Auswärtiges Amt 1991
Genre: Puzzle, Action
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Freeware
System: Amiga

In 1991, the EU wasn't nearly as prominent as it is now. In fact, it didn't even exist back then, because the treaties of Maastricht would only be signed a year later. However, there was the 'European Community' which was pretty much a predecessor of the EU. And it was obvious that the political and economic integration would continue, so there was a 'need' for political propaganda to soften the nationalist feelings of the population. Which part of the population is most easily influenced? Right, the children. Enter Auf dem Weg nach Europa.

Domark 1992
Genre: Puzzle
Rating: 2/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Trivial Pursuit on the computer... always a tricky thing. The game lets you reveal the answer to the questions and asks if you made it correct. Basically completely nonsense to play alone and when playing with a friend the question remains why you don't play the "real" board game. I've always wondered who buys these games at all - but then again, obviously not too many as the game is out of sale (and I cannot remember having really seen it in the stores at all, might just be me, but I guess it wasn't exactly a bestseller and thus not many copies were in the shops). If you don't happen to own the board game this game makes for a somewhat decent replacement though. That weird turkeylike... person... asking the questions is a bit annoying - also he managed to annoy me very fast by endlessly demonstrating that the programmer was able to put my name into a variable and insert that into each and every statement after the question, success or not.

PCSL 1991
Genre: Puzzle
Rating: 1/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Dingsda was a popular quiz show on German television running from the mid-80s to the end of the last millenium (in fact, it was only popular until the mid-90s, but it ran for another five years after that). The basic premise: two teams of TV 'celebrities' would compete in guessing words which were explained by kindergarten children.

Sharedata Inc 1987
Genre: Puzzle
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Although some people (and especially the producers) may claim differently, Jeopardy! is actually one of the most straightforward quiz shows on TV. Nevermind that question-answer stuff - it's still basically the same. Especially because most of the 'answers' aren't really what you'd give as an answer if you were asked the respective 'question' ('What is red?' - 'The colour of the stitchings of a major league Baseball game'... right, that's how I'd define it, too). Basically, the three candidates are presented with a sort of 'definition', and they have to say what it is about.

TriNeT Computer GmbH / Informationskreis Kernenergie 1996
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 0/6
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

The seemingly everlasting topic of atomic energy has just started being discussed again in Germany... a good reason to examine this slightly dated, but nevertheless deeply meaningful and highly objective educational game by the lobby itself. Of course, being completely impartial and only having the best for mankind in mind, only the pure facts are presented in this vision of a future without atomic energy.

Codemasters 1989
Genre: Puzzle
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Now here's a real test of important knowledge! Not sure what this has to do with pubs, though. Judging from the title screen, it might refer to some sort of quiz machine standing in a pub, but I've never seen one in real life. So, for me, this is a game about the things you might be talking about at a pub: TV, music, sports - you get the drift.

ImagiSOFT 1993
Genre: Strategy, Puzzle
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

The most vicious pirates of the Carribean want to find out who is the biggest cutthroat, so they make a bet. They're all sailing the same route, and whoever can show the biggest amount of loot at the end of the journey wins. Master pirate Redhook plays the judge, but there aren't many rules - everything is allowed as long as it earns gold.

PCSL Software 1991
Genre: Puzzle, Action
Rating: 1/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Warning: Even though I normally try to treat both language versions of the site equally, there are situations in which this is impossible. This review is such an example. This English review will be a boring read to everyone who isn't familiar with German television, because it mostly consist of references to the popular TV show which the game is based on. You'll still learn something about the game, but I won't promise it'll amuse you much.

Mr Creosote 1999
Genre: Puzzle
Rating: 0/6
Licence: Freeware
System: PC