Nov03MarketingPlus

We reviewed the games at the AMOA and Fun Expo show in Las Vegas in September 2003. We broke up the games into categories: best sit-down racing game, best motion simulator, best redemption game, and best gun game.

In the racing games category, we tested Rush 2049 Special Edition, Initial D v.2, Out Run 2, Need For Speed, Nick Toon Racing, Ballistics, F-Zero AX, and Maximum Speed.

Michael’s favorite was Need For Speed by Global VR because it has realistic graphics with fully licensed cars, unlike games that have made-up cars. This game has great cars such as the Corvette Z06, Mustang SVT Cobra R, and BMW Z8. Once you win first place two times you can unlock one more car—the Dodge Viper GTS. You have the ability to select the difficulty of the cars’ handling as well as an automatic or manual transmission. The graphics of the cars were awesome, although the screen was not as sharp as those on the other driving games. We were told new kits would include cops, additional cars, and a keypad saving system, and more.

Peter thinks the best racing game was Rush 2049 Special Edition by Betson Enterprises because it has great cars, including hot rods and unique cutoffs in the tracks (the tracks also feature vertical loops, corkscrews, subways, and shopping malls) so you can improve your racing time. It has a keypad saving system, which allows you to continue where you left off. The game is being offered in a dedicated cabinet (sit-down or stand-up version), but there will be a kit coming out to upgrade Rush 2049 with new tracks and cars.

There were many great motion simulators such as Mad Wave Motion Theater, Tsumo Multi-Game Motion System, Star Wars Starfighter, and F-Zero AX that were impressive and fun to play. We both agreed that Starfighter by Tsunami was the best because you are the pilot, and you sit in an interactive motion base that pivots in all directions and shakes when you get hit. The seat resembles the Star Wars jet fighter in the Star Wars: Episode One movie. It jostles you as you fly around and shoot enemies. It has great graphics, and the appearance of the header on top of the 50-inch monitor was spectacular.

There were many great redemption games, but Peter thinks the best is Stern Pinball’s Monopoly, which is a very attractive three-player quick-coin game based on the board game. It is very similar to the popular redemption game Titanic. As the light travels around in a circle, you try to stop it on the highest value. Michael’s favorite was Spinna Winna by ICE. You aim where you want the token to go before you drop your coin in, and it launches it up to the top where it can land on a ledge or knock other tokens off the ledge. The coins then go through two series of pushers.

For the best gun games, we reviewed Virtua Cop 3, Time Crisis 3, Big Buck Hunter 2, Warzaid, Cross Fire, The Last Bounty Hunter, Carnival King, and Special Forces. Many of these games were awesome, but we both agree that Time Crisis 3 by Namco was the best, though the one at the show had the smaller display; the 50-inch display is a necessity. You can select your weapon, but you are able to switch weapons throughout the game. The sound and feel of the guns are very realistic. It’s an eye-catching game because of all of the lighting in the header and at the gun holsters.