From: rjung@aludra.usc.edu (Robert A. Jung)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: Rob's 1992 Lynx Awards
Date: 3 Jan 93 02:52:41 GMT
Article-I.D.: aludra.1i7clpINNcl0
Organization: Southern California Lynx Enthusiasts
NNTP-Posting-Host: aludra.usc.edu

(Note: This is not crossposted to alt.games.lynx because my site has declared
that newsgroup as non-existent. Until someone can convince the newsreader here
otherwise, then, I'm confined to just rec.games.video alone...)


By almost no demand whatsoever, folks, it's time for the second annual Lynx
Awards! This is where we'll look back at the events and releases for the Atari
Lynx handheld video game system in 1992, and salute the best and the brightest
while jeering the worst and the dumbest. I'm the judge, jury, and executioner
of this little diversion, so sit back and enjoy the show.

(Yeah, this is newsfeed bandwidth fodder. What do you want? Besides, most of
the net is still on winter break anyway, any anything to boost traffic can't
hurt, right?)

Anyway, without further ado, let's get rolling...


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                            Rob's 1992 Lynx Awards
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Game of the Year
================
JOUST. This last-minute 1992 entry has all of the elements of a great game --
easy to learn, easy to play, sophisticated, fast, addictive, and boasts
quality graphics and sounds. The basic game is great, but the Lynx version
also adds ten skill levels and a two-player gladiator contest as extras. A
tribute to both the appeal of the original Williams' arcade game and to
Shadowsoft's nearly identical translation of it, JOUST is recognized as the
Lynx game of 1992.

Runner-up: STEEL TALONS. This is a software tour-de-force that people thought
was unattainable on a portable machine. The Lynx version not only captures
most of the arcade's complexity, but makes it easy to control and fun to play.
This sophisticated simulator appeals only to the most serious players, but
John Sanderson and NuFX deserve kudos for achieving the impossible.



Worst Game of the Year
======================
BASKETBRAWL and NFL FOOTBALL (tie). These games prove that state-of-the-art
hardware can be mangled with the wrong software. BASKETBRAWL has incredibly
weak gameplay, weaker sounds, and truly primitive graphics that make this a
pathethic title on any system. NFL FOOTBALL is saddled with awkward controls,
simplistic gameplay, a lobotomized computer opponent that cheats, and bland
sound and graphics. Trying to decide which title is worse is an exercise in
futility. It's hard to believe that someone, somewhere, actually played these
games and deemed them fit to be released.



Best Arcade Adaptation
======================
JOUST. Shadowsoft's 1991 adaptation of ROBOTRON: 2084 took this prize last
year, and it's great to see their levels of excellence have not declined. The
Lynx conversion lacks but one sound effect from the original, but otherwise a
is a complete copy of the arcade title, down to the built-in tutorial.

Runner-up: TOKI. The Lynx version of this run/jump/rescue game copies the
source almost totally in gameplay, sights, and sounds. There are a few minor
omissions, but players of the original will feel right at home.



Best Action Game
================
BATMAN RETURNS. This 1992 Lynx title best fits all of the criteria for a back-
to-basics action game -- lots of excitement in a no-nonsense game. It's not
perfect; purists can argue that Batman spends more time fleeing than fighting,
and the $49.95 price tag is a little steep for what it offers. Still, for
uncomplicated fun, this very difficult game will take many hours to conquer.

Runner-up: SHADOW OF THE BEAST. The Psygnosis computer title combines terrific
graphics, stunning music, puzzle solving and sheer difficulty into an
outstanding package. Though the game's linear design and strategic parts may
turn away those who want uncomplicated action, most players should seriously
give it a try.



Best Strategy Game
==================
CRYSTAL MINES II. Puzzle-loving Lynx owners were almost abandoned in 1992, as
the only puzzle title offered was CRYSTAL MINES II. Fortunately, this very
addictive game is capable of holding its own, with 180 varied levels to be
solved. Though the graphics and sound are very simple, players who loved the
classic CHIP'S CHALLENGE will be easily satisfied with this.

Runner-up: DRACULA THE UNDEAD. This first conventional adventure game for the
Lynx offers a solid mental challenge with a unique control scheme and great
graphics. The only drawback is the lack of a save-game feature, but this is
otherwise a well-done title for budding vampire hunters.



Best Sports Game
================
BASEBALL HEROES. Out of a field of weak offerings, this Lynx sports title
stands above its brothers. Though it does have a few rough spots here and
there, the game overall is simple, entertaining, and challenging for one or
two players. Well-rounded gameplay, nice sound effects, and impressive
graphics make this the Best Sports Game of the Year.

Runner-up: HOCKEY. The computer is only moderately challenging, the controls
are a little cumbersome, and the sound effects need work. Even with its warts,
though, HOCKEY is a playable game that offers a respectable version of the
winter sport.



Best Graphics
=============
SHADOW OF THE BEAST. Even with its 16-bit sprite engine, graphics on the Lynx
can only be as good as the programmers involved. SHADOW OF THE BEAST offers
true multilayered scrolling, a wide variety of sights, smooth animation, and
stunning use of color and shades to create a panorama of eye-popping visuals.
This game is a perfect demonstration that the right use of colors and design
can make a Lynx screen just as appealing as one on any other system.

Runner-up: BATMAN RETURNS. Say what you want about the game itself, but it's
hard to argue against the graphics in this title. The moody darkness of Gotham
City permeates the game, while Batman and his opponents are animated and drawn
very well. Round this out with lots of small details and some nifty effects,
and you've got one great-looking package.



Best Music/Sound
================
SHADOW OF THE BEAST. It's no secret that Lynx game sounds are not that great,
as the sound hardware is simple and programmers often put in sounds as an
afterthought. SHADOW OF THE BEAST is a stunning exception; the sound effects
are nicely done, but it's the incredible background music that steal the show.
From the title sequence to the final endgame, the atmospheric soundtrack
captivates you and makes this title a hands-down winner.

Runner-up: RAMPART. This castle-building arcade conversion doesn't offer a
pletoria of sound effects, but the ones present are all of high quality. A
nice supply of tunes, chimes, explosions, and clear digitized voices make
RAMPART almost as much fun to listen to as it is to play.



Most Pleasant Surprise
======================
PINBALL JAM. Its sound and graphics are not the best ever, its modelling of
physics needs a little work, and the basic idea is very simple. On the other
hand, this title is easy to learn, easy to play, challenging, fast-paced,
highly addictive, and no two games are ever the same -- all the hallmarks of a
great title.



Silliest Video Game Idea
========================
KUNG FOOD. Changed into a six-inch-tall green copy of yourself, you must
battle killer tomatoes and mutant carrots to save yourself. Game plots don't
get much sillier than this, folks. Though the game itself is a very average
fight fest, KUNG FOOD easily gets high marks for its ludicrously original
storyline.

Runner-up: SUPER SKWEEK. Skweek, the fuzzball commando, must liberate over 200
lands captured by savage monsters. He does this by...painting tiles from blue
to pink? It's definitely silly, all right -- too bad the gameplay doesn't
match the level of creativity involved.



Biggest Disappointment
======================
SPORTS GAMES. With true multiplayer ability, hardware scaling, and independent
screens, the Lynx has the potential for truly exciting sports action. But when
they finally arrived, sports games have consistently proven disappointing,
with BASKETBRAWL, NFL FOOTBALL, and WORLD CLASS SOCCER leading the pack. Poor
controls, simple rules, and uninspired sound and graphics are the hallmarks of
these titles, which could have done much, much more.



Smartest Move of the Year
=========================
BATMAN RETURNS. Atari has often done poorly at promotions, but everything went
right with BATMAN RETURNS. The company got a big-name movie tie-in, created a
respectable game for it, and pushed it hard with lots and lots of commercials
and advertising. The game reached stores a week before the movie's premiere,
and Atari topped it by giving away free copies to new Lynx buyers. All in all,
this was a textbook display of how to promote video games, and a hint at how
far the Lynx can go if Atari really tries.



Dumbest Move of the Year
========================
CHRISTMAS 1992 PROMOTION. It had the signs of a terrific holiday event: Atari
set up a toll-free number for people to place orders, lowered the basic Lynx
package to $79.99, and gave free delivery by Federal Express. Only problem
was, few people knew about it. The promotion was not announced until mid-
December, too late for most Christmas shoppers, and then word came out mostly
through computer news services and a flyer with limited release. If this
effort had started earlier, with advertising in video game magazines and
television commercials, it could have been a spectacular sales boost. Atari is
advised to do this again next year, but with better planning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  That's it, folks. Thanks for coming, and be sure to have your rented tuxedos
returned by 5:00pm Friday. See ya next year.

                                                --R.J.
                                                B-)

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