<p>
1) Gauntlet II - It'll almost seem unusual (to me) to play this game
solo, but otherwise, ok.
<p>
2) Amidar-I've concerns about "marathon" games too, especially since
the tournaments have resulted in many new 1st place scores in games
selected. I've really only played this on Atari 2600, so if other
settings and/or clones are acceptable to the community, fine by me,
otherwise I'd leave it out.
<p>
3) Zero Zone-Seems to be at least "based on" Columns, which
unfortunately can't serve as a substitute. Personally, I could take
it or (if others are especially worried about the nudity) leave it.
<p>
4) Burning Rubber-Bump (cars into the sides) and Jump (to avoid
obstacles) type of game
! No problems here.<p>
5) Lady Bug-Eat "dots", avoid monsters. I gues we'll have (at least)
one of these types of games every tournament, so this one will do.
<p>
6) Xenophobe-Side scroller, with each button serving several "tasks"
(mainly shooting, jumping, etc.)Different enough to make it.
<p>
7) Marble Madness; 10) Ghouls N' Ghosts; 16) Magic Sword. These are
the only games I (and probably most people) might not be able to keep
above a speed of 90%, as the rules demand. I'll keep trying, but I
think this is definitely a good enough reason to not include them.
<p>
Turtles -Might be in, if Amidar's out. I'd prefer 12) Devil Fish, which (IMHO)is the same type, but I suppose that's a different story.
<p>
11) Tron-Multi-game, in sort of the Combat School and/or Track and
Field category. Which somehow doesn't discourage me from saying "In".
<p>
13) Ninja Kid II -Platform. Haven't played it enough to see
anything "special", but appears acceptable.
<p>
14) Tempest-360 shooter, much like Gyruss. Ok.
<p>
15) City Connection -Hmm, maybe "maze"? The objective at least is
more similar to Crush Roller than Burning Rubber, Super Sprint, Pole
Position, etc. But if its bugged and/or a candidate for points
leeching, as others have suggested, I say get rid of it.
<p>
17) Outzone; 19) Sega Ninja. I'd say they're closer to Ikari Warriors
than Gauntlet. I'm not sure either will make it, but one or the other
would be fine.
<p>
18) The Main Event-Ugh! There's better wrestling games than this
(some of which I don't have scores for
!), which is the only "fighting" type of game I can think of where a) you lose energy
just for standing around, and b) there's only 1 "attack" button.
Hopefully, this doesn't make the "cut".
<p>
20) Kangaroo - Possible point leeching. If the selection process
actually gets down this far, feel free to pass this one by, too.
<p>
The "bottom" four I'd accept, but it doesn't look any of them will
make it, however they are classified.
<p>
You'll notice I left (purposely) left out one: 9) 10 Yard Fight.
Since I nominated it (call it whimsy, if you must), I'll let others
judge whether it's "worthy". I WILL say that I think that this
wouldn't be a difficult game for people (American or not) to learn,
probably less than several other games in this list, and certain less
complex than 2020 Baseball from T1. I'd also be willing to help out
anyone who can't "grasp" the rules. I might even volunteer to judge
it if it makes it so that any questions eventually pass my way, but
that's another subject/thread...
--
msander@journey.com