Here are the results of the randomizer. Any games with a * on it were requested if MAME 36 TG came out. I will also give my OPINION on each game. Yeah. You get to debate which games should be in or out :)

Before I begin, I swear that I only used the randomizer once.(there's a reason I said that.)

What I did was mix in the MAME 35s and the MAME 36s and listed the top 39.

*1. Pole Position - Racing - If MAME 36 TG comes out - fine.

2. Pnickies(that's why I said that) - Puzzle - I don't think the slow computer thing is a problem - might have to use sound off though.

*3. Street Fighter II - Fighter - now Barry requested this to be in if MAME 36 was released... although it can be played on MAME 35 - should be consider that to be a game if MAME 36 is out or not? I have no opinion on this as of yet.

4. Arkanoid II - Breakout - fine.

5. Green Beret - Action Shooter - fine.

6. Gaplus - Vertical Shooter - fine.

7. Sega Ninja - ? - fine unless there's a repeat somewhere

8. 1943 KAI - Vertical Shooter - dog gone it - it violates the 1 game / type rule - so I have to give the opinion to throw it out :(

9. Solar Fox - ??????

10. GunSmoke - ??????

11. Bubble Bobble - Platform I guess - fine.

12. Ghosts N' Goblins - Platform - Do you want more ghosts? - and I think it's also a repeat.

13. Galaxian - Vertical Shooter - out on 1 game / type

14. Karate Champ - ??????

15. Magic Sword - Action Fighter I think... fine?

16. Rally X - Maze/Collect Em' Up - fine(unless one of those ???? is otherwise)

17. Klax - Puzzle - out cause of pnickies

18. Tag Team - Sports - fine unless one of the above takes a similar type

19. Pang - ??????

20. Star Wars - 3D Shooter - fine

21. Pitfall II - platform I think - and therefore out.

22. Championship Sprint - another questionable one - are we declaring this a clone even though it's an original and has different tracks?

23. Pengo - ??????

24. Wonderboy III - ??????

25. Moon Patrol - ??????

26. WindJammers - Sports - out due to Tag Team

27. Rainbow Islands - Platform - out

28. Super Breakout - Breakout - out

29. Bank Panic - ??????

30. Wonderboy - Platform - out

All of these are opinions of mine - but your opinion counts as much as mine. Looking forward to an exciting debate. Debate closes on May 10, 2000 at 2359 GMT.

-- Gameboy9 (goldengameboy@yahoo.com), May 02, 2000

Answers

I'll fill in the blanks for you.

Solar Fox is a maze-type.

Sega Ninja is a vertical scrolling shooter, though a loose one at that.

Gunsmoke is an old-west vertical scrolling shooter.

Karate Champ is a static-screen fighter.

Magic Sword is a side-scrolling action/RPG.

Pang is...well, come on Gameboy, you played one of its descendants in T1.

Pengo is a maze-type, although a fairly unique one. Wonder Boy III is a side-scrolling action game.

Moon Patrol is...how old are you? didn't you at least have an Atari 2600?

Bank Panic is a first person shooter.

---

Now, for the breakdown.

I would throw 8 and 10 for sure. Both are essentially 6 or 7, but 6 and 7 themselves are different enough to do justice to the genre (kinda like the difference is game between BBH and BeeJay.

I would be concerned about 5. I think too many people will complete it. Aside form that tho', it's good to go.

I would have to say that both Bubble Bobble and GnG are allowed in the tournament, as they are not the same game type. There exists at least the same difference between these two games as between Sega Ninja and Gaplus, if not more.

That would be my opinion. And damn myself for saying it, because I actually kinda like the selection, aside from GnG. Maybe we can chuck it under the Same Game in 2 consecutive tourneys rule. Didn't something like this come up for Galaga. That would then leave us with Karate Champ or Magic Sword, both of which are good picks, and Magic Sword is an excellent tournament game: well-designed and tough to beat on one quarter (heaven knows I've never come anywhere close).

Greetings programs, Q.T.Quazar

-- Q.T.Quazar (qan@home.com), May 02, 2000.

Regarding SF2...wasn't it requested so that it would be Street Fighter Zero if MAME 36, Street Fighter II if MAME 35?

In any case, I might object to this game due to the possibility of beating the game with 'cheesy' moves. (Say, throwing a fireball repeatedly -- a little variance with some of the bosses but that's about all that's required.) I could get my roommate to make a recording with Ken if you need a demonstration.

Pole Position might have controller issues.

GnG I would consider out due to the other GnG in T3.

I need to go play some of the rest of the games before I form opinions on them.

-- jbd (jdyer@u.arizona.edu), May 02, 2000.

SF2... I did request SF2 for MAME 0.36, as Street Fighter Zero/Alpha was removed just prior to MAME 0.36. It was in MAME 0.35, so I guess it could be used then. I'm happy with SF2 if SFZ if not used for whatever reason.

-- Barry Rodewald (bsr@hn.pl.net), May 02, 2000.

Wasn't there a problem with SFZero being the console version and not an arcade game? I believe that that is why it was removed (actually, it isn't removed, it's just commented out)

If so, I don't see how there's any way we can allow it in the tournament.

Q.T.Quazar

-- Q.T.Quazar (qan@home.com), May 02, 2000.

Well... I WOULD say to think in terms of MAME 35 - in other words, if Street Fighter Zero was in there, it'd be accepted.

However, since it did not reach the randomizer at all, we can't allow Street Fighter Zero into the tournament. What IS debatable is should we allow Street Fighter II in the tournament if we used MAME 35(and it works in MAME 35) when the person intended it as a MAME 36 vote.

-- Gameboy9 (goldengameboy@yahoo.com), May 02, 2000.

Ok, my opinion is that I would like SF2 used if for some reason SFZ is not allowed. That's my stance, SF2 if SF Zero is not allowed.

On another note, if Bubble Bobble is in, then what sort of rules are to be used for it? Allow Power Up, Original, and Super codes? Anything else?

-- Barry Rodewald (bsr@hn.pl.net), May 02, 2000.

1. Pole Position - I sorta hope there is no m36tg :) because I've never been able to use any sort of controls well for this game on MAME. Some people have obviously adapted though, as evidenced by the recordings already up.

2. Pnickies - if we allowed Ghouls 'n Ghosts into the last one, I don't think speed will be an issue. Good tournament game.

3. SF2 - hoo boy... I REALLY hope this is allowed, as all my time battling with Dudu over those romsets won't have gone to waste :) Maybe I *should* hope for a 0.36 TGMAME...

4. Arkanoid II - another game I'll have control problems with, but oh well. Donut or Steve Krogman (if he plays) will end up 0wning most of our asses.

5. Green Beret - doesn't the game loop after completion? I see no problem with it. And wouldn't it be classified as a platformer? It's not really an "action shooter" because you have to pick up the special weapons (with limited uses) to fire, your main weapon is a knife.

6. Gaplus - I think the current high scorer on this game quit his recording early, so someone who knows the game well is going to end up scoring much higher than the rest. And possibly lead to some marathons...

7. Sega Ninja - should be allowed, because I voted on it dammit! :) seriously, I don't consider it the same type of game as Gaplus. You're not stuck on one screen, and you're not forced to scroll the screen at all times (on most stages anyway... there are a few exceptions, but you still have full 8-way firing unlike the vertical-only fire on Gaplus). The same strategies definitely do not apply to both games.

8. 1943 KAI - now this is more like Gaplus than Sega Ninja... probably won't make it

9. Solar Fox - maze game. Hoo boy. guess there's no getting around this one :P

10. Gunsmoke - another shooter. Nope. (too bad, because I like the game)

11. Bubble Bobble - is this different enough to warrant including it along with Green Beret? and haven't the Deca 2K players had enough of this game? :) I WOULD rather see it included over...

12. Ghosts 'n Goblins - please no more...

13. Galaxian - out

14. Karate Champ - well, if SF2 doesn't make it in, I don't see a problem with it. Except that recordings might be kinda boring to watch. Just my opinion though

15. Magic Sword - another platformer, probably shouldn't be allowed.

16. Rally-X - out because of Solar Fox (I will kill myself if we have TWO maze games in one tourney again)

17. Klax - out

18. Tag Team - not familiar with this at all... if it's sports, then I guess it's fine.

19. Pang - well, we already played Pang 3 panic mode in T1, but playing regular mode in part 1 would be different. Nothing else in thr tourney like it anyway.

20. Star Wars - different enough from the other "shooters" to include it...

I don't think anything past this point will end up making it in, so I'll wrap this up. So far, the gamelist looks to be more to my liking than the ones in the previous three tourneys (BenJos: PLEASE don't quote me on this two months from now! :))

-BBH

-- BBH (lordbbh@aol.com), May 03, 2000.

*1. Pole Position

Control issues here...anyone else want to weigh in?

2. Pnickies

No objection. Well, except watching the high recordings makes me dizzy.

*3. Street Fighter II

It would be justified to pick this if MAME 35 is used, although my earlier objection stands. It still might be possible to set some ground rules to prevent cheesy play.

4. Arkanoid II

I *do* have control issues here. Seems like you need a trackball on this one. Plus I find MAME unresponsive to analog input with this sort of game. (I still use Microsoft Arcade to play Missile Command with.)

5. Green Beret

Probably fine, except: There's the possibility of leeching on this one since there is no time limit. If you hang out in one area, however, there start to be harder enemies which I think should offset the leeching problem. Still, there may be a pattern to make leeching work. Any experts want to testify?

6. Gaplus

There are 8 difficulty levels and adjustable extra lives, surely there is some sort of setting that avoids marathons. Anyone know what the TG settings are for this one?

7. Sega Ninja

No objection. Absolutely nothing like Gaplus...being a little paranoid, BBH? :-)

8. 1943 KAI

Out due to duplication.

9. Solar Fox

No objection.

10. GunSmoke

Also a duplicate.

11. Bubble Bobble

No objection.

12. Ghosts N' Goblins

I would consider the T3 one to be too similar.

13. Galaxian

Duplication.

14. Karate Champ

There could exist cheesy possibilities here as well, although I don't know the game that well. Also, duplication of SF2.

15. Magic Sword

Out if Green Beret is in. Otherwise no objection, except often I see my health reducing yet I don't see anything hit me at the time. :/

16. Rally X

Duplicate.

17. Klax

Duplicate.

18. Tag Team

I can't say much about this one, even after trying it, but it seems like there is no objection.

19. Pang

No objection, and probably BBH's suggestion is good.

20. Star Wars

A little bit of control problems here, but doable.

21. Pitfall II

Duplicate.

22. Championship Sprint

I wouldn't call "different tracks" to be different enough.

23. Pengo

No objection.

24. Wonderboy III

Duplicate.

25. Moon Patrol

No objection.

-- jbd (jdyer@u.arizona.edu), May 03, 2000.

1. Pole Position - control issues - although I've manged to play it (badly), it certainly doesn't lend itself towards keyboard or joystick control.

2. Pnickies - Puzzle - no problem

3. Street Fighter II - Fighter - repetitive moves to complete levels could lead to severe boredom :)

4. Arkanoid II - Breakout - control issues - best played with a spinner - almost playable with the mouse but certainly not with the keyboard.

5. Green Beret - Platform - no problem unless you can leech. Hard setting preferable.

6. Gaplus - Vertical Shooter - no problem

7. Sega Ninja - ? - no idea - if it's platform it's out.

8. 1943 KAI - Vertical Shooter - duplicate with Gaplus

9. Solar Fox - ?????? - no idea (Maze?) - if it's maze then no problem - gotta have a maze game in each tourney of course ;)

10. GunSmoke - ?????? - no idea

11. Bubble Bobble - Platform I guess - Different enough game from Green Beret which is more of a platform shoot em up, whereas Bubble Bobble is a static screen traditional platformer. Do we allow powerups to start the game?

12. Ghosts N' Goblins - Platform - nooooooooooooooooo! T3 repeated - nopt just similar - it's virtually the same game!

13. Galaxian - Vertical Shooter - duplicate

14. Karate Champ - Fighter - repetitive move syndrome abounds once more!! Duck & punch ad infinitum.

15. Magic Sword - no idea.

16. Rally X - Maze/Collect Em' Up - duplicate if Solar Fox is maze.

17. Klax - Puzzle - duplicate.

18. Tag Team - Sports - no problem

19. Pang - shoot em up/puzzle - no problem

20. Star Wars - 3D Shooter - no problem

21. Pitfall II - platform - duplicate

22. Championship Sprint - Tourney duplicate

23. Pengo - Maze - duplicate

24. Wonderboy III - platform - duplicate

25. Moon Patrol - shoot em up - duplicate

26. WindJammers - Sports - duplicate

27. Rainbow Islands - Platform - duplicate

28. Super Breakout - Breakout - duplicate

29. Bank Panic - uniqie style - no problem

30. Wonderboy - Platform - amazing duplicate with 24 :)

Varied enough - I might even last the course this time, providing all settings discourage marathon games - amidar worked well last time for example.

-- Dean Ryan (crash@tcp.co.uk), May 03, 2000.

After reading the posts about the games i feel that there are a few point i would like to point out...

1 Ghosts4n Goblins is NOT the same game as T3 Ghouls4n Ghosts... Gng is easier in some ways and are (in my opinion) a better game than ghouls.. But gng is NOT easy to complete! Much harder than than it seems... And what4s wrong with playing the original after playing the sequel? (and of course i4m not saying this cause i have the first places on gng at this moment hehe) Of course we have the "leeching" in gng to discuss but as long as you follow Alex path with "1.20 min of perm. leeching" it is ok for me!

2. About Moon patrol and Gunsmoke: Moon Patrol not a game to spoil i think cause i4ve never any game like that before(maybe silworm in some ways..) It is a one of a kind game in my opinion! As for Gunsmoke I have seen all kind of shooters and they are almost the same like 1942 1943 etc..(but they are great games of course!)But gunsmoke is an odd shooter using three buttons to shoot and it is not an ordinary space-flying-kill-10-ships-in-a-row-to-get- more-powerup-game....

just my to cents anyway...

Cheers

QRS

-- QRS (qrs@telia.com), May 03, 2000.

Ghosts 'n' Goblins = G 'n' G

Ghouls 'n' Ghosts = G 'n' G

= same game :) hehe

They're as similar as the two Super Sprint games imo.

Crash.

-- Dean Ryan (crash@tcp.co.uk), May 03, 2000.

Ok Crash! the way you put it i can4t do anything else than agree with you! *grin* ;)

QRS

-- QRS (qrs@telia.com), May 03, 2000.

I don't know all these games, but here goes nothing.

seganinja-gunsmoke: think they're the same type of game(except seganinja might suck more) gaplus: I think galaga was at T1 pang: T1? What's wrong with pole controls? I play it with trackball.

streetfighter-kchamp: the same gametype I guess.

Which version of Karate Champ is this, kchamp or kchampvs? Kchampvs has an ending, but there are certain allmost idiotproof patterns beating your opponent. Allthough you gain more points by not using those patterns for about first 10 levels, and there are those bulltests etc. For the remaining levels you need knowledge of tactics (Which I wont tell you, unless you can figure out them by watching my inps) and some timing to use them.

Kchamp has little more than 10 levels of real gameplay. After those levels it's possible to play the game endlessly using tactics that I invented myself :) There's some timing involved though, and it's not easy to get high enough(levelvise) to use those tactics. I really don't want to see anybody break my score using my own innovations, since when you learn the tactic, its only matter of stamina for getting a high score on this.

Personally I hate streetfighter

Ghostandbatsandshit: Wasn't this just on previous tournament

Otherwise in my opinion there should be a rule that allows to dump games only because they're bad enough and people don't want to play them!!! - "Xenophobe rule"

-- Tommi (tiihoto@hotmail.com), May 04, 2000.

Yes, I know long time no type, but here is a weigh in with the "randomizer" (no harm or foul meant with "")

*1. Pole Position - Racing - If MAME 36 TG comes out - fine. Pole Position is okay with keyboard, when you get used to it, which would make it a good tourney game

2. Pnickies(that's why I said that) - Puzzle - I don't think the slow computer thing is a problem - might have to use sound off though.

Pnickies is G'bs game, but it's clean of problem.

*3. Street Fighter II - Fighter - now Barry requested this to be in if MAME 36 was released... although it can be played on MAME 35 - should be consider that to be a game if MAME 36 is out or not? I have no opinion on this as of yet.

Two ideas here, one speed might be an issue if we are still caring about speed issues. Other than that, I'll address the other one later.

4. Arkanoid II - Breakout - fine.

What keyboard problems, I can get vails (or whatever it's called) moving as fast as I want it to, you just have to know how to kick up the pace.

5. Green Beret - Action Shooter - fine.

Personally, this is the standard side scroller, easy as pie, and as such can be leeched. You thought GNG was bad, I've seen a leecher play this one for hours on one life at one spot.

6. Gaplus - Vertical Shooter - fine.

I want to know where GB comes up with what they are, this is simply a Galaga style game, which would work in the tourney.

7. Sega Ninja - ? - fine unless there's a repeat somewhere

Sega Ninja is more like 1943, which is eliminated below, so it is gone as well.

8. 1943 KAI - Vertical Shooter - dog gone it - it violates the 1 game / type rule - so I have to give the opinion to throw it out :(

Yes, this one would be the more than one per style rule, which I didn't like, but that's the rule.

9. Solar Fox - ??????

Solar Fox is far enough away from the above to be allowed in the tourney. I didn't know myself, so I downloaded it and asked around, and this one could be considered closer to Robby Robo that the games above.

10. GunSmoke - ??????

The oldie is out due to same kind above.

11. Bubble Bobble - Platform I guess - fine.

I would have to say out, due to same kind of game. I am comparing this to platform rule and Solar Fox, take a look yourself.

12. Ghosts N' Goblins - Platform - Do you want more ghosts? - and I think it's also a repeat.

Out - Previous tourney, they are rather the same game, minor differences in game play that don't warrent both. Kind of like Pac- Man hearts and Pac-Man. (Okay, maybe not the best to use, since the maze is different in hearts)

13. Galaxian - Vertical Shooter - out on 1 game / type

Can't have gaplus and galaxian, sorry Krogman.

14. Karate Champ - ??????

Karate champ is fine, unless SF2 is in. This is like the grand daddy to SF2, (and the whole genre)

15. Magic Sword - Action Fighter I think... fine?

Side Scroller - out

16. Rally X - Maze/Collect Em' Up - fine(unless one of those ???? is otherwise)

Maze game, you are right, this is fine.

17. Klax - Puzzle - out cause of pnickies

Klaz waves must wait for another day, even though I consider this one the more challenging of the 2.

18. Tag Team - Sports - fine unless one of the above takes a similar type

Tag Team is a weak wrestling game, this shouldn't eliminate other sport titles (if they don't deal with wrestling)

19. Pang - ??????

GB, PANG! had it's sequal (in a previous tourney) I wouldn't consider it out due to previous tourney rule, but out due to Solar Fox style.

20. Star Wars - 3D Shooter - fine

Finally one of these makes it in, it's clean.

21. Pitfall II - platform I think - and therefore out.

Platform is right and out....

22. Championship Sprint - another questionable one - are we declaring this a clone even though it's an original and has different tracks?

Personally I would consider this on it's merits since it has different tracks and styles. Since there isn't a racing game, if we haven't hit 10 yet, it should be in.

23. Pengo - ??????

Wierd, but out due to Solar Fox style.

24. Wonderboy III - ??????

Side scroller - out (I loved it on the Sega Master System (original))

25. Moon Patrol - ??????

Personally I love moon patrol, and it's enough away from Sprint to be allowed in, again, if we haven't hit 10 yet.

26. WindJammers - Sports - out due to Tag Team

No, this is certainly not wrestling, but should be out due to enough like a side scroller than a sport.

27. Rainbow Islands - Platform - out

I'll believe you on this one, didn't look or ask.

28. Super Breakout - Breakout - out

True.

29. Bank Panic - ??????

Bank Panic, bad guy shoot up, but out.

30. Wonderboy - Platform - out

If Wonderboy III is out, the original would be gone as well.

Okay, that would make this is as the ten list.

1} Pole Position 2} Pnickies 3} SFII (Unless speed issue Karate Champ would replace if not in, since Karate Champ is within the 10 pick) 4} Arkanoid II 5} Green Beret 6} Gaplus (that's the name, I probably mispelled it once or twice during this meesage) 7} Solar Fox 8} Rally X 9} Tag Team 10} Star Wars

-- Chris Parsley (cparsley1@hotmail.com), May 05, 2000.

I've reviewed the games, and stand by what I've said in my first post, but would also like to add a concern about leeching in Green Beret. Like Parsley, I don't see how it can be regulated in the game, and I think allowing it will just be setting ourselves up for judging problems.

5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 would be my eliminations due to repetition/problems.

-- Q.T.Quazar (qan@home.com), May 05, 2000.

Well first off, you guys still owe me Badlands. =)

But my opinions:

*1. Pole Position - Racing - If MAME 36 TG comes out - fine.

Out IMO due to maximum score.

2. Pnickies(that's why I said that) - Puzzle - I don't think the slow computer thing is a problem - might have to use sound off though.

Fine with that. And there isn't a problem with slow computers.

*3. Street Fighter II - Fighter - now Barry requested this to be in if MAME 36 was released... although it can be played on MAME 35 - should be consider that to be a game if MAME 36 is out or not? I have no opinion on this as of yet.

Fine with me...

4. Arkanoid II - Breakout - fine.

Out due to point leeching...unless it's an order to take the left path around that area. In which case it's fine.

5. Green Beret - Action Shooter - fine.

I love this game. No problem with this.

6. Gaplus - Vertical Shooter - fine.

Umm...iffy on this.

7. Sega Ninja - ? - fine unless there's a repeat somewhere

Looks droll. =)

8. 1943 KAI - Vertical Shooter - dog gone it - it violates the 1 game / type rule - so I have to give the opinion to throw it out :(

1943 Kai is a scrolling vertical shooter. This may be a different category from Gaplus. In which case, I'll accept.

9. Solar Fox - ??????

No go on anything vector.

10. GunSmoke - ??????

Sounds alright.

11. Bubble Bobble - Platform I guess - fine.

Fine, but I prefer Rainbow Islands

12. Ghosts N' Goblins - Platform - Do you want more ghosts? - and I think it's also a repeat.

I hate this game. See ya.

13. Galaxian - Vertical Shooter - out on 1 game / type

Too old for my tastes. LOL

14. Karate Champ - ??????

Accepted. Favorite of mine.

15. Magic Sword - Action Fighter I think... fine?

A unique genre game. This may work.

16. Rally X - Maze/Collect Em' Up - fine(unless one of those ???? is otherwise)

Too PacMan-ish.

17. Klax - Puzzle - out cause of pnickies

I would prefer this over Pnickies. Even if it's the 2K's, there's still time for Klax. =P

18. Tag Team - Sports - fine unless one of the above takes a similar type

Don't like. LOL See below.

19. Pang - ??????

I voted for this, and, as long as it's allowed (Pang! 3 was in a tourney earlier), I'll do.

20. Star Wars - 3D Shooter - fine

Vector games annoy me. =)

21. Pitfall II - platform I think - and therefore out.

Not really a Pitfall fan...so nope.

22. Championship Sprint - another questionable one - are we declaring this a clone even though it's an original and has different tracks?

Sure, you choose THIS instead of Badlands. Out anyway due to being Super Sprint with two players.

23. Pengo - ??????

Only the Genesis version of Pengo (where can I find it? =) is cool. No go.

24. Wonderboy III - ??????

I'm for this, I think.

25. Moon Patrol - ??????

Okay for me.

26. WindJammers - Sports - out due to Tag Team

Tag Team sucks...add this! =)

27. Rainbow Islands - Platform - out

Either Bubble Bobble or Rainbow Islands is fine.

28. Super Breakout - Breakout - out

Too dated. =P

29. Bank Panic - ??????

Seems confusing.

30. Wonderboy - Platform - out

Would rather play WB3. =)

So, my preferences would be: Pnickies (or Klax) Street Fighter II Arkanoid II (with added rules) Green Beret 1943 Kai Gaplus Bubble Bobble/Rainbow Islands Karate Champ Magic Sword Pang Wind Jammers

And I still want Badlands. =P If Arkanoid II is banned, replace with Moon Patrol

-- Sports Dude (sportsdude820@hotmail.com), May 06, 2000.

Some more comments:

Pole Position: Also of note is that there are some speed issues here. I tried it on a P166 and I was getting 8 frames per second (with sound off). I'm getting a new computer next week so that shouldn't be a problem with me, but still...what are we considering our low end?

Arkanoid 2: I finally came up with somewhat acceptable settings using a gamepad, but it still is jerky. I think this has to do more with system speed than with settings. (P166 again) It is playable, though.

Street Fighter 2: P166 speed problems only on the Balrog fight because the background is moving so much.

Pnickies: With P166 again, no speed problems if sound is off.

Gaplus settings: it can be set to have only 2 extra lives obtainable by getting points. Using only that + the 3 starting lives should keep away the marathon. However, we may still want to tweak the difficulty -- I'd say up to 3 or 4. But note that increasing the difficulty might give the experts the advantage since the new players will get frustrated more easily.

Solar Fox: I've heard it called a maze game, a platform game, and a vector game. It is none of these. (Closest to being a maze game, but it still doesn't fit the format.) Please try it before posting, before someone starts thinking it is a sports game. :-)

-- jbd (jdyer@u.arizona.edu), May 07, 2000.

I have no real problems with the speed of CPS-1 games (SF2, Pnickies, Magic Sword). SF2 is the slower of them all, mostly due a faster CPU than regular CPS-1 games and also line-based scrolling (ie: the floor). For me, on a P2-233MHz w/ 64MB RAM, I get an average of 30fps, usually dragged down by slow palette fading, and the extensive palette (ie: it overflows) used on Balrog's on SF2. During normal play auto-frameskip gives around a fskip of 3 or 4 - perfectly playable. Of course 233MHz is considered bottom of the range these days, just barely enough for new games. I pity anyone that still has a 486 though...

-- Barry Rodewald (bsr@hn.pl.net), May 08, 2000.

Here's my unbiased analysis of the randomizer results...

These games should be IN: #2--Pnickies (Puzzle), #3--SF 2 0.35 version (One on One Fighter), #4--Arkanoid 2 (Breakout), #5--***Green Beret*** (Platform Fighter), #6--Galpus (Vertical Shooter), #9--Solar Fox (Maze), #11--Bubble Bobble (One Screen Platform a.k.a. Action), #18--Tag Team Wrestling (Sports)

These are out because... #1--Pole Position (Racing) Also, MAME 0.36 won't be ready. How come no one complained about the controls on MARBLE MADNESS??? #7--Sega Ninja (Platform Fighter) #8--1943 KAI (Vertical Shooter) #10--Gunsmoke (Vertical Shooter) #12--GNG (Platform Fighter) #13--Galaxian (Vertical Shooter) #14--Karate Champ (Platform Fighter) #15--Magic Sword (Platform Fighter) #16--Rally X (Maze) #17--Klax (Puzzle)

*** Personally I think #15 Magic Sword would be a better T4 game than #5 Green Beret. I think A LOT of recordings would get tossed out for points leeching.

-- Pat (laffaye@ibm.net), May 10, 2000.

When was this no more than one game each type rule decided, I think it was two games some time ago?

Also in my opinion this rule sucks somewhat, atleast how it's carried out. As I see it there was at T3 three samekind of games(platform): Xenophobe, Ghouls and Ninjakidx are truly in the same category- jumping, going forward and shooting enemies. So there was something very wrong when choosing games for T3. Those 3 games bored me to the extreme, and according to that poll made I was not only one bored with them. Also there were Amidar and Ladybug-both being kinda same type of maze games. Not that I cared, it's very essential type of classic game.

Important thing is not gategorizing games, but figuring out which of the games has allmost identical GAMEPLAY. Some games can simply not be categorized at all, because they're kind of unique. Furthermore there are not enough kategories.

example: Previous post in this thread: Arkanoid(breakout)-what category is that?

Galaxian(vertical shooter), Gunsmoke(vertical shooter)- They are definitely not same kind of games, gameplay is whole different(think about controls that you would use as playing them...). What ever happened to term "shoot them up"?

Klax(puzzle)- Is there really any same kind of game to be compared with Klax?

SF2(oneononefighter), Tagteamwrestling(sports?????)- Why Karate Champ is not sports then? Aren't SF2 and Wrestling the same kind of games? Is sports really a reasonable category? Would you think that 10 yard fight and Hypersports are same kind of game? What about "action" then, is it somekind of dump kategory

Oh this helped a lot. Maybe not you gameboy, but good therapy for me. My advice is to try all the games and use common sense, that's all for now.

-- Tommi (tiihoto@hotmail.com), May 11, 2000.

What does "MAME 36 won't be ready" mean?

I'm curious.

Mark

-- Mark Longridge (cubeman@iname.com), May 19, 2000.

gsjagsykewaryuhvhe47w8623q76761

-- Username1247 (mtschmidt@att.net), September 02, 2003.