Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
PORTABLE ADDICTION Issue 07
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
PORTABLE ADDICTION #07 15 NOVEMBER 1991
Newsletter for Atari Lynx, Sega Game Gear and Atari Portfolio
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Tjerk "MegaJerk" Heijmens Visser .... (Editor)
Yiri "Neuromancer" Kohl ............. (Editorial Assistant)
Mr. Portfolio ....................... (Portfolio staff writer)
Thanks to: Andre "ALU" Luyer (for having a Portfolio), Mr.Doom,
Decoder, Robert Jung, Funtronics computer stores,
Bart Smit toy stores and of course:
The International Lynx Club.
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Editorial:
An other month gone, and a larger pile of Lynx-games in my drawer. I
like that! Lets hope Atari continues this trend after Christmas too,
though that seems unlikely to me because those designers need a break
too.
It's a good thing that Neuromancer is back from the US, because I
bruised my left hand (I can't even hit the Shift-key with it!!),so I
didn't write so much. But as luck would have it Ishido came out, and
that game can be played with one hand.BTW Yiri did some good shopping
in the US, he bought a Lynx II and some great games (Checkered Flag,
Ninja Gaiden).
Well since we're talking about Ishido, I might as well tell you that
NMR is designing a T-shirt with a Portable Addiction logo and a
Magic Lord (TM). It looks vaguely like the Ishido box. It will be
available within a few month. If you want to buy a copy (prices have
yet to be determined), send a mail to: tjerk@nikhef.nl on Internet or
to bd831 on Cleveland Free-net. The a15@nikhefh.nikhef.nl address on
Internet is still open, but we prefer to receive mail for Portable
Addiction on the first address. If mail bounces on the first address,
you can always mail to the a15 address.
************************* STOP PRESS **************************
A day before the release of this issue was due to come out Hard Drivin'
and S.T.U.N Runner came out in Holland. We haven't got any reports
from other countries saying that they were released there, so we
think that we have a real scoop here! (And suddenly my hand healed in
an instant!).
Atari Holland seems to be doing things well now. Not only did they
release these games, but also some games that were not yet released in
Holland, but were available in the US for a long time!
Well, have fun with those reviews!
Tjerk "MegaJerk" Heijmens Visser
Editor
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+-----------------------+
HOT (?) NEWS AND GOSSIP
+-----------------------+
Atari: The Pouch is available for the Lynx II in the US, it is
included in the $149,- package.
Atari: The Kit Case Mk.2 is also available.It looks just like the old
version,but this one has a removable velcro divider, so it can
hold a Lynx I or a Lynx II. The new version also has velcro-
sealed flaps on the card pouches, so the cards don't fall out.
Atari: Flashing dots appear on Lynx II's with serial number: PAG-0400
The PAG-0300 does not have the flashing dot. Lynx II's with
serial number PAG-0200 have a problem with the joypad, it
scratches the circuit, so you can't turn left anymore.
Sega: Sega will not produce multi-player games for the Game Gear
anymore (except for Super Monaco GP). And they will also stop
selling and producing the Gear-to-Gear cable. Also the Master-
System-Adapter project has been stopped.
At least that was reported at the Game '91 Messe in Essen(Ger-
many). But the Master-System-Adapter and the TV tuner are
already available in the US.
Atari: There will be a lot of 4 MEG (512 K) cards for Lynx games like:
Shadow of the Beast, Switchblade II and Eye of the Beholder.
It is rumoured that Eye of the Beholder will have RAM !!!
Sega: We got the prices of the car cigarette lighter adapter. It
costs a huge HLF 99,- ($50,- US !!). While the Lynx cigarette
lighter adapter costs only HLF 29,- ($15,- US).
General: There's a computer shop in Holland that imports all new con-
sole games, and all consoles. They have the SNES, Lynx II,
TG-16 etc. If you order a game,it will arrive within 2 weeks
and best of all, you do not have to buy the game if you do
not want it when it arrives.
Their address is: Games 'R Fun
Kalverstraat 199
Amsterdam
Holland
Phone: 020-6262264
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+----LYNX Review----+
Hard Drivin'
+-------------------+
Hard Drivin' is a conversion of the 3D filled-polygon racing game by
Tengen. The player controls a normal car and has to complete 2 tracks
within a certain time. If the player succeeds, he or she gets the
chance to race against THE Hard Drivin' Champion, the Photon Phantom!
If the player wins this race he will be the new champion and the game
is completed.
You earn points by the distance you travel on the road. You can also
drive on the grass, but this is only allowed for 1O seconds. If you
crash into an object you are automatically put back on the road. You
can choose a track right at the beginning of the race, where there is
a Y-junction. One track is based on plain speed, the other track has
dangerous obstacles like ramps and loop-da-loops. Add some oncoming
traffic and you have a very difficult game. And then I haven't even
mentioned the gear shifting! If you select manual gear, you'll have
to shift gear by pressing Option 1 or Option 2! Argh!
So the game is difficult. Really difficult. But.... it's definitely
worth the effort. As you begin to master the controls, more and more
will you get the feeling of being in a real car. Although the power-
steering seems to have a little too much POWER (at least,that's what
it seems to me), after a few goes you'll get the hang of it. And that
is when the fun really starts!!!!! Making a looping at 4OMph is very
funny for example!
Ok, the game is great. But how does it look and sound? Well, the
sound isn't very special except for the starting of your engine,
which is a sample by the way. But now the graphics department! First
the 3D doesn't seem to be that fast at all, but when you get into the
game, you'll notice that the road is moving by at a very acceptable
speed, while there are loads of object at the sides of the road! It
is incredible that this little card is way faster than the Amiga and
Atari ST versions of this game.
Conclusion... If you like racing games, buy Checkered Flag. But if
you're into car-simulations you'll just love this one. And even if
you're not that much into car-games at all, this card is worth every
dollar, if only for the revolutionary new graphic style for the Lynx.
+--RATINGS-------------------------------------------+
Graphics - 9.O : Great solid 3D. Just
unbelievable.
Sound - 7.3 : So so engine roars, but great
samples.
Playability - 7.5 : Very difficult but fun to play.
Lastability - 8.5 : This is one of these games you
can just pick up and play at
any time.
Overall - 8.O : Great car simulation for those
with patience.
+--------------------NEUROMANCER---------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+----LYNX Review----+
S.T.U.N. Runner
+-------------------+
Welcome S.T.U.N. Runner, a great voice announces while you see your-
self walking to your bike. Yeah! this is a game which has lots of
voices and scaling! But more about that later. First the basics.
S.T.U.N. Runner was one of the Atari arcade hits years ago. You were
supposed to drive your Sub-Terranean Underground Network craft through
the course while you fight fellow competitors to get the title of
S.T.U.N. Runner. This is a sports game a la Running Man, also in the
future.
In the arcades S.T.U.N. Runner was not an irritatingly hard game, but
not exactly easy too. And so it is too on the Lynx.
First thing you do is plug in the game, don't read the manual, it's
a waist of paper.
The first thing you see is you S.T.U.N. craft from the side, when you
wait you'll get to read the story-line. And after that you get to see
the F.B.I. logo with the text "Winners don't use Drugs", like on the
back of the boxes. But there is not the usual list of names of desig-
ners etc. only the Atari logo next to the F.B.I. logo.
When you finally skip this, you can choose a level to begin with (1,
6 or 11).
Then a womans voice welcomes you,the voice has a great stadium effect,
not like in Checkered Flag, but really like in a stadium. When the
selected level starts ,she wishes you good luck. And you'll need that
after a while.
The first level is of course very basic, in the first few levels the
computer notifies you of every mistake you make, or gives you hints.
It is printed on the screen, but the voice also reads it out to you!
Before you begin each level, you get to see a map of the track. Each
part of the track has a different color on the map,like tunnels are
green, wide flats are blue etc. An easy legend next to the map
explains the colors. Also on the map the spots where the Shockwaves
(Megabombs) and the speed boosters are marked, so you know where to
pick them up.
Below the map there is some further information about the level, like
the number of stars to run over to get a free shockwave, the name and
a description of the level, and the number of levels to the next
challenge level (There are 4 challenge levels, you have to meet the
goal of the challenge level, that is not so hard (like: Kill as many
drones as you can). But if you fail to finish that course within the
time limit, you'll restart on the next level, so you don't have to do
the same level again, as you have to do on a normal level).
The levels themselves are varied, some parts of them are still under
construction, some have lots of ramps so you can jump over enemies,
some are hilly, and some have it all.
When you have finished a level, the womans voice announces that you
have finished.
The steering of the vehicle is good, but at first you have to get in
to it, because to take a corner on a flat piece of track you have to
turn in to a corner. But when you're in a tube, you have to turn to
the outside.It is not a problem, but after playing Checkered Flag for
a while....
The sense of speed is great in this game, especially on the hilly
levels. It is great to see the debris of the enemy that you've just
destroyed fly past you.
The voice is great, as said,and the game has some nice sound effects
but they are present in any game. But there are also some nice tunes
that you get to hear when you view the map, but there are not so many
different tunes.
Again we find that the poster/manual lacks information, it does not
say how many levels there are. It only says that level 23 is the last
challenge level. If that would be the last level (and why not) it
disappoint me a bit because I got very close after a few tries.
But the rest is not bad, not bad at all...
+--RATINGS-------------------------------------------+
Graphics - 8.5 : I like the map, scaling takes
care of the rest.
Sound - 8.0 : Good voice! But not much tunes
or effects.
Playability - 8.0 : Turning is a nice challenge.
Lastability - 7.0 : Looks nice now, but how many
levels?
Overall - 8.0 : Combines scaling speech and
of course great fun!
+---------------------MEGAJERK-----------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+---LYNX Preview---+
Robotron
+------------------+
Robotron! A word every veteran gamesplayer will remember. Robotron
was, as most of us will know, one of the most revolutionary arcade
games of all time. Of course there are still the Space Invaders and
PacMan guru's, but no one can deny that Robotron is just plain great
in every aspect of the word.
Now what was so revolutionary about the arcade Robotron? Well, the
controls were quit different from other games.... there were 2 joy-
sticks to control the character. One to control the movement and one
to control the direction of the gun (as we know nowadays from Smash-
TV). The graphics were nothing new, but who needed graphics in the
good old days?!?
The Lynx version is exactly identical to it's arcade parent. Of coz
there aren't 2 joypads, so the game incorporates 3 alternative con-
trol options, the most easiest to learn being the one where there is
continuous firepower and the A and B buttons rotate the gun. Anyway,
Lynx Robotron is an exact copy of the arcade original, that won't be
fun only for us arcade veterans, but also great for younger people,
that will now be able to enjoy this great game from yesterday!
And ooooppss! Now I almost forgot to tell you about the game itself!
You are a robot that is dropped in a human ridden area. You have to
kill everything in the area. That's it. But of course there are lots
of hidden extras! Veterans already know all this, but younger people
will be stunned by the fact that games of yesterday are often more
playable than many games of today.
+--RATINGS-------------------------------------------+
Graphics - 3.0 : From the Middle Ages.
Sound - 2.0 : From the Stone Ages.
Playability - 9.0 : Still uncopied, great as ever!
Lastability - 8.0 : It survived till now, and it'll
live on with the Lynx for lots
of years.
Overall - 7.5 : Fans will love it, and it's a
chance for the younger kids to
get to know the game their great-
grand parents are talking about
:-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-).
+--------------------NEUROMANCER---------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+---LYNX Review---+
Checkered Flag
+------------------+
Now every system has one or more racing games, so everybody waited
eagerly for Checkered Flag.And it was really worth it.Luckaly this is
not the kind of game that has such a stupid story-line, you just race
to win.
Before you start, your position can be determined randomly, or by a
qualifying lap. After that you can choose the kind of race you want,
a practice run against drones,a single heat and a tournament on eight
different tracks are all possible. Then you can choose the number of
drones (0-9), the number of laps (1-50) and the track. There are 18
tracks to choose from, they vary from short high-speed tracks to
long twisty circuits. Finally you can choose transmissions(auto,4-SPD
and 7-SPD), the color of your car and the sex of your driver.
Now for the race: At the start of the race there is the classic
"Gentlemen start your engines", it is absolutely the best digitized
voice for the Lynx so far. But it is a pity that there is only one
sentence. At the start you don't really have to fight for your
position, if you're on pole,you'll probably stay there till the first
corner. And if you start at the back, you can always overtake two or
three before the first corner. But the rest of the race is different.
You're faster on the straights, but slower in the corners. And it is
hard to drive the ideal line through a corner when a drone keeps
showing his nose. But this is not frustratingly hard.
The difficulty level of the race depends on the circuit you choose,
the more bends it has,the harder it is.When you choose the tournament
set-up, you can choose the track to begin with. So you can make it
a bit easier, or harder for yourself.
I like the sound of the engines from the other cars when they get
closer. Their engine roar gets louder when they are about to overtake
you. There is not much music in the rest of the game, only a simple
tune at the first screen, and at the option menu.
The graphics are as great as you wished. The well known scaling makes
the driving very smooth. The surroundings are very detailed. Like the
Atari Billboards, the cows,trees, cacti and lamp posts. But there are
also things like hai-stacks and snow-men. If you hit them, you'll
only slow down. If you hit one of the other things, you'll have to
gain speed all over again.
Checkered-Flag is a must-buy for every Lynx freak, especially for me
since I'm a race freak too. I haven't found any flaws in this game
yet, but we waited long enough for this game, so it is supposed to be
this great. And it was well worth the wait I must say.
+--RATINGS-------------------------------------------+
Graphics - 9.8 : Ever heard of scaling? Look at
this game!
Sound - 7.0 : No exceptional tunes, but nice
little touches like squeek of
tyres is the corners, and engine
sound.
Playability - 8.0 : Easy, logical controles.
Lastability - 9.0 : 18 courses! Lots of different set-
ups! 6-player Comlynx! Forever!
Overall - 9.0 : THE racing game you always wanted
on every system.
+--------------------MEGAJERK------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+----LYNX Review---+
Ninja Gaiden
+-------------------+
Of course the name Ninja Gaiden causes your expectations to be very
high, at least if you already know the NES version. Unfortunately,
these expectations are only partly justified. Ryu Hayabusa is no-
where to be found here, and neither is his story line. This wouldn't
be much of a problem if it wasn't for the fact that the unfolding of
the story during the game was one of the most attractive aspects of
the original Nintendo version!
Now we all know that there are zillions of other Ninja games around
without any story line so we won't whine about the lack of story.
So let's just see how good this Ninja game is in it's own right. The
first thing that strikes you is the tremendous detail in the graphic
department. The graphics could almost beat Genesis Shinobi! Amiga
games are also put to shame here! The backgrounds vary tremendously
as you progress through the game, from streets to casino's to rail-
roads! The animation is also one of the best ever seen on the Lynx!
And the sound isn't to be neglected either! Every level has it's
very own tune, and so has every end of level guardian! Wow!
Now, but how good is the game really? Let's talk gameplay-wise!
The control over the Ninja is very good and responsive. And, though
there are only a few ways to dispose of the enemies, there are lot's
of variations on these ways! You can interact completely with your
surroundings, like climbing into poles, and crashing into bins! But
now the sad part about all this.... there are only 4 levels! Argh!
The levels are all a feast for the eye, but there's only 4 of them!!
And the game isn't really THAT hard! AND there are unlimited con-
tinues! So the game is way too easy to complete!!!!
Conclusion... if you are a video Ninja veteran, you'll love this
opportunity to play Ninja on yer own Lynx. Even if you're not truly
into these games, try it out! But remember; it's a megagreat game,
but only just worth the cash if you try to complete it without using
any continues. Sayonara!
+--RATINGS-------------------------------------------+
Graphics - 9.5 : Some of the best yet seen
on the Lynx.
Sound - 7.5 : Various tunes and average
Sound-FX.
Playability - 8.3 : A joy to control the Ninja.
Lastability - 5.5 : Only 4 easy to complete levels.
Overall - 8.5 : Great for every video Ninja.
+--------------------NEUROMANCER---------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+---LYNX Review---+
Ishido:
The Way Of The
Stones
+------------------+
The picture on the box promises a lot, not that it has got something
to do with the game. But the graphics of the game look as "solid" as
the picture on the box.
When you first start the game you get to see a great view of some
kind of castle of palace (again, this has got nothing to do with the
game-play,but it is nice). And then there are fireworks,a great touch
that also makes the game look solid.
As you push a button to skip this screen, you get to hear a bell that
announces the option menu. If you wait a while you will get all high-
score screen.
At the option menu you choose the tile display (there are three kinds
of displays), the oracle set-up (the oracle helps you to "solve" a
problem that was on your mind when you approached the oracle,it gives
you a saying when you make a 4-way match). The most interresting set-
up is the mode set-up, you can choose Solitaire,Cooperative,Challenge
or Tournament mode. Now the box doesn't have that yellow Comlynx mark
(would destroy the beautiful picture :-), but the instruction poster
says that you can Comlynx "with as many opponents as you wish".
We haven't found out yet what the exact number of players is, but we
will soon find out.
The method of scoring can be determined at the Game menu, there are 2
scoring methods. The ancient way only counts the 4-way matches, and
the Modern method gives points to all matches.
The object of the game is to place 72 stones on the 96 squares. The
game play is simple and direct. Move the joypad, and you'll move to
another square. Button A places the stone, and button B takes a stone
back. There is no music during the game, there is only the sound of a
stone being placed. When you push option 2 you'll get to see a menu,
like in Shanghai it is ment to help you. You can ask the computer to
help you one time or all the time and you can see which stones you
still have to place. Also you can choose to end the game or choose to
start the same game over on this menu.
When you have finished the game you'll get to see the high-scores,
even if the computer is the one with a high score.
Last month I told you about the comparison with Shanghai. Now they
are not identical, but they have much in common. I also told you that
this game would not sell too fast because most people already have
and like Shanghai. And I think my prediction was right (In Holland at
least), a sales man told me he wasn't too thrilled with the Ishido
sales. Not that it is a bad game (It looks and feels good, addictive
gameplay) but not many people are going to buy 2 place-blocks-and-
think game.
+--RATINGS-------------------------------------------+
Graphics - 8.0 : Good, but in this kind of game
you can't expect exceptional
graphics.
Sound - 6.6 : Not bad, but I would like
more FX.
Playability - 7.8 : Clear, you don't need the manual
for that. I like the menu.
Lastability - 8.0 : Unlimited Link-up? WOW!
Overall - 7.9 : Great, but Shanghai....
+--------------------MEGAJERK------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+-GAMEGEAR Review-+
World Class
Leaderboard Golf
+------------------+
Well, here is the first golf game for the GameGear. Of course golf
can be fun, but I can't stop myself from thinking that doing these
kind of sports for real is a lot more fun. But anyway, as a reviewer
I have no choice but to play golf in computerized and miniaturized
form.
Now then.. in this Leaderboard Golf up to four players can play 18
holes on four courses: St. Andrews, Doral, Cypress Creek and the
biggest of them all, the Gauntlet, a monster World Class course. You
also have the option to practice a little bit. I nice feature though
is the ability to glance to the left and the right. Furthermore you
can see your position on the course from overhead. When hitting the
ball a sensitive measuring stick indicates slope and breaks.
Of course all this sounds very impressing, but still the game isn't
really that hot. Personally I think that these kind of games are
more playable on normal desktop computers, and don't really fit in
the small screen of a handheld. Okay, for golf-phreaks this game is
quite nice, but even then....
The graphics are all quite well, and so is are the sounds. There
even is a digitized voice which actually sounds quite nice and en-
hances the game's overall "feel". My conclusion is simple; graphics
are nice, sound is good, playability is mediocre... so all in all,
a very average game.
+--RATINGS-------------------------------------------+
Graphics - 7.O : Quite allright, and sharp
as allways.
Sound - 7.7 : Sparse, but very good.
Playability - 6.7 : Difficult to control.
Lastability - 6.O : You've probably had enough
after a week.
Overall - 6.8 : Nice Golf-Game, but not
THAT outstanding.
+--------------------NEUROMANCER---------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+-----------------------+
International Lynx Club
+-----------------------+
Last month we told you about the International Lynx Club, well we've
had more contact with them,and here are some projects they're working
on: 1) Joystick-adapter
2) True Stereo for the Lynx I
3) And a souped up Lynx: 24MHz instead of 16MHz (!!!!)
And here are some games updates, some with description.
- Hyperdrome: Motorcycle race like TRON
- Super Asteroids & Missile Command: They are on one card !
- Super Skweek: 100 levels + secrets, paint your world pink.
- Lucky Stars: A program for horoscope, biorythmus and more.
- Batman II
- Rampart
- Road Riot 4WD
- Steel Talons
- Gordo 106
- Rabbit Quest
3rd party developers:
- Outpost Mars Cyber Labs
- Cards: Cribbage, Gin, Solitaire. Reflex Software
- Battle Universe Apti Games Systems
- Leaderboard U.S. Gold
- Pro Beach Volleyball Knight Technologies
- Home Controller Itron
- Starship John Handy
- Crazy Ace Miniature Golf Telegames
- R.C. Destruction Derby Telegames
- Storms Over Doria Telegames
- Baseball Alpine Software
- Crystal Mines II Color Dreams
Here are the addresses of the International Lynx Club in various
countries, if your country is not mentioned in the list, that means
that they are not represented there. If you want to set up a division
in your country, you can send for information to the German address.
- Gremany: Internationaler LYNX-Club
Hans-Jorg Sebastian
Siegfriedstr. 3
3684 Schmitten 3
Germany
- Netherlands: International LYNX-Club
Leon Stolk
Vanenburg 2
7339 DN Ugchelen
The Netherlands
- Austria: Internationaler LYNX-Club
Christian Lenikus
Obertraun 27
4831 Obertraun
Austria
- Switzerland: Swiss-LYNX-Info-Club
Eugene Rodel
Sangeliweg 45
4900 Langenthal
Switzerland
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+---Portfolio Preview---+
PowerBASIC
+--Spectra Publishing--+
Well, we didn't have that much exiting Portfolio-stuff the last few
months, and with the disappearance of our Mr.Portfolio we didn't get
any news at all! Anyway, for as long as Mr.Portfolio is gone, I have
taken over, so here I bring you a preview of the first full featured
Basic compiler!
PortFolio PowerBASIC isn't a direct port-over from the original
PowerBASIC. This version makes full use of the Portfolio's internal
functions! Great! But we all had PBasic (by BJ Gleason), so what are
we supposed to do with yet another Basic interpreter? Well, the
problem with PBasic was, that one always needed PBasic to run files.
Now here we have a Basic COMPILER! Although the files still need a
runtime file to operate, you don't have to have the entire compiler
installed on the Ram-card you're running the program from.
PowerBASIC supports the usual Basic commands, string handling, pro-
cedures and interrupts, mathematical functions (like cos(), sin(),
abs()), file handling, sound and graphics, looping, a full set of
input and output commands, and the ability to address the serial com
port for printing of telecommunications! You can either use label or
line numbers. You even can kinda emulate chaining, although variables
are not passed.
Now probably the biggest plus of PowerBASIC... you can not only
make use of .COM or .EXE files, but also the Portfolio specific .RUN
format is supported!This means that a program with the extension .RUN
is not loaded into memory but is executed directly from card!
We'll give you a full review when we receive our copy. Until then,
you'll just have to wait! Har Har!
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Great new games! Atari, continue please!!!
Well, lets hope they listen. After next month issue I'll be going to
Thailand. I'll see if I can get some Game Gear info there, because in
Holland it is not available.
But at least Sega is doing some advertising on TV, in mags etc. for
all it's consoles, it is currently in competition with Nintendo. And
where is Atari? Well where did you expect? No where of course! Not a
single commercial on TV! (Well, I heard a radio commercial for the
Lynx, but that was made for Bart Smit (a toy store) and not for
Atari!). Come on guys! It is almost Christmas, this is the time of
the year to get a sales boost!
But next month: Christmas special! Yeah!
Tjerk "MegaJerk" Heijmens Visser
P.S. Remember: The new Internet address is: tjerk@nikhef.nl
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
==========================================================================
