Now that VGA is a standard feature on higher-end Pocket PCs, game developers are taking advantage of it. Three of the games in this issue's roundup—Ancient Evil, Crazy Daisy, and Naval Conflicts: USA vs. Japan—demonstrate how even simple games with more detailed visuals and higher resolution screens can be a lot more engaging to the player. Because screens are smaller, quality graphics are important in Pocket PC games. Once we start seeing games built from the ground up to only support VGA devices, they should become more sophisticated since developers will be able to fit more information on the screen.

Ancient Evil (A-)

Ancient Evil is a single-player role playing game that focuses entirely on combat. After generating your character (classes include warrior, spell-caster, ranger, or thief) you'll take to the dungeon and enter the hack-and-plunder fray. With a one-two punch of weapons and magic, your character plows through 25 levels of enemies to confront an evil being threatening the world. Treasure chests are everywhere, as are books, doors, keys, runes, and the like. Although the levels tend to look similar after a while, there's a lot to battle against and a lot to interact with. Ancient Evil is available in two versions: one for devices with VGA screens and one for the more standard QVGA screen. It looks fantastic, has a thoughtful interface, and will keep you hooked all the way through.

Ancient Evil brings the hack-and-slash RPG category of games to the Pocket PC.

For more information on this game, visit the Pocket PC Studios Web site (http://www.ppcstudios.com/ancientevil.shtml). Ancient Evil supports the Pocket PC 2002 and newer devices. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $24.95.

Girders (A-)

Girders, from Smart Mobile Games, is probably my favorite title from this company because of its unusual concept. The game involves designing and building bridges and towers. You're given a certain number of girders to use, and when you're finished you get to see how well your structure holds up against traffic, gravity, and the other forces of nature. Girders will flex and turn red if they're under a lot of stress, and too much stress will bring your structure down. While the graphics are a little mundane, the increasingly challenging levels are a blast. Multiple approaches to each level give the game some replay value.

In Girders, you build bridges and towers to see how well they hold up against the elements.

For more information, visit the Smart Mobile Games Web site (http://www.smartmobilegames.com). Girders supports all Pocket PC 2002 and newer devices. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $14.95.

Super Jezzin (A-)

Based on the old arcade game Qix, Birdsoft's Pocket PC Super Jezzin is outstanding. Draw lines (either horizontal or vertical) in order to section off at least 75% of the screen while carefully dodging balls that are constantly bouncing around. SJ differs from Qix in that you select the start point anywhere on the screen. Quality graphics, support for landscape mode, and an advanced mode with barriers help make this game entertaining.

Capture the balls by sectioning off parts of the screen in the very playable Super Jezzin.

For more information on this game, visit the Birdsoft Web site (http://www.birdsoft.biz/jezzin.htm). Super Jezzin supports all Pocket PCs. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $14.95.

Arvale II: Ocean of Time (B+)