Scanned from 2000AD Prog 709 cover date 15/12/1990
GAMES ON THE MOVE
As the Jumbo jet swooped in to land at New York's JFK airport I had just killed my twentieth alien. I was on a roll; 20,000 on the high score table and ten lives in reserve. As the jet engines roared into reverse thrust slowing the giant airliner I was oblivious to it all, my ears full of ray gun shrieks and plasma bomb explosions - in full stereo. Only when the plane stopped at the terminal gate did I abandon my game, slip the Game Boy into my pocket and prepare to rejoin the real world.
Video games are on the move. Technology has shrunk the mains-powered console and TV screen down into a hand-sized, battery powered unit that can be taken literally anywhere; cars, trains, boats, planes. Your favourite game cartridge is as easy to take with you as your favourite Walkman tape.
Two examples of this new and exciting form of video gaming are currently on sale in Britain's high streets: Nintendo's Game Boy and Atari's Lynx. This week Big K checks out Nintendo's pocket miracle.
NINTENDO GAME BOY
The Game Boy is actually the first, truly satisfying, portable game system. Measuring 90 (w)x148 (h)x32 (d) mm and weighing just 300 grams, it's small enough to be popped in the pocket and light enough to be carried without fuss or favour.
At first glance the little Nintendo seems too puny to compete with the more familiar appeal of powerful computers and video games consoles. Beyond a simple directional control pad and Start, Select and A and B function buttons there's little to fire the imagination. But don't let its demure exterior mislead you. Once fired up the Game Boy has the grip of a Great White Shark.
At the heart is a customised 8-bit control processor with 64K RAM, which drives a monochrome dot-matrix display of quite extraordinary clarity. Despite its tiny dimensions, game graphics are very fine indeed.
It even has a stereo sound system. Although the unit features an on-board speaker, sounds are best enjoyed via Walkman-type earphones. A rudimentary pair are provided though if you have a favourite pair from your personal stereo you might find them more comfortable.
The whole shooting match is powered by four AA alkaline batteries which provide around 24 hours of continuous playing time.
Game-wise, a superb version of Tetris - the classic Russian-originated block-matching challenge - is bundled with the machine. Seven additional cartridges (or Game Paks) arc available for around the £20 mark. Super Mario Land, Solar Strike, Qix, Tennis, Golf, Baseball and Alleyway.
But this is just the start. New Paks are promised monthly, with early releases for Batman, Mickey Mouse and Paperboy. More importantly, the unit is compatible with software from both America and Japan, where the Game Boy is already a smash hit. So expect to see enterprising dealers importing hot titles as soon as they appear (at vastly inflated prices!)
Many of these games can be played by two players, simultaneously, via the Video Link cable (supplied). This allows two Game Boys to be coupled together for twin-play modes.
The depth of the play on the initial releases at least is considerable, following in the grand tradition of the Nintendo Home Entertainment System console. Difficulty levels are well judged and there are plenty of twists and turns to the action.
