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Ball sports of all sorts.

Section Index
Products in this section include:

 

Links Extreme

linkext1.GIF (8758 bytes)

Download the version for your operating system here:

Windows 95/98/NT
(26,479K)
Description: Links Extreme is a golfing simulation that turns an ordinarily relaxing pastime -- and icon of suburban civility -- into a combat zone. Instead of 'four' it's 'fire in the hole,' and your golf balls are rated in megatonnes.
Requirements: Pentium 200, 32M RAM, 1M video card, DirectX 6.1.
Install instructions: Internet Explorer users, simply click on the file and choose Open to run the setup program straight from the CD. Netscape users, download to your local drive and run the EXE file.
Links online: http://www.microsoft.com/games/linksextreme/

 

Links LS 1999 Edition

Download the version for your operating system here:

Win 95/98/NT
(30,172K)
Description: This now well-known golf simulation is renowned for stunning graphics and well-crafted gameplay.
Requirements: Pentium 150, 32M RAM, 1M SVGA, soundcard, mouse
Install instructions: Internet Explorer users, simply click on the file and choose Open to run the setup program straight from the CD. Netscape users, download to your local drive and run the EXE file.
Links online: http://www.accesssoftware.com/

 

Microsoft Baseball 2000

  

Download the version for your operating system here:

Win 95/98/NT
(14,298K)
Description: Microsoft's Baseball 2000 is the latest addition to the growing number of field sport simulations. You can occupy and play from any position on the field, be it pitcher, batter, baseman or fieldsman.
Requirements: Pentium 133 or equivalent, 32M RAM, 50M hard disk space, 4x CD-ROM, SVGA with 2M of video memory, soundcard
Install instructions: Internet Explorer users, simply click on the file and choose Open to run the setup program straight from the CD. Netscape users, download to your local drive and run the EXE file.
Links online: http://www.microsoft.com/sports/baseball2000/default.htm

 

Cricket World Cup 99

  

Download the version for your operating system here:

Win 95/98
(32,851K)
Description: It's a good idea to start with some practice in the nets to get a feel for the batting and bowling controls. The basics aren't difficult, but timing is everything. As with most sports games, a gamepad is useful. When you're ready to take to the field, start with a one-day match and slide the difficulty level to its minimum, otherwise you may find yourself overwhelmed by superhuman fielders. The computer takes care of all the fielding chores, so players can concentrate on batting and bowling. Playing against the computer or a human opponent, you can choose how much of the work you do: batting or bowling can be transferred to the computer (following your strategic settings), either for a single ball, the rest of the innings or until certain conditions (for example, a particular score) are met. You can also act as captain, setting the field and picking the bowlers. These variations add interest and extend the life of the game. The commentary by Richie Benaud and David Gower is generally entertaining though sometimes repetitious or even inaccurate. The sound effects are also enjoyable, including the rhythmic handclap as fast bowlers run in. The amazingly broad-shouldered players are otherwise nicely represented using motion capture techniques and the arenas look quite realistic. As usual, a 3D card makes a big difference to your overall enjoyment. The game prefers DirectX 6 to 6.1 (some black dots appear with the latter), which is a problem if you've already upgraded, as there's no easy way to go back. We like the idea of playing simulated World Cup games, including real weather conditions and players' form, but it remains to be seen if EA will actually deliver. All told, Cricket World Cup is an entertaining game that can be played at quite easy or very challenging levels, and it's fun to play alone or with a live opponent. 
By Stephen Withers and Daniel Withers
Requirements: Pentium 166, 32M RAM, 140M hard disk space (200M recommended), 4x CD-ROM drive, 4M PCI video card, DirectX 6; 3D graphics accelerator requires: Pentium 200, 8x CD-ROM drive
Install instructions: Internet Explorer users, simply click on the file and choose Open to run the setup program straight from the CD. Netscape users, download to your local drive and run the EXE file.
The files are provided as is without any warranties of any kind.
Links online: http://www.easports.com.au

 

FIFA 99

  

Download the version for your operating system here:

Win 95/98
(13,958K)
Description:  FIFA 99 is as close to walking out onto the pitch yourself as you can get.
Requirements: Demo
Install instructions: Internet Explorer users, simply click on the file and choose Open to run the setup program straight from the CD. Netscape users, download to your local drive and run the EXE file.
The files are provided as is without any warranties of any kind.
Links online: http://www.fifa99.com/

 

AFL 99

 

Download the version for your operating system here:

Win 95/98
Software accelerated

Win 95/98
Hardware accelerated
Description: Cosmetically, AFL 99 improves on last year's model — not that AFL 98 was bad in this respect. The overall texture of the images is better; even without a 3D card the players seem more realistic, and there's a choice of grounds as well as day or night matches. Channel Seven's Bruce McAvaney again provides the commentary, which is now augmented with former Hawthorn star 'Lethal' Leigh Matthews' expert comments. Matthews was also responsible for the strategies the computer-controlled players use. Like its predecessor, AFL 99 runs well on a fairly modest machine (we tested it on a 233MHz Pentium II), but the bad news is that the ease of play hasn't improved. At the easiest level, the players stand around like garbage bins, while your players' kicks and passes fly straight and true almost every time. Consequently, scores in the region of 200 to nil aren't hard to achieve. As soon as you slide the difficulty control up a notch, things start to go adrift. Take a 20-metre kick from in front of the goal, and there's a fair chance the ball will go out on the full. Attempted tackles are rarely successful, and pressing the 'A' button on the gamepad is supposed to give you control of the player closest to the ball, but it doesn't always. The umpires take their time over boundary throws and centre bounces -- this may be realistic, but we'd prefer less interrupted play. Perhaps there's some intrinsic problem in translating Aussie Rules into a computer game (maybe because of the number of players on the ground), or the weaknesses may be just due to the game's design, but AFL 99 lacks the excellent playability of other EA Sports games.
By Stephen and Daniel Withers
Requirements: Pentium 166, 32M RAM, 310M hard disk space, 4x CD-ROM drive, 1M video card; 3D hardware requires: Pentium II 233, 8x CD-ROM drive, gamepad
Install instructions: Download to your local drive, then unzip it and run the EXE file.
The files are provided as is without any warranties of any kind.
Links online: http://www.easports.com.au/

© Australian Consolidated Press 1999. All rights reserved.