Requirements: G3 or faster Mac, Mac OS 8.6-9.x or OS X 10.0 or later
Ahoy matey! Time to pull up them bootstraps, sharpen up yer swords, pull anchor, and set yer sights on the treasures in this swashbuckling, pirateship combat, arcade game. Collect as many doubloons (coins) as you can by raiding and destroying enemy ships before scurvy kicks in. Command one of three pirate ships and blast the enemy to the old sailor sing-a-long song, “Blow the Man Down.”
Requirements: 300MHz G3 or faster Mac, Mac OS 8.1-9.x or OS X 10.1 or later
Here’s a nicely done, 32-bit 3D graphics version of the classic Asteroids game. Built for both Mac OS 9 and X, maneuver your spacecraft, twisting and turning to take aim and blast away those craggy asteroids before they pulverize you to a pulp. Full speed ahead, Captain!
Requirements: 400MHz G3 or faster Mac, Mac OS 9.2.x or OS X 10.1 or later, 128MB RAM, Rage 128 or GeForce 2 accelerator card
In true form, Enigmo is the latest colorfully cute and beautifully designed game from Pangea Software (Bugdom, Nanosaur, Otto Matic). In this 3D arcade/puzzle game, you’ve got to manipulate a series of contraptions to keep streams of liquid flowing to their destination. Watch water, oil, and lava fall from droppers as you move various types of bumpers, sliders, accelerators, and sponges to keep the flow in motion. Good splashy fun!
Requirements: Power Mac, Mac OS 8.6-9.x or OS X 10.1 or later
Tread lightly and carry a big weapon. This fast-paced tank-battling game pits you against an opponent, armed with a range of artillery, including a Tommy Gun, Pile Driver, Napalm, Firecracker, Cruiser, Homing Worm, Scatter Shot, and a Crazy Ivan. The game’s fairly easy gameplay won’t be a turn-off to those who find other similar games too mired in the details.
Requirements: 400MHz G3 or faster Mac, Mac OS X 10.2 or later
You’ve been dying to test out your own fancy footwork by playing Dance Dance Revolution at your local mall or at a Playstation-owning friend’s house, but your conscious keeps getting the better of you. Now you can set your embarrassment aside by playing DDR in the privacy of your own home on your Mac. This free, open-source game is nearly identical to the mall and Playstation versions—all you need is a Playstation-compatible dance pad, a Playstation-to-USB adapter, and our pyDDR tutorial in this month’s magazine to get you up and dancing (though you can still “play” the game by finger dancing atop your computer keyboard). Be sure to check out our step creation tutorial for instructions on creating dance steps for your own music.
Reiner Knizia’s Samurai 1.0.1—Shareware
Klear Games, info@klear.com, http://www.klear.com
Requirements: Power Mac, Mac OS 8.6 or later
You are an aspiring Japanese feudal ruler in this turn-based strategy game that’s based on the classic board game, Risk. Can you secure your influence within three feudal castes through careful placement of your resources, while thwarting your opponents’ efforts to do the same? You won’t know until you try (and die).
Squeaky Toy 1.0—Freeware
Alex Metcalf, squeakytoy@alexmetcalf.com, http://www.alexmetcalf.com/toy
Requirements: Power Mac, Mac OS 8-9.x
You know those annoying squeaky toys that you give to your dog? This little app turns your mouse into a squeaky toy. Install it, and anytime you click your mouse, you’ll be greeted with a chipper squeak. When you finally get annoyed with it (after a short while), secretly install it into a friend’s or family member’s Mac for some real fun.
Squeaky Toy Deluxe 1.0.1—Freeware
Alex Metcalf, squeakytoy@alexmetcalf.com, http://www.alexmetcalf.com/toy
Requirements: G3 or faster Mac, Mac OS X 10.0 or later
You know those annoying squeaky toys that you give to your dog? This little app turns your mouse into a squeaky toy. Install it, and anytime you click your mouse, you’ll be greeted with a chipper squeak. When you finally get annoyed with it (after a short while), secretly install it into a friend’s or family member’s Mac for some real fun.
