Turbo Grafx 16 System - Video Game Console Review

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(More customer reviews)NEC's TurboGrafx 16 originally came out in 1989 and was marketed as a "16-Bit" system to compete with the 16-Bit Sega Genesis. The system actually contained an 8-Bit CPU but it had a 16-Bit graphics chip. So pixel quality was on-par with the Genesis.

Of course, during the famous 16-Bit wars between Sega and Nintendo, the TurboGrafx was no competition and the system quickly slid into oblivion. I picked up a brand new TG-16 at my local Toys R Us in 1993 for only $50.

Although the Turbo never could compete with the Genesis or the Super Nintendo, there were still a small handful of fun games released for the system. The Japanese counterpart, PC-Engine, had a very large library of quality games since the system did pretty well in Japan.

Graphics-wise, Turbo games were very colorful as the system could display up to 512 colors. The games also tended to have less slowdown than both the Genesis and SNES.

The one major drawback is that you could only plug one controller into the system. Also, there is no audio-video output. You had to buy special adapters such as the Turbo-tap in order to plug in more controllers for multi-player games.

All the Bonk games, Y's Book, the only home version of Splatterhouse, and a decent amount of fast-paced shoot-em-ups make this a fun choice for enthusiast of the 16-Bit era.

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Product Description:
The TurboGrafx-16, known as PC Engine in Japan, is a video game console developed by the Nippon Electric Company (NEC) and released in Japan on October 30, 1987, and in North America on August 29, 1989. There was no official PAL version of the system, but a grey importer (Telegames), provided a very limited release in the United Kingdom and continental Europe in 1990 as the Turbografx.[2]The TurboGrafx-16 had an 8-bit CPU and a 16-bit graphics chip capable of displaying 512 colors at once.

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Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have had this wheel for over 2 years, and it has been terriffic. It has gone from windows 98 to XP and is just as compatible as ever. It gets used and abused playing all types of games from the dirt track racing series, to formula 1, to nascar 4. It just keeps delievering the realism. I paid 150 bucks for mine, and would pay it again, but now the price has dropped.The forces are as real as it gets, buy this wheel now, you won't be dissapointed.

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Product Description:
Hold on tight, because if you push the SideWinder Force Feedback wheel it is going to push back. This wheel knows the difference between 55 mph and 155 mph, between smooth sidewalks and gravel alleys, and between a jump of 20 feet and a jump of 200 feet.
The SideWinder Force Feedback wheel features a custom-engineered force-feedback system that adds hundreds of forces to dozens of driving and racing games, including Microsoft's Monster Truck Madness 2. The SideWinder wheel also features anti-slip pedals, USB connectivity, and a quick-clamp system that makes setting up easy and holding on for dear life secure and comfortable.
The wheel works with Microsoft Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000 Professional, XP Home, and XP Professional, and comes with a one-year warranty.

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Logitech WingMan Formula Force GP Wheel with Pedals Review

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(More customer reviews)The product arrived in 2 days in good order.It is a good quality wheel with a good feel.The pedals are large enough and well spaced.The wheel comes with an installation CD and a bundled game. The biggest problem I had was during installation.At one point it asks for you to insert the Windows '98 CD into the drive.My Dell computer did not include this CD so I was stuck without a necessary driver.After some time searching the internet, I was able to get the driver and complete the installation. Once over this hurdle, everything went well.The wheel is easy to set up and it works with all the games I have tried.The 6 buttons are easy to program for shifting gears, lights, horn or whatever you wish.By the end of the day the whole family was engrossed in Need For Speed - High Stakes. The force feedback experienced with most games is amazing!You will feel bumps and turns and other cars hitting you.One thing to note is that if you have a heavy foot, the pedals may slide away from you, even on carpet. I have not used other force feedback wheels but I could definitely recommend this one an excellent option!

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Product Description:
With Logitech's WingMan Formula Force GP Wheel with Pedals, you can experience what really happens on the racetrack. The force-feedback steering wheel lets you feel the road, bumps, walls, and crashes. The custom-designed wheel shape includes rubber handgrips for comfort and precise steering control. Two wheel-mounted gear shifters allow for quick gear changes while staying in control. Four programmable buttons provide easy control of car functions and view changes. The space-saving console design takes up minimal room on your desktop and holds the wheel tight and secure with a dual clamping. The WingMan Formula Force GP Wheel includes realistic gas and brake pedals mounted on a weighted base and a nonslip, textured floorboard to provide your feet with better traction and to prevent slippage. The WingMan Formula Force GP Wheel requires a USB connection and works on the PC platform.

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Call of Duty Review

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(More customer reviews)World War II shooters are everywhere these days. Wolfenstein, Metal of Honor, and even cheap knock-offs have flooded the market lately. Many of the best have found their way onto the Mac (...) and one in particular has garnered high praise.

Call of Duty is a popular team-oriented shooter that puts you in the roles of American, British, and Russian elite soldiers united against Nazi Germany. It takes a very patriotic approach and emphasizes realism in atmosphere, equipment, and missions.

That emphasis is evident throughout the game. Campaign briefings and mission load screens feature authentic orders, photos, and maps. Each time you die in-game you are presented a quote about the nature of war, each of which inspires you to try again or imparts some truth.

The game is very immersive and often feels like a movie. The opening cinematic is a good example and sets the patriotic theme immediately - "many nations unite... one goal... Berlin." Characters seem like actors with lots of dialog and great use of body language.

There are even effects borrowed from war movies. If you are near an explosion - an incoming mortar round, being in the same room as a grenade, or having a tank zero-in on your pillbox - you'll experience a stun effect like those seen on the big screen. If you're lucky enough to survive, that is! Things will get very quiet and you'll find yourself prone, moving slowly, and suffering from blurred vision.

The realism applies to behavior too. Soldiers jump over walls, take cover, and hold their helmets convincingly. The designers did draw a line, though. There is blood when a bullet hits a man, but the violence is not gratuitous. The more gross ugliness of war is omitted; expanding the game's audience emphasizing more important messages.

The most blatant of those messages is that "in the war that changed the world, no one fought alone." Teamwork is critical and Call of Duty drives this point home by making reckless attacks, and other techniques common to most first-person shooters, absolutely fatal.

In order to succeed you have to support, and be supported by, the members of your squad. They will ask for covering fire and if you don't provide it, they won't be alive to do you the same favor next time.

Teamwork is just as important to success online. A single shot doesn't always kill, but it's close. So it's good to have suppressing fire and often the only way to be certain of victory is to coordinate superior numbers. Unfortunately there are no vehicles (I won't give up Battlefield 1942 quite yet) but they're coming in the upcoming United Offensive expansion pack. In the mean time, fixed machine guns do add a little variety.

The multiplayer action is fast-paced and the maps are interesting, balanced, and quick to load. There's even a great feature called "kill cam." When you die, you immediately watch a replay of the last few seconds from the perspective of your killer - that'll teach ya!

Call of Duty features fabulous graphics and performance even on lower-end machines, teaches real lessons about war and history, emphasizes team work, and captivates with it's cinematic presentation. Not only that, but several difficulty settings, unlimited approaches to each mission, and expandable and addictive online play gives this game awesome replay value! It won't be coming out of my dock anytime soon!

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Product Description:
Call Of Duty brings to life the power and drama of life on the frontlines of global war! Exciting 32-person multiplayer action via LAN or InternetDeveloped by the team that originated the award-winning Medal Of Honor series, for the most immersive & realistic WWII game yet!

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Gallop Racer 2004 Review

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(More customer reviews)With the challenge from G1 Jockey the people at Tecmo got busy on improving Gallop Racer. They've taking some ideas from both G1 and GR2003 and combined them. As all other horse games are, it's very addicting. Yet with G1 you end up getting bored eventually since there is no breeding and no chances to unlock different areas or functions. I liked G1's actual racing feel more than 2003, but GR2004 is majorly improved in that area. You can now feel the ride of the horse more in GR2004 (like in G1 Jockey). The added feel of the pumping of the horses head is a much needed improvement. Another major change in the new game is the actual use and feel of the reins. The horses are more realistic while turning (albeit more difficult and less machine like). Like all new games it takes awhile to get the timing of the "stretch spurt" down. The main thing Tecmo has taken from G1 is the fact that you have to bargain and interact with trainers for your rides. This is a very complete horse racing game. Also you can, and need to bet on races to earn extra gold (you can't bet on races you are in). You need the extra gold to buy, and unlock other areas. GR2004 still has great graphics, and has much better "in race" sound effects. As for the Background music (while they offer a decent variety) I just found it much more enjoyable with the music all the way off. Lastly, Quarter Horse great announcer Ed Burgart gives the call! I can't wait to get home and play some more!!!

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Product Description:
Take on the role of one of 17 characters competing for the title of top jockey in Gallop Racer 2004. Pick from over 4,000 horses while you race on 42 different tracks. Even take part in competitions with rivals and negotiations with trainers. See if you have what it takes to rule the horse racing world with Gallop Racer 2004.

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World Soccer Winning Eleven 9 International Review

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(More customer reviews)Konami's World Soccer Winning Eleven series continues to impress with this new installment. There are plenty of new features including a brand new physics system that allows your players to move around the pitch more realistically. This also prevents easy goals as your shots are no longer automatically aimed at the goal, you'll now have to trigger your own shots with greater accuracy. The controls are tighter than ever before that even the most skilled Winning Eleven players will have to adjust to the new style. Not to fear as this isn't a burden, it gives the game even more of a realistic feel. Players in the game will lose control of the ball as in real life and jostle for position when a cross in coming in or a clearance has been made. One problem in the new features is the amount of calls by referees for simple fouls that really shouldn't stop the game from continuing.

There are 138 clubs and 57 International teams present, but be aware that many of them are not licensed and do not carry their official kits or crests. But there is still plenty of new licensed clubs and kits most notably the addition of big name clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Rangers, Celtic, and Galatasaray. Licensed leagues are present including the Italian Serie A, Dutch Eredivisie, and Spanish Primera. This includes all of their clubs with the exception of Italy's Cagliari Calcio. There are plenty of stadiums to choose from all of which are highly detailed and true to their real life counterparts, with the exception of some official names. Anything that isn't licensed in the game however, can be edited to precision in the expansive Edit mode feature within the game. This is the cornerstone of the Winning Eleven series aside from the exciting game play. In Edit mode you can change and alter anything from boots, stadiums, kits, crests, players, and much more.

The list of moves that can be performed in the game are seemingly unlimited and each play a great deal of depth and precision to your own "game." Many of them can be triggered easily, while others can be quite difficult and require practice. This is where the game's excellent training mode comes in as it will help novices and veterans alike in showing off some key moves, passing drills, and other training skills alike. The graphics are wonderful, with great player models and backgrounds. The crowd could use some work however, and player faces could use a bit more emotion than they currently express in situations. Kits are spot on and look great, most of which are so detailed you can see the mesh holes and minor details perfectly.

Another key feature is online play, which most gamers these days want in a game. The online play is just as expansive but your saved edits in the game cannot be used online. This has a good and bad side. The good is that nobody will be able to cheat by using statistical edited players to help them win. The bad side is that the rosters in the game are so out of date or incorrect that you may be a bit disappointed that edits cannot be used for online play. My suggestion is to just invite a bunch of friends over and have a great time playing multi-player.

Now for the replay value of this series, the Master League. This is where you can take one of the clubs present in the game and turn them into a football powerhouse. You will go through the basics of taking care of a club through a generic UEFA style career facing against other clubs that are present in your division. You'll have great times transferring players around and keeping things fresh on your roster so that each match you play will be just as exciting and keep you playing season after season. You can even save your Master League club and use them in a match in exhibition mode. You can even link up your PSP and use the club on there for mobile action. Each match you play and every league or cup you win you'll earn WE Points that can be used to open up new items in the WE Shop. The large WE Shop is filled with plenty of goodies to open up including match balls, players, classic teams and more. Aside from all of these great features there is a new weather type where you can play in snowy climates. The commentary also lacks depth but it is forgivable.

Personally I can't stop playing this game as it takes up many hours of my day not only playing matches but editing and opening up new items. The price is definitely worth the purchase. Here is my rating system for World Soccer Winning Eleven 9 International.

Graphics - 4 out of 5
Control - 5 out of 5
Sound - 4 out of 5
Replay Value - 5 out of 5
Gameplay - 5 out of 5

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Product Description:
The most anticipated soccer franchise in the world comes out with its best game ever. Winning Eleven 9 features new animations, new clubs and leagues, a refined Master League, and for the first time, online play on PlayStation2 computer entertainment system! Take your favorite team online and prove your skills by progressing through the online divisional ranking system. Winning Eleven 9 is the top rated soccer game in the world and delivers the most pure soccer experience ever seen.Connect your PlayStation2 system game to trade game information.

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Thief Gold (small box version) Review

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(More customer reviews)This game is one of the original stealth action games. It is entertaining and completely immersive. If you like first-person shoot-em-up games... don't play Thief. Well, do play Thief, because it's great, but it's a completely different experience.

Don't come to Thief hoping to go slashing merrily towards your goal. Oftentimes slashing your way towards any goal is a sure-fire way to fail a mission. (It's called Thief, not Murderer) The levels set out challenges that have to be met with subtlety and innovation, which, personally, is more satisfying to me. It's not quite as interactive as Thief 3, where you can change the environment to snare enemies, but, as the game that started it all, it is just as entertaining.

The levels in Thief Gold give you a variety of goals, and there are multiple strategies for playing. This game spawned its own following with different kinds of players, and a community of fans which is still operating today. This game is simply a lot of fun, and the Gold version gives you even more levels and challenges.

As far as the ages that this game is appropriate for, I'd say that the level is fairly mature. It's not too gory, just because the graphics are old, but this doesn't take away from the experience, and you still have to deal with zombies, blood splatters, and cinematics which are animated well, and with a distinctive style not seen in modern games. (someone referenced the eye-popping scene, it's not too graphic, and doesn't show much, but it could be disturbing for young-uns)

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Product Description:
From the manufacturer: "Journey through the night...as Garrett, a master thief, cloaked in the darkness of a sinister medieval realm where shadows are your only ally, trust is not an option, and confrontations can bring grim results. Thief Gold takes you beyond the smash stealth hit 'Thief: The Dark Project' with three new levels. Steal from the Downwind thieves in The Thieves' Guild, enter a ruined city in The Mage's Guild, and go in search of the stolen Talisman of Air guided by the ravings of a lunatic hermit in The Songs of the Caverns.

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