Games Roundup

Short reviews from Games Editor Allen Gall

The two most interesting titles I've been playing are Towers Tricks and Boney Boy, both featured in this issue. Towers Tricks is a platform scroller with an unusual design that makes each level a little unpredictable. It's actually an old game from the Commodore 64 era, but Byte@Hand's version of it makes it seem fresh and relevant today. Boney Boy is another quality platform scroller—one of the best I've seen since Rayman Ultimate.

Towers Tricks is a platform scroller with maze-like levels.

Towers Tricks (A-)

Based on the old Commodore 64 game Nebulus, Towers Tricks is a labyrinth-puzzle game in the platform scroller genre. The action takes place on cylindrical towers that appear to rotate as the little man walks along the platforms. Each level has dark tunnels, elevators, platforms, and monsters. The player's job is to explore each maze-like level and find the treasure behind a glowing door. Towers Tricks has great animation, good graphics, and a quirky, likable atmosphere, all of which help it stand out from other games in this category.

For more information on this game, visit the Byte@Hand Web site (http://www.bytehand.com). Towers Tricks supports Pocket PC 2002 and newer devices. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $19.95.

Boney Boy is an unusually good platform scroller.

Boney Boy (A-)

This terrific platform scroller features Boney Boy, a jungle character out to confront his evil, troublemaking brother, Nobone. Boney Boy is a high-quality game with top-notch graphics and audio. The game environment is very dynamic, with smooth scrolling, great backgrounds, and lots of animation. Everything in the game looks and feels alive—it draws you in and makes you want to stick around to see what's coming next.

For more information on this game, visit the Mobisation Web site (http://www.mobisation.com). Boney Boy supports Pocket PC 2002 and newer devices. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $14.95.

GeoRally EX makes good use of the 3D acceleration hardware found on newer devices.

GeoRally EX (A)

GeoRally EX attempts to recreate European style rally racing, which involves driving subcompact cars through narrow, twisty, and often dangerous pastoral settings. What makes GeoRally EX interesting is that it uses the Intel 2700G graphics accelerator found in the Dell Axim X50v/X51v series and some newer Pocket PCs. As a result, it has the best graphics of any racing game I've seen, whether you're racing down twisting country roads or cobblestone city streets. GeoRally EX's controls are a little clunky and the cars don't react quite like the real thing. But the graphics are fantastic and the game is enjoyable, with a level of visual realism not seen before. While Pocket PC racing games aren't as good as those on Xbox and other platforms, they're getting better all the time.

For more information on this game, visit the IonFx Web site (http://www.ionfx.com). GeoRally EX supports Windows Mobile 5 devices equipped with the Intel 2700G 3D graphics processor. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $9.99.

Smart Drops is based on an older idea but has an interesting twist in the rules.

Smart Drops (A-)

Smart Drops is a more sophisticated version of a color-matching puzzle game called Same. In addition to excellent graphics, there is a unique twist to how the game is played: Pieces can be moved in only one direction (indicated by an arrow on each piece). This requires you to think a lot more about every move you make and prevents the game from being endlessly repetitive.