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4x4 Evolution 2
Aspyr Media
http://www.aspyr.com
Reviewed in June 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/06/reviews/gameroom
Time for some rough-and-tumble off-road racing, except that there is no damage modeling on the vehicles. Oops.
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Adaptoid
Wish Technologies
http://www.wishtech.com
Reviewed in July 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/07/reviews/gameroom
This product works as an effective bridge between USB and the Nintendo 64. But it is not as well equipped on a Mac as it would be on a Windows PC.
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BattleChair
Interactive Seating
http://www.battlechair.com
Reviewed in August 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/08/reviews/gameroom
Sure, you could spend less by buying a modest office chair, a decent pair of speakers, and a subwoofer. But the results wouldn’t look as cool as the BattleChair.
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Beach Head 2002
MacSoft
http://www.wizworks.com/macsoft
Reviewed in November 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/11/reviews/gameroom
Beach Head 2002 offers mindless, arcade-style shooter fun, but it gets old fast.
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Bejeweled and Alchemy
MacPlay
http://www.macplay.com
Reviewed in October 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/10/reviews/gameroom
This two-game package is great for a quick pickup game. Both are challenging, addictive, and a nice break for those looking for something other than shoot-’em-ups. One warning: Similar games are free online.
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Bubble Trouble
Ambrosia Software
http://www.ambrosiasw.com
Reviewed in October 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/10/reviews/gameroom
A cute “squish the fish” game makes the jump to OS X. Sure, it’s been around since the mid-1990s, but now a whole new generation of Mac gamers can become addicted to this arcade-style classic.
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Bugdom 2
Pangea Software
http://www.pangeasoft.net
Reviewed in February 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/02/reviews/gameroom0302
Bugdom 2 is proof that good ideas can be improved upon. This 3-D action game has beautiful graphics and varied game play. It will keep fans of the original and new players alike challenged and interested for hours.
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Cave Dig 3
Foxchange Software
http://www.foxchange.com
Reviewed in December 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/12/reviews/gameroom
Cave Dig 3 is a well-crafted retro-style puzzle game suitable for the whole family. Unfortunately, spelling errors and bad punctuation spoil the otherwise professional presentation.
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Civilization III
MacSoft
http://www.wizworks.com/macsoft
Reviewed in June 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/06/reviews/gameroom
Although it’s a huge strategy game, the learning curve is easy, so new players can jump right in and start to build, expand, and conquer. But you’re on your own, as the game lacks a multiplayer mode.
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Clive Barker’s Undying
Aspyr Media
http://www.aspyr.com
Reviewed in November 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/11/reviews/gameroom
Undying is another first-person shooter, but it’s a frightening one. If you’re fond of Barker’s macabre visions, you’ll love Undying. An old graphics engine and occasional crashes hurt the experience a bit.
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Coldstone Game Engine
Ambrosia Software
http://www.ambrosiasw.com
Reviewed in July 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/07/reviews/gameroom
This application enables you to make your own adventure game without having to learn how to program. But its learning curve is difficult.
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Dora the Explorer: Backpack Adventure
Infogrames
http://www.funkidsgames.com
Reviewed in April 2003
Irrepressible and exuberant, Dora the Explorer: Backpack Adventure offers preschoolers friendly encouragement as they learn shapes, numbers, and basic reasoning skills.
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Escape Velocity: Nova
Ambrosia Software
http://www.ambrosiasw.com
Reviewed in July 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/07/reviews/gameroom
This game mixes futuristic combat and adventure. But some story lines are dead ends that make you start over.
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F1 Championship Season 2000
MacPlay
http://www.macplay.com
Reviewed in April 2003
F1 Championship Season 2000 is a lot of fun to play, even three years later. It’s a challenging and great-looking racing simulator.
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Fallout
MacPlay
http://www.macplay.com
Reviewed in January 2003
An odd 1950s bit of “duck and cover” set in an alternate universe, Fallout is a postapocalyptic role-playing game. Originally released in 1997, it’s finally on the Mac.
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Fallout 2
MacPlay
http://www.macplay.com
Reviewed in January 2003
An odd 1950s bit of “duck and cover” set in an alternate universe, Fallout 2 is the sequel to 1997’s postapocalyptic role-playing game. It’s taken that long for the two games to make it to the Mac.
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Fisher Price Little People Discovery Airport
Knowledge Adventure
http://www.knowledgeadventure.com
Reviewed in October 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/10/reviews/gameroom
If you don’t mind running a Classic app, you’ll find a delightful and fun game for toddlers and preschoolers. Don’t count on capturing the attention of kids who already know shapes, colors, and numbers.
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Geneforge
Spiderweb Software
http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com
Reviewed in August 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/08/reviews/gameroom
This immersive adventure lacks the spit and polish of more-mainstream releases. Geneforge is an immersive experience, however, and delivers great game play. Too bad it’s not OS X native.
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Aspyr Media
http://www.aspyr.com
Reviewed in May 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/05/reviews/gameroom
Easy game play for the inexperienced and an all-around fun time for all, with great graphics and an excellent re-creation of Quidditch. But it may not offer enough challenge for experts.
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Heretic II
MacPlay
http://www.macplay.com
Reviewed in October 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/10/reviews/gameroom
Although it’s a bit old (it was released on the PC five years ago), Heretic II is a ridiculously fun 3-D action game at a bargain price.
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Heroes of Might and Magic IV
3DO
http://www.3do.com
Reviewed in April 2003
Expanded roles for heroes, broader specialization options, and detailed stories make Heroes of Might and Magic IV and interesting, albeit flawed, addition to the turn-based strategy series.
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Icewind Dale
MacPlay
http://www.macplay.com
Reviewed in June 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/06/reviews/gameroom
This role-playing game has a tough learning curve, but it includes a huge dungeon crawl and a lot to see and kill.
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iPoker 2.0
Scenario Software
http://www.ouzts.net/ipoker
Reviewed in October 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/10/reviews/gameroom
iPoker is an admirable OS X–native version of one of the most popular casino games around. Sadly, there is no multiplayer support, so you’ll have to be satisfied with taking the chips of digital shills.
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Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Aspyr Media
http://www.aspyr.com
Reviewed in February 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/02/reviews/gameroom0302
Jedi Knight II is one of the best games to come from LucasArtsand Aspyr. It’s a first-person shooter set in the <<Star Wars>> galaxy, with a twist: You have Force powers and get to wield a light saber.
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JewelToy
Giles Williams
http://homepage.mac.com/aegidian/jeweltoy
Reviewed in September 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/09/reviews/gameroom
Just what the doctor ordered when you’re looking for a quick diversion in your spare moments. JewelToy is easy to learn and addictive, although its sound effects are lame.
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Jinni Zeala Pinball
MacPlay
http://www.macplay.com
Reviewed in August 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/08/reviews/gameroom
Pinball may be a niche market for Mac gamers, but you can’t do better than what this game has to offer. Jinni Zeala is a near-flawless execution of the challenging solid-state pinball game for your Mac.
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Links Championship Editon
Bold
http://www.boldgames.com
Reviewed in February 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/02/reviews/gameroom0302
Links Championship Edition is a startingly realistic simulation of golfing, but its complex interface may make it daunting for casual duffers.
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MacXword 1.0.1
Advenio Software
http://www.macxword.com
Reviewed in April 2003
MacXword can read and solve crossword puzzles based on the Across Lite format (used by the New York Times and the Washington Post). It offers quick puzzle navigation, printing, hints, and a clue-lookup feature hooked to the OneAcross Web service.
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Max Payne
MacSoft
http://www.wizworks.com/macsoft
Reviewed in September 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/09/reviews/gameroom
Innovative first-person shooter shines with Bullet Time (think <<The Matrix>>) and its noir atmosphere, but there’s no replay value and the cheesy dialogue can be off-putting.
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Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
Aspyr Media
http://www.aspyr.com
Reviewed in November 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/11/reviews/gameroom
Great graphics, detailed and challenging real-life World War II missions, and varied multiplayer modes keep Medal of Honor interesting for hours. The lack of 3-D audio is a drawback, especially in multiplayer mode.
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Moop & Dreadly in The Treasure on Bing Bong Island
Plaid Banana Entertainment
http://www.plaidbananagames.com
Reviewed in August 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/08/reviews/gameroom
If you’re looking for some fine adventure entertainment for a youngster in your house, you cant go wrong with this game.
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Mutant Storm
PomPom Games
http://www.pompom.org.uk
Reviewed in March 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/03/reviews/gameroom03
Mutant Storm puts you in a ship armed to the teeth, then unleashes enemies from all directions. If you’re looking for a game evocative of Robotron: 2084 that’s been thoroughly updated for the new millennium, look no further.
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Myth III: The Wolf Age
MacSoft
http://www.wizworks.com/macsoft
Reviewed in May 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/05/reviews/gameroom
This game features a new 3-D engine, making it easier on the eye than ever before. Its muddied story line may confuse Myth newcomers, however.
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Ollo in the Sunny Valley Fair
Plaid Banana Entertainment
http://www.plaidbananagames.com
Reviewed in September 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/09/reviews/gameroom
Ollo combines learning and fun in an approachable game with excellent production values. It’s probably not challenging enough for grade-schoolers, but younger kids will love it.
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pop-pop
Ambrosia Software
http://www.ambrosiasw.com
Reviewed in November 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/11/reviews/gameroom
A trippy mix of Street Fighter and Breakout somehow works as an ingenious action game.
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RealMyst
MacPlay
http://www.macplay.com
Reviewed in June 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/06/reviews/gameroom
This game has many puzzles to explore and solve, but the 3-D engine is slow and clunky.
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Rescue Heroes Tremor Trouble
Knowledge Adventure
http://www.knowledgeadventure.com
Reviewed in December 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/12/reviews/gameroom
If your preschooler or early learner loves all things Rescue Heroes, this game might be worth the trouble. Otherwise, look for games with more activities and tougher challenges than this one has to offer.
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Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Aspyr Media
http://www.aspyr.com
Reviewed in August 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/08/reviews/gameroom
This first-person shooter delivers gorgeous graphics, compelling online play, and loads of nasty monsters and bad guys. If the steep system requirements don’t put you off, this is definitely a good take.
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Sheep
GraphSim Entertainment
http://www.graphsim.com
Reviewed in May 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/05/reviews/gameroom
Sheep is challenging and cute at the same time, not a combination you find in every game.
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Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix
MacPlay
http://www.macplay.com
Reviewed in February 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/02/reviews/gameroom0302
Soldier of Fortune II, an impressive multiplayer shooter , offers nearly infinite replay value, thanks to its random mission generator. However, it’s a system hog that may tax even fast Macs to the breaking point.
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Stronghold
MacSoft
http://www.wizworks.com/macsoft
Reviewed in September 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/09/reviews/gameroom
Stronghold is a standout in the medieval strategy genre. With multiplayer gaming, free play, and a variety of modes, there’s something for everyone.
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The Operative: No One Lives Forever
MacPlay
http://www.macplay.com
Reviewed in March 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/03/reviews/gameroom03
First-person shooters are a dime a dozen, but No One Lives Forever’s style (think 1960s spy flicks with a female lead) and sense of humor put it in a class by itself. It’s a bit old and a bit pricey, but it’s still a fun romp.
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Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon
Aspyr Media
http://www.aspyr.com
Reviewed in March 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/03/reviews/gameroom03
If you enjoy 3-D action games such as Quake III but find that the nonstop action leaves you wanting more, then Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon—a squad-based tactical action and strategy game that puts you in control of a team of elite reconnaissance specialists—is an excellent choice.
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Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
Blizzard Entertainment
http://www.blizzard.com
Reviewed in December 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/12/reviews/gameroom
Warcraft III is an absolute must-have. A natural evolution of the real-time strategy genre, it adds some new technologies and embellishments to a powerful formula. The result is an exciting and challenging game.
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Wipeout 2097
Freeverse Software
http://www.freesoft.be
Reviewed in July 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/07/reviews/gameroom
This game features fast and frantic arcade-style fun. It requires low-latency network connections, however.
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Zoombinis Island Odyssey
The Learning Company
http://www.ubisoft.com
Reviewed in March 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/03/reviews/gameroom03
Challenging and fun, Zoombinis Island Odyssey may help your youngsters develop math and logic skills—without their even realizing it.
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