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Although Snakepit is the current offering,
most show-goers commented more favorably
on Snack Attack, which was previewed as the
next (2nd) software package. This game has
an attention-grabbing attract mode of a
comical male diner sitting at the end of a
banquet table, his stretchable neck extending
his head to all parts of the room, trying to
gobble a variety of floating food which is
suspended in airl Both games have good
graphics and sound effects.
Sente confirmed that new software
packages will be released in each quarter of
the year for a minimum of four annually.
UNIVERSAL
Once again Mr. Do! is off and running with yet
another sequel called Mr. Do's Wild Ride. This
third video conversion kit has let Mr. Do! loose
in a roller coaster amusement park.
The controls consist of an eight-way joy-
stick (Dragon has a fou r-way) and a "Weapon/
Energize" button.
Game Description: Typical superhero
Space Ace is out joyriding in his ship, The Star
Pac, with his girlfriend Kimberley, when
suddenly evil Borf attacts him with the dread
Infante Ray! The ray changes Ace into small,
puny Dexter, a young boy. Borf then kidnaps
Kimberley. Borfs plan is to take over the earth
by changing everyone into babies.
The object of the game is to struggle with
Dexter to regain his manhood, save Kimberley
and the Earth, destroy the Infante Ray and
defeat Borf.
This game is pure fantasy, pure fun, and
pure entertainment.
BALLY MIDWAY
At this company's booth was an array of
games that included pins, videos, lasers, CEDs,
alleys, coffee systems and a route manage-
ment computer system. A little something for
everybody!
Dedicated games: Tapper is an adult loca-
tion video game in which the object is to serve
customers frosty mugs of beer from different
CINEMATRDNICS
The long-awaited conversion to Dragon's Lair,
(seen by some on videotape in a private
showingattheAMOAin New Orleans lastfaln,
has been released. Animated by Don Bluth,
engineered by ROI and manufactured by this
company, Space Ace was by far the most
exciting laser game shown. Similar in concept
to Dragon, but with some interesting add-
itions and refinements, make this game the
one to beat in the interactive videodisc arena.
Factory reps said that the price would be
about the same as Dragon for the dedicated
game. It is also available as a conversion for
about half the price.
Utilizing Pioneer's newer industrial laser-
disc player, the LD-V1000, a little over 25
minutes of classical animation is randomly
accessed with no disturbing " blackouts". Also,
added to the game is a difficulty level option.
The "Cadet'' level (beginner) gives peripheral
video promps (directional flashes) to guide
the player. The other two level options, select-
able on the control panel, are "Captain"
(intermediate) and "Space Ace" (expert).
These two enhancements make this premier
laserdisc game a standout.
taps. Root Beer Tapper is the arcade and non-
adult location version. Marauders is a hybrid
old-style gun game with an electro-mechanical
target bay. The player shoots a futuristic ray
gun at "Day-Glo" targets lit with a black light
and the game play is accompanied by com-
puterized speech. Kings of Steel is a four-
player pin incorporating the ever-popular
playing card theme.
Kits: Galaxy Ranger is a conversion for
Astron Belt. This kit consists of a laserdisc,
program ROMs, plexiglass panel and game
decals. The play is similar to Astron but the
graphics are a bit better. Up 'n Down is a video
driving game (joystick) conversion kit for
Sega's Frogger and Zaxxon.
And what may be the "sleeper'' of the
show, the first video bowler - 1 O Pin Deluxe.
This a-foot alley has a six-foot playfield with a
video monitor at the end displaying the bowling
pins. The monitor is protected by a lexan
shield which Is virtually unbreakable. One of
the most talked about games at the show.
Bally Distributing Corp. displayed a Route
Management computer system. Software
included management reports, financial
reports, performance reports, repairs, history,
revenue, etc. Hardware includes 16-bit micro
base with 128k RAM, 5Mb hard disc storage,
100 cps printer, detachable keyboard and
video monitor.
NINTENDO
This company came on very strong with two
new innovative videos, one of which is the top
video pick of the show.
Punch-Out!! was the most heavily promoted
game. This boxing theme video incorporates
two monitors (stacked) - one for the play
action and the top monitor displays status
information. The player fights his waythrough
six "top ranked" contenders to get to the
champ. During play, the dual monitors are
constantly updated and, adding to the effect,
is live action commentary. (The company
brought in heavyweight boxing champion
Larry Holmes on Saturday to sign autographs
and pose for pictures and, of course, to hype
the game.)
The game most talked about and picked
by more "experts" as the video most likely to
succeed was Vs. Tennis. This innovative inter-
changeable video game system uses dual
monitors to create an interactive play that has
a definite "feel" that's perfect for sports-
oriented games. Whether the player is playing
an opponent or the computer in a singles
match or doubles, he sees the game from his
perspective on the courtl The upright model
(cabinet is US made) has dual controls directly
under each monitor which are slightly offset
to enhance the feeling that the player is
looking down-court towards his opponent.
The game also is available in a cocktail version
(cabinet is made in Japan) which is called a
"high-rise" table because the monitors rise
out of the middle and are more vertical (for
perspective) than horizontal as in the
conventional table.
The company has announced the avail-
ability of Vs. Baseball for this unique
convertible system.