlock extra secrets and possibly different endings you will need to get every one of the different Relics.

Amazed by this new addition to Crash we pressed forward through a few more levels, then came face-to-face with the infamous jet ski level we've heard so much about. Of course, being the cool cats that we are, we thought “nah, this thing won't be as fabulous as everyone says.” We were wrong.

Right now, we are still debating whether these levels look better than they play, or play better than they look. Either way though, these levels show off some of the finest work to grace the PlayStation [see Crash 101]. The waves move realistically and even have realistic lighting highlights that swim by as each wave breaks. And the movement of the jet ski is amazing as well. It bobs in and out of the water and even produces an animated wake in its path. Amazing! The gameplay on these levels is just like the original Crash levels...except 3D. This aspect really surprised us. And we mean, it really surprised us.

The goal of this level is one in the same, collect the boxes, grab the Crystal and Gems, then com- pete in the Time Trial to get the Relics. The great thing is, the ski has a ton of moves under its belt. It can flip forward and back, spin to the left or right, and even dive below the surface. Sometimes there are free lives laying on the ocean floor. To get them you will need to hit a ramp and dive below the water. Does this water look as nice as as the water

- in Nintendo's classic Wave Race 64? Not quite,

but it’s an impressive breakthrough for the PlayStation.

We could have played this level for hours, but Rubin quickly pulled us away and made us com- plete the last two levels in the warp room. As with the last game, completing this task brought about a boss. The sinister, nasty, crude, and rude boss we faced was none other than Tiny the ferocious kitty. This time around though, Tiny has given up the platform jumping that he did so well in Crash 2 and has gone completely Romanesque. Naughty Dog even dressed him in Roman gladiator garb. And the setting was that of a Roman coliseum, complete with an animated crowd and Julius Cortex. Tiny was easy to beat again (the poor guy just sucks). We simply dodged his bouncing assault, avoided the lions he sent after us, then whacked him when he was ready for a whacking. After this, something surpris- ing happened yet again. For

beating Tiny we received a new move - the Super Belly Flop. Wow!

Rubin explained that for beating each boss, a new move will be awarded to the player. Even after beating the last boss (which happens to be Crash and Aku Aku versus Cortex and Aku Aku's evil brother Uka Uka) a new move is granted. First, you start with the Super Belly Flop, then you acquire

the Double Jump, Death Tornado Spin, the awe- some Laser-Guided Bazooka (which you use to kill „the chickens), and lastly Running. As you might have guessed, the Run move will help you score better in the Time Trials.

_ At this point, we were really excited about Crash 3. But we still hadn't seen everything quite yet. To keep our enthusiasm high, Rubin showed us the WW | fighter plane stages. Simply put, Crash looks like a big dork in the big plane, but we played along and kept on smiling. The planes themselves (one for Crash and a different one for Coco) are extremely large in size and quite noisy. In this stage

_ you only have three key moves: (1) quick roll, to evade enemy fire, (2) brake, to well...slow down, and (3) shoot bullets to kill and maim enemy fight- er craft. Two of the plane stages require that tar- gets be taken down (one as Crash and the other as Coco). The other stage is like PilotWings where you will have to fly through rings in a certain amount of time.

Lastly, we moved on to the motorcycle stage. Again, we expected the world, but were greeted by a bandicoot looking like a fool on top of a fantastic piece of machinery. This time, we tried to keep a straight face, but the Bandicoot just looked too wacky to not to laugh at. How can you not giggle at a marsupial wearing a custom leather jacket with a big “C” on the back of it? Anyway, these stages move fairly slow, but are loaded with great chal- lenges and exciting turns and obstacles to avoid. The goal is to beat a series of opponents, who hap- pen to all be riding in cars. The control is slick and the animation is great. Perhaps the best part of the stage, though, is the inclusion of the Dual Shock. The Dual Shock delivers a constant rumbling sen- sation that leaves your hands numb after playing. Naughty Dog even added in pitfalls, jumps, and tur- bos to make this sensation even more spectacular. You gotta love it! Crash is back on the hog, boys and girls!

We could talk your ear off, which we think we've done already, but there's so much more to Crash 3 and Naughty Dog that we haven't mentioned or gotten to yet. A few good examples are: What about Coco and the tiger? And how much exactly does Gavin's brain weigh? Dont fear though, we'll

be back in the next month or two with some of these answers and much much more. Perhaps a

review? Otherwise, stay tuned and expect Crash 3 to hit retail shelves on November 3 — no later,

101 | à

The Naughty Dog guys love technology, and when we asked Rubin the simple question of, what have you done to improve this or that? he flew off the coop, rolled his eyes back, and spit a wad of technical jargon. Here’s what that wad contained.

“The Nintendo 64 has a z-buffer. When everybody found out about it, everyone said that the PlayStation would never be able to do a z-buffer. Well, in Crash 2 we proved them wrong by making a flat plane z-buffer. But we didn’t want to stop there and we wanted to top that in Crash 3 and make an arbitrary plane z-buffer. We succeeded. A z-buffer is one of the standard methods that graphic engines use to decide depth when drawing a 3D scene. In the Nintendo 64, as well as many of the PC graphics cards, z-buffering is done automatically in hardware. On the PlayStation, because it came out before these systems, there is no hard- ware support for the z-buffer.

“Therefore, if you draw a character like Mario on the N64, and he is stand- ing in a pool of water, his upper body will be drawn above the water, and his : feet will be drawn-below. There will be a clean split of his legs, Where the water surface 5601/066 5 happens automatically on a’ pixel by pixel basis. That means that'each time the N64 draws a pixel of Mario (or the background), it asks. itself if that pixel is in front of, or behind every other pixel it has drawn at that point on the screen. If it is in front of the other pixels drawn, at that location, it draws. If it.is behind, it does not. No matter whether Mario or the. background is" drawn first, everything gets sorted out by the hardware. Transparency complicates matters, but let's ignore that.

“On the PlayStation, the best the hardware can do is draw a full polygon. It never checks 1٥35٥ whether or not it should draw individual pixels. Because of that, the scenes in all PlayStation games are:drawn from the back forward. The farthest distance is drawn first, and then everything else is drawn a polygon at a time towards the front. There are standard sorting methods for the polygons, but once the decision to draw a polygon is made, the polygon will wipe out anything it is drawn on top of, regardless of whether or not it is closer to the camera or not. So if Crash is drawn on the PlayStation with water subdividing him, the best the unassisted PlayStation can do is to decide which polygons are ‘mostly below the surface’ and which polygons are ‘mostly above the surface.’ The resulting split is a jagged edge, not a smooth subdivision.

“Crash 1 had this method of unassisted subdivision. When Crash jumped in the river, he moved quickly through the surface, so the jagged subdivision was not too obvious. But we couldn't let him walk through water, or stay split by the surface for a long time. Then the limits of the PlayStation would be obvious.

“In Crash 2, we improved upon this by allowing Pixel Perfect subdivision by a FLAT PLANE. It is important to realize that any water surface, or the mud in the jungle, had to be a flat plane, and had to be exactly flat on the Y axis. In short, there could be no waves, and the subdividing plane could not be at a weird angle. This worked fine for still water. Also, the effect only worked on the foreground (objects) and not on the background. Mainly, we only used it on Crash, an enemy or two, and a few boxes at the same time.

“In Crash 3, to make the jet ski and the Egyptian flooded level work, we had to work much harder. The jet ski level demands a true z-buffer, both on the foreground and background ele- ments. The waves can subdivide Coco in any direction, and the back- ground elements like the ramps, islands, and the buoys have to work too. To make matters worse, ALL of the boxes, and multiple enemies had to work at the same time as Crash and the background, meaning that it wasn’t only a neat effect, but an actual, fully operational z-buffer that could operate as well as a hardware z-buffer, and still allow the game to work at 30 frames per second. It was a bitch.

“In terms of Level of Detail (we call it LOD, you Gl guys call it: ‘that five levels of detail crap you use for hiding pop’), Naughty Dog has worked hard to create a level of detail swapping methodology that is invisible to the player.-A tree might be 20 polygons in the distance, 40 as it gets closer, and 300 by the time it is next to you. We sometimes use five levels, sometimes more. The point is not that we discovered the technique, just that we have struggled to use it more transparently than other games.”

We tried to understand all of Rubin’s insightful banter, but with our short gaming attention spans, we were for the most part lost, and only asked one question in response. “So is that why Crash is orange?” Rubin frowned and shook his head.

(Standing) From Left to

Right: Andy Gavin, Eric

Iwasaki, Mark Cerny,

Dave Baggett (no longer

D | à “Dog"), Joe Labbe,

E Malcolm Hee, Danny

Chan; Justin Monast,

Stephen White, Evan

. Wells (Kneeling or

Sitting) Erick

Pangilinan, Jason

| Rubin, Rob Titus, "Morgan (Dog)

Not Pictured: Greg Omi, Charlotte Francis, Dan Aery, Bob-Rafei

sie 7 ۳ 3 HATS HOT + TECH TALK + MUTATION NASHUN + COMIC WATCH + TOP TEN + TRIVIA +

@ WCW vs. NWO: World Tour - N64 O Gran Turismo - PS-X

@ Tekken Ill PS-X

@ WWF War Zone - N64

@ Shining Force III- SS © Tenchu - PS-X © Final Fantasy VII - PS-X ‘@ Hot Shots Golf - PS-X @ Banjo-Kazooie - N64 ® NFL Blitz - N64 O WWF War Zone - N64 © Spyro the Dragon - PS-X ® Madden NFL 99 - PS-X @ Rogue Trip - PS-X

€ Women like men with excellent hand/eye coordination.

2) There are more women in video games than in our personal lives.

D Its our job.

Game Informer Magazine |

O Game Informer ٥ October '98

||

| | |

@ With a little more work, we're hoping to make the pro tour.

@ At5a.m., the bar is closed.

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This artwork appeared in Nintendo Co., Ltd's 1998 annual | report and reveals a new character in Nintendo's Zelda | | universe. This masked character is known only as Sheik. His overall role in this adventure is still a mystery, but we do | know that he aids Link at some point in time. We've seen | actual gameplay footage where the two characters meet on a | tiny wooden bridge and play music together. Link plays an | ocarina shell, and Sheik uses a harp. From what we saw, | Sheik actually taught Link a new tune to play. lt was a beautiful sight to say the least, but does Sheik play a HI bigger role? The picture to the left certainly says so, and rumors out of Nintendo hint at the possibility of Sheik AY being playable, or some kind of new hero who helps Link for a majority of the quest. | Stay tuned as we unveil more details concerning The |

Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, coming to N64 on | November 23.

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News has leaked from Japan that Namco will release a new Ridge Racer game for PlayStation. Titled R4: Ridge Racer Type 4, the game is the next logical step in the Ridge Racer series. Along with more tracks, Namco plans to add championship-style modes, where players assume the role of an up-and-coming driver. In addition, players will select from a huge list of cars, each of which can be custom painted. R4 will release in Japan this December, while a U.S. release is likely for spring ‘99.

Namco also announced development of Ace Combat 3, another title destined for U.S. shores. Expect Ace Combat 3 sometime in the first half of 1999.

The Game Informer staff was shocked when Activision unveiled X-Men at E3, and to be quite frank, we're | still a little dazed and confused when it comes to this product. It came out of nowhere! At E3, the version was only 10% complete, and there wasn't much to see (just Iceman and Wolverine). Now, the game is taking form | and sounds quite impressive. So far, only 4 of the 13 characters are in the game. Joining Wolverine-boy and | Ice-guy are Beast, one of this, the Brood. All four of these characters look great. Beast didn’t have most of his | animations yet, but he still looked good and burly. Other characters include Gambit, Mr. Sinister, and Storm (no | relation to GI editor Jon Storm). And if all goes well, no Liefeld characters will make it in. Let's hope this story | predates Rob’s reign of terror and disruption of the X-Men universe. |

; UO We also have a few details on the gameplay. When you get |

| RUES Fe attacked and a hit lands, the character shows it. We don't abl چوس‎ ٢" believe that every injury will be shown, but it will be more of a | y : Battle Armor He-Man effect, where only a few spots show after |

a certain number of hits. This is a great feature nonetheless, and really hasn’t been explored except in Art of Fighting and | briefly in Cardinal Syn. |

The game is being developed by Syrox in the U.K., and should be released for PlayStation in the first quarter of | next year. There will be a Story mode feature with real-time | cut-scenes for each character as well.

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action/RPG,”

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THQ has moved two of its WCW titles to a January release. While Nintendo 64 gamers | will still get WCW/NWO Revenge in mid-October [see pg. 36], THQ’s plan to release a |

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On August 22, Yuji Naka and Sega revealed the much-anticipated (and much overdue) return of Sonic The Hedgehog. Sonic Adventure, the latest Sonic Team project, is the flagship title for Sega’s new Dreamcast. Featuring 640x480 resolution and gameplay speed of 60 frames per second, it’s being touted as a “high-speed

by Shoicho lrimajiri, president of Sega

of Japan. The game features six playable characters least six different environments. Also, Adventure features one of Naka’s trademarks, the A-Life system, which alters gameplay based on performance.

Furthermore, speculations indicate each altered and tailored to the six different

characters, offering a unique experience each time the game is played with a different character. To add even more replay value, each level will feature an “Action” style and an “Adventure” style to complete with each character. Even the Chaos monsters will change in the game, thanks to a combination of the A-Life system and trading captured Chaos creatures with others via

Sonic’s goal is to acquire the Chaos

Emeralds and prevent Dr. Robotnik from taking over the

stages, including snowboarding and flying,

are also in the game. Sonic Adventure is slated to release on November 23 in Japan, the day of the Dreamcast launch.

Here is a list of the playable characters in Sonic Adventure:

e Sonic The Hedgehog ٥ Knuckles The Echidna ٥ Amy Rose

e Big The Cat e E-102 Gamma e Miles “Tails” Prowler

PlayStation game and another N64 game by year’s end has changed slightly.

Originally, THQ planned to use Tomy’s Toukon Retsuden 3 engine as a basis for the | PlayStation release WCW/NWO Live. The Retsuden game is very popular in Japan and has | with some judging it as the best wrestling | game ever created. Rather than rush out a product using this engine, THQ decided to call upon | a game that Inland Productions already had in the works. THQ has dubbed this game |

garnered plenty of praise amongst import players,

WCW/NWO Thunder and it is actually an update

of Inland’s previous WCW Nitro release. Thunder 1

promises a slew of new wrestlers complete with authentic theme music and pre-match entrances.

THQ says there will be over 60 wrestlers in all. The | “other” N64 title, WCW Nitro, is a direct transla- | tion of this new PlayStation Thunder game. THQ f

stated it still has Tomy’s Retsuden engine and will adapt it for an upcoming WWF game to appear by the end of 1999.

Both WCW/NWO Thunder for PS-X and wew |

Nitro for N64 are scheduled to release in January.

The conflict between the developers of GameDay and Madden has escalated into a shouting match. In no other genre of gaming do | see such disre- spect for fellow developers. One side will berate the other's framerate, while the other will call itself the innovator. In fact, in another publication, a studio executive even referred to the competitor's Al as some kind of bodily excrement. C'mon...do | have to listen to two action/platform producers bicker about whose character is cuter? No. | think this kind of behavior is alarming, | think it’s distasteful, and | think they should keep it up.

Sure, the talk can be ridiculous, off-base, and completely untrue, but sometimes the results are hilarious. As it is with the commentary by the Sony studio executive mentioned above. This guy makes a crack about Electronic Arts' marketing term known as “Liquid Al” while his own marketing team has just come up with an equally mundane “Authentic Football Intelligence.” Yes, as cool as A.F.I. sounds, | don't think I'd use football and intelligence in the same phrase. And what the heck makes it “authentic”? | think it’s the same thing that made EA's “liquid.” In some respects magazines play up the comedic and sometimes bitter rivalry, like we did with last month's feature, or this month's ratings. But the rivalry goes deeper than that. Some of these same guys have been going at it since the 16-bit days of Montana vs. Madden.

I've witnessed the trash talkin’, the hype, and the fierce competitiveness from the teams at EA Sports and 989 Studios for many a year. And it has made their games rock solid. Both are truly innovators and borrow from each other heavily (even though both sides claim “they are” and “they don’t”). Take a look at the new animations in Madden or the new TV-style presentation in GameDay, each was obviously influenced by the competitor's previous installment. Yet, if you just look at these two new “borrowed” features, both EA and 989 have outdone one another. In GameDay, the announcing work of Dick Enberg specifically introducing every stadium location with inane facts, like Buffalo is also home to hot chicken wings, is eerily realistic, especially when the intro is sometimes different. On the Madden side, the variety of animations in the game is phenomenal and is punctuated by the “de-cleater” tackle where the ball carrier is completely flipped over the tackler's head.

The banter from developers of football games can be unprofessional, annoying, and even personal, but I'll be right there in the noise because it has always been entertaining. I'll even amplify it. If it means better games, Im all for it. | can hear the developers now. “For the new millennium our game will have unprecedented gelatinous Al...”

Keep talkin’. Game Informer ٥ October '98 0

i 1 i tits à M

NHAT'S HOT +» TECH TALK + > E, + TRIVIA + NAME THA ll. WHAT'S HOT + RE EEA 3

Four games have been added to Nintendo’s reasonably priced Nintendo 64 Players Choice series. Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside, Diddy Kong Racing, GoldenEye 007, and WCW vs. NWO: World Tour have been inducted into the Player’s

Acclaim’s WWF War Zone for the PlayStation, released on June 24, was initially hard to come by. Many retailers sold out of the product and had to reorder. According to Acclaim’s press release, a buyer for Babbages Etc. said, “The game basically sold Choice series. All four of these games come out over the first weekend.” Furthermore, according to the divisional with an MSRP of $39.95. GoldenEye 007 is al merchandise manager of Kay Bee Toys, “[War Zone] is currently our still a hard game to find at $59.95. Let's number one title outselling all other games by a huge margin.” hope Nintendo has a warehouse full of ‘em. Gl was initially skeptical of these claims made by Acclaim, so we held our own informal At $39.95, GoldenEye will go quick. survey of video game retailers around the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. After a hectic day of phone calls and visits to various locales, we verified that WWF is indeed a hot commodity.

Due to the fierce competition that erupts | As Dreamcast looms on the horizon for

every holiday season in the bloodbath | Sega，the company has finally reached an known as the video game market，Crave | agreement with 3Dfx, resolving a legal battle Entertainment announced it will delay the | lasting nearly a year. launch of its new PlayStation RPG, Shadow | If you recall, Sega had once considered using | Madness, until early 1999. ١ a 3Dfx chip for the new system. But after being | According the game's executive producer | wooed by NEC and VideoLogic, Sega changed its mind and chose to use the Power VR2. | and lead writer, Ted Woolsey, “Although 3Dfx, outraged by the decision, as well as the brush-off from Sega, brought a lawsuit against | Shadow Madness is on schedule for a the company, claiming it had made an agreement with Sega to use the 3Dfx chip. 3Dfx also | November release, we'll definitely take full | wanted to protect its technology and felt that Sega, NEC, and VideoLogic were all privy to | advantage of any extra time to add new | many of 3Dfx’s secrets. | features, refine the overall gameplay, and | Although no terms were announced in the press release from 3Dfx, nor any other details | polish the screen text.” | whatsoever, the dispute is now at an end as Sega has apparently made a settlement with 3Dfx. |

d 0 ۱ \ ٣۹ ٢" “i { ١ WAY 444

Sega fans should be on the lookout for the first annual SegaCon. Tons of Sega-related events are planned including everything from game tournaments to displays of classic and future Sega games and systems. The Master System, classic arcade titles, and the brand new Japanese Dreamcast will all be in Wilmington, North Carolina on December 5 and 6 for the SegaCon. For more information, check out www.segacon.com or email repre- sentatives at webmaster@segacon.com.

Electronic Arts confirmed it has definitely acquired the Godzilla license for use in the U.S. No details were available on plans or development status for any Godzilla titles.

In further EA news, LAPD 2100 AD has officially undergone a name change, again. Originally, the game was tentatively titled Future Strike. The name was then changed to LAPD 2100 AD. Now, the game is officially called Future Cop: LAPD. Apparently, EA is suffering from the 3D Mega Man syndrome.

Electronic Arts announced it has made a minority investment in Kodiak Interactive Software Studios, Inc. (or, K.!.S.S. Inc.) and has created a long-term multi-title deal with the 36-person company.

The first games under this agreement will be a series of WCW games for the PlayStation and the Nintendo 64. “Kodiak is a dynamic, growing developer with a great team of experienced producers, designers, programmers, and artists,” said Don Matrick, president of worldwide studios for EA. “The portfolio of games created by their industry veterans is impressive. We are looking forward to apply- ing the talents of this innovative team to our products.”

George Metos, president and founder of Kodiak, is equally as enthusiastic. “We are delighted to be partnering with the premier publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment. The opportunity to create a whole new EA franchise based on World Championship Wrestling is exciting.”

So, wrestling fans, a new era of games is about to head your way. And as the bar has been raised significantly by WWF War Zone and the award-winning WCW vs. NWO, you can expect the games to only get better. The first WCW games from EA should arrive next fall.

The notorious assassin that's as cold and suave as James Bond returns to the States for a brief visit. Golgo 13 will not be stopping by the video game scene though. This mission is strictly for viewing, not play. Golgo 13: Queen Bee is the new anime from Urban Vision. The film, in fact, is a sequel to the original Golgo 13: The Professional anime and Golgo 13 graphic novel. This time his adventure will take him deep within the hive of a criminal organization. His objective: Kill the Queen Bee, who (we might add) is quite the looker. Will he complete his mission or perish?

This anime contains violence, nudity, and adult situations. It will retail for $19.95 (English Dubbed), and $29.95 (English Subtitled). The approximate running time is 60 minutes.

O Game Informer ٥ October '98

“Homicidal Vacations Since 2001

|

ENUS:

Tips for Snagging Tourists-- And How to e Avoid Premature Ejectulation Once You've Got ‘Em |

5 ecial FREE Issue for Automercenaries

274171

|

™ Eu “e AN Doro a

You're gunning it down Main Street. Shrapnel glancing off your windshield. Geiger-counter going off the scale. And a snap-happy Japanese couple in the back of the cab. The question is what should you be driving for maximum survivability and tourist satisfaction? Sit , we did the work for

; - you when we road-tested 14 state-of-the-art tricked- | Dick Biggs, Editor out deathmobiles one glowing summer afternoon among the napalm trees of Nuke Town. | _For raw hearse-power, nothing beats the

hird Wi rld War. Too big? Well, try on the _Bitch-In Wheels and put the muscle back where it | belongs - behind the muzzle of a machine gun. For pure Auto-mercenary $ex appeal, there's |

only one choice - the( Meat Wagon, This fuel-injected weeniemobile says more about you than a pair of SOCKS stuffed down your trousers ever can. For those of you who like a little mercy with | your massacre, nothing can touch: Ozone, a | well-armed ambulance that hurts while it heals. You want high-octane performance? | Car Combat Ultra? Look no further than the pulse-pounding Pyro = a” flame-spewing--semi filled with fuel. You never run out of gas and if you do go down, you can take everyone with you

o continued on page 72

Thought for the Day -Thou Shalt Drive Like A Righteous Mad Bastard. + So Sayeth the Lord.

When Was the Last Time a Tourist Hit voue ama Your Window at 92 mph? day. Someone sends a missile your

way and bang — Premature Ejectulation — out flies your tourist and before you know it everyone's got little bits of

Hawaian shirt and entrails

all over the windshield.

No problem. Whip out a

40 ounce bottle of ever-loving

Windshield Cleaner and, hey presto...the future's so bright

you gotta wear shades.

رس نار 1

: à 4 y

Every self-respecting Automercenary knows there are few things in life more enjoyable than vaporizing, burning, bombing and totalling stuff. Here's our hot picks for the tastiest targets the post-apocalyptic world has to offer.:

White House? — White Trash! KILL THE CADDY!!!

FENDER BLENDER.

به

D =;

Meteor Balls They bounce. They burn. "Nuff said.

$800 each

Stingers

Killer bees got nothing on

these babies, so go ahead, kill with confidence.

mm $7750 per round

Sticky Weapons Pyro Weapons Clamp one on your enemy and sit _ Hose your foes with gasoline - then

back while he tries to palm it off on MA sit back and ignite for the kill. someone else, or go down trying. $5000 each sE

10 for $850

Vigo ll | 1

الک" اا

NEED A HINT? (f° 1-900-CALL-26T

(95€ per minute. $1.95 for fax back maps) Must be 18 years or older or have parents permission to call. Touch tone phones only.

nino proc‏ ن gu 2 cintat ise șase Uno‏ هرموه sii‏ تو سح

From the million selling developer of car combat

What's more important- the name or the game” = په‎ ۰

IFFERENT KIND OF CAR. A DIFFERENT KIND OF

AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL RETAIL STORE

: i ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED BY GT INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE CORP. GT AND THE a Software CONTENT RATED BY PlayStation SRPMS TALA | GT GAMES LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS AND THE GT LOGO IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF GT INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE : ESRB tm CORP. ROGUE TRIP, SINGLETRAC AND THE SINGLETRAC LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF SINGLETRAC ENTERTAINMENT

à TECHNOLOGIES, INC. PLAYSTATION AND THE PLAYSTATION LOGOS ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF SONY COMPUTER 0 . www.singletrac.com ENTERTAINMENT INC. ALL OTHER TRADEMARKS ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPANIES. www.gtgames.com www.gtinteractive.com

SN ANTE N کاب‎ ۱ J à A À À j

a >, Coon + COMIC A * TOP TEN » TRIVIA »

Se تن‎ sd TUNN

TECH TALK +

MUTATION NASHUN

* WHATS HOT +

Playmates Toys Inc. announced a lineup of toys, many of which have video game tie-ins. Witness: Turok and Tomb Raider will come storming to retail shelves with a full line of action figures, and in the case of Turok, a diorama as well.

First of all, Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft will come in assortments of 9-inch collectible figures. Nothing else is known about the poses, or if wild beast figures will accompany her, but the line will launch alongside the release of Tomb Raider 3 in November.

Next, a Turok action figure line will launch in October to coincide with Acclaim’s release of Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. The line includes a diorama, along with 5-inch figures of Turok characters such as Turok, Joshua Fireseed, Tal’Set, Campaigner, Primagen, and Adon.

Also worthy of note: Playmates plans to release a line of toys based on the new DreamWorks movie Antz. As Antz will no doubt become a DreamWorks Interactive video game, these toys should be video game collectibles as well. Antz the movie will be in theaters starting October 2.

Eidos Interactive has acquired the publishing rights to Crystal Dynamics’ PlayStation game The Unholy War.

Crystal Dynamics had been searching for a publisher/distributor for this game (as well as Akuji The Heartless and the highly acclaimed Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver) prior to May's E3 show. Now that Eidos has entered the picture, the search may be over.

The Unholy War, scheduled for release in October, will include a playable demo of Soul Reaver. Crystal Dynamics would not comment on the agreement, nor would it comment on future publication deals. Game Informer speculates that Eidos is an obvious candidate to acquire the games Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and Akuji The Heartless.

The ۸٧ و‎ cstselling electronic game.

For those of you who can't get enough of the Resident Evil world, Pocket Books has brought something else to help color in the dark corners of the franchise. Two Resident Evil novels are out, and more are on the way. The first two books, one about the events that happen between the first and second Resident Evils, and another that novelizes the first game, are a must for RE fans. The novels are written by S.D. Perry, and are not watered down in any way, instead bringing the gruesome details you would expect to the table and laying them out for all to see. Check your local bookstores for these titles, called Resident Evil: The Umbrella Conspiracy and Resident Evil: Caliban Cove.

NAME THAT GAME

2 ته‎ Allen Ludden ے‎

http://nome.earthlink.net/~zmeston/ Zach Meston's site holds nothing back, offering frank commentary on the industry and a patrol of the gaming press. If you want to read a good rip-session and have a good laugh, Zach's site is the place to be.

@ What video game has spawned two novels by author S.D. Perry?

® Electronic Arts recently acquired the rights to what swimming lizard?

E) What is the name of the Sony PlayStation unit that allows home programmers to design games?

(9 Spyrox is developing a new X-Men game

for what publisher?

[Answers on the bottom of page 32]

+

This fighting game was published s Koskin te the SNES. In addition to a Match mode, the game also featured a Story mode, and told a tale of the most famous martial artist to ever hit the silver sereen. What game is it? [Answer on the bottom of page 32]

Game Informer ٥ October '98 O

+ TECH TALK +

ly work- ing on a character-based racing game tentatively entitled Poseidon. As you may have guessed from the nautical name, the racing will take place on, or under, the water. Game Informer speculates it could show up on PlayStation as early as next summer.

» Activision has announced that its hit vehicular combat game, Vigilante 8, is coming to the Nintendo 64. word yet as to new additions or changes, but expect a few small changes. Vigilante 8 is scheduled to hit the Nintendo 64 in February of next year.

In an unexpected turn of. events, .

Activision, developer of Pitfall and Blast Chamber, has signed an agreement with Disney Interactive, developer of Disney games, to publish at least six new multi- platform titles. One of the titles will be based on the upcoming Pixar film Toy Story 2. The other games have not been announced yet, but reports show that two of these titles will be based on upcoming films, and the other three titles will be based on past Disney features.

» Finally, there's a skateboarding game coming to the PlayStation. Street Boarders, from Microcabin, is a skating game coming to Japan on October 23.

The game features many of the staple moves of real skaters, including kick-flips (yup, no more stupid 1440s as your only “cool” tricks), and will sport Dual Shock and analog compatibility. No word yet on an American release, but who would want the egg on their face for passing this game up?

> THQ has scrapped any plans to bring SpeedTribes to the PlayStation... Electronic Arts has shelved its arcade- styled football game tentatively entitled Air It Out Extreme...989 Studios revealed that both Tobu and Syphon Filter have been delayed until early 1999...Psygnosis is working on G-Police 2 which is rumored to appear as early as March...DreamWorks Interactive is plan- ning to re-release a more playable version of its dinosaur action game. It is coming back from the dead as Lost World: Jurassic Park Special Edition...Nintendo estimates it sold over 11 million Game Boy units last year. That brings the total installed base of Nintendo's handheld to a whopping 65.8 million...Berkeley Systems plans to release its hilarious trivia game You Don't Know Jack, on the PlayStation...SNK is anticipating over 7 and possibly up to 12 games for the launch of its Neo Geo Pocket hand- held...Game Informer staff members enjoyed an afternoon episode of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood while constructing this issue.

w‏ 1 با

OMIC WATCH + TOP TEN + A + TECH TALK +

MUTA

Plenty of Horsepower Planned for Test Drive 5

Accolade’s Test Drive 4 had plenty to offer the PlayStation driving enthusiast when it launched last year, and the company promises even more with Test Drive 5. The game, due to hit stores the last week of September, will include 28 licensed cars and a number of bands including KMFDM, Gravity Kills, and Pitchshifter.

Here’s the list of cars: 1998 Dodge Viper 1966 Shelby Cobra 427SC 1998 Chevrolet Corvette 1967 Pontiac GTO

1998 Aston Martin Vantage 1968 1/2 Ford Mustang 428CJ as 1998 TVR Cerbera 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 :

1998 Jaguar XKR 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL-1

1998 Saleen Mustang S351-R 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS-6

1997 Chevrolet Camaro SS LT4 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda

1998 Nissan Skyline 1969 Dodge Charger.

Plus, 12 “super-charged enhanced” cars and 12 “secret” cars will be included in Test Drive 5, making a total of 40 cars accessible to the player.

989 Studios Runs Wild

If there's a niche that Nintendo has thoroughly locked up, it’s character-based racers. The U.S. has received very few cutesy racing games for the PlayStation. But Universal and 989 Studios plan to change all that with the release of Running Wild, a racing game where you play as one of six contestants, each an animal /human hybrid. There's a ram, a zebra, a panda, an elephant, a rabbit, and a donkey. Basically, [AP 2 54,7 SPEED PRD YE you take to the road and race across six different courses and API 40.9 | three levels of difficulty. Sound familiar? Well, duh. Expect the

r ii game to come out later this year, but don't necessarily expect it to be the caliber of Diddy Kong Racing.

Animaniacs To Go Bowling on PlayStation

ASC is planning to release a PlayStation bowling game starring the Warner Bros. cartoon characters from Animaniacs.

Based on ASC’s successful game Ten Pin Alley, the game will be aptly titled Animaniacs Ten Pin Alley. The feisty and wisecrackin’ stars of the show - Wakko, Yakko, and Dot - will hit the lanes with seven other cast members including Hello Nurse, Mindy, and Ralph the Guard. Expect plenty of hijinx as the Animaniacs interfere with games or yell from the audience.

Animaniacs Ten Pin Alley should arrive on the PlayStation in November.

“| WILL destroy you in the Battle mode z i | WILL destroy you in the two player split screen mode...

| WILL destroy you in the combat cable link mode .... af

| WILL DESTROY YOU MAGGOT !” -SGT.Steel

“Look here Son, | WILL use your head as an anchor and your butt as a seat cushion"

eo € > will mua ly upgrade My sinister and Weapons to extreme

pecropotent: weakipalelfle

e9 Blazin’ aquatic tracks to tear up.

°3D rendered waves like you've never seen b

eAn arsenal of high powered, high tech customizable weapons and boats- all Fully upgradeable. >

ore.

eTwo player split screen or combat cable link.

1

PLAYER 1

e:

PlayStation

* تر‎ © oF

Dead in the Water™ is a tradema k of A ¿ fi l i imi i 3 rl A can Softworks Corporation. OPEG 96 Limited Partnership. ASC Games™ is a trademark of American Softworks Corporation © 1998.Dead in the Water™ is developed by Player 1

The ratings icon is a t i igi iati i 9 rademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved

Jin

| |

1

HOT + TECH TALK + MUTATION NASHUN و‎ COMIC WATCH + - n n x ue

RELEASE DATE TITLE PUBLISHER September PALO IS ae SA EA DO LR aie ee A e a A 06/109 i ee oe aes 9/257/08 Si ak Bomberman WONG ea AUS as ees eee 9725/98 ee d Master OF MONSTEIS ecac OCU ني که‎ a "تت || ده‎ PS a 9/26/98 EEE Madgen NFE GS oo aa eae و‎ Electronic Arts... ds Armored Core: Project Phantasma AOS Lost World Special Edition............ DreamWorks .......... 9/26/98 oe NHL HOCKEY QO i ER a aaa Electronic Arts ......... 0/28/85 A ROKENION E 0 e loa ace. ودغ‎ Nintendo dece ca une OO25798 00 Cruis n World e ii oe a Ue es Nintendo aca 9/29/98 au Deadly Arts: GASP شه وه هه د‎ e oe ONAN sic RS 09/20/08 Pro ie NFL BI LN O OE Midway ani ae Bice 9/29/98 1,000 NFL BIZ Le lo az tau aa MWA ما‎ 09/29/98 a POO} HUSH OR DL. ES N ate VACLIVISION: So tea a 97/29/98 E a ae ROBUS AO پر در و‎ GT Interactive ii ey 9/29/98 a TEN A anes to eran taca لاله و‎ ACV SION EAA = Py, on este 9/29798 LES AU RATE e E Interplay iaa ta — VSI tue Fine ALON و‎ id 1/3/5016: Pes Cool Boarders 3 9/30/98 ia a Brunswick Bowling... ae aa ce Oia ae RE a acc ys 7 97/30/98... es Duke Nukem: Time To Hill ............ Gf'interactive. ......... October LOIS Resident Evil 2 Dual Shock ........... CAPCOM ca ee da 346 10/65/98 îsi Extreme GUD sha eens ML, is Goat AGOAN: al اه‎ dă TOO VOB pares Team LOSI RC Racer ii le Se i aes Fox Interactive ......... 20 3298 ia DUCK Tales I واوو سه دځ‎ a و101 په و‎ asa 10/12798 aor A داو سه و اه دوه وو‎ Nintendo sat e a aa 10/13/0855 PENNETTE E e sote دوا‎ Sapo sata d jel (6 La 49 ăi tng A Nea MIZA LOLS Bailes Deedee rede ined da oa LR Hasbro Interactive 10/14/08 ， Super Black Bass oes ee cas ook HR un Knockout Kings TOJE na EMO S LAS a ور‎ ii aia al Ea NewKiaGoii دا‎ 10/15/98 د‎ pita EMO S یاوس و‎ 6 10/15/98 ine ees VRA SE E a که‎ ae Re (6/0 ST Mia eae MO fiel LOIS Space Station Silicon Valley .......... TAK! Da A e i e eu 10/45/98 aa EMOS 123 5 pie e ou A Taina SL aes NewhKidGo oa nd ig 10/45/98... Elmo's ABC S U. غه‎ ao هې هه و‎ NewKIdCO se OATS د‎ NCAA GameBreaker ‘99 ............. SON: Koes NN ale ta ia LOIS. NHL Face OF 00 ie es o eel e a SOV oa 1074/98 in a Rival SCROOIS esa i A a CAPCOM i ee Bee وه‎ 10/15/98 LY TOONS ES OM و‎ ot رون‎ NewKidCO ssn i a ie 10/20/98 aes 1010 2: Seeds of EVI موو و دغه د غد د‎ ACC دا و‎ aa 10/20/08 71771 Body Harvest iL Maway oi e al Gs Small Soldiers 10/20/98 00 د‎ BUCK 0/1016 aia دد اوا وتک‎ e UDRSOR SS و‎ oa cd اا"‎ 10/20/98 ik uke Turok 2: Seeds of Evil ii AGOIA aie Sor ae ae 10/20/98... îi. WNIOCKOUUINES e a a asa ao Electronic Arts ......... 10/20/98 ......, A A SOVS aa 0 OR 10/20/98 i i, Metal Gear Sold سه دد هه‎ a KONAMI ea ae IT 10/25/98. a Charlie Blast's Challenge ............ KEMCO SR 10/25798 SE Armored Core: Project Phantasma ...... SGI a BON eue 10/27/08 mu Backstreet Billiards ................ ASE ani ore St ae 10/25/0868 BOGVIHAIVEST ES tai oa a să a e a 人 10/26/98 ....... O A aaa ACS teaca ae) ga NENGO SS gh Oe BN LOA. ed Edge Snowboarding .......... MOWI AL seen 5 tarCon 8 10/97/98 ia Bushido Blade Ze a HO a a Square Soft, sasi a a a 107/27/98: Suan Motorheada ER E a. E A FOX Interactive oiia ake 10/27/98 Fae NBA LVE QQS i ea E E E i A A lata Electronic Arts 3 in 10727798 inc si By (ODA PORTER Mey cent ater OR oy. PSYBNOSIS YS sie AN es LOA IGS, Small Soldiers SRE a aa DreamWorks .......... 4072 n STOIC ON Bs aria, Seta eG aaa ANI PARE SU Accolade ba Bees 10/30/98 ai SCAR Se fives ay arden hy a Ru یاه‎ ae USO. Aeris a aa 10/80/98: TORIC Touple: ia ia ea tul e atei aaa UDSO: ss ate re ere 10/30/98. WCW/NWO Revenge ................ MA O ine 10/30/98: Ss Cool Boarders S TT rene SOV a e ee ee he o AN [All dates subject to change. Call your local retailer for more details.] Tonic Trouble

Game Informer ٥ October 8‏ ت۵

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1. Resident Evil. The novels are The Umbrella Conspiracy and Caliban Cove. 2. Godzilla.

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Trade-in any working N64 game and receive an additional $5.00 in store credit as a trade-in bonus. Regular trade-in val- ues vary by title and FuncoLand reserves the right to refuse the purchase of any product. Limit one $5.00 PCM credit per customer. Offer is for individuals, not busi- nesses. No dealers or resellers. Offer valid effective October 2, 1998 and expires October 18, 1998. Coupon must be pre- sented at the time of trade-in. No photo- copies or facsimiles of coupon accepted. Coupon is worth 1/100 of one cent. See store for details. © 1998 Funco, Inc. All right reserved. Instructions to cashier: Coupon must be scanned and accepted as a product with a $5.00 value. Buy the working N64 game at the published bid price and the coupon at the $5.00 bonus value. Give PCM to the customer. Place coupon in coupon/gift certificate envelope and send with media bag.

$5 PCM Credit

Trade-in any working N64

588

1

video game and receive an additional $5.00 PCM bonus above the values offered at FuncoLand when you present

11840

this coupon. Offer expires October 18, 1998

55555

FuncoLand

RETAIL COUPON

H O st 0 N E — a 一 فا‎ 2 = o o

4

Trade-in any working PlayStation game

e and receive an additional $2.00 in store

$2 PCM Credit 00 credit as a trade-in bonus. Regular trade- in values vary by title and FuncoLand

reserves the right to refuse the purchase of

Trade-i ki any product. Limit one $2.00 PCM credit rade-in any wor ing per customer. Offer is for individuals, not

PlayStation video game and businesses. No dealers or resellers. Offer valid effective October 2, 1998 and expires

October 18, 1998, Coupon must be pre- sented at the time of trade-in. No photo- copies or facsimiles of coupon accepted. Coupon is worth 1/100 of one cent. See store for details. © 1998 Funco, Inc. All rights reserved. Instructions to cashier: Coupon must be scanned and accepted as a product with a $2.00 value. Buy the working PlayStation game at the published 2 bid price and the coupon at the $2.00 < Li 1 $ n C 0 = n d bonus value. Give PCM to the customer. EL W A Place coupon in coupon/gift certificate

location or to order visit us ， RETAIL COUPON envelope and send with media bag. www. funcoland. com | |

| itz and Midway are denak: of Midway Games Inc. © 1997 Midway Games Inc. © 1907 NELP Team ational Football League. Officially Licensed Product of Players, Inc. Players Inc. logo is a registered trademark of NFL Players. Distributed by Mid trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and 3-D logos are trademarks of Nintendo of ne ۹ e i a purchase of any و‎ © 1998 Funco In FuncoLand i isa registered trademark of Funco, Inc. All rs reserved do

8

receive an additional $2.00 PCM bonus above the values

11838

offered at FuncoLand when you present this coupon. Offer expires October 18, 1998

55555

4

Review

e Size: 256 Megabit

e Style: 1 or 2-Player Sports

e Special Features: 7-on-7 Football; Late Hits; No Penalties; Play Editor; NFL & NFLPA Licenses; Arcade & Season Modes; User Records; Rumble Pak Compatible; 3 Difficulties; Controller Pak Compatible With Blitz 9

٥ Replay Value: High

٥ Created by: Midway Home Entertainment

٥ Available: Now for Nintendo 64

Bottom Line: JON

THE GREEDY GAMER

Graphics 9

Sound 9

Playability 9

Entertainment

9.5

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Concept 9.75

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Sound 7.15

Playability 9

Entertainment

8.75

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“Pretty much everyone's played Blitz before, and having a home version is a no-brainer. The 2-player game just never wears thin. Having this game at home will be awesome for football Sundays. Setting up your own mini-tournaments, esta- blishing rivalries, and constant trash talking is the typical Blitz session. The translation is nearly flawless, but the home version’s even better, since the Play Editor is perfect for multiplayer gaming. Your own plays are deadly, so it basically amounts to an arms race between you and your friends - shut down the new money play before it's too late! Yep, Blitz is a game you must have. Plus, you can take your created plays to the arcade for Blitz ‘99. | can’t think of a single reason not to buy this game.”

“There's not much to gripe about with Blitz. It is a great translation of an extremely entertaining arcade game and Midway packed in some killer new features. The Play Editor is crucial and opens a huge variety of options in this game and the upcoming arcade sequel. Although untested, you can be sure that l'Il be one of the first to try my home-designed plays at the arcade. This is the first of many titles that | hope will take advantage of this feature. Obviously, having the season with the current roster update is also a nice bonus in this version. | guess the only thing | did notice about Blitz was that it occasionally suffered from slowdown, but on a whole it is an attractive football package.”

“This port of Blitz is phenomenal. All of the action from the arcades has been transported to the N64 with very little variation or flaw. The only noticeable differences are the occasional moments of slowdown and the addition of a Season Mode. Don't get me wrong, the Season Mode is great, but it needs two things. One stat tracking for individual players and league leaders, and two - the removal of the stupid default that automatically makes you lose if you stay tied after three overtime quarters. For the entire football scene, | would still pick Madden as my first choice, simply because | love having all of the players and fantasy options galore. But if you only play for 2-player duels, then Blitz is the one and only choice.”

-

Egos Bend | NV him Of Insaffif y no All That Is Forbi den. ٠۰

®

”

he mi 0 Designs, 18135 Clear Creek Road, Redding, CA 96001. Complete details are also available inside every game packag

PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "ELEMENTAL GEARBOLT" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Original Game © Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. 1997. This game is published by Working Designs under license from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. English Translation © Working Designs 1998. "Working Designs’ is a registered trademark of Working Designs. Inc. All rights reserved. Shooters make better lovers! Web Address: http://www.workingdesigns.com For a dealer near you, call (530) 243-3417. “Electronic Gaming 2 is a trademark of Ziff-Davis Inc.

ths can be obtained at our web site at http:/Awww.workingdesigns.com, or by sending a SASE to Elemental es Our games Yo vo lls to 7

Preview

e Size: 128 Megabit (With Battery Backup)

e Style: 1 to 4-Player Fighting

٥ Special Features: Over 70 Wrestlers; 700 Frames of Animation Per Wrestler; Weapons; Virtua Fighter-Styled Instant Replay; Costume Edit Mode; 40-Man Battle Royale; Voice & Caricature of Referee Mark Curtis; Rumble Pak Compatible; User Records

e Created by: Asmik for THQ

e Available: Late October for Nintendo 64

95% Complete

Rick Steinar ¢ gives in to his primal = urges and plunges off the top rope.

Enter Goldberg! ۳

It would be easy to write off WCW/NWO Revenge as a simple upgrade of last year’s World Tou farther from the truth. From the second you pop this game into your Nintendo 64 it oozes with power, all-new textures, all-new moves, all-new wrestlers, all-new arenas, and an all-new attitude.

Before you even enter the ring, you can edit any of the over 70 (possibly 80) wrestlers by switching outfits with other characters (and even masks for the hooded heroes), and alter the colors at the touch of a button. Move the Hulkster into Raven’s flock, put Larry Zbysko into the NWO - you name it, it’s in here. |

Choose your wrestler and head into one of six arenas based on actual pay-per-view arenas, including Bash at | ， ts the Beach, Souled Out, Halloween Havok, Starrcade, and Super Brawl. Each wrestler has his own unique entrance |], J before the bout, filled with fireworks, smoke, and electronic razzle-dazzle. Goldberg comes in slapping his face, DDP ~ | “The table” quoth the Raven. | comes accompanied by Kimberly, and Hogan has the ever vigilant Eric Bischoff at his side. 777 ET

Once the wrestling begins it’s easy to see how improved the graphics and animations are. Each character has his own D signature moves, and even a swagger in his step. For instance, Giant and Big Sexy don't slip in under the ropes - they step over them. Rick Steiner crawls on the floor like the wild animal that he is, and Rey Mysterio Jr. climbs like a monkey on the ropes.

There are also a number of new moves at your disposal. After fighting in the runway outside of the ring, you can then run and slide under the ropes back into the squared circle. And if you were lucky enough to get one of the many weapons from the crowd, you can bring that in with you too. A couple of smashes to the head, and your opponent's down. Luckily, there's a new move that lets you easily jump to either side of a downed opponent to set up your most shattering slam. But be careful, almost every move in Revenge has a counter. One false move, and you could get your butt smacked by a thunderous signature move, or by one of the game’s new combos (which can only be used by characters, à, such as Goldberg, who do them in real life).

During matches, the ring is watched over by referee Mark Curtis, who comes onscreen to count off pins and ring-outs. But it's a good thing he’s there, as other wrestlers will run in during a match to help their cohorts in crime. For instance, say Konnan is getting pummeled by Buff Bagwell; Sting will run in, weapon in hand, to equalize the situation.

Winning matches is the key to unlocking many of the hidden characters found in WCW/NWO, but don’t worry about saving them to your Controller Pak - as Revenge features battery backup to store hidden characters and unlocked modes. The battery will also keep track of user records and high scores from matches, as the game scores you on overall performance (to let you show who truly holds the title).

Watch out because this October the WCW and NWO are coming and they got Revenge on their minds. The question is: Are you up to the challenge?

“A fully-loaded fighter...a new kind of fighting game”

-Nintendo Power

“Very unique fighter...the originality shines” -EGM Players Guide

“Innovative gameplay and variety”

-ign64.com

Ser

NATSUME

NINTENDO: CONTENT RATED BY YN ESRB Published by: Serious Fun™ g Rumble Pak & Controller NATSUME Pak compatible Natsume and Flying Dragon are Trademarks of Natsume, Inc. ©1998 Natsume, Inc. Crave is a trademark Super deformed mode. Collect all 200 items to Virtual mode. Choose between classic 2D

f C Entertai t, Inc. ©1998 C Entertai t, Inc. All right: d. Nintendo, the Official Seal, 5 8 . . 7 . لو‎ Crave Entertainment O Inc, A rights reserved, Nintendo, the Officiel Sel build the most powerful fighting machine ever! fighting or brawl in a fully 3D environment.

Nintendo 64 Preview

e Size: 256 Megabit

e Style: 1 to 4-Player Action

e Special Features: 6 Worlds With Multiple Level Objectives; 20 Weapons; 4 MB RAM Pak & Rumble Pak Compatible; Massive Boss Creatures; 4-Player Deathmatch; New Turok Storyline

e Created by: Iguana Entertainment for Acclaim

e Available: Late October for Nintendo 64

85% Complete

: eck out the o a . |د‎ This is just a taste of Turok 2's witness the possibilities of an upcoming N ominous special effects

eripheral that works wonders with this title. . SA fo me Playing a “kill or be killed” match-up against one, two, or even three of your gaming comrades has obviously proven 1 cessful with N64 games like Mario Kart, GoldenEye, and others. Turok 2’s design team plans at least 12 multiplayer environments, boasting that Turok 2’s deathmatch will be, “The best the N64 has ever seen.” The Blood Lust mode is the standard deathmatch mode, and options can be set for available weapons and number of players per team. The Frag Tag mode i similar to a mode in GoldenEye; one player is “it” and is totally defenseless. This person must escape through a warp to collect points and make another opponent “it.” The multiplayer mode has at

least eight characters to play as, including enemies, and even the original Turok

comic character (who was later swapped for the younger Turok that we all know d TEE from the first game). The multiplayer options and overall quality of the graphics |$ m : 1 already make GoldenEye look ancient. An excellent example of what players can =

expect is in the bow and arrow fight. When you shoot an opponent with an arrow, you'll see the arrow stick in the opponent, and the opponent in turn sees it in his [4 j or her field of vision. It’s quite a sight to see a guy running around with an arrow |} or stuck in his ear. :

The 1-player game is divided into six separate environments that range from

too close. Especially spectacular are Turok 25 boss creatures. Massive oozing, = pulsating creatures such as the disgusting creature dubbed “Mother” make a huge impact on the game. The bosses will challenge players, while giving them a visual [AMM AS treat. As mentioned, the Tek Bow (complete with sniper mode) is an essential, but [is ME ues you have to see the Cerebral Bore. Think of a lock- ssile that, once it connects, 43) ud i drives a drill straight into the dinosoid’s brain. The blood sprays like a fountain as the enemy crashes to the ground. The insane designs of the weapons, and the destruction they inflict, are not for the faint of heart (or those under 17). Turok 2’s graphics are easily the N64’s best ever. But the graphics get even better when playing with the 4 MB RAM expansion pak. What's that, you say? The RAM pak (as we call it) is a small cartridge that plugs into the small door on top of the N64 unit, upping the N64’s RAM. Although Nintendo has not announced plans to release the RAM pak, such a device will allow Turok 2 to run in high resolution. Nintendo would be stupid to keep this RAM pak out of gamers’ hands. The game works fine without the extra RAM, but once you see the difference, there is no turning back. Turok 2 will be out at the end of October and is easily Acclaim’s hottest property. Keep on the lookout, as it’s going to be one of the flagship games for the N64.

NO a | acastle-like port town to an alien spaceship. Filled within these massive worlds BET nié | are some of the nastiest and most gruesome enemies y 1 y A i Turok's knife has been replaced rather mundane human enemies found in the first Turok : ar 4 Te Vel dinosaurs such as the raptor and compy are abundant on some levels, but nasty | Siem اپ دغه‎ a dinosaur hybrids called dinosoids run rampant. All of the enemies are very د‎ ES | q => se intelligent. Some will retreat when they see you have a big weapon, or they will ba ae | || dodge and hide from gunfire. Other foes will attack with ferocity when you get

A

ASS ROSS

The minions of Primagen. i

| 38 , Game Informer * October 98 :

NY QUESTIONS?

Dust and dirt can damage your game system. The result? Poor picture quality, fuzzy sound and slow or “buggy” game play. Cleaning your system and games regularly will maintain high quality gaming and ensure a longer product life. Players Edge cleaning kits will keep you and your system in the game.

6

2 E = 5 Ley 8 S S =

Game maintenance products available from Player’s Edge:

Cleaning Kits for: NINTENDO? 64 ۰ SUPER NINTENDO? e NINTENDO? e SEGA” GENESIS” e GAME BOY” e GAME GEAR” + MULTIMEDIA & GAME CDs

Available at FuncoLand

PLAYERS O 1997 Player's Edge. Player's Edge is a trademark of InterAct Accessories, Inc. InterAct Accessories is a trademark of STD Manufacturing LTD. Es] an وب‎ Wipeout, Wipeout XL and Psygnosis are trademarks of Psygnosis. © 1996 Psygnosis Ltd. Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo, Nintendo and Game Boy و‎ / |

are trademarks of Nintendo of America, Inc. Sega Genesis and Game Gear are trademarks of Sega Enterprises Ltd.

Preview

e Size: 96 Megabit

e Style: 1 to 4-Player Sports

e Special Features: Create Player & Customize Rosters; New Graphics Engine; Multiple Seasons With Free Agency & Retirements; Create Team Mode; Commentary by Mike Patrick & Randy Cross; Rumble & Controller Pak Compatible

e Created by: Iguana Entertainment for Acclaim

e Available: October for Nintendo 64

90% Complete

in this issue, Acclaim and iishing touches on NFL E A | sue went to press, Game | playtest the game for the first time. * led its high-resolution that na had to do with 585 Í and add a few animations. However, the | mpletely redesigned the player models and packed in 450 animations. You'll see linemen dig in their cleats as they go ath int stance. The QB will fake counters or jump pass after Brett Favre). In the huddle, huge lineman huff and puff as they try to catch their breath. There are

and tackles will leave larger skids. __ Aside from the all-new and extremely detailed graphics package, 086 99 goes right after sim fans with the “multiple season mode. Similar to the Franchise mode of Madden, 086 allows you to play over a number of seasons What’s this guy’s name again? omplete with free agent signings and other GM duties. Players’ attributes will also change over the course of time. For example, say you were playing as the Vikings and (not that this would ever happen) Cris Carter has only 10 catches for 100 yards in an entire season. This sub-par performance might lead to things such as his speed and _ catching ability dropping before the next season. To be sure, a slick Player Create mode will allow you to fill the aps in your team, or you can make just one player if you want. The Team Create mode will give you options to pick e! d helmet colors, compile a playbook of 128 plays, and draft the top talent to concoct your fantasy football team. For the historian, you can go into the Historic Sim mode and relive key moments from every Super Bowl. inally, insane football fans will also be able to play as NFL Europe teams luding the Claymores and the...well..those other guys. The list of modes . and features is long and comprehensive and QBC is definitely keeping up with adden in these departments. The biggest and most important question concerning QBC 99 is the

| playcontrol and computer intelligence (or Al). Unfortunately, we won't be able | ۶ بې‎ ao, À D PR ` to figure out the answers to these questions until we see a complete version. | آ‎ A. Ema

What we saw and played of 086 99 was impressive, let's just see if Acclaim d Iguana can jell the game for the new season. Mi

HER

s , a ha AD a دې خښ ريه‎ RS E

PRES ar wa sf 0 428 CHA AND ٢ 2 15

QBC has great moves and even better animation.

— Two NFC Central teams square off.

sii

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He drops back...

he definition of shoestring tackle.

وسر مس SOUL 1‏

NFL license. These features alone may have giv in sales. Yet, in this current season, EA is firing í on all cylinders and has

“Nintendo 64 | Review

e Size: 96 Megabit

e Style: 1 to 4-Player Sports

+ Special Features: Create Player & Customize Roster; Play Editor With Team-Specific Playbooks; Franchise Mode; Fantasy Draft; Custom Season; Rumble & Controller Pak Compatible

٥ Replay Value: High

e Created by: Tiburon for EA Sports

e Available: September 25 for Nintendo 64

Bottom Line: 8 75

| he race for the top football game on Nintendo 64 was a hard fought battle last year. EA’s Madden and Acclaim's Quarterback Club were both hot sellers, but last season's QBC introduced gamers to high-resolution graphics (Hi- Rez as Acclaim calls ‘em) and it had the luxury of a full

BC the slight edge

included a new graphics engine along with the NFL team license. But that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Of course, EA Sports went the route of high-resolution graphics. Players appear to be larger and far more defined than in last year's game and the animation is far more elaborate. Tackles come in many forms as players are pulled down by the ns wrapped up around the waist, or simply picked up and thrown to the ground. The Nintendo 64 version has far more animations than its PlayStation counterpart. The level of detail is most evident in games played in the snow. Just like playing at Green Bay in December, you can actually see the players’ breath in the cold winter air.

Just like its PlayStation counterpart, Madden 99 on the N64 has plenty of options including the all-new Play Editor, Franchise Mode, and everyone's favorite - Player Create. The Play Editor opens up a whole new era in the Madden series and allows for the construction of up to three offensive and defensive plays. One of our favorites is the “dipsy-doodle” (as we call it). In this Game Informer play, the four wide receivers line up wide and then converge to the middle of the field. Unsuspecting linebackers are left with their hands full. There is an

endless variety of plays that can be a nice addition to the standard . playbook for each team. With the Franchise Mode, you not only take the role of field general, but you are required to be a shrewd general . manager as you must closely monitor rosters, get rid of the slackers, “and re-sign key players over the course of a number of seasons. It “sounds easy, but it takes plenty of time to negotiate a contract with a _ lineman who thinks he's worth a couple million dollars a season.

For years, Madden has been known for its simple and concise ontrol. Sending a receiver up for a jump ball and coming down with it been a solid and easily-executed maneuver for the wily Madden

veterans. It is still one of the best moves in any sports game, but this -year’s game adds more to the playcontrol, especially on the defensive

: - side of the ball. Defensive line shifts and power tackles add a lot of

dynamics to the game. For example, the 3-4/flash blitz works especially

well when the line shifts wide. This creates a mismatch on the outside and allows the blitzing linebackers to often get a free run at the QB. However, you're dead if the opposition runs up the gut. The power tackle works like a speedburst when you're not around the ball carrier, but once he's in range WHAM! The sound of the hit alone will sometimes make you cringe. Speaking of sound, Madden 99 has excellent on-field sounds, but seriously lacks the commentary from Madden and Summerall found in the PlayStation version.

The verdict is still out on QBC '99 as to whether it has what it takes to compete with this new and improved version of Madden. Football fans may have tough choices this season, but the review staff at Game Informer can help guide your way with the bottom line. !

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STEVE AUSTIN. JAMA SHAWN MICHAELS

Andy, The Game Hombre

“I really like the fact that with this game engine you can always tell who has the upper hand. Plus, the graph- ics and the create player are fantas- tic. It needs more wrestlers, but this is definitely a great wrestling title.” Paul, The Game Professor

“If you want a comparison between this and the PS-X version, this has the slight edge in graphics, but it lacks the FMV wrestlers. Otherwise, this is a solid wrestling game. If you're a WWF fan, you will not be dis- appointed.”

Jon, The Greedy Gamer

“Compared to the WCW titles, War Zone lacks tons of wrestlers, but its Create Wrestler is totally awesome. Furthermore, War Zone is about but- ton mashing, so it's not as skill based, but for all around fun and 4- player madness, N64 War Zone is a must-have for grappling enthusiasts.”

e Size: 96 Megabit

e Style: 1 to 4-Player Fighting

e Special Features: Create Wrestler; Cage & Weapons Matches; 4-Player Battle Royales; 2-Player Cooperative or Versus; Rumble & Controller Pak Compatible

e Replay Value: Moderately High

٥ Created by: Iguana for Acclaim

e Available: Now for Nintendo 64

Bottom Line: 8

ANDY PAUL JON Concept: 9 9.5 9 Graphics: 8.75 8.75 8 Sound: 8 8 9.25 Playability: 9 9 8.25 Entertainment: 9 9 8.75 Overall: 8.75 9 8.75

و .

If You Thought

WW HWas Bad...

If you thought the bloody beaches of Normandy Were a war zone, just wait until you see what happens when Stone Cold, Shamrock, Mankind, and the British Bulldog square off in a 4-player cage match. Heads will roll, and pain will take

4 its toll, because WWF War Zone is total

war, where combatants brawl and tumble through a tumultuous championship climb.

Any serious wrestling fan has heard all about this game, and the verdict is finally in. With an unbelievable amount of options, including cage and weapons matches, a Gauntlet mode, a Training

ge mode, and the best Create Wrestler option

we've ever Seen, War Zone delivers a serious piece of softWare. The graphics are in lguana's patented Hi-Rez, so each wrestler is sharply defined, and the complicated throws and holds connect smoothly. The sound, particularly during a bone-crunching move, makes you cringe with evil pleasure because inflicting pain is the name of this game. The extras and hidden secrets are outstanding, especially the ability to create female wrestlers. War Zone also includes true wrestling strategy, and in order to knock out the top contenders, it’s essential to time the finishing move to perfection.

This year, the N64 boasts two new wrestling games. Acclaim’s War Zone fea- tures an amazing Create Wrestler feature, but THQ’s WCW/NWO Revenge offers many more wrestlers (and many more moves). The choice is yours, but War Zone will not disappoint.

“Night descends on Charlotte.

LAP TIME 00:24:97 00

Andy, The Game Hombre

“This game is fun to play just because it’s NASCAR, but in the overall scheme of things it sucks: (1) The pitting stinks (you have to take 4 tires), (2) the announcer has about two lines, and (3) your car has no rearview mirror.”

Paul, The Game Professor

“Its great to see that EA included the Brickyard in this game, but over- all it’s just not that fun. The cars and damage are well done, but the sound and overall framerate are horrible. Only NASCAR fanatics need apply.” Jon, The Greedy Gamer

“NASCAR 99 rocks hard, especially with Stevie Ray playing guitar, but the “no rearview mirror” sucks. | race in first-person view, and | can't tell what’s happening on the sides. The 20-car field is also lame, and the pitting setup has got to change. | like this game a lot, but more barriers have to be broken.”

e Size: 96 Megabit

e Style: 1 or 2-Player Racing

٥ Special Features: 17 NASCAR Tracks (No Daytona); Adjust Al & Physics; Unlock Historic Drivers; 20-Car Field; Soundtrack Includes Stevie Ray Vaughn

٥ Replay Value: Moderate

٥ Created by: EA Sports

e Available: September 22

for Nintendo 64

ANDY PAUL JON Concept: 7 7 8.25 Graphics: : 6.5 8.5 9.25 Sound: 6 8.25 Playability: 8 8 Entertainment 5 8.25 Overall: 7

BECOME THE INTIMIDATOR

The stock car scene finally finds its

۰ way to N64, a racing-plagued platform,

but NASCAR 99 is more than just a standard racing sim. This game is a full-

“out attempt to re-create the NASCAR experience in every detail, and it does a

pretty darn good job. While only 20 cars comprise the field (as compared to 30 on PlayStation), the cars

| are huge, and perfectly colored. When | those nail-biting moments of car contact | occur, debris flies onto the track, a little

smoke flares up, and you're fighting the controller just to keep your line. With speed-sensitive steering, it’s important to watch your speed and tach going into every turn: too hot, and you'll bang the wall; too cold, and the pack will breeze by you laughing all the way.

Improvements over last 5۹5 PlayStation version include the addition of the Brickyard 500 and Watkins Glen, night racing, and classic drivers like The King and Benny Parsons. However, one annoying “change” to the game is the omission of a rearview mirror. This makes driving in the “first-person” and “in-car” views nearly impossible, since cars to the side of you don’t register onscreen. On the very first lap you'll turn into a phantom car, hurtling you to the wall and a frustrating “race over.” Pitting is also insignificant, and can’t touch true NASCAR strategy (unless you want to race 50-lap races).

NASCAR 99 is about as real as it gets, and N64 owners dying for a NASCAR game will love NASCAR 99. But next year, we'd like create-a-driver (with paint options), a chance to hire and fire pit teams, plus in-depth tire and fuel strategy.

„Nintendo 64 Preview :

e Size: 96 Megabit

٥ Style: 1-Player Action/Platform

e Special Features: Over 40 Creatures; 90 Abilities; Interactive Environments; 4 Areas With 10 Levels Each; 10 Camera Angles

e Created by: DMA Design for Take 2 Interactive

e Available: October for Nintendo 64

| ( The stars go on forever...

75% Complete

a Say, cani a hitch a ride?

imminent danger when the licon Valley, which has been 100 years, suddenly returns. A | 1es flew out to the station some go, b t have not been heard from since. up to Danger Dan and his robot buddy fo heroes for hire, to head out to the tatio n and investigate the mess.

In the very strange game called Space

tation Silicon Valley, you play as Evo, whose mission is to go through the 40 levels and prevent the space station from careening into Earth. As you go through the levels, you have to take control of robot-animals, creatures that evolved on their own over the 1000 years in very unique ways. Ranging from tank j turtles to flying dogs to juggling bears, these zany animals have to be killed in order to take control of them. Once you control them, you can use their abilities to solve the many puzzles.

Although there are solid platforming elements involved, the gameplay is so dynamic that players quickly focus on acquiring each of the different species. Using each animal’s strengths, you are able to find many extra things to do apart from the missions.

To keep the player from thinking too hard, DMA has kept the game lighthearted, with lots of silly diversions. All of the animals nod their heads to the beat of the music, and many have abilities that seem to serve no useful purpose.

With the entertainment opportunities that Space Station Silicon Valley presents, it could be a hit. That is, if players can look past the quirkiness of the whole thing.

RAAAAARRR!!

What's in the bushes?

| Watch out for the poop.

2 Snowball fight!

LA?

Nintendo 64 Preview

POS ALA

e Size: 96 Megabit

e Style: 1 to 4-Player Racing

e Special Features: 13 Vehicles; 12 Tracks With 3 Variations Each; New Rear-Fire Weapons; All New Physics Model; Rumble, Controller, & 4 MB RAM Pak Compatible

٥ Created by: Probe Entertainment for Acclaim

e Available: October for Nintendo 64

90% Complete

Acclaim’s N64 Racer Returns

When Acclaim launched Extreme G last | year it was a welcome and popular addition o to the Nintendo 64 lineup. This year is a | different story. Not that Acclaim’s upcoming

„j sequel won't be popular or well received.

The problem is, Extreme G 2 joins an ever increasing market of racers that now includes Psygnosis’ Wipeout 64 (a series that : arguably reinvented the racing combat [MB genre). Acclaim and developer Probe | | Entertainment know that gamers won't settle for a mere track update. | To appease fans, Probe has completely | rebuilt the game engine from the ground up. Last year’s game wouldn’t even allow you to | turn around on the track; but this year, Extreme G 2’s new physics model re-creates a “truer” (if you can be true to something

| that doesn’t exist) racing environment. The

vehicles (13 in all) sway to the turns and even pivot in a manner similar to a motorcycle. Speed and big air are the essence of Extreme 7 | G 2, along with the combat. | The “race for first while destroying all who | come in your way” concept is only part of f this title. Extreme G 2 also incorporates a 4- player deathmatch with tank-style machinery. |

M Each tank mimics its race-bike counterpart

with colors, but these machines are built for head-to-head combat, not speed.

Extreme G 2 might have some stiff | competition from other games, but the | improvements we've seen make it one | to keep an eye on. Look for a review in the | i coming months.

À Game informer e October 43 |

E =

= | 2 un = ic a.

PLAYERS

ee deea tava

د ودس

NFL XTREME. A HIGH-SCORING, 5-ON-5, IN-YOUR-FACE, GRIDIRON WAR. THERE’S NO RULES, NO PENALTIES AND NO BOUNDARIES. IT’S A

HELMET-POPPING, TRASH-TALKING, LATE-HITTING FREE-FOR-ALL. ENJOY.

Ep vara p L A Y E R 5 = ٩ PlayStation

PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. NFL is a registered trademark of the National Football League. Officially licensed product of the NFL Players and NFL Properties. The NFL shield design is a trademark of the National Football League. Team names, nicknames, logos and other indicia are trademarks of the team indicated. TM/© 1998 NFLP. Players Inc Logo is an official trade- mark of the NFL Players. ©1998 Players Inc. Developed by 989 Studios. “After the coin toss, anything goes” is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. ©1998 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

AFTER THE COIN TOSS, ANYTHING GOES.

PlayStation Review

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

e Style: 1-Player Role-Playing Game

e Special Features: Real-Time 2D Battle Scenes; 9 Characters To Play As; Interesting Storyline; Really Fast “Run” Button; 6 Swordians To Collect; Memory Card Required

A IT TALKING TO ME YA’‏ 1 * و ne em‏ سوه د سک si À‏ رهد e Available: September for PlayStation We E A l‏ ٣ de DUMB SWORD!‏ e praia‏ e game.‏

Bottom Line: G 75 |e à ȘI e à 4 Save Points ar E Tales Of Destiny comes to the table with 1 lots of original story styles, and a unique ganie engine. For | starters, the main character, Stan Aileron, is a stowaway on an important ship, a ship that just happens to be carrying a very valuable sword. After the ship is attacked, and Stan is discovered, some monsters try to steal the sword. Instead, | a E Stan finds the sword, and to his surprise, it talks to him. ME Si ze | : Apparently Stan has been “chosen” by the sword (named | Ss Dymlos) to be its master. The sword is sentient, and has many abilities, like spellcasting and special attacks. After Dymlos helps Stan escape, it explains the existence of other swords like it — a race known as the Swordians. Thus begins Stan’s quest to seek out the other Swordians, and to thwart his competition — a mysterious evil menace also trying to acquire the swords. The game is similar to many other RPGs in a physical sense; walk around, talk with people, acquire items and gold to get you equipped for whatever may lie ahead. However, this game does stray from the norm in a variety of ways. wae. ps First, along with gold, the party acquires lens — crystals with [ies pd energy properties — that are sold for money. Many people | د‎ ue £ seek out the lens; they are valuable to a corporation that | > buys them for use in industry. Although supplying the towns ¡e Hey dude, you've got a hole in with heat and lighting is the major use of lens, there seems ~ your wall! me to be other uses as well, for the company is acquiring far peeps : more lens than it could ever use. Hmm... Another unique characteristic is the fighting interface. Instead of the typical menu, you are treated to a 2D side view of the characters and their enemies. Then, you attack and cast spells, all in real-time. It's kind of like Guardian Heroes for the Sega Saturn, only simpler. This is a pretty entertaining way to do the battle scenes, as you will not be completely bored by the time you have entered battle for the billionth time.

E 1: L

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A shot of the overworld. E

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or They quaint T2

46 Game Informer e October '98

iia id a)

mn

om, or by sending a SASE to: ThunderForce V Contest c/o SPAZ,

_ 18136 Clear Gre : qi tered trademar i, se Entertain be un «of Technosoft Co., Ltd. Original Game © 1997, 1998 Téthnosoft Co., Ltd. English Translatio sou cense y n = Ltd on Designs a oem king Designs, Inc, All rights res If the Gauntlet's A Rockin’, Don't Come A K

PlayStation

Review

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

e Style: 1 or 2-Player Sports (8-Player Via Multi-Tap)

e Special Features: Create Player & Customize Roster; Play Editor With Team-Specific Playbooks; Franchise Mode; Fantasy Draft; Custom Season; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible ae

+ Replay Value: High i of? TEN d'à da

e Created by: Tiburon for EA Sports ; E E

٥ Available: Now for PlayStation

Bottom Line: 9.25

Last year Madden got shot down in the graphics department. It was blown off the field by the dazzling polygon graphics found in GameDay '98. Notto say that Madden 98 didn't please plenty of pigskin players, but in the eyes of many video football fanatics Madden had to come up with big changes for the '99 season, And EA Sports has delivered with all new graphics, new playcontrol, and'a-motherload of features and options.

The obvious change in graphics comes with Madden 99's polygonal engine. Polygons are great, but all the triangles and texture maps mean nothing without animation. Madden 99 has a huge variety of animation and nowhere is it more apparent than with the tackles. For example, linebackers submarine running backs and actually flip the runner into the air, cornerbacks ride the opponent as the ball carrier struggles for extra yards, and the D-line sends the QB flailing with a strategic shoulder to the chest. On the other side of the ball, running backs stumble and reach to the ground to catch their balance, but they also juke, spin, and hurdle. Throw in some excellent stadium replicas, deteriorating fields, and mud on the jerseys, and the looks of Madden 99 are

| exceptional. | With all the new additions to the graphics, the playcontrol scheme hough the died and true Madden control

the Madden newbies ۳ adding the One- Button option. When time 0 the option will put control of nearly every move into one button. The computer decides what move is appropriate, be it a stiff-arm, juke, jump, etc. It even selects the open reciever.

Off the field, Madden 99 offers more options than ever before.

_ Leading the way is the Play Editor. Here you can create up to three different offensive and defensive plays that can be added to any team’s playbook. Choose blocking assignments; coverage, and even 64 different pass routes for receivers. For simulation fans, the Franchise mode allows multiple-season play where you see players retire, free agents sign on (all while staying under the salary cap), and yourself getting fired if your team doesn't perform well. It doesn't stop here as Madden 99 also allows you to create a Custom Season using any of the more than 100 teams. You pick the teams and choose what leagues the teams will be in. Just imagine, you can put all of the Bills Super Bowl teams together to create the chokers league.

EA Sports has surpassed expectations with all of the new additions packed into the game. Will Madden come out on top in this year’s football season? Leave it up to the football experts at Game Informer for the scoop.

Game Informer ٥ October '98

PlayStation Review

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

e Style: 1 or 2-Player Sports (8-Player Via Multi-Tap)

e Special Features: Adjustable Al & Game ha Speed; Create Player & Customize Rosters; Fantasy Draft; Custom Season; Total Control Passing; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible; Memory Card Required

٥ Replay Value: Moderately High

ew | | | ٥ Created by: RedZone for 989 Studios

GameDay '98's polygon graphics were an industry first ٥ Available: September for PlayStation and it can be argued that this alone had a lot to do with its

success. 989 Studios is not resting with last year’s graphics Bottom Line: and GameDay '99 improves by more than doubling the

polygon count on player models (with over 350). This gives

|. the players plenty of detail. Couple this with the huge number of motion-capture animations and GameDay boasts a very impressive graphics package on many fronts.

Utilizing such NFL talent as Tampa Bay fullback (and last year's cover “

boy) Mike Alstott, and up- and-coming rookie QB Ryan Leaf, 989 has painstakingly used a total of nine NFL players to re-create subtle football movements in an attempt to capture the nuances of the game. A healthy supply of player celebrations, teammates helping each other off the turf, and other actions you might see on the field are all found in this new

rsion. Yet other nuances like a variety of catch animations are | appointingly absent. However, GameDay '99 does introduce new

stadium models (complete with shade from the bleachers), polygonal referees, larger menu and play select screens, and new TV-style camera zooms and cutaways that are further exploited by the inclusion of NBC commentators Dick Enberg and Sur | XX : nicely done, but the voice of Simms becomes repetitive and quit annoying as he describes how some slow fullback i is going to enter the NFL's fastest man competition.

every button on the troller The ba controls from the previous game remain intact, but 989 has added defensive moves to shift the line, or call up the secondary into tight coverage. GameDay '99 unveils a new artificial intelligence (Al) s e that its developer has christened “Authentic Football Intelligenc ere not exactly sure why 989 used football and intelligence in this phrase, as the Al in this game can be described as dismal. Sure, defenses will disguise coverages, offenses will exploit your tendencies, and wide receivers will run various option routes, but the general inconsistency as the computer covers receivers out of the backfield shoots down all arguments that this game's Al is anything above average.

In terms of opi ns uch as season play, roster management, and creating your own players, GameDay seems to have continued down the

pl

playing more than ara al in a season, or ire muliple seasons a general manager responsibilities, are sorely needed. Last year's game blew us away. Does this year's game do the same?

Game Informer ٥ October '98

49 Y

Preview

e Size: 2 CD-ROMs

e Style: 1-Player (2-Player Alternating)

e Special Features: Updated Gamespeak & New Game Emotion; Amazing & Hilarious CG Sequences; Elum Riding; New Enemies & Traps; Memory Card Required

e Created by: Oddworld Inhabitants for GT Interactive

e Available: November for PlayStation

15% Complete

° ame Informer has been waiting f

% day we saved all 99 Mudokons in Abe's Oddysee. A And since

the game was unplayable at E3, we have been chomping at the bit for a playable version to arrive in our office. Finally, our

dreams have come true, and now we have a little more skinny on one of the

most anticipated sequels of the year (at least for us).

Like Oddysee, when you first turn on the game, you are given the opportunity to check out the Gamespeak. Surprisingly, it lists the Glukkons, Paramites, and Scrabs, in addition to the Sligs, as “controllable” characters. Instantly we were giddy with excitement, and adventured into the game itself.

On the surface, there’s not much different about Abe’s Exoddus when compared to Abe’s Oddysee. The graphics work in the same fashion as before (with prerendered computer-generated backdrops), the animation is to die for, and the control is rock solid and almost identical to the first game. But with one major change - the addition of more modes to Abe's Gamespeak. Replacing the two whistles, fart, and laugh are “All “Ya,” “Sympathy,” “Stop It!,” and “Work.”

“All Ya” gives Abe the ability to call all his Mudokon brothers at once

(avoiding those troublesome, personal introductions in a moment of extreme urgency). The command “Work” enables Abe to get the Mudokons to help him in his quest, as they are capable of turning cranks and flipping switches when ordered. The “Sympathy” and “Anger” commands are a little more complex. When Abe isn’t close to a Mudokon and presses one of these emotions, he either hisses (scary!), or awws (how cute!). But when close to a Mudokon, Abe will slap the senses back into his Mudokon brother with the “Anger” command when he is under the influence of Laughing Gas, or pat him on the back and tell him “sorry” with the “Sympathy” command when a Mudokon is angry. It all sounds a little confusing, but it is actually quite easy to pick up on and the interaction between the characters is quite funny. Oh yeah, for fans of the fart in the first game - don't fear - it has just been moved. By pressing the X button in the standing position Abe will let one fly.

While the game emotion is perhaps the best new feature, there are tons of other fantastic additions. For example, the blind Mudokons keep walking in one direction until you tell them to stop. And you can | use this to fool them into thinking you're someplace else by calling to them from another area. It’s a handy trick when you need them to flip switches for you. Also there are tons of new enemies and action sequences to master, which we'll get into next month, as we continue to keep a close eye on Abe.

Sneak past the sleeping spa, The blind Mudokons will keep

„walking in one direction until you tell them to stop. |

That Scrab is protecting the lock in the corner that holds a - Mudokon spirit.

When you pen control of the \ | | ست‎ MM SEAS Paramites you can climb 1 Don't step on the Slur, y because ` up threads. they will alert the Fleechs.

Hu

NAME : RIPLEY

ELLEN

DUE SOON

THE GAME

peut st S t>

Preview

e Size: 2 CD-ROMs

٥ Style: 1-Player Action/Adventure

e Special Features: Gameplay Emphasizes Stealth; Hand-To-Hand & Weapon-Based Combat; Power-Ups; Snake Cam; Radar; Real-Time Cut-Scenes; Beautiful Cinematics; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible; Directed by Hideo Kojima

٥ Created by: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan for Konami

٥ Available: October 25 for PlayStation

90% Complete

During last May’s E3, Metal Gear Solid (MGS) was easily one of the most played games. And with good reason too. The control is perfect, the Al is solid, the graphics are stunning, and the atmosphere is intense. Hideo Kojima, the director of MGS, has left no stone unturned in searching for the ultimate gameplay experience.

Fans of action/adventure games and spy thrillers will absolutely fall in love with this game. The intro FMV sequence gets you in the mood as our hero, Solid Snake, prepares to infiltrate the enemy’s hideout in frigid Alaska. The intro gives the feeling of being at the movies, and when the credits stop, Snake is ready for action. In the first mission, Snake is below the hideout in a large underground room filled with guards under the command of Solid Snake’s arch rival, Liquid Snake. To reach the surface, Snake must make it to an elevator on the other side of the room, but instead of shooting everything in sight, Snake must try to avoid the enemy by using his refined techniques of stealth. But the first mission plays more like an opening scene, and once Snake gets past the bad guys and begins his ascent to the surface, the credits continue, letting the player know there is plenty more to come.

With heavy emphasis placed on Snake's ability to move „ý about undetected, even the smallest task sets the player’s 4 heart a thumpin’. Thankfully, there is a radar screen to help , Snake keep track of the terrorists. Plus, the radar shows their . field of vision and the range of surveillence cameras. In some po

cases, the radar shows an area teeming with guards, and the j= -

final destination seems impossible to reach. When this happens, Snake can attract the guards' attention by rapping | : on an object. Then, as they move to investigate, M "m

Snake can silently escape behind them. But ٩ there’s more. Snake acquires the classic cardboard box which he can crawl under when hiding spots are scarce. Then, by switching to the “Snake Cam,” he can peer out of a small slit cut into his brand new fort.

Of course, sometimes Snake has to get

violent. He can use a gun, or one of many other weapons, but that often attracts too much attention. Therefore, it is often wise to utilize Snake’s hand-to-hand combat skills

and sneak up from behind a guard and

break his stinkin’ neck. The only way this game could be more immersive is if the controller left blood on your hands.

FuncoLa

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Register at any FuncoLand store Only on

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visit your nearest FuncoLand store.

= 185 DISCOVER

Prices and Offers good through October 31, 1998. Limit one per customer. No dealers or resellers. Quantities are limited and no rainchecks will be issued. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Officially licensed product of the NFL Players and NFL Properties. The NFL shield is a registered trademark of the National Football League. Teams names, logos, helmet designs and other insignia are trademarks of the team indicated. © ™ 1998 NFLP, Players Inc. logo is an official trademark of the NFL Players. All rights reserved. Game Day 99 developed by 989 Studios and Red Zone Interactive, Inc.. 989 Sports is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. © 1998 Funco, Inc. FuncoLand is a registered trademark of Funco, Inc. All rights reserved.

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

e Style: 1 Player Action/Adventure

e Special Features: 2 Playable Characters; Stealth Indicator; 10 Levels (2 Exclusive to U.S. Release); Over 20 Weapons & Spells; Scoring System Rewards Stealth & Cunning; 2 Difficulty Levels; Map; Cut- Scenes; Orchestrated Sound Score

٥ Created by: Sony Music Entertainment Japan for Activision

٥ Available: Now for PlayStation

95% Complete

the old days, the working conditions in Japan were abysmal. Ninjas, for example, didn’t have organized labor unions to provide a steady income, nor did they have the proper healthcare for all of those gaping wounds received during a hard day’s work. Today, ninjas have fat contracts, full dental plans, and fancy gold-plated, diamond-studded shurikens. They just want to kill as many people in the shortest time possible and have lost all respect for stealth and sneaky underhandedness.

If you think modern ninjas are just a bunch of no-talent food processors who don’t live up to the work ethic set by their blue-collar fathers before them, then Tenchu, the new PlayStation game from Activision, will change your mind. It has some rough edges, but Tenchu admirably relays the sensation of being a stealth assassin. The idea is to avoid fighting whenever possible. To succeed, you must be patient and master sneaking up behind enemies and killing them before they can react. If you can perform an “undetected kill” a majority of the time, you'll not only achieve a better score, but the levels will be easier to complete since you won’t have to deal with retaliating enemies draining your health meter.

To help move unnoticed through Tenchu’s 10 levels, you’ll always have a rope and grapple to give you access to higher ground like rooftops, trees, and cliffs. From above, you'll have the ability to move around and watch the enemy guard below. If you wait until his back is turned, you can jump down, cut his head off, and then return to your roost and search for the next victim. Tenchu also uses a stealth indicator that lets you know if an enemy is suspicious of your presence, and tells you when danger is near. a

Inevitably, however, you will have to face an enemy or two head-on. This is one of those rough آ‎ edges we talked about.The control is pretty stiff and enemies sometimes prove to be a bunch of boneheads. But overall, Tenchu is great, and with the help of various items and power-ups, come | a lot of creative ways to dispose of enemies. Of course, there are the traditional throwing stars, but you might choose to bait a guard with some delicious poison rice. Once he eats it and the stomach pains set in, jump out and slash his belly. It’s all in a day’s work.

1! Tree ane is an essential skill for & 7 = ig iM | T " HE Eee a all ninjas. 1 : 7۸ 7 , s : aa í ٢ | i ¿ : PORTANT

Time Vis

DETECTED Kalos Spores innocents

. No purchase necessary. To enter, draw ue scene from Spyro the Dragon on a standard size letter envelope (9 1/2" x 4 1/4") 2. send it with your name, address, gender, date of birth, phone number and your answers to the following questions: 1) Do you own a PlayStation game console? 2) How many games do you intend to purchase this year? Send the envelope to: Game Informer - 06 the Dragon Art Contest, c/o Linzee International, 1306 Old County Road, Belmont, CA 94002. Entries must be received by November 15, 1998. You may send as many entries as you wish, but each entry must be sent in separately. Sony Computer Entertainment America (the “Sponsor”) is not responsible for lost, late, mutilated, illegible, incomplete, postage due or misdirected entries, All entries become the sole property of Sponsor and none will be returned. All entries must be the entrant's original work. Entries not satisfying these Official Rules will be automatically disqualified.

2, di ng Cr 2 ae |

professionals. Judgin ‘of th

go 0 on or about November 16, 1998, with a final

decision to be made on or about May 15, 1999. The decision of the a will be final and binding in all respects partici patna. entrants agree to be bound : the Official Rules. Judging Criteria: 1) neatness 33.3%; 2) artistic ability 33.3%; and 3) creativity 33.3%. Entries must be the original, unpublished and sole work of the entrant. Sponsor reserves the right to refuse any entries featuring gratuitous depiction of violence or sexual behavior, or positive depictions of alcohol or tobacco. The drawing must be the original, unpublished and sole work of the entrant. Winners will be selected from all eligible entries received by mail on or before November 15, 1998.

1306 6 Belmo

e must receive your entry by ovember 15, 1998.

sna money, and a 1 year subs

ame here magazine (a.r.v of $2 „000) Saturday night sta srl is required. All travel details will be at SCEAis discretion and the trip must be completed within six months of acceptance of prize. Prize will be forfeited if winner is unable to travel during designated time. Winner and guest are responsible for all meals, gratuities, and any other expenses not specified herein. Four (4) First Prize winners will receive a PlayStation game console, Spyro the Dragon game and a 1 year subscription to Game Informer magazine (a.r.v of $230.00). Ten (10) Second Prize winners will receive a PlayStation branded T- shirt, the Spyro the Dragon game and a 1 year subscription to Game Informer magazine

documentation.

UNIVERSAL NTERACTIVE STUDIO:

or telepr r delivery of prize and/or travel

4, Eli emy: Promotion open to residents of United States only. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable will result in disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. Winner will be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility/release of liability/prize acceptance which must be returned within 7 days of receipt. Affidavit must be signed and return within the stated time period or prize may be forfeited. Additionally, as a condition to receiving the prize, the winner shall be required to execute an assignment transferring and assigning all of his or her rights, title and interest in the drawing submitted as an entry to Sponsor. If the

wi “acceptance of prize, winners agree to the use

be nce notified, allow

PlayStation

is minor, then prize will be awarded to is parent or legal guardian. By

of their name and/or likeness for purposes of advertising, trade, or promotion without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. Employees of the Sponsor and Judges and their parent and affiliated companies and their families are not eligible. Neither the Sponsor nor its affiliates, subsidiaries, division or related companies are responsible for any damages, taxes, or expenses that winners might incur as result of this contest or receipt of prize.

5. Winner List: For a list of winners, send a SASE to: Spyro the Dragon Winners List and send to address above. Requests must be received by May 30, 1999. Please allow four (4) weeks for delivery of winners list.

6. Restrictions: Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Spyro the Dragon TM & © 1998 Universal Interactive Studios, Inc. All rights reserved. Find us at www.universalstudios.com. Developed by Insomniac Games, Inc. All rights reserved.

PlayStation

Preview

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

e Style: 1 or 2-Player Racing

e Special Features: Stunt Mode; Link Cable Compatible; 13 Characters With 13 Stages; Huge Tricks; Bigger Air Than All The Rest; Dual Shock Compatible

٥ Created by: SingleTrac for GT Interactive

٥ Available: November for PlayStation

70% Complete

Tons of games are trying to capitalize on the “board” craze sweeping America

be e respective games each year. The bad thing is, althougl he games are very pretty lly Pd the essence of what - ese crazed amateur stuntmasters. These dared

itself feels rather different than everyone’s favorite bike hit detection, and physics all seem very new. The chal aerodynamic or sr cata as in Jet Moto; rather

characters and interesting story, and GT has a hit on its hi making.

The areas are as fresh and entertaining as anyone could the typical city level; and the beach level, but there’ s also th

castle level seems a bit dull, wait until you take the first lea And that's only the beginning. There’s eve | 09 irst place and focus on But pulling the tricks can be dangerous, as there are many “gh solid places that seem landable, but actually send you falling to eaming, “NO! THERE WAS A PLACE TO LAND! REALLY!! = 4 great idea, feapacially considering that many who played Jet Moto 1 and 2 got bored with the racing aspect and instead just headed to the Nightmare track to do huge tricks - like blasting off the Butterfinger sign and flying straight up into the air. These area few great memories from SingleTrac's games, and we're sure its newest endeavor, Streak, will create even better ones.

'98

Game Informer + October

56

layStation Preview

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

e Style: 1-Player Action/Adventure

e Special Features: 5 Unique Vehicles To Drive; Hi-Resolution 512x256 Graphics; Alternate Paths on Each of 15 Levels; Improved Artificial Intelligence; New Moves; Dynamic Lighting Effects; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible; Memory Card Required

٥ Created by: Core Design for Eidos

٥ Available: November for PlayStation

70% Complete

Croft, the sexy and sultry vixen of video gaming, is returning for yet another |

round this November with the release of Tomb Raider 3. M"

Featuring improved hi-resolution graphics, Tomb 3 isn’t just M

another “throw-out-a-couple-of-me-too-levels” title. This |

monster is going to feature five new environments with three levels each, new vehicles including a kayak and a plane on the Area 51 level, new moves, and improved artificial intelligence (Al).

While these improvements sound impressive, the enhanced Al is perhaps the most important, We think Core Design would agree with us on this point,

as it went out and hired someone to solely concentrate

on this one aspect of the game. Tigers think like tigers...piranhas swim away when you splash into the water and then quickly reconverge on their target...humans actually try not to get killed and will come after you as if their own lives depended on it. But perils aren't all that await you in Tomb 3, there will also be lots of indigenous life to encounter - birds and bats fill the air...fish school in the rivers...and

monkeys hide in the trees.

The control in Tomb 3 is also a little different; it's been slightly modified to incorporate Lara’s new moves. Lara can now crawl on the ground (YES!), swing from vines, unleash a super burst of speed (over

and above her standard run), and even M grab onto the underside of objects and M move about in the classic monkey bar | style. Lara even has a knife that she can use M in and out of the water for battle, or as a tool to |

1 pry treasure free. And yes, Tomb 3 is Dual Shock ES

+™ and analog compatible. It even uses both analog M

sticks, as you can control Lara with the right stick | _

(she jumps when you push down on it), and control the camera with the left (which fires her weapon when it is

depressed). i

All in all, Tomb Raider 3 is shaping up to be a worthy | addition to the Lara Croft lineup and a game that | shouldn’t be missed by fans of the babe in blue.

4

Skyrockets at night. x | afternoon delight! >

rel e Size: 1 CD-ROM Pri Vi e Size: 1 CD-ROM e Style: 1 or 2-Player Action/Strategy e Style: 1 or 2-Player Racing

e Special Features: Turn-Based Strategy e Special Features: Jeff Gordon as Both

& Real-Time Combat Game Modes; 14 Your Friend & Enemy; Stock Car Racing Playable Characters, Each With 3 Moves Physics; 2-Player Link or Split-Screen; & Additional Specials; Purchase & Extreme Super Speedways; Memory Spawn Reinforcements; Analog Card, Dual Shock, & Analog Compatible Compatible; Includes Legacy of Kain: ٥ Created by: Real Sports for ASC Games Soul Reaver Demo ٥ Available: February ‘99 for PlayStation

٥ Created by: Crystal Dynamics for Eidos

٥ Available: October for PlayStation

90% Complete

50% Complete

A Sci-Fi Battle Royale

right through ‘im.

r ook at that seri ١ turns up ahead.

In the project known as The Unholy War, I the “creators of Star Control | 8: Il and the to hate, is actually a co-designer of Archon” are attempting to | nn er. Speaking with Gordon, we amalgamate the action and strategy genre. ا‎ | At the moment, it appears as though these highly acclaimed PC personalities have, in fact, fused the two genres together in a fash- ion the gaming world has yet to experience. Cool Boarders 2 Well,

What we have here is a strange piece of ۴۷۶ ` E اس‎ ake his own game. After software. The Unholy War is basically chess “一一一 velopment deal with ASC, the meets a fighting game. From the start, the hap ind Jeff Gordon Racing player will need to choose what team he or PlayStation is a Mok at what stock car she would like to play as: either the Teknos ein or the Arcanes. Both teams are equally bal- anced and feature seven exclusive combat- ants on each side. The warriors all feature different abilities (like speed, strength, and health) plus three separate attacks. Some of the characters are gifted with flight, others

+ Bd, ‘with cross traffic,

VII move here. ind wrecks galore? Seriously,

can spawn helpers. eae n نو‎ there major wrecks in this game, and if The action segment is where these attrib- ٨ 8 you're e : lame crashes in most utes and abilities come into play. But you will . j “ase | gan 有 on ing will set you straight.

first need to choose a character equal to هف‎ i ues i Ci s a stock car game, Gordon your opponent. For instance, if the computer | aa i W: tight physics model. character flies, you won't want to choose sight distribution, or a character who can't jump or fly. All 14 e weight on each wheel arenas are small, 3D, and multi-tiered in represented, so racing some way or another. On some of the levels sie ol distribu- there are teleports, power-ups, and even hazardous sections. The goal is to deplete the other player's health by any means possible. The difficult part is, the three different attacks run off a meter. When you use one of these attacks the meter will deplete, then slowly grow again.

The strategy portion of The Unholy War is extremely basic and easy to understand. Simply move your character across a hex q s grid, then attack. The attacking can either

with that big blade. be action-based, or simple, generated hits. In this mode you can also cast spells (one per character) and buy reinforcements with the 58 Game Informer + October 98 cash you receive for winning battles.

TERTA!

“(ji QOT" WAR TT U4

NINTENDO! > 3 5 = E Visit www.esrb.org or call I O 2 1-800-771-3772 for more info. < i TENT RATED BY ENT R T A I N N T > PlayStation e E SRB

©1998 Vivid Image. Graphics and sound effects Ubi Soft Entertainment / Vivid Image. Ubi Soft © & © 1998 Ubi Soft Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Multi-tap required for 3 or 4 players on the PlayStation® Game Console. Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and the 3-D “N” logo are trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc. ©1998 Nintendo of America Inc. Licensed by Nintendo.

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

e Style: 1-Player Action

٥ Special Features: Fighting Combos & Special Moves; 20 Levels; Over 100 Character Moves; Various Kung-Fu Styles; Power-Ups & Collectibles; Bosses; Dual Shock Compatible; Real- Time Cut-Scenes; 27 Enemy Types

e Created by: DreamWorks Interactive for Activision

٥ Available: November for PlayStation

60% Complete

Preview

UNCEASH THE CHI

i new heights. As consumers, however, we can get a little nervous when companies mess with the equation, because if they screw it up, we’re out 50 bucks.

T’ai Fu is another attempt at merging two styles into one game. On one hand it’s an action/adventure title set in ancient China. Players assume the role of a tiger named T’ai, a renegade member of the defunct Tiger Clan accused of brutally murdering the Panda Monks. Through 20 different levels you can obtain different power-ups and collectibles. Plus, there are some platforming elements to be conquered, and you'll even run into the occasional switch to pull.

But T’ai Fu also attempts to be a fighting game. After the Monks were slaughtered, the people wanted blood. More specifically, your blood. You must now face members of the other clans (like the Snakes and Monkeys) as well the head honcho, the Dragon Master. To survive, master the different fighting techniques of the different animal clans, including specials and combos. In all, there are over 100 character movements such as the Pounce Attack, Crane Hover, and the Monkey Roll. In addition to these fighting styles, you can use your Chi power which is limited in supply, but quite powerful. Chi is magic based on the elements such as water, earth, fire, and lightning.

Will Activision and DreamWorks bring gaming to new heights? Find out this November when T'ai Fu is released and Gl unveils the bottom line.

review

tures of Bruce during gameplay.

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

٥ Style: 1-Player Action

e Special Features: Bruce Willis; 11 Levels (4 Boss); 9 Weapons; Secrets; Cinematic Cut-Scenes; Power-Ups; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible; Checkpoints; Music From Poe

e Created by: Neversoft Entertainment for Activision

٥ Available: November for PlayStation

75% Complete

Every time you venture into a convenience store, it seems you’re bound to see the mug of Bruce Willis plastered on the Enquirer along with his raspy ex-wife, Demi. It gets a little old, so after reading the tabloids and paying hard-earned cash to see the summer smash, Armageddon, it’s good to see Bruce taking part in something more worthy...video games.

In Apocalypse, Bruce is some hero named, get this, Trey Kincade. Okay, whatever, but the swell thing about this third-person action game is the freedom of control. While cruising through the game’s 11 levels, Bruce can be moved in one direction with the left

| 0-030 while firing his weapon in any other

direction using the icon buttons. Better yet, if

| you have an analog controller, the movement

is even more fluid and you can aim in practi- cally every direction, not just a few points in the 360 degree range of motion. This is hardly a breakthrough idea (Robotron), but it lends itself nicely to mowing down the swarming enemy masses.

The enemies themselves are pretty tame even though they are a force collected by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. It seems these guys, Death, Plague, War, and The Beast, have been roaming the earth, rounding up this force in order to destroy humanity. In addition to being henchmen recruiters, the Horsemen also play the role of four separate boss characters standing in the way of our hero, Bruce Willis.

Soon, GI will have a reviewable copy of Apocalypse and then we can answer more questions regarding length, Al, and level design. Until then, just hope it doesn’t take another two years.

A $

PlayStation Y Preview

e Size: 2 CD-ROMs

e Style: 1-Player Role-Playing Game

e Special Features: Animated Cut- Scenes; Character & Mecha Battles; 3D Worlds With Camera Panning; Multi-Button Combo Battle Interface; Magic; Jump & Run Buttons; Playable FF VIII Demo

٥ Created by: Square Soft

٥ Available: November for PlayStation

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The RPG Experience of

the Year?

or

سا

TA

The RPG genre is connected to developer Square Soft like a zit on a teenager. Square has been entertaining the world with RPG epics since the grand ol’ NES days, and _ Square has found the most success with its | Final Fantasy franchise (which in fact will hit he whopping eighth installment in late ‘99). But there is always room for a new adventure. Over the years we've found other Square titles to be equally as impressive as Final Fantasy - both Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana kept us on our toes for hours upon end. On October 15, we hope Xenogears delivers yet another memorable experience. „Right off the bat, we can tell you this is 2 not the next big epic like Final Fantasy VII. But don’t take our words the wrong way. Xenogears does more than enough to achieve the status of greatness. The combat „scenarios are very dynamic and unique to this genre, and the look (while a tad grainy in the textures) is exceptional and very stylish. “How the combat scenarios work, however, is hard to explain. You see, you don't just hit a button to attack. The entire attack nterface is based on a combo system. Every » سک‎ h time you attack you will need to hit a ‘our ing ¥ ce! F series of buttons to create a combo string. Hor that is a bis dev") Don't fear though, you don't have to time these attacks like in fighting games. These combos feature unlimited selection time and a data screen telling you how to link the moves together.

Right now, we can honestly say this game is going to turn out exceptionally well. The _ only important piece still missing is the story and English translation.

Ma 7 Preview

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

e Style: 1 or 2-Player Action

٥ Special Features: 2-Player Deathmatch; Lots of Voice-Overs; 15 Levels (Plus 2 Hidden); Hilarious CG Segues; Unique Power-Up System; Secret Moves

e Created by: AndNow/Appaloosa for MGM Interactive

٥ Available: November for PlayStation

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DROPPING A LOAD ON YA

Tiny Tank: Up Your Arsenal is reminiscent of many other games, but similar to none. With 15 levels and a Deathmatch mode, this | game is loaded with things to do. Thanks to the control and environments, you feel very at home in the world. This intuitiveness offers gamers the opportunity to become immersed, as the rest of the game takes over to add up to one entertaining experience.

At the beginning, you are thrust into a | post-apocalyptic world filled with runaway robots, all looking to take out ol' TT (that's Tiny Tank). He has many moves, from jumping and floating to quick sidesteps. He even has a small tank that pops out of his heinie to seek and destroy. Along the way, you acquire more guns, as well as positronic brains. These brains give TT added abilities, including better targeting and faster healing, depend- ing on how you allocate them. Even the Teenie Weenie Tank, or “poop tank” if you will, changes its abilities based on the amount of brains it has. The allocation of brain power can be changed on-the-fly, which becomes an important strategic element.

Although the game seems to have a lot of “fluff” in the form of voice-overs and radio talk shows which star the evil Mu-Tank, even these add to gameplay. The talk shows offer a chance to become familiar with the ene- «| mies’ key weaknesses, and adds a convincing level of immersion. Enemies will call in and chat with Mu-Tank about their troubles, rang- ing from narcissism to strategy on defeating TT. It’s an interesting way to offer the gamer an inside scoop on how to beat enemies, but it also gives tons of comic relief, as Mu-Tank dq makes itself out to be a therapist like Frasier Crane. With this sort of all-encompassing effort, Tiny Tank: Up Your Arsenal could turn out to be a very entertaining game indeed.

tell you something.

Game Informer + October'98 61

PlayStation

y o i

Py viel e Size: 2 CD-ROMs

e Style: 1 or 2-Player Fighting (8-Player in Tournament Mode)

e Special Features: 20 Characters (Plus 4 More Hidden); Double-Team Attacks; Flashy Supers; Arcade Disc & Evolutions Disc; 3D Movement; Edit Fighter Mode; Grading Mode To Teach Moves

٥ Created by: Capcom

e Available: Fall 1998 for PlayStation

80% Complete

اپل سه ho‏ سف

RE

A Most Ambitious Fighter

8 1 = low blow!

In terms of replay value, Capcom has created a new fighting game to set the i] standard for all others to follow. Called Rival

À Schools: United By Fate, this ambitious fighter features 24 characters and a ton of things that aren't necessarily needed in a fighter, but are definitely appreciated. Like the Edit Fighter Mode. We have already seen what Capcom can do with this in Pocket Fighter, and it is a welcome option to gamers bored of the same old same old.

And that's not all. The two-disc game features an Arcade disc, and another disc, | called Evolutions. The Arcade disc is simply that. But the Evolution Disc is filled with mini-games, training and classes, a Story mode, multiple group battle modes, an Edit Fighter mode, a league mode, a normal Practice mode, and a “goodies” option. Unfortunately, the game will lose the “School Life” mode, which is basically a simulation game like Tokimeki Dating or Graduation. Why? Because Capcom has to hit the almighty Xmas season, and the translation would take too long. Sad, isn't it?

As with all Capcom fighters these days, there are supers, counters, fireballs, as well | as touches of X-Men Vs. Street Fighter. || Capcom also added new grab attacks, where _ your alternate player comes in and lends a | helping hand. Some of these double-teams do yx] serious damage; others recharge health or | your super meter; still others are just really flashy. It's worth playing with all of the characters just to see their run-in attacks. The mixture of different features from Capcom's other fighting engines, as well as 1 some new features, keeps this game fresh | and...dare we say it...innovative.

¢ lightly at this school.

62

Game Informer ٥ October '98

Playstation Preview

e Size: Unknown

٥ Style: 1-Player Role-Playing Game

e Special Features: New Magic System; Completely New Graphic Style; Steal Magic From Enemies; Spectacular Boss Explosions; Dual Shock Measures Some Attacks & Limit Breaks

٥ Created by: Square Soft

٥ Available: Winter ‘99 for PlayStation (November 20, 1998 in Japan)

50% Complete

The Demo Has Landed

AT TAR

„then lets it rip.

After months of waiting, Game Informer | has finally played the demo of Final Fantasy | Vill. The demo reveals basic concepts behind the battle and magic interface, while letting us examine the new character models and environments. The largest change, and one that must be ressed first, is the loss of Magic Points. If Bible is central to Christianity, Magic nts are a mainstay in almost every RPG r made. Yet Square throws that old concept out the window, and now players must “leech” magic from enemies. This is a battle command, just like “attack” or “spell,” so leeching takes one full turn. The stolen magic is tallied in the magic menus, and it seems you can build almost unlimited numbers of every spell. Secondly, the actual battle sequences are very similar to Final Fantasy VII: characters have Limit Breaks, Summon spells (called Guardian Force), and a timed attack meter. As suspected, characters possess certain unique abilities. In our demo, Lenore, who doesn’t talk, lacks Limit Breaks but can cast a Guardian Force, while Zell is an acrobatic fighter balanced between magic and physical attacks. Squall, hero of the story and wielder of the Gunblade, can cast “double” and “triple” magic, allowing party members to cast double spells in one turn. | One key innovation is the use of the Dual Shock. Squall’s Gunblade does damage in 1 conjunction with the R1 button - the better # your timing, the higher the damage, and the greater the rumble. In all, the demo is a challenge and definitely worth taking the time to play. It’s a long time until FF VIII "| descends upon the U.S., so keep watching for more from Gl, keepers of the FF faith.

Bosses now explode in spectacular fashion.

Your allies the beachhead.

Double magic allows you to cast two spells at once.

PlayStation Preview

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

٥ Style: 1-Player Action/Platform

e Special Features: Play as Xako or Mia; Unique Platforming/Skateboarding Premise; Tricks Used as Attacks; 10 Locations With 5 Levels Each; Power- Ups Include Protective Gear; Decoys & Dek Attacks; Endorsed by Vans Skateboarding Apparel

٥ Created by: Psygnosis

٥ Available: November for PlayStation

60% Complete

++ we iink Psybadek is really at, with lots of new ideas and concepts. Then we see the way those concepts are eing put to use, and we sit around and onder what exactly is going on in Psygnosis’ ollective mind. It seems that the game is uffering from split personalities. On one and it’s a platformer, on the other it’s a acer, and doesn’t know exactly where to go. - Xako and Mia, the two main characters, re trying to save their friends. To do so, they se their trusty Psybadeks to cruise through levels and bounce on baddies’ heads, unlock ecrets, and bust interesting tricks. By col- tecting stars, players acquire keys to unlock other areas. There are many power-ups, including dek charges to use for attacking, helmets and gloves for protection, even Y decoys used to confuse the enemy. The levels ١ are very colorful and highly detailed with lots of interesting monsters and surroundings to keep you entertained. Each has a different theme, like a jungle level, a winter level, a „| desert level, and so on. Although most of the levels have the same goal of getting to the end, some feature unique objectives, such as herding cattle and shooting various animals with eggs.

| Another interesting thing about this game, however, is the Vans license and the cross- "| promotion surrounding it. We have already seen how game companies exploit a license to push a game, but only recently has fashion become the hot commodity, with games like 1080 Snowboarding using the power of cloth- ing to convince people to buy. Check back with Gl in the coming months to see how much mileage Vans and Psygnosis can get out of this potentially decent game.

for the tree.

PlayStation Preview

e Size: 1 CD-ROM

٥ Style: 1-Player Action/Adventure

e Special Features: Summon Spells; Primeval, Mystical Environments; Projectile Weapons; Puzzles; 30 Different Enemies; 14 Levels; Retractable Claws

٥ Created by: Crystal Dynamics

e Available: November for PlayStation

70% Complete

A Broken Heart Can Be Mended

When we hear the term heartless, it i | conjures images of despotic rulers, torture Es | masters, or arch villains like Lex Luthor. But | Akuji is heartless for another reason - he lacks a heart. No, this isn’t some Wizard of Oz quest to discover feelings and emotion. | You see, on Akuji's wedding day, he was all | stoked to marry this beautiful, wonderful | woman, which in turn would have led to ` eternal peace on his planet. But an evil broth- er threw a wrench into Akuji's plans. | Basically, the brother killed Akuji and ripped | out his heart. Ouch! Akuji was then banished _to hell, and now he’s trying to get back home. We’ve finally been able to play Akuji, and are pleased to report the game is pretty cool. | It’s a little like Tomb Raider, and a little like | Gex (after all, it’s running on an updated Gex | engine). Crystal Dynamics has painted the ~ landscape in a surreal voodoo-style darkness. Akuji is constantly finding himself in some i | creepy death dungeon, where evil wizards, E rainbow rhinoceroses, and medusa-like | witches hunt him with a brutal temper of _#| abhorrence and fury. | The best part of this game is Akuji's | ability to use magic and summon demons. Sure, Akuji could just use his retractable claws to fight through the game, but magic is _.. everyone’s preferred instrument of death. * À Akuji has standard spells like the fireball, but | he can also teleport into enemies, then explode them. The best spells, however, are the demons. Akuji can summon demons to | perform special tasks. Some will hunt and | track a single enemy, others will destroy | everything onscreen. Yes, this title is coming along nicely (Crystal just needs to fix that darn camera).

Trouble on i the bridge. ٢

A M in ezite

Death to the rainbow rhino.

| Akuji’s massive E 1 سل‎ help him climb. Pta دود‎

Game Informer ٥ October 8 63

y Bergren, The Game Burrito fter two months of E3 highlights, it’s time for some actual reviews. Unfortunately, some f the games featured this month are a little dated due to the extended E3 round-up, ut hey, deal with it. Some of these games are still good.

DOS and Windows Collide

“If you want action that checks your gut once in a while, Unreal fits the bill”

Dominion: Storm Over Gift 3 — lon Storm - 8.5

ominion: Storm over Gift 3, the first game released under the lon Storm label, is a real-time strategy created by Todd D Porter, who has worked on games such as Ultima VI and Wing Commander. But Dominion is more like Command &

Conquer, especially the graphics and interface. But to say it’s a ripoff is like saying one car’s design rips off another's because it too uses four wheels and cylinders. Dominion simply borrows logical choices.

Before | even installed Dominion on my PC | was happy it came packed in two CD-ROMS. With four races to command and about 60 missions, Dominion offers mucho playtime. The four races in question are the Humans, Mercs, Scorps, and the Darken. But behind the cheesy names, each race has its own special strengths and weaknesses in regards to secret weaponry, armor, unit cost, and more. However, as with most games, the flow chart of structures, vehicles, infantry, etc. for each race are remarkably similar for alien races that are supposed to be...well...alien. Everyone has a refinery, a chassis plant, and a power plant. | know we must keep things fair, but it would be refreshing to see an army obtain power by doing something imaginative, like effortlessly tapping the unlimited supply of static energy in a planet’s atmosphere or

something like that.

Unreal — GT Interactive — 8.5

y now, many of you have had a chance to play, or at least get a look at, the highly hyped Unreal. Rumor has it, even Es a future Abe's project will use the Unreal engine. Perhaps you have even decided whether or not to purchase this

game. In my opinion, Unreal is a lot of fun and can be a serious challenge. However, consider this: In the coming months, there will be a ton of other first-person shooters rising to the surface like Duke Nukem Forever, Recoil, Requiem, Half-Life, Vigilance, Sin, not to mention the countless add-ons, the list goes on. If you absolutely have to have a new game now, then by all means, Unreal is intense. However, if you don't have the economic means to buy all of those games, you may want to wait and see how the rest of the crop shapes up.

One of the best things about Unreal is the enemies. They're big, fierce, highly trained, and ultimately deadly. The Skaarj kick butt. These guys are too fast to run away from and are incredibly agile. They can jump very high and flip from side to side so it’s difficult to get a bead on them. Plus, they have both close and long-range weapons. Since you have to work to bring these bad guys down, you usually won't have to defeat a whole regiment at once, but rather, one or two individuals.

The environments are pretty cool too. Although there are a good number of corridors, Unreal also lets you enjoy the great outdoors once in a while. Go outside and enjoy the big blue sky. But don't sit there too long, or you'll get smacked by a flying lamprey that sucks your innards. And as with most good games, these blood suckers don't inflict tons of damage, but they sure are fast little buggers. If you want action that checks your gut once in a while, Unreal fits the bill.

“Explosions are sharp and

Overall, however, Dominion is a solid game. Explosions are sharp and colorful and there are a good number of vehicles and structures to build and upgrade. The Al shows signs of life and is usually smart and agressive. When the computer colorful and there a 7 attacks, it seems to always focus on the biggest threat. In one instance, however, | had one last remaining powersource good number of vehicles that was completely exposed and it would have been mission over had the computer simply destroyed my refinery with the . two tanks it had parked a stone’s throw away. Also, the game has lots of FMV, but it becomes repetitive. If you're going to and structures to build make FMV, at least do it right.

“It was challenging, but with only 12 mechs under my command, | wanted to wreak more havoc”

recent releases

and upgrade”

MechCommander — MicroProse — 8

ech, Mech, Mech!! It feels good to use that word so freely. FASA, the company that owns the word (if you can own SUR a word), frowns heavily upon using the word “mech” in reference to bi-pedal powered battle tanks in any game

not licensed by FASA. Last time we used the word mech in reference to an unlicensed game, FASA quickly sent a letter from its lawyer demanding us to cease and desist. Therefore, Gl must use the incredibly lame “mecha,” when discussing an unlicensed game. But not this time. Mech, Mech, Mech!!!!

MechCommander is a realtime strategy game, but instead of building bases, you build up your own company of mechs. Creating your own mech force is a lot of fun and, of course, you'll start with the bare minimum. As you complete missions you will earn resource points to buy bigger and stronger mechs, as well as soldiers to drive them. Mech drivers attain higher ranks by completing missions and accumulating kills. As far as the mechs go (18 types in all), points can be spent repairing them, buying new weapons, or getting a whole new mech altogether. But that’s very expensive. To save money you can capture enemy components and salvage fallen mechs.

Up to 12 mechs can be brought to battle; unfortunately, building my mech force was more fun than commanding it. Don’t get me wrong, the control, Al, and graphics are all up to par and the strategy elements are extensive, but | got bored fighting the bad guys, especially without a mid-level save feature. It was challenging, but with only 12 mechs under my command, | wanted to wreak more havoc.

For the most part, MechCommander is a well designed game. And even though | didn’t get into it that much, | have no doubt that strategy fanatics will love this game. It’s long and very challenging. So if you have an interest in the BattleTech universe and real-time strategy, definitely look into MechCommander. In the meantime, l'II wait for MechWarrior 3.

Daytona USA 2

Arcade-savvy racing nuts have .

been waiting on this one for a long time. Daytona USA 2 features new Model 3 Step 2 boards and a Crash Impact Generator for the most realistic racing yet. One seat can serve as a stand-alone unit, or can be linked with up to 15 other units for 16-player racing.

As before, there are three cars and three courses; however, two of those courses are new. Sega chose to leave the first course in, because it was perfect for racing against friends. In addition to the two new tracks, Sega has included three race modes: Beat The Clock (a time trial mode), Real Players Only (a mode with no CPU racers), and No Assist (removes the “Auto Assist” feature). These new modes add replay value to an already excellent title. Daytona USA 2 should already be in arcades now.

“Elf Ne ue Although these words will never be heard in a new arcade machine again, Atari is bringing back Gauntlet, complete with 3D graphics. The level design is very different from before. Instead of continually heading deeper into a dungeon, Gauntlet Legends is set up in three areas consisting of five levels apiece, with bosses and sub-bosses. Although the boss idea is nice, the idea of being able to complete Gauntlet is very lame. There will once again be the same four classes to choose from, except for the Elf. Why? Well, the Elf was “sexually ambiguous,” and has been replaced with the sultry Archer. Plus, there are hidden characters, like a minotaur, to play as. So it’s not all bad. Games within the game like “It” are still present. Death still roams the halls, but the Thief and Sorcerer are gone.

Other new additions to the sequel include: The Shop, a place to stock up on health and increased attributes; at least 20 power-ups, of which 16 are new; a new “turbo” button for combos and secret moves, as well as to run (duh); a password feature to continue your game later; multiple magic spells; 13 different species of enemies each with different types (for over 50 different monsters); experience levels; and Rune Stones, of which all 13 must be found to get to the final boss. Now that’s a lot of new stuff! Gauntlet Legends should be in arcades everywhere by the time you read this.

MEW PLAY 1

LOAD FROM N64 س‎ MEMORY CARD RARE PLAT _/

me

re a51- Site a ‘

` Atari 3 releasing a sequel to Area 51. Called Area 51 - Site 4, your

goal is to blow up all the aliens in four new locations. Each location has six objectives, which once passed, allow access to Site 4. With 18 waves, a new boss alien, secret rooms, power-ups, the return of Missile Command, and lots of shooting action for Area 51 fans, this game has some pretty solid replay value.

jj en awr | 2 1 peau. ÎN Var |

LATTES

$ 1 RRR | ARI iaa A

The hottest thing to hit the arcades since Tekken, Biitz has received an overwhelming response from gamers seemingly content with their 32- and 64-bit systems. With the sequel comes a host of new features, including Fire. Receivers will now get hot after a few con- secutive passes, preventing the defense from bringing them down! Other big additions to the game include weather-altered playing fields, and four joysticks on the cabinet, allowing for twice the mayhem, and twice the smashing hits. Not to mention new animations, more colorful comments from the players and the announcer, and a medley of new formations and plays to keep things lively.

Apart from the excellent improvements mentioned above, Midway is bringing something new to the arcade scene. Players with created plays saved on their N64 controller pak will be able to use up to nine safety-burning plays in Blitz ‘99, via a slot on the arcade machine. Could this be a revolution in the way games are made for the arcade, as well as the home?

Game Informer ٥ October '98 ©

A GLANCE

NHL 99

Finally, EA Sports is porting its PlayStation hockey to N64, and we couldn't be happier.

e Size: 64 Megabit e Style: 1 to 4-Player

Sports One of the most legendary sports games in 27 + Special Features: history, EA’s NHL franchise should feel right at

ala Aa pees home on the polygon-friendly N64. Numerous

eee improvements have been made to Al and

Level; 1998 Rules skater animation, plus Mark Crawford now

AA hosts a “Coaching Drills” mode. For serious ۱ la Serie a Mam season fans, the game includes an expansion e draft for the Nashville Predators, and the 1998

for Nintendo 64 rules changes. Plus, a new Beginner mode has

been added, allowing players to simultaneously play at different skill levels. The Rumble Pak lets players know when a skull-breaking hit has ` been administered, and 18 top international

90% Complete teams are represented. Nice.

Sho: 30 Megabit Penny Racers is the newest release in the i

+ Size: 3 egab | | |

e Stile: à to A Player long-standing Japanese series, Choro Q. Six Racing competitors race on a variety of tracks in some

* Special Features: wacky Matchbox-style vehicles. Play as one of

TT : tă 30 cars, each customizable with parts acquired A through beating opponents or purchases from a Upgrades Include shop. After each race is complete, the top

Weapons, Engines, three finishers are allowed to permanently take PONE, TIES, at parts from the losers. Penny Racers also has Smee ea ant a solid Track Editor for players in need of | Snow, & Desert): new courses. With the Track Editor, the 2 = ROMINA game moves beyond a simple racer with ri by: Takata super-deformed cars and matures into a OI Statement about the culture that surrounds us. ‘99 for Nintendo 64 Not really, but it’s still a neat feature.

60% Complete

= Wisi اا‎ Buck Bumble offers solid control. Maneuvering

+ Stylo: 1 or 2 Player Buck through the air is easy to learn, and Shooter the heavy dogfighting gets pretty intense. It’s

* Special Features: interesting that the enemies attack and pursue وب وات‎ you intelligently - some go head-to-head, A Others swarm in groups of three. Unfortunately, Game; 2-Player Split Buck's mission layouts get very repetitive; § Screen they're basically search and destroy. Plus, ې‎ —

SC en the fog is overwhelming at times. However, _ ba PE ES Duck is a good game that packs plenty of : co

+ Available: Now for entertainment. The control is fluid and the

Nintendo 64 graphics shine.

Bottom Line:

GLANCE

NBA Tonight

iii From the combined talents of ESPN and

: E e Size: 1 CD-ROM Radical Entertainment comes a game based f EY on the show of the same name — NBA Tonight. Sports (8-Player Via Featuring commentary by Dr. Jack Ramsay MAME]

i i + Special Features: Full and Stuart Scott, NBA Tonight gives the player EU deh: a TV-styled game with player intros, laser ٥0١١١۴٢ 9 shows, and humorous one-liners. As far as the IA æ game is concerned, NBA Tonight has all the ESS لل لد‎

standard bells and whistles including Icon ME AE eS # 5 1 e Created by: Radical Passing, playcalling, and both a Season and | PAN Playoff mode. Though it's still early, the game f 111 ٢٢ packs a lot of animation for the players, and the PACA Kg classic ESPN lines just roll during the entire ١٢ هسل‎ | game. NBA Tonight isn't perfect yet, but it just may be one to watch this fall.

75% Complete

Beavis & Butt-head working tite)

In the | duo’s first appearance on the E geme PlayStation, the boys have just finished filming ٢ ۳ their newest Hollywood movie. Anxious to get Action/Adventure

back to the couch and watch TV, the two soon MEE OS realize they have no money (their paychecks وې و ا‎ 1 have been mailed home). The adventure IA rT begins when they submit their labors for hire. MEN

What new wacky, crazy, and lazy work details 11٢ فآ‎

will Beavis & Butt-head encounter? Your guess وه‎ ie

is a good as ours. One thing we do know ff about the game is you will be able to II

We control what Beavis and Butt-head say, similar [RENE ST oa MeN ile د‎ to the Gamespeak in Abe's Oddysee. You can MIC SICH probably envision what sick and twisted events

80% Complete

Tecmo's Deception Il

If you're looking for something off the beaten , : 7 e Size: 1 CD-ROM path, then Tecmo's Deception II could be it. [APA Don't get us wrong, there is plenty of death and f ETE blood in this game, but its not spilled in the [RECAE normal fashion. There are no nail guns, battle PIM ket launchers — just traps. In IE axes, or rocKe Liat J ps. Command Your Deception Il, your job is to protect a castle from f 2 A intruders by setting a variety of traps that use f دل له‎ items such as falling balls of fire, bear traps, ٢ دس لته‎ hallucinogenic drugs, pendulum blades, and | SALL a 0 gs, م‎ ip y + Created by: Tecmo many, many more. In addition to a plethora of [REMATE deadly traps, you will encounter a lot of odd f ته‎ characters trying to overtake your castle. For instance, although not very original, note the picture of the dude that looks like a

:- sken Raider: 95% Complete

Game Informer ٥ October '98 9

CLANCE

Review | MET

: Blitz features all the hard-hitting, high-flying ٢ e Size: 1 CD-ROM ， She: Or Per action of the arcade. With all the teams and f Sports updated stats, Blitz is sure to please NBA Jam e Special Features: fans, as well as the legions of “Blitz faithful” SAA already in place. The only real problems with Animation From the thi that ti itchi | Meade Game: Man is game are that sometimes switching players Secret Codes; Memory wont register, or the game switches you away EA from the action. The graphics are not quite as

ad ay ae Î good as the N64 version, and there is no Play Hee ieee Hi Editor. But the gameplay is intact and offers a + Replay Value: High solid challenge, even for the Blitz masters. If

* Created by: Midway you don't have an N64, check this game out. Re OM Tah But if you’re a hardcore gamer who owns all the

Bottom tne: systems, get the N64 version.

Preview| 9

Tees ٢7 Believe it or not, Wild 9, developed by Shiny | » Style: 1-Player Entertainment, should be in stores right now. | Action/Platform Most of the levels are pretty standard — get to | * Special Features: the end, kill the bad guys, and get as many § e oi aid MN collectibles and power-ups as possible. Your A, Main weapon, The Rig, emits a beam that Ups; Checkpoints; grabs ahold of enemies, allowing you to swing Varied Level Designs them around overhead and slam them on the i ati Masa ground repeatedly until they explode. You can A also use The Rig to swing up to higher areas. e Created by: Shiny Some levels go in a different direction. For Entertainment for instance, in one you're on a water bike cruising y pi pf oe around in a bayou crowded with trees while PlayStation trying to tag a bad guy with missiles. It's very reminiscent of the forest moon Endor.

65% Complete

MILI د‎ Se COMPLETE

ETER LIRE

PT ATLANTA x Games Pro Boarder a || a

ai Pro Boarder has eight professionals like Peter e Size: 1 CD-ROM Li d Jamie L d dtrack with » Style: Lor DPlayer ine and Jamie Lynn and a soundtrack wit Sports bands like Pennywise and the Foo Fighters. To UCI counter these expenses, ESPN included plenty مهل سه‎ of endorsements. You cant go 15 seconds Mode; Gear Sponsors A i ë heh ae Puii without seeing a Mountain Dew banner, plus . . Vu a ویم‎ | Morrow; 2 Difficulty there is gear from Burton, K2, Morrow, Sims, Bath الله نان‎ Levels; Soundtrack and more. There are nine events, but due to Features Foo Fighters, imilariti ip i i ; sra iva le similarities, it's more like six. You can go for big 1143 PETER UNE =, » Created by: Radical air in 1-70 and Mt. Baker Gap, or race down the 022 TINA BASÈR mica la: ue Entertainment for ESPN mountain in Freeride, Boarder X, or Midnight 3 444 PLAY | T N n TE ses, 3 Digital Games Express. There are also two halfpipe events, Er, Ea A اود پا‎ iei Slopestyle, and a Stadium event. The weak a y for PlayStation i le A part about the racing competitions is that the

field only contains three riders.

80% Complete

LANCE

AT

A

CLANCE A T

Activision Classics

This game includes 30 of Activision's games that were first released on the Atari 2600. True translations of these games, including sounds and multiple game settings, can be found on this disc. For the collector or long-time gamer its worth a look. Otherwise, the curious

can just rent it for a day. Here's a partial list of

our favorites: Barnstorming, Pitfall, River Raid, Skiing, Stampede, Tennis, Kaboom!, Chopper Command, Keystone Kapers, Dragster, and Enduro. A true blast from gaming's past.

Pool Hustier

= ASCII's Backstreet Billiards has a little compe-

tition this fall, as Activision recently announced plans to publish Pool Hustler for PlayStation.

J| With development roots in Japan, Pool Hustler

includes a Story mode where the object is to advance through city venues by winning money and maintaining a reputation. As pool enthusiasts, we are immediately impressed with Pool Hustler’s control. Shots are fairly

| easy to line up, and the cue pushes through à the ball for a nice stroke. Remember: stroke,

don't poke. In Story mode, bets are wagered prior to each game, but the competition also offers bets on specific shots. Often, it throws off the rhythm of the game and makes you choke a shot. Pool fans have two new games this fall,

îi so watch for the upcoming bottom line.

Global Domination

Global Domination calls itself a mix between Command & Conquer and Missile Command.

i That's a pretty good description, but you'd | have to throw “The Fall Guy” in there too,

because the FMV acting is totally cheezy. In the game, you are a member of ULTRA, and your mission is Global Domination (who would’ve guessed?). The game lets you play as one of 56 different nations, and the game-

M play demands keen tactical thinking and

arcade twitch skills. You can launch defensive

i weapons to repel attacks, or carry out a full

nuclear strike. With the conflict editor, players design their own scenarios, and there’s an Arcade mode where the emphasis is on action and quick gameplay.

A

GLANCE

Size: 1 CD-ROM

Style: 1 or 2-Player Retro Compilation

Special Features: 30 Atari 2600 Games; Black & White Screen Mode; Audio Toggles; Controller Configuration

Replay Value: Moderately Low

Created by: Activision Available: September 22 for PlayStation

mat ons are bor zh e Virtual Ches

More SAR i

Bottom Line:

5

Size: 1 CD-ROM

Style: 1 or 2-Player Sports Special Features: Bet On Games & Individual Shots; 12 Different Opponents; Trick Mode; Story Mode (Hustling Simulator); Different Cues

Created by: ASK for Activision

Available: September 30 for PlayStation

80% Complete:

fans who don't own

Ninja - PlayStation

Bottom Line: Horrible a bad

itif

Size: 1 CD-ROM

Style: 1-Player Action/Strategy

Special Features: Conflict Editor; Live-Action Mission Briefings; Historic & Futuristic Weapons Technology; 20 Scenarios Created by: Psygnosis (Leeds Studio)

Available: November for PlayStation

75% Complete:

Game Informer ٥ October '98

GLANCE

Preview

Size: 1 CD-ROM

Style: 1 or 2-Player Sports (8-Player Via Multi-Tap) Special Features: 16 International Teams; Sports Center-esque Presentation; 6 Modes; Create Player; 3 Difficulty Levels; Flip Passing; Commentary by Gary Thorne & Steve Levey; Highlighted Puck

Created by: Radical Entertainment for ESPN Digital Games

Available: November 10 for PlayStation

75% Complete

Preview

Size: 1 CD-ROM

Style: 1-Player Strategy/RPG

Special Features: Unique Monsters Acquired From Other Memory Cards; Breed & Trade Monsters With Friends; 2-Player Battle Mode; Attributes Based on Name, Card Save, & Other Odd Facts Created by: Jaleco Available: October for PlayStation

80% Complete

Review

Size: 1 CD-ROM

Style: 1 or 2-Player Action (5-Player Via Multi-Tap) Special Features: 3 Games: Normal, Battle, &

Challenge; Password Save;

FMV Intro; Over 20 Power- Ups & Special Vehicles; 7 New Multiplayer

Characters; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible Replay Value: Moderate Created by: Hudson for Atlus

Available: Now for PlayStation

Bottom Line:

6.5

O Game Informer ٥ October '98

NHL National Hockey Night

National Hockey Night was created with the serious ESPN fanatic in mind. Trademark bits from Sports Center and National Hockey Night broadcasts are prevalent throughout the

experience. Whether its the Sports Center }

theme song, Steve Levey’s inane comments, or the “Did you know?” trivia, this game breathes the legacy that is ESPN. The control is very straightforward and responds well. Additionally,

in true Sports Center fashion, the frontend is 8

Statistically thorough, including league and team leaders. All of the NHL teams are present, as well as 16 international ones. The six modes are World Tourney, Season, Exhibition, Playoff, Shoot Out, and Head 2 Head. from the devel- opers of NHL Powerplay, National Hockey Night comes packed with just about everything.

Dragon Seeds

If you are a fan of Monster Rancher, then listen up. Jaleco has come up with some unique ideas for its forthcoming breeder/battle sim, Dragon Seeds. Play as one of over 100 different monsters, each with its own attributes and attacks. There are many different ways to acquire monsters, such as using old memory card saves from other games, winning monsters in tournaments, or by splicing genes together at the lab. Nearly everything you do

has an effect on your monster, all the way down 8

to the name you choose for it. With creature

swapping capabilities and 2-player battle, this À

is one interesting title indeed.

Hudson has found great success with the antics of a single character. Bomberman has

been chucking bombs for an eternity and he &

may never cease. Recently, Bomberman

ventured out into the world of action/platform, |

but only on the N64. On the PlayStation,

Bomberman is still duking it out in a variety of |

arenas, trying to blow everything but himself (and the abundant power-ups) to high heaven. Over the years, this format has become rather

boring as a 1-player game and only slightly |

redeeming as a multiplayer game. The arenas are pretty much the same as they have always been, but a tad more interactive. The sluggish Bomberman World is only useful for very young gamers and some party functions where everyone isn’t a natural at vids.

GLANCE

“hy

a ae

GLANCE

Monkey Hero

Long ago, there existed three worlds: the gy

Dream World, the Waking World, and the | و رس‎

Nightmare World. But in time, the Nightmare IATA

World broke from its barriers, and began to [HEAR

conquer the other worlds. Uh oh, better call ii cd ون‎

Monkey Hero! Monkey is the hero, and its up Pp Projectile Attacks; :

to him to restore balance and save the world. ESS “soundtrack. Don’t expect anything more as The gameplay in Monkey Hero could be MIME a con À good value if you” ve described as a Zelda rip-off, especially the rS oy BARE Jer never p puzzles. Throughout the deep dungeons, ff

Monkey must find keys, push blocks, kill [ANS

baddies, and make long jumps. A number of special attacks and abilities help keep the gameplay fresh. Monkey Hero definitely can't match Zelda, but it might actually be fun. Watch for more as the release date 0 k approaches. 80% Complete:

LAP TIME... 232 (1 7 Pos 3 BEST. = A =

TOCA Championship Racing Originally, EA was going to publish TOCA, but Bt a aan

when the company decided to pass on it, JDO | AAA stepped in and took over. With eight tracks and EEE

three modes, including a Championship mode, MEN SERIES TOCA has a lot to offer racing fans. This isn't | Pd NASCAR, so many of the tracks are fairly | سا‎ technical and usually require a couple of RAS laps to learn the layout of the turns. In the f Eoee aee beginning, there are eight cars to choose from, ne by: Codemasters neluding an Audi, Peugeot, Nissan, Ford, and | دس‎

„| Volvo. The downfall of TOCA is the control. It f ERRATI

takes a while to get used to, and even then, the steering can be difficult. Sometimes, even a slight turn of the wheel sends the car spinning off the track.

95% Complete:

P run derby.

Harvest Moon - Game Boy Bottom Line: Farmers are cool, and so is Harvest Moon

Game Boy

PIKACHU

35 MOUSE 00116111011 (Red 8 Blue Versions) is" à > , 3 HT 1/047

Pokemon comes in two versions: a Red

Put the mated

A i i Size: 4 Megabit cows in here na. ozs WT 13. o | p | Version anda Blue version. Both colors feature | PAPA _ Oo an identical game, but a different set of [ENANA

Pokemon. Basically, you will not be able to [NULA collect all 150 Pokemon critters simply playing Bile pips اعات‎ 2 i the game by yourself. To accomplish this feat, | IAS a) &

you will need to link up with a friend (who has RSS

the other version) and trade. But the primary ¡RAEE ait ae use of linking is to wage war, choosing up to six Sra hr

pets to battle your friend's six pets. But first you || سو‎ will need to play the awesome 1-player quest EE

to power up the Pokemon and make them as [ENGINES feisty as possible. Pokemon is basically a RUES

virtual pet/RPG/trading simulator. It's loaded Bottom Line:

with longevity and tons of variety. 9

electricity could build and cause

lightning storms.

5 game unplayable on the Game Boy screen.

Game Boy for the SNES, but . The a Blows. it a 2 la of

ANAKIN r lused BUBBLE *

Game Informer + October '98

MR ال‎

WARNING!

1 人 y0 secrets found in the game. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

BASIC TRAINING: Forset the Techniques!

Forget about the special move for each weapon (hold attack for two seconds, then release). It usually serves only one purpose: getting you killed

by falling off a cliff.

Cheat!

Many enemies have a “zone” they will not leave, even if you want them to. Just stand behind these

invisible barriers and fire daggers at will.

Forset Blockins!

In Ninja, the best defense is a good offense. Never stand still (which you must do while blocking). Punch and kick constantly when an

enemy IS near.

Tempodady Invineibility?

Use your Smart Bomb (R2) to render yourself

unassailable for a very short amount of time. Very

handy in tight situations.

ion‏ سلا

Start by opening three chests, picking up items, and whacking enemies until the KEY appears to open the gate. Don't touch the beehives, they will only bring you pain. After heading through the gate, continue on. The next chest on your left will have some food. Head past the logs, kill everyone, and a chest will appear with a KEY. In the chest behind the tripwire is some more food. If you set off the trap, just run away in a straight line until three spears have fallen. Continue on through the gate and you will see a small area with a chest and a rotating blade. Go in there, because one of the two chests contains the next KEY (the other has some money). Avoid the rolling logs, beat up some female enemies, cross the bridge, and then fight some more. If you get hit, don’t worry, there’s some food right after that. Next, dodge some more rotating blades and fight off a small army. Go to the right and grab that power-up in the chest behind the tripwire. Head into the river and explore thoroughly, especially under the waterfall. Beware of the flying fish, as they will knock you off the narrow platform that separates Mr. Ninja from a watery grave.

Be sure to dodge the lightning on the other side of the river, as it really stings. Grab the sword and use it to cut enemies all the way to the end of the level. Then dodge the rolling spikes by waiting for one to come to the bottom of the hill, and leap beyond it. When you get to the end after crossing the log you first have to go right to get the KEY. Then head left (watch out for the trees!) and meet the boss.

Boss |

This boss is simple. Use your daggers to hit him until he shoots a fireball at you. When he does, use your secret move (R2) to become invincible and hit him back. This move is limited, so use the special attack with caution.

Level 3:

Smack the two guards waiting at the door and head to the right. Navigate the platforms and get the KEY from the mean old samurai. Go through the gate and kick tail until the stairs open. Head down and step on the plate to open the next area. Come back up, beat on some more villains, and go through the gate and across to the next area. Grab the KEY, heading through the silver gate to the right.

Keep Off The Grass! At least, that should be the name of this level. Beat all the enemies, then venture onto the grass and beat the sleeping dragon. If you go on the grass earlier, then you are in trouble, as the dragon will help out the villains by giving them fire support. Get the KEY, then go to the other side, which is the same, but mirrored. Push the button (just like the other side, remember?) and go to the area with the dragon. Beat the dragon, and get the other KEY (just like the other side). 1 Get through the gates and head to the left. Kill the red monk-looking 4 guys quick, as they pack a nasty punch! Grab the KEY, then head into the small grove. Beat all the folks in the grove and head to the other side of the main gate, doing the same thing as above. Once you acquire a gold KEY from each side, head up the middle. Turn to the right (or the left) of the area right before the slope and beat the samurai. Shoot the tombstones from a distance until

72 Game Informer e October ‘98

they explode, and the gates will open, allowing you to obtain the riches you saw before.

Go up the slope, beat the two samurai, and open the next gate with one of the gold KEYS acquired early. Head straight up the stairs ASAP, as all of the extra guys are there just to give you grief. That’s the end!

Right when you start the level, beware the falling columns. Just rely on the same technique used to deal with the falling redwoods. The first chest to the left holds 100 1-ups. Just kidding! It’s really a trap. Hope that didn’t cost ya! The chest on the right contains some coins (really).

Once you get up the stairs, go to the right, dodge the plant, and grab the power-up. Then head on past and kill the green monsters, plus the skeletons. Kill the crawling torsos by leaping on them. Go up the stairs and beat on the demons. After beating them, grab the KEY. Head back to the big mean plant and go left through the gate. Slip inside the area behind the boxes (on the left side) and kill all the monsters back here. Open the chests and get the gold KEY, the money, and the munchies. Take the KEY and head to the other side of the big mean plant. Go through the gate, kill some other wimpy ninjas, and head left. Beware of those evil plants on the bridge! Get across and head up the stairs. Explore thoroughly, evading the exploding boxes, and get the KEY. Use the KEY on the gate on the lower floor. Dodge more exploding boxes and head back across the bridge. Go to the other bridge on the other side. Grab the KEY (you should have two of them) and head through the two gates.

Kill the enemies hanging out at the tree and get the gold KEY. Head through the gate and beat up on some evil spiders and skeletons. Get the last KEY and go through the final gate.

Boss GQ;

This boss is easy. All you have to do is stay away from the two-headed beast, and the fire-covered walls, and hit him with tons of shurikens. Dodge the lightning and keep moving. When he stomps, dodge the area that turns purple and keep shooting. Piece of cake.

Level 4

Head into the first area and kill all the bad guys. Beware of

y the pits! Then go forward some more, through the gate, kill the at ` „ ghost skeletons, and head up the stairs (on either side). The

| left side has some money and a power-up, the right has

the much needed KEY. Go through the first of the two

” silver gates and pick up some food and a fauchard. Go

through the next gate. Same deal: go to both sides and

pick up the KEYS and the stuff. There’s a sword on the left

side. Then, do it all one more time, but the upstairs is a little dif-

ferent. Go to the left side, and kill the guards. Then head up the

stairs to the left of the spikes. Kill the dragon statue and head over

to the chests. Kill the new guards and then go to the other statue.

Hit the switch and get out of there before the statue kills you, then slide down the middle and get the KEY.

In the next area, the floor disappears behind you, and places you in a room with a lava pit. Head up one of the sets of stairs and start kicking tail. Open each shutter by hitting it with daggers, all the way around. There’s a power-up and an axe in the chests on the right side of the pit. After opening all of the shutters, head back to the pit and touch the statue. Then you meet a boss: the statue.

Hell Y Boss?

This boss is pathetically simple.

Stay on the move and keep hit-

ting the beast with daggers, using your special when you absolutely cannot dodge. Repeat the process

until the guy is toast. End of level!

level $: After beating the ninjas at the beginning, two chests will appear. Go down the corridor and head through the door. Continue through the next door, to the right, cross the bridge, dodge the falling beams, and continue on until the gold KEY is in your custody. Head back until the bridge collapses, and go back to the door with the gold KEY. Keep heading forward and kill all the baddies until a chest, holding a silver KEY, appears. Go through the door and head to the right. Go on to the end. and jump on the elevator. Grab the KEY at the end of the elevator and return to the other door. Watch out for the traps as you round the corner. Head on to the back of the room near the gold door. Grab the KEY from the chest in the back of the room. After hitting the switch near the door, return to the large hole in the corridor. There should be an elevator there. Take it, and head on to the next area, which looks like the last area, but backwards. Keep on going and nab that last KEY, which opens the corridor to the mini-boss: a spider. Kill the spider (be sure to dodge its web and pounce on the baby spiders) and the level is complete.

Game Informer ٥ October '98

Level 6;

These next two levels are almost entertaining. Start the level by going up the sta on the left and grabbing the KEY. Head back down the stairs and go towards the bridge. Grab the KEY out of the chest next to the bridge, then cross. Dodge the fire and kill the gargoyles. For some reason, using the daggers works better than punch- ing. Take them out and use the KEY you got earlier to open the gate.

Remember when we said this level was almost entertaining? Here's why. You will now come across the first of many Spinning Boxes that, when touched, create a bridge or other opening to a new area. Hit the box and a bridge will appear. Head across and

to the left. Put the other KEY in the windmill. Keep going to the left and wait at the rope-bridge thing. Jump on and go to the next hut. Once you kill every- one, some platforms will appear on one of the corners. Leap on and hop across to the next house. Head to the bottom tier and hit the Spinning Box. Go back up to the top via the elevator and go to the spikes that slam shut. In-between the two, there is another spinning box. Here’s the hard part: To get between them you have

to dodge the traps. If you are hit by the traps, you die. Period. Drop down, go back up, and head down and around, right next to the traps, and a bridge will appear. Run across and drop to the bottom. Take the booty and go around until you see a moving platform with a Spinning Box on top. Touch it, then head around and grab the rest 0 the chests. Head back to the first hut and go to the corner where the wind is blowing |

A bridge will appear. Time your run correctly and get across. Go all the way ar

you will see a door. Use the KEY and get ready to kick some heads. Kill all the

"and a stairway will magically appear! Go on down and explore thoroughly. wheel spikes at the dead end of the area and get the next KEY. Go back to the stairway just mentioned and return through to ¢ i

ropeways and make the leap across to the walk on the other side. Head to the ng m upt

قم ج

‘stairs. You're at the end!

Level 7:

This level looks exactly the same as the last one. No, really. Tedious you say? Think about writing this guidel

head to the left and grab the gold KEY. Then, go across the bridge and head to the upper right. Put th windmill and go to the other side where a moving platform awaits. Jump on and head to the other side, where there is an elevator. Go up and kill all the enemies and a Spinning Box awaits you. Cross the bridge that appears and kill some more enemies. Touch the next Spinning Box. Cross the next bridge that appears and get the KEY on the other side of the closing traps. Put the KEY in the windmill on the bottom floor, take the elevator up, and wait for the platform. Go across, blow up the barrels next to the room, and the door opens. Go in and head to the left. When you arrive on the other side, forget about the bottom floor. It just isn’t worth it. If you are very perceptive, you will be able to make out some floating pieces of wood. Jump across the ravine from platform to platform. Kill everyone and the bridge drops. Do the same thing on the next area, and continue on. Head to the right, across the spike pattern, and stay along the wall. When you get to the next clearing, about 12 lizard guys will jump out. Lure them over to the barrels and hit one of the barrels with a dagger. Be sure to grab the KEY, and head all the way back to i . the door you went through earlier. Jump down between the closing traps and use the KEY. Kick, punch, chop your way through the enemies until the platform in front of you begins to rise. Jump on and get ready for the next boss sequence.

Boss 3;

All you gotta do is stay on him. If he gets too far away, then the fire will rain down. And let us tell ya’, the fire hurts. So stay on top of the baby wyvern-thingy and beat him into submission. Then, use him to ride to the next level. (No, there’s not a level that allows you to ride on the back of him and blast away enemies. That would be too cool.)

Level 8:

Head to the left and open up the chests. Keep an eye to the sky, however, as the Evil Exploding Coconuts could drop any time! Head to the right, up the stairs to the left, and open the door. Wait at the door and kill the multitude of ninjas coming out of that tiny little hut. (Apparently, European ninjas moonlight as clowns in a traveling circus.) Go across the bridge, but don’t take the leap of faith in to the river (like the game wants you to). Simply hop around the outside of the spikes and angle back into land on the grass on the other side. Go to the right and ride the moving mound of moss to the KEY. Head through the gate near the fire and slide through the big traps. After getting past the traps, touch the statue and shoot the glowing middle until it explodes. Head through the gate, slide down the hill, and beat on some folks If you are resourceful, you will use the Evil Exploding Flower Pods planted all around to take care of the major portion of your adversaries. Grab all the goodies left behind and head to the right (up the hill). Cross the bridge and head on to the next area. Find the KEY (it's all the way in the back, of course) by facing all of the major dangers on this level at once. The Evil Coconuts. The Evil Flower Pods. The mean old lizard men. Even some very small puddles of water, in which you can die. Did you know that our ninja hero can't swim? Grab the KEY and return to the small block with spikes on it. Next to the block is a small KEY hole. The block flips over, so use it to go up to the next platform. Kill enough ninjas to ensure your safety, then head to the left to kill another statue and get a silver KEY. Head back and up, and dodge the big spiked wheel by running right behind it. Drop down to the lower area when it extends too far. Do the same for the next wheel. Open the gate, head to the right, and play some Frogger on the exploding barrels. Tip: wait behind the rock until you are ready

[Level 8 continued on page 76]

74 Game Informer ٥ October '98

All you have to do is reserve Metal Gear Solid at FuncoLand with a $5.00 deposit. In addi- tion to receiving the Metal Gear Solid game on the day of release, you will receive:

e Metal Gear Solid Special Forces Cap : , . (first 2,000 vations) America's Place to Shop for Video Games a... + Metal Gear Solid Dog Tags (first 2,000 reservations)

Limit one per customer. Aites are limited.

i a

og Tags & Hat

Do When you make a $5 reservation A Playstation deposit at FuncoLand

6 mA : a ۸ ٨

PRESENT THIS COUPON

Present this coupon at any FuncoLand and make a $5.00 deposit to reserve Metal Gear Solid. The first 2,000 deposits will receive the Metal Gear Solid Special Forces Cap and Dog Tags.

Offer expires October 31, 1998

Limit one per customer. Quantities are limited.

FuncoLand

RETAIL COUPON

See your nearest FuncoLand store for details visit us @ www.funcoland.com

88

5

4l 5555511842 115 RESRV MTLGR SLD GI

N For more on Metal Gear Solid visit @ www.konami.com

Limit one per customer. No dealers or resellers. Quantities are limited and no rainchecks will be issued. Metal W Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid characters and their likeness are trademarks of Konami Co. Ltd. PlayStation

and PlayStation logos are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Game manufacturer has the right to À o ete of any title at their discretion. © 1998 Funco, Inc. FuncoLand is a registered trademark of Funco,

"Ife: x reserved.

[Level 8 continued from page 74] Level 10:

Kill all the ninjas to start the elevator. Then, get on and head to the left. Go across the bridge and dodge the closing traps. Go across another bridge. Keep moving and go across a moving platform with electric current crossing it. Get to the mine car tracks and wait for a mine car to come out. Jump on a stalagmite and get on the car. Go across the “conveyor belt” of mine carts to the safety of the other side.

Go through the door to the left. Once inside, kill the monsters that appear from the balls and then use the canisters they came from to get across to the walkway. Go up the ramp and head to the left. Beat the ninjas that mystically appear and head out through the next open door. Head to the left and up the stalagmites. Keep going up and make the big leap to the left side (the one with the gated opening). Go around and drop all of the bridges by climbing up each of the four hills and dodging the barrels that come down. When you are at the top of each one, hit a switch on the left to open the next one. Keep going the same way until you see another leap similar to one you made a few minutes ago, then take it. Grab the gold KEY at the top of the slope to the right. Go back down to the level just below and head left until you see a huge door with eyes. Go to the left and BAM! the wall busts open and a huge, ugly, worm-ice-beast comes out.

This mini-boss is easy to beat. Just stay near the top of the screen and you can dodge the worst attack it has - the ice boulders. Try not to let the

to make your move. Dispense some street justice to the lizards, then cross the platforms to the right. A Gold KEY awaits. Go back to the other side via the platfoms, head to the right, and then do the Frogger thing again. Head across the river via the small platforms. When you do, the KEY will appear. Take the KEY and | head up the hill to the right. Open the gate and get ready for some س‎ i more of those KEYSTONE Ninjas. Cack ‘em, and get the next KEY. TOCA CUS Kill another statue, and get the Gold KEY. Head back across and í find the KEYHOLE next to the spikes (like the one before). Jump

up and use the other KEY as well. Cross under another one of those rolling spike wheels and go up and to the right. Kill all the lizards ‘that appear and go to the right and up the bridge. Soon, you'll face the boss: a fat man.

Boss Y:

We don't really have a strategy for this guy. He's just too dang cheap. Fire at him while you can, until he rushes you. Take the hit, and prepare for his weak Superman imitation. Dodge it, and do the whole thing over again. Attacks do not stun him whatsoever, and he nails you pretty hard. So good luck.

Hell 2 Boss?

Right after you face the fat guy, you are whisked away to Hell to face another of Satan’s minions. Just kick him. When he winds up to hit, start running and change the direction at the last minute, or use a Smart Bomb. Repeat the process until the demon is on his back.

Grab the KEY in the chest to your left, and keep going. Head around monster face you.

the ridge and across the bridge. Go up the hill and use the KEY you just Take the KEY you get and open the next door. got. Go down the hill on the right side. Then head into the water and go Go up the “steps” and head to the right and down down, making sure to stay on the rocks (remember, he can’t swim). another slope to the next KEY. Open the door in Continue on as the “path” angles to the right and up. Fight off some front of you and cross the very disturbing puzzle. fellow ninjas (who can’t swim either) and continue up and back to the Get across and avoid the spike wheels. Go left where a silver KEY awaits. Backtrack along the shore and jump up through the big gate in front of you. Continue to at the first available platform. Head left. ‘the right and beat the troll monsters. Grab the last Before heading up the slope, go to the side and grab the KEY and head into the next area, where you will

chest, which contains a free life. Go up the slope, head fall into the tunnel.

around the right corner, and grab the KEY. Open the small area below you. Grab the KEY. Use the KEY on the gate to the right. Trot to the left while keeping an eye on the falling boul- ders. Go through the gate. Round the corner and head straight to the left. On the other side of the boulder is the sword. Go across the bridge and get some gems (hooray), a KEY, and a power-up. Use the KEY at the top of the slope and head on in. Go to the ridge on the right and wait for the avalanche. Then, make some jumps and get the axe (if you want it). Go back and scale the cliff, but beware of the falling pieces. Once you get on top, prepare for a huge battle. After grabbing the silver KEY, go up the makeshift stairs and hit a switch. Head back down and go to the right, where there is a platform. Make a guess and stand on one of the platforms. If-you guess correctly, a boulder will launch you up to the next level. If not, then get outta the way. Do this three times, while dodging bear traps. Once up, make your way to the left. Get across the bridge, then prepare for the flamethrowers. Time your moves, because the flamethrowers suck. After passing, go down the “steps” and fight some more. Snag the power-up and go back, all the way to the “steps” mentioned above. Go up and to the right. If you are quick after beating everyone, you can snag three 1-ups from a

chest in the right corner. Go down to the slope and climb up. Go to the right until the avalanche screws | A „îi

up the ridge, then navigate the spaces. In the chests there will be a power-up and a silver KEY. Head | |

back, put the KEY in the hole next to the spikes, and go on until you see a ridge with tons of bear traps.

Once you are up, go up and to the right until you see some huts. You can get a power-up from one Levels 1 8 ¡pa

chest and a KEY from the other. Kick the archers’ butts and you'll get the next KEY. Then, meet your Unfortunately, for those who have

next victim: a giant dragon. stuck with the game until this point, the

final two levels await. By now you

have probably mastered the intrica-

cies of Shadow of Darkness,

and are ready to take on

Satan himself. Can you

challenge the pits of Hell

and come out alive? Rely on

your wits and sanity Gl readers,

for it's all you have when entering the realms of the Ninja.

Dragon Boss; This dragon is simple. The dragon has a pattern of hissing fire straight into the air, then bouncing fireballs off the ground, then doing one of two things depending on the situation. If you are too close, the dragon will swipe you. If you're in front, the drag- on will blast you with a deadly firespray. So, stay on the side and fire daggers. We chose the right because it has a better line of sight (hey, a poet, and we didn’t even know it). Toss daggers until the pattern comes up, and then dodge the fireballs. If you are going to get caught by a fireball, just use the ‘ol smart bomb move to escape harm.

76 Game Informer ٥ October '98

All you have to do is reserve د‎ Tomb Raider 1 at FuncoLand with a $10.00 deposit.

In addition to receiving the Tomb Raider III game on the day of release, you will receive:

٥ Team Member T-Shirt (first 5,000 reservations)

٥ Team Member Poster featuring Lara Croft (first 20,000 reservations)

¢ Team Member Card (first 20,000 reservations)

Limit one per customer. Quantities are limited.

ONLY $18.95

OFFICIAL MEMBERS HI

lon.

= Tomb Raider il »edition Team

PlayStat

pe -

HADOW OF DARKNESS

Emos |

E

BLUE GEM 5 Treasure

GREEN GEM

2 Treasure PURPLE GEM 25 Treasure

RED GEM

GOLD GEM 1 Treasure

10 Treasure

E ir LOCK BOX

CRYSTAL DRAGON

UNBREAKABLE 80X

à 2 - From the platform holding the laser gun, glide over to the nearby platform holding the Dragon known as Zikomo.

à 3 - Destroy the goon with the gun, then aim the laser at the two guards in front of the castle entrance. Blast ‘em!!! „Now, go to the second Dragon and drop down to the ledge on the left. Run through the tunnel on the right and you will basically run right into the Haunted Towers Gate. Look past this level warp

d you'll see the third Dragon.

WORLD 5 Dream Weavers i like Freddy Krueger? It

he stages are filled id tons of treasure.

HOME (300 TREASURE — 3 DRAGONS)

guy's face. Use the gun to blast wha

needs blasting. Then use your fan schmancy list of moves to destroy all who breathe. Keep in mind though, the tick- tock bell ringers cannot be killed. They simply raise platforms when the clock on their chest is activated. All t و أ‎ on out in the open, LL i

wers Gate -

to the ledge that's down and to the left. is through the tunnel.

a ues Gate - Walk around

f the castle and you'll arse into this level

entrance. | 1

# Icy Fl A the third tock baddies to Gate.

Use this laser to blast the guards passage to this blocking the castle entrance. o

Gnasty's World Balloon - Simply look to the le 3 the a Gate. |

LEVEL 19 ~ BARK PASSAGE (500 TREASURE — 5 DRAGONS) |

Okay, this level is home to some of the strangest critters in the game. Simply use your horns or flamboyant breath to exterminate these obscure obstacles.

en walk to the edge and use the particle im to float over to the castle. Walk to de of this gigantic structure and he Dragon awaits.

former + October '98

CEVEL EXIT

From the second Dragon, launch

THE DRAGON

STRIKES BACK

STRATEGY GUIDE PART 2 OF 2 (See Sept. ‘98 for Part 1)

“This guide reveals many of Spyro's secrets and may spoil your enjoyment of the game. UDE AT YOUR CNP SES

Please note though, the lantern jesters cannot be killed. They trigger the monster phases by turning their lanterns on and off. If you take them down, they will turn on the light revealing the monsters’ weak form. From here you will need to be quick. The jester won't stay dormant for long. Most of this stage is linear. Follow the path, then at the circle cavern holding Dragon 3, look below the platforms you are standing on for a route leading to all sorts of goodies and the second half of this level.

i RUN tt mme

This looks like an impossible jump, but good ol’ Spyro can make it.

à 1 - Run past two lan around the corner. stream to take you to th Dragon.

2 - This guy lives first Dragon. Simp

backyard and blast the dogs out of your way. Ascend the stairs and the

neighboring Dragon awaits. - Would you believe it

se EN * if we said this Dragon

was the neighbor of Dragon 2? Use the same technique you used to get to the second Dragon. This guy has a sweet pad, complete with Level Exit and all. Those upper-class ront have al the

_ necessities.

à - In the circular saree enter the lowest hole in the wall (it has a green tint). From here, gather everything

[| Walk to the edge of the platform

you see, then when it appears that there is nowhere to go, use the Spyro cam to look off the ledge. You'll see below. Jump to it and the Dra yards off.

x

at the end of your climb.

5 - and avé platforms behind

Youll find this Box in the circular room holding the Level Exit and

Dragons 2 and 3. To release their goods

you will need to light a rocket. To accomplish this feat, jump out and to the right from the fifth and final Dragon. In this tiny passage you'll find the answers you seek.

| and you'll see the missing level portion.

LEVEL 14 — LOFTY CASTLE (400 TREASURE — 3 DRAGONS)

This level is freaky as all heck. Even Stewart's music is a tad whacked. Anyway, remember those fat fairies that saved you in the High Caves? Well, now you have to save them. Believe us, you HAVE to save each and every one of them. We tried to finish the level without saving any (since we don't like paying people back), but there’s no way around it. Darn it! Anyway, all of the fairies are out in the open right at the very stinking beginning of this stage. Free them fro their jails and they'll create a particle warp for you that leads to the bulk of this لآ‎

very purple level. Can you believe it? A

Dragon 4, and you'll find Dragon 5

little ways further into this level the fairies have been captured again! And then again! And again!!! And AGAIN!!! Man! Fairies suck!!! Lastly, don’t miss the path straight across from the third Dragon. Use the ramps to get to the missing Gems. You'll actually have to use your brain to get here. Here’s how to do it. Launch off the speed ramp into the brightly colored structure right in front of you. Run around the loop to the left and launch over to the blue roof and the booty.

Free the fat fairies.

à 1 - Save the three fairies (all located at the beginning) and hit the particle warp. This Dragon slipstream Will bring you to the first Dragon.

à 2 - From the first Dragon, jump across a series of purple and white platforms and you'll come to a new area that is similar to the very beginning of this level. The Dragon awaits.

- Look down and to the left when you come to the second Dragon. You should see the mysterious Locked Box.

à 8 & - Work your way across

this level and you will come to a hallway holding several “goon on a balloon” enemies. Use the particle stream to launch high enough to blast these guys (and those stinking fairy cages). Now, use the fairy stream to fly up to the third Dragon. The Key awaits on this ledge as well.

- Save the fairies for the fifth and

final time (thank goodness) and their particle jetway will lead to the Level Exit.

Use this circular structure as a connecting ramp.

LEVEL 15 — HAUNTED TOWERS (500 TREASURE — 3 DRAGONS)

Start this level in a gallop. Run as fast as you can through the doors and to the fairy. With one little peck on the nose, you will receive the love fire. Use this to destroy the armored enemies you passed up. Don't forget to blast the steel door and the dead guard at the very beginning. You won't have to keep

coming back for kisses as you

confront more and more steel goons. There’s another kiss station just a few meters down, and then another a few meters down, and so on.

Run and jump baby!!!! - Destroy the steel

٠ goon on the right side

and then use the particle warp to bring you to a separate platform. Use the Love Fire to destroy the box. The first Dragon is inches away from this once seemingly indestructible marvel.

- After hitting the speed ramp, you'll find the Level Exit behind the right-hand steel door.

ff: - The second Unbreakable Box is located behind the left- hand steel door. Don’t use the power gathered from running down the ramp to destroy this box. Instead, enter the left- hand room on the opposite side of the hall and get the Love Fire to accomplish the feat. There’s no better solution than lovin’!

à 2 - In the hall holding three wooden doors and two steel doors, blast the door at the far end of the room to reveal a circular pink room and a wise Dragon.

à 3 - Here's the biggest secret in the game. To get to this Dragon, and the second half of the level, follow these instructions carefully. Go to the speed ramp and blast through the two doors and the steel door on the left (far side). Dont be fooled by the ramp. Launch off this platform to the left. Then, use the

gray ramp (with particle stream) to launch

up to the undiscovered new area. Use the particle stream on this platform to get

to the Dragon.

FR: - You just passed up this Box. The only way to destroy it is with

Love Fire. To do this, enter the castle, go

up the stairs before the knights awaken,

and grab the fire. This is a special fire. It

lasts forever.

BOSS - JACQUES (500

TREASURE — 2 DRAGONS)

This level looks easy, but like last level, there’s a sinister secret waiting to be found. The enemies are easy though, and the boss doesn't stand a chance against your fire.

Find the tick-tock goon that lowers this platform.

- Maneuver yourself to the right and across the tick-tock platforms. You'll find the box against a wall. LL

4 Jump out to the large tick-tock platform.

Hit both tick-tock enemies and jump up onto the newly formed tower, then out to the cave. The Key awaits inside. ve

à: - From the Locked Box, enter the structure to the right and descend down the stairs. At the bottom you will run into this Dragon.

- From the structure holding the

first Dragon, walk out the opposite side and challenge Jacques. After jumping across a great number of platforms, a particle stream will take you to the Exit.

:: 2 - Go back to the beginning and jump up to the second level. Walk to the right and hit the tick-tock guy. Now, run to the left and blast the only tick-tock enemy. Jump up on the platform that appears, then down to the platform that the first tick-tock lowered. Wait until the timer runs out and the rm rises, then jump out to the Drage

ICY FLIGHT (BONUS LEVEL)

First destroy all of the Lights and the very first Chest. Now, backtrack and hit the remaining seven Chests. This amazing strategy will line you up perfectly. Now, hit the trains (going head-on), and then take out both rooms of Copters. Piece of cake.

Try to breath fire early, so you can evade the lights.

Game Informer ٥ October '98 0۵

This is it folks, the last area. The big difference between this World and previous ones concerns the levels. In Gnastyland you cannot go to any level you like. You'll have to do them all in order here. Dont fret though, these stages are really easy. So is the boss.

Don't get lost. Kidding. This Home World is nothing more than a circular platform with a few steel Dragon heads on it. Beat a level and the others will open. Otherwise, we found jumping into the water and committing suicide to be equally as entertaining. There is no flying bonus level here, but there is something even better: Gnasty's big treasure room.

à 1 - He's right in front of you.

à 2 - First, beat the game, then come

back and this Dragon will be in the —

same spot as Dragon 1.

Gnorc Cove Gate - Again, right in front of you.

Twlight Harbor Gate - ! M Cannot be accessed until Gnorc Cove is completed.

Gnasty Gnorc Gate -

Cannot be accessed until Twilight Harbor is completed. At this point you should have all of the treasure for this Home World.

FA Gnasty’s Loot Gate - The

only way to open this awesome stage is to complete the game with 100%.

The enemies on this level are one in the same, but require different techniques to kill. If they wear an iron smock, then use your fire to ignite the TNT barrel in their hands. KABAM!!! If they don't have a metal smock, then the standard flame or barrel launch will work. This level is so linear it hurts. Just follow the path.

FR 1 & 2 - Right from the get-go you will run into an Unbreakable Box on top of some crates. Simply knock the TNT into it with your head. A little ways down another Unbreakable Box awaits. Simply ram the barrel on the previous platform so that it launches through the air and lands on the Box.

à 1 - Launch across the platform holding the second Unbreakable Box to the platform with the first Dragon. It's that easy.

fP: - Go into the ship and pass by the Unbreakable Box. Whatever you do, don't try to bump the TNT barrels into it. Instead, jump over to the dock, dodge the TNT barrels, then knock the lonesome silver barrel into the Unbreakable Box.

à 2 - Follow the path of boats and steel girders, and you'll come across three enemies standing on barrels. Destroy them and the Dragon and a lame PaRappa joke is just a turn away.

ME. In the fortress, simply knock the barrel into the

Unbreakable Box. Use this same technique to destroy the two guards. Now, enter the tunnel they were guarding. A Key awaits.

- Enter the tunnel with a green tint and the Box is tucked away behind two enemies.

111114 - Enter the only tunnel you haven't hit (it has a purple tint) and the Level Exit is at the other end.

More abundant and feature killer distance projectiles. The only, noteworthy info we can divulge deals with the drawbridge. Hit the lever on the bridge itself so that it's upright, then use the speed ramp to launch off the bridge up to a secret area. If you look out the opposite end of this new zone you will see three Yellow Gems to capture. Also, make a quick U-turn out this window and to the right you'll find a free life.

M-A 1 - Simply follow the path, take the particle stream, and in the next structure the Unbreakable Box and first Dragon are right out in the open. To nail the Unbreakable Box you will need to use the speed ramp a few feet down. Get the speed you need, then race back across the narrow paths to the Box.

à 2 - Stay on the path and you'll find this Dragon right after the drawbridge.

EJ - This Exit is where it should be, at the end of the level.

Whoa! It's Gnorc! Don't be afraid of him. ，

He's a wimp. After you open the doors (with the Keys that those stupid Thieves have taken), trail Gnorc and blast him with some fire when he stops. You'll have to move quick to accomplish this. Two

blasts and Gnorc is dead, All of the treasure on this level is right in front of

your freakin’ face.

There are no baddies on this level. Use the rockets and fly Dragon boy! Fly! Note: You can only fly to the highest point you have been. Get higher in the level, and you'll fly higher as well.

Do you have what it takes to get ' -~ to this room?

下 1 & 2 - Work your way around the outer brim and you'll eventually come across a blue Thief holding a Key. Chase him and grab it. Now, walk out to the edge of the platform and jump out and to the stairs on the right. Another Thief awaits.

下 3 & 4-Gousethe Keysonthetwo doors, and a Thief in a plane will fly out of the last door that opened. Fly up and shoot him down. For this you will get another Key. Use the Key to open a door on one of the highest structures on the outer wall. Another “Air” Thief awaits. Destroy him to get the fourth Key.

11111 - Achieve the highest height and

the Level Exit is on the highest platform. If you step on this Exit with all of the Gems, then you'll see the second ending. See you in Spyro 2!!!

at FuncoLand

588

Present this coupon at any FuncoLand store and join the Zelda 64 Launch Team by making a $10.00 deposit to secure your copy of Zelda 64. Plus, the first 5,000 reservations receive a Zelda 64 T-Shirt. The first 20,000 reservations will receive Launch Team Poster and Launch Team Member Card.

Offer expires December 31, 1998

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Limit one per customer. No dealers or resellers. Quantities are limited and no rainchecks will be issued. Zelda 64 and Zelda 64 characters and their likeness are trademarks of Nintendo of America. Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and “N” logos are trademarks of Nintendo of America. © 1998 Funco, Inc. FuncoLand is a registered trademark of Funco, Inc. All rights reserved.

then go back into Exhibition, Time Trial, or any Versus mode.

| Hawaii Track - Enter the name | VACATION

Gold Driver - Enter the name

PYRITE Silver Driver - Enter the name | CHROME „Tony from Hardware Hank Gutten, IN

Unlock El Cajon Track - At the

Track Selection screen hold |

| and press the Left and Right |

| Buttons simultaneously. You'll hear an air wrench when this code is

| entered. Now, highlight El Paso |

| and hit Z and A to begin.

| Unlock Flagstaff Track - At the | Track Selection screen hold Left §

and press the Left Button. You'll hear an air wrench when this code

M is entered. Now, highlight the ۸ Mojave track and hit Z and A to

82

begin.

Unlock Guadeloupe Track - At

the Track Selection screen hold

Down on the directional pad and | press the Right Button. You'll | hear an air wrench when this code

is entered. Now, highlight the

| Vegas track and hit Z and A to

| | begin. “Virtua Gap Boy 7 Phoenix, AZ

Game Informer + October '98

Sa ME PEUT

ao CA ms nomma سم‎ ， chere" one Wim. a

L HINTS |

Wacky Animations - For either.

the pitcher or batter press Up, Up,

| Down, Left, Left, Right, Right, | Left, Left, Down, Up, Up while in

the box or on the mound to see the player dance. “The Rhino” Toledo, OH

Press Start icon appears at the Title Screen press A, Right Button, Z, Up, Up, Up C, Down C, Down C. If entered correctly, the

| phrase “Missions Open” will flash

across the screen.

David “I’m the Greatest Gamer of All-Time” Williams Chicago, IL

| Enter both of these codes at the.

Cheats Menu. Baseball Trails - GRTBLSFDST

| Gargantuan Ball - BBNSTRDS

“The Human Torch” New York, NY

| Level Select - Go to the

Character Select screen and hold the Left Button and all four C

| buttons. Hold this combo for a few seconds and a sound will ring out

confirming the code. Now, press Up or Down at the City screen to change the desired country, and

press Left or Right to change | Î the city.

“The Taffy Man” Boston, MA

Unlimited Lives - Enter

overworld (the beginning of the game) and jump up and grab the extra life from on top of the fountain. Now, pause the game and check your status. Unpause and another free life will be waiting for you on top of the fountain. Repeat this process and gather as many lives as you want.

| Duncan “There Can Be Only One”

Stanlick Salt Lake City, UT

Enter all of these level codes at the Password screen.

Laundry 2 — FLUFFY Laundry 3 — SWEATY Auto 1 - HOTROD Auto 2 - GREASE Auto 3 - BIGEND Harold 1 - SMELLY Harold 2 - WIDETV Harold 3 — PILLOW Leisure 1-TRICEP Runaround - SPLASH

“The Crazy Cajun” Austin, TX

Unlock Programmer Team

Choose any team, then go to the.

` Team Customization screen and

input BuryFC. Doing this will turn

| the current team into the Creations | team.

Classic Matches - Win the World Cup with any team and the new

“World Cup Classics mode will | appear at the Main Menu.

| New Sounds - After scoring a

goal press A, B, Left C, or Down C

| to hear different sounds.

Azrael “The Smurf Killer” Gargs Atlanta, GA

Start” appears at the Title Ser to the level exit. 7 hold L1, L2, R1, and R2, then though. Turn 6 Me press Start. While still holding the bridge and look up shift buttons press Up, Up, Up, $ room. lf you look closel Up, Up, Up, Up, Down, Up, Up, switch. Shoot it and Up, Up. If entered correctly, the will open to the left. phrase “Limited Released’ will Russian Urals — ?

new area and hit the button to appear. Now, enter the Options $ xo0 |

to Spin Cycle. i screen and set the Credit to the MY) Cairo -emx @@A Ox

i 101 îi Lunatic Fringe new Free Play option. Cambodia - ARE OXX HA We've received tons of requests for ”In Episode 2, Mission 8 (Dark Side) Level Select - Beat the Arcade Swiss Alps - wee mex

Duke Nukem codes. Finally, we Make way for the slime cave mode. Sorry, it's the only way. xox

have something. Listed below is the Complete with obelisk and blast the | Ships - Beat the Extra mode. Libya - MAX 8 sw

only known cheat for Total marked wall to reveal a secret area sorry. | Channel Islands -00x BELA

Meltdown and also included are the holding the switch that accesses Cherry “Lemon” Tart Î mme

entrances to the hidden levels. We'll Lunatic Fringe. Pittsburgh, PA Grenadines - WO AGA

try to get more. Tier Drops *AA

Super Kicks - To access this little In Episode 3, Mission 5 (Movie Set) 7 `

cheat hold L1, L2, R1, and R2, then touch the USA sign located at the وټ‎ Bayou X AT TEN

press M to kick. This can be done space station set to open a secret with a weapon in hand as well. panel that holds the button leading

The Secret Levels to the Tier Drops.

Listed below are the whereabouts Freeway

the entrances that lead to In Episode 3 enter the level known as Hotel Hell and jump through the waterfall. Inside you will find a

China - OMA XHA AAN

Saudi Arabia - AMO XAO OXM

Arctic Circle — MINA HAM AXA

New York City - 0 AXA

Note: Thess codes were test the Japanese version and may work on the U.S. version.

Unlimited Continues - Get over

teleporter. Jump in the teleporter 100 continues, then enter the E mxm and blast the flaming pots to get to Options screen. You will now have Omaha Desert - OMO 7 the Freeway. the ability to change Credit to Free NS

Play. View FMVs - In the Options screen highlight the Movie icon. îi Now, press Down, Up, Down, Up, then simultaneously press L1, L2, M Ri, and R2. After entering this, tap rt to activate this code. SSION: Impossible — NINTE i “The VidMan” = . Uptown, MN

Enter all 0 3 codes atthe Wacky Credits — Beat the Mission Selection screen. If game, then wait for the entered correctly you'll hear, “Ah, Infogrames logo to disappear. At this that’s better.” moment, you'll be thrown back into Giant Heads - Down C, Left the Embassy level. Here you will be Button, Up C, Right C, Left Button able to talk to the development team.

“GI Droid 75-19” Eden Prairie, MN

W.O.P.R. Missions

Florida Keys - OXO exe xx

Irian Jaya-HAX AXO EXA

New England -其全图 6 004

Russia - CON NOX Axx Brussels - XOX AAH OXA

South Africa - AA% 8 و‎

Hong Kong -MXO Axx " BOA

Mexico-MOA axe xxe | Bering Strait - XOM A@x

Enter these names at th Create screen. Note: It

: a : Talk to everyone and Candice and . = OLE pin L C. Right Button, Ethan will enter the room and the matter what the attributes ari mxa * Big Heads - Down C, Right “ding celebration will begin. setto: ， Kremlin -WOX AMA Mee , Button, Up C, Left Button, Left C FT ee AMEE Ln a وسواو سو در نب‎ Turbo Mode —Up C, Z, Up C, Z Jersey City, NJ Cone xon XX exe Up C Le ie Big Heads - BIGHEAD BOBBY

Flat Heads - COINHEAD

Kids Mode - Down C, Up C, Right « e E IN COREY |

Button, Left Button Z

7.65 Silencer Gun - Up C, Left Button, Right C, Left C, Up C 9mm - Right Button, Left Button, Down C, Up C, Up C

Uzi - Right C, Left C, Right C, | Down C, Right Button Mini-Rocket Launcher - Right |f Button, Left Button, Left C, Right ! C, Down C

Long Necks - GEORGE GIRAFFE

Long Arms - MONKEY MICKEY Short Arms - SHRIMPY SEAN ig Players - BIG BEN

|| Players - TINY TOM

Harley Quinn Gotham, WI

Faarooq -L1 + L2 + R1 + + Punch Goldust - Li + L2 + Ri + R2 ‘these moves. A Right + Punch Finishing Moves - Ti Bret Hart - L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 + Left + Tie Up

| Owen Hart -L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 + AA Left + Block

[ WWF War Zone — Nintendo | پل‎ à and Nintendo A

64/PlayStation | R2 + Up + Block

Secret Basement - When the Ei iu, pe Tied Up) Kane -L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 + Down elevator is going up press L1 then — Th B ti h Bulld Tied Up + Punch R1 (or Left and Right Buttons on gm The British Bulldog = (Tied Up) Bl Ken Shamrock -L1 + L2 + R1 +

N64) to zoom down to the. Up, Up, Tie Up R2 + Down + Kick basement. This is the area where - Mankind -L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 + Up

hidden characters and modes are + Tie Up

accessed once theyve been Shawn Michaels -L1 + L2 + R1 + |

0 Goode - e R2 + Left + Punch Unlock the Goods - To uneart Mosh -L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 + Down

Mega Man Legends all the secrets hidden in War Zone, | | Block

NFL GameDay ‘99 the game will have to be | The Bock 114104 R1 + RO

Parasite Eve | customized in a certain way. First ree i the tithe + Pocket Fighter | off, set the difficulty to Medium or d Right + Kick |

Spyro The Dragon Hard. Next, select the specific "Undertaker -L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 +

Faarooq - (Both Standing) Up, Up, Up, Tie Up + Block Goldust - (Behind Opponent) Left, Right, Down, Tie Up

Bret Hart - (At Feet of Fallen Opponent) Left, Left, Up, Kick + MM Block Owen Hart — (At Feet of Fallen Opponent) Left, Left, Up, Kick + Block

E E ton C: The Contra Adventure Kula World Madden NFL 99

Thunderforce V Perfect System character listed next to the code Hl Hearst “Triple H” Helmsley - MY Right + Block ~ _ Saturn you desire and enter the Challenge (Both Characters Standing) Right, Thrasher - L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 + Shining Force Ill mode. All you have to do now is Down, Left, Punch + Tie Up "Down + Tie Up GameBoy mm win the WWF title and the secret dd HO ‘Triple H -L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 + us د‎ of the River پا د‎ | you seek should be available. Fat Let th Ti ie so ing) Tie Up ^ Arcade په‎ ٢ Unlock Wrestlemania Ring -Win D pee x “The Rhino” Streel Fighier Alpha 3 || f the WWF titles and defend the tite | "tr «o neon کت د‎ „Toledo, OH Send Sacrat Anaad Res MA | with any character. The title match Block die CENAD : O

will be held in the Wrestlemania ring.

Unlock Cactus Jack and Dude Love — Win the title with Mankind Unlock Sue - Win the title with Bret or Owen Hart

Unlock Pamela — Win the title with Sue

Fart Mode - Win the title with i Mosh or Thrasher

Ego Mode - Win the title with Ahmed Johnson

New Create Player Clothing - j Win the title with Kane

Extra Golds - Win the title with Goldust

Access & Allies « Game Informer Mota 10120 W. 76th St « Eden Prairie, MN5534

E-Mail; access _alies@gameinformercom

Secret Access Notice: _ | Send Game Informer Your | Passwords and Codes and Win! …

Send in your codes and passwords, — “and if we print them you'll be entered “in the Game Informer/ASCIIWARE . Secret Access Contest. The Grand Prize is an ASCIIWARE product of . your choice. PlayStation Saturn ASCII Pad ASCII Saturn Stick Specialized ASCII Super NES

Kane - (Both Standing) Down, Crime Kil — PlayStation

Down, Down, Punch + Tie Up Dude Love - (Both Standing) Enter all of these level codes at th Right, Left, Up, Tie Up + Block Password screen. Rocky “The Rock” Maivia - The Break In - ©, ©, N, X, A | (Both Standing) Right, Right, Up, 00000 Punch + Tie Up Rapid Response - 0, ©, E, A, Mankind - (Both Standing) Right, ©, 0, E, A E x Left, Up, Tie Up + Block Cult Moves - A, ©, ©, ©, ©, ©, Shawn Michaels - (Both MW ©. ©, E, A

Characters Standing) Right, Down, MN The Hidnap - W, A, E, A, ©, E, Up, Kick + Block XXX A Mosh - (Standing on Top Family - @, ©, ©, © E x, A, Turnbuckle) Punch ©, © ©

f Ken Shamrock - (At Feet of Police Hijack - W, A, W, %, A,

Stick ASCII Pad SN - ， l Fallen Opponent) Right, Down, MW E, x, A, E, X e Super Advantage | Extra Colds - Win the title with Left, Kick The Rescue -其 %, A, ©, E, %, ia sci) Rhino Pad SN Stone Cold : Thrasher - (Standing on Top A, E, A, © Pad Genesis || Pumped Up Stone Cold -Win the ê Turnbuckle) Tie Up + Block Static -@ A, ©, ©, E, x, A ASCII Carrybag ASCII ds B ide with Beale player „WI Undertaker - (Both Characters 000 Mach 1 Pad | Ladies Night - Win the title with Standing) Down, Down, Down, Use of Force -W A E A ه‎ ASCII Grip Rhino Pad sG Triple H or Shawn Michaels Punch + Tie Up CUS

eset Eig the title with the ` RUN-INS The Deadline -8 A, E, A. E

complement his/her wardrobe. No Meters - Win the title with the „Enter ٥1656 codes at any point igo nee 40005 Send To! | ‘Undertaker during gameplay. Note: Entering MN] M.E. RB, #, x, A, ©, ©, ©, m,

The runner-up will receive a Game Informer Secret Access T-Shirt to

: carte tomer! le October

ATTENTION! 1

The codes below only Wbtk with InterAct's GameShark

aithancer lei

infinite Time — 8010511b 0063

y 80016958 0000 -800f69ac 0000

800f69de 0000

80077024 0a80 800d68d0 0375

Never Stunned -

NCAA F

PlayStation

Away Team Score 0 —

80084134 0000

Home Team Score 0- 80082d04 0000 Away Team Score 99 —

80084f34 0063

Forsaken 一 G. Darius 7 Jersey Devil Major League Baseball ~

Featuring Ken Griffey, Jr

| Banjo-Kazooie - 80046934 0000 o دوو‎ me | Nintendo 64 Never Stunned (Player 2) - | Mortal Kombat سن‎ Note: These codes may erase 80016958 0000 Mission: Impossible — NCAA Football 99 your saved games and cause Stunned — Nintendo 64 NFL Xtreme the to freak out in wei ini a r o freak out in weird 800d6934 2394 Infinite Health — ` Off-Road Challenge —— Ih Stunned (Player 2) - 810862b2 ft a Master Code (Must Be Entered)- 800f6958 2394 Uzi (Infinite Ammo) - i R mpage: pi Tour Eme = Mega Strength — 800a8ea7 0063 | | „ Raystorm | 0 81287624 1700 800d69cc 0000 gee 02 : -Rosco McQueen 812d3dc0 1300 Mega Strength (Player 2) — Infinite Ammo — es: Defeon 1 infinita, Lives 800f69f0 0000 800a8ea7 0063 ant 800a8eb7 0063 a. 1 ii À 80385f8b 0009 Cannot Be Counted Out - | m mm 800d6988 0000 800a8ec7 0063 | WWE War Zone Infinite Health — 800a8ed7 0063 iio 80385183 0008 Can Always Be Counted Out 800a8ee7 0063 is 80385f87 0008 (Player 2) - 800a8ef7 0063 E Infinite Red Feathers - aa | 80385f6f 0063 Hidden Characters — Elemental Gearbolt — | 8007a0f0 3fff PlayStation Dr Infinite Gold Feathers — 8007a0f2 1000 1 SEGA 80385f73 0063 Infinite Health — - Sega Game Play Assistance 8007a0f4 3fff 80095052 6 900-200-7342 (SEGA) Infinite Eggs - 8007a0f6 2000 1 $.95 per minute for automated 8038567 0063 : : Azure Dreams — | assistance and " Extra Creation Points — Vore Notes - cote 0000 Playstation ET 80385163 0063 Infinite Money — $1.25 per minute automated More Jiggies - Batman & Robin - 80012d5c ff art 80385fcb 0063 PlayStation 80012d5e O5ff Game Counseling Tons of Health — Infinite Health — Peg -288-0707 WWF War Zone — f64 per minute oo USR 90083460 1 Canada 900-451-4400 PlayStation 8009df68 0000 ee 8009df6c 0000 Quick Level Up — $1.25 per minute Invincibility — = 800834d0 ff | Nintendo's Automated Power Line! 800d6934 0000 800d0718 0064 | 1-425-885-7529 800d6988 0000 Infinite Power — 800d69ba 0000 800cf50c 0168 900- 933.SONY(7669) 800d6c74 00f0 8.95 per minute

1 | Note: These lines may not have information for | | "all titles. If you're under 18 be sure to get your | 1 P permission.

一一一

Game Informer + October هو‎

TMNT: Hyperstone Heist - Genesis

Quick Continue - On controller 2, right before you lose your last life, press START.

Level Select - At the Konami logo hit C, B, B, A, A, A, B, C. Then at the title screen press A, B, B, C, C, C, B, A. Start the game and a select screen should appear.

Jungle Book - Genesis Change Screen Color - Pause the game and hit A, B, B, A, C, A, B, B.

Debug Mode - In the first level go to the briar patch and jump into it. Before Mowgli dies, pause the game and press B, A, Down, C, Right, A, B, Left, A, Right, Down, B, A, Left, Left, C, Up, Right, Left.

Level Skip - Pause the game and press B, A, A, B, B, A, A, B, A.

Reset Lives & Health - Pause the game and press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A.

Skip to End - Pause the game and press B, A, Down, C, A, Right, Left, A, Right,

Down. Alternatively, use the Level Skip code on any bonus round.

Flip Game - Pause the game and press Left, A, Right, Down, B, A, Left, Left, C, Right, Up, Down.

TMNT: Fall of the Foot Clan - Game Boy

Restore Life - Pause the game then hit Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A. It can only be used once.

Captain Quazar - 3D0

Disappearing Walls - Pause the game and hit R Button, L Button, B, B, B, R Button, L Button, Up.

Life Refill - Pause the game and press L Button, R Button, L Button, R Button, L Button, B.

. Foes of Ali - 0:

Cheat Mode - During gameplay, press R + L Buttons, C. When the password screen appears, enter one of the fol- lowing codes:

team - shows photo of designers

prebeg - shows photo of Ivan Prebeg

crowd - removes crowd

zippy - speeds up game

aiat — boxer 1 is computer controlled

aibt — boxer 2 is computer controlled

Low Blow - Down + Right + A or Down + Right + B

POW - NES Extra Lives — At the Title Screen enter A, B, B, Up, Up, Down, Left, Start.

Way of the Warrior - 3D0

Level Warp, Play As Bosses, Play As Hidden Character - Enter these codes on the Names screen.

GARDEN STAGE - TAJ MAHAL, JANUARY 1 1901

TURBO WORLD - SPEED, AUGUST 8 1980

ALLEY FIGHT - TUGAWAR, APRIL 16 1964

PSYCHEDELIC CAVES - PARANOID MAY 5 1975

KULL - A GAVIN, JUN 11 1970

HIGH ABBOTT - J RUBIN, JAN 6 1970

GULAB JAMUN - GULAB, FEBRUARY 29 1900

MAJOR TROUBLE - FEBRUARY 4 1908

VOODOO - EVIL, JUNE 6 1966

BLACK DRAGON - WYVERN,

MARCH 9 1927

Wario Land - Virtual Boy F Level Select- Press A, B, A, A, B, Bat the main menu,

Strider - Genesis More Continues - Hit A, C, B, C, A, Start at the intro screen.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong

Quest - Super NES

Cheat Mode - To activate cheat mode, enable the Music Test, then press Down repeatedly until Cheat Mode appears.

50 Lives — In the Cheat Mode, hit Y, A, Select, A, Down, Left, A, Down.

Bubsy - Super NES Password - Enter these passwords to gain access to each level.

1 JSSCTS 2 CKBGMM 3 SCTWMN 4 MKBRLN 5 LBLNRD 6 JMDKRK T STGRTN 8 SBBSHC 9 DBKRRB 10 6565 11 56 12 116 13 ۱ 14 CCLDSL 15 BTCLMB 16 10

Bad Dudes - NES

63 Lives - On controller 2 at the title screen enter B, A, Down, Up, Down, Up, then press Start on controller 1.

Heavy Shreddin - NES 99 Lives - At the title screen, press and hold A + B + Left, then press Start.

hold A + B when the Sega logo appears.

what it called SVP Technology. In obvious “response to Nintendo's FX chip that was

BAD BOY, Was a pretty penny to pay for a game that is |

: =

Virtua Racing

Availability: Uncommon Replay Value: Moderate Similar Games: Super Monaco GP (SG), Formula 1 (SG), Nigel Mansell's World Championship (SG)

Created by: Sega

Access Tip: To access the mirror tracks,

When the title screen appears, press Start and select the backwards Virtua Racing title. Overall: 7.75

This is quite a unique cartridge as Sega, for the first and only time, introduced the world to

found in Star Fox and Stunt Race, the SVP chip allowed Sega to show off some polygon power. Launched in 1994, Virtua Racing did not come cheap. The SVP chip boosted the - price of the game to around $100 initially. It

really rough around the edges. Other than the novelty of the polygon graphics, which allowed for four racing views, the game is generally weak in terms of playcontrol. Virtua Racing does have the three original tracks and a decent 2-player split-screen, but when | compared to other racing games on the Genesis it comes up short.

Availability: Common Replay Value: Moderate Similar Games: Any football title Created by: High Score Productions for EA Sports \ Access Tip: For the large ref, pause a game and press Right, Down, Left, Up, Right,

| Down. Resume the game and the ref should | be gigantic. To see the computer play, pause | the game and enter B, L Button, A, B. Overall: 8 | Madden Football had already made quite a / name for itself on the Super NES and Genesis when EA Sports decided to release this 3D0 version in 1994. The appearance of Madden (along with EA's FIFA) solidified the system's sports lineup. In retrospect, this game was quite an advancement from its 16-bit counterparts and introduced players to features that later became obvious stan- dards in sports game development. Loads of FMV included pre-game introductions from Madden itself...er...himself, referee calls, and even crowd celebrations. The instant replay gave the player freedom to adjust the camera and watch the action from a number of different angles. The player animations were also far more detailed than any other football game of its time. Yet, the sad thing about this game is that it doesn't play better than the classics on the Genesis. It is the best football game that the 3DO ever saw, but its value lies with those who, year after year, have called football their favorite,

10 Yard Fight John Elway Quarterback

Play Action Football rre: 2.93 Tecmo Bowl? ere 6.93 Touchdown Fever

SUPER NINTENDO Bill Walsh Football .......... 1.93 College Football USA 97 ....12.93 Emmitt Smith Football ....... 4.93 ESPN Sunday Night NFL..... 1.93 ۳٥60981۳٣٣٢ سم رس‎ 3.93 John Madden 92 John Madden 93 ........... 1.43 John Madden 94 ........... 1.93 John Madden 95 .

etienne AT FUNCOLAND YOU CAN TRADE-IN YOUR GAMES!

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Bring Home The Fun

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NFL Blitz N64 (Midway)

John Madden 96 ........... 3.93 John Madden 97

John Madden 98 | Monday Night Football ....... 1.93 oa ld enero 4.93 NCAA Football ............. 2.93 NFL Footballers gegen cu 4.93 NFL Quarterback Club ....... 3.93 NFL Quarterback Club 96 .2.93 Pro Quarterback ........... 3.93 Sterling Sharpe ............ 4.93 Super High Impact.......... 2.93 Super Play Action Football 0 Tecmo Super Bowl ......... 2.93 Tecmo Super Bowl 2

Tecmo Super Bowl 3 i Troy- Aikman: NEL aa 1.93

¥

fi PlayStation)

NFL Xtreme (PlayStation)

A >

SEGA GENESIS Bill Walsh Football Bill Walsh Football 95 College Football College Football 2 .......... 1.43 College Football USA 96 ..... 1.43 College Football USA 97 ..... 4.93 ESPN Sunday Night NFL..... 1.93 Joe Montana Joe Montana 2 Joe Montana 3 Joe Montana 94 John Madden John Madden 92 John Madden 93 John Madden 94 John Madden 95 John Madden 96 ........... 1.93 John Madden 97 .

e TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!

Madden 99 N64 A Sports)

John Madden 98 John Madden Championship Edition ...... 3.93 Mike Ditka Football NCAA Football

NFL Quarterback Club

NFL Quarterback Club 96 ....1.93 Pigskin Footbrawl .......... 3.93 Prime Time NFL

Pro Quarterback ........... 1.43 Super High Impact.......... 1.43 Tecmo Super Bowl ......... 2.93 Tecmo Super Bowl 2

Tecmo Super Bowl 3 ........ 9.93 Troy Aikman NFL........... 1.43 Unnecessary Roughness 1.93

NCAA Gamebreaker ........ 9.93 NCAA Gamebreaker 98 24.93

NFL GameDay 97

NFL GameDay 98

NFL Quarterback Club 97 .. Tecmo Super Bowl

VR Football 98

12.93 17.93 14.93

NINTENDO 64 John Madden 64

NEL Quarterback Club 98 . . .24.93

e GET GREAT VALUES!

+ DRM LOCATIONS: WWW.FUNCOLAND.GOM «€ (612) 946-8883 ee

Trade. in values vary. by title and FuncoLand reserves the right to refuse purchase of any produet. All game titles are trademarks of individual licensees. See individual game boxes for licensing, Copyright and trademark details. PlayStation, Nintendo, Super Nintendo, N64 and-Sega Genesis are trademarks of their respective companies. Quantities may vary by store. No rainchegksauillbeussuec. Prices and offers are good through October 30m Funco, Inc. .FuncoLand Is-a registered trademark of Funco, Inc. Al! rights reserved.

MPH

EVERYONE

CONTENT RATED BY ESRB

TM, ® and the “N” logo are trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc. © 1998 Nintendo of America Inc. www.nintendo.com i Cruis'n World: © 1994 Nintendo. © 1996, 1998 Midway/Nintendo Inc. All rights reserved. Used under license. Midway is a trademark of Midway Games Inc.

BAR be

Introducing Cruis'n World® on Nintendo? 64. 16 exotic cars, 15 foreign countries to race them through and enough tricks to turn anybody into a hot dog.

` j Awesome weapons.

CAPCOM www.capcom.com

©CAPCOM CO.,LTD. 1998 ©CAPCOM U.S.A., INC. 1998 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. MEGA MAN LEGENDS is a trademark of 4 E سے‎ CAPCOM CO., LTD. CAPCOM is a registered trademark of CAPCOM CO., LTD. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc,

PlayStation

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