|
Atari's fumbling of the Lynx in the late eighties is the stuff
of legend. No one can understand how any company could ruin such a
fabulous system. And one of Atari's biggest mistakes was the
notion that the software *alone* could carry the Lynx, without any
marketing or adverdising push. What a joke. But, truth be told, it
*almost* worked. Because when the Lynx debuted it generated
tremendously positive word of mouth. And one of the things people
were raving about was the game that came with every
system...California Games. CG was the *perfect* pack-in game. It
showed off all aspects of the Lynx. It's powerful graphics engine,
it's awesome sound system, and most importantly...it was FUN. Now
most of you remember CG from the ole 8-bit Nintendo days. It was a
game that gave you a taste of the West Coast's most popular
sports...skating, hacky sack, skateboarding, BMX biking and
surfing. And even though rollerskating didn't make it to the Lynx,
the other four did. What results is the best version of California
Games available.
GRAPHICS: This was basically the debut, so the system was
beening pushed to the limit. Still, these are some of the better
graphics you're likely to see on the Lynx. The half-pipe
skateboarding really shows off the scaling effects nicely. And the
rolling waves in the surfing stage are a treat for the eyes.
Unfortunately the hacky sack and BMX levels are basic and inferior
in comparison. Just the nature of the two sports I suppose. ***3/4
SOUND: Good lord this kicks on *so* many levels. Once you hear
the opening theme you'll never forget it. It's addictive. All four
sports have their own themes, and the surfing stage even uses
"Wipe Out!". *****
CONTROL: Considering California Games is essentially four
seperate games, you have to give the programmers their dues. All
four boast near-perfect control. The only flaws coming in the BMX
and half-pipe levels. The BMX bike tends to drift to the left or
right while your pumping along. This leads to some frustrating,
high speed crashes. And there's nothing really wrong with the
half-pipe's controls. I just think they're too abstract. If you
don't read the instructions WORD FOR WORD you'll go absolutely
nowhere. ***1/2
OPTIONS: The only choice you're faced with is what sport to
try. Which can be a delightfully tough decision. **
REPLAY: At first you might think California Games is a
"two day wonder". But it's not. Once you've mastered the
controls of each game, it becomes a contest of "beat the high
score". Which gets quite addictive. Not to mention each of
the four games is *genuinely* fun. I'm still playing this game
eight years later. ***
California Games showed the world that Lynx was something
special. And if you were one of the first to buy a Lynx, like me,
you've been enjoying California Games for quite some time. But if
you don't have it. Get it. It really is good, clean fun. And the
perfect "show off" game.
|
|