The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 58

toabl. DE DAD 20 GREEN HOME COMPUTERS GUIDE 5 SEPTEMBER 1996 War games, sport and monster madness GAME SPACE LEE PERKINS MICROSOFT GAMES. Publisher: TNTIL recently, the spectrum of to Microsoft Solitaire or games was Minesweeper, limited and although the (freshly retooled for Win-95!) Microsoft FlightSimulator is quite entertaining in its own way, even that barely qualified as a game by dint of its slightly serious nature. However, that situation changed radically last month when Microsoft unveiled its latest range of games designed specifically for use with Windows 95. From World War II tactical simulations to monster truck racing, thereds bound to be something in this diverse selection to suit everyone's taste in computer games.

Close Combat is a highly detailed World War II tactical simulation, based on events that occurred during the D-Day push from Normandy to Saint-Lo in 1944. Unlike other war games, Close Combat has an extra dimension of realism, in that the morale of individual soldiers can alter the outcome of each player's decisions. This occurs to a lesser extent i in similar tactical simulations, although it is more of a "shotgun" approach to morale checking than an intelligent calculation of an individual's situation during battle. A definite "must" for strategic gaming buffs. Microsoft Golf 3.0 is comparable to any other high-quality golf simulation currently on the market, although it has the added bonus of being played via a modem or network connection CENTRAX Service Vi Quality Price STANDARD MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS PRINTERS with up to four players.

As one would expect, this impressive golf-sim has crisp photo-realistic graphics, full sound effects and uses accurate physics to determine the ball's flight path. In addition, this program is compatible with Links-The Challenge of Golf, and can be expanded easily by installing new course packs as they become available. Deadly Tide and Hellbender are two of Microsoft's stunning newcomers to the shoot-em-up genre. Deadly Tide is probably best described as a fusion of Wetlands, Descent and the movie Independence Day, since the story involves an alien invasion of Earth with all the action taking place underwater. Although it is not quite as immersive (sorry!) as Subwar 2050, Deadly Tide will definitely keep your trigger finger happy as your eyes feast on its impressive graphics.

Hellbender is quite a wild ride as well, since it offers plenty of scope for combat and Terminal Velocity-style aerial hot-dogging. Fans of The Files will be especially interested in Hellbender, since Gillian (Dana Scully) Anderson did the voice-over work. Monster Truck Madness is one for all the good old boys out there, hellbent on tearing up all manner of rough terrain in hideously powerful, mutated utes. There is a choice of 10 famous monster trucks to race, including against the computer, or up to seven other human players on the Internet or local network. It's not exactly my cup of tea, but any monster truck racing buffs will go absolutely crazy over this one.

Slightly more traditional sports are also catered for in Microsoft's latest line-up. NBA Full Court Press is a pearler of a basketball simulation, lavishly detailed with motioncaptured player sprites, audio effects and all the other bells and hooters. Up to four human players may participate BOBTAIL" Shin friendly Tow Bar Cover $8.95 1 800 240025 Internet: www.bobtail.com.au/~giftshop Black Orange Green Yellow Pink PHONE 107 ROAD, THOMASTOWN 3074. OPEN TOT ONDAY FOR YOUR 566 PENTIUM 133 WITH MANUALS) FAX MODEM 28.8 INT $199.00 100 120 (WITH MANUALS) $1710.00 1.768 HOD $320.00 PENTIUM PENTIUM 133 (WITH (WITH MANUALS MANUALS) 16 BIT SOUND CARD $70.00 166 (WITH MANUALS) 8MB 16MB 72 72 PIN PIN SIMMS SIMMS RAM RAM $75.00 PENTIUM (WITH MANUALS) $1630.00 $160.00 WITH MANUALS) $1725.00 8X 400 SPEED PRINTER CD-ROM (BLACK DRIVES ONLY) $295.00 $175.00 16MB SYSTEM RAM 1.44MB CONFIGERATIONS FDD ARE: 1.3GB HDD 1MB 660C PRINTER (COLOUR) $490.00 HP VIDEO CARD GA MONITOR 104 17" (KTX) XGA MONITOR $770.00 KEYBOARD MOUSE AND PAD DOS 6.22 S3 TRIO 64 VIDEO CARD $85.00 WFWG 3.11 OR WIN95 AND MANUALS. 2MB PCI ACCEL CARD $150.00 2 YEARS WARRANTY ON PARTS AND LABOUR.

CASES FROM $65.00 Pentium120 $1540 HP400 $200 $330 Pentium133 $1640 HPOB0C HPBS0C $525 $775 Pentium 150 $1770 HPSL SP 5MP $725 $1290 $1550 Intel Socket 7 MB with 256k PA. Burst Cache, Epson 8Colour I 500 $400 $575 SMB RAM SVG4 Monitor, 1.4418 FDD Canon BUC210 BUC4100 $290 $495 1.1G8 HOD, 1MB PCI 83 Graphic Card 104 Win 95 6 Spin CD-ROM Drive, 16 Bit ACCESSORIES Sound Card, Stereo Speakers, Home Pack Pentium 120 133 MB CPU $445 $545 1 150 166 MB 4 CPU. $675 PROFESSIONAL INTERNE1 1.208 1.608 HOD TINIEDIA SYSTENS 28.8 Ext. FaxModem $225 33.6 Int $210 Pentium120 $2320 -ROM Pentlum133 $2420 16 SVGA Digital Monitor $300 $430, Pentlum150 $2550 FLATBED SCANNER 4800dpl 8400 Pentium166 $2820 GIGABYTE Intel Triton HX with 512k PI SOFTWARES Burst Cache, High Speed 64 Be PCI IDE Card, Encarta-96 (World Alas) $40.90 16MB EDO RAM. 1 15" DIGITAL XGA Monitor Cinemania 96 $39.95 1.6GB HOD, 2MB PO Diamond Stealth Plus $45.00 Graphic Card, 1.44MB FDD, 104 Win 95 MS Fury 3 $29.95 Spin CD-ROM Drive, Sound Blaster 30 MovieMaker $39.95 16 Bit Sound Card, Stereo 33.6k Internal Lotus SCREENCAM $70.00 FadModem, Mouse, HomePack Home Desion 30 $19.95 WIN 95 on CD 20hrs.

FREE Loony Tunes Screen Saver $45.00 The Simpsons Screen Saver $45.00 Internet Access upgrades AVAIL ABLE Mega CARNEGIE 498 Grange Rd, Tel: $572 4020 Fax: 05724858 FREE 8X 16 Tech SPRINGVALE 53 Springvale Rd, Tel: $574 2008 Fax: $574 2009 1.70Gb 1.0806 1.2806 2.500b ADI GMA Digital 16 CD Bits ROM Dre. W95 Supp. $1 535 686-P120 $1,370 PENTIUM-120 256K $1,650 586DX -133 Mhz $1,280 PENTIUM-100 256K $1,590 586DX -133 $190 ACER Digital Sound 16 (Vibra) $105 686-P150 $1,470 PENTIUM-133 256K $1,750 PENTIUM-100 256K 606 256K. $330 Stealth 3D EDO) $210 Blaster 32 (PoP). $190 PENTIUM-150 256K 256K 606 -P150 256K.

$450 Printer Sound Blaster AWE 32. 3405 686-P166 $1,590 256K PENTIUM-133 256K $2,000 Patium-100 256K. $390 Spedal Sra Ind edes: 8Mb Ram, 1000Mb HD, 14" M. PENTIUM-150 256K $2,090 Petium-120 256K $450 Laver EX Sound Card 16, Low Radiatien Pro Mon IMb PCI Video Tact PENTIUM-166 258K Pentium-135 256X. $540 Cannon 4100C Amplify Speakers, 16 CD Tales Acc.Card PCI Controller 16550 Uart, 1.44 incades: 16b Ram, 1000Mb HD, 1Mb incades: 16 MD EDO Ram.

1.7 CD HD Pentium-150 256K. $650 33.6K Internal $200 Pack $470 Mouse Pad, Wia 95 Minitower Case. 80 Trie 64 BIts PCI, 16550 Uart, 1.44 2Mb EDO Stealth 3D Fast Card. 144 Pentium-166 256X $840 28.8K Mod External $200 pend CD. $832 16 CD titles.

15" Digital, Pro Monitor ACER 1S' Digital MPRIT Pro Monitor. We also repair Monitor from 550 Dealer Welcome All Prices are lat uncluded 5 Star Warrant: Mouse Pad, Win 95 Minitower Case. MS Mouse Pad. Care. COMPUTER WHOLESALER NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Pentium-120 $1380 P-133 MULTIMEDIA $2180 Pentium 1.66 $3680 PC-96 Special at Stand 2047) Triton Cache 8MB RAM, 1.2GB Mode 4 Quantum HDD 1MB XGA Graphics Accelerator Card 14" Samtron MPRII, 0.28dpi Monitor 1.44MB 3.5° FDD, Mouse and Pad Minitower or Desktop Case (Full 200W) 104 Win95 Soft- Touch PRINTERS at SPECIAL: HP-400 Color Printer (600dpi, 3ppm) with FREE Color I kit (worth $70) $299 Canon Laser Printer 600dpl $499 11 SYSTEMS WITH 2 YEARS FULL WARRANTY Computer TEL 9894 8686 FAX: 4894 18 Professional CAD System Intel Triton VX Pipeline Cache 32MB EDO RAM, 2.5GB Quantum HDD 2MB Diamond Stealth 3D Card 17" Samtron XGA Digital, MPRII Monitor Oct Speed CD-ROM, Creative 32 PnP MS-5CD Boundle (Encarta96 etc 8 Titles) 115W Main Amplified Stereo Speakers Meditower Case (with one extra bay) 104 Win95 Honeywell MS-Mouse Pad ARE INCLUDING SALES TAX Tracing Pit.

BLACKBURN 3130 in the action, either as members of the same team competing against a smart CPU opponent, or any combination of two to four players in a head-to-head challenge. Similarly, Microsoft Soccer offers either a solo or multiplayer simulation of the exacting game play and outrageous atmosphere of international pro soccer. Fortunately, the aggro in the grandstands has been omitted, so this looks like being infinitely more enjoyable than the real thing. Gex is a highly enjoyable return to the classic side-scrolling console games of yore. However, Gex the gecko has a snappy tongue in more ways than one, as players will discover as they guide him through the bizarre perils of Graveyard World, Kung-Fu World, Cartoon World, Jungle World and Rez's Nerve Centre.

All games in the Microsoft collection are designed for use with the Windows 95 operating system. WE COPY PC MAC UNIX HARD DISK TO CO $35 TOP QUALITY CD $25 pickup delivery CD, music, scanner CD Computer sales training Call David (0411) 46 6568 Y-NET. Com the net good service speed now get 1 month Free Call 9762 0798 Mob: 0411 122 631 conditions apply Motorola V34 28.8K External $298 (5 years Manufacturer Warranty) Was $348 2 1GB Mode4 HDD (Quantum) $399 2.5GB Mode4 HDD (Quantum) $415 3.2GB Mode 4 HDD(Fireball) $525 Multimedia Package $280 inc. Hex- Sound MS. Bundle (Encarta 96, Money Mini-speaker Oct-Speed Panasonic CD-ROM $175 Sound Blaster 32 PnP $160 Active 33.6K Internal Modem $240 DEALER ENQUIRES WELCOME 20000 20000 Top 10 sellers This weeks best-selling games software.

1. Quake. 2Z 3. Pandora Directive 4. Links LS 4.

Grand Prix 2 Virtual Fighter PC 7. Mission Force: Cyberatorm Strife Quest for Glory: anthology 10. Back to Baghdad Suppled by 76 (9521 2222) Many of these new titles make full use of DirectX features such as DirectDraw, DirectSound and Direct3D, as well as supporting all multiplayer functions where applicable. Although some titles may not be available until the end of the year, all Microsoft games will be selling at a uniform price of approximately $79. In addition, Microsoft are due to release a console-game style controller called the SideWinder GamePad in mid-October, so it looks as if the days of Minesweeper and Solitaire are well and truly numbered.

rrp: $79 (approx). Audience rating: suitable for all ages. Software supplied by: Microsoft (Australia), 65 Epping Road, North Ryde 2113, NSW. Tel: (02) 9870 2368. JUST RELEASED ELECTRONIC PRESENTATION SYSTEM DATA VGA SVGA MAC VIDEO LCD PROJECTOR Only 10 kg Special PC 96 Price BRIGHT "500" ANSI LUMENS 2 Year Warranty.

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