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   If you have worked as many jigsaw puzzles as I have, you know how much fun
 they can be.  ^1Jigsaw^0 from Britannica Software brings the fun home to your
 computer.  I've found proof that a Russian plot to take over the world does
 exist!  Just kidding, I think.  Invented by a Soviet researcher, ^1Tetris^0
 from Spectrum Holobyte is on the most addictive games I have ever played.



^CAn Excellent Electronic Puzzle for Kids of All Ages

   Britannica Software and European Software Partner have teamed up to bring
 you ^1Jigsaw^0, an electronic jigsaw puzzle game for the IBM PC and 100%
 compatibles.  Jigsaw comes with thirteen EGA medium resolution and nine EGA
 high resolution pictures.

   The puzzle interface is that of a menu bar with pull-down menus controlled
 with a mouse, if you have one.  You can use the keyboard if you don't, but
 a mouse is highly recommended.

   The object of the game is to load in one of the special graphics on the
 disk, tell the program how many pieces you would like it scrambled into
 (8,15,40 or 60!), and click on the source and destination blocks to exchange
 their positions on the screen.  When all blocks are in the correct positions
 the timer stops (yes, there's a timer!), your time is displayed, and you get
 to enter your name on a Top Ten list if it was good enough.

   The graphics are stored in a PC Paintbrush format, so if you want to use
 some of your DeluxePaint pictures, there is a utility program that will
 convert them to PC Paintbrush format for use with Jigsaw.

   All in all, this is a good game (especially for kids). I really like having
 Hot Keys to press instead of dragging the mouse all over the place.  I had no
 problems with it except for the fact that the key disk had to be in the drive
 (copy protection again) before running the game.

   Jigsaw costs $39.95 and requires an IBM PC or 100% compatible with at least
 512K, an EGA or VGA card, one 5.25 floppy drive, and DOS 2.0 or higher.  A
 mouse is recommended, but not needed.

^R^1-- John Romero



^CWe'll Never Get Any Work Done! 

   Yep . . . it HAD to happen.  The review copy of ^1Tetris^0 just came in.
 Let's see . . . I don't remember doing much work yesterday . . . or the day
 before.  In fact, I don't remember much since the day an innocent little
 package from Spectrum Holobyte came in with a product for me to review.  In
 case you're wondering if Tetris is addictive or anything like that, let me
 tell you: YES!!

   Well, let's see.  Tetris is a simple puzzle game with arcadish qualities.
 Game speed and starting level are set before play begins.  Once the game
 starts, various block-like shapes appear at the top of the screen and fall to
 the bottom.  During the fall, you can rotate the shape and move it left and
 right.  When it reaches the bottom, it stops.  The next piece falls and you
 try to position it so it will fit nicely with the other shape at the bottom of
 the screen.  When a horizontal row of blocks reaches from the left side of the
 screen to the right side, that row disappears and the stack of shapes falls to
 close the gap.  Now you have more headroom for those pesky falling shapes!
 After a time, the background scene changes to a new picture and the shapes
 start to fall a little faster.  The game ends when the shapes build all the
 way up to the top of the screen.

   Tetris costs $34.95 and runs on all IBM/TANDY PC computers or 100%
 compatibles with one 360K floppy and DOS 2.1 or higher.  (256K RAM minimum for
 the PC, 128K for the PCjr).  Graphics are in Hercules, CGA or EGA (which has
 nicer colors).  There is also a special RAM-resident version (!!!) that is
 activated by CTRL-SHIFT-T at ANY time so you can be editing a spreadsheet, get
 tired of it and jump right into Tetris!  The ESC key puts you right back where
 you were!  The only limitation with the RAM-resident version is that it only
 works in CGA mode.

   I'm warning you: this is a HIGHLY ADDICTIVE game and extreme caution should
 be exercised before you hand a copy to your subordinates.  After a day or two,
 you might consider banning it from the building . . . like we did!  (just
 kidding!)

^R^1-- John Romero