FAST LOOKS
| Amarillo Slim's Real Poker PC |
As an enjoyable, well-apportioned introduction to the world of high-stakes poker, this game has everything you need to become a better bettor. You control the game with function keys, which are labeled on the screen. Features include an Odds display, a Stats screen that rates your strategy, and an online tutor. Playing three computer adversaries, you'll bet, call, raise, and bluff your way to the top of the stack without going broke. Peter Scisco |
IBM and compatibles with CGA, EGA, or VGA graphics | Villa Crespo Software 1725 McGovern St. Highland Park, IL 60035 (800) 521-3963 $49.95 |
| Their Finest Hour: The Battle of Britain AMIGA |
In this superb aerial combat simulation, you pilot a British Spitfire or Hurricane, a Luftwaffe Bf-109 or Me-110 fighter, or a Stuka, Ju-88, Do-17, or He-111 bomber. You must also man gunner positions and target bombs. The planes perform realistically but aren't hard to fly, and the excellent 3-D bitmap graphics and digitized sounds make you feel as if you're sitting in the cockpit. Fly single missions or a campaign in this must-have game. Denny Atkin |
Amiga with 512K, 1MB recommended | Lucasfilm Games Distributed by Electronic Arts 1820 Gateway Dr. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 $59.95 |
| Turbo Mouse ADB 3.0 MAC |
Ten percent of Mac owners use a trackball. If you're one of the 90 percent who don't, take a look at Kensington's top-selling Turbo Mouse ADB. It offers 200 CPI precision, can be switched for left- and right-handed users, and automatically moves the cursor farther when you move the trackball faster. Because it has a second ADB port, you can still use your mouse for those programs that work better with a mouse. Highly recommended. David English |
Mac SE series, Mac II series, or Apple IIGS (also available in a non-ADB model for Mac 512, Mac Plus, and Apple IIe) | Kensington Microware 251 Park Ave. S New York, NY 10010 (212) 475-5200 (800) 535-4242 $169.95 |
| House of Cards PC |
This collection of popular card games will fill an idle afternoon. It features spades, cribbage, hearts, pinochle, bridge, and gin rummy, all in two-player format (you against the computer). Because of the twitchy mouse interface, the keyboard option is recommended. The graphics and sound are not spectacular, but in card games strategy is the important thing. Watch out for the computer—it sandbags. Robert Bixby |
IBM, Tandy, or compatible PC; 256K; CGA, EGA, VGA, or Tandy 16-color graphics adapter | Virgin Mastertronic 18001 Cowan Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 $9.99 (5¼-inch disk); $12.99 (3½-inch disk) |
| Redline PC |
Redline's sole purpose is to turn the cursor into a solid highlight that stretches across the entire screen. Originally designed for spreadsheet users, it's less successful in the general marketplace because many packages bypass the hardware cursor and create their own, thus defeating Redline. It worked well with spreadsheets, but not with PC Tools or Microsoft Word. Make sure it will work with your favorite package. Tom Campbell |
IBM, Tandy, or compatible PC; 256K; one floppy drive | DynaCorp 4828 Loop Central Dr. Suite 520 Houston, TX 77081 $39.95 |
| CompuServe Information Manager 1.02 MAC |
CompuServe Information Manager makes it easy and even fun to use this popular online service. The Mac version uses more icons but otherwise has the same features as the PC version. These features include a favorite places menu, multiple-file uploading and downloading, and the ability to compose and read your mail offline. It's easily the best way to connect to CompuServe—and at this price, they're practically giving it away. David English |
Mac Plus, SE series, II series, or Portable; System 4.1 or higher; hard drive; and modem (Hayes-compatible recommended) | CompuServe 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Columbus, OH 43220 (800) 848-8199 $24.95 (includes free online time); $39.95 for new subscribers |
| Imperium AMIGA |
Defense, diplomacy, and economics play a major role in this game of intergalactic conquest. Using a 3-D windowed interface, you must build your planet's technology level, production capacity, and military might. Expand your empire through trade or conquest. Deal with four competing empires as you try to conquer over 100 different worlds. Superior artificial intelligence routines make for a challenging and lasting game. Denny Atkin |
Amiga | Electronic Arts 1820 Gateway Dr. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 $39.95 |
| John C. Dvorak's PC Crash Course and Survival Guide PC |
First-time computer users can learn how to buy and use their PCs and compatibles with this book/software package. Numerous examples, pictures of screen displays, and hands-on exercises are used throughout the book, which offers a step-by-step approach. A disk full of programs is designed to give you confidence and practical experience in using DOS commands and other types of applications. Jane Cross |
IBM PC and compatibles, 256K | Scandinavian PC Systems 51 Monroe St. Suite 1101 Rockville, MD 20850 $34.95 |
| MenuPro2 Hard Disk Menu Program Version 1.01-B PC |
This slick and easy-to-use package thankfully keeps most DOS commands at arm's length. With very little effort, you can create an autoloading menu that contains all of your commonly used programs. These programs load at the touch of a button. The program also offers mouse support, DOS utilities, a calendar, an address book with reminders, a text editor, security, and network support. Richard Sheffield |
IBM PC or compatible, 256K, MS-DOS or PC-DOS 2.11 or higher, any size or type hard drive, CGA, EGA, MCGA, VGA, or Hercules, color or monochrome | BobCoPro SR # 161-C Edgartown, MA 02539-9606 (800) 447-6955 $49.95 |
| Damocles AMIGA |
Imagine an entire universe stuffed onto a single floppy. Pilot starships, aircraft, and ground vehicles on a number of planets and moons as you try to find a way to prevent the comet Damocles from colliding with the planet Eris. Explore bases and cities as you try to find useful objects and clues. Fast 3-D graphics, excellent sound, hundreds of locations, and a first-person viewpoint make this one of the most realistic space games out there. Denny Atkin |
Amiga | Bethesda Softworks 15235 Shady Grove Rd. Suite 100 Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 926-8300 $44.95 |
| MicroPhone II 3.0 MAC |
Version 3.0 of this powerhouse communications program adds the ability to create a complete front end for any online service. You can invoke scripts using color icons, buttons, command keys, function keys, or menu commands. Compared with White Knight, MicroPhone II has an equally powerful script language and is easier to use—but it costs twice as much. You also get a 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee. David English |
Mac512KE, Plus, SE series, II series, or Portable; System 4.2 or higher; and modem | Software ventures 2907 Claremont Ave. Suite 220 Berkeley, CA 94705 (415) 644-3232 $295 |
| Flood AMIGA |
Populous-creator Bullfrog is back with this cute arcade game. You're Quiffy, a green Blobbie who climbs walls and dives under water to feed on the trash found in underground caverns. Evil characters such as the Bulbous Headed Vong, Psycho Teddy, and the ghost of your chastising aunt are out to make your life miserable and short. While not as deep as Populous, witty arcade action and 36 levels will keep you coming back. Denny Atkin |
Amiga | Electronic Arts 1820 Gateway Dr. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 $39.95 |
| Altered Beast PC |
Lon Chaney's werewolf couldn't hold a candle to the scary were-creatures in Sega's graphically superior arcade adventure. The animated sequences depicting the metamorphosis from one creature to another entrance my 15-year-old son, and he keeps coming back for more. Once you get through the unfriendly installation process, you'll be ready to rescue Athena, the daughter of Zeus, from the clutches of Neff, the demon god. Joyce Sides |
IBM, Tandy, or compatible PC; 512K; CGA, EGA, MCGA, VGA, or Tandy 16-color graphics adapter | Sega Distributed by Electronic Arts 1820 Gateway Dr. San Mateo, CA 94404 (800) 245-4525 $39.95 |
| AmTRAC AMIGA |
Mouse hidden under a pile of paper? Try the AmTRAC trackball. The large center ball is surrounded by two wrap-around buttons, making it a snap to hit the button from any hand position. A third button acts as a drag lock, letting you move icons or make menu choices without holding a button down. Not as comfortable as a mouse for Workbench use, the AmTRAC is great for games like Falcon and Marble Madness. Denny Atkin |
Amiga | MicroSpeed 44000 Old Warm Springs Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538 (415) 490-1403 $99 |
| SitBack 3.0 PC |
Sitback is an automated backup program. After making a full backup, use SitBack to back up new and updated files to any DOS drive. Sitback works automatically while you use other programs or at preset times daily. You can exclude files (like *.exe) and create different backup specs for each directory. No program totally automates backups, but Sitback makes it relatively easy, safe, and thorough. J. Blake Lambert |
IBM PC and compatibles, 14K free memory, DOS 3.0 or higher | SitBack Technologies 9290 Bond, Suite 210 Overland Park, KS 66214 (913) 894-0808 (800) 783-7482 $99 |
| Mutant Ninja Turtles AMIGA |
You see them everywhere. Now the heroes in a half-shell have hit your Amiga. They're kicking, punching, and somersaulting through the New York sewers, battling turtle tormenters like Mouser, Fire Freak, and Shredder, as they attempt to rescue their friend April. Graphics are average, and there's too much disk access, but six levels of fast-paced arcade action will keep both turtle fans and game lovers glued to their Amigas for hours. Kim Horn |
Amiga | Ultra Games 900 Deerfield Pkwy. Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-4510 (708) 215-5100 $24.95 |