NEWS • PREVIEWS • REVIEWS • CODES ” муу 3 cent Evil i

b- d (\ Prequel C су, Unearthed

WR E

Fifteen Of The Most Powerful Franchises In ‘a Games

FU TURE PEREE CT

Hands On With Dreamcast's 1 Shenmue, Space Channel 5, and D2

STAR wans |

Jedi Power Battles www. late laa au

95 Canada $4.95 UK | a ^

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March 2000 cc Issue 03 #83 *

EVERYONE

E EVIL SWINE RETUR

JUST BECAUSE YOU VE GOT THE HAIR, DOESN T MEAN YOU VE GOT THE POWER.

FLYING SUITS. STYLISH YET FUNCTIONAL.

BEAT THE CLOCK, JUMP THE TROLLEY.

SORRY, TOUGH GUY. BUT THERE’S ONLY ONE TOMBA. AND HE'S ON HIS WILDEST ADVENTURE YET.

WWW.PLAYSTATION.COM

on comm

Y MAGAZINE A

Departments

e Letter From the Editor Enough!

Q Dear Game Informer

GI Readers shower us with love letters, inco- herent ramblings, and the occasional bomb threat.

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

О! News

А new Resident Evil prequel for N64, Square races for PlayStation2, Nintendo reveals Game Boy Advance release date, and tons- o'-fun with Name That Game!, Trivia, and GI's Top Ten.

Pg 4

Game Informer PC

The PC Jedi - misunderstood prophet or holy fool? We may never understand the enigma that is Erik, but a thousand years from now historians will still marvel at his koan-like meditations on Planescape: Torment and Quake 3: Arena.

Arcade Brigade

His robotic hand now replaced by a menac- ing iron hook, the Arcade Assassin claws his way back into your consciousness with previews of Gauntlet: Dark Legacy and Marvel Vs. Capcom 2. Be very afraid.

Photophile

We love anything mini: mini-donuts, mini- skirts, and especially our super mini-pre- views of the hottest upcoming games. This month features Ecco the Dolphin, Evergrace, and Dead or Alive 2.

Play to Perfection

All we have to fear is Fear Effect. Conquering this breathtaking adventure requires a combination of guts and cunning that few possess. To aid feeble mortals in their struggle, the GI Strategy Gurus dissect Fear Effect like a juicy caterpillar, providing a complete walkthrough, item locations, and solutions to the game’s many puzzles.

Secret Access

What's that pesky GI Droid up to? Find out, then peruse the latest codes and tips from our readers.

Classic Gl

Tomorrow never dies when you've got Classic GI! Game Informer looks at classic games on the NES and Genesis.

Etc.

Consumer goods for consumers in a con- sumer culture to consume. This month GI looks at Front Mission 3 toys, yummy eggs, and a strange item that features a number of pages filled with pictures and text bound by a hard cover (we think it’s called a book).

Pg 87

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 rairie, MN 55344. (612) 946-7245 or FAX (612) 946-8155. For subscriptions, back issues, or cus- tomer service inquiries (612) 946-7266. Periodicals postage paid at Hopkins, MN, and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIBERS/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 screenshots herein. Copyright in all screen- shots contained within this publication are owned by their respective companies. Entire contents copyright 2000. 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.

Features

©

Cover Story: Fear Effect Although it built its reputation on the Tomb Raider series, Eidos has a knack for spawning monster titles and characters that quickly become gaming icons. Following in the footsteps of Gex, Raziel, and the Baroness of Bazooms (Ms. Lara Croft) is Fear Effect’s Hana Tsu-Vachel, an enchantress with a knack for prob- lem solving and a penchant for pumping baddies full of lead. GI takes a look at this cinematic masterpiece.

Feature: The Legion of Super-Franchises What becomes a gaming legend most? Hyperactive vermin? Pudgy plumbers? How about a yellow dot with an eating disorder? The answer is all of the above, and many, many more. GI looks at the most powerful game franchises in history, separating the big willies from the part-time suckers. These 15 franchises are the true superheroes of the industry, which have become household names, doing everything from selling candy to starring in motion pictures.

Reviews & Previews

A, € nintendo 64 ECW: Hardcore Revolution, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

©) PlayStation

Alundra 2, Colony Wars: Red Sun, Die Hard Trilogy 2, Front Mission 3, Hot Shots Golf 2, Parasite Eve 2, Road Rash: Jailbreak, Rollcage Stage Il, Syphon Filter 2

Dreamcast D2, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, NHL 2K, Shenmue, Space Channel 5, Time Stalkers, Virtua Striker 2

Nintendo 64 Bassmasters 2000, Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, Harvest Moon 64, Tarzan

PlayStation

Crusaders of Might and Magic, Dukes of Hazzard: Racing for Home, ECW: Hardcore Revolution, Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition, Jackie Chan’s Stuntmaster, Killer Loop, NASCAR Rumble, NBA Shoot Out 2000, Romance of the Three Kingdoms VI, Silent Bomber, The Smurfs, South Park Rally

Dreamcast Elemental Gimmick Gear, Giga Wing, Incoming, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, Vigilante 8: Second Offense, Wetrix +

Neo Geo Pocket Color Match of the Millennium: SNK Vs. Capcom

Game Boy Color

Bionic Commando: Elite Forces, Dragon Warrior Monsters, Gex 3: Deep Pocket Gecko, Mickey’s Racing Adventure, Star Wars: Episode | Racer, Wings of Fury

е ratings icon is a trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association.

© 2000 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Die Hard © 1988 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Fox, Fox Interactive, Die Hard Trilogy 2, and their associated logos are all trademarks of Twentieth Century Fox

HEY COULDN'T HANDLE BEING JOHN McCLANE.

AN You?

ê

JOHN McCLANE IS BACK. AND LAS VEGAS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. FLEX YOUR SKILLS IN OWE OF THREE UNIQUE GAME MODES: FIRST PERSON SHOOTER, EXTREME DRIVING, AND ACTION MODE. OR Mix ALL THREE MODES INTO ONE INTENSE STORY- DRIVEN DIE HARD ADVENTURE. SO TRY To SAVE SIN CITy— WHILE TRYING TO SAVE YOUR OWN BUTT.

Cc О pum fJ : dew o "T =~ fg c.

MATURE

For mature audiences only.

Pc lees nea VIVA LAS VEGAS, BABY,

March Issue 2000

Richard A. Cihak

Andrew McNamara Edito

Paul Anderson Andrew Reiner As fe Ed

Jay Fitzioft

SOC Beaux Hawkins ntributing Write

Thomas Blustin Curtis Fung Rachel Gilles Pontio se

Ryan MacDonald

Gabrielle Dane Sarah Anderson Justin Leeper

Matthew Kato

Advertising Sales Kimberley Thompson-Benike

Vicky Valley

Customer Service Department

Arthur

Manufactured and printed in the United States of America.

Tarî informatic y product ine

PUBL ISHER LIABILITY FOR ERROR

INDEMNIFICATION

Circulatio Member

andy@gameinformer.com

` “I hate months like this where ` picking the cover story is like trying to decide which piece of gaming dung tastes better. OK...so it's not that bad, but we are heading into the lean months of gaming and some of the games I'm most looking forward to, like Code Veronica, Perfect Dark, or Syphon Filter 2, are just barely outta reach. But next month the world of video games ` should go back into a frenzy with ` these games hitting the shelves, and info should start leaking soon ` about the upcoming ЕЗ.”

hec hal NOY te able Tee se igne "iangesor

Over the last couple of months | have watched the Game Boy be used and abused by developers and publishers everywhere, and it is slowly but surely driving me crazy. For a system that has been around so long, not until recently (jumping on the Pokémon bandwagon) have | seen so many companies developing games for it.

It is an understandable response since publishers feel they can make some quick money off consumers looking for something other than Pokémon to fill their hours on Game Boy, but this is getting a little ridiculous. We received close to 40 Game Boy games this month, and maybe five of them were even worth looking at. It’s that

bad.

So bad, in fact, that it reminds me of all the retched games that hit the Atari 2600 before its downfall back in 1983 (you old school players may remember the barrage of garbage that came out back then). Even worse, we decided many of these Game Boy games were so bad that we weren’t even going to cover them in the magazine. So as a general warning, be very careful when

Paul, The Game Professor paul@gameinformer.com “After my sixth Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and cracking open a third can of Coke, my gut kind of hurts. Luckily, there are plenty of games in the office to keep my mind off the pain. Not that video games are the answer to every physical ailment, but | am aware of some who use games to escape the pains of everyday life. While this escapism could be thought of as detrimental, it sure beats watching reruns of Wings or listening to a coworker ramble on about his new breastplate. Still, nothing cures your indisposition like a good episode of the Dick Van Dyke Show. Morey Amsterdam is

pure genius.”

- bea

Reiner, The Raging Gamer reiner@gameinformer.com "Hearing of my troubles with GI's upper management, | was contacted by talent scouts from That 70's Show. They wanted to remove me from my journalistic hell and make me a TV superstar. As the coolest guy out of the cast, my character was to be the Fonzie of the show. A real chick magnet of sorts. | almost took the role, but get this, my love interest on the first 12 episodes was that short, brown haired lass. | hate her! Entirely unhappy, | demanded a new contract - one where | make out with that hot redhead every episode. It was a deal breaker. Will | remain an editorial slave? To be

continued.

GI Joe Gamers left to right: Erik, Paul, Matt, Jay, Reiner, and Sgt. Andy.

Enough!

BY ANDREW McNAMARA

looking for a new Game Boy title.

Or even better, go out and get a Neo Geo Pocket Color, which has been a favorite around the office for months now. Instead of

games that play like bad versions of 8-bit

console games, the Pocket Color delivers an experience close to the 16-bit glory days of Sega Genesis. Which ain't a bad deal for je something that fits in your pocket. |

You may want to wait оп the Neo Geo, however, as Nintendo has finally stepped up and decided to bring the Game Boy Advance out this November. This new entrant may finally put an end to the Game Boy which, let’s face it folks, has just been around too long and needs to be replaced. Yes, | know it is a great system and all, but at this point all the games are basically the same.

Although there have been rumblings from the industry that developing games for the Game Boy Advance is too expensive, | feel that the industry is ready for a change. But who knows, maybe Neo Geo Pocket Color can succeed and usher in a new era of

gaming on the go.

u a

Jay, The Gonzo Gamer

jay@gameinformer.com “Are you stuck in a dead end job with no future? Do you feel like your wheels are spinning, but you aren't going anywhere? Friend, | used to be just like you, sitting around and playing video games all day, but now I'm a new man. Say hello to Fitzloff 2000. Unlike last year's Fitzloff model, Fitzloff 2000 is proactive, dynamic, and cutting edge. No more humdrum times for me, I'm afraid. It's all 100% grade-A zippy from here on in. Thank you, Fitzloff 2000, you've changed my life...for the better!”

GAME SIN DEX:

Game e Alundra2 . WU IST ` Army Men: World War Rea Nae ee 63 Bassmasters 2000 .................., 52

eel Aie 60 ЕЕ ЛИ 64 Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness ..... 52 Сорга: THENCE cet sas nace nals SÎ 86 Colony Wars: Red Ѕип................ 36 ' Crusaders of Might апа: v d JT ДК Ж 54 e NEYNÎ. DN ова 48 Dead or Alive 27, cy xı Wê yr kwa eza bê ae 67 Deception IIl: Dark Delusion «iw vn. 63 Die Hard Trilogy 2... cessisse 32 Dragon Warrior Monsters.............. 60 Dukes of Hazzard: Racing for Home .... .55 Eagle One Harrier Attack .............. 64 Ecco the Dolphin ...... ; 67 ECW: Hardcore Revolution | (N64)... 32328 ECW: Hardcore Revolution (PS-X) £555 Elemental Gimmick Gear ..............57 Eternal ТҮҮЛ ЛЛ аав 65 EVENTOS kı EWA a a walk eer rn +.» «Oo. Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition ЕАД РЕР ЕЕС". Инан аана 8 ГОРИ FORO «Hi + aê ê yana к e 56 Front Mission 3 .........e”...... 39 Gauntlet Legends ........ ннн .66 Gauntlet: Dark Legacy ................51 Gex 3: Deep Pocket беско wei eee. 60 Giga Ming ,.,,.... е0 Harvest Moon 64 ..........,.........52 Hot Shot's GORNA asc a 190 Hydro Thunder .... z A 64 Incoming è ۴ .57 Jackie Chan's Stuntmaster 21:09 JoJo s Bizarre Adventure 2 i43 Killer Loop ... ius Zû A Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver све Major League Baseball 2001 ` naba [ МакепХ...... : : .67 w Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 .......... 51 1... Mickey's Adventure Racing ... ...60 МІВ 2001 А SEA ET. 64 Mutant League Haa нк АШ a A 86 NASCAR Rumble. RURSUM WI. U A NE E a 53 N N ES А 46

Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber . 62

` Parasite Eve 2... . к. PGA European Tou . Planescape: Torment ; Quake 3: Агепа..... acs A Railroad Tycoon 2

| Rayman 2: The Great Escape ... | Road Rash: Jailbreak ...

Rock the Rink . NEST МД” УКК E ti <

Rollcage Stage 2 Sua „40 Romance of the Three Kingdoms Vi .54

f бһептше.......... 44

E Sent BOMBER Укук кж, каа» аб).

E. South Park Bally. enne 54

E Space Channels .................... 45

| Star Trek: Hidden ЕУІ ................ 50

" Star Wars: Episode TRACER uss nies ê8. Street Fighter 2010: The Final Fight .....86

Matt, The Original Gamer matt@gameinformer.com “The gauntlet has been thrown down. Being the bigwig in the publishing industry, | hear a lot of insider scuttlebutt. Last week | heard a rumor that those dimestore harlots down at Cosmopolitan magazine were talking a lot of trash regarding this prestigious publication. All I've got to say is...talk to the hand, sister! While you're at it, why don't you take this $20, go back to K-Mart, and buy the rest of your outfit! | wouldn't even use that rag you call a magazine as toilet tissue for my exquisite derriere. When it comes to fashion, | was through with it before you knew what to do with it! Peace to my homiez at

Madamoiselle!”

Striker Pro 2000 Syphon Filter 2 . Tales of Eternia К Tarzan. NE e TT ' Tekken Tag A ‚...66

Tengen Tetris ....... ie wee eee 86 The Match of the Millenium:

SNK Vs. Capcom ............ 58 The Smurfs САДУ 53 The Wheel of Time ............ 50 Time Stalkers = А уулы 49 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater . . З QU Track & Field 2000 ...................62 Vigilante 8: Second Offense............57 Virtua Striker 2 ... PO ON E P2 Wetrix +... SISSE MNT s a BB Wild Wild West . Palawan gee Bes 50 Wings Of Fury A Asir koka» ks ek ea tae д, E:

eri (@gameintormer.com

“In the time I've been with Game Informer, we've offended a wide variety of different fans of this or that. Poképhiles, every owner of any system that ever went under, Dreamcast owners, and even motocross fans have sent us letters expressing their rage at our treatment of their favorite pastimes or unit of choice. | look forward to such letters, as their eloquent arguments offer a great deal of food for .nought, and the ones where people use such outdated insults as “homo” (it's so weak, it's not even politically incorrect) are just plain funny. So, rock on you raging people. Just don't forget that you're all geeks like us.”

т”

agd the PlayStation logos аге registered p titan Entertainment, Iné. 1998. English Translation © Working Desig

Snail Май:

Email:

Game Informer Magazine deargi@gameinformer.com

Attn: Dear GI 10120 W. 76th Street

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

WWW www.gameinformer.com

GI's MC Revealed!

| Il. Are there any hardcore rap | lovers in the office?

| 3. How many systems have defected | in your office?

| Jonathan DeCarlo | via aol.com (1. The venerable "hardcore rap | lover” at GI would definitely be Matt | Helgeson. He is a fountain of

COMMENTS:

| When is Breath of Fire 4 | coming out?

| Rich “the Suicide Gamer" Szeszko

via prodigy.net

| Capcom is hard at work on the

project, and it is slated for Japanese

Rare for Sony?

Gaming Addiction?

| Do you guys go to GA meetings

| (Gameaholics Anonymous)?

| Dan Uhoh via aol.com

| Although we are very dependent

| on games, each of us feels that he

does not have a

| problem.As you

| may know, the

first step to

recovery 1$

admitting to

| yourself that you

| do have a gaming

| problem.At this

stage, none of

Courtesy: Gamerholic

0 Game Informer * March 2000

information regarding rap, and his | collection is too vast to mention. | Recently, he has been entertaining us with select tracks off ODB's М***а | Please album.

2. No, we already have the web editors | to do that for us.

3. Just the other day our Atari} Jaguar traveled by canoe to Cuba to | seek political asylum. Before that, | the Nintendo Virtual Boy mysteriously | disappeared. We heard something | about it showing up in Beijing

release this spring. Unfortunately U.S. gamers will have to wait unti

the fall to see it in the States. We hope |

to have more information on the game | in the coming months.

Both Rare and 989 Studios are

second-party companies, in that each | company is supported by its parent | company. In other words, these | developers are more like subsidiaries |

than stand-alone developers

Nintendo invested heavily in Rare |

a number of years ago, while 989

Studios is a spin-off of Sony |

Computer Entertainment America

The chances that you will see a Rare |

game for PlayStation2 or Dreamcast are nil. Although there was originally talk that 989 might develop for other console systems, the company is strictly a PlayStation and PC developer.

us are ready to admit this. However, | we are considering doing ап |

intervention with Andy. His EverQuest problem is starting to get out of hand

Treatment Center)

Responding to Letters

l've been wondering...do you still print letters or just do email? So far | have sent in two letters and NOTHING! Don't give me any crap about not receiving them in the mail, just the truth. (Yes, | realize the irony of using email to send this.) Joseph Moore

via hotmail.com

A while back, | wrote a letter to you guys without getting a letter back. | talked to my friend and he had written two letters without getting a response. Now | know you're all incredibly busy trying to get the day-to-day updates and read the tons of mail you get daily, but it really does stink when , you actually .4 spend time * writing email and don't get a response. That defeats the whole point of sending it in the first place.

Radek Sword ' via usa.net

Linking Is the Way

Now, let's talk about business. | don’t know if you guys are poor or you waste your time playing games without pay, but | have enough money to buy two PlayStations and two CDs of the same game to play on my two TVs.That is so cool!!!

| | like to look at my victim's eyes when | | blow up their spaceships, cars, or

whatever the thing is. | know that today the trend is to go to Internet, but you don't enjoy the suffering face of your victim. So far, | know 10 games for PlayStation with link cable capabilities. If the PS-2 will be loaded with Internet connection, how am | supposed to play in the living room when | am giving a party? Will

| | call to my own home in order to | play on two TVs? Can you tell me

WHY Sony and all the companies are

| going Internet but with no link? How

do they expect to be successful with the Internet when they didn't even support the link feature? | know that many games use split-screen, but that sucks! I’m sure you will say, "Hey man, buy a big screen TV.” If you can't have

In the early '90s, before the Internet explosion, we received thousands of snail mail letters a week. Since email came into favor, the number of snail mail letters has dropped considerably, and we now receive over 95% of our correspondences through email. So to answer the question, more than 9576 of letters you read in this section come from the Internet.

As far as responding to every letter, we just don't have the time or resources to do it. We'd have to hire

an entire new staff to answer all the mail we get. Maybe ъ we could just get Jonathan DeCarlo (see left) to do it for free. There

is always a chance that you will get your letter answered in these pages, on the website, or personally from one

of the Game Informer editors.

a complete screen for yourself, you'd | better play with magnifiers. Some games like fighting games have no | problem, but just think about having | your own screen to walk around and | find some allies or enemies in| games like Resident Evil. That could | be marvelous. | Antonio Rigormortis | via yahoo.com | We think you are being a little harsh | on the prospect of the next wave | of consoles and the prospect of the | Internet. Until we actually see how | the Dreamcast and other systems | will handle Internet play, we suggest | you think about this possible | scenario. Have you ever heard of a local area network (LAN)? With some computers and some simple hardware you can create an excellent arena for playing multiplayer PC games in your own home. If you translate this into consoles, it could be possible for PlayStation2, Dreamcast, or Nintendo’s next system to do the same through a fairly inexpensive peripheral. None of this has appeared yet, but the possibility is there

Obviously, һе can smell what the Rock is cooking (you know the saying: whoever smelt it, dealt it).

Who's Messed Up?

readers may also be laughing at you for your lack of game comprehension. RE3 takes place 24 hours before RE2, but also 24 hours after it. After her battle with the Nemesis at the Clock Tower, Jill is infected and relies on Carlos for some help.This is when the time shifts to October | — more than a day after the events of RE2. Capcom didn't screw up, you did.

Louis Taylor Collingdale, PA

With his super enhanced Cyframe arm, Mag can whack better than “ any other boy.

If you haven’t beaten RE3 yet or are planing to purchase the game, || suggest you do not read any | further. At the end of the game, | missiles are fired at Raccoon City, | and as the game states, “Тһе city is | wiped off the face of the earth" Now how in the hell is RE2 supposed to take place with no city? Yeah Г say Capcom really screwed up this | one. Now don't get me wrong, RE3 | was a great game and there are other | endings, but | just don't think that | the game held up to the RE | reputation. Also, | was looking | forward to more of a | dramatic final fight | with Nemesis. The | story just seemed really rushed at the end of the game. The game was also

| very short. Amelia B. Hernandez a Goshe Los Angeles, CA / ; | via yahoo.com ; : 0 С tH Эже Fashion Rule #1: Always /2. 7 dh. vul ine wear a mini-skirt to a ge MN SSON Tek

| just spoiled the game | for everyone. Wait, | most of our readers already saw the cover story and strategy guide we printed in our December issue.These

W3

Î pen PPA!

massacre.

Question Ahout the | on А ASAE i Classic Neo Geo Neo Geo systems are outrageous

Please help me!

| am hoping you guys can help me. || am interested in old game | consoles/games and have started a | collection. | am looking for a Neo Geo el ie ee it 5 of systems up for auction. Some no problem, but the price is. So heres р dua a few games and the |

my question. Do you know where bidding was around $300 to $400 can possibly find reasonably priced Considering the Neo Geo Gold |

He ne un: irse кшп system originally sold for about $900 | ehca p3 Kate, DUT ппс TRE рсе гапве sad the games for $300, that is fairly |

| of $500 to $1,000 for 3 nine-year- reasonable. Keep your eyes open for | old game system a little steep.

Cyber Gamer Mike | via aol.com |.

We did some quick checking at | www.ebay.com and found a number |

Maggie Flores, Whittier, CA ARGGGGG!

| : Û better deals because we think you | ; Yeah it might be rare, but the Christopher Chacon prices | have seen for various used S505 a setup for avoid) Rowland Heights, CA A glimpse into the future of what Y3K will be like!

Exactly When?

PlayStation2. It will hit Japan on March | 4. Sony has only said that the PS-2 What are the exact release dates will arrive in the U.S. this fall or the PlayStation2 and Dolphin? Nintendo's Dolphin is less definite, | Reik, The Game Sheik and many industry pundits have f.

Salt Lake City, UT speculated that the U.S. and Japanese

We get this question all the time, release won't happen until next year. | and the only definite release date |

f we have is for the Japanese

Unknown Doh!

| Informer * March 2000

8 Game Informer * March 2000

ver the years, many have tried and failed to merge the gap

between the cinematic viewing experience and video Cover Story game interaction. People thought that by creating a vaguely interactive experience in which the player viewed

a movie and then pressed a random button at the proper moment in order to avoid failure would be fun. Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, this was not the case.

By merging mindless gameplay with amateur | movie making, countless hordes of people who were | excited by the prospect of being the first to combine two | such popular, yet traditionally different, medias failed miserably. Remarkably, no one seemed to learn from other people’s failure. From the Sega CD, to the PC, to the 3D0, the video game world was assaulted by horrid games with "photo-realistic action,” a misnomer that attempted to bridge a wide gap between actual video and a Fisher Price camcorder recording.

Mercifully, with the advent of the PlayStation and Saturn, and the exciting polygonal capabilities of both that made fully three-dimensional gaming feasible, a couple of these games rose, fell, and the whole silly phenomenon never reared its ugly head again. Then came Capcom’s Resident Evil series, a survival horror game so enthralling that more than one GI editor has actually dropped a controller while engaged in it. It seemed that Capcom had finally struck pay dirt in a game with intensity that relied on plot and circumstance as much as raw action.

By introducing brief cinematic cutscenes that didn’t strive for realism, but maintained the look of the game itself, Capcom proved (as countless animated movies had) that video-realism is not the key element of cinema. Resident Evil combined a solid gameplay engine with masterful execution of horror movie concepts to create a stunning new hybrid that was rewarded with sales in the millions. Despite the game’s horrendous voice talent, it still kept you on the edge of . your seat like any classic suspense thriller.

Fear Effect takes much of the Resident Evil formula and improves upon it a great deal. While the game's title suggests another survival horror copycat, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Fear Effect’s plot, while somewhat fractured and confusing, is to a much larger extent driven by its characters and the decisions they make rather than the basic need to escape a house, infested city, or laboratory complex.

Where Resident Evil’s focus is purely on making the player a nervous wreck with every corner they turn, Fear Effect attempts to intrigue with stunning environments, surprising plot twists, and the grim circumstances surrounding the characters. While it would be easy to chalk up Fear Effect as yet another attempt at replicating the Resident Evil experience, this wouldn't be doing the game justice. Fear Effect may use many of the same - gameplay techniques as Resident Evil (and its lesser-known PC precursor, Alone in the Dark), but the difference between the two is as wide as between two movie genres.

10

ù şame RE-style fixed camera perspective $ ûn each screen, a great deal of effort “has been put into creating dazzling

В in-game camera zooming and panning.

EFFECTIVE DEVELOPEMENT

Developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment, the people respon- sible for the popular PC titles Wing Commander lll and Phantasmagoria, Fear Effect comes to you from a group who have a fair amount of experience with movie making. Fear Effect clearly demonstrates that Kronos has learned plenty from its previous games, with an understanding of Camera and environ- ment that far surpasses the norm in the video game industry. The ` first thing one notices at the beginning of the game is the

ja detail that's been placed on the game's environments. While

r the most part Fear Effect has the

jighting effects, animated shadows nd a e and even the occasional

seamless cutscenes frequently loop in and oüt of gameplay. Whether depicting new circumstances (explosions, guards rushing in, etc.), an action scene (leap- ing away from an explosion, kneeing a guard in the groin, etc.), the advent of a boss, or negotiating a deal with someone before disarming that large bo hat someone strapped to their chest, Fear Effect is chock full of cinematics. Fortunately, the cutscenes help define the game rather than break up the monotony of a half-baked gameplay system.

The emphasis on character is evident in the cutscenes as well. In Fear Effect, people don't simply wave their arms up down, filling in for a longer worded Japanese sentence by speaking slowly and using the word “well” a lot. The characters’ faces and body movements are fully expressive and actually convey the appropriate emotion. Rather than yammering their jaws up and down like someone who could have sworn his dentures were in just a moment ago, Fear Effect's characters have mouth movements that actually accompany the speech.

a movie with a little game on the side

To is to the lively environment, near-

Knowing full well

lywood reasoning. In Fear blood or not being able to

Effect, taking bullets isn't about

With three playable characters in its arsenal, Fear Effect invites gamers to swim through the minds of three complex personalities; discovering hidden truths and horrific secrets, all while calling upon their unique abilities to solve a perplexing case.

think straight with a lead nugget lodged in your brain. Instead, it's all about getting scared. Taking hits reduces your fear meter from a healthy shade of green to blood red, at which point you can't take much more of this moving about and breathing while shrugging off a few bullet wounds from an assault rifle. Instead of med kits, herbal remedies, and first-aid’ spray, you must regain your confidence. 4

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do this. Finding additional weapons and ammo, knocking off enemies without get- ting hurt, entering new areas, and the passage of time will all eventually repair a damaged ego, allowing the clfáractets: to take it like a bruised action hero With, glass shards stuck in his bare feet all over again. While we found this concept a bit odd at first, not having to deal with health items was quite refreshing «and no less realistic than чаап ` chainsaw injuries with a small box abeled “med kit.” Effect also come fully equipped with a e sudden surprise attacks from behind, in arount Û al the touch of a button. Characters can also order to get out: ‘of the line of fire, and in order to get a @fie-shot kill (alas, no . For the John Wu minded, pistols and ei A guns сат be paired up and will independently target different enemies, frequently making them a*wiser choice than the more powerful assault rifle or shotgun when facing multiple enemies. à

Gunning down flunkies is generally pretty easy until you get towards the latter part of the game and ammo gets scarce. Bosses, however, are a totally different experience. Most require you.to be - quick-witted as well as good with the guns. In one scenario, for instance, the player is confronted by a gunship on a rooftop and must shoot out flags hanging at the edge, of the building so they get sucked into the hostile vehicle’s air intakes, causing it to crash, burn, and leave a convenient hole in the side of the build- ing leading to a new area.

Age: 37 Height: 6'5”

Age: 34 Age: 24 Height: 6’ Height: 5'7” Weight: 198 I Weight: 118 Ibs.

Born: Pacifica, California, USA Specialty: Mercenary

As a highly decorated ex-military vet, Royce Glas hits the streets as a well trained gun for hire. After all of his years of service, and after participating in a number of conflicts that the U.S. government officially denies, Glas is on the edge. He will kill anyone in self defense, and he's not

afraid to push the law of the land to the limit to meet his .

goal. Since the world is unjust, Glas is forced to take on the most dangerous of missions, all to earn a cooked meal and a night's rest. His years of service have made him a bitter man, but he'd never turn his back on his team. Glas is a good friend of Hana's, vowing to take a bullet for her.

Game Informer « March 2000

«Raised a scholar irrthe Province Military `

Born: Shan Xi Province, ROC Specialty: Covert Ops

eater, Hana

Tsu-Vachel is am mole and an. extremely ficient. Covert Operative specializing in infiltration. Fluent with the many varied dialects of the Chinese Government, Hana is also a marksman and driver. Born, part French an Chinese, Hana was orphaned ich i tum 1 i

akes her distant and

Glas, worked with her previously ‚ оп а freelance French Government assignment. With little reservation, Hana lives life to the fullest, not taking anything for granted.

| _ raw instinct - Her best friend and partner, Royce

Weight: 219 Ibs. Born: Christchurch, New Australia ssassin, Explosives

With a body the size of a grizzly bear and a mind that ticks like. a time bomb, Jakob “Deke” Decourt is an explosives mastermind and a sharpshooting assassin. Many consider him psychotic, but those close to him know he's hardworking, effective, and trustworthy. Not professionally trained, Deke often makes decisions on which sometimes results with situations blowing up in his face. As a survivor of the range wars that tore across New Australia, Deke is a scrapper and a Survivor. He knows how to make it through thick and thin.

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Game Informer * March 2000

Three Mercenaries and a Demonic tittle Lady

“Fear Effect's graphics provide highly distinctive character designs which lend themselves easily to the game's many cutscenes, and thus become instantly iden- tifiable by the players. This, combined with its absorbing plot, will have you completely drawn in by the end of disc one. Fear Effect comes off as a cross between Resident Evil, Dragon's Lair, and Big Trouble in Little China - and | mean that in a good way. The game's weak point is in the action. Other than the occasional tossedin gun fight, Success is measured by knowing what to do at the right time, much like laser disc games of old. Fear Effect won't be loved by all, but everyone should at least rent it to see what's been accomplished. If Eidos puts a little more player-controlled action into this game's inevitable sequels, it could have a very successful series."

"Being a Resident Evil fanatic | see many aspects of it in Fear Effect, but in a unique- ly different form. The graphics in this game a far different than in any game you've seen before. This is both good and bad. Good, because the stylings are a mix of Blade Runner and some kind of anime. Bad, because there is quite a bit of pixela- tion and the animation is pretty clunky. The stylization will definitely turn off some play- ers immediately. As far as playcontrol goes, what Fear Effect offers is adequate. However, it is hampered by unusual shifts in perspective and poor combat. The thing that this game has going for it is an enter- taining story. The plot is far more mature and exciting than Silent Hill and Resident Evil put together. If story is essential to you, check it out, bet remember the graphics are an acquired taste."

“Just like a pimple-faced junior high nerd, Fear Effect is a unique property that does- n't click with the PlayStation crowd. Its rev- olutionary anime texturing and looping FMV backdrops give it a personality all its own. The gameplay is definitely inspired, yet the overall mix of storytelling, gameplay, and appearance is something new to the gam- ing scene. It's obvious that Kronos worked on the cinematic angle before bothering with the play. Controlling characters is a sloppy experience. The enemy Al is wretched and the combat is incredibly sim- plistic. Some of the puzzles are decent, yet most of the brain work involves finding a key and using it. The heart and soul of this game is the story. The way the tale comes together at the end will give you chills. Don't expect great gameplay, but more of an

entertaining cinematic experience."

JAY

THE GONZO GAMER

Concept 8

Graphics 9

Sound 8.5

Playability 8

Entertainment

OVERALL

PAUL

THE GAME PROFESSOR

Concept 1.15

Graphics

8.75

Sound 9.25

Playability

7.75

Entertainment

8.75

OVERALL

REINER

THE RAGING GAMER

Concept 7.75

Graphics

8.5

Sound 8.5

Playability

6.5

Entertainment

8.25

OVERALL

ear effect Kicks off with a cutscene of a futuristic vehicle flying over a Chinese urban spraWl at night. Inside the vehicle, two anime styled mercenaries, Hana and Glas, discuss whether the contact they're seeking out for employment is trustwor- thy. After landing and discovering that the man has gone missing, Hana searches for him and in a very short period of time earns the enmity of a powerful Triad leader, finds an important data disc, kills 20 or 30 men, and must make a harrowing escape with the aid of her partner after their air car gets destroyed by a hovering assault vehicle.

Shortly afterward, the two rendezvous with a third partner, a tough Australian fellow named Deke, who provides them with the means to read the data disc. The team discovers that the leader of the Triad's daughter has gone missing and that the mission they were going to undertake for money is now a matter of life and death. A harrowing car chase ensues.

Everything about the first disc of Fear Effect suggests a game about a dark future along cyberpunk lines in which our small band of ruthless-by-necessity heroes are forced to stay two steps ahead of a powerful organization while attempting to grab hold of whatever bargaining chip they can find in order to stay alive and turn some kind of profit out of their misfortune. We were rather surprised when the usual brand of backstabs, cons, betrayals by trusted friends, and corporate conspiracies were thrown off track when the group heads to a small fishing village in search of the Triad leader's daughter, only to discover that it has become overrun with pyromaniac zombie villagers.

From this point on, the plot departs even further from the norm and enters into a world in which Chinese mythology is very real and some of the big players are not what they seem. Taking on the roles of Hana, Glas, and Deke, the player is led through a plotline with a dizzying array of twists and turns leading to Hana's discovery of her own pivotal role in the circumstances, and the truth behind her troubled childhood.

Perhaps what impresses us most about Fear Effect is its strong cinematic presence. It could have easily been an animated feature with its focus on character interaction and professionally choreographed scenes. It's rare that a game can manage to merge exciting action cutscenes with gameplay in such a seam less manner. One moment you'll be watching a train flying off of a bridge, in the next you'll be in control of Deke, doing your best to keep him from going with it.

While somewhat short despite its four discs, Fear Effect could end up fanning the flames that Resident Evil started. beginning a new cinematic gaming revolution. Only this time, the copycats and derivative people have some good examples to start with.

RESIDENT EVIL vs.

Okay, so we said Fear Effect is much more than a cheap knockoff of Resident Evil, but as far as gameplay is concerned, its roots are fairly obvious. Let’s compare the two, shall we?

Freakout Factor

Resident Evil is hands down the freakiest, most intimidating gaming experience out there. Every turn will have you checking your ammo supply and reaching for a dry pair of shorts. Fear Effect is more about tension than chills.

Environments

Resident Evil’s rendered environments are attractive and the more recent installments do feature some animation, but nowhere near as much as Fear Effect. Hey, we’re not dissing Resident Evil, we’re just really impressed by Fear Effect’s good looks.

Characters

Despite recent improvements in RE’s voice acting, you still have to wonder if Capcom didn’t just grab random people out of a drinking establishment at times. The interaction between Fear Effect's three main characters and other people in the game is often funny, grim, and generally much more interesting to listen to.

Weapons

Even the first Resident Evil wins in this department. Fear Effect's six guns are pretty generic. Still, the dual-pistol and submachine gun action can be quite entertaining.

Action

Resident Evil's action is generally more about making the proper judgment calls of knowing when to shoot (and what with) and when to run. It's fun to splatter zombies and knock mutant things off the walls, but no one would describe the action as fast paced. On the flip-side, FE's action is definitely quicker, but aside from some of the bosses, much easier too. It gener- ally comes down to

FEAR EFFECT

reflexes and knowing when to make a quick getaway to reload.

Puzzles

Resident Evil wins again. The puzzles, while somewhat repetitive are much more challeng- ing and require the player to do a great deal more exploration. Even when we found ourselves searching for an item in Fear Effect, it didn't take long to cover all the bases.

Challenge Factor

Overall, Resident Evil is a lot tougher, requir- ing strategic thinking, mad puzzle solving skills, close attention to inventory manage- ment, and some pretty nasty beasties. Fear Effect's levels, while containing a large number of screens, rarely branch out and you usually know exactly where to go.

Profanity Factor

Lets face it, when a gunship suddenly appears out of nowhere and launches a missile in your general direction, certain obvious forbidden words are bound to come out. It's much easier to empathize with a character that voices a single word opinion of the circum- stances rather than someone who can't think of anything better to say than “Eek!”

Gore

Fear Effect has its moments, but it just doesn't compare to stomping a zombie's head or watching some poor sap get turned into the other red meat by a pack of nasties. Fear Effect is bloody to be sure, but it won't make you cringe like RE.

Review

* Size: 4 CD-ROMs

* Style: 1-Player Action/Adventure

* Special Features: 3 Playable Characters; Dual Weapons With Multi-Enemy Targeting; Looping FMV Backdrops; Tons of Spoken Dialogue & Animated Cutscenes; Unique Anime Look

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: Kronos for Eidos

* Available: Now for PlayStation

Bottom line: @ 25

The Most Powerful Characters in the Video Game Universe

NERI DAD AS BED dERNNCHISES

Developer's sweet dreams are made of these. Selling that first no-name game can be an arduous chore, but once popularity and name recognition is achieved, Invulnerable moving product at retail is as easy as going to the bank. Once in a rare while, a video game does more than sell loads of copies — it gains notoriety. When a game becomes a glint in the public eye, toys, cartoons, movies, comics, and all sorts of character-related merchandise follow, practically giving the franchise owners Power Chart

a license to print their own money. ee)

However, some franchises are solid platinum while others are just gold-plated. For your perusal, Game Informer has assembled our A team of video game pow- erhouses, noting whether the characters in question are bankable for life, for now, or forget about it. Feeble Note: It doesnt take a database technician to realize that these characters’ origins are complete fiction. There might be a hint of truth hidden in here some- Past Present Future where, but don't blame us for it. "

Mario |

First Appearance: Donkey Kong (1981)

Powers: His name alone makes at least a million

people buy his games.

Weaknesses: Coin Kleptomania; Facial Depilatories S Allies: Luigi; Princess Peach; Yoshi; Toad

Enemies: King Koopa; Wario; Bowser

Origin: A seemingly ordinary plumber with an LEN geous mustache, Mario was forced into action on

Future

anger, dump-

Weri the gir! he had fought аа to rescue and cruelly cag that incensed him. Fortunately, Mario was never imprisoned fo

having his sentence reduced instead to . As per the court order, Mario clea

\ Mario has since found a new love in fought corruption time and time again.

Recent History: Perhaps complacent in Nintendo mainstay, Mario has recently taken up in in rave scalp These shindigs arent too expand

1 festivities no doubt de his good name.

Link „ First Appearance: The Legend of Zelda (1986) | ò Powers: Mastery of All Weapons Medieval

à Weaknesses: Dresses in Tights and Hangs Out

With Fairies

Allies: Zelda; Navi; Epona; Sheik S Enemies: Ganon

” Origin: Link led a happy life as a peasant boy until marauding barbarians rampaged through t. his village, burning down his home and killing F his parents. Link escaped alive, but was soon \ sold into slavery and forced to fight in glad- à jator pits. It was there that he learned how to wield weapons so effectively, and à also where he vowed vengeance on the heathens who ruined his life. Link fought ^^ as a gladiator until he was nine years old, by then having earned his freedom. \ He immediately set out to seek revenge, but quickly found that the barbar- ^^ jans accidentally set their yurts on fire one night and killed themselves. «Having nothing else to do, he decided to explore dungeons, fight mon- \sters, and rescue girls. „ Recent History: Links adventures are few and far between, but the excitement of each one leaves indelible, pleasant memories in those who experience them. Having to wait is tortuous, but always seems

Past Present Future

Game Informer

Feature

Sonic

First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) Powers: Super Speed; Attitude

Weaknesses: Life Force Intertwined With Rings Allies: Tails; Knuckles; Amy; Nature

Enemies: Dr. Robotnik; Science

Origin: Whenever there are innocent ani- | mals being mercilessly mutated and mind-con- trolled, the aptly named Sonic shows up to liberate them. Perhaps Sonic is 5 the physical manifestation of the world's animals’ psyches crying for help.

Maybe he is born of

Mother Earth herself, F

sent to right ecological Past wrongs. He could just be

a hedgehog with tennis shoes. Playing his part in the ultimate science vs. nature parable, Sonic always appears when need- ed, anxious to foil Dr. Robotnik's plans.

Recent History: Disappearing from the public eye after his adventures on the planet Saturn, Sonic spent his off time at the fitness club and returned looking like a dream. Recent adventures have also cast him into a pocket-sized micro-dimension. History has shown that Sega may slip up, but Sonic will never stop rolling on.

Present Future

Crash Bandicoot

First Appearance: Crash Bandicoot (1996)

Powers: Super Spinning; Van Halen-Inspired Jumping Weaknesses: His head's a little top-heavy.

Allies: Coco; Aku Aku; Snow Beaver

Enemies: N. Cortex; Uka Uka; Tiny; Ripper Hoo

la à Corporation

First Appearance: Resident Evil (1996)

Powers: None, Except Nearly Limitless Financial and Scientific Resources Weaknesses: Government Inspection; Corporate Restructuring

Allies: War Mongers; Wall Street

Enemies: Anyone That Has Anything At All To Do With , the RPD

Origin: Born a normal rodent in the wilds of Australia, the bandicoot that would come to be known as Crash was innocently ibbling on wumpa fruit — which just hap- pened to be growing above a nuclear waste disposal site. Ingesting the radiation caused him to grow and become hic. While wandering . Origin: As powerful as it sed, Crash was found

mysterious, the Umbrella m bedient canine that orporation has no regard : 3 ugh the same muta- .human life. Seeking tions. me Crash’s mentor, eate the ultimate training him in the way of spin fu. weapon, : Arfy has recently left empire elling him that there is no 3n teach him. The bandi- become a ronin, and aster in Europe. Future re definite, but their qual- be seen.

vivors

Raccoon C

Past Present Future holocaust, b

related to the *

police department in one way or another, have е

helped clean up Umbrella's end results, but they've never thrown a wrench into its corporate plan.

Recent History: All is going according to plan, with another virus testing planned for a small island. Despite its secrecy, word continues to leak out about Umbrella, and investors like what they hear so far. However, growing so quickly may harm Umbrella’s value in the long run.

Present Future

Game Informer « March 2000 15

Ken & Ryu (Ak ز‎ First Appearance: Street Fighter (1987) ت‎ Powers: Martial Arts’ Abilities Beyond Those of Normal Men P. Weaknesses: Predictability

Allies: Everybody in the Street Fighter Series Enemies: Everybody in the Street Fighter Series

Origin: Bitter rivals or best of friends? Ken and Ryu 4 ( trained under the same master, both becoming mar- $ tial art carbon copies of one another. Perhaps grow- ing tired of continually facing each another, these two began traveling the world in T: search of the planet's greatest fighters. These fighting tournaments gained A instant popularity, spawning many imi- tators. Those featuring Ken and Ryu, f however, are recognized as the first and iod | earned the most worldwide respect. | Recent History: These old dogs still Û up the occasional new trick in their travels, but their age and stress from fighting so often is beginning to show. Ken and Ryu continue to draw admirable crowds, but their zenith is most likely

behind them. | 5 F Past Present Future

Chocobos

First Appearance: Final Fantasy (1987) Powers: Horse-like Endurance; Cute as ina Dickens Weaknesses: Taste Like Chicken Allies: People With More Than They Could Possibly Carry Enemies: Everyone Around Thanksgiving

dine

record all events passing before them, bie Hover to interfere. W п. the coming of humans, the chocobos figured the best way to monitor this new race's actions was to pose as pack animals for them. Having performed this duty for centuries, the chocobos have seen the world advance from a primitive society based on sword and TV to one of amazing scientific advancement. Recent History: The events recorded by the chocobos (as well as the | demand for them) have become more intense as time passes, and there is no foreseeable end to this trend in sight.

Present Future

Lara Croft

First Appearance: Tomb Raider (1996) Powers: Able To Hypnotize 90% of Men With Her Swinging Pendulums Weaknesses: Misaligned Center of Gravity Allies: Two Pistols; Sports Brassiere Enemies: Stretch Marks; Reduction Surgery

Origin: Genetically engineered by Swedish scientists to be the ultimate swimsuit model, the young Lara Croft was kept in a glass tube filled with water until she matured into her teens. The scientists intended to educate her by piping in audio of proper ramp-walking techniques, but someone put in an archaeology tape by mistake. At her first fashion show, where she was / sporting a green shirt and brown

shorts, she ran down the runway

' and kept on running until she was in | Egypt. It was there that she began

’ training for her true passion - plun- dering tombs.

Recent History: Realizing there just weren't enough tombs to go around, Lara 9 flung herself into a mysterious time warp that has her repeat history again and again. People were entranced with her during her first trip, but seem to be growing weary of her now that she has relived her past for the fourth time.

Present Future

Liu Kang, Scorpion, & Sub-Zero

First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992) Powers: All Kinds of ‘em!

Weaknesses: Often Mistaken for Each Other at Parties

Allies: Blood; Gore; Controversy Enemies: Each Other; Go j

Origin: Liu Kang was just er until he was bitten by a radii at a science fair. He soon disci agility, speed, and proportionate Order of Light monk! Deciding th power comes great responsibility, Liu himself with a red bandanna and be quick-witted kick slinger who clears the s of crime. Teaming up with two high sche classmates, Scorpion and Sub-Zero (fire and ice, baby!), the trio engages in an endless / array of exciting escapades, fighting all man- ner of villainous Outworld foes along the way.

Recent History: The fighting racket isn’t what it used to be, and these super friends/fiends are beginning to feel the backlash. Is it that something flashier has come along, or is it that buckets of blood just don't cut it anymore?

Past Present Future

Donkey Kong

First Appearance: Donkey Ko Powers: All the Privileges Ima Weaknesses: Bananas in the Ta Allies: Diddy; Primates; Sting

Enemies: K. Rool; Deforestation

tion sleep. When the craft landed, Kong was shock to fi

other shipmates’ hibernation programs had failed. He. as t

vivor. The horror did not end there, however, for upon. new planet, Kong found it was ruled by men, not apes! instantly treated as an outcast (see Mario), eventually to find peace among his simi- an brethren.

Recent History: Kong has | learned some of the ways of man, even going so far as to wear what the humans call a "necktie" in the four-in-hand fashion. How a tie helps his image is a mystery, but it certainly hasn't hurt it. Being the only ape in a small soft- ware town seems to have its F advantages.

Past Present

Pikachu

First Appearance: Pokémon

Red/Blue (1998) Powers: Electrical Discharge; Able To Enamor Children

Weaknesses: Ground; Sure To Annoy Adults

Allies: Ash; Pocket Monsters Enemies: Team Rocket; Pirated Merchandise; Knock-Offs

Past Present Future

Origin: In а ‘dimension quite unlike our own, there is a world where ruler- ship is determined by beauty, and all things considered not cute at birth are destroyed. Being the most irresistibly cuddly organ- ism in all the land, Pikachu quickly became king. Its first order of business was to assemble an army of the 150 most come- ly creatures. With his soldiers gathered, Pikachu announced his plot to them - to destroy half the world’s population in an evil ritual that would give the entire army elemental powers! The plan worked, but the remaining populace performed a spell of their own that banished Pikachu and his army to a world where they are nothing more than beasts forced to fight for the enter- tainment of anyone who might capture them.

Recent History: Cuteness, it seems, has power over all worlds. Pikachu has managed to subvert the children of this world as well, and plans to bring over 100 new monsters from his homeworld to continue the conquest. The only flaw in his scheme is that children grow out of everything, including play- ing with their pocket monsters.

Ó Game Informer « March 2000

Future

First Appearance: Mega Man (1987) Powers: Part Man, Part Machine Weaknesses: Short; Battery Charged Allies: Rush; Roll; Dr. Light; Robocop Enemies: Dr. Wily; Tron Bonne

Origin: Young Mag Manning was walking home from college one afternoon Malen he spied an gid) about to be run down by a truck. s elflessly throwing . himself in peril to. save the helpless wol

Present Future

Mag and “a decided that his life could be saved; Mag could be rebuilt. Thanks | to a budget of six million dol- % lars, Mag was combined with a machine to make stronger and faster He became Mega Man!

with would-be world usurpers, Mega Man h never shown signs of tiring. Quite amaz- ing, really, considering some of the a beatings he’s taken. о

Рас-Мап ` Game Informer) —

First Appearance: Pac-Man (1980) Powers: Insatiable Appetite Weaknesses: Hooked On What He Calls “Power Pellets” Allies: The Whole Pac-Family

Enemies: Inky; Blinky; Pinky; Clyde (also known as Pokey)

Origin: In a distant galaxy, on a planet known as Pacworld, a brilliant physicist named Pac-El theorized that his planet was about to self- destruct. The other Paclians scoffed at his presumption. Desperate for his son to survive, Pac-El built a rocket and sent his baby into space just as his homeworld exploded. é The young Paclian landed on a new planet and soon discovered that the world’s food gave him powers far beyond those of normal mortals. The peo- 9" ple dubbed him Pac-Man, the world’s mightiest franchise! It wasnt long before Pac-Man discovered that he wasnt the only survivor of Pacworld. Other Pac-family members include Ms. с Pac-Man, Baby Pac-Man, Professor Pac-Man, even Pac-

Dog!

Recent History: There have been lulls in Pac’s popularity, but he has never completely fallen from grace. Whenever there is a need for an instantly recognizable video game persona, Pac- Man will be there!

Present Future

» Samus

First Appearance: Metroid (1987) Powers: Fully Environmental Power Suit

Weaknesses: Naughty Ness Secret с in Super Smash Brothers

Allies: Demand

Enemies: Supply

Origin: Both a beautiful bounty F hunter and а brilliant inventor, Samus Aran created a power suit capable of withstanding the harshest environments. The suit assisted her greatly in ca turing criminals she was sent after, but her greatest challenge came in 1992 when she had to face her own vanity. After two off-planet adventures that captivated Americans but completely turned off the Japanese, Samus couldn't cope with not having world adoration and vanished from public scrutiny.

Recent History: With ever-constant whispers of a comeback, Samus made a brief appearance to do battle against other Nintendo greats in Super Smash Brothers. Her lega- cy is kept alive by a stalwart band of admirers begging that she undertake solo action once more. If she doesn’t answer the call in a few years, she may lose those fans she has left.

Past Present Future

The Block

First Appearance: Computer Space (1971) Powers: Insidious Nature

Weaknesses: Inflexibility

Allies: Early Home Consoles; Pixels; Tetris Enemies: Hi-Res Graphics; Polygons

=n we think we've beat- ack to remind us who's real- aint Tony Danza). Tetris and its most obvious examples of its cor- Whoever has the copyright to The Block Past isn't fessing up to it, but it’s a sure bet they're mak-

ing millions.

Present Future

Game Informer * March 2000 - 19 :

E

FROM THE GI NEWS CENTER IN EDEN PRAIRIE

Perfect Dark Coming to Game Boy Golor

Nintendo and Rare have announced that Perfect Dark will appear on Game Boy Color later this year.

Based loosely on the Nintendo 64 title of the same name, Perfect Dark on the GBC will be an entirely new action/adventure game with seven missions filled with a wide range of puzzles, combat, and minigames. Rare also said the game will utilize just about every piece of the GBC's technology with FMV intros and speech samples. It will also feature two-player link capabilities for deathmatches, be GB Printer capa- ble, and use the infrared link and GB Transfer Pak. Last but not least, Perfect Dark will be a rumble cartridge.

Look for Perfect Dark to hit the Game Boy Color on June 12.

New N64 Resident Evil Surfaces

As long speculated, Capcom is developing a new Resident Evil title for the Nintendo 64. Actually, you might want to consider this an old RE title because the game's plot will take place before all the other Resident Evil games, leading to the apt title Resident Evil Zero. While details on the game's story are fairly scarce, we secured a comment from Capcom's Flagship, the developer of the game's scenario. “1 wanted to unravel some of the unsolved mysteries, such as the existence of Umbrella, how the Bravo team was wiped out, and a couple of other things that weren't resolved," stated Flagship's director, Yoshiki Okamoto.

We also learned that the game will star Rebecca Chambers and a few other unnamed characters. You may remember Rebecca as Chris Redfield's sidekick in the original RE adventure.

The Resident Evil Zero cartridge will weigh in at a whopping 512 megabits and is slated to be released in Japan this summer. A fall release in the U.S. is likely.

Ó Game Informer * March 2000

Square will add another racing game to the PlayStation2's game lineup. Driving | Emotion Type-S is currently in development at Square Soft's subsidiary, Escape, and will directly contend with Ridge Racer V and Gran Turismo 2000, the PS-2's other high-pro- | file racers. Slated for release in Japan later this | spring, Type-S will feature authentic

| tracks and cars, and also include a Beginner Training mode. Check out that | snazzy cockpit view!

1; Gis

TOTAL TIME 00:44:650

The Game Boy Advance, Nintendo’s 32-bit successor to the Game Boy Color, will arrive in the U.S. this November. The powerful handheld is capable of playing all the current Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles and will likely come in with a pricetag under $100.

Nintendo has big plans for this little system; possibilities include wireless access to the Internet, a library of classic SNES games, and the ability to link to Nintendo’s upcoming Dolphin home console. For a refresher, here’s the preliminary list of the system’s specs.

(artist’s rendition)

THQ is planning to get a big bang for the bucks it spent securing the coveted WWF license. In addition to WWF Smackdown, THQ announced that it

will develop WWF titles for the

Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, and

the Game Boy Color in 2000.

Also, a second WWF PlayStation title is scheduled ~ | for a fall release.

Game Boy Advance Preliminary Specs

e CPU: Memory embedded 32- bit RISC CPU (CPU core design by ARM)

* Display Size: 40.8mm x 61.2mm

* Screen Type: Reflective TFT color LCD

* Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels

* Maximum Colors To Be Displayed Simultaneously: 65,000

* Size: Height 80mm / width 135mm / depth 25mm (approximately)

e Weight: 140g (approximately)

* Power Supply: 2 AA alkaline batteries

* Battery Life: 20 hours continu- ous play

e Launch Date: November 1 in North America and Europe (August in Japan)

* Suggested Retail Price: To be announced

Game Informer * March 2000 21)

editor's top ten

Medal of Honor - PS-X

(9) Resident Evil 3: Nemesis - PS-X (в) Match of the Millennium - МЕРС. (7) Tomba 2: The Evil Swine Return - PS-X Front Mission 3+ PS-X -

(Б) Fear Effect-PS:X — О) WWE Smackdown - PS-X

(2) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater - PS-X : (1) Gran Turismo 2. PS. е

__feader's lop len

10) Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style - PS-X _

(9) Medal of Honor - PS-X

(8) Tomorrow Never Dies - PS-X

(т) Dukes of Hazzard - PS-X

(6) Tomb Raider:

The Last Revelation - PS-X

(5) WWF WrestleMania 2000 - N64

(4) Donkey Kong 64 - N64

(3) Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater - PS-X

(2) Pokémon Yellow - GBC

(1) Gran Turismo 2 - PS-X

top ten feasons gi is better than Cosmopolitan

(10) Cosmo's FF VIII Strategy

| Guide sucked.

GI has no articles about the “Big O”.

(8) Sexy pictures of the GI Editors.

(7) GI makes you feel good about having

| no social life!

We have fewer ads for femine

| hygeine products.

(5) No stupid surveys in Gl... yet.

(4) How many women in bras and panties can you look at? Oh, well they've got us on that one.

(3) Cosmo has yet to have a monkey on their cover. |

(2) We teach you how to GAIN weight, not lose it!

(1) Who needs supermodels when you've

. got Super Mario? _

Game lı joking for your Тор Ten favorite games. Please send | your Top Tens to: Game Informer Magazine Attn: Top Ten

Game Informer « March 2000

LucasArts has released the first pictures of a side-scrolling brawler in the vein of the Star Wars classics on the SNES.

For those who haven't been reading GI News, the game will feature two-player simultaneous action and five playable characters, including Qui- Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Adi Gallia, Plo Koon, and the baddest brother in the galaxy, Mace Windu. The game's plot, which is loosely based on Episode I The Phantom Menace, stretches over 10 levels ranging from Tatooine to the interi- or of a Droid Control Ship.

Jedi Power Battles is expected to launch on April 3rd, in con- junction with the release of Episode ! on home video.

Just like it did with the Game Boy, Nintendo will release a new assortment of Nintendo 64 colors on February 21. Carrying the same $99.99 pricetag as the standard charcoal gray unit, the new colored units will come in six festive col- ors. Prepare for translucent Smoke, Ice, Fire, Jungle, Watermelon, and Grape N64s to hit stores very

soon.

GT Interactive and developer Reflections are knee deep in development of Driver 2, а sequel determined to be a smash hit. If you thought the first installment was crazy fun, just wait until you see the sequel. We hear it's going to be one wild ride. Plans call for a number of new vehicles, a host of new city environments, as well as far more objec- tives. Word also has it that Driver 2 may be in the works for PlayStation2 - although this has not been confirmed.

When will you see it? Not for another few months at the soonest. As for a release date? Rumor has it that fall is the word.

Ninja Gaiden Sequel Set for | sc _ PlayStation2 Launch Ê ыр.

Game Informer has learned Tecmo is planning to release Ninja Gaiden on the PlayStation2 for its U.S. launch. The game, which we brought you news of last November, has already drawn compar- isons to Tomb Raider, Prince of Persia, and Zelda 64. While this m

is quite good company, Tecmo '

is currently keeping the B [ha Ua Se Шыл е

game under wraps, and we All Game Guide

will have to wait and see if www.allgame.com

Ninja Gaiden will live up to If you're interested in classic games, from the

the quality of the other Atari 2600 to the Sega Saturn, look no further

games we just mentioned. . than this well organized site. A quick search of this site can turn up detailed information on almost any game ever released. Also provides brief histories of console systems great and small (over 50 in all), current video game news, sales data, and reviews and previews of “Upcoming releases, Û

NEW ERKAN CR NERA QE

TRIVIA CONTEST *• ~

n | Tv = EINE (down is based on what popul Conker Alive, Well, & Renamed P series? ‚ . How many games has Меда Man starred in? What was the first cartridge-based

Rareware’s adorable squirrel is not as dead as we were lead to believe. A release list of upcoming Nintendo 64

? products revealed Conker’s Quest is coming, but it will now console sy d LEE bear the name, Conker's Bad Fur Day. Nintendo says the iai peşî ke wû Miyamoto's original

game will launch this year during the holiday season. : What are the names of the five playable characters in Donkey Kong 64?

First Mage, N64's First RPG

Billed as “the first traditional N64 role-playing game experience,” Aidyn Chronicles The First Mage is set to release this spring from THQ. The title was developed by H20 (makers of The New Tetris), which hopes to make it a better RPG experience than THQ’s own Quest 64. Michael Tam of H20 said, “Our characters will be less car-

toony and much more realistic.” i se Me i ut Look for more on First Mage in the coming months.

NAME THAT GAME

This Atari Jaguar street baskel the top-grossing Wesley Snipe lard comedy of the same name, featured two-on-two playground hoop action. To make things more interesting, players wagered money on games in order to raise the #9000 entry fee for the Slam City Tournament, and pay off a wicked loan shark before their careers ended prematurely with a broken kneecap.

elson

Game Informer « March 2000 23

sion of the game later this year.

“> Sony Computer Entertainment announced that between November 1 and December 31 of last year the company sold almost 3 million PlayStation consoles.

> Sega of America announced

that between September 9 and

December 31 of last year the com- pany sold approximately 1.5 mil- lion Dreamcasts.

» Castlevania Resurrection for

the Dreamcast has been delayed from its Japanese release. Originally slated for a spring 2000 date, it looks like fall might be a more likely season.

» Sega is planning a remake of Virtua Cop 2 for Dreamcast. The game, based on the arcade game of the same name, is scheduled for March in Japan.

» Bearing names like Turdling, Hockaloogy, and Sneezlebutt, Parody Cards Ink will release a set of parody cards called Jokémon. Plans call for 45 Jokémon cards in all.

» Namco is developing a follow-up Tales of Destiny, which will be enti- tled Tales of Eternia. The PlayStation game will appear sometime this year.

» Eidos Interactive announced the creation of a new sports divi- sion. Will Lara Croft be the star of a new soccer game?

» THQ is not only developing a PlayStation and PC version of Evil Dead: Ashes 2 Ashes, the compa- ny also announced that Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 versions are in the works.

» Infogrames has plans to recre- ate its classic action/adventure, Alone in the Dark, on the Dreamcast. The game is tentative- ly scheduled for the fall.

Ó Game Informer * March 2000

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater was the breakout game of 1999, after universal critical acclaim and strong word of mouth pushed it to become one the year's top-selling PlayStation titles. Now, the beast that Neversoft created is set to conquer the Dreamcast this summer and Game Boy Color next fall. We have the pictures to prove it.

The Dreamcast version, to be published by Crave Entertainment, will feature new multiplayer modes, including four-player HORSE, and possibly other surprises. The Gamy Boy Color game is coming from Activision and is under development at Natsume. This handheld skateboarding game will feature Tony, as well as nine other pro skaters.

Be on the lookout for more information on these games in the coming months.

The 3DO Company has signed Chicago Cubs' slugger, Sammy Sosa, to endorse its upcoming PlayStation (and PC) game, High Heat Baseball. |n fact, the game will bear the title Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball, and Sammy himself will contribute to the game's design.

Look for Sammy and the game this spring.

ww oe pian e EMÊ. Î bek ADRIAN SE ees ENÊ À EIER Ep a

Eidos, eyeing the success of Naughty Dog's Crash Team Racing, recently announced Walt Disney World: Magical Racing Quest. The game features eight tracks based on attractions from Walt Disney World, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain. Finally, we might be able to burn rub- ber all over those creepy dolls from It's A Small World After All. A range of old and new Disney characters, including Chip & Dale and Jiminy Cricket, are set to star as cart jockeys.

The PlayStation version of Magical Racing Quest is scheduled for March, with Dreamcast and Game Boy Color ports to follow in June.

All dates subject to change. Call your local retailer for more details. |

Release Title Publisher/ System Release Title Publisher/ System Date Distributor Date Distributor

FEBRUARY 3/14/00 — Syphon Filter 2 989 Studios PS-X 2/10/00 Wild Metal Take 2 DC 3/14/00 Triple Play 2001 Electronic Arts PS-X 2/10/00 Muppets Take 2 GBC 3/14/00 X-Men Activision PS-X 2/10/00 WWE Smackdown THQ PS-X 3/15/00 Monster Rancher Tommo DC

2/14/00 Ridge Racer 64 Nintendo N64 3/15/00 Rayman 2 Ubi Soft DC

2/15/00 Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Eidos DC 3/15/00 AMF Bowling Vatical GBC 2/15/00 MDK2 Interplay DC 3/15/00 F1 World Grand Prix 2 Konami GBC 2/15/00 Cage Metro 3D GBC 3/15/00 Metal Gear Konami GBC 2/15/00 NHL Blades of Steel 2000 Konami GBC 3/15/00 Rayman Ubi Soft GBC 2/15/00 Polaris SnoCross 2000 Vatical GBC 3/15/00 X Thrasher: Skate & Destroy Take 2 GBC 2/15/00 Pro Darts Vatical GBC 3/15/00 Lunar: Eternal Blue Working Designs PS-X 2/15/00 | Shamus Vatical GBC 3/15/00 Major League Soccer Konami PS-X 2/15/00 — Spy vs Spy Vatical GBC 3/20/00 Driver GT Interactive GBC 2/15/00 — Vegas Games 3DO GBC 3/21/00 __Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Activision GBC 2/15/00 Fighter's Destiny 2 South Peak N64 3/21/00 Carnivale 64 Vatical N64

2/15/00 NHL Blades of Steel 2000 Konami N64 3/21/00 Rock the Rink Electronic Arts PS-X 2/15/00 Jackie Chan Stunt Master Midway PS-X 3/21/00 Gauntlet Legends Midway PS-X 2/15/00 X Jeff Gordon Racing ASC PS-X 3/21/00 Need for Speed 5 Electronic Arts PS-X 2/15/00 ^ Superbike 2000 Electronic Arts PS-X 3/21/00 Rugby 2000 Electronic Arts PS-X 2/15/00 Misadventures of Tron Bonne Capcom PS-X 3/22/00 Duke Nukem: Planet of the Babes GT Interactive PS-X 2/15/00 — Vanguard Bandits Working Designs PS-X 3/24/00 Ultimate Bass Challenge Electronic Arts A PS-X 2/16/00 Teletubbies Havas Interactive PS-X 3/25/00 МВА Live 2000 THQ GBC

2/17/00 ECW: Hardcore Revolution Acclaim N64 3/28/00 ESPN Baseball Tonight Konami DC 2/17/00 ECW: Hardcore Revolution Acclaim PS-X 3/28/00 GTA 2 Take 2 DC

2/23/00 40 Winks GT Interactive N64 3/28/00 Hidden & Dangerous Take 2 DC 2/24/00 Fear Effect Eidos PS-X 3/28/00 Alundra 2 Activision PS-X

2/28/00 ECW: Hardcore Revolution Acclaim DC 3/28/00 Flintstones Bowling South Peak PS-X 2/28/00 Urban Chaos Eidos PS-X 3/28/00 Micro Machines: Micro Maniacs Activision PS-X 2/29/00 Roadsters Trophy Titus DC 3/29/00 X-Men Activision N64 2/29/00 Time Stalkers Sega DC 3/29/00 Nickelodeon Cat Dog Hasbro PS-X 2/29/00 International Rally Konami GBC 3/30/00 X Triple Play 2001 THQ GBC 2/29/00 Millennium Winter Sports Konami GBC 3/31/00 Pokémon Trading Card Nintendo GBC 2/29/00 Carmageddon Titus N64 3/31/00 Baldur's Gate Interplay PS-X 2/29/00 NBA in the Zone 2000 Konami N64 3/31/00 Gekido Interplay PS-X 2/29/00 Carmageddon Interplay PS-X APRIL

2/29/00 Earthworm Jim Interplay PS-X 4/1/00 MIB 2 Crave GBC 2/29/00 Silent Bomber Bandai PS-X 4/400 Iron Soldier 3 Vatical PS-X 4/10/00 Gundam Bandai DC 4/10/00 Perfect Dark "Nintendo N64

MARCH 4/15/00 SeaMan Sega DC 3/1/00 Dark Angel:Vampire Apocalypse Metro 3D DC 4/25/00 Jimmy White’s Cue Ball Vatical DC TIT recon ОШ! of the Wyrm E x QUARTER ONE i ega Р з мөшороз a у U 100 Bugs Bunny 4 3/1/00 Dark Angel:Anna's Quest Metro 3D GBC Q ч = nn ا‎ аве - Q1 00 Carnivale Vatical GBC

3/1/00 Lufia Crave GBC ae "rcc mI — —є———— 3/1/00 Super Shot Robot Gol ` ` Cae GC | су Sane oa a O

uper эпох ооо! ta0 rave Q1 00 Jimmy White's Cue Ball Vatical GBC 3/1/00 Tomb Raider Eidos GBC i 35 3/1/00. BattleZone Crave N64 TU Q1 00 Magical Drop Classified GBC

ee rave Q1 00 Microsoft Entertainment Pack 1 Classified GBC

3/1/00 Colony Wars Red Sun Activision PS-X Q1 00 Worms Armaged Cı infoarames N64

00 EA трус шш у ш BEA Q1 00 Elmo in Grouchland Mindscape PS-X эш өө ше; ауе___ А Q1 00 Castlevania Ressurection Konami DC

BÊ clans Extreme om 2 Q100 Microsoft Combat Flight Sin Konami DC 38/009 ee ш Nintendo GU — | 00 Planet of the Apes Fox Interactive _ DC

T oe Ee TR sme ms T Nintendo 482 Q1 00 2000-1 Tunes Infogrames GBC лу мор LOU mM м ИНК Q1 00 Test Drive Cycles Infogrames GBC

3/7/00 WE Mayhem __Electronic Arts GBC Q1 00 Looney Tunes: Duck Dodgers Infogrames N64

2700 н тне - n we Q1 00 Muzzle Velocity Fox Interactive N64 eee eS TTO Skater ___________Aclıvislon т Мт _ Q1 00 Alien Resurrection Fox Interactive PS-X

3/7/00 World League Soccer 2000 South Peak М4 _ Q1 00 America’s Scariest Police Chases Fox Interactive DC 3/7/00 Hot Shots Golf 2 Sony PS-X ج‎ MAE AME т SEREKE" TEBER - Q1 00 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fox Interactive PS-X

3/7/00 Hydro Thunder Midway PS-X : :

Q1 00 Deadly Pursuit Fox Interactive — PS-X 3/9/00 Casper Interplay GBC

Q1 00 Eagle One Infogrames PS-X 3/14/00 D2 Sega DC 3/14/00 Resident Evil Code V ^ C DC Q1 00 LeMans Infogrames PS-X DÊ LC CL ОАЕ VOGO VOrONICA. арс -ZS Q1 00 Fox Major League Baseball 2001 Fox Interactive PS-X 3/14/00 Toy Story 2 Activision DC : 3/14/00 Virtua Striker 2 S DC Q1 00 Planet of the Apes Fox Interactive — PS-X imu virtua oIkOrE oa bb Q1 00 Simpsons Bowling Fox Interactive PS-X

AME] Ener tenc ıer Salo ard ee е каше га Сага ага mrn Xa Q1 00 Test Drive Cycles Infogrames PS-X AES a SLO A O an Q1 00 Test Drive Rally Infogrames PS-X

2/29/00 Sim Theme Park Electronic Arts PS-X 2/29/00 Street Sk8er 2 Electronic Arts PS-X

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тт BL DATE TITLE B TI T TIT! L TE — TITL L Marvel Super Heroes vs. X-Men 8 Jan-99 Test Drive 5 8.25 Jan-99 МВА Live 2000 8.25 Dec-99 TrickStyle 7.75 Oct-99 PLAYSTATION мам 8.75 Nov-98 Test Drive 6 75 Dec99 МВА Showtime: NBA on NBC 7.25 Dec-99 Toy Commander 8.75 Моу-99 3Xtreme 5.75 Jun-99 Metal Gear Solid 9.25 Nov-98 Test Drive Off Road 2 6.5 Jan-99 NFL Blitz 9 Oct-98 Virtua Fighter 3tb 7.75 Nov-99 40 Winks 7 Feb-00 Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions 3.75 Nov-99 Test Drive Off-Road 3 8 NFL QB Club 99 8.25 Dec-98 WWF Attitude 8.5 Jan-00 A Bug's Life 75 Jan-99 Medal of Honor 9.25 Dec-99 Thousand Arms 775 NFL QB Club 2000 5 Oct-99 Zombie Revenge 6.75 Feb-00 Activision Classics 5 Oct-98 Mission: Impossible 8.25 Feb-00 Thrasher: Skate and Destroy 8 NHL 99 8.25 Nov-98 Akuji the Heartless 6.75 Mar99 МІВ 2000 8.5 May-99 Thunder Force V 65 NHL Blades of Steel ‘99 6 9 GAME BOY Alexi Lalas Int'l Soccer 2.25 Jun-99 Monaco Gran Prix 2 5 Jun-99 Tiger Woods 99 2 NFL Blitz 2000 7.75 Sep-99 720 Jun-99 Ape Escape 8.75 Ju-99 Monkey Hero 5.5 Feb-99 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2000 75 NHL Breakaway 99 6 Feb-99 A Bug's Life Dec-98 Apocalypse 75 Jan-99 Monkey Magic 5.25 Nov-99 Timeshock! Pinball 7.25 Nightmare Creatures 8 Jan-99 All-Star Baseball ‘99 Oct-98 Arcade Party Pak 7.5 Dec-99 Monster Rancher 2 8.5 Oct-99 Tiny Tank: Up Your Arsenal 55 Nuclear Strike 8.75 Feb-00 All-Star Baseball 2000 Jul-99 _.8.75 Nov98 MonserSeed — — — 6 May99 Тпу Tank (Revised) — — — 55 Nov99 Off Road Challange — — .— 5 Sep98 AllStar Tennis —— Dec-99 Army Men: Air Attack 6.75 Dec-99 Moto Racer 2 6.75 Nov-98 Tiny Toon Adventures 6.75 Paperboy 4.25 Dec-99 Bass Masters Classic - Feb-00 Assault 7.25 Dec-98 MotorHead 6.25 Nov-98 ТОСА 2: Touring Car Challenge 65 Penny Racers 5.75 Feb-99 Battle Arena Toshinden Jan-97 Assault Rigs 8 Feb-99 MTV Music Generator 7.25 Jan-00 Tomb Raider Ill 9 Jan-99 PilotWings 64 9.5 Aug-96 Beauty and the Beast Jan-00 Asteroids 7 Jan-99 | NASCAR 99 8.25 Nov-98 Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation 8 Jan-00 ^ Pokemon Snap 7 Aug-99 Bust-A-Move 4 8 Aug-99 BackStreet Billards 75 Dec-98 NASCAR 2000 7 Nov-99 Tombal 2: The Evil Swine Return 8.75 Jan-00 Quake Il 7.75 Jul-99 Billy Bob's Huntin’ ‘N Fishin’ 3.75 Dec-99 Ballistic 7 Jan-00 МВА In the Zone ‘99 6 May-99 Tomorrow Never Dies 7.25 Jan-00 Rainbow 6 8 Feb-00 Bugs Bunny Carrot Crazy 3.5 Apr-99 Bass Landing 7 Oct-99 NBA in the Zone 2000 6.5 Jan-00 Топу Hawk's Pro Skater 9.5 Nov-99 Rampage 2: Universal Tour 5 Apr99 Catwoman 4.75 Dec-99 Bass Rise 4 Nov99 NBA Live 99 7.75 Jan-99 Тоу Story 2 8 Jan-00 Rayman 2: The Great Escape 7.75 Nov-99 Chase HQ: Secret Police 5.5 Dec-99 Big Air 4 Jun-99 МВА Live 2000 8.5 Jan-00 Trick'N Snowboarders 4,25 Oct-99 Resident Evil 2 8.75 Nov-99 Conker's Pocket Tales 45 Sep-99 __Віаѕі Ваше. 7 .Маг-99 NBA Showtime = 6.5 Jan-00 Triple Play 2000 — — 5 — 6.5 May-99 X Ready 2 Rumble Boxing 89 Feb-00 Contra: The Alien Wars 8.5 Oct99 — Bloody Roar |! 7 May-99 NCAA Final Four ‘99 5.5 Mar99 Twisted Metal lil 8.25 Jan-99 Re-Volt 475 Oct89 Donkey Kong Land 2 85 Dec96 Bomberman Fantasy Race 7.25 Mar-99 МСАА Final Four 2000 7 Jan-00 Twisted Metal 4 9 Jan-00 Ridge Racer 64 7.25 Feb-00 Deja Vu! & ll 7.5 Dec-99 Bomberman World 6.5 Oct-98 МСАА Football 7.75 Sep-98 Ultimate 8 Ball 6.5 Ju-99 Road Rash 64 8 Oct-99 Duke Nukem 6.75 Dec-99 Boombots 45 Jan-00 NCAA Football 2000 8 Oct-99 — UmJammer Lammy 8.25 Sep-99 Roadsters Trophy 7 Jan-00 FIFA Soccer 97 7.5 Nov-96 Brave Fencer Mushashi 7.75 Dec-98 NCAA GameBreaker 99 8 Jan-99 Unholy War, The 7.25 Nov-98 Rocket 8 Nov-99 FIFA2000 4.5 Dec-99 Brigandine 7 Dec-98 NCAA Gamebreaker 2000 7.5 Oct-99 V-Rally 2 7.25 Jan-00 Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA 8.75 Dec-98 Game & Watch Gallery 55 Jul-97 Broken Sword Il 6.75 Jan-00 NCAA March Madness 99 5.75 Mar-99 Uprising X 4.75 Feb-99 SCARS 7.75 Dec-98 GB Camera 7 Sep-98 Brunswick Circuit 7.25 Nov-98 Need For Speed: High Stakes 8.75 May-99 Vandal Hearts II 7.75 Dec-99 ^ Shadowgate 64 4 Aug-99 Оех: Enter the Gecko 8 Маг-99 Bugs Bunny Lost In Time 5.25 Aug-99 Next Tetris, The 6 Ju-99 Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense 7.75 Jan-00 Shadow Man 7.75 Sep-99 Ghosts № Goblins 7 Nov-99 .... Bushido Blade 2 7.5. Nov98 NFL Blitz 8 Oct-98 Wargames Defcon? — € m 7.25 Sep-98 ^ Snowboard Kids 2 6.25 May-99 — Harvest Moon 75. Oct-98 Bust À Groove 65 Jan-99 NFL Blitz 2000 6.5 Sep-99 Warpath: Jurassic Park’ 6.75 Dec-0 ^ South Park 7 Jan99 Нехсйе 8.5 Jan-99 Bust-A-Move '99 8 Apr-99 NFL GameDay ‘99 7 Oct-98 Warzone 2100 7.75 Jul-99 Space Station: Silicon Valley 6.5 Dec-98 Joust/Defender 6.25 Jun-99 Bust-A-Move 4 9 Dec-98 NFL Game Day 2000 8.25 Oct-99 | WCW/NWO Thunder 4.75 Feb-99 StarCraft 8 Oct-99 Кеп Griffey Jr. Pres. MLB 8.75 Dec-97 Castrol Honda Superbike Racing 6.25 Jun-99 NFL Xtreme 2 8.25 Sept-99 Wheel of Fortune 7 Jan-99 Star Wars: Episode | Racer 9 Jun-99 Кеп Griffey Jr. Slugfest 5.25 Sep-99 Centipede 7 JuK99 NHL? 9 Nov-98 Wild 9 6.25 Dec-98 Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 8.75 Feb-99 Kirby's Block Ball 8.25 Jul-96 Championship Motocross 6.75 Oct-99 NHL 2000 8.5 Nov-99 Wipeout 3 7.75 Nov-99 Starshot 45 Nov-99 Klax 7.75 Јип-99 Chocobo Racing 6.25 Aug-99 NHL Blades of Steel 2000 5.5 Dec-99 Worms Armageddon 8 Dec-99 Supercross 2000 6.75 Jan-00 — Klustar 5 00-99 Chocobo's Dungeon 2 6.75 Jan-00 NHL Championship 2000 7.25 Dec-99 Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style 6.25 Dec-99 Superman 125 Aug-99 Kwirk 9 Jun-99 Civilization 11 7.75 Mar-99 NHL FaceOff 99 7.75 Nov-98 WWF Attitude 9 Aug-99 Super Mario 64 9.75 Aug-96 Logical 5 May-99 Clock Tower 2 6. Feb-99 МНІ. Face Off 2000 725 Nov99 WWF War Zoe — 8.5 Oct98 — Super Smash Brothers 8.5 Арг-99 иску Luke ‚725 001-99 7 Colin McRae Rally 7 Feb-00 Ninja 2.5 Oct-98 X-Files $75 Jan-60 The New Tetris 7 Sep-99 Madden NFL 97 7.25 Nov-96 Colony Wars: Vengeance 8.5 Nov-98 Мо Fear Downhill Mountain Biking 4.25 Jan-00 X-Games: Pro Boarder 6.5 Dec-98 Tonic Trouble 7 Aug-99 Madden NFL 2000 7.75 Dec-99 Contender 6.75 Feb-99 Мо One Can Stop Mr. Domino 7.75 Jan-99 Xena: Warrior Princess 7.75 Nov-99 Top Gear Hyper Bike 7.25 Feb-00 Men In Black: The Series 4.75 Mar-99 Cool Boarders 3 7.75 Nov-98 Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus 9.25 Dec-98 Xenogears 9 Nov98 Тор Gear Overdrive 7.25 Jan-99 Mario Golf 8.75 Nov-99 Cool Boarders 4 7.75 Dec-99 ODT 5 Nov-98 You Don't Know Jack 8 Feb-00 Тор Gear Rally 2 6.75 Dec-99 Millenium Winter Sports 7.25 Јап-00 Crash Bandicoot: Warped 9.25 Dec-98 Omega Boost 7.75 Oct-99 Toy Story 2 7.5 Jan-00 Missile Command 175 Jan-00 Crash Team Racing 9 Nov99 Pac-Man World 8 Oct-99 Triple Play 2000 5.75 Apr-99 Moon Patrol/Spy Hunter 6.75 Jul-99 Croc 2 75 Jul99 Parasite Eve 7589599 NINTENDO 6 4 тос: Seeds of Ewil 9 Jan-99 Mortal Kombat 4 5 Apr-99 Cybertiger 7.25 Dec-99 Pocket Fighter 775 Sep-98 Airboardin' USA 5.5 Oct-99 Turok: Rage Wars 8 Dec-99 Motorcross Maniacs 8.5 Sep-99 Darkstalkers lll — — : 7. Jan99 ^ Point Blank 2 8. Apr99 All-Star Baseball 2000 8 Мау-99 — Twisted Edge - 3.25 Nov.98 Ms. Pac-Man s 219, Nov-99 Dead in the Water 7.25 Feb-99 Pool Hustler 7.25 Dec-98 All Star Tennis ‘99 5.5 Aug-99 Vigilante 8 85 Apr99 Mulan 4.75 Dec-98 Destrega 8.25 Mar-99 Populous: The Beginning 7 Jun-99 Агтогіпеѕ 7.25 Jan-00 Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense 8 Jan-00 МВА Іп The Zone '99 4 Jun-99 Demolition Racer 7.5 Dec-99 Pro 18 World Golf 1 Feb-99 Army Men: Sarge's Heroes 7 Dec-99 Virtual Chess 3 Oct-98 NBA Jam 99 75 May-99 Dino Crisis 9 бер99 Psybadek 3.75 Feb-99 ВайіеТапх 6.75 Feb-99 VR Pool 64 7.75 Dec-98 NFL Blitz 6 Apr-99 Dragonseeds 5.25 Dec-98 Quake ll 7.5 Dec-99 BattleTanx Il: Global Assault 7.25 Nov-99 Waialae Country Club 3.5 бер98 NHL Blades of Steel '99 75 Apr-99 Driver 8.25 Sep-99 Rainbow 6 6.75 Feb-00 Beetle Adventure Racing 8 Apr-99 . WaveRace 64 9 Nov96 Oddworld Adventures 7 Feb-99 Duke Nukem: Time To Kill 8.5 Nov-98 Rally Cross 9 Apr97 Blades of Steel 2000 3.5 Jan-00 — WCW/NWO Revenge 8.75 Nov-98 X Pac-Man 7.75 Sep-99 Dune 2000 7.75 Nov-99 Rally Cross 2 8.25 Jan-99 Body Harvest 7.75 Nov-98 WipeOut 64 7.5 Dec-98 Pitfall: Beyond the Jungle 6.5 Mar-99 Echo Night 6.75 Aug-99 Rampage 2: Universal Tour 5.5 Jun-99 Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling 5.25 Jan-00 Winback 7.75 Nov-99 Pokémon 9 Oct-98 -hndhu .— — . . $2 ung ыш RR TR MRT DL E 4 вре. Ehrgeiz 5 Jun99 А/С Stunt Copter - Oct-99 Bug's Life, A 525 Jul-99 МСУ Nitro 4.25 May-99 Pokémon Yellow 6.5 Nov-99 Evil Zone Es Oct-99 ^ Ready 2 Rumble Boxing es Feb-00 Виѕі-А-Моуе '99 9 Apr-99 WWF Attitude 9.25 Aug-99 Prince of Persia 6 Jul-99 FIFA 99 7 Jan-99 RE2: Dual Shock 8.5 Oct98 California Speed 225 Apr-99 WCW Mayhem 75 Oct-99 Quest for Camelot 5 Маг-99 FIFA 2000 8.75 Dec-99 RE: Director's Cut - Dual Shock 7 Oct-98 Castlevania 64 6.5 Mar-99 Wrestlemania 2000 9 Dec-99 R-Type DX 75 Sep-99 Fifth Element 7 Dec-98 Resident Evil 3 9.25 Dec-99 Chameleon Twist 2 6.5 May-99 WWF War Zone 8.75 Oct-98 | Rampage: World Tour 6.5 Apr-99 Fighter Maker 8 Jun-99 Re-Volt 3.25 Nov-99 Charlie Blast's Territory 3 May-99 Xena: Talisman of Fate 3.5 Jan 00 ^ Rugrats Movie 2.5 Feb-99 Fighting Force 2 5.5 Feb-00 Ridge Racer Type 4 8.25 May-99 College Hoops 99 5 Feb-99 Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 9.75 Dec-98 Skate of Die 2: Tour de Thrash 9 Аид-97 Fisherman's Bait 2 6 Dec-99 Rising Zan 8 бер99 Command & Conquer 8 5ер-99 Small Soldiers 7.75 Dec-98 Final Fantasy VIII 9.5 Sep-99 Rival Schools: United by Fate 7.75 Nov-98 Cruis'n the World 6.5 Nov-98 Smurf's Nightmare 6.5 Jan-99 Fi ....Roque TiD ESSA з врв DREAMCAST .— s : Fisherman's Bait 6 May-99 Rollcage 7 Apr-99 Destruction Derby 64 725 Dec-99 AeroWings M Û - Formula One '99 775 Jan-00 Rosco McQueen 3 бер98 Donkey Kong 64 8.75 Dec-99 Airforce Delta 7.75 Oct-99 Super Black Bass 8 Јап-99 Freestyle Boardin' '99 6 Маг-99 А-Туре Delta 7.25 Aug-99 Duke Nukem: Zero Hour 8.75 Sep-99 Armada 6.5 Feb-00 Super Breakout/Battlezone 8.25 Oct-96 Future Cop LAPD 8.5 Nov-98 Rugrats 7 Jan-99 Earthworm Jim 3D 5.75 Dec-99 Blue Stinger 5.25 Oct-99 Super Mario Bros. Dix 9.25 Aug-99 G Police: Weapons of Justice 4.75 Oct-99 Running Wild 6 Nov-98 Extreme G 2 8.25 Dec-98 Crazy Taxi 8.75 Feb-00 Survival Kids 7.5 Sep-99 Gallop Racer 6 Nov-99 Rushdown 5 Apr-99 F-Zero X 8 бер98 Dynamite Cop 7 Nov99 Tarzan 6.5 Aug-99 Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko 8 May-99 Saga Frontier 2 8 Jan-00 F1 World Gran Prix 7.5 Sep-98 Evolution 7 Dec-99 Tetris Attack 8.5 Oct-96 Gran Turismo 95 Jun-98 SCARS 8 Nov-98 FIFA99 8.25 Jan-99 Expendable: Millennium Soldier 4 Oct-99 Tetris Blast 8.75 Mar-96 Gran Turismo 2 9.5 Feb-00 ^ Shadow Madness 6 Apr99 Fighting Force 64 6.75 May-99 F-1 World Grand Prix 7.75 Feb-00 Tetris DX 8.5 Dec-98 „Grand Theft Auto: 7 УШ:99 ShadowMan |... sss 675 Nov99 Gauntlet Legends — — — . . 7 Dec99 Flag to Flag 45 Oct99 — The Legend of Zelda; Links Awakening 925 Mar-99 _ "Grand Theft Auto 2 7.75" Déc99 Shadow Tower 75 Nov99 Gex64 775 Nov-98 House of the Dead2 8 Oct-99 Top Gear Pocket 6 May-99 Grandia 7.25 Nov-99 Silent Hill 7.25 Apr-99 Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko 7.75 Sep-99 Hydro Thunder 8 Oct-99 Toy Story 2 5.25 Feb-00 Guardian's Crusade 8 Apr-99 Silhouette Mirage 7.5 Feb-00 ^ Goeman's Great Adventure 7.25 Sep-99 King of Fighters Dream Match 1999 8 Oct-99 Twouble 6.5 Apr-99 Guilty Gear 8.25 Dec-98 Sled Storm 8.75 Sep-99 Hot Wheels Turbo Racing 7 Oct-99 Marvel Vs. Capcom 75 Oct-99 V-Rally Ed. ‘99 5.5 Aug-99 Hardball 99 2 Jan-99 Small Soldiers 7.25 Dec-98 Hybrid Heaven 7 Jun-99 Monaco Grand Prix 7 Oct-99 Vegas Stakes 8.25 Oct-97 Hello Kitty: Cube Frenzy 6.5 Jul99 Soul of the Samurai 4.25 Aug-99 lggy's Reckin’ Balls 8.75 Sep-98 Mortal Kombat Gold 7.25 Oct-99 World Cup 98 3 Oct-98 High Heat Baseball 2000 3.5 Jun-99 South Park Chef's Luv Shack 3.25 Feb-00 In-Fisherman's Bass Hunter 64 7.75 Sep-99 NBA2K 9 Jan00 WWF Attitude 6.55 ЈШ-99 Hot Wheels Turbo Racing 6.25 Nov-99 ^ Space Invaders 8 Dec-99 International Superstar Soccer 64 9 Jul-97 NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC 7.25 Dec-99 | WWF Wrestlemania 2000 7.25 Dec-99 International Track & Field 2000 7 Dec-99 Spice World 3 Oct-98 Jet Force Gemini 775 Oct-99 NFL 2K 9.25 Oct-99 Үагѕ Revenge 6.25 Jan-00 M Sports — "A Мпа Sports Car GT 6 Jun-99 Кеп Griffey Jr.'s Slugfest 85 Jul-99 ^ NFL Blitz 2000 :: нан Invasion From Beyon Û pr- Spyro the Dragon 95 Sep-98 Knife Edge 3 Nov-98 NFL Quarterback Club 2000 2.25 Feb-00 Jade Cocoon 8 Aug-99 Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage 8.75 Dec-99 ^ Knockout Kings 2000 8.25 Dec-99 Реп Pen Trilcelon 4 Oct-99 N EO GEO PO C KET C OLOR Jeopardy 8 Jan-99 Star Ocean 75 Jun-99 Lego Racers 7.75 Jan-00 Power Stone 8 Oct-99 Baseball Stars Aug-99 Jet Moto 3 7 Oct-99 Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 7.25 Oct-99 Lode Runner 3-D 6.5 May-99 Psychic Force 2012 7 Јап-00 Beast Busters: Dark Arms ars Dec-99 Juggernaut 65 Nov-99 Streak 8.25 Dec-98 Lucky Luke 6.5 Nov-98 Ready 2 Rumble Boxing 7.25 Oct-99 Bio Motor Unitron 9 Oct-99 K-1 Grand Prix 5.5 Feb-00 Street Fighter Alpha 3 8 Jun-99 Madden NFL 99 8.75 Oct-98 Re-Volt 5 Feb-00 — Bust-A-Move Pocket 8.25 Sep-99 K-1 Revenge 6.5 Apr99 Street Fighter Col. 8 Oct-98 Magical Tetris Challange 8 Jan-99 Rippin’ Riders 7 Dec-99 Crush Roller 75 Aug-99 Kagero: Deception II 7 Nov-98 Street Ftr. 2 Collection 7 Feb-99 Mario Golf 9 Aug-99 Sega Bass Fishing 8 Sep-99 Fatal Fury: 1st Contact 8 Aug-99 Kensei: Sacred Fist 5. г Jun-99 Street Sk8er 45 Apr-99 Mario Party 3.5 Mar-99 Sega Rally Championship 7.5 Jan-00 King of Fighters 8.5 Aug-99 Knockout Kings Jan-99 Suikoden II 9. Qct99... Mario Party 2 5.75 Feb-00 Shadowman 7.75 Feb-00 Metal Slug: 1st Mission „8.5 Aug-99 Knockout Rings 2000 Ч 76ес:99 Supercross Circuit 3.5 Dec-99 Micro Machines 64 Turbo 7 May-99 Slave Zero 6.25 Jan-00 Neo Geo Cup 98 8 Aug-99 Konami Arcade Classics 675 Aug-99 Syphon Filter 9 Mar-99 Monaco Gran Prix 2 5 Jun-99 Sonic Adventure 7.75 Sep-99 Neo Turf Masters 8.25 Oct-99 Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 85 бер99 TaiFu 6.5 Apr-99 Monster Truck Madness 55 бер99 Soul Calibur 9.25 Oct-99 Pac-Man 7 Nov-99 Legend of Legaia 8.25 Apr99 TRAG. 7.5 May-99 Namco Museum 64 8 Jan-00 Soul Fighter 5.5 Jan-00 ^ Pocket Tennis Color 6.75 Aug-99 Lemmings & Oh No! 7 Oct-98 Tail Concerto 775 Nov-99 NASCAR 99 7.25 Oct-98 South Park Chef’s Luv Shack 3.5 Feb-00 Puyo Pop 7 Oct-99 Life 5 Jan-99 Tales of Destiny 6.75 Oct-98 МВА Courtside 2 7.25 Jan-00 ^ Speed Devils 7.25 Oct-99 Puzzle Link 7.75 Dec-99 Lunar: The Silver Star Story Complete 7.75 Jul-99 Tarzan 7.75 Sep-99 МВА In the Zone 2000 5.5 Jan-00 Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing 7 Dec-99 Samurai Shodown 2 8.75 Aug-99 Madden NFL 99 9.25 Oct-98 Team Losi RC Racer 7 Oct-98 NBA Jam 99 7 Feb-99 Test Drive 6 8 Feb-00 SNK Vs. Capcom: Card Fighter's Clash 8 — Feb-00 Madden NFL 2000 8.75 Oct-99 Ten Pin Alley 8.5 Jan-99 МВА Jam 2000 6 Dec-99 ТММ Hardcore Heat 5.75 Oct-99 Sonic Pocket Adventure 8.5 Feb-00 March Madness 2000 8.25 Feb-00 Tenchu 9. Nov.98... NBA Live 99 7.25 Dec-98 ^ Tokyo Xtreme Racer 5.75 Oct-99

т =т= == == == == = == ==

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Show'em who knows all the moves!

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THE GOOD, Ж:

Са aanre ИНИН iron Mike Returns to Video Games

Codemasters has signed boxer and infamous ear biter, Mike Tyson, for an upcoming PlayStation boxing game. To say the least, Tyson has seen his share of problems since appearing in his first video game, Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out, for the NES. Regardless, Tyson’s name will appear on Codemasters’ boxing game, which is slated for release in May.

“Believe it or not, it’s my kids who have been after me to get a game going for quite a while now; and I’ve been watching this whole area of sports- based computer and video games, wait- ing for just the right opportunity to become involved,” stated Tyson.

Codemaster’s agreement with Tyson covers all gaming platforms, so we may be seeing more of Mike on other systems at a later date.

Few annual gaming shows are as large as the Tokyo Game Show. With over 61 exhibitors and over 1000 booths, it’s a Mecca for game players worldwide. TGS provides a chance for publishers and developers to display and demonstrate their newest products to press and public alike. It also allows for previews of some of the games that will make it to the States in the coming year.

This year’s spring show will be held March 31 through April 2. Since the PlayStation2 will be in full swing, and Dreamcast developers will be showing more of the tricks they have learned with the system, this TGS should be one of the most interesting shows in many years. As for Nintendo, the company usually is a sponsor for the TGS, but never displays any goods. Even so, it should be a very exciting event and Game Informer will be on hand to soak it all up.

Are you planning to buy the upcoming Game Boy Advance?

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Game Informer * March 2000

25

MATURE

Start sleeping with your eyes open...evil's moving in, on N64*. The most intense survival game

in history is here!

Fear. Horror. Terror. And, of course, evil. It's everywhere. Enter the most terrifying game experience ever crafted. Fight through hordes of flesh-starved zombies, blood-thirsty

beasts and other mutant creatures.

Welcome to the nightmare...

Resident Evil 2.

‘If the suspense doesn't kill you,

`. something else will.

www.capcom.com

Pe АОН SEA cl ca Kurê Ыш ау Адал з Led pan Se a аа es ia lak ak бал. MA AMAN KALA zazaki ALÊ) fiamma Rcs d" Bê an аана би KALA ak xûla, АМЫ O) as on Rasse а-э Heu UT Ê a AR ELS EDEN Ce ae ye ean FA ES S

* Size: 256 Megabit

* Style: 1 to 4-Player Fighting

¢ Special Features: Single & Tag Career Mode; Create-A-PPV; Over 40 Wrestlers; Wrestler Entrances; Expanded Create-A-Wrestler; Commentary by Joey Styles; Barbed Wire & Blood; Rumble Pak Compatible

* Replay Value: High

* Created by: Acclaim

* Available: February 17 for Nintendo 64

Bottom Line:

Each wrestler has his or her own distinct entrance.

момун NEXT MATCH

I zewamuue

SUN MON TUE WED тып Fm SATY )

TAG ҮКАМ

Е 55 SM ЈЕ Маке Mr. Monday Night

famous in Career mode.

Banzai!

m Jack keeps it real in the ` infamous ECW Arena.

t was a venture formed due to two companies being in

the right situation at the right time. Acclaim had just lost

its WWF license, while ECW was a wrestling league

rapidly making a name for itself and on the verge of becoming

broadcast nationally. Acclaim acted quickly and soon

proclaimed that its next wrestling game would carry the iconic,

barbed wire-latticed letters of the most extreme wrestling in the

business. This left a burning question in many fans’ minds -

How would Acclaim tone down the brutal and bloody product ECW is known for?

The answer is, it didn’t. After a few minutes of play, it’s obvious that Hardcore Revolution uses the Attitude engine, but there's also no doubt that this game is WWF no longer. Game characters regularly bleed more than Terry Funk in a Japanese death match, and that’s just in the standard ring. Place two combatants in a barbed wire match (where the ring ropes are replaced with, you guessed it, barbed wire) and it's like Saturday night at the Roman arenas all over again.

Hardcore Revolution is more than just an M-rated, language- laced blood bath, however. With every match option and game feature from Attitude present in this N64 powerhouse, the game has more action than an RVD/Jerry Lynn match. Each wrestler has his or her own distinct entrance and accompanying music. Once again, players are able to rise through the ranks in Career mode as either a single wrestler or as a tag team. If you just can't wait to earn your place in a pay-per-view, you can create your own, selecting the matches, setting the look of the stadium, and naming it what you like.

There have also been major improvements made. Many elimination matches have been added to the mix, as have a few win modifiers and match options, and more reversals and double team moves. The create-a-wrestler, something Acclaim has always been ahead of the game on, has been expanded to unbelievable proportions (take a look at some of our creations in the bar below). There are now well over 750 apparel options, all of which can have their color adjusted, and text can still be written on a wrestler's chest, back, sleeves, legs. and butt. Players with extra time can also hand pick every move their wrestler can do in every situation, and since Hardcore Revolution retains most moves from Attitude and War Zone, wrestling history is the only limit on who can be created.

8:48

WwW JEHBVAEIYNN

RYO [ wg

| cm seem т hard enough with- out the barbed wire.

Wa ES

The New Fn Show?

*|n a nutshell, Hardcore Revolution is Attitude with a lesser-known league and a THE GAME HOMBRE — lot more blood. | quickly found out that | Concept know nothing about the ECW, as its list of 1.5 wrestlers read to me like a 'Who Dat?'

- rather than a Who's Who. This makes the game less interesting for a casual wrestling

ANDY

Graphics

8.5 fan who doesn't make time to watch all the

Sound 7.75

Playability 8

shows in a week. But it's nice to see the ECW get some of the respect it deserves, as it's easily the most insane wrestling league around. It makes WWF and WCW look like Sesame Street showdown. ыл —- Unfortunately the game isn't as crazy as the

Entertainment show, You won't see anyone jumping off the 7.5 second deck or slamming someone through

five flaming tables. What you do get is a lot of blood and some barbed wire ropes. ECW fans are going to love this game, but will be

OVERALL disappointed by its similarities to Attitude.”

“Hardcore Revolution is basically Attitude after reconstructive surgery, which would have been great had it been another WWF title - but ECW ain’t WWF. In ECW (my 8.25 favorite wrestling league, by the way), | Graphics seeing someone flip out of the ring and р into the audience is practically the norm.

8.5 Hardcore Revolution does a good job of Sound simulating a lot of the in-ring action, but if

you want to do an Awesome Bomb off the top rope through a table on the outside, forget it. Also, Acclaim apparently couldn't get the license for all the theme music Entertainment used for ECW entrances, which further 8 enhances the ‘this isn’t quite right’ feeling.

Revolution is still an entertaining wrestling 8,25 | game, especially in multiplayer, but major changes are needed to the engine to

OVERALL capture the spirit of the league.”

JAY

THE GONAO GAMER Concept

Playability 9

“Even though Hardcore Revolution comes equipped with many improvements, | can't help but feel disappointed that Acclaim didn't make an attempt to mold this title more like the ECW rather than the WWF. It doesn’t feature authentic crowd chants, and most important of all, the action is not extreme in the slightest. Sure there are cheese graters and barbed wire matches, but where are the balcony leaps and battles in the crowd? These personal gripes aside, Acclaim did piece together another entertaining wrestling package that Entapiainmanr has a ton of replayability to it. The collision Entertainment between wrestlers is much better. The 8.75 action is much smoother. And as always,

the front-end and the create-a-wrestler simply rock. ECW fans will love it. However, if you've played Attitude, new faces and

OVERALL moves is all it offers."

REINER

THE RAGING GAMER Concept 8.25 Graphics 8.75 Sound 7.25 Playability 8.75

“A great skating crime has been commit- ted by Nintendo. Don’t worry, it’s not that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater on N64 sucks or anything. Oh no, it's got everything that the PlayStation version had with a touch better graphics if you have the Expansion Pak. The controls are as addicting and fluid as ever, although | prefer the PS-X controller by. a hair (here, the C buttons are just too small). Everything's up to snuff except one MAJOR detail - my favorite song was taken out of the £ame! Nintendo owners won't be able to sing | the classic “1 am the ambassador of kick your assator' line from The Vandal's Euro-Barge. The lyrics from Primus and The Dead Kennedys' songs have also been removed. How can | skate without these tunes? Well, | can, but that doesn't mean | won't whine about it.”

"What are you waiting for? If you own an N64 and haven't played the best PlayStation game of last year, now is your chance. This version is full of excellent graphics and superb playcontrol.

| Granted, this game isn't for the novice. It has an intense learning curve that may make some people pretty sour. Take the time to master it and you will be playing Tony Hawk for a long time. The only draw-

back with the version is that the full | audio track's missing, but this is really a trivial matter. The only benefit of this £ame over the PS-X version is the lack of load time - just pick the level and go. Do yourself a favor and be sure to check out this game. It is one of the best games for N64."

"With very little variation, Neversoft's incredible skating formula has successfully been ported to the Nintendo 64. For obvi- ous reasons, the FMV clips have been removed and replaced with lame skater ani- mations. Along with this, the soundtrack is not complete, and some of the textures don't look nearly as good. What really matters is that the gameplay is still right on the money, delivering the same twitch control and responsiveness of the PlayStation game. In addition to this, the Nintendo 64 version does not feature any loading; and levels like the mall and Phoenix Jam run smoothly, featuring con- sistent framerates unlike the often choppy - PlayStation counterpart. | strongly urge you, whether you be a skating fan or not, to pick гир this game and experience the thrills of one of the best N64 releases to date.”

THE GONZO GAMER

Playability

THE GAME PROFESSOR

Graphics

Playability

THE RAGING GAMER

Playability 10

Entertainment

Nintendo 64 Review

* Size: 256 Megabit

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Sports/Action

* Special Features: 10 Pro Skaters; 9 Courses; Tricks, Grinds, & Grabs; Combos & Transfers; Career Mode; Expansion, Rumble, & Controller Pak Compatible

* Replay Value: High

* Created by: Edge of Reality for Activision

* Available: Now for Nintendo 64

Bottom Line: Q 25

Combining as many tricks as. possible will land and you huge points.

ONY- HAW AW KS

ii hen Tony Hawk's Pro Skater made its ! PlayStation debut, it didn't receive the atten-

tion it rightfully deserved. Most of the video гате press tucked it away, labeling it as just another Xtreme game. Big mistake. On the other hand, the ever- trustworthy Game Informer staff, a group of journalists who actually PLAY games, thrashed all over this virgin skater, finding it to be a brilliant release with great replay value. Pro Skater eventually pushed. Pokémon. Yellow aside to secure the November ‘99 cover о as. unanimously voted as Game Informer's 1999 PlaySta le of I pels the розе also embraced this thrashm; - of.

JAY

Concept 9.5 Graphics 9.25. Sound 8.5

9.5

Entertainment. 9.5

EZ3

OVERALL

PAUL

handed, ime of Reality hes 4

Concept n auo for each character.

9

{ « CHRIST ЛЕВ

2550 K2

Rune soars like a bird, praising. mud Lord all the while

9.5

Sound 8.75

he Nintendo 64's m nan power has Pacha enhanced the s kating experience to some degree. Gone are all the loading es, and gone is an inconsistent framerate. This version runs „s very smoothly, all while delivering the same look and play as the. PlayStation counterpart. ! Angel Studios wowed us with its port of Resident Evil 2. and. our jaws have dropped again wit Edge of | eality' s епот nal port.of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.

9.75

Entertainment 9,75

EZD

OVERALL

REINER

| ET Ø m б. Ta 58997 of FMV endings, the №4 version awards players with = move animati

Concept 9.25

Graphics

9.25

Sound 8.75

9.5

EXD

OVERALL

Se ий

е | 29 ]

Playstation Review

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1 to 4-Player Sports

* Special Features: 13 Golfers with Varying Abilities; 7 Courses, Plus 9-Hole Par 3; Acquire New Clubs, Balls, & Other Goodies; 4 Gameplay Modes (Tournament, Stroke, Match, & Vs.)

* Replay Value: Moderately High

* Created by: Clap Hanz for Sony

* Available: March 7 for PlayStation

Bottom Line:

“Hot Shots was a truly amazing golf

ANDY game, and in many ways changed the THE GAME HOMBRE way golf games are made. Hot Shots Concept Golf 2 is a fun game to play, but as | was

8 expecting it to come out with lots of Брно /— amazing stuff, | feel like it took a step rapnicS ^ pack in many ways. The new American

8 character designs are not that great, and

Sound the course designs are definitely sub-

7.5 par. | do like the addition of some hidden "aC characters from other games, but why "IY ^ Gex Sir Dan, and Sweet Tooth? There

have to be more interesting characters Entertainment to throw in than these. In the end, Hot

(Hold the finish. Nice om.) | Û | 8 Shots Golf 2 is a good game, as working | | your way through the courses and

ee e unlocking the characters is always fun, but | don't think it achieves the great-

OVERALL ness of the first."

"As Gl's resident golf nut | put some seri- PAUL ous time into the first game, as | did with THE GAME PROFESSOR this version. | was a little surprised to Concept see Sony had changed all the characters 8 from the Japanese release. It's a trifling : change really, but | think playing as Gex

Graphics ; ; or Sweet Tooth is a fairly lame reward for 8 beating the Vs. mode. | am also a little Sound miffed that Sony changed the putting 7.75 back to the original grid scheme. This mw makes the game incredibly easy if you Playability have played the first game. This isn't a 9.25 bad thing, but I found that this game is Entertainment too much like the original. The courses 8.75 are adequately designed and have a lot

more out-of-bounds. Still, the courses in the original seem more exciting. If you loved the first, give it a try, but don't

OVERALL expect too much."

"The original Hot Shots rocked my

beu. „л | : REINER world like no golf game had before. So

isi 202598 - THE RAGING GAMER naturally, | stepped up to this review Winning a tournament will ches | : - i | Сопсерї with great expectations. As anticipated, award you with bonus : 1.5 this sequel plays just like the original, — ù r ——— — — ——— featuring several enhancements оп

Graphics the side. Its graphical prowess has

8.5 improved greatly. The camera system is

Sound more dynamic. Even the character

7.25 modeling features vibrant new anima-

—___——_____ tions. After competing in a few tourneys,

Playability though, my giddy behavior quickly

8.25 transformed into a state of boredom.

“Entartainment Тһе courses don’t feature the same

Entertainment vigorous difficulty, and the characters

are way too goofy. The magic that made the first game a smash is gone. Hot Shots 2 is a decent sequel, but not

Nice Shot! nearly as powerful as the original.

30 Game Informer * March 2000.

` CRAT TANT eun

Crazy Taxi

ў 0 v QO 5 А

Sega® Dreamcast.

FuncoLand carries a complete line of Sega Dreamcast accessory items. Visit us @ www.funcoland.com

Limit one per customer. Quantities are limited. Quantities and product selection vary by store. Prices and offers expire March 31, 2000. Manufacturer reserves the right to delay game title at their discretion. Dreamcast is a trademark of Sega. Sega is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. © 2000 Funco, Inc. FuncoLand is a registered trademark of Funco, Inc. All rights reserved.

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1-Player Action

* Special Features: 3 Modes (Action, Racing, & Shooting); Destructible Environments; Mission-Based Play; Multiple Weapons; Analog, Lightgun, & Dual Shock | Compatible J

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: N Space for Fox Interactive Even under different development reigns, Die Hard * Available: Now for PlayStation Trilogy 2 has been developed to play just like the original A Bull e t To

д game that has sold over 2 million units worldwide. This Bottom Line: ` time around, the ‘Trilogy’ in the title doesn’t stand for three The Head movies per say, but rather three different game modes. Fox has developed a brand spanking new story for John

McClane, and keeping with the theme of the first release, this saga comes to life in three different ways: via first-person

d'a v om

RONEGAs

T.

VIVA L

i “The first Die Hard Trilogy wasn't exactly a | АМ DY technological wonder, and the second isn’t _ _THE GAME HOMBRE going to make anybody trade in their

shooting, hot pursuit racing, and all-out action. To keep the Concept denied for a PSX either. However, Die : 7 ard Trilogy 2 does deliver the same

player on his or her toes, these modes are spread apart and are ———————— arcade fun as the first. The weakest link in rarely repeated from level to level. After each stage, a killer FMV Graphics his game is still the driving portions, but sequence sheds more light on the gripping tale at hand. 7 the gun and third-person modes deliver The three game modes break down as such. The first- Sound great gameplay. So if you were a fan of

; > : cq: 8 the first game, you really can't go wrong

person shooting mode is fully compatible with lightgun with this straight ahead sequel. | am alittle

accessories, allowing players to unload round after round as Playability ^ disappointed by the lack of innovation, as they destroy the environments, snipe enemies, and hunt down 7.75 DHT2 is not much different than when it valuable power-ups. Unfortunately, no user control is available Entertainment frst appeared back in 1996, but the game

in this mode. John moves by himself, and it's up to players to 8.25 a pin ME

destroy anything that gets in his way. The next mode, driving, lackluster concept and graphical is simplistic in design, yet explosive in delivery. Here the player shortcomings." is asked to smash enemy vehicles into a pulp all while avoiding

innocent civilians and a cow or two. This may sound easy, but nothing could be further from the truth. You'll have to run

terrorism into the ditch all while racing against a clock. The last PAUL veto admit that Die Hard is one of the Ui ; ; best action games ever made and it’s mode, action, is the heart and soul of Die Hard Trilogy 2. It THE GAME PROFESSOR bout time Fox made a sequel. It’s been features complex controls, mission-based play, and a whole Concept over three years since the last game and lotta killin’. The effects in this mode are incredible, displaying 5 | was expecting a lot. What | got was the tiniest of details ranging from bodies burning under a Graphics pretty dismal. This game does have its | sprinkler to windows cracking. Ammo is also in full stock, 5 Wel ао i "e —— —————— chuckling after you и а allowing John to blow past adversaries with a flame thrower, Sound guys. However, the entire package is fairly rocket launcher, shotgun, and machine gun. E 1 Uninteresting, especially the driving Interestingly enough, Willis wouldn't reprise his role for the Playability — sequences. Overall, the control is stiff, the Die Hard games. So instead of the man himself, gamers have to 6.25 graphics mediocre, and the entire story is

listen to someone impersonate Willis’ horrendous lines. Even Sao” worse than Die Harder. This game does

А ; Û | Entertainment not do the license justice and is on par more annoying, during the FMV's, when John McClane nears 4.5 NO fe ROB Staton action гате

the screen, he either turns his back ora big shadow drops over like Tomorrow Never Dies and Mission: his face to cover up the fact that Willis isn't in the game. Now (55 Impossible. If you are a Die Hard fan, rent everyone chant with us: Bruce sucks! Bruce sucks! it for a day. Otherwise, wait for Syphon Bruce sucks! OVERALL Filter 2."

"With a psyche like that of Bruce Banner,

REINER Die Hard Trilogy 2 runs amok on the PS-X THE RAGING GAMER _ as a two-faced entity. Half of the game is Concept actually quite enthralling. Yet, just when 1.25 you start to get into it, the play transforms

j into a rampaging beast that spits a wad of

Graphics video game misery into your face. The first

8 two modes, action and shooting, display a

Sound few flaws, yet both remain quite

8.5 entertaining. As for the racing mode? Its —————— driving mechanics are horrendous and Playability almost unplayable. Why Fox had to model

7 this title to play just like the original makes “Entartainmen} ПО Sense to me. If it was all action, | would vun de have loved it to death. Even with the worst driving ever, Trilogy 2 does have its

moments where it shines as a killer release. | enjoyed it more than Tomorrow Never Dies, but Syphon Filter and Metal

OVERALL Gear blow it away."

level.

PS

ш former « March 2000

“Racing of the Scabby Kind —

“Even though | feel Road Rash has not lived up to its name these last couple of years, I’ve still found the game enter- taining. Lo and behold, this year’s edition is on par with what i is quickly becoming a retread license that seems to be going nowhere. Yeah sure, | have fun cruising the countryside to some rockin’ tunes by today's hottest bands (and yes, | am-

trying to sound like an infomercial), but I

can barely see the difference between one version and the next as this series has become a blur of the same old

thing. The addition of the side car and :

the cop scene are cool, but when is this series going to do something new? Until it does, l'Il enjoy playing to review it, but | can’t advise you to buy another

thing fresh.”

“The last version of Road Rash failed to impress me, but EA has retouched the game and made some nice changes to the game’s playcontrol. | enjoy more emphasis on the combat, and Jailbreak has some of the best fighting that any of the Rash games have had. Still, the focus continues to be on racing, and you may find yourself losing a lot of races if you just fight. The ability to run after your bike after a brutal collision was sorely missed in the last game, and it is nice to see it back. Even with the welcome additions, other changes are pretty lame. There are only two styles of bikes and you can no longer buy and sell your rides. The

ANDY

THE GAME HOMBRE

Concept 55.

“Graphics m

7 “Sound 8

Playability

7.5 Entertainment

OVERALL —

THE PAUL.

Concept 7

Graphics

WEGE eu Sound

Playability - $

нн аен

Ente

graphics are extremely average, and. the _

characters and animation are almost laugh- - able. This series has progressed little over the years, and | recommend sticking with the old school Genesis games.” |

“From the obscure character artwork to

the huge list of bands forming the rockin’ soundtrack, Jailbreak clearly pays homage to the late and great 3DO masterpiece. After Road Rash 3D stunk up the PlayStation in a bad way, many enhance- ments had to be implemented to actually make this beast run again n such, EA.

REINER

THE RAGING GAMER

Concept 1

Graphics 2208.

Road Rash game until it delivers some- ™

® lectronic Arts Road Rash fran ! enjoyed a long reign as the one ı combat motorcycle racing game. Dating back to its days on the Genesis, Road Rash has seen numerous sequels. Road Rash Jailbreak is, in fact, the third installment to hit the

PlayStation. Jailbreak runs on a similar game

engine to 1998's Road Rash 3D, but there have been

numerous additions to playcontrol, as well as wholesale | . changes in the game's basic play structure. In previous versions of Road Rash, the essential

theme was to hop on a bike, bash some heads, and earn some money to buy a better bike. Jailbreak is still about racing and bashing heads, but the object is to climb the ranks of a gang and free a jailed crony. There is no money to earn and no bikes to buy, although speedier rides are awarded after completing a series of races. Another change marks the return of multiplayer rashin' - a mode that was left out of Road Rash 3D. Standard head-to-head racing is accompanied by an all-new Sidecar mode where players can race a tandem machine or bust out the multi-tap for a four-player side-

-car brawl. Also, a mode popularized by Need for Speed gives players a chance to play a little cops and robbers.

There are plenty of new additions to the playcontrol

scheme in Jailbreak. Combat has been completely

revamped, and special attack combos can be activated through pressing up and an attack button. The opportu- nities for fighting have been balanced considerably from the previous version, making brawling a lot more frequent and entertaining. Bike control has also been modified slightly which gives the game more of an arcade flair. Rash fans will also be glad that EA has brought back the need to run down your bike after nasty wipeouts.

. Road Rash Jailbreak continued the ТА of EA’s

successful series. Does it live up to its predecessors?

That's for our crack review stati to decide.

Now where'd | put that friggin’ bike?

Playstation

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1 to 4-Player Action/Racing

* Special Features: Multiplayer, Versus, & Co- Op Modes; 2 Rival Gangs; 11 Weapons; Attack Combos; Play as Police; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: Electronic Arts

* Available: Now for PlayStation

Bottom Lire:

Whoa! It looks like a Scene out of Road Warrior.

Up to four players can bust each other's skulls.

Game Informer * March 2000

= MN NÎ û Blowing the PlayStation a Mew Hole

With more high-octane espionage than Stevie Wonder could shake a stick at, Syphon Filter exploded onto the gaming scene and won the hearts of gamers with its dynamic gameplay and storytelling. Some said it was ГД nothing short of a rocking good time. Others exclaimed that it was the groin-grabbingly transcendent release of 1999. To this day, Syphon Filter is still one of the top PlayStation titles, outselling Metal Gear Solid and others in its class. It seems that everyone who plays it is immediately hooked. Using the popular formula of one sequel a year, 989 Studios is ready to bring the action back to the streets with a quick follow-up to this best-selling winner. In Syphon Filter 2, the brown stinky stuff has really hit the fan and terrorism is off the hook, running amok in Colorado, Washington DC, and Moscow. That's Moscow, Russia, not Moscow, Indiana.

Enemies behind the wheels spell doom. Everyone's favorite spy and all-around bad actor, Gabriel Logan, has been summoned to poke evil in the You'll need to dodge their crazy driving. butt for the second time running. Poor ol’ Gabe may have bitten off more than he can chew. This sequel is bigger,

badder, and more sinister in every respect. Read on to see what new hurdles Gabe will have to tackle in this spring's blockbuster hit, Syphon Filter 2.

811

——- Last Action Hero

| The same gameplay engine that pushed the original to the top of the charts has been reinstated and summoned | for duty. As with every sequel, the gameplay is enhanced to be even more rewarding, easier to control, and stuffed | with more enhancements than baby Elsa has dookie in her diaper. Along with the popular stealth techniques and targeting options of the original, 989 has granted players true analog support with walking, jumping capability, and . even parachuting. Once again a variety of mission objectives must be tackled within set parameters, and now the enemies are more intelligent. They can explore, chat with allies, and sound alarms. They'll even try to run you _ down in trucks! While dealing with these intelligent apes, you'll need to deactivate bombs, locate allies, and even | march through entire zones completely unnoticed. If you thought the stealth stages in the original were great, wait

` until you see these. An unexpected surprise, Gabe can

now parachute into levels and you control his descent!

OMS

geting is alive "r^ and well in the sequel. : A new maneuver is the ability to leap. Here Gabe launches across a moving train.

[ : a ва

The headshot - how we love thee!

View to а КЇЙ TT TET; TE

Just like an ice-cold can of Diet Mountain Dew, eliminating enemies with a headshot is the most refreshing, thirst-quenching experience in gaming. One shot is all it takes. This feature is back just as it was, but now, Gabe can perform his best Rikimaru impersonation by stepping up behind enemies and slitting their throats with a knife. He still has his laser, but come on! If you can't

Just like in Tenchu, players can ^ TT — = | split the brain with a bullet, spill the red wine with a blade. use a knife to slit throats. Sols go

бо Со Gadget

e | Every James Bond flick has new w gadgets. tt appears that every Syphon Filter will follow suit with new toys as |. well. Along with the night-vision rifle, Gabe can now don night-vision goggles, allowing him to use any weapon he | pleases. He can also investigate with binoculars, and use a handful of new sniper weapons to make each kill as unnoticeable as possible.

The new silenced sniper rifle works like a dream

A412 ANGER

The binoculars allow you to zoom Û in and spy on the terrorists.

* Size: 2 CD-ROMs

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Action

* Special Features: 21 Levels; Play as Gabe Logan & Lian Xing; 10 New Weapons; 2- Player Deathmatch; 28 Multiplayer Characters; 20 Multiplayer Arenas; 3 Targeting Modes; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible

* Created by: Eidetic for 989 Studios

* Available: March 14 for PlayStation

80% Complete

Sidekick Power!

| Lian Xing got the shaft in the original Syphon Filter, and no, she and Gabe didn't hook up. She was the

| nonplayable sidekick who contributed greatly, but never received any acclaim for her work. In Syphon

_ Filter 2, Lian is now a playable character on 10 of the 21 stages. This feisty gal has all the same moves

In dark tunnels, as Gabe. Some of her missions are a little different, though. When the game starts out, Lian is critically ill night vision - infected with the Filter perhaps? She must escape from a hospital and inject herself with an adrenaline

куз ОО shot to stay alive. From what we saw...Lian may not make it to Syphon Filter 3. We'll have to wait and see.

Some of Lian’s levels require complete stealth.

Lian Xing possesses all the same maneuvers as Gabe.

à Many of the new weapons include inventive gadgetry and night vision.

Pt Multi pl ayer Espionage The multiplayer runs smoothly wereee weneweene neee ene kene

and delivers the action nicel — = beu = Over 25 different personalities

As if a second playable character wasn enough already, 989 Bê ‚АААО1 /АААО\ bine the quit plar to life. has also added an awesome Deathmatch mode to the mix. In 20 M í - * L^ different arenas, some bearing a resemblance to stages of the original game, two sworn enemies can hunt one another down and pply a breathtaking kiss. This mode can be played in horizontal r vertical split-screen, and matches can be set to end after a ertain time or kill count is met. There are 28 players available from the start, including Ninja Gabe, a bag lady, Scuba Lian, an agency operative, a monk, and even a corpse. After each bout, players can view stats to see how many headshots they landed on their dear old friends.

PHARCDM ICUSATOR Lap 1 | FEIRE LIMIT ions) | TIME LIMIT Or

i | ARMOR STRENGTH (тоо) | [-FusnT-DoNTEOLS- Orr i т RATION ПРЕ DM. i | ПОНТКО. ЕЕ SETUP H

j

1 £j MLLER HETUP

owe

ibtd PENIS

The cinematography has Storytelling x

been greatly enhanced.

The original Syphon Filter generated a huge profit for 989 Studios. With this success, the Syphon Fille development team is driving faster cars, Kelly Flock has decked out his flamboyant smile with diamond teeth, and a fraction of the earnings have been integrated into the development process to make a far superior sequel. The most noticeable enhancements are displayed through storytelling. Thus far, Syphon Filter 2's cinematic presentation makes the original cinematography look like a measly little Bert and Ernie skit (mainly the episodes dealing with paper clips and sharing). Gabe's escapade for truth and justice is enhanced to the level of a motion picture. The FMV sequences are extremely long, detailed beyond belief, and loaded with cool special effects like the swinging Matrix/Gap camera work. Even the real-time cutscenes feature tons of new animations and mouthfuls of dialogue. |

PlayStation Preview

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1-Player Action

* Special Features: 50 Multi-Objective Missions (6 Planet-Based); 2 Endings; 8 Upgradeable Ships; 28 FMV Clips; 32 Weapons; Improved Enemy Al; 5 Solar Systems (3 New, 2 Old); Dual Shock & Analog Compatible

* Created by: Psygnosis Leeds Studio

* Available: March for PlayStation

85% Complete

Before we tickle your nebulae with solar-powered technical bliss covering the Ato Klingon warrior? Question 2 — Have you ever wondered if Darth Vader is fully func- Z's of the Colony Wars’ universe, we'd first like to sort out the men from the boys and make tional and capable of getting jiggy with Chewbacca? Question 3 — Would you ever stick sure that only hardcore science fiction junkies are reading this hallowed page. How will we your head into a Sarlacc Pit? Question 4 — Have you ever dreamed of mating with Spock? Red Sun's action is more do this, you ask? With an aptitude test like the one that the Question 5— Do you have a Babylon 5 tattoo? If you answered an enthusiastic “YES!” to lively and arcade-like, Pomulan's used on Kirk in episode 14! Question 1 – Have you апу of these questions, then read on and enjoy! If you answered “NO” to them all, turn the grossen me ame ever dreamed of mating with a female раде and use your jock insight to read about some stupid sports game.

For the second time running, Psygnosis has focused heavily on improving the gameplay in Colony Wars. For starters, targeting is easier and much more scientific. Pinpointing weak spots and firing on specific zones is the only way to take down cruisers. | Six finely crafted round In addition to this, some hulls can only be damaged ¬ certain weapons. missions await.

The dual shield and hull lasers are now gone, replaced by a weapon that

handles both. The experimental planet-based missions from Vengeance are now honed to perfection in Red Sun. Out of the 50 multi-objective levels, six take place over a planet terrain. These stages demand that convoys be protected, hostages be secured, and land walkers be destroyed. The space missions range from hugging the side of a vessel in an attempt to infiltrate enemy space to all-out war on space stations and vicious enemy fighters.

Certain vessels сап only be destroyed through a weak spot.

Luke Skywalker needed little more than his trusty steed, the X- Wing. Han Solo couldn't afford a new ride, thus he was stuck with the Millennium (bucket-of-bolts) Falcon. Most space jockeys love to charge it up and strap into the latest vessels. In Red Sun, the player can purchase eight differ- ent fighters, all fitted with different attribut- es and weapons. Each of these vehicles can You' \ be asked to execute millions - be upgraded with any of the 32 weapons and 12 219 destroy entire civilizations. f optional parts and countermeasures. Many of these vehicles are compliant with planet and Ҹ space travel. In addition to this, you'll encounter over 80 NPC vehicles. Some are tiny one-man craft, others house entire civilizations in their moon-sized hulls.

Just like its predecessors, Red Sun is a gorgeous game that features as many special effects as it does textures. Whether it be flashy | star trails or 30 second long explosions, Red Sun’s look will knock you off your feet and into hyper sleep. You'll pass by interactive neb- | ulae and delve into gas-giant atmospheres. Red Sun’s story is also very powerful. Instead of running with a Navy or League, you now control your own destiny as a ruthless mercenary. Depending on which missions you choose and who you help, you'll be greeted by one '. of two endings — joyous victory or complete and utter annihilation. This epic story unfolds within 28 lengthy FMV sequences and also through in-game dialogue. Pilots also talk a ton of smack, just like in the Wing Commander games.

` The graphics are even ` more xplosive!

Game Informer * March 2000

36

PlayStation

Preview

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1-Player Action/RPG

* Special Features: Complete 3D & 2D Sidescrolling Gameplay; Swimming & Platforming; Huge Bosses; Item Management; User Friendly Camera Controls; Tons of Cutscenes

* Created by: Contrail/Matrix Software for Activision

* Available: First Quarter 2000

55% Complete

shores of Japan, ly a matter of time Working Designs.

TES ү, WS ; VD did a phenomenal WKING 7 ‘ef job with the firo and surely it wouldn't pass on the

| dd to capitalize on the sequel. Not wasting any time, Alundra 2 was quickly announced just months after its Japanese debut for a U.S. release. Oddly enough, Working Designs name was no the publishing bill. The North America publishing rights were handed over to Activision. It looks like David (Working Designs) confronted Goliath (Activision) and battled for title ownership. Unlike in the Bible, Goliath's brute force and deep pockets beat the living tar out of dear ol' Dave, and thus, Activision landed this mad phat sequel. With its rich story, detailed environments, and swift 2D/3D gamo engine, Alundra 2 should be one of Activision's biggest hits in 2000.

Japanese development house Matrix Software has built quite the name for itself within the action/RPG community. Its video game platter includes the salty Genesis title, Landstalker, the spicy Saturn game, Dark Savior, and the creamy PlayStation release, Alundra. Matrix is hoping that Alundra 2 becomes its finest dish, and from what we've seen so far, this plate will surely leave gamers' stomachs growling for more.

Instead of the classic pseudo 3D formula that made all of its previous games come to life, Matrix has converted to strictly 3D. Many of the gameplay elements like combat and platforming are the same, but now, all of the characters are 3D, and new game modes have been added. Through winding caverns, players must navigate miles of tracks within the confines of a mine cart. Seconds later, they'll be summoned to swim through treacherous reefs, and even do their best Crash Bandicoot impersonation and run toward the screen as they flee a rolling boulder. „о. Over this, the 3D hack and slash combat is accompanied by classic 2D battles. "d Summoning magic, unleashing combos, and upgrading weapons are all part of the combat experience. Interacting with village folk and hacking down bushes mse leads to ore cash and weaponry.

“етт —^———

M

Another way to enhance the Alundra experience | was to add a wealth of new cinematic angles. From | cutscenes, animated gestures, and real-time character ; interaction, Alundra 2 comes to life with beautiful : eil presented with phenomenally - storytelling leading the way. Along with suspense and ‚ y animated realtime modelê.” action packed sequences, Matrix added a ton of humor to |

the package. Whether it be characters bickering or wacky animated moments, Alundra 2 will leave your gut cramped and b your pants completely soaked.

PlayStation Preview

* Size: 2 CD-ROMs

* Style: 1-Player Role-Playing Game

* Special Features: Free Targeting Battle System; Psionic Powers; Gorgeous FMV Cutscenes; Moving Background Animations; Weapon & Item Upgrades; Level Gaining; Dual Shock & Analog Compatibie

* Created by: Square Soft

* Available: Summer 2000 for PlayStation

65% Complete

... Square Soft could pick up a dog turd and turn it into a brick of gold. If any developer has the King Midas touch, ifs Square Soft. Almost all of its games are instant blockbusters, achieving gameplay innovations years before everyone else,

Я and delivering a cinematic punch that TKOs most Hollywood movies. Square's U.S. development branch had been dormant since the 16-bit days, ош from

Û cutbacks and relocations. This troubled development house came to life once again f with the development of the PlayStation RPG, Parasite Eve. While the look of the ате was nothing short of breathtaking, the gameplay received mixed reviews. jme say it moved too slow. Others complained about its monotonous formula. -

... Even though it received a beating similar to Rodney King’s, almost everyone who played Parasite Eve finished it, and had a nice thing or two to say about the

Û plot an mue û. letting a good thing go to waste (as Nintendo has with Metroid), Square immediately began work on a sequel. Just like the leap from Final Fantasy VII to VIII, Parasite Eve Il has been reborn under а new guise and revamped gameplay engine, which come together to form one of the most dynamic RPGs on the PlayStation console. _ | —

Saying that Parasite Eve Il is ten times better looking than the original is a big claim. Yet ifs one Square had no problem backing

up. The CG cutscenes are just like those in Final Fantasy VIII, and the {= environmental details are as[ realistic as possible. You'll even

see little features like subtle reflections in windows, shadows

that move with lighting changes,

and even FMV озы

Chasing ival Horro 1 Square Soft knew that the sequel needed to play faster and look even more stunning than its predecessor. We can gladly state that Square has achieved this goal, and at the same time has incoporated a number of traits from Final Fantasy and Resident Evil. From the rendered: { backdrops with cinematic camera positions PEE : to the character animations and combat | yx chemistry, this game could very well be f called Resident Evil RPG. The combat is BT almost exactly the same. The only difference ff, the inclusion of quick targeting and a hit j j point-based health system. In addition to this, f the monsters look just like those in RE and the f puzzles are very similar as well. At the same | time though, Eve jumps into a bag of technical brilliance — dishing out a geeks-r-us | extravaganza of weapon upgrades, level gaining, and Psionic abilities ee on the elements. That's right...Aya is now a freak...an extremely hot freak that is.

ror

As if we need to say

it, Eve is back and she's

brought her virus with

her. Is up to Aya, three |.

dozen foolish S.W.A.T. f

teams, and a ton of |.

firepower to stop her. li

Through FMV and

real-time cutscenes, a

suspenseful tale unfolds ~

A he. Duis dpt Ut ion cest the storytelling is Sa r SEADE

| done йолка baxe: VM cc Î о.

and animated motions.

Voice-overs are a no

show, but this is

something Square

may add when it

is ported to the fi

U.S. this summer.

38 J Game Informer * March 2000

PlayStation

Preview

Size: 1 CD-ROM

Style: 1-Player Strategy

Special Features: Capture Enemy Mecha & Use Their Body Parts; Weapons Include Shotguns, Machine Guns, Rifles, Missile & Grenade Launchers, & Melee Weapons; FF Tactics-Style Gameplay; In-Game Expository Website

Created by: Square Soft for PlayStation Available: Spring 2000

90% Complete

conflict between two of the majo Ww has gone missing. While the plot adds г

One attack, for instance, allows you to punch with a melee weapon and then blast your enemies with a gun in the same round. Ву storing these moves. in the Wanzer's computer, you can become a frighteningly deadly opponent on the battlefield. With an estimated 150 hours of gameplay and two different scenarios working from different sides of the conflict, Front Mission promises to

offer a great deal of quality playtime. We often found ourselves having fun blasting through scenario multiple times just to get hold of what appeared to be new equipment. If you like mecha and you like strategy, it's all here. Just try to contain m until spring, RN

PlayStation

Preview

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1 to 4-Player Fighting

* Special Features: 36 WWF Superstars; Season Mode; Backstage Plotting; Ranking & Ratings Tracking; Create-A-Superstar; 12 Match Options; Backstage Fighting; Facial Expressions; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible

* Created by: Yuke's for THQ

* Available: Early March for PlayStation

90% Complete Perhaps it’s the subject matter, but nothing br : titive spirit in developers like wrestling games. With each successive title, the genre seems to take another step toward that ineffable experience portrayed on television. Being maniacal fans of the spectacle that is professional wrestling, we were naturally excited to see what THQ had cooking for its first PlayStation WWF game, but we never expected Smackdown to bring this much to table.

It doesn't get much better than this on PlayStation. When wrestlers enter, their entrance videos fill the screen as their music blares. Soon, the wrestler's polygonal counterpart appears to | | Smackdown delivers all the favorites, like the Hardcore and Cage work the crowd (see bar below). In the ring, match, but also introduces two match variations never before seen Smackdown runs fast and smooth. During a in a wrestling vid. In an I Quit match, players must not only beat their spectacular move, the camera will always capture | | opponents senseless, but also find the time to go to the outside, pick the moment from the most dramatic angle. up a microphone, and shove it in their enemies' faces until they say Speaking of visuals, Smackdown's lighting is the | | those two magic words. Players with a grudge can put on the stripes best we've seen in a wrestling game. When in the Special Referee match. Not only can you sneak in the someone in the audience snaps your picture, , , occasional cheap shot, you can also perform a fast count to screw you'll see the flash! Yuke's even went to the || over your nemesis.

trouble of animating the wrestlers' faces. Beating

on Big Bossman is even more satisfying when = T ix there's a look of pain on his face. aa он ж АЕ

There’s more to wrestling than what goes оп in the ring. Every so often during Season mode a covert meeting, usually regarding your character’s downfall, will take place in the back. These back rooms aren't just for gabbing, though. If you can't be stopped in the ring, your enemies will even go so far as attacking you before your match. Also, whenever you're involved in a Hardcore or Falls Anywhere match, you can take the fight to the stage by whipping your opponent up the entry ramp. Throw someone through the back curtain and you'll find yourself in a back hallway filled with weapons and doors. Each door leads to another area/arena waiting to be explored.

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Nowadays, what wrestling game would be complete without a Wrestler Create? Scop: S en A- Superstar lets you piece a performer together Franken-style. Head, upper body, and lower body are mixed together, and then height and weight slide bars decide final appearance. Players then choose fighting style and moves, and even what their wrestler does when CPU controlled.

Е тент, Сач

CHRIS JERICHO

JEFF HARDY & MATT HARDY

THE ROCK

40 and Informer

PlayStation Preview

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Racing

* Special Features: Race on Edges & Ceilings of Tunnels; Power-Ups; Hordes of Unlockable Vehicles (20), Tracks (65), & New Modes; Training, Racing, & Special Modes; Special Control Settings for Analog Controllers

* Created by: ATD for Psygnosis

* Available: March for PlayStation

85% Complete

Î id ‚ Racing With e’ve seen hordes of racing games in the last few years, and the few that tried to be = innovative often lacked the proper amount of chutzpah to make magnetism, driving оп a Twist ceilings, or destroying your competitors as entertaining as it could have been. In the original Rollcage, we enjoyed the speed and physics of the game, but found the tracks to be somewhat flat and uninteresting, which garnered it a mediocre score.

The vehicles in Rollcage Il, as in the first, can flip over and drive upside down, allowing for a lot of unusual racing situations. By getting enough speed, the player can drive up on the walls and even onto the ceilings of tunnels. Frequently, in order to pick up power-ups and hit critical speed-burst arrows, you will be required to drive ` upside down.

While the vertical symmetry of the vehicles makes falling off the ceiling a less risky endeavor, slamming into an obstacle and flipping around can be an extremely disorient- ing experience as you will often land facing in a direction ^. : : you can't be sure of. Consequently, the game's emphasis is The environments are on control. As the game's challenge factor picks up on the often stunning. later tracks, you will frequently be required to slow down at

- critical turns while racing on slippery terrain. е То make the experience even more harrowing, all vehi- It's fun to break things as you * cles can pick up power-ups. allowing them to initiate special

finish in first piace attacks and engage turbo boosts for more speed. The weapons range from direct attack weapons like missiles and concussive blasts that radiate from the car, to more indirect attacks like energy prongs that stretch out from a car's wheels causing a momentary loss of traction to any vehicle they touch, or a trippy bomb that generates an extremely disorienting effect for all opponents.

As far as the tracks are concerned, they have become a lot more interesting with a number of pitfalls, tunnels, and tons of obstacles to smash into. To add to the disorienta- AENEIS И tion, players are frequently hounded by rain, which cuts Rollcage Il isn't incredibly challenging down on visibility and makes i ic at first, but gets more difficult. to a trailing effect. It remains to be seen : whether Rollcage II will have the technical Using this blinding power-up will 3 oomph that its predecessor lacked, but it's knock your opponents around. sure to be an interesting ride.

Rain cuts down visibility and | : mezne: This power-up will cause your enemies’ also causes trailing effects. | ' — emm wheels to lose a great deal of traction.

du M Game Informer « March 2000 41 p:

EVERYONE

* Size: 1 GD-ROM

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Sports

* Special Features: Based on the Arcade Game; 6 Modes of Play; 32 International Teams; 4 Difficulty Settings; 6 Stadiums; Pitch Changes; VMU & Jump Pack Compatible

• Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: AM2 for Sega

* Available: March 14 for Dreamcast

9.2

f you don't make frequent trips to the big name arcades, you may have never seen Sega's Virtua Striker 2. Heck, if you don't

live in Japan you might even think that with a

name like Virtua Striker, it must be a fighting

game. Virtua Stiker 2 is a soccer game that is a common fixture in almost every arcade outside of America. The arcade game makes use of Sega's NAOMI system and makes for easy translation to the Dreamcast in all its glory.

Like many of the Dreamcast's arcade ports, the graphics in Virtua Striker 2 are unparalleled for a soccer game. Players of all shapes and sizes are detailed right down to the laces on their shoes. The fluidity of the animation gives way to fast-paced action and extremely realistic maneuvers that 3

include headers and bicycle kicks. Surprisingly, the 5.5 |

only aspect of the game’s graphics that may be OVERALL

JAY

THE GONZO GAMER Concept 6

Sound 7.75

if

The agony of defeat.

lacking is the choice of only one camera view.

The playcontrol can be considered fairly simplistic with only two pass buttons, a shot button, and few, if any, special moves. Even so, Virtua Striker 2 requires a lot of finesse. Passing aimlessly will often yield a turnover. Given that, possession and control are essential, as are patience and knowledge of your team's formations. ;

Along with the standard Arcade mode, Sega has added an International Cup and a League mode, as Tu well as three others. There are also choices that . toggle such things as length of half, penalty kick for- ‚| mat, and other variations in the match format.

Sports games have become a big element of the Dreamcast’s library; and while this is not a hardcore simulation, it is the first of many soccer titles hitting

PAUL

Concept 5

Form the wall and be sure to protect the jewels.

OVERALL

REINER

THE RAGING GAMER Concept 6

Graphics

9

Sound 8.25

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2.75

Entertainment 4

Y. E 1 b j ч | Kew CU К nand ù î ү |

Those Danes are always so serious. OVERALL

у " „e Wn a

Graphics

Playability 2

Entertainment

THE GAME PROFESSOR

Graphics

Playability 3

Entertainment 1

Playability

Arcade Sports ona Dreamcast Pitch

"Wow! So this is what happens when ideal and real collide. With the sports streak Sega’s been on lately, my expectations of its first soccer title were pretty grand. Virtua Striker 2 looks and sounds great, but falls short in every other department. Control is an especially mystifying experi- ence. The Al decides which player you're in control of, usually selecting the one clos- est to the ball, and will often switch at exactly the wrong time. Worst of all, when human control is taken away from some- one on the field, that player will often stand there dumbfounded for a second or two. The game also requires that short pass and slide tackle be on the same but- ton. You think you've got the ball, try to make a pass, and earn a yellow card instead. Sega Genesis had better soccer titles than this.”

“| had high hopes that Virtua Striker would be yet another fine sports game for the Dreamcast, but after playing it | cannot find a lot to enjoy about this frus- trating and confusing game. My biggest problem is trying to figure out the com- puter Al. There are so many instances when you have a clear breakaway, and then your man, the one you ARE control- ling, will turn away from the ball. | sup- pose this was done to try to balance the play, but it is just plain stupid and incred- ibly annoying. Additionally, this game would have benefited from some more camera angles. You have to rely on a stu- pid field radar to figure out if you might be able to make a pass. This game looks great, but the play is horrible. You can pass on this soccer game.”

“Thanks to Visual Concepts, the Dreamcast is quickly becoming the leader in sports. Trying to add more thunder to this powerful brand, Sega ported AM2’s Virtua Striker 2 to the Dreamcast. This was a great idea that ended up being a big mistake in the end. Never before have | played a soccer game that controls so poorly. The gameplay is so bad that it almost feels like the play- ers are running on ice. On top of this, the computer Al is relentless, and for some rea- son or other, your players have a tendency to turn away from the ball. | witnessed this occurrence on several breakaways. He just stopped running and walked away from the ball. | got so frustrated and so bent out of shape that | wanted to lynch each of my players after the game. Other than killer crowd chants and amazing graphics, this release is worthless.”

aoa. w,

` Кеме

| * Size: 1 GD-ROM

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Fighting

* Special Features: Based on Popular Japanese Manga; Characters Unleash Powers of Special Helpers; Super Stand

“While JoJo's isn't too mind-blowing graphically, particularly on the Dreamcast, it is flashy and entertaining to watch. The characters are a bit odd, but kicking the crap out of Manga Joe and Anime Jack with a small angry dog is an entertaining experience to say the least. Despite JoJo’s unique features, it is unmistakably a Capcom fighter where tactics like pushing your opponent into a corner are as important as they were in every Street Fighter and SF clone. Capcom fans will no doubt find it an interesting game and Anime/Manga freaks should check it out as well. When all is said and done, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a solid game with some good ideas. | would recommend a rental first, however."

"With Capcom's long history of 2D fighting games, you'd think that it would have ground the genre up like coffee beans by now. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure shows that Capcom still has quite a few tricks up its sleeve. In many ways, this game reminds me of Bloody Roar - an okay fighter with a twist that makes it more interesting. The main concern in the £ame is when to use your Stand. These spirit creatures can do all the work themselves, but it's three- fourths the fun to sucker your opponent in, then double team him to death. As always, once button layout is cemented in the brain, control becomes second nature and the competition level between two human players swells to gargantuan proportions. There are plenty of fighters on Dreamcast, but JoJo’s still manages to stand out.”

“Most unusual indeed. When creating this fighter, somebody must have slipped some peyote into the lunches of Capcom’s development team. It’s weird...really freakin’ weird. JoJo’s conceptual base and roster of

characters are definitely a few fries short of

a Happy Meal, yet at the same time, brilliant. Capcom's classic 2D fighting formula is alive and well in this release, and is joined by a unique duapersona combat System. Standard attacks are available for all of the combatants, but if you truly want to | shine, you'll summon a spirit that has its own list of moves. This combat formula is. invigorating as is, but Capcom also added - several awesome Guardian Heroes-li | sidescrolling segments. I'm addicted to this game like Iggy Pop is to the drug of the month. It's a solid release that adds innovation to Dreamcast fighting. Check it out!”

ERIK

THE PC JEDI

Concept 8

Graphics

6.75

Sound 8.25

Playability

8.25

Entertainment

8.5

JAY

THE GONZO GAMER

Concept 8 Graphics 8.25

` Sound 8.25

Playability

Entertainment

OVERALL

REINER

THE RAGING GAMER Concept 8.5

Graphics

8

. Sound |

8.25

. Playability 8.25

Entertainment ос

Risqué Moves; Platform Minigames

|

| Combos; Fight as Small Dog or Eagle; {

|

'ebster's Unabridged Dictionary defines panache as “а grand or = flamboyant manner; verve; style;

flair.” Despite the fact that most of the video game industry has abandoned the world of two dimensions in favor of the almighty polygon, Capcom continues to thrive by churning out a seemingly endless series of 2D fighters that ooze panache like the French ooze body odor. Super combos, outrageous character designs,

lightning-quick action, and insane animations | combine to keep Capcom’s aging fighter formula

as fresh as a daisy.

Perhaps no game in recent memory exhibits |

more panache than JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. The quirky characters are licensed from a popular Japanese Manga comic book. This comic series is immensely popular in the Land of the Rising Sun, and it's easy to see why. The variety of characters is stunning. There are fighting babes, fighting creepy old guys, fighting muscle-bound hunks who sport Vanilla Ice haircuts, even a cute little

* Replay Value: Moderate * Created by: Capcom * Available: Now for Dreamcast

Bottom Line:

fighting dog. All exhibit a twisted sense of

cutesy, yet racy, humor that is quintessentially Japanese.

These pugilists are indeed bizarre, with special attacks ranging from electric tentacles to, ahem, oversized mammary glands that spray a rain of

bullets. To add to the lunacy, each character has a |

ghost-like alter ego, called a Stand, that can be summoned to perform special combo attacks.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure crams two Japanese !

arcade games - JoJo's Venture and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure - into the cozy confines of one GD- ROM, making it an excellent value for fans of 2D fighters. Capcom aficionados will find few

surprises in the gameplay i on. кре тоге 1"

Preview

* Size: 5 GD-ROMs (3 Game, 1 Bonus, 1

Soundtrack) * Style: 1-Player Adventure

* Special Features: Free & QTE Battles;

Real-Time Town Exploration; Weather

Changes; Hours of Spoken Dialogue; Item

Management; Tons of Real-Time

Cutscenes; Journey Diary; Space Harrier &

Hang On Arcade Games; VMU Hints * Created by: AM2 for Sega * Available: Fall for Dreamcast

70% Complete

Realworld Movement

With graphics as beautiful as most computer generated cutscenes, Shenmue's real-time gameplay comes to life as a work of art, and also as a smooth movie entity. Every store

[ew reamcast

Event of 2000,

Perhaps the most significant Dreamcast title of 2000, Shenmue unfolds as one of the most dynamic games ever

assembled. With graphics as real as life itself and a gameplay engine concocted as a true to life adventure,

Shenmue is the first title to actually attempt a real-world journey. At times, Shenmue is as boring as life itself, subjecting the player to hours of nothingness. On the flip side of the coin, and under Yu Suzuki's direction, Shenmue delivers a magnificent story that intertwines and extensively uses every little piece of its virtual world. It's up to the player to find the clues that lead to the next event in the story.

can be entered, and every person can be confronted. It's just like the real deal.

К-СИ Solving Puzzles

Most of Shenmue's gameplay hurdles can be solved by talking to village folk. Very rarely is combat or any kind of physical activity required. If you get stuck, you can always play perfect ports of Space Harrier or Hang On in the arcade.

Cutscenes

Never before have we witnessed a game use the sheer amount of animation as Shenmue. Every little motion from the real world is somehow incorporated into this game. Flinching, stretching, dancing, running... it's all here...and it looks absolutely stunning!

e end of disc 1.

^T eda A, FEL PO?

Item Interaction

Almost every item in the game can be looked at. You can open up sock drawers or examine the ingredients in cat food. You can even dial random numbers on a rotary phone.

Detail

When characters converse, intricate details like waving hair, jaw movement, and blinking eyes add to the cinematic experience. Gone are the days of the text boxes, and gone are random nodding and arm movements. Every animation is specific in Shenmue.

Weyî

All In Time

Shenmue's realism includes day to night and weather changes. When entering a store, you must first see if it is open. If not, you must wait for the store clerk to walk down the road, clean up, then open his or her gates.

Thousands of 4 animations make each | scene as realistic as can be.

Combat Sequences

The world of Shenmue is a rough place, and you may just get into a scuffle or two. When this happens, combat will explode in one of two modes — Free Battle and ОТЕ (Quick Time Event). Free Battle plays just like Virtua Fighter and can be against one to five foes. QTE's are reflex tests that ask the player to quickly hit a button that flashes onto screen — just like in Die Hard Arcade.

yo's moves list closely mimics that of Akira from Virtua diei Г.

15817 тиў

When a button flashes on ines Screen, you'll have just a second to tap it and save vr

1 Not since Connie Chung’s pre-Maury Povich days has a journalist .,§ shown as much spring in her step as the futuretro Ulala, reporter for -4 Space Channel 5. Be-bopping her way from story to story, she uncovers an attack by the alien Mororians. Appearing like Teletubbies after the SlimFast plan, they have captured a plethora of innocent humans and | made a general mess of things on this satellite of love. Not only must the lovely Ulala vanquish these multi-colored foes, but keep pace with her | reporting duties as well.

Strolling along the shimmering environments, Mororians will pop up in front of Ulala, sometimes with captives in tow. This will prompt action in either Dance mode or Shooting mode. In Dance mode, the long-eared extraterrestrials call the steps in a hypnotic hoe-down. Follow the directions accurately and their slaves become members of your | entourage! In Shooting mode, the movements are still called out, but are followed by hot lead from your pair of blasters. One gun toasts the aliens; the other brings humans back to their senses so they can see how gosh-darn sexy you are, and follow you blindly. It's a tad ironic how the | freed slaves іп turn ride Ulala's jock with puppy-dog devotion after their | shackles are removed. As Devo said “Freedom from choice; it's what | you want." | Though bearing an uncanny resemblance to Parappa and Um

Jammer Lammy, the entire package and presentation of Space Channel 5 is much smoother, while still remaining just as trippy and wild as the other aforementioned games. Like the PlayStation music games, SC5 is a relatively short title, but with each stage broken up as a level , rather than merely boss encounters, it will feel longer. For added replay,

| a character profile option lets you check out everyone who's danced to

1 your beat, and who you still need to recruit. You'll run across guitarists,

| soldiers, and even Michael Jackson!

Without lyrics, the songs may not be as catchy, but Space Channel 5 is every bit as fun as Parappa and Lammy, while getting a bit closer to mixing the dance/music game genre with a more action-oriented style.

. | Though lacking any multiplayer features, the stunning visuals, well-

` produced sounds, and Ulala's locomotion will keep gamers hanging on | for many a go-around. Come second quarter this year, U.S. Dreamcast | owners will get to catch every broadcast of Ulala's Swinging Report | Show on our Sony Trinitrons switched to Space Channel 5.

PR 8‏ د

Mororians cutting а rug.

Jags 3C LI lA

PW os RB Len

This boss has a busy tongue.

y b Ê xı E G

` Dreamcast.

Preview

* Size: 1 GD-ROM

* Style: 1-Player Action

* Special Features: 2 Modes of Play (Shooting & Dance); Trippy Environments; Orchestrated Music; Collectable Characters; Funk Dance Moves; Cameo by Michael Jackson

* Created by: Sega

* Available: 2nd Quarter for Dreamcast (Now In Japan)

90% Complete

mv

The - at mٍ Satellite.

шш me Dreamcast Pı ck Starts

Just six months into its life cycle, the Dreamcast has already established itself as a system for sports gamers. Sega Sports has produced highly acclaimed NBA and NFL simulations and, as we speak, Sega is |^ bringing the NHL home with NHL 2K.

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| Like Sega Sports’ NFL and NBA games before it, the look of |I [| NHL 2K is what you would expect - impressive. Each player is | jÎÎ modeled with close to 1,500 polygons, and over 800 player faces Ir li are used to recreate the look of each NHL player. Players also | “ÎÎ have changing facial expressions for an extra touch of realism. | ECIAM) ЫШ Animations are extensive, with over 700 motion-captured | | maneuvers; 100 of these are created for the goalie alone. | Б Obviously, the most notable animations are found through : mr | uu Knocking the opposition to the ice, but more subtle animations |f Û ND eee ароипа. You'll see little nuances like a goalie adjusting his pads | LEE А PP and stretching during а stoppage of play, a center tapping his | | stick at the face-off circle, or a whole line of players piling over the jE | boards during a line shift. Even more subtle than the player | ) | animations are graphical effects which show players’ reflections | | in the boards and glass, snow spraying as skaters stop or take jt - | sharp turns, and even lines forming on the ice as players’ skates jj. | carve the surface. |

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Preview

For any veteran of video game hockey, the control scheme of NHL 2K will be familiar. Don’t expect to be bombarded with * Size: 1 GD-ROM new moves or special button combinations. On offense, the 4 на aiaa a VENE М obligatory pass, shoot, and speed-burst buttons are Play er Models With Over 800 PI ayer one accompanied by a clearing shot. Of course, there is the Facial Expressions; 5 Gameplay Views; one-timer and a wrist or slap shot depending on how long the Commentary by Bob Cole & Harry Neale; shoot button is pressed. On the defense, there are buttons for Edit & Save Lines; VMU Compatible the poke check/hook, speed burst/hard check, block shot, and * Created by: Black Box for Sega switch player. * Available: February 14 for Dreamcast

This preview version offers excellent control and great play-making ability. Also worth noting are the line changes. 0 Although settings are available to toggle line changes to auto 90 0 Complete (or off), playing with manual line changes is challenging and

ты а Ай о j| allows you to pick front three and defensive lines separately.

Gur. N

Although the NHL has tried to downplay fighting in the past few years, there is no denying that it is a large part of the game. Given that, NHL 2K includes some impressive-looking altercations. The control even allows you to block punches and grab the opponent's jersey with one hand while pummeling him with the other.

. ШЕТ B NHL 2K offers an Exhibition, Season, and Play-Off mode ji tee — all standard hockey fare. In all of these modes, what should i ШЕ) , V Û be most impressive to the hardcore hockey fan is the Edit ANE ШИ “Mi and Save Lines feature that will give you a chance to “load Hev the lines” or make subtle adjustments to your line-up. We are | not talking about a handful of line formations; NHL 2K has a Exhibition Game fama) bunch of situational lines. For example, there are four hob ШШ t$ и at Loe Aes Kis RAM! separate settings for penalty kills and likewise for the power ш. : play. You will also be in charge of deciding which players in your roster will dress and which will be scratched for each game. All of this information and these changes are then stored in the VMU.

The VMU also stores any created player. Although the Create Player mode was not complete in our preview version, we are told that it will offer different skate, helmet,

and stick types, as well as over 20 ability settings.

reamcast — Preview

* Size: 4 GD-ROMs

e Style: 1-Player Action/Adventure

* Special Features: Large Environments; 5 Weapons; Numerous Items; 4 Gameplay Modes (Hunting, Combat, Exploration, Point & Click); Snowmobile Driving; VMU & Jump Pack Compatible

* Created by: WARP for Sega

* Available: 2nd Quarter (Now in Japan)

80% Complete Beware the

Green Snow

apcom's Resident Evil series

has labeled itself survival hor-

ror, but let's face it, the survival involved isn't too far from the standard Ê зь. | video game format. You survive by not getting | f killed by monsters. D2 borrows RE's framework, but takes ; the survival aspect to another level. t

The game's protagonist, Laura Parton, ends up crash-landing in ` Canadian parts unknown on Christmas Day. She comes to in a log . cabin smack in the middle of nowhere, apparently rescued by a woman named Kimberly. After the two chat for a bit, a man who looks ill bursts in, sprouts tentacles, and attacks Kimberly. The green meanie is repelled, but it doesn't take the two ladies long to size up their situation.

They're stuck in an arctic tundra full of mutant monsters without any food. The attack on Kimberly has left her weakened, so Laura takes it upon herself to get them both out of this jam.

Early on, it's evident that Laura is a pretty tough and resourceful lady. Not only can she walk through knee-deep snow wearing only a smart business suit, high heels, and over-abundant eye shadow; but she can carry an assortment of weapons, items, and unlimited sub-machine gun ammo without showing any bulge in her waistline.

=

While you’re wandering about gathering clues, freaky things of various shapes will occasionally leap out at you. When this occurs the Combat mode, | which basically consists of keeping your crosshairs on the enemy while firing, instantly engages. Everything you kill earns you experience points, which will increase Laura's levels and earn her more hit points. In addition to combat, D2 consists of 3D exploration, interior point & click, and most interestingly, a Hunting mode. Whenever you're walking about and see something move against the snow, pulling out the rifle brings up a sniper scope. Blasting away wildlife earns meat, which can then be cooked up on Laura's portable grill for health. D2 has a lot of action, but more than anything else, it has a lot of talking. Well over half the game consists of watching cutscenes and trying to make sense of Laura's flashbacks. Thus, D2 may be more a player-perticipatory movie than a video game, but with its flashy graph- ics and involving plot, it will likely be some- thing worth playing through until the end.

ments аге as generic as they come. The

ction — yet we found it to be the strong sui

“hellion, and decided to play this game to the b. credits.

= ray hacking our = шо two

Capture monsters and they'll humbly obey you and Hi aer at wan. side.

e landscape takes creativity to the next level.

dungeons, Sword was joined by several new colorful personalities. The funny thing is, none of these characters care about the quest. Even if it meant the world would end, they wouldn’t care. They are either

out for themselves, seeking treasure, or just not

wanting to do a damn thing. From this oddball mixture and “brilliance” in storytelling, the game remains quite entertaining; and surprise, surprise, the gameplay eventually picks up as well.

Interestingly enough, whenever characters enter a dungeon, they enter at level one and can only bring four items with them. This may seem stupid, but it gives each dungeon a unique twist and a random difficulty. You may luck out and score some great items (which are all randomly generated as well), but then again, you may get nothing and die immediately. A smidgen of help lies in the hands of monsters. Players can capture any monster they see fit, register that monster in a town, then return to the dungeon and use it as a combatant. How well players do in the dungeon will determine how stacked their level one stats will be for their next journey.

From Land Stalker to Shining in the Darkness, some of the characters in this RPG are very recognizable. Yet the quest is a completely different entity, with balls to the wall innovation and gorgeous graphics to boot. It’s a Dreamcast evolution!

Preview

* Size: 1 GD-ROM

* Style: 1-Player Role-Playing Game

* Special Features: 6 Playable Characters; Dungeon Randomizer; Capture & Control Monsters; Unique Experience-Gaining System; Multiple Camera Views; 6 VMU Minigames

¢ Created by: Climax Entertainment for Sega

* Available: February 29 for Dreamcast

85% Complete

Í As the fire shot out of the land, the young `

adventurer’s pants became very damp.

үчн, 0100183 redieted. Dame 2 Lo

All of the combar is delivered ou basic turn-based actions.

[ After getting stung on the neck twice in a

night, Sword called it quits.

by E Erik, The PC Jedi ‚ Lost in Time Some people will tell you that the reason magazines rarely offer timely reviews of PC games is that most

companies don't send out reviewable copies of the games until they are already shipping to stores, and it

takes about a month and a half for all the printing and whatnot to be completed from the time we finish writ- ing an issue to the moment it arrives at your door. Not true! In fact, we are lost in a bizarre time warp. Help!

WHERE IDE) EH Mı FL tê PS Û DI Lı lû 1DI E =

IERE кл Er шит ыш шыш COLLIDE ==

кез As a semi-sequel to Baldur's Gate, the basic engine for GELET Planescape carries a lot from the previous game, but has been dramatically enhanced. The game looks better and the single-player inter- ‚ face has been vastly improved to include a pop-up action menu that | freezes gameplay and allows players to select spells and items for use at | their leisure. These improvements are partially due to the fact that Interplay has opted to make the game exclusively single-player, allowing t to implement options that would have caused tedious pauses during a multiplayer game of Baldur's Gate.

Perhaps the most dramatic difference between the two games is the campaign setting itself. Where the dico Realms is a fairly stock fanta- | sy world, Planescape is actu- : | ally a multiverse setting con-

-— * sisting of the realms of the Gods and Мейо. (the upper planes), and planes representing the basic energy and material forces of all the worlds (the lower planes).

The central setting of Planescape is in Sigil, a city devoted to total neutrality where good, evil, chaos, and law are all in an uneasy truce. This creates the unusu- al circumstance of dire foes rubbing elbows, but avoiding any overt confrontation that might attract the attention of the city's enigmatic ruler, the Lady of Pain.

Full of bizarre sights, strange organizations, haves and have-nots mixing com- pany out of necessity, dehumanization, and the artistic use of darker colors and unusual architecture, Sigil is reminiscent of a Cyberpunk setting except that it uses magic instead of technology. ш : |

At the beginning of the game, the main character awakes їп Sigil's mortuary with amnesia (innovation!) and slowly discovers ` that he has been dying and forgetting who the heck he is for an indeterminate (but very long) amount of time. In order to save | himself from going through the trouble of rediscovering himself all over again, he | had a message tattooed on his back telling him to find a man named Pharod and the journal of his previous life which, of course, is missing. |

Nameless, clueless, and smack in the middle of a mortuary tended by animated | corpses and hostile Dust Men who don't like their corpses walking away, our hero | must escape the mortuary with a scalpel and the aid of a talking skull with a wicked ` bite who becomes his first companion. Bizarre but refreshing. |

Like Baldur's, the world of Planescape is huge. | must have put fifteen hours into | it, and | still hadn't left Sigil's first neighborhood, much less visited another plane of | existence. Have no doubt, Planescape will keep you occupied for some time, espe- | сїайу if you want to see everything. |

| already mentioned the talking skull, but Planescape has a wealth of unusual party | members. Other companions include a Githzerai from the helter-skelter plane of limbo whose weapon is actually a shifting, chaotic substance held in sword shape by | _ sheer force of will; a Tiefling or “plane-touched” human, complete with hooves and | ! tail; a pyromaniacal mage confined to eternal torment in an endless burning death | _ (until you rescue him); and a Mercykiller (who's dead, but doesn't know it yet) with the | | power to crush all injustice, whom you imprisoned on an infernal plane long ago. | | What makes all these characters so exciting is that none of them is entirely normal | | in terms of standard AD&D rules. The fighter/mage Githzerai has spells unique to his | home plane that are superior to similar standard spells of the same level. The talking skull has a number of unusual powers, Û including the ability to confuse and enrage by taunting enemies with insults. ; f Your main character, however, can become far more powerful than the average AD&D game allows. You start off with aver- | Û age stats of nine and 21 points you can allocate as you please. This makes for a relatively average or over-specialized charac- | | ter, but for each level you gain, you get more attribute points to distribute allowing you to jack your character up to god-like sta- | | tus. You also gain additional special powers and experience points by remembering your past, an event that occurs through dia- | | logue and déjà vu experiences. If that wasn't enough, you can also dual class between fighter, mage, and thief for a well-round- | | ed combination of assets. |

| Perhaps one of the most entertaining aspects of Black Isle’s previous role-playing | ( games was the variety of methods one could use to solve problems. Characters who | | took the Dr. Who option and went with high charisma and wits could talk, lie, and | | cheat through situations that gun bunnies and barbarians would have to hack, slash || and blast their way through. | Planescape: Torment seems to devote itself even more to this concept of alternate | conflict resolutions. It seems like almost every problem can either be talked, cheated, | | or beaten down, creating an RPG worth playing through multiple times. Sure, a dumb | muscle-bunny might be able to take out that giant skeleton at a mere level three, but n | it's far more entertaining to dismantle the magic that animates it, causing it to collapse into a pile of bones and picking up a n Û er experience bonus and an enchanted breastplate to boot. * Ifyou enjoyed Baldur's Gate, prepare for a grand experience that far surpasses its forebear. Planescape has plenty to see, | plenty to try, a heck of a lot of conversation, and a whole mess of items and combat for the more hack n’ slash minded. All you | | have to do is pick your attributes and get rolling. |

[*

Quake 3: Arena - M id -

While | have to hand it | to Quake 3 for being a} gorgeous game, | found | Unreal Tournament to be | superior, with more inter- mam = esting play modes, tutorials, and most importantly, kick-butt weapons. Quake 3’s guns just weren't very exciting. Can't wait for the hate mail.

Wild Wild West - Southpeak Interactive —

| thought this game would be horrible. Mixing adventure elements like puzzle solving апа detective work with Resident Evil 6. action (only a little faster), Wild Wild West actually manages to be fairly entertaining. Most licensed games don't get bet- ter than this.

Star Trek: Hidden Evil - Activision - | In this Star Trek | game you follow Data | and Picard (voiced by | the actual actors from | the series) and help ^ them with missions. Fighting and puzzle solving are entertaining, reminding me of the old Quest games. It's another surprisingly good Star Trek game.

The Wheel of Time e - GT Interactive — |,

Based оп Robert Jordan's popular Wheel of Time series, which the man has milked for all its ` worth over the course of eight books (so far), this excellent game runs smoothly, looks good, and has a lot of intense action and puzzles. Think of it as a shooter/RPG.

Y2K - Interplay -

Considering the amount of time this game probably wasn't completed in and its half-assed marketing scheme, Y2K is somewhat impressive. The graphics are only moderately poor and the interface is almost decent. Unfortunately it's neither funny nor fun. It's only 20 bucks, but even that isn't worth it.

By Beaux, The Arcade Assassin It is a very dark and cold day for the.ol’ Arcade Assassin. It seems as though my local arcade is closing and I'll have to find a new one. This is more than just an inconvenience. It is a sign of the imminent downfall of the arcade world. | know many of you are saying to yourselves, “No big deal. With home systems as good as they are, who needs arcades?” You do have a point, but arcades have a different environment and feel to them. Where else can you go to test your gaming skills against countless hungry competitors? You see, the arcades are a part of the gaming world and without them we will become mere shells of the gamers we once were. | ask all of you to heed my warn- ing and go out to support your local arcades, before it is too late. Also on another note, if anyone has seen my robotic titanium hand, dod return it. The optional mop attachment isn't working too well.

Architecture: Unknown

Style: 1 or 2-Player Fighting

Special Features: Three-On-Three Battles; Support Characters; Same Great Lineup With a Few New Characters; Super Moves; Anticipation That Rivals Christmas

Created by: Capcom

Available: Mid-to-Late 2000

here is something about the idea of a new Capcom basher that

makes me all warm inside. Maybe it's the companionship of fellow

gamers at the 'cades, or maybe it's the friendly rivalries it produces. Nah, it's got to be schooling cocky young punks. Either way Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 looks to delight us in all areas. Capcom has drastically increased the roster with some returning characters from previous Marvel/Capcom games and a few new ones as well. Gameplay seems to be tweaked a bit with the addition of a third tag team partner, and a new combo system to take advantage of the new warrior. The eye candy associated with supers has also been stepped up, with so many colors flashing at once you will be rolling on the ground choking on your tongue with glee. Although it's due in a few months, the wait for Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 will seem like an eternity.

Architecture: 3D- FX

Style: 1 to 4-Player Action/Adventure

Special Features: Password Save; Eight Characters to Begin With & Eight Alter Egos; Prizes Awarded for Faithful

Players; Secret Areas & Power-Ups Created By: Midway Available: 2nd Quarter

rcade owners of the world rejoice at the return of Gauntlet. The mighty

quarter muncher is back and stronger than ever with many new fea-

tures to rob you of your precious silver circles. Along with the original line- up, Midway will introduce four additional combatants: The Sorceress, Knight, Dwarf, and the most integral member of any adventuring group the, um...Jester? All the levels from Legends are here (but spiced up a bit), as well as five new worlds to conquer. Gameplay will be pretty much the same with a few new innovations. For one, there is a new block feature that will help slow the inevitable need to feed it another token. Midway has also added new turbo moves to add variety and a combo system. Overall, Gauntlet: Dark Legacy looks to be more of the same old Gauntlet, but should still be an entertaining outlet for the pesky jingle in your pocket.

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Game Informer * March 2000 Q

Nintendo 64 ` by Reiner, The Raging Gamer 222

* Size: 256 Megabit

* Style: 1-Player Role-Playing Game

* Special Features: Raise Livestock & Grow Crops; Train & Race Horses; Farm Mercantile; Soil Tilling; Seed Spreading; Seasonal Changes; Money & Item Management

* Replay Value: Moderately Low

* Created by: Natsume

* Available: Now for Nintendo 64

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Nintendo 64

by Erik, The PC Jedi

* Size: 128 Megabit

* Style: 1-Player Action/Platform

* Special Features: Play as Different Tarzan Characters; Unlock Stinkin' Pictures From the Movie & Descriptive Text; Disintegrate Enemies With Fruit or a Knife; Mellow Music; Different Modes of Gameplay

* Replay Value: Moderately Low

* Created by: Disney Interactive & Eurocom for Activision

* Available: Now for Nintendo 64

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Nintendo 64

by Paul, The Game Professor

* Size: 128 Megabit

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Sports

* Special Features: 3 Day Tournaments; Speed Fishing & Casting Minigames; Underwater Lure Cam; Authentic Equipment; Commentary by Shaw Grigsby; Controller & Rumble Pak Compatible

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: Mass Media for THQ

* Available: Now for Nintendo 64

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment

Bottom Line:

Harvest Moon ®4:

The entire goal of this offbeat RPG is to perform farming activities like clearing land, growing `

crops, and raising livestock. After eight hours of tilling soil, smashing rocks, and collecting chicken eggs, | found myself exhausted and in awe of how difficult farming really is. Harvest Moon will keep you on your toes, and demand that you push yourself to the limit each and every day, with each and every harvest. For

someone who loves to slay dragons, | was : surprised by how truly engrossed | was in this '

virtual farming sim. The play is a tad slow, but it really needs to be for it to be accurate. While strange graphical flickers occur, the look is also quite pleasant and appropriate for this type of

game. Natsume has been quiet for years, but |

think this title will put it on the map, and N64

owners seeking a new challenge will : appreciate what this developer has dished out. ` Harvest Moon is by no means the saving RPG —

grace for the N64, but it is diverse and challenging in a fun way.

Ша Әй

J| This game is attractive, but follows Disney

Interactive's textbook formula for all of its platform games. Collect all the letters and you get a prize! In the PlayStation version of the

game you got FMV clips from the movie. That j

wasn't very exciting. Now for the N64 version of

the game, all you get is a stinkin’ piece of sketch

art and a couple sentences of text that explains

what's happening in the picture. The platforming itself is okay, but nothing special. You can +

unlock bonus levels to get more coins in order 4 to get more lives so you can make it through more levels and continue the cycle of mediocre

7

platforming. Most of the bonus levels consist of |

floating down a river or riding an animal a la Crash Bandicoot. Of the standard levels, most offer a fairly dull platforming experience with the occasional Crash Bandicoot run-from-boulder rip-off, only with elephants or baboons instead of a large rock. Tarzan is a pretty game and offers a fair amount of challenge, but the

platforming is pretty ho-hum. There are plenty |

of better games out there.

Bassmasters 2000

Considering the last fishing game | played on N64, | was pleasantly surprised by this game. It has plenty of options and a nice variety of fish. Of course, the only ones you seek are bass. Even on the easiest of settings, finding the fish is challenging. However, the underwater cam will aid in zeroing in on the big hogs. If you want to get your line wet, | suggest a rental.

Nintendo 64

` by Paul, The Game Professor

* Size: 256 Megabit

* Style: 1 Player Action/Adventure

* Special Features: 4 Playable Characters; Story Takes Place Before Original N64 Game; Controller & Expansion Pak Compatible

* Replay Value: Low

* Created by: KCE Kobe for Konami

* Available: Now for Nintendo 64

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment

Bottom Line:

Potion hop Dealer.

Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness

lf truth be told about this game, it is what the original game should have been if it weren't for Konami rushing the product to market. That isn't saying much because this Castlevania still has some of the worst playcontrol around. There are some new areas and new characters,. but essentially this is just a crude update of the same game. Ick. Stay far away. This game, like its N64 predecessor, is a disgrace to the fine Castlevania name.

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PlayStation

by Matt, The Original Gamer

* Size: 1 CD-ROM * Style: 1-Player Action

* Special Features: 2 Game Modes;

Care & Feeding of Virtual Baby Smurf; 17 Levels; Hamster Racing; 3 Language Settings; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible

* Replay Value: Low

* Created by: Heliogame for Infogrames

Yoo see, zee conceept of sis game ees, how | БС АИС

yoo say?... an actung-platformere starring le Schlumpfs. I'm a little perplexed by this title. It's very simple and slightly dull, so one would assume that it's being marketed to children. Unfortunately, | don't think kids in this country have watched The Smurfs since around 1988. Ah, the French. They're such a silly people. The Smurfs is a good-looking title that might be a decent game for a very young gamer, but most will find it hard to stay interested in the little bluebies' quest.

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line:

If you think about it, Jackie Chan is the prototypical video game star. He's as quick as Sonic, as charismatic as Crash, cuddlier than Pikachu, and has fighting skills that put Ryu to

| shame. He even has a cute foreign accent like

Mario. It seems to me that hardcore gamers, suffering from the early stages of acute muscle atrophy, would salivate uncontrollably at the chance to recreate Chan's high-flying stunts without leaving their chairs. Hence, this

3 game must have seemed like a brilliant idea

in its conceptual stages. Unfortunately, Stuntmaster lacks direction. It's basically a brawler, with a dash of platforming thrown into the mix. While it's not a bad game, there isn't enough focus to make any of the elements

Û interesting. As a platformer, Stuntmaster is ho-

hum. The fighting is too simple to be truly compelling, and the action isn't hectic enough to make it a great brawler. Factor in subpar

Û control, dingy environments, blocky graphics;

and you have yet another promising title destined for the close-but-not-quite file.

Shoot Out 2000

Mired in delays, Shoot Out 2000 was expected to be held back until February of 2000, but in

| a surprise move, 989 Studios launched it just

before Christmas. Once you pop this game in your PlayStation, it becomes quite obvious that 989 should have let this one cook in the oven a while longer, as Shoot Out 2000 is horrible. The play control is only OK when compared to NBA Live's awesome showing this year; and the Al is perhaps the worst yet, letting the player light it up from almost anywhere on the court. The simulation also

| has a number of quirks, like the Boston Celtics | making the playoffs every year (with the

second best record in the league), players having been left off rosters, and no restraints having been placed on player trades (so that

4 the dream trade of Anthony Peeler for Allen

Iverson can come true). Certainly there are some high points to this game, like the Create Dunk and the...well...hey, it's got all the teams!

ЛӨТ Loop

Crave ripped a page out of the Wipeout handbook when they designed this game. Everything from the looping track designs to the generic techno score reveals the influence of the groundbreaking Wipeout series. The one innovative element in the game, which allows you to use a magnet to stick to the tops of tracks, succeeded in making Killer Loop more interesting. It failed to make the game more fun, and the lack of a two-player mode places Killer Loop squarely behind the curve. Killer Loop — See Racing Games, Mediocre.

PlayStation

by Matt, The Original Gamer

* Style: 1-Player Action

* Special Features: Combines Platforming & Martial Arts; Multiple Weapons; Interactive Environments; Motion Capture & Voice-Overs by Jackie Chan; 15 Levels; Drunken Master Style

* Replay Value: Moderately Low

* Created by: Radical Entertainment for Midway

* Available: Now for PlayStation

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line:

PlayStation

by Andy, The Game Hombre

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

e Style: 1 or 4-Player Sports

* Special Features: Advanced Offense & Defense With Icon Cutting, Dunking, Dribbling, & Passing; Season, Exhibition, & Play-Offs Game Modes; Create Dunk; Roster Management With Create Player, Trade, & Draft; Touch Shooting

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: 989 Studios

* Available: Now for PlayStation

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

PlayStation by Matt, The Original Gamer

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1-Player Racing

* Special Features: Weapons & Power-Ups; 360? Tracks; 4 Vehicle Classes; 8 Tracks; Hidden Tracks; Shortcuts; 4 Game Modes; Magnetism

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: Crave Entertainment

* Available: Now for PlayStation

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line:

Game Informer * March 2000 Ó

е ЕМЕВҮОМЕ PlayStation А by Reiner, The Raging Gamer As ruler of an ancient Chinese fiefdom, the - = player is asked to manage resources, strive for * Size: 1 CD-ROM economic prosperity, and achieve military * Style: 1-Player Strategy dominance before neighboring factions rise to * Special Features: New Battle power. With this sixth installment (fifth in the Men БЕ Ѕігаіев!еѕ; States), Koei has turned this slow-moving LL Буепіѕ; Ѕпогі Ѕсепапіоѕ, strategy game into a wickedly complex entity î Diele sni: qi ` 8 that holds thousands of hours of play. After a | > à Ke : элын e т bo Hêl lengthy absence, Romance has returned with a а жиы чү! ы: Non s slew of new features that only add more [* ipee as rd confusion and strategy to the mix. Along with the à highly craved naval units of Wu, the northern Riders and mountaineers of Shu have been implemented as new battle units. In addition to Concept: i this, over 100 historical events have been Graphics: programmed into the wars, and can be viewed Sound: : inthe new Chronological Records’ system. Best Playability: of all, battles now feature better interaction and Entertainment: improved graphics. Most gamers will find Romance VI to be an exhausting experience » A a Avi | that moves at a snail's pace. Only those truly b^ Î | intrigued by feudal China will find Romance VI : е ew Tio Werde shall slep letter : a historically ассигаїе simulation that shines in its delivery and its gameplay depih.

PlayStation A by a ACTOR | Crusaders of Might and Magic can be z accurately summed up in three words: * Size: 1 CD-ROM medieval Tomb Raider. Your character, Drake, HE mam must work his way out of a dungeon and then * Special Features: Multiple take on quests to save the land from the eS ЕЕЕ ЕДЕН Legion of the Damned. Along the way, you'll DAP n face monsters and traps, pick up new arms COE level Advancement, © and spells, and gain experience and go up LALES er Smale levels, Crusaders look, level design, camera, î Vas > oe: WIESE Dt and puzzle solving all heartily salute Lara Croft : Pian a by: lew Worle бош as the source of inspiration, but since the 0 game has a sword and sorcery slant, it feels даан: Node for PlayStation somewhat fresh. Crusaders is also a bit more à combat heavy than TR, but unfortunately its Concept: i melee system eventually becomes a ho-hum Graphics: experience. Most enemies can be defeated by Sound: i blocking with your shield and then striking а Playability: blow of your own. Combat becomes a bit more Entertainment: challenging when you face more than one opponent, but spells can be used to quickly even the odds. If you're like me — a D&D nerd who likes most anything in a Conan vein - then Crusaders will probably appeal to you. Others

will most likely quit after the first quest.

PlayStation en, South Fark Rally M playstation by Andy, The Game Hombre jiz | p3 by Andy, The Game Hombre

* Size: 1 CD-ROM * Size: 1 CD-ROM * Style: 1 or 2-Player Racing j * Style: 1 or 2-Player Fighting * Special Features: Arcade, Vs., & : тт .* Special Features: 12 Characters Championship Racing; 14 Tracks; " | | Plus 2 Hidden; Hollywood-Style 30 Characters; Multiple Silly a 4 Computer Generated Opening Weapons; Wacky Voice Clips Mesue | i ШШ Movie; Fierce, Super Special, * Replay Value: Moderately Low у 3 Counter Attack, & Overdrive Power * Created by: Tantalus for Acclaim LAP 23 ur ê Attacks; Arcade & Vs. Modes * Available: Now for PlayStation эги яи: | | * Replay Value: Moderate i | * Created by: SNK [ . How the show can be sooo funny and the * Available: Now for PlayStation When | popped in this game and the opening games sooo amazingly annoying | have no movie started playing, | was psyched to check out Concept: idea. It could be skill, talent, and a drive to Concept: this new 3D Fatal Fury — a classic fighter to any Graphics: З create superior product on the part of Acclaim, Graphics: i old-school players out there. The opening movie И but | doubt it. Pick from aplethora of South Park Sound: : came up, and | was amazed by its five minute Entertainment: personalities, take them to the track, and blast Playability: length and how it unveiled the origins of Terry's away at the other racers with silly weapons of айыыны la ^ hat, but that is about the end of the fun. The ped like ` iple. e en he " Û gameplay graphics are so horrible they don't even ine: unny. Ihe graphics, in typical South park style, ine: hold up to Battle Arena Toshinden. Plus the Bottom Line: are bad, but the racing is even worse. Only Bottom Line: з fighting s rather bland and doesn't require any real hardcore South Park fans need apply. technique. Fatal Fury deserves better than this. © Game Informer * March 2000

DEER WARE ЕК2

| Му second love was Daisy Duke, and the first

car | ever wanted to own was an orange Dodge Charger with a confederate flag painted on top. If you don't know what I'm talking about, steer clear of this shoddily- developed game. The premise is decent. You have to race through Hazzard County in the General Lee and six other vehicles, meet objectives, dodge the law, and help out your kin folk. Unfortunately, horrible playcontrol, lame two-player action, and the occasional serious bug (like falling through the ground) make Dukes of Hazzard a frustrating gaming experience at best. The only real thing it has going for it is its sheer camp value. If you loved the show, rent this game, as it's a righteously entertaining experience to view the cutscenes between missions and listen to the banter over the CB that occurs when Roscoe and Enos crash into each other. Don't get me wrong. The game really is horrid. | might pick up a copy just to have in the library, but not until it hits the bargain bin in a big way.

No one was happier than me to discover that ECW was finally getting its due in the world of video games. So maybe | was setting myself up for disappointment with my high expectations. | still feel that Hardcore Revolution is a good game, but it's missing a lot of details that give ECW its unique feel. Neither Sabu or RVD have Fonzie on the outside to throw them chairs; New Jack's music doesn't play through his entire match; and rarely can you find a table on the outside, much less easily throw someone through one. The crowd occasionally gets some good

| chants going, but for some odd reason there's

no mature setting in the language option despite the game's M rating; and never once

| did | hear Joey Styles say his classic, "Oh my

God!" Just like Attitude, the PlayStation version of Hardcore Revolution has better sound, but the N64 has better graphics and no loading times. If you have both systems, go with the N64 version, but don't feel like you're getting ripped off if you've only got a PS-X.

Silent Bomber

j This game casts the player in the role of Jutah,

a pawn in service of a monolithic organization who becomes disillusioned with his morally repugnant duties. Hmm...reminds me of working for Game Informer. Actually, Silent Bomber proved to be an unexpected ray of hope in my otherwise bleak existence. In recent years, the "running around and shooting stuff" game has had its reputation sullied by such unplayable dreck as Expendable and Assault Retribution. Thankfully, Silent Bomber restores some dignity to this beleaguered genre. This feat is accomplished by providing an interesting twist on the traditional shooter gameplay. Instead of blasting gats, you plant bombs on your enemies, then detonate them with another button. Different types of bombs can be combined to great effect, but you must be careful to stay out of the blast radius. This adds a slight strategic element to the game that many of its stripe lack, as does the ability to

Î upgrade your mecha suit. The graphics, while

not spectacular, are more than capable of

Жал keeping up with the frenzied action. Well done.

PlayStation

by Erik, The PC Jedi

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Action/Racing

* Special Features: General Lee & 6 Other Cars; Power-Ups Include Oil Slicks, Nitro, Tool Boxes, Arrows, & Dynamite Arrows; 27 Missions; 5 Voice Actors From the Original Show; Yeeee Haww!

* Replay Value: Moderately Low

* Created by: Sinister Games for SouthPeak Interactive

* Available: Now for PlayStation

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line:

PlayStation by Jay, The Gonzo Gamer

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1 to 4-Player Fighting

* Special Features: Over 40 Wrestlers; More Reversals & Double Team Maneuvers; Expanded Create-A-Wrestler; Create-A-PPV; Career Mode; Over 400 Moves; Mr. Monday Night; Dual Shock & Analog Compatible

* Replay Value: High

* Created by: Acclaim

* Available: February 17 for PlayStation

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line: 8. 25

PlayStation

by Matt, The Original Gamer

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1-Player Action

* Special Features: Multiple Bombs & Power-Ups; Collect E- Chips To Upgrade Mecha Suit; Audio Mission Updates; Tutorial Mode; CG Cutscenes; Napalm

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: Cyber Connect for Bandai

* Available: February 29th for PlayStation

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line: 7. 75

Game Informer • March 2000 ©

AT DA NZA

EVERYONE

PlayStation by Jay, The Gonzo Gamer

* Size: 1 CD-ROM

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Racing

* Special Features: 56 Vehicles (27 Hidden) With 3 Upgrades Each; 21 Tracks; 10 Power-Ups; 5 Modes (Team, Local Championship, Legend Championship, Showdown, & Time Trial); Dual Shock & Analog Compatible

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: EA Sports

* Available: February 15 for PlayStation

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Dreamcast by Andy, The Game Hombre

* Size: 1 GD-ROM

* Style: 1-Player Action/Adventure

* Special Features: 5 Abilities To Acquire Including Phasing, Wall Crawling, Swimming, Constricting, & Force; CG & Real-Time Cutscenes; Improved Textures & Lighting Effects Over PlayStation; VMU & Jump Pack Compatible

* Replay Value: Low

* Created by: Crystal Dynamics for Eidos

* Available: Now for Dreamcast

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom line: Ө

| by Paul, The Game Professor

* Size: 1 GD-ROM

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Puzzle

* Special Features: 6 Modes of Gameplay; Head-To-Head Play; Techno Soundtrack; VMU Compatible

* Replay Value: Moderate

e Created by: Zed Two/Imagineer for Acclaim/Xicat

* Available: Now for Dreamcast

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment

Bottom Line: 9

NASCAR Rumble

NASCAR Rumble does something that | never thought possible — it makes me enjoy playing a NASCAR game. Gone are the cement ovals

It's time to take the stock cars (and trucks) out |

on the open road. Rumble's tracks are great, presenting a variety of environments, obstacles, and shortcuts. The game also moves smoothly at high speeds with no pop-up whatsoever. Combine these factors with the staggering number of vehicles and some fun power-ups and what you have here is a great

game...almost. Rumble's main problem is that :

it's too easy to win in Championship mode, th

main part of the game. Once you learn how to handle yourself when someone uses a tornado power-up on you, you'll be able to earn first place pretty consistently. So the Al isn't up to

snuff, but that means multiplayer should still be f a blast, right? Well, no. The fast and smooth |

game that is one-player NASCAR Rumble turns into a choppy, somewhat frustrating experience in two-player. It's a really great game to rent, but buy it only if you need an ego boost.

Legacy of Kain: Soul

For those of you out there who hoped that Crystal Dynamics would shore up some of the problems with the PlayStation version of Soul Reaver on the Dreamcast, this game is somewhat disappointing as it is exactly the |

same as its PlayStation counterpart except for #

better resolution, higher frames-per-second,

and better lighting and particle effects. For]

those of you out there who haven't played this one yet, Soul Reaver is a nice addition to the Dreamcast library. It is a solid action/adventure featuring some great cutscenes, bloody action, and lots of cool things to find and discover. Even so, | must

warn you that many of the things you have to!

find, like the Glyphs, really don't do anything but give you more powers — and the ending is one

of the worst | have seen in years. Luckily the; trip there is quite entertaining, and out of the | onslaught of ports coming to the Dreamcast, }

Soul Reaver is definitely a bright spot.

If you remember, Wetrix is a puzzle game that came out for N64 and PC in 1998. This game is essentially a port of the PC game with some minor additions. Wetrix is a unique and fairly addicting puzzle game, but the entertainment wears thin after a few short hours. There just isn't much variety. My advice for fans of puzzle games is to wait for Chu Chu Rocket and skip Wetrix.

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. Dreamcast - by Matt, The Original Gamer

* Size: 1 GD-ROM * Style: 1-Player Action * Special Features: Very

Destructible Environments; Wide

Array of Weaponry; 1st & 3rd- Person Perspective; Limited Inventory; Everything Explodes; VMU & Jump Pack Compatible * Replay Value: Moderately Low * Created by: Core for Eidos * Available: Now for Dreamcast

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line:

-€

The Fighting Force series has already subjected PlayStation owners to some of the most stupid and boring gameplay known to man; now it's time for the Dreamcast crowd to suffer. Hampered by tedious combat, moronic missions, and an aggravating inventory system, Fighting Force 2 is like a frozen turdcicle - it may look appetizing, but quickly leaves a bad taste in your mouth. This game could make the Dhali Lama throw a hissy fit. For the poor fools that dare to buy FF2, may God have mercy on your souls.

— н von

Incoming

_ Shooters were once a major genre for video games. Since then, most of us have had our fill and would like to move on to something a little less mindless. Then the occasional game like Nanotech Warrior comes along and provides a high-speed dodge and blow ‘em up experience worth renting at the very least. Incoming is not | one of those games. When | first played it, | = was somewhat interested and amused by Û gunning down countless alien fighters and _ tanks, but | lost interest quickly. While most of the missions have actual objectives, like escorting tanks with a helicopter or defending | a base from a gun emplacement, it all comes | down to the same tedious goal: Shoot ‘em up and make sure you finish the job before the next wave rolls in. On top of that, awkward control, so-so graphics, and sluggish vehicles add to the monotony. If you miss the bygone ` days of blowing up everything that moves in a game with no plot, no complicated objectives, and no real substance, rent this one; but I'd rather eat a cold, three-day old burrito than spend money on Incoming.

| Elemental Gimmick Gean

4. Elemental Gimmick Gear, the newest RPG for Dreamcast, uses the old plotline chestnut of „ your character being stricken with amnesia and in search of his identity. But in this case, the protagonist has a stout suit of mechanized armor to help him with his cause. EGG borrows heavily from Legend of Zelda in its gameplay. Your character wanders around an overhead ve, Map littered with strange beasts. Killing ! monsters garners you gabaro (rupee), energy balls (hearts), or crystals to charge your special „ Weapons. As you continue through the game, Û you'll find energy tanks that increase your health, and new gimmicks and special weapons | that allow you to get into places you weren't formerly able to get into. EGG’s most original Û feature is its shift to a kind of 3D fighting game Û when you face a boss character. Unfortunately, the secret to winning these battles is usually block, let your opponent attack, punch, repeat. EGG is in all ways average, falling far short of the game it attempts to emulate. It will hold your interest, but have you wishing you were playing = Link rather than a golden robot.

Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense

‚ T We liked Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense on the N64

and PlayStation, but it just doesn’t stand out as well on the Dreamcast. While the graphics are certainly sharper, we encountered occasional z= Collision problems, and the game could have =~ benefited from the speed that the Dreamcast ` has to offer. Despite these complaints, Vigilante =“) 8 has a lot to offer with 18 cars, special weapons, and the ability to upgrade your vehicles by picking up salvage tokens from destroyed opponents. When you acquire enough points in any given category, your car will get a cosmetic alteration and have better performance. Maxing out all of the categories awards the player with a completely redesigned chassis. Going through the entire complement of vehicles, unlocking new ones, and upgrading them all to 100% makes for a whole heck of a | lot of replay value. While it's pretty clear where | we've always stood on the Twisted Metal vs. Vigilante 8 argument, 2nd Offense is nothing to scoff at and deserves serious consideration from fans of either, especially library-starved Dreamcast owners.

by Erik, The PC Jedi

* Size: 1 GD-ROM

* Style: 1-Player Shooter

* Special Features: Shoot From Perspective of Tanks, Gun Emplacements, Fighter Planes, Helicopters, & Alien Craft; Text Between Missions Informs You of Storyline; Real-Time Cutscenes Add Vague Sense of Urgency

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: Rage for Interplay

* Available: Now for Dreamcast

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom line: 5,5

by Jay, The Gonzo Gamer

* Size: 1 GD-ROM

* Style: 1-Player Role-Playing Game

* Special Features: No Random Encounters; 4 EGG Upgrades; 12 Special Weapons; Close 3D Combat for Fighting Bosses; Classic Amnesia Storyline; VMU Compatible

* Replay Value: Low

* Created by: Hudson Soft for Vatical

* Available: Now for Dreamcast

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line: 7

by Erik, The PC Jedi

* Size: 1 GD-ROM

* Style: 1 to 4-Player Action

* Special Features: 18 Cars (10 New); 12 Levels; Destructible Environments; Arcade, Quest, Survival, & Several Multiplayer Modes; Special Combo Moves Unique to Each Weapon; Cosmetic & Performance Upgrades

* Replay Value: High

* Created by: Luxoflux for Activision

* Available: Now for Dreamcast

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line:

Game Informer * March 2000 ©

by Reiner, The Raging Gamer

* Size: 1 GD-ROM 0

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Shooter

* Special Features: 4 Playable Characters, Each With Exclusive Weapons; Reflective Force Shielding; Unique Score Multiplier; Enhanced Graphics Surpass Arcade Version

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: Takumi/Capcom

* Available: March for Dreamcast

Concept: Graphics: Sound: . Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom tine: 7.5

Neo Geo Pocket Color by Jay, The Gonzo Gamer * Size: 16 Megabit

* Style: 1 or 2-Player Fighting/Action

* Special Features: 26 Characters (8 Hidden); 6 Difficulties; Single,

Tag, & Team Battles; 4 Minigames;

Character & Team Creation; Earn Points To Unlock New Moves; Compatible With Other NGPC & Dreamcast Games

* Replay Value: High

* Created by: SNK

* Available: Now for Neo Geo Pocket Color

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line: 9

by Erik, The PC Jedi * Size: 8 Megabit * Style: 1 or 2-Player Racing

* Special Features: Bird's Eye View

of Race; Remarkable FMV Intro; 5

Worlds; 20 Tracks; Unlock a New

Racer for Each Course You Beat;

Turbo and Fast Starts; Built-in

Rumble Feature; Vehicle Damage * Replay Value: Moderately High

* Created by: LucasArts & Nintendo * Available: Now for Game Boy Color

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line: 8. 25 © Game Informer * March 2000

Giga Wing

The introductory sequences show that Giga

Wing is both as beautiful and challenging as |

the classic arcade shooter, 1942. The enemy formations are well thought out and the explosions are magnificent, blinding the player

and delivering thunderous sounds. Minutes | , later this legendary gameplay scenario LJ. 3^ changes, and Giga Wing shows its true colors. j

| swear to the gaming gods, there must have | been over 100 stray bullets onscreen at once! Explosions ricocheted from corner to corner!

Lights flashed chaotically! | lost my ship in the ji confusion and realized | had no idea what was

going оп. For the first time in my life, | thought If

| was going to have an epileptic seizure if | Bi kept watching the colors dance. To put it li mildly, Giga Wing is the most psychotic | shooter out there. Just watching it makes you f queasy. Surprisingly, it’s actually an easy f game to beat. The true difficulty lies within

your body. If you can avoid convulsions and | foaming at the mouth, and enjoy the challenge of 2D scrolling shooters, Capcom's Giga Wing lî is st a look.

| Match of the Millennium looks and TT very |a

much like the rest of the Pocket Color's fighters, but its overwhelming number of characters and Ж options really puts this one over the top. Thanks to the NGPC's joystick, the game's control is accurate and makes purposefully pulling off P special moves very possible. SNK has also |J thrown in a pile of cool little features, such as TI being able to name your own character and |

team, then entering what they say when they | win. As a fighting game alone, MoM would have E scored very healthily, but MoM is so much more. By playing special tournaments and minigames in the Olympics mode, you can earn points that can be used to purchase new moves for characters. Data from MoM can also be| downloaded or uploaded to Card Fighter's Clash | for МОРС, and SNK vs. Capcom and King of f Fighter Dream Match 1999 for Dreamcast with the link cable. Match of the Millennium is the best handheld fighter around, and any fan of the old | punch/kick combo should consider purchasing a B Pocket Color for this game alone.

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* Size: 4 Megabit

* Style: 1-Player Action

* Special Features: Based on Old Computer Game; 15 Missions; Bombs, Rockets, Torpedoes, & 1 Machine Guns; Dive Bombs, Barrel MES Rolls, & Carrier Take Off/Landing; Destroy Jeeps, Fuel Trucks, Ships, & More

* Replay Value: Moderately Low

* Created by: Red Orb for Mindscape

* Available: Now for Game Boy Color

m

If you're looking for something close to the N64's Racer on the Game Boy, LucasArts and Nintendo have done a pretty good job of it. The racing itself is fairly simple but challenging, requiring the player to memorize each track carefully in order to avoid careless use of the game's turbo feature and slamming into a wall for major vehicle damage. With 20 vehicles to unlock and some insanely difficult tracks, Racer is worthy of a purchase.

Wings of Fury provides a decent classic gaming experience that suffers from a relatively short number of levels and not so interesting gameplay. lts fun to dive-bomb gun emplacements and try to hit moving jeeps, but after a while it just started to feel like the same | old thing over and over again. If you fondly | remember this game and its many clones from the pre-PC computer days, you may want to check it out, but it's nothing special.

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line: 7]

па

Bring Home The Fun

Expected to be available February 18, 2000

N64 Transfer Pak Included

ras

Expected to be available March 7, 2000.

Reserve your copy today at FuncoLand!!!

Also, available is the Nintendo Players Guide for Pokemon Stadium.

with two controllers

Game Boy Color azer

available April 2, 2000

Your Choice

Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow

NINTENDO:

Visit us € www.funcoland.com

Limit one per customer. Quantities are limited. Quantities and product selection vary by store. Prices and offers expire March 31, 2000. Manufacturer reserves the right to delay game title at their discretion. Nintendo 64, “N” logo, Game Boy, Pokemon and Nintendo are registered trademarks of Nintendo of America. © 2000 Funco, Inc. FuncoLand is a registered trademark of Funco, Inc. All rights reserved.

Game Boy Color by Erik, The PC Jedi

Monsters Monsters; Vs. › idden Guardian Creatur e

Collect; Crossbreed Monsters Via Link Cable

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: Armor Project & Bird Studios for Enix

* Available: Now for Game Boy Color (Game Boy)

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom line: Ө

Game Boy Color by Jay, The Gonzo Gamer

* Size: 16 Megabit

* Style: 1-Player Action/Platform

* Special Features: 2 Playable Characters; 22 Levels; Weapons (Assault Rifle, Rocket Launcher, & Flamethrower); Sniper Mode; Overhead View Mode; Classic NES Gameplay; Voices; Battery Save

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: Capcom for Nintendo

* Available: Now for Game Boy Color

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Game Boy Color |3

by Jay, The Gonzo Gamer

* Size: 8 Megabit

* Style: 1-Player Action/Platform

* Special Features: 11 Levels; Minigames; 9 Gex Disgu Swimming, Snowboarding, Kangaroo Riding; No Annoying Voice-Overs

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: IMS for Eidos

* Available: Now for Game Boy Color

Concept: Graphics: Sound: Playability: Entertainment:

Bottom Line: 7.5

The еле begins. Brought to you by the | Sp isah '

people who created the original Dragon Warrior |} poop hit TERRY.

series, this game vaguely resembles the older | ии а - Dragon Warrior games іп terms of its rather simplistic combat sequences, but conceptually f it's a Pokémon rip-off in which the player | collects monsters and uses them to fight and | capture other critters. That's really not such a f bad thing considering the wealth of monsters to | collect and crossbreed into new ones, and the E... game does feature a fairly lengthy quest. If you |. t* loved Pokémon for the game as opposed to the hype and immense fanfare that surrounds the Poképhenomenon, you'll definitely get your kicks out of this game. If you're one of those Pokéfreaks who can recite the entire Pokémon cartoon theme song (you know who you are), it's unlikely you'll find the characters interesting enough to obsess over as the majority of them aren't very cute. But if you're tired of the same old 150 monsters and can't wait for Silver and Ê Gold to come out, this game should tide you over for the interim.

Bionic Commando: Elite Forces

All the classic gameplay elements you loved

from the NES Bionic Commando are present} in the Game Boy Color Elite Forces. The graphics have been given a Rush N' Attack overhaul, with some pretty lush backgrounds T | ^ue thrown in for added ambiance. As always, the [= ٌ SORGA! goal of the game is to use your bionic claw to Ж - | | ee climb and swing your way through levels, Û shooting anyone who gets in your way. The lack of varied weapons is probably the biggest |: disappointment with this game, but it's an f understandable oversight considering that Bionic Commando is more platformer than shooter. The biggest addition to Elite Forces is E a Sniper mode. At certain places on some levels, a crosshair will appear above your character. Pressing up will bring you to a map |. showing the entire level from afar. Scanning & around will give you a limited amount of time!” to kill in one shot every guy on the screen. This new version of Bionic Commando is the first |

Mickey's Racing

Game Boy Color (El, Adventure by Jay, The Gonzo Gamer [224 k2 %4 0/01. a

MAGIC |

° Style: 1- ». er Racing/Adventure

۰ Special Features: 6 C haracters; ourses; 3 Minigames; Collect To Buy Upgrades & Spells;

Car & Boat Racing; Game Boy Printer Compatible

* Replay Value: Moderate

* Created by: Rareware for Nintendo

* Available: Now for Game Boy Color

All the pan from Gex's last PS- X and N64 It's a nice change of pace to see some care adventure have been translated into 2D form actually put into a Game Boy cart, and a Disney and brought to this Game Boy Color title. As Concept: ; title is the last place | expected to see it. This handheld platformers go, Gex 3 has rock-solid Fs a handheld cart racer has it all: plenty of courses, level design, is very vibrant, and is actually quite Playability: | characters, spells (power-ups), and vehicle a large game. The biggest drawback is the Entertainment: upgrades. In addition, there are some control. | guarantee you will die at least once challenging minigames. Mickey’s Racing due to a failed super jump. Other than that, Gex Adventure won't take you an exorbitant amount 3 will satisfy any old-school platforming your Bottom Line: of time to finish, but you'll like it all the way to little heart desires. the end.

EXTENDED TIME

This i5 Your Sams ön the blink.

KNY 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. Player's Edge cleaning kits will keep you and your system in the game.

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Cleaning Kits for: NINTENDO? 64 • SUPER NINTENDO? • NINTENDO? • SEGA" GENESIS" * GAME BOY? * GAME GEAR" * MULTIMEDIA & GAME CDs

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PLAYER'S © 1997 Player's Edge. Player's Edge is a trademark of InterAct Accessories, Inc. InterAct Accessories is a trademark of STD Manufacturing LTD. [ Ж] UN гий Wipeout, Wipeout XL апа Psygnosis аге trademarks of Рѕудпоѕіѕ. © 1996 Psygnosis Ltd. Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo, Nintendo апа Game Boy Г] Æ |

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

. CREATED BY: QU 2 ATL

RUAILABLE: 2ND GUARTER Strategy/RPG freaks still worship at the altar of the original Ogre Battle for the SNES, and now the series makes a triumphant return in

relation to Strongman Competition legend Magnus Ver Magnusson), you must lead yet another rebellion against - you guessed it — an oppressive empire. The 320 megabit cartridge is packed with over 50 hours of gameplay, including multiple endings. During the real-time battles, you can control up to 94 characters and 200

warrior personnel. -

CREATED BY: INFOGRAMES SHEFFIELD FOR INFOGRAMES AVAILABLE: SPRING

Does this game have enough to lift it above the fantastic Mario Golf? If you like the PGA’s European Tour, it might. Infogrames’ PGA European Tour is loaded with a whopping 64 actual golfers. These aren't some no-names, but some of the top golfers in the world. Montgomerie, Els, Garcia, Parnevik, and Price are just some of the high caliber golfers included in the line- up. Additionally, with four courses and commentary from Peter Alliss, this game has the makings of one of the best European Golf simulations ever, if that's saying much.

Like its PlayStation counterpart, Track & Field 2000 on N64 is an updated version of the button-mashing arcade hit of the same name that we all know and love from the early ‘80s. Featuring 14 events and four-player action, International Track & Field 2000 delivers a fun experience that old school gamers will appreciate, but the game's depth is rather limited. - However, the addition of Trap Shooting, 110m Hurdles, 100m Breast Stroke, Triple Jump, and Horizontal Bar are nice improvements over the PlayStation version.

Ogre Battle 64. As Magnus Gallant (no

soldiers, as well as six legions of поп-

COMO menue e REKÎ tear

Rock the Rink, EA's new arcade- style hockey title, harks back to its successful Mutant League Hockey for the Genesis. No doubt inspired by the success of NFL Blitz, EA has packed Rock the Rink with enough over-the-top mayhem to leave more traditional hockey titles punch-drunk and

toothless. The gameplay features three-on-three action (plus goalies), and a host of special moves, including leapfrog, helicopter, tornado, and air deke. Satisfy your inner goon by pummeling opponents with body- slams, clothes lines, and even finishing

moves. The soundtrack contains new tracks by the legendary Hanson Brothers (the bespectacled heshers from Slapshot, not those weird, home-schooled Mormon kids).

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т". e : dts views super mini previews super-mi

DECEPTION Ill: DARK DELUSION -

CREATED BY: TECMO AVAILABLE: NOW

The quirky Deception series returns to give gamers another dose of treachery, trickery, and timing. Perhaps a little skulduggery as well, but certainly no buggery. The gameplay remains virtually unchanged from Kagero: Deception Il. Imagine playing Mousetrap with real people and life-or-death stakes. As Я

уои explore labyrinthine

castles, snaring enemies in

your diabolical web of pitfalls,

the storyline is fleshed out by a

bevy of real-time cutscenes.

This time around expect

improved graphics, a new

female protagonist, and a few

fresh boobytraps. Wily gamers

should definitely give this

unique title a look.

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CREATED BY: NAMCO AVAILABLE: SUMMER IN JAPAN (U.S. RELEASE PENDING)

In the United States, Tales of Destiny went over about as well as Reagan’s Star Wars program. lt sucked up a lot cash and ultimately sat on retail shelves as a dust collector. While no U.S. launch has been announced as of yet (surprise, surprise), Namco of Japan is transforming the latest Tales title, Tales of Eternia, into a completely different entity. It now features new character models and graphics, day and night changes, and a Final Fantasy-like battle system.

CREATED BY: 3D0 AVAILABLE: 1ST QUARTER

No doubt inspired by the success of Saving Private Ryan, 3DO's green doughboys are set to star in this video game reenactment of World War Il. This military epic begins with the Green Army storming the beaches of the Tan Empire, much like the storied invasion of Normandy by the Allied Forces. More emphasis is placed on the tactical elements

“чл.

of war, allowing you to call in air strikes, paratroopers, and command infantry units. New WWll-era weapons and vehicles include Howitzers, bazookas, .50 caliber twin machine guns, PT boats, and Jeeps. This game promises to be of even more historical consequence than the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2001 -

CREATED BY: FOX SPORTS INTERACTIVE AVAILABLE: SPRING

Fox Sports is like the Bo Jackson of video game sports. It has the talent and the big name to make it to the top, yet appears to have a broken hip when it comes to actually delivering a quality product. With the PlayStation on its last leg, Fox is making one last run for the top, and from what we've seen of its 2000 line-up, it has a chance to catch 989 and EA. The juggernaut of this line up is definitely the baseball game. In Major League Baseball 2001, Fox has implemented in hundreds of options into a silky smooth gameplay engine. Whether your cup of tea be statistical tracking, player management, or hands-on play, this game is reported to have it all. It even features real player fatigue, Spanish announcing by Jaime Jarrin and authentic Fox Sports sounds and Fox Scope replays!

m c uc E ba Renae BELL PA & Li

Game Informer • March. 2000 63

ег wacky plot

surrounds an insurgent terrorist group that has invaded Hawaii, depriving the U.S. of a major Pacific naval base, and its supply of tanning oil and miniature drink umbrellas. It's up to you and your Harrier Jumpjet to save Don Ho

aircraft, armed with a ares) of weapons. Features in-flight refueling, plus training and 2-player split screen modes.

ICR AVAILABLE: MARCH 3

| While Midway handled Hydro - |

Thunder's conversion to the Dreamcast with aplomb, we were skeptical if the aging PlayStation could handle the game's high-velocity action. Although this PS-X port isn't as beautiful as its DC sister; we wouldn't bd kick it out |

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PNNGTER -4 5

Even better, it plays as well as апу version on any system. All the elements that made this a classic in the arcades, from the insane jumps to secret shortcuts, remain unchanged for Hydro Thunder's PlayStation debut.

CREATED BY: 989 SPORTS Can bowling, the traditional sport of 8 AVAILABLE: SPRING the Johnny Lunchbox, survive in the brave new Willennium? The Cosmic Bowling fad seems to have fallen on its face; we've even seen a local alley stoop to staging a Grateful Dead bowling night. Yuck. ="), THQ seeks to preserve the game, © in video form, for the ages in this Û sequel to last year's successful title. Modes include Skins, Skills Challenge, Amateur and Pro Career, and Tournament. There are 11 Bruswick Pros to play as,

989 Studios is bringing America's long forgotten, favorite pastime back to the PlayStation for yet another installment. This year, detail reigns supreme to such a degree that you'll actually see a red goatee on McGwire, and scowls on all of the faces of players forced into slavery (a.k.a. playing for the Minnesota Twins). A new franchise mode has also been added. This mode rewards the player with valuable points that can be used to bring up hot rookies from the farm leagues. It may look like just another update...but 989 has pieced together a whole new ball game in MLB 2001.

including Parker Bohn Ill and Walter Ray Williams, Jr. If that's not enough, dig into the Create Bowler mode and construct a Sexy ballchucker.

-mirni prev ;

Р TOP SOFTWARE/GEARHEAD ENTERTAINIVENT/TREMOR ENTERTAINMENT FOR TAKE 2

SOFTWARE AVAILABLE: IMARCH

Working at a video game magazine is very Similar to working on a railroad. Yep, the work is just as monotonous, and pounding on a keyboard for twelve hours straight gives us pythons like John ‘The Nail’ Henry. In Railroad Tycoon 2 players are invited to build their own rail, manage their own trains, and that's about it. When it comes to

one of those railroad types would have said years ago. Whether you play with model trains or have looked up to John Henry's corpse as a role model...this simulation will surely make you toot like a choo choo.

CREATED BY: RAGE GAM AVAILABLE: FEBRUARY

Se

Dreamcast

knees in Basic Instinct. Both versions feature nine game modes, 44 European club teams, all European National Teams, and commentary by Jonathan Pearce and Ron Atkinson. The Dreamcast version pumps up the visuals with 9,000 mo-cap animations and runs at a full 30 frames per second.

layin’ down track, you gotta be on the ball, otherwise you may end up in the gut of a grizzly bear. What does this mean? We have no idea, but it sounds like something

of Striker Pro 2000 will hae a han time winning over fans of the excellent, and. established, FIFA series. On the other, Le soccer market on the

PlayStation

Eternal Ring, better known as the wedding band in America, has rocked the development | cycle and now stands poised to accompany the monumental launch of the PlayStation2. From Software, a developer known for putting out a game a year, already has three lined up for the powerful PS-2. Eternal Ring is a first-person RPG that is similar in design to the King's Field series. It features !

gorgeous real-time ^ environ

elemental item combinations, an so huge they make The Big Show. a flea. No U.S. developers have j the chance to bring this game but just like O.J. Simpson, this definitely run loose in the U.S.A.

eviews Super-mi

Game Informer • March’ 2000 © TT

CREATED BY: МАМСО AVAILABLE: MARCH IN JAPAN (FALL IN U.S.)

Last year, Namco set a new standard of graphical excellence with Soul Calibur for the Dreamcast. The stunning visual detail Soul Calibur displayed had many proclaiming it the best looking home console game ever. Can Tekken Tag Tournament surpass its predecessor with mind-blowing polygonal fireworks? We at GI consulted our Magic Eightball, which quickly answered “All Signs Point To Yes.” Whether you believe in the mystical powers of the Eightball or not, there is no doubt that Tekken Tag Tournament will be one of the must-have PS-2 titles.

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si uper- miri preview

CREATED BY: UBI SOFT

AVAILABLE: MARCH

Rayman 2 was one of the highlights of last year’s lackluster Nintendo 64 lineup, and now the man with no arms is looking to fertilize the Dreamcast's barren field of 3D platformers. You know things are bad when gamers have

CREATED BY: MIDWAY AVAILABLE: JUNE

The Gauntlet formula of running | |

and hacking has been proven one

of the most durable in gaming

history. The Dreamcast version of

the latter-day coin-op classic

seems to be a direct port of the

arcade hit. Unlike the recent N64

Gauntlet Legends, you are able to

select each level at the outset

without having to unlock them

through your quest. As it stands, |

gamers who have already blown § é | their laundry money on the arcade а MUN i P rna game or put in serious hours on the fe t4 dd e wg, TRUM USE N64 version shouldn't expect ?

anything new. Hack n' slash

neophytes could find worse ways

to numb their brains with gratuitous

violence.

CREATED BY: EIDOS AVAILABLE: APRIL

Have you always dreamed of having Lara Croft in your pocket? Well now all your dreams can come true as Lara makes her first appearance on Game Boy Color. As you

/ $ @ | would suspect, this 2D sidescroller plays

i iic] К nm mou. | much like Prince of Persia, but the big

JA ties En кз а surprise for Lara fans is that many of her

console counterpart's moves are still here (as

P "iy well as that famous bounce...in her

ANO A TL i step....what were you thinking, you cheeky monkey’).

to depend on the French to bail out their favorite systems.

| This DC port looks drop dead

gorgeous, with hi-res graphics running at 60 frames per second. Fresh features include three new bonus maps, a multiplayer mode, Dolby Surround Sound, and five more Boss Pirates to defeat.

CREATED БҮ: ТЕСМО AVAILABLE: FIRST QUARTER

We were huge fans of the first DOA; now Tecmo looks to up the ante with DOA 2, which might challenge Soul Calibur as the king of the Dreamcast fighters. The game will be a port of the arcade game, with an added Tag Battle mode which allows players to switch characters during combat to perform devastating combo moves. The most innovative aspect of DOA 2

lower level. DOA favorites Ay: new characters Ein, Helena, Le

CR БҮ: ATLUS FOR SEGA ——— | CREATED BY: ANDNOV AVAILABLE: NOW IN JAPAN (1ST QUARTER II — | AVAILABLE: SUMME

enemies. This first-person slice n' dice melee features amazing graphics, and the interesting ability to у! the bodies of certain foes throughot

di

Game Informer e March 2000 Q

WARNING! !

This is a very plot-oriented plenty of cool twists a Read too far ahead screenshots

BASIC TRAINING

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Fear Effect isn’t the toughest game in the world, but there are the occa that can cause trouble, and reloading a game is never fun. We provided basics and also to give a helping hand to people who don’t want to read t

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=PUZ ZLE SZ

When confronted with any kind of : puzzle, check the immediate vicinity = right away. There is almost always a : clue as to what you need to do close by, typically in the form of a note or message written somewhere. If you find something near a puzzle, chances are it's a clue. If it doesn’t seem relevant to what you're doing, look for something amiss. In one case, a note that seemingly has nothing to do with a code actually reveals the numbers by capitalizing words like FOREIGN (4, N).

Combat is ge but there are a well as the Al pretty weak.

ally pretty straightforwar tupid tricks that work qu e cannon fodder enemies i

Choose Your Weapons weapons, but can on shotgun will someti situations where

e assault rifle and shotgu гдеї one enemy at once, although the enemies that are close together. In cing off against multiple enemies, ubmachine guns are a bette is at once will pre io where enemies e, use the assault hat are just standing around, go with

For encounters wit dual targeting.

= FEAR EFFECTS

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hitting them, even enemies, try to sta targeting attack) en your fire.

The cheapest way to get your status back up to green is to save and reload your game. If you don't want to be a lamer, defeating enemies, entering new areas, and acquiring additional weapons and ammo seems to add to your status.

on one or two (in the case of a a time. It doesn't pay to sprea

Sneaking - By movi can sneak up close ti with one mighty blo pistols, you can so if you can get clos Nonhuman enemie

= CUTSCENES

There were at least two instances where we died because we weren’t prepared to hop into an action sequence that occurred right after a cutscene. If an action packed scene pauses right in the middle of an event, keep your finger on the run button and move forward. This will usually get you off to the right start.

physically, and don’t even bother trying it on bosses.

Duck & Knife — Out of ammo and right next to someone? Botch a covert kill attempt? For some reason, ducking close to a gun wielding enemy and repeatedly attacking with the knife seems to make you nigh-invincible against their attacks. Try it, it’s fun.

The Roll - The only form of lateral movement you can pull off in the game is the roll. As such, it's a good maneuver for getting out of the line of fire quickly, but only if you're rolling behind some form of cover. You might think rolling would make you more difficult to hit, but it really doesn't seem to help much and you can't shoot while you're doing it, so rolling is pretty useless. in areas with no cover. “ T

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Game Informer * March 2000 69

After sharing a moment with Glas, the hover car will land on the Lam building. Head to the left, then when the view changes, maneuver to the right. Walk toward the ventilation shaft and activate the console to ascend to the roof. Draw your gun, then meander around the elevated walkway. When in sight, shoot the two guards from behind. Continue on to the ladder and gate. Move in front of the window and examine it. After a | brief cutscene, pull out your gun and shoot | the window. Maneuver though the window

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| and proceed to the lever to the right. Pull it, then head to the back of the room and grab the FUSE out of the closet. Now, crawl back | out the window and ascend the ladder.

wheel to eliminate the guard. Descend the other side of the roof, pick up the GATE KEY, then continue to the right.

Use the Gate Key to enter the gate, then draw your gun to eliminate the guards on the next screen. Pick up the Ammo and the RED KEYCARD. Head forward and use the Red Keycard on the red box to the left of the door. Once inside the room, shoot the guard, then if you choose, save the game at the desk.

STEP а=

Head past the desk to the series of video screens. Watch the wicked video clip, paying close attention to the key that falls. Exit through the other door. Eliminate the two guards in the next area, grab the MACHINE PISTOL, then follow the walkway past the fans | to an overhead cutscene with a handful | of guards.

Game Informer • March 20 1

Head to the left of the roof and spin the |

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Use the regular Pistol to initiate an awesome fragfest that leads to the death of a platoon of guards. At this point, run forward

past the blue energy units to the room. Inside |

you'll find the second save point in the entry way, and in the back of the room awaits a LOCKER KEY.

=STEP 3=

From here run back to the room with the | video screens. Head to the right side of the | room and use the Locker Key on locker 67. | Inside you'll find another gun (dual pistols, baby!!!) and a BLUE KEYCARD. Backtrack to the crate room and proceed down the stairs.

Destroy m two guards (one with each gun). Run toward the screen, then maneuver to the left. Walk up to the green fuse box and

| use the Fuse you picked up eons ago. This

will activate an electric field and an elevator. Return up the stairs, look out for guards, then head back to the neon-lit area.

The floor is now electrified. When you

| have the chance, step on the first tile, then

move to the top tile. Cross back over to the center tile, then run to the other side.

| the switch to proceed down a floor.

| commence.

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Now head past the fans to the heater Hit

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Walk up to the yellow storage box to the left of the fan and pick up the WIRE CUTTERS. Head right to the next screen and enter the doorway to the right. Ignore the door for now, and move on. Shoot the guard and keep on moving through the winding passage. Eventually you'll come to a save point and a door with a Blue Keycard lock.

Use the Blue Keycard to enter the door. Immediately after the bomb cutscene, guards

will open fire. Take them out, making sure not to shoot Jin. Another cutscene will

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After it ends, grab the additional Machine Pistol, then use the Wire Cutters on Jin. On the orange fuse cut the red and yellow wires.

On the green fuse cut the blue and yellow :

wires. This will reduce the timer to 20

. | seconds. On the purple fuse hit the blue and | | then the red wire to stop the timer and save

| Jin. For this feat you'll get C4. Now run to the

right of the fans again and head through

_ the door.

| At the door you passed up earlier, plant | C4, then back away. Needless to say, the lock | is open. Head past the fiery archway and , you'll run into the fuse box you used to start | the elevator. Proceed up the stairs. A guard | awaits up top. Blow ‘im a new hole, then use | the save point if you desire.

|

-NTEP 5= Continue backtracking past the blue neon

| lights to the locker room. A few guards await along the way so be prepared.

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When you reach the locker room door, turn back and access the ladder within the little shack in the center of the screen. Continue forward through the room to the outer balcony.

Here you'll see four large neon letters. Pay | close attention to the neon letters (or look at the image we've provided), then continue on into the doorway to the left.

In this room awaits a boss battle. Use the two consoles for cover, and duck and roll whenever you can. Don't be embarrassed to die — it happens to everyone. When you get an opening, unload your rounds into this fat | boy's face. Pick up his ammo and the SIGN KEY. After catching your breath, run to the left side of the room and activate the console with

crap, look at our picture again. Exhausted, ; Hana sits this one out. You'll now have control of Glas. After the cutscene, a save awaits.

SSTEP b=

& After hitting the elevator switch get ready to run for the ladder that is revealed.

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the Sign Key. Input the same symbols from | the neon sign outside, or if your memory is |

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After the killer cutscene, ascend the

| ladder quickly (really freakin’ fast!). Now, | proceed across the walkway. Be warned...new

guards await. After the walkway, place your gun in your holster, then ascend the ladder.

A Holstering your weapon first saves time when you get to the top of the ladder.

Stay on the ladder until the helicopter finishes shooting at the roof. When it’s done, run across the roof and descend the ladder. Search the flaming debris to the left and take the PIPE. Continue to the right. A save awaits just in front of the orange steel drum.

Use the Pipe on the orange drum to release the pressure. Back up a few steps and shoot the drum. Walk up to the edge (where

| the drum was) and look.

At this point, the quest resumes with

_ Hana. Grab the knife off the floor and hack the

guard to death. Take the ASSAULT RIFLE and equip it. Exit the room through the door you entered from. Quickly kill the guards, then shake your little tush across the catwalk and into the previous room. Backtrack and ascend the ladder.

After the cutscene, control resumes with Glas. Before heading forward, watch the pipes glow. Run across the first section, then when you get the chance, veer down to the second safe pipe zone. Again, watch the pattern, then run toward the upper right corner of the screen when the pipes are cool. Now, quickly run to the adjoining pipe to the right. Save if you like. When the coast is clear, run to the top of the screen. At the end of your journey, Glas will jump through the window...only to run face to face with a

| heavily armed helicopter.

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Game Informer * March 2000

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Avoid the heli fire by dodging to the right. When the heli veers to the right, use your pistol to disconnect the flag. Вип to the second screen to the left, staying as far right

| as you can. Shoot another flag to down this

mechanical menace. After the cutscene, go

| through the door, kill the baddies, save if

you like.

Backtrack past the yellow fans and

flaming door. On the next screen, two guards | | await. One of these evildoers will drop an | Assault Rife. Head back one screen and pass through the flaming door.

A handful of guards have been waiting for you. Send them to hell. If you feel

| overwhelmed, roll back into the doorway and

reload or change weapons. After they perish, run up the ramp. Two more guards await. Save if you like, then backtrack past the blue neon lights to the hatch in front of the locker room door.

& Roll between the window and archway to avoid alternating fire from the helicopter and guards behind you.

After an awesome cutscene, use Hana to take out the helicopter gunner. Another killer cutscene will flash across the screen, and control resumes with Glas.

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Game Informer • March 2

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Simply run forward, then when prompted,

jump into the heli. A lengthy cutscene will

bring you to Disc 2.

DISC 2

RIVER SETTLEMENT |

=STEP dz

Before gameplay commences, players are treated to a vivid Hana shower scene. Va-va- va-VOOM! After this, the trio splits up, and Hana must rid the Earth of two zombie freaks. At this time you can save your game. Run across the dock to the intersection.

Without warning, Hana will veer to the right where another two zombies await. Make them feel pain. Don’t put away your pistols yet...another zombie approaches from behind. Tag ‘im! When his body falls to the ground, another cutscene will interrupt play. Control is now handed to Deke. Run across the dock to trigger another scene.

After Deke takes down the large idiot, three zombies will appear. It’s up to you to take them out. Control is now handed to Glas.

|! He'll chase the girl to the burning bridge.

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When the view pans to overhead, time your movements across the bridge. It features two different fire formations. On the next screen, watch the zombies below the bridge. When they’re hands are down and the flames subside you can move forward. Do so with caution.

Like clockwork, control is handed over to Hana again.

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the way. If ammo is low, use the ducking knife method. These guys are easy targets. At the

end of the long run, Hana will arrive in a | spacious hut. Kill the two zombies here to get the PO MON KEY. Backtrack down the path © then veer to the left at the junction point. Use | the Po Mon Key on the gate. A save point | awaits on the other side. Walk into the center _ of the room to trigger a cutscene with an old |

woman. After this brief intermission, the zombies will rise.

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Exit this room and take down the two ' guards. Run down the wooden bridge, then veer to the north onto the large walkway. After a brief jaunt, eliminate the three guards. Proceed forward to the crowded storage space. At this point Hana will run into trouble and will be disarmed.

Drop Hana's towel to the ground

(schwing!), then Deke will enter and break the |

! distracted guards neck.

SSTEP

‘ Control will resume with Deke. Take down | „ the two guards in the hall. Clear out the guard | in the next area and you'll run into another |

save point. Now, head to the ramp.

Destroy the handful of zombies on the | dock, then move on. Follow the same route that Deke took, maiming all the zombies along

of soldier fodder await to the right of the train. Another three goombas are camping out on , the left of the train. Wipe them out...All of

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| When prompted, carefully shoot the |, machine gunner. One stray bullet into the ! explosive case will end Deke's life. Simply dodge his fire and return a heaping helping of your own. You can roll behind the cases on

tricky sinner will drop the HK V ASSAULT . RIFLE. The door will also open. Exit, and kill

the guard to get the LADDER ACCESS CARD. Stick it in your pocket.

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| Head behind the last car and use the Card | onthe yellow box. First, turn off the power on all three lines. Move the two fuses into the center column. Have one fuse set to Lock 3 and the other set to Power. Now, flip the switch at the bottom. After the lock is opened,

get to the rafters.

| them. From here, work your way down the left side of the train. Enter the last car. It's a trap!

move the fuses to the left column. Place one on Power and the other on Ladder. Flip the | Switch to lower the ladder. Climb the ladder to |

Two armed soldiers will approach quickly. | Wax ‘em, then ascend the ramp. Another set _

the right. When his life ceases to exist, this

| and take down the two guards. For this you'll _ get the ever handy Assault Rifle.

| the burning village and use the Xi Mon Key on |

| and destroy the ninjas that appear. Work your . way along the rafters and through the ninjas

Quickly pull out your weapon of choice

to another cutscene.

After a ninja burns, Glas becomes the playable character again. Dissect the three —

zombies and Glas will quickly hand over the _ gameplay baton to Hana. Head to the right

Continue moving to the right and enter the ` hut with the old lady in it. Exit this hut via the | gate, then backtrack to the hut where Hana | found the Po Mon Key. Here you'll find the XI MON KEY. With this helpful tool in hand, | return to the train. Continue to the left. Enter

| the hut in the back. Tons of enemies амай. |

, ammo and retreat to the train. Insert the Train

| train will start.

When they all fall down, Hana will pick up the TRAIN KEY. Exit this hut, then use the Xi Mon to enter the hut to the right. Grab the

Key when prompted to board the choo choo. | Read the note inside the train for a helpful hint

(the number on the top right part of the screen | a! # 4N2B422C8000). E I

Insert this code from left to right and the

Deke jumps on the train. From here you | must control Deke.

+ Game Informer * March 2000

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Simply kill the two guards and another |

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| cutscene will commence. Hana jumps off. | Run forward as Deke to bring up the next |

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sequence with Glas.

Run across the burning train wreckage, then shoot the guards on the next screen. Ascend the ladder and cross the rail bridge.

Several guards await. One will drop a TRUCK | KEY after you dispatch them. Use this key on |

the nearby truck and Disc 2 will be history.

MADAM С STEP 11=

After the FMV festivities come to a close,

pick up the COOKING OIL off the shelf, then head to the back of the room and smash the

| vase on the floor. This will get the guard's | attention. Quickly use the oil on the central | floor piece that is not circular.

Back away and hide in the corner. The

| guard will walk over the oil and slip. After

pilfering his weapon, walk outside the room.

| Take down the guard and enter the kitchen. A |! brief cutscene will switch control to Deke.

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Before moving anywhere, watch as the spotlights highlight the cracked windows. Don’t step on any of these windows. To get

across step on the windows this way. Starting

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, on the window third from the left, step down | one, to the right two, down two, right two,

down one, then exit. Save if you like. Pass through the door on the right. Control will now be handed over to Glas.

Hold down the duck button and sneak into the kitchen.

& The cook's will only see you if you step on the blue mats while they're looking.

When the cooks' backs are turned, pass by them. Repeat this process for the cook stepping on cockroaches. For the next two guards, wait until they converse, then roll past them. Stand, then activate the Fire Alarm. Doing this will get the guards' attention.

Take down the first two you see, then on the next screen shoot the sauce pan into the soldiers face. After his face burns off, he'll drop a Shotgun. From here proceed toward the dining room. Eliminate the three guards, then ascend the small staircase. Kill the guard and open the door to meet with Hana.

SSTEP 10==

Hana will enter Madam Chen's dining

room. Clean out the rooms leading to the |

kitchen, then enter the changing room (the door to the left).

|

| throw on the hooker outfit. Now, exit the

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| Slither out of your sweaty garb, then |

| changing room. Don’t open fire...bad guys

love hookers. Head back toward the dining

| room and enter the door to the right. The | guard will let you in. Ascend the staircase.

Once again, don’t draw your weapon. These guys love you...er...at least want to love you.

| Veer to the right and enter the second

red door.

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Hana? Jeez... А conversation between Hana and Deke will commence. Deke will now take the

| spotlight.

Check out the monitor in the room to learn a clue for an upcoming puzzle. Leave the room. Several guards must be slaughtered before proceeding further. Return in the direction of the staircase. Proceed around the corner, blowing away all who oppose. Enter the door directly across from

| the stairs. Grab the COIN, then return in the | direction of the room you met Hana in. Enter

the first red door after passing around

| the corner.

Insert the Coin into the puppet show. Here's the order for the buttons to press:

Figuring out this puzzle opens a secret door to the right of the puppet theater. This

| | door will lock behind Deke, so you may want

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to save before passing through it. Exit this strange room via the door on the left. Take out

the two baddies then enter the double doors - at the top of the screen. Eliminate the two -

goons in this chamber and a save awaits. Exit back to the main hall then enter the door to the right.

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Неге а диага апа the ELEVATOR KEY await. Back out of this room, and run into the hallway to the right. While walking down the

corridor, look out for a guard. At the end of the. hall the elevator awaits. Use the Key to reach | the maintenance room. Take the WRENCH, : then hang a right at the elevator to reach the | stairs. Descend them and enter the door at the

end of the hall.

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Assassinate the baddies, then avoid the steam and work your way to the rear of the

room. Use the Wrench on the pipework to ~ stop the steam. Doing this will reveal the

MADAM ROOM KEY.

Return to the hall and proceed upstairs again. A ton of guards are waiting for you. Send them a bullet of righteousness, then use the Key on the locked red double doors. Just as Deke is knee deep in trouble, control switches to Glas.

ÆSTEP 13=

Clear out the plethora of enemies in this |

room. Head into the kitchen to pick up a Machine Pistol. Proceed upstairs - where

Hana just was. Sweep the area for enemies. |

One of these stinky buttheads will drop the |

LOUNGE KEY.

Use the Key on the purple door. Blow

away the sinister soldiers, then enter the door #1

in the back of the room. A cutscene will

commence between Glas and a lady of |

the night.

& Avoid the red target symbols that appear on the floor.

Immediately after this, a soldier will crawl out from under the bed and open fire. Carefully shoot the guard when he rolls out from under the bed. Rolling to the sides works well. Whatever you do, avoid shooting the hooker. Shooting prostitutes in the face is just sick and wrong. When this gunhappy creep finally crawls onto his deathbed, the action will resume with Hana.

SSTEP HS

Head to door across from the stairwell.

Enter the door and walk behind the guard. Pull out your knife and cut him. He'll drop the LOUNGE KEY. Now, head into the lounge.

Enter the room where the bed fight М

commenced to see a hilarious hooker scene.

After this enter the door on the far side of the |

room. Hack the soldiers to death then continue down the hall to the fountain room.

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Press the Use button on the fountain to receive FLOWERS. Return to the hallway and kill the two guards and Hana will wrap her pretty little fingers around the OFFICE KEY.

Return to the lounge and exit out to the | hallway. Enter the wardrobe room at the |

opposite end of the lounge.

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one you entered just moments ago. Access

the elevator then run to the brown double |

doors.

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Enter this bedroom and grab the BLACK „

VASE off of the cabinet.

Back out into the main hall and place both vases on the pedestals in front of the red double doors.

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Set the White Vase on the left and the Black Vase on the right. Insert the Fresh Sunflower into the White Vase and the Wilted Tulip in the Black. Now enter the door and

, watch the awesome sequence. Retreat to the | ; elevator and head down to the changing

room. Be wary.

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Grab the WHITE VASE then return to the | lounge. Use the Key on the door next to the |

Game Informer • March 2000

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On your way back a whole new breed of : evil is hunting you. Have your guns drawn at — all times and eliminate everything that | crosses your path. When you arrive in the | changing room, throw on your original garb. You'll also find the MEAT LOCKER KEY.

Exit out and use this Key on the door the | girl entered in the cutscene. Search for Wee Ming and then pass through the back door. Prepare to meet a real bastitch of a boss.

Start off by shooting a demon. Pick up the | PAPER DOLL dropped by this hell beast. When Demon Chen raises her blue flame | shield, use the paper doll to lower the flame.

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This will make Demon Chen vulnerable to | gun fire. Blast her. Also, make sure that the demons don’t get their hands on Wee Ming.

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j | Now, repeat this process two more times , and the Chen will perish...so does Disc 3.

76 Game Informer e March 200€

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Begin by navigating the disappearing

| floor puzzle. Start out by stepping on the brick

that appears to the left. Work your way along all of the platforms. The last step is a diagonal movement to the new hunk of land. Proceed down the Never Ending Story-inspired path.

| After a long гип, Hana will run into several

demon monks. Surprisingly, your gun works in Hell. The double dead demons will cough up PAPER AMMO when they die. From here, run forward into the center hut and eliminate

_ the monk. The hut on the left holds a valuable |

save point. Now, run below the left most hut.

When the lightning strikes, and the small brush fire blazes, use the Paper Ammo on the

flame. This will create more gun ammo.

After this, run back past the huts to the right of the screen. Pass by the door and eliminate the demon.

Descend the stairs and head forward

(away from the camera). Blast the monk

invasion out of the afterlife. Grab the PAPER GATE they drop, then continue running down the path. If you need more ammo, you can convert the paper on any lit flame. At the end of this jaunt lies a huge door. Backtrack a few

| steps to the stairs. Ascend them and return to | the burning bush. Place the Paper Gate in

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the bush.

Blood ninjas attack! Use the same

| techniques you did for the living versions to

cremate these deceased versions. Battle your way past the blood ninja swarms, avoiding some if you must, to the stairs. Descend, then run away from the camera again.

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The gate at the end is now open. Enter and

_ grab the PAPER ASSAULT RIFLE. Continue | forward and talk to Demon Chen. She'll hand | you a DOLL. Return to the staircase and run | past them into the screen. Continue on this _ path to the nursery. Hand the Doll to the girl _ crying in the corner. After a disturbing scene, . walk over to the dresser to the right and a | tricky puzzle will flash onto screen.

This bizarre clock-like puzzle is actually easy to solve. Check out the clue on the wall.

| What you need to do is simply match the , words on the wall with the lines on the clock's ' spinning dial. The numbers on the perimeter

represent Hana's age. Start out by lining up the lines under age 5, then move to 18, 35,

| then finally 00. Here’s the dial sequences: | Sequence 1: Line up under 5 — 11111, | | Sequence 2: Line up under 18 — Il, 11111, 1111

Sequence 3: Line up under 35 - І, Illll

. Sequence 4: Line up under 00 — III, IIH, III, ЇЇ

When this long puzzle is completed you'll receive a STONE SCROLL. At this point, return to Demon Chen's location and converse again. This time she'll hand over a

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BRANCH. Now it's time to find the funeral pyre (a.k.a. burning bush). On your way back | several monks will attack. You'll also encounter a host of blood ninjas near : the huts. |

At this time, run to the nursery and pass through it. After a brief job, Hana will run into the black mausoleum. Use the Key on this door and a narrative bring Glas to hell.

=STEP 1b= Glas is a broken man in more ways than

one, yet he’s determined to see this mission through to the very end.

4

Run forward and follow Deke's ghost to the gate with Chinese writing on it. Pass through this door, then shoot the demons. Pass through another gate, and prepare for a tricky fight with a demon dog. Another gate awaits. On the other side you'll find the MOON KEY.

Use the Branch on the bush, then use the | flaming branch to light all of the torches. | There are three torches іп the area. Simply ; backtrack across the land to find them. Once again, retreat to the staircase.

Return to where you last saw Deke's ghost (the screen with the dragon statue). Head to the bottom of the screen and use the Key on the door. Deke's ghost will appear again. Pursue it and a cutscene with monks will bring you to the next zone. Eliminate them all, then continue down the path.

The white mausoleum door atop the stairs is now open. Pass through it and talk to the | White Reaper. He'll hand over a PAPER GATE KEY and a STONE TREE HALF. You know | what to do with it. Return to the pyre and burn the stinking thing.

Talk to the goofy pink dragon. Save if you

like, then descend the vines to a new cavern. Deke's bothersome ghost is back, and yes, you must follow it.

Another dog awaits, as do the green and gray dragons. Here you'll find the SUN KEY. Grab it.

Backtrack a few steps and enter the leftmost hut to get the GATE KEY.

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Ascend the new set of vines in the back of the room. Follow Deke across the crystal floor and to the blue dragon. Another save point awaits a few steps back. You'll also find another set of vines to climb down. On the next floor a mirror will show a series of images relating to the dragons and to the next puzzle. After memorizing the sequence, proceed forward through the cavern. When the camera switches to an overhead perspective, stop running.

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To get across this tile floor you must ` repeat the code you saw. The marks on the tiles are the same markings that were below the dragon statues. The code relates to the dragons' element. Here's the sequence: Starting at the lower left tile, move Right, Up, Right, Up, Right, Up, Up, Right, and Right again to get off of this treacherous bridge.

Continue on to get to a screen where a STONE SWORD lying on a pedestal awaits. Grab the sword, equip a weapon, and move to the next screen. Here you will see that bridge's safe path has been revealed and you will be attacked by three very aggressive demon priests. Spray bullets into their demonic heads and try to keep them at bay until they perish. You can also try to run for it. Now, return to the large blue dragon at the very beginning of this area. As you progress back, many nasty critters will ambush you. Again, run or shoot like mad.

Use the Sword on the ice dragon to break through the wall. Enter the corridor to meet a disturbing version of Deke.

Unfortunately, Deke no longer runs with your team, but against it. To defeat this adversary, stand on the platforms and dodge

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formations, you may want to power up as well. With a little luck and accurate shooting, this boss shouldn't be too difficult.

STEP Lr=

With Hana back in the saddle, make your way through the dark corridor and talk to the Black Reaper.

him when he swims by. Take a shot when he | | |

surfaces. Just watch him and move. Whatever _ |

you do, avoid standing on the platforms he |

slithers under. Starting out with your weaker | "m

weapon works well. When he switches | E | D»

| To solve this brain twister simply select | the places where the different items you have

| in your inventory were found. The Eye goes in | the well. The Scroll goes in the nursery. The | left half of the Tree goes in the gray structure.

| The right half goes in the three torches.

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It all comes down to this.

Pick up the CRANK he leaves on the floor, then head back to the entrance. When you head outside three blood ninjas will attack. Blow them away, then pass through the gate. Return up the stairs and head to the left of the huts.

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| Run forward and place the PAPER DOLL | into the large furnace. Doing this will | illuminate the symbols on the floor with a ' slightly different yellow tint. Back away and | fight off the blood ninjas that appear.

Use the Crank on the well to get the STONE EYE. Now, head in the direction of the nearest torch to trigger a cutscene. A killer cutscene!

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Control will switch to Glas. Use your limited supply of ammo to kill all of the demons....just kidding. You can't win here. Let them take you down. The game then commences with Hana in charge.

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Place the items you have on the three glowing symbols. Once all of the symbols are active, a selection screen will appear.

Run down the path to the door. Access the Feng Shui Device and use it to access the map puzzle.

CHOICE: GLAS CHOICE: BOTH LJ | | L] | | |

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You'll be asked to choose who to believe:

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| | | Hana or Glas. If you played well on the Hard | ` | | difficulty, you'll have a third option available. | | | | | | Each of these choi in different | | I^ i | mehe: eme henne brings up a different | | | | | With an understanding reached, Hana | || | А | |^ must defeat Demon Lam. Start off by blasting | | | „After unloading some inner emotions, | 4 the imps. Grab the PAPER MONEY that they | |] M pope ay Mee (4| drop and use it on the fire to inflict pain on \ SÊ Й ro j 1 | | | tosses out. When she throws two, she will be | | — ui US мапе energy m : | L| » | take this hell beast down. You'll need to light | |; vulnerable for a few seconds. Unload. Repeat | 1 three pieces of money to deplete all of his | | | this process until she drops. THE END L| health. THE END | a ua | | || | " i -- | | TE i

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After a quick shot, Hana must defeat Demon Lam. Start off by blasting the imps. Grab the PAPER MONEY that they drop and use it on the fire to inflict pain on Demon Lam. Avoid Lam’s energy sparks to take this hell beast down. You'll need to light three pieces of money to deplete all of his health. THE END

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Game Informer * March 2000 79

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SHORTCUTS!

INSANE

EVERYONE -

CD MIDWAY Sega Dreamcast #2?

4 WHEEL THUNDER © 2000 Kalisto Entertainment. 4 WHEEL THUNDER™ is a trademark of Midway Home Entertainment Inc. Midway® is a trademark of Midway Games Inc. Used by permission, Distributed under license by Midway Home Entertainment Inc. Sega, Dreamcast and the Dreamcast logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sega Enterprises, Ltd.

von + оноо

helpful hints +

strategies

hints + passwords helpful hints * pa

helpful

Enter all of these codes at the Cheat Menu. To access the Cheat Menu, head to the Select Event menu and press Up C. From here, any of the codes below can be entered.

No Crashes - NOCR4SH Additional Views - MOR3C4MS Extra Hop Button — HOP Cancel Off Track Reset - NOOFFTR4CK

Cancel Skipping Track Reset - SK1PP1NGOK

Larger Bikes - B1GB1K3S Massive Dirt Sprays - B1GSPR4Y Aggressive Riders — BLOCKM3 Headless Rider - H34DL3SS Gigantic Riders – G14NTS

No Riders - NOR1D3RS

Moon Gravity - MOON

Venus Gravity - V3NVS

Saturn Gravity - S4TVRN

Mars Gravity - M4RS

Jupiter Gravity - JVP1T3R Uranus Gravity - VR4NVS Neptune Gravity - N3PTVN3 Mercury Gravity - M3RCVRY Pluto Gravity - PLVTO

Samuel Quellas Aberin, NM

Enter all of these codes at the Character “

Selection screen. Note: These codes are case sensitive.

All Classes - Gimme ALL $250,000 - fastBUCKS $1,000,000 - EasyMoney Squeaky Voices - Smurfing Helicopter View — Chopper Smaller Cars - Car Radio Hovering Cars - Skywalker Larger Tires — BigWheels Hi-Res Mode - Extra rez David Phillips

Enter this code at the Title screen. All Levels - Up (x4), Down (x2), Up

(x2), then Down (x3) “Mr. Monday Night”

Highland, MI

To enter these codes you must first activate the hidden Password screen. To do this, go into the Options and access the Game Status menu. Highlight a character, then simultaneously press the L and R Buttons. If done correctly, the Password option will appear and any of the codes below can be entered.

Ultra Rez - GO MAX REZ (Requires Expansion Pak)

Rapid Fire - RAPID FIRE

Super Missiles - BLAST FIRE Faster Cars - MORE SPEED Heavier Cars - GO RAMMING Fast Action - QUICK PLAY Attract Enemies - UNDER FIRE Slow-Mo - GO SLOW MO

No Enemies (Arcade Mode) - HOME ALONE

No Gravity - NO GRAVITY

Higher Suspension - JACK IT UP Bigger Wheels - GO MONSTER No Wheel Attachment Icons - DRIVE ONLY

View Endings - LONG MOVIE Same Multiplayer Cars -

MIXED CARS

Bo Duke Hazzard County, KY

Play as Minotaur — Head to the Cliff level in the Mountain Kingdom. Find all of the switches, then find an area with an exit. Instead of stepping on the portal exit, head down until you see a trapdoor with a skull. Stand on this strange icon to be teleported to a minigame. Collect fifty coins and the Minotaur will become a playable character.

Play as Tigress — Enter the first town level. Find all of the switches, then head to the portal. Instead of exiting, backtrack until you reach the hill with a crest on it. Hit the switch, then head in the direction the switch is pointing. Stand on the trap door to warp to a bonus game. Now, collect fifty coins before time expires to unlock Tigress. Jeff Jarret San Antonio, TX

Enter all of these codes at the Enter Cheat Menu located in the Pause Menu. Note: Only one multiplayer character may be used at a time.

Multiplayer Female Trooper - GODDESS Multiplayer Hive Guard - LEGGY Multiplayer Volcano Guard - RUBBER Multiplayer Egypt Fodder - CLAW Multiplayer Hive Fodder - UGLY “GI Droid” (location unknown - last seen hangin' with Mr. Cooper)

All of these codes must be entered

Enter all of these codes at the Press Start screen. A sound confirms correct code entry.

Infinite Freeze Thrower Ammo - Down, Up, A, L Button, R Button, Z Multiplayer Characters (Batch 1) - A, L Button, R Button, Left, B, Down, Up Multiplayer Characters (Batch 2) – B, A (x2), R Button, L Button Multiplayer Characters (Batch 3) - L Button (x2), Up, Down, R Button, B, A Multiplayer Characters (Batch 4) - B (x3), R Button, Left, A Multiplayer Characters (Batch 5) - Right, B, Left, L Button, A, Z Multiplayer Characters (Batch 6) - Up, Down, B, A (x2), Left First-Person View - Down, Up, L Button, B, Z, Left, Up C, Right C, Left Ç, E Action Nuke “ет Mode - Down (x2), A, Z (x2), Left, A

Mark McGlowen

Tampa Bay, FL

during gameplay.

Invincibility — Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, SP (x3), WK (x3), A

One-Hit Kills - Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, SP (x3) WK (x3), R Button

Less Damage - Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, SP (x3), WK (x3), Z

Polygonal Fighters — Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, SP (x2), A

Invisible Fighter - Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, SK (x3), WK, Z

Invisible Fighters — Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, SK (x3), WK, A

Smaller Fighters — Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, WP, SP, SK, WK, A.

Big Head Mode - Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, Z Big Feet Mode - Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, R Button

Snow Mode - Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, SP (x2), Z

Slippery Battles - Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, WP (x3), WK (x3), A

Red Nose - Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, WP (x2), A

Purple Nose - Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, WP (x2), Z

Green Nose — Hold A and press Right (x2), Left (x2), Right, Left, Right, WP (x2), R Button

Stanky Ol' Frankie Cleveland, OH

Enter this code at the PPV screen.

Souled Out PPV - kJKIttCy795H “Mr. Monday Night” Fargo, ND

LI cor ©

Stratea

Enter all of these codes at the Player Name screen.

Level Select - ITSALLUP

Invincibility - LIVELONG

All Weapons - NAVARONE

No Police - LOSEFEDS

Turbo Mode - IGNITION

Debug Scripts - NOFRILLS

Display Coordinates - WUGGLES

Max Wanted Level - DESIRES

5x Multiplier - HIGHFIVE

1 Million Points - BIGSCORE Kenny Rogers

Hong Kong, China

From within the House Hub enter these codes at the Pause screen.

All Dreamkeys - Hold Select then press @, L1, L2, L1, L2.

All Winks — Hold Select then press Left, Down, Right (x3)

From anywhere in the game enter these codes at the Pause screen. Full Cogs – Hold Select then press Down, R2, L1, Up, R2. Reset Lives — Hold Select then press L1, Up, Right, L2, Up Reset Moons - Hold Select then press Up, L2, Left, R2, Left Reset Zzz's — Hold Select then press Right, L1, Up, R1, L1

"The Vidman"

Uptown, MN

Unlock Private Carrera — To unlock this well hidden character, Officer Dick must be unlocked first through collecting all of the Tapes for a character. When this feat is accomplished, choose Officer Dick as your skater of choice, then enter Career mode. When the game starts, pause, then hold L1 and press A, Up, A, Up, || ©, Up, Left, A. The screen will not shake after this is entered. Now, quit Career mode. Begin again and Private Carrera will replace Officer Dick on the Boarder Select screen. Here are her

Special moves:

Well Hardflip — Right, Left, ва Somi Spin - Left, Down, @

pom |

Station

To enter these codes you must

first activate the hidden Password screen. To do this, go into the Options and access the Game Status menu. Highlight a character, then simultaneously press L1 and R1. If done correctly, the Password option will appear and any of the codes below can be entered.

Rapid Fire - RAPID FIRE

Super Missiles - BLAST FIRE Faster Cars - MORE SPEED Heavier Cars - GO RAMMING Fast Action - QUICK PLAY Attract Enemies - UNDER FIRE Slow-Mo - GO SLOW MO

No Enemies (Arcade Mode) - HOME ALONE

No Gravity - NO GRAVITY Higher Suspension - JACK IT UP Bigger Wheels - GO MONSTER No Wheel Attachment Icons - DRIVE ONLY

View Endings - LONG MOVIE Same Multiplayer Cars -

MIXED CARS

Original V8 Levels - During gameplay pause the game, remove Second Offense and insert the original Vigilante 8 game into the PlayStation. Now, close the lid. The message 'V8 Levels Enabled! will appear. At this point, remove the original V8 game and insert Second Offense again. Close the lid and quit the current game. From here on in, all of the V8 levels are available for play.

Luke Duke Hazzard County, KY

TEARS PRO T Suc) REEL

you access to scoring over 300,000

points on each level. Simply start a new game, then when gameplay begins, immediately pause. Now, hold L1 and press Bi, .. Left, Up, W, Left, W. Everything will move in slow-motion, but your

Cheat Mode - At the Main Menu press Left (x2), Right (x2), Up, Down, Left, Right, Up (x2), Down (x2). Now, scroll below the Load Game icon to access the hidden Cheat Menu.

Bonus 1 - First enable the Cheat Mode code. Now, highlight the Cheat Menu option at the main menu and press L1, R1, L1, R1, L1, R1, L1, R1, L2, R2. From here begin a game and pause to find the cheats. Hank “Unga Bunga Boy" Reynolds San Trela, UT

Enter this code at the Password Screen.

Dance Mix - R2, A, %, R2, A, Bi, e, x

"Virtual Gap Boy 2001" Phoenix, AZ

Enter this code at the PPV screen.

Souled Out PPV - kJKIttCy795H "Mr. Monday Night" Fargo, ND

to rack up some huge points!

Enter all of these codes at the Main

spins will remain the same, allowing you

Jason Komarnicki Seattle, WA

-À will receive a Secret Access T-shirt.

Menu. Note: These hidden characters are only selectable in Versus, Arcade, Time Trial, and Battle modes.

Play as Penta Penguin - Hold L1 and R1 then press Down, Right, A, Down, Left, A, Up Play as Ripper Roo - Hold L1 and R1 then press Right, @ (x2), Down, Up, Down, Right Play as N. Tropy - Hold L1 and R1 then press Down, Left, Right, Up, Down, Right (x2) Jason Rubin San Rafael, CA

Enter this code at the Press Start.

Cheat Mode - First, hold L1, L2, R1, A, %, and Left. With this combo held, select Start Game and choose a level. When the game begins, Hawk will be invincible and in possession of infinite ammo. Unfortunately, when this code is in use, you won't be able to save. “Daddy Fat Sax” Memphis, TN

ENTER TO WIN!

Send in your codes and passwords, and if we choose your entry as Code of the Month you'll win a wonderful prize from the Game Informer Vault! All other entries printed within these hallowed pages

Send To: Secret Access Game Informer Magazine

10120 W. 76th Street Eden Prairie, MN 55344 E-Mail: secretaccess@gameinformer.com

SHEHKI 959394559592

Enter all of these codes at the Cheat Menu. To access the Cheat Menu, head to the Select Event menu and press Up C. From here, any of the codes below can be entered.

No Crashes - NOCR4SH Additional Views - MOR3C4MS Extra Hop Button - HOP Cancel Off Track Reset - NOOFFTR4CK Cancel Skipping Track Reset - SK1PP1NGOK Larger Bikes - B1GB1K3S Massive Dirt Sprays - B1GSPR4Y Aggressive Riders — BLOCKM3 Headless Rider - H34DL3SS Gigantic Riders - G14NTS No Riders - NOR1D3RS Moon Gravity — MOON Venus Gravity - V3NVS Saturn Gravity - S4TVRN Mars Gravity - M4RS Jupiter Gravity - JVP1T3R Uranus Gravity – VRANVS Neptune Gravity - N3PTVN3 Mercury Gravity - M3RCVRY Pluto Gravity - PLVTO

Samuel Quellas

Aberin, NM

Enter these codes as a name at the Grand Prix High Score screen.

Ring Mode - RINGS

Safety Mode - SAFETY Night Mode – NIGHTS

Vanilla Ice

Rock Bottom City, ID `

Enter this code from the Pause Screen.

Unlock All Doors — Hold L1 and А then press Ш (х2), A, X, 6, E, A

"Vincent, The Vanilla Gamer"

Webville, COM

Enter all of these codes at the

Password screen.

God Mode - Down, Left, L1, Left, Right Health Regenerates Faster – A, L1, Down, A, Up Unlimited Special Weapons - A, L1, Down, A, Up All Remote Bombs - Up, Right, Down, L1, А All Power Missiles - Down, Down, ®, L1, Left All Homing Missiles — R1, Right, Left, R1, Up No Health (Deathmatch Mode) - A, Down, A, 6, A No Health (Deathmatch & Tourney) - Down, R1, Down, Start, € No Health Or Weapon Power-Ups - ©, Start, Left, L1, Start Unlock Sweet Tooth - Start, R1, Right, Right, Left Unlock Crusher — Down, R1, Right, R1, L1 Unlock Moon Buggy - Start, A, Right, L1, Start Unlock RC Car - Up, Down, Left, Start, Right Unlock Super Auger - Left, 6, A, Right, Down Unlock Super Axel - Up, Right, Down, Up, L1 Unlock Super Thumper - 6, A, Start, @, Left Unlock Super Slamm - Right, L1, Start, ©, Start One CPU Vs. Two Human - Down, Down, Right, Right, Down CPU Only Shoots At Player 1 - Right, A, Right, A, L1 CPU Cars Ignore Health - L1, Left, Right, @, Right All Cars Target You - Right, A, Right, A, L1 Very Little Traction - Down, A, Down, L1, R1 Ted Winding San Francisco, CA

Super License - After earning all of the licenses, a Super License option will become available in the License Test Menu.

Event Synthesizer Race — Unlock the Super License and the Event Synthesizer race will become available in the Gran Turismo League. Sandy Crow Dupont, NM

Legends - Enter the Create Player menu and input the codes to the right of the desired player as the first and last name. If the code is entered correctly a message will appear. Go to the Unlock Legends screen to activate these players.

Andrew Phillip — Whiz Kid

Bill Sharman - Charity Stripe

Bob Cousy - B-Balls Cooz

Bob Pettit — Crash Boards

Carlo Braun - Hard Wood

Cliff Hagen — Hook Shot

Dolph Schayes - Set Shot

George Yardley - Yard Bird

Harry Gallatin - Iron Horse

Larry Costello — Cross Over

Paul Arizin — Pitchin' Philli

Richard Guerin - Play Maker

Bill Russell - All Defensive

Elgin Baylor - Offensive Force

Hal Greer – Jump Shot

Jerry Lucas - Lucas Layup

Jerry West - The Mr. Clutch

Lenny Wilkins — Player Coach

Oscar Robertson - Bucks Big O

Sam Jones - Bank Shot

Tommy Heinsohn - Flat Shot

Walt Bellamy - No Comment

Willis Reed — Soft Touch

Wilt Chamberlain - Big Goliath

Bill Walton - Shot Blocker

Billy Cunningham -

Leaping Kangaroo

Bob Lanier - Big Foot

Dave Bing - The Duke

Dave Cowens - Red Head

Earl Monroe - Magic Pearl

John Havlicek - John Hondo

Nate Archibald - Big Tiny

Pete Maravich — Passing Pistol

Rick Barry – Foul Shot

Walt Frazier — Cool Clyde

Wes Unseld - Glass Cleaner

Charles Barkley – Mound of Rebound

Dominique Wilkins — High Light

Earvin Johnson - Magical Guard

George Gervin — Chilled Iceman

Hakeem Olajuwon —

The Dream Machine

Isiah Thomas - Bad Boy Zeke

James Worthy - Big Game

Julius Erving - Doctor's In

Kevin McHale - Sixth Man

Larry Bird — Celtics Pride

Michael Jordan - Come Fly With Me

Moses Malone - Free Throws

Robert Parish - Celtic Chief

David Robinson - Spurs Admiral

Gary Payton - Human Glove

Grant Hill - Class Act

John Stockton - Jazz Man

Karl Malone - Mailman Delivers

Mitch Richmond - Live Coverman

Patrick Ewing — Player President

Reggie Miller — Outside Threat

Scottie Pippen - Complete Game

Shaquille O'Neal – Little Warrior

Shawn Kemp - Power Dunker Randy Bruer

Edina, MN

ag you were suckered into buying this pile | of junk, here are a few codes that may

| thenhit B

{ EERE T

To enter these codes you must first activate the hidden Password screen. To

| do this, go into the Options and access

the Game Status menu. Highlight a character, then simultaneously press L1 and R1. If done correctly, the Password option will appear and any of the codes below can be entered.

Rapid Fire - RAPID_FIRE

Super Missiles - BLAST FIRE

Faster Cars - MORE_SPEED

Heavier Cars - GO RAMMING

Fast Action - QUICK PLAY

Attract Enemies - UNDER FIRE

Slow-Mo - GO SLOW MO

No Enemies (Arcade Mode) -

HOME ALONE

No Gravity - NO GRAVITY

Higher Suspension - JACK IT UP

Bigger Wheels - GO MONSTER

No Wheel Attachment Icons -

DRIVE ONLY

View Endings - LONG MOVIE

Same Multiplayer Cars -

MIXED CARS

Original V8 Levels - OLD LEVELS Jesse Duke

Hazzard County, KY

make the painful experience a little more

| entertaining. Enter any one of these | codes at the Cheat Menu.

Rugby Mode - RGBY More Fumbles - BTTRFNGRS More Injuries - HSPTL Big Football - BCHBLL Flubber Ball - FLBBR Smoking Play - HSNFR Flat Players - TTHPCK Fat Players - MRSHMLLW Large Coin - BGMNY John Bo Austin, TX

| While playing a one-player game, use ! the second controller to enter these codes.

Full Health & Ammo - Hold the L and R Buttons then hit 3€ God Mode - Hold the L and R Button

"The Miraculous Squirrel Man" Redfalls, WA

Enter this code at the Main Menu.

Cheat Mode - Up, Down, Left, Right, 3€, Up, Down, Left, Right, Y Jess Parker Indianapolis, IN

you'll need to unlock all of the secrets

through gameplay. Here’s how to get all |

the goods.

Bonus Snowboards - Get the highest score on all of the tracks.

Super Pipe - Break all of the records in the pipe.

Cool Boarders 2 Track - Simply complete all five standard tracks.

Force Track - Complete the five standard courses with high scores.

Play as Snowman - Place the high score on the Cool Boarders 2 track.

Play as Grey - Complete the Force Track.

Alternate Outfits – Simply beat the game with any character to unlock a new look for that specific rider.

Tommy Lee Jones | Atlanta, GA |

Extra Options - Simply beat Arcade | Mode with any character on any |

difficulty setting.

Falcon's Minigame - Beat Arcade

Mode with five different characters on |

any difficulty setting.

Ayame's Minigame - Beat Arcade Mode with six different characters on any difficulty setting.

Gunrock's Minigame - Beat Arcade | Mode with seven different characters |

on any difficulty setting.

Play as Kraken - Beat Arcade Mode | with eight different characters on any |

difficulty setting.

Play as Valgas - Beat Arcade Mode |

with Kraken.

Play as Mutant Fusion - Beat Arcade Mode with Valgas with the difficulty set to level 8. Now, enter page 12 of the

Power Stone Collection to see Final ||. Valgras. He will now be selectable in || `

versus mode.

Virtual Battle - Beat Arcade Mode with |

Kraken on any difficulty setting. Now,

view page 5 of the Power Stone |

Collection to unlock this mode.

Dual Virtual Battle Mode - Beat |

Arcade Mode with Valgas on any difficulty setting. Now, view page 6 in

the Power Stone Collection to unlock |

this mode.

Scott Wilkens |

Blossom Creek, ID

Since this title doesn't have any codes, | Enter all of these codes from the Main

Replay Shot - While a bad shot is in

Enter all of these codes at the

Menu with Arcade Mode highlighted.

Play as Kemo Claw - Left (x3), Right (x3), Left, Right, Left, Right

Play as Nat Daddy - Right (x3), Left (x3), Right, Left, Right, Left

Play as Damien Black - Right, Left,

Right (x2), Left (x2), Right (x3), Left (x3)

Josh Maushuus

Webville, Com

the air, simultaneously press A, B, Start, and Select to redo the shot.

Peach’s Castle - Place first on all four courses and defeat all four champions in the match game to unlock this difficult course.

Kenneth Rockford Orlando, FL

Password screen. Note: You must hit Start on the End icon.

Level 2 - NCFRGJJBBK

Level 3 - DMTFLSBFQM

Level 4 - PKDJMPLNPS

Level 5 - KDQLHRNDCN

Level 6 - DQSPCFPFJR

Super Password - DMJMBJRFFR

Dennis Alan

Minneapolis, MN

Password screen.

Play as Ralph - LVPVS7890

Play as Myukus — NOT3T3210

Play as George - SM14N1230

Play as Lizzie - SAVRS4560 Simon Blower Woodrow, ND

NÊ TENTION ose U Glo Û Чы ES « The codes below only work with Interact's GameShark enhancer attachment

Gran Turismo 2 |

Start On 2nd Lap (Arcade Mode) – d00b68b0 0000 800b68b0 0002

Bonus Items A (Arcade Mode) - d00816d8 0000 800816d8 0405 d00816da 0000 800816da 0004 d00816dc 0000 800816dc 0405 d00816de 0000 800816de 0004 d00816e0 0000 80081660 0504 d00816e2 0000 80081662 0004

Bonus Items B (Arcade Mode) - d00816e4 0000 800816e4 0404 d00816e6 0000 800816e6 0004 d00816e8 0000 80081668 0404 d00816ea 0000 800816ea 0004 d00816ec 0000 800816ec 0404 d00816ee 0000 800816ee 0004

Bonus Items C (Arcade Mode) – d00816f0 0000 800816f0 0404 d00816f2 0000 800816f2 0004 d00816f4 0000 80081614 0404 d00816f6 0000 800816f6 0004

Extra Cash (Simulation Mode) - d009aace 0009 80090866 00fi (Press Start and Select to get more cash)

A License (Simulation Mode) —

d009aace 0009

8009e3bc 0303

d009aace 0009

8009e3be 0303

d009aace 0009

8009e3c0 0303

d009aace 0009

8009e3c2 0303 (Press Start and Select to get License)

International License (Simulation Mode) —

d009aace 0009

8009e3c4 0303

d009aace 0009

8009e3c6 0303

d009aace 0009

8009e3c8 0303

d009aace 0009

8009e3ca 0303 (Press Start and Select to get License)

Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M. ........... f

Crash Team Racinë............................... +. Duke Nukem: Zero Hour........................ и Fighting Force 2.2... p Formula Î OO RE A

Gauntlet Legends Grand Theft Auto 2 Gran Turismo 2 ....

Godzilla: The Series

Incoming ................ Mario Golf .............. NBA Live 2000 ......

NFL Quarterback Club 2000 ................

Power Stone ..........

Rampage 2: Universal Tour .................. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing........................

Rippin’ Riders ........ Roadsters .............. Slave Zero ............ Sled Storm ............ Supercross 2000 .. Tarah

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater ........................

Twisted Metal 4...... Vigilante 8: Second WCW Mayhem ......

Offense...........

Xena: Talisman of Fate..........................

These lines may not have information for all titles. If you're under 18 be sure to get

your parent's permission. All calls cost between $.95 and $1.25 per minute.

Acclaim 516-759-7800 Activision 1-900-680-HINT

900-976-3343 Eidos 1-900-773-4367 Electronic Arts 900-288-4468 GT Interactive 900-225-5248 Konami 900-896-4468 LucasArts 900-740-5334 Midway 903-874-5092 Nintendo

900-288-0707 (

Game Counseling)

425-885-7529 (Automated)

1-900-200-SEGA Sony 900-933-7669 Square Soft

900-407-

KLUE(5583)

THQ 900-370-4468

Availability: Common

Replay Value: Moderate

Similar Games: Mutant League Football (SG), Cyberball (SG, NES), Base Wars (NES)

Created by: Abalone for Electronic Arts

Access Tip: At the Password screen, enter 3BFL2XLBKRRSL to jump to the Monster Cup Championship

Overall:

hat goes around comes around,

or so the saying goes. This cer-

tainly applies to Mutant League Hockey. This Sega Genesis title from 1994 is an extreme version of EA’s NHL Hockey series and is similar in concept to the company’s upcoming Rock The Rink for PlayStation. In the mid-'90s EA launched the Mutant League series with a football game closely followed by this hockey game. Plans also called for a basketball game and, even though there is an in-game advertisement for it in hockey, the development fell through. Mutant League Hockey has stan- dard ice action, but set it over the top with devilish players, weapons, and tons of carnage. There is even a Death Index setting to change the gore level and special plays that allow you to bribe the ref or just take him out. While this hockey spin-off is a good change of pace, it still isn’t as fun as the real simulation. Also, Mutant League Football is the better of the two games.

Availability: Uncommon Replay Value: Moderate

Similar Games: RC Pro Am (NES), Micro Machines (NES), Spy Hunter (NES)

Created by: Rare for Nintendo

Access Tip: In the Defend the People level, concentrate on defending two or three people instead of everyone. You need only one sur-

vivor to pass the level.

Overall:

his game is an early effort by Rare,

before it fell under the iron grip of

Nintendo. Rare has created some of the greatest games of all time, so it should be no surprise that Cobra Triangle exhibits the solid craftsmanship that has become the hallmark of Rare games. On the surface, Cobra Triangle appears to be a fairly standard racing combat game. However, once you play through a few levels, you quickly discover a variety of gameplay that distin- guishes Cobra Triangle from most run-of-the-mill titles. Some levels send you on a race through a series of channels, blasting your competition out of the water. Others require you to navigate a series of jumps and ramps to collect discs or rid a lake of treacherous mines. There is even an Asteroids-style level in which you must defend a group of drowning people from an onslaught of enemy boats. An excellent purchase for any NES connoisseur.

o Game Informer * March 2000

| Access Tip: If you're expecting a game in the

| Availability: Rare

Replay Value: High

| Similar Games: Nintendo Tetris (NES), Tetris | (Numerous Systems)

Created by: Alexey Pajitnov for Tengen Access Tip: To access the Level Select, pause

| the game and press Up, Down, Up, Down, | Left, Right, B, B, A 1 Overall:

f you have never heard of Tetris, you had

better just quit playing games. Its appear-

ance on this page is really a no-brainer as Tetris is as classic as games get. The interesting stûr Bout this i dr Tetris game is that this version was recalled, and there is a limited supply in cir- culation. In 1989, Atari Games obtained the U.S. arcade rights for the game and its console division, Tengen, subsequently developed and released an NES ver- sion. During this time, Nintendo also produced an NES version. Both companies claimed to have the exclusive console rights. When the dust settled, Nintendo had maintained its right to Tetris, and Tengen was forced to recall thousands of cartridges. While Nintendo's version did tremendously well on the NES in terms of sales, Tengen's version is far superior and is obviously closer to the arcade counterpart. The Tengen version also features two-player simultaneous play. Nintendo's version does not. Keep your eyes peeled for the black Tetris cart.

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Availability: Common Replay Value: Low Similar Games: Mega Man (NES), Bionic Commando (NES), Kabuki Quantum Fighter (NES), Ninja Gaiden (NES)

Created by: Capcom

Street Fighter tradition, avoid this one like the plague. Overall:

magine going to the movie theater and

buying a ticket to a movie entitled Matrix `

2: The Phantom Menace. As you sit down in your seat, you are horrified to discover that the movie is in fact the sequel to Bicentennial Man. Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated? NES owners in the mid-1980s felt the same sickening nausea as they booted this Capcom crapfest, the title of which might have led many to believe that it combined the popular Street Fighter and Final Fight franchises. Sadly, this is not the case. Street Fighter 2010 is a side-scrolling 2D action game in the vein of the classic Mega Man series. Hampered by an almost total lack of creativity and sluggish action, this game offers little in the way of fun or innovation. It’s a miracle that Capcom’s Street Fighter series somehow survived this smear on its good reputation to remain one of the most bankable franchises in videogames.

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Manufacturer: Courage Books List Price: $19.98

The definitive guide to collecting classic Gl Joe toys. Written by shadowy underworld capo (and Midway marketing manager] Derryl DePriest, this book is a. compendium of all Gl Joe figures, vehicles, and weapons produced between 1964 and 1976. Contains more than 200 full-color photo layouts, featuring Gl Joe toys from the author's enormous personal col- lection, rumored to be the largest in the world.

ACTIO

Manufacturer: Ubi Soft List Price: $14.95

Manufacturer: Varies List Price: About $1

The best candy in the world and we can't get it in the States. Each Kinder Egg is a delicious mix of white and dark chocolate, but the best part is that inside each hollow egg is a plastic pellet with a toy inside. Not some crapola Cracker Jack bauble either, but something you'd actually think is cool. Why cant we get these in the U.S.? Because American moms are a bunch of pansies who are afraid kids would choke on ‘the toys. Bah! If you ever venture outside the country, even to Canada, seek out Kinder Eggs...then send us some.

PERIPHERAL

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Manufacturer: Palisades Marketing List Price: TBA

Seems like Palisades is determined to snatch up the toy licenses to all things Square Soft. Case in point, the company pro- vided pictures of its nearly completed Front Mission 3 figures before the game was released. It seemed a bold move for them to bank on the game being successful enough to sell toys, but after ad seeing these six-inch masterpieces, it's evi- dent these bad boy will sell themselves. Start looking for these mechanized molds in the next cou- ; ple months.

Manufacturer: Good Question List Price: Even Better Question

6Fw5 HP 45/58

items became (Wood Saddle

CU

‘ENCOUNTER AL

3

— which randomly change each time you enter them.

Challenge dangerous monsters. Discover your companion’s secrets.

© 1998, 2000 Square Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE SOFT, and the SQUARESOFT logos are registered trademarks of Square Co., Ltd. Chocobo's Dungeon is a trademark of Square Co., Ltd. U.S. Patent No. 5390937, 5649862. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The ratings icon is a trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association.

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

PlayStation

Go M.

Quad

9,

ANOTHER CLASSIC FROM THE FEOFLE WHO GAVE YOU TWO OF THE BIGGEST BLOCKBUSTERS EVER!

* THE ARCADE FANTASY FIGHTER FROM THE INCREDIBLE COMIC BOOK SERIES

* CLASSIC JAPANESE, COMIC BOOK STYLE ANIMATION COMBINED WITH CAPCOM'S SIGNATURE GAMEPLAY

* EXPERIENCE SUPER STORY MOVE

LOADED WITH MINI-GAMES AND OTHER DANGEROUS QUESTS

* UNLEASH YOUR CHARACTER'S INNER PERSONA IN THE FAMOUS STAND ATTACK

dak.

Animated Violence

Suggestive Themes

Entertainment Inc. Sega, Dreamcast and the Dreamcast logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sega Enterprises, LTD. The ratings icon is a trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association

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