Game
previews
Driver
2: for playstation
Not
content with merely decimating a major mob crime ring in Driver, the maverick crime fighter known simply as Tanner
is back again, facing off against two ruthless crime lords in the sequel.
But the big news in Driver 2 is that the premier wheelman on the
Playstation has gained the ability to walk.
And when our hero tires of performing these mundane tasks, he can now
commandeer the nearest vehicle of his choice.
Imagine the possibilities of hopping in the driver’s seat of a bus,
fire truck, or any other vehicle in the game.
Ecco the Dolphin: My Friend
Flipper: for dreamcast
Smarter
than the average dolphin, Ecco continues to elude tuna fisherman worldwide, righting wrongs and stealing hearts along the way. Our damp hero’s latest opus, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender
of the Future, involves space and time travel in addition to the usual bouts
of frenzied swimming and echolocation. Expect
over 30 different stages and game play that will be instantly familiar to Ecco
fans.
After
a 30-second free fall the hit soil, and the fighting begins again.
One character leaps up to higher ground and starts launching rocks form
catapults. Another jumps into a
tank and begins to blast away, while the other two players try their best just
to dodge the raining stones and explosive shells.
The first power stone was anything but a standard fighter; it introduced
true 3D fishing that allowed players to go anywhere in a stage and battle with
anything they could get their hands on. So
gather up your friends and start practicing the smack talk now, because this
August fists will fly not to mention everything else after the plane explodes.
Banjo-Tooie:
for N64
That’s
right, Banjo and his crass bird buddy, Kazooie, are back for more hijinks, and
if you thought you’d lost a chunk of your life playing B.K., you
isn’t seen nothing yet. More than 140 characters will roam throughout, existing
either help or hinder you, all the while spouting sarcastic one-liners.
In addition to get the huge lineup of characters, you’ll be able to
separate bear and bird to explore worlds individually.
Throw in new moves for Banjo and Kazooie, more brain-busting puzzles than
before, real-time lighting and surround-sound options and...well, let’s just
say you’re going to lose another big chunk of your life completing B.T.
Buffy the vampire slayer: for Dreamcast
As Buffy, depending on your level of experience and power in the game, you can call on special slayer powers such as using martial arts, gymnastics, super jumping, speed, catchy one-liners, and quick healing to fight good against the evil that surrounds your daily life. Now it's your turn to step into Buffy's ass-kicking Keds to save Sunnydale and the world from the forces of evil in Fox's upcoming third-person adventure, based on the TV series.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty: For PS2
Everyone knew it was coming there was no doubt Konami would create a sequel to its smash hit but, nobody could guess exactly how grand it would look. No one's exactly sure what the plot in the story is yet, although it's known that it has to do with the Metal Gear technology going public. And then there is the fact that something very important is being held on a terrorist-infested cargo ship-and Solid Snake has to uncover it. The main question is if the game will actually look this good when it ships late next year.
Parasite Eve 2: for Playstation
Despite what it might sound like, though, Squaresoft is trying its best to keep the game from being seen simply as Resident Evil clone. Parasite Eve 2 has very little to do with role-playing games at all. The turn-based fighting system has been dropped in favor of real-time gun battles, and even though you can still use your magical "parasite energy," the game feels more like a certain survival horror series than anything else-it's easy to see which titles influenced the evolution of this.
WWF Royal Rumble: for Dreamcast
The Royal Rumble is also the match best suited for a video game. While past titles have tried to mimic the mayhem of typical Royal Rumble matches, no game has truly been able to capture the slobber knocking pandemonium of 30-man, over-the-top-rope battle royal. On top of that, battles in Exhibition mode spill outside the right and over the arena. Occasionally, you are even left brawling in a parking lot, where you are just a liable to get hit by a passing car as a Tombstone. The only drawback is that there are only about 20 wrestlers in the game. And while most of the top names are included, the tag-team scene is a mess. You have Edge but no Christian, Head but no Cheese, and worst of all, no damn Dudleys. Who knows maybe they are hidden.
Duke Nukem: Planet of the Babes : for Playstation
In Duke Nukem : Planet of the Babes, aliens invade Earth and try to eradicate the population of males so they can score with the ladies and activate a hybridization program to link the two species. Duke's bullet-riddled adventure features some pretty fierce weaponry and gadgets, including grenade launchers, flamers, jet packs, teleporters, and the golden Desert Eagle.
Simpsons Wrestling: for Playstation
In this game, you will assume the role of one of 10 primary characters-Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Mr. Burns, Smithers, Apu, Moe and Flanders. On the top of the great hardcore wrestling game play, you will get a hefty helping of classic Simpsons humor. Characters blurt out more than 240 verbal taunts. And also all matches take place in familiar Springfield venues. As you progress through the game, you'll be able to unlock hidden characters and locaes.
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PREVIEWS
NBA Shootout 2001: for playstation
Although Sony promises improved player models and smoother
animations-something sorely needed for game to compete with
impressive-looking titles such as EA Sports’ NBA Live 2001.
The development team at 989 is hoping to enhance players’ dribbling
abilities with Touch Dribbling, an advanced skill that will probably work
similarly to the ball-handling mode in NCAA March Madness 2000.
Not only will this year’s class of balers be available, but also you
will actually be able to draft your own rookies and develop them into superstars
through multiple seasons of play.
nfl
faceoff 2001: for playstation
Not only can you check opponents in the
usual Season and Exhibition modes, but this year you can also play in
Tournament, Shoot Out, and Practice along with participating in a draft. The NHL doesn’t want to portray its league as violent, so
no blood. That's also why fights
are limited to only one per game. Don’t try to punk both the Columbus Blue
Jackets and the Minnesota Wild around the rink too hard, though. They might be a new team, but their rosters will be filled
with veterans, goons, and veteran goons.
kirby64:
for n64
We know the little blob looks weak,
but he’s got some nasty attacks. He
sucks in his foes, consumes them, and then uses their powers.
That’s right, he chomps them down.
This is one little guy you don’t want to mess with. It’s more likely
you eat cute little animals and plants. Kirby
64 is a side-scrolling action game; the whole idea is to get from one end of the
stage to the other. It’s sure to
be fun in an old school kind of way.
Cool Boarders 2001 : for playstation
You got me. Three-time North American champion Todd Richards did the movements, guaranteeing that this latest version will be accurate down to even the tiniest detail. If you're serious about snowboarding, it's never too early to start dreaming about fresh powder on the mountain. Hundreds of motion-captured movements by trained monkeys from the L.A. Zoo. The only problem is adjusting the arm length to the character models in the game.
Star Wars: Demolition : for playstation
Demolition isn't an Episode 1 game; it's set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. You compete in brutal contest organized by Jabba the Hutt against some of the original trilogy's most vicious characters. What would a no-holds-barred game be without Star Wars' biggest bad-ass bounty hunter.
NFL Blitz 2001: for playstation
It's all violence, fast action, and high scoring you loved about the arcade classic, only with more new features than the Cowboys have arrest warrants. Blitz 2001 sports new player models, new animations, and the ability to create your own teams. It even enables you to play minigames, such as Goal Line Stand. Not only will all the rosters be accurate, but if you don't like the NFL players you can create your own bruisers, right down to their uniforms and helmets.
Resident Evil: Survivor: for playstation
Good eyes!. RE: Survivor is the first spin-off game in the series. Instead of exploring prerendered locations, you will be blasting away zombies. When it was first released in Japan, Survivor had Namco Guncon support, but that was removed for the US version of the game. Survivor is way easier to play with a normal controller. You can move your character around, which was a pain to do with the gun.
HBO Boxing: for playstation
It's a bit too early to tell that, but with Roy Jones Jr. and George Foreman in Acclaim's corner, you never know. The game is actually being developed by a couple of guys from the original Knockout Kings design team. You actually work your way up the rankings through HBO's boxing programs, from KO Nation to Boxing After Dark. Not only that, but each of the 35-plus fighters features his own trademark punches and combos.
The world is not Enough : for N64
Electronic Arts returns to the Bond game's first-person-shooter roots with multiple platform versions of The World Is Not Enough. On the N64 it will feature 10 levels based around the film's locales, some of which will be seen only in the N64 version of the game. Plus, you can look forward to more than 40 weapons and gadgets taken from this latest 007 film.
Mario Tennis: for N64
Hey, save something for the Dolphin. Mario Tennis is actually looking pretty cool. He's got good quickness for a big-but short-man. Of course, you can always play a doubles match...a Mario-Luigi tandem would give Venus and Serena a run for the money. With more than a dozen additional characters to unlock by winning tournaments and challenges.
SW: Battle for Naboo: for N64
Since the Star Wars game, that pesky Trade Federation is behind the trouble. It's sent in nasty Neimoidians to wreak havoc on this peaceful planet. You play as Lieutenant Gavyn Sykes. who takes over a variety of air, ground and water vehicles to fight the good fight. The game was actually inspired by the N64 hit Rogue Squadron. Sorry kids, this title is about old-fashioned flight and vehicle combat, so you won't be busting out Jedi mind tricks on any of the 16 levels but so far no Jar Jar.
ESPN NBA 2Night: for Dreamcast
How about 25 unique dunks, an arsenal of defensive moves, and even a low-post game. It's those talents that will let NBA 2Night go head-to-head with NBA 2K1 for the championship. With game-specific ambient sounds and facial expressions for the players, NBA 2Night looks to immerse you in the emotion and intensity of professional hoops.
Seaman: for Dreamcast
Seaman is all about raising uh, Seamen until they grow up into large-headed, frog-bodied maturity. Kind of like sea monkeys, but space-age. You can chat with your Seamen, courtesy of the microphone attachment that'll come with the game, and they'll take back. So bust out the brie wine, and get ready for some late-night existential conversations.
ESPN Baseball Tonight: For Dreamcast