Microprose 1989
Genre: Simulation
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

In 'M1 Tank Platoon' you're leading a platoon of four mighty M1 Abrams main battle tanks through various missions. Your objectives range from defending important positions to meeting engagements or frontal assaults. You're up against Red Army troops who have invaded into Western Europe.

MicroProse 1995
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

You, being a rich venetian trader, do what you are better at, sending ships and caravans to commerce, buying at low prices for selling at higher ones wherever the best deals are and fight for the power against the other merchant families.

Creative Sparks 1985
Genre: Adventure, Action
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

I must admit I'm a sucker for classic horror movies and novels. I'm also one of these people who cheer for the bad guys and abhore the wimpy do-gooders. For all those with similarly sick minds, the 80s produced the computer game of our dreams: Mad Doctor.

Ikarion 1995
Genre: Action
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Mad TV's success virtually begged for a sequel. Rainbow Arts announced Mad Burger, a fast-food chain simulator. Ralph Stock, designer of the first part, had left the company, though, and he was working in Mad News which was published by Ikarion. Mad Burger never made it, but two years later, Mad TV 2 (the only 'official' sequel) appeared - and it sucked. This review is about Mad News, however. The game which should probably be called the only rightful successor of the original game.

Rainbow Arts 1991
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

This is one of the few german games which got much international attention. And it really deserved it. Basically, it's a pretty tipically german genre: a business sim. But in contrast to lame tries like Winzer this one is really fun! The reasons for this are simple.

Igelsoft 1986
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

You may smile ironically about the graphics of C64 games. You may even consider them ugly. I won't protest much. In fact, I have to confess I don't value the 'multimedia' capabilities of this computer too highly myself. I can understand everyone who appreciates these extremely blocky looks, but I've been 'socialized' by other machines mainly. One thing is undeniable, though: The C64 had and still has the most creative 'user scene'! Even today, new programs are being written by the followers of this small computer, some even released commercially.

Greenwood 1995
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

A safe way for a game to become successful back in the 'golden days' was to get good reviews in the magazines dealing with computer games. Most companies went with simple bribery (even though you never believed this of course, eh?).

Bullfrog / Electronic Arts 1994
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

There are only so many excuses for 3D shooters. Magic Carpet at least has a tiny bit of originality: You're a sorcerer flying around on a magic carpet (oh, really?) trying to take over the world. This works by collecting mana and storing it in your fortress. Once you've collected enough, you can proceed to the next level.

Graftgold / Firebird 1988
Genre: Action
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Commercial
System: ZX Spectrum

Meta robot KLP-2 from Quazatron is back: This time, the reactors of eight satellites have to be shut down. Of course, these satellites are full of robots to destroy as well.

KLP-2 moves (or rather floats) over the three-dimensional platforms which now have a fixed distinction into screens (circumventing the problem of the rather slow scrolling). Again, it's all looking and moving very smoothly - technically, this is yet another step forward from the already high standard the predecessor set.

Ron Balewski 1988
Genre: Puzzle
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Shareware
System: PC

Mah Jongg is one of those little gems you just HAVE to have on your harddisk - for the simple reason that it's small, runs under Windows without the slightest problems (at least not under those Windows versions I played it under - which are Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 and Windows XP) and is exactly the game you are looking for when you want to play but don't have an idea what to play. It's always good for a round or two... or even for a playing it all night (if you are like my mother - and she's hardly a gamer, far away from that actually!).