===========================================================================
 R.J.'S 1991 LYNX AWARDS
 
 Statistical trivia: At the time of this writing, the total number of new Lynx
 games released in 1991 was twenty (from SHANGHAI to XYBOTS). Very nice,
 especially considering that a year ago, the Lynx only had 16 titles available.
 
 
 Game of the     CHECKERED FLAG. Sure, it's nothing original or different, but
 Year            it's just well-crafted. It's easy to learn, challenging to
                 play, and boasts some of the best graphics and sound on the
                 Lynx. This is a game that almost anyone can pick up and have
                 fun with in no time.
 
                 Runners-up:
                   WARBIRDS. As it stands now, the game is great, but leaves
                   you begging for a few more features (more varied solo play
                   and multiplayer teams, to name two).
 
 
 Disappointment  TOURNAMENT CYBERBALL. With its severly crippled gameplay and
 of the Year     questionable controls, this title is a major heartbreaker for
                 the legions of arcade Cyberball fans. While people who have
                 not played the original may derive some pleasure from it,
                 most gamers will have to wait some more for a better
                 conversion.
 
                 Runners-up:
                   HARD DRIVIN'. Players knew that doing this complex game on
                   the 8-bit Lynx was a challenge; surprisingly, this card runs
                   at a decent speed. But nearly impossible controls and
                   extremely sensitive collision detection turned this from a
                   respectable adaptation to an unplayable flop.
 
 
 Most Original   WARBIRDS. No surprise, actually, as this four-person biplane
 Lynx Game       flight simulator would be a groundbreaking title on _any_ home
                 system. It's not a game for everyone, and playing it alone is
                 not as much fun, but it stands head and shoulders above the
                 rest for its innovation and daring.
 
 ===========================================================================
 R.J.'S 1991 LYNX AWARDS
 
 Statistical trivia: At the time of this writing, the total number of new Lynx
 games released in 1991 was twenty (from SHANGHAI to XYBOTS). Very nice,
 especially considering that a year ago, the Lynx only had 16 titles available.
 
 
 Game of the     CHECKERED FLAG. Sure, it's nothing original or different, but
 Year            it's just well-crafted. It's easy to learn, challenging to
                 play, and boasts some of the best graphics and sound on the
                 Lynx. This is a game that almost anyone can pick up and have
                 fun with in no time.
 
                 Runners-up:
                   WARBIRDS. As it stands now, the game is great, but leaves
                   you begging for a few more features (more varied solo play
                   and multiplayer teams, to name two).
 
 
 Disappointment  TOURNAMENT CYBERBALL. With its severly crippled gameplay and
 of the Year     questionable controls, this title is a major heartbreaker for
                 the legions of arcade Cyberball fans. While people who have
                 not played the original may derive some pleasure from it,
                 most gamers will have to wait some more for a better
                 conversion.
 
                 Runners-up:
                   HARD DRIVIN'. Players knew that doing this complex game on
                   the 8-bit Lynx was a challenge; surprisingly, this card runs
                   at a decent speed. But nearly impossible controls and
                   extremely sensitive collision detection turned this from a
                   respectable adaptation to an unplayable flop.
 
 
 Most Original   WARBIRDS. No surprise, actually, as this four-person biplane
 Lynx Game       flight simulator would be a groundbreaking title on _any_ home
                 system. It's not a game for everyone, and playing it alone is
                 not as much fun, but it stands head and shoulders above the
                 rest for its innovation and daring.
 
 
 Arcade Game     ROBOTRON: 2084. The running was tight, but in the end
 Conversion of   Shadosoft's first Lynx game wins. It duplicates all of the
 the Year        sound, sights, and strategy of the classic, and options for
                 controls and game difficulty are user-friendly extras. One can
                 argue that the original game was not as sophisticated as
                 today's titles, but that doesn't reduce the high-speed action
                 and fun of this card.
 
                 Runners-up:
                   S.T.U.N. RUNNER. With little fanfare, this literally stunned
                   the Lynx public with a top-quality adaptation that loses
                   absolutely nothing. The only tragedy is that the still
                   photos for this game can't convey the speed and excitement
                   in it.
 
                   XYBOTS. A decent return from NuFX, who brought us the sad
                   HARD DRIVIN'. While the difficulty could be increased, it
                   does capture the graphics, sounds, and features of the
                   arcade.
 
 
 Strategy Game   SHANGHAI. It's not too hard for strategy games to be done
 of the Year     decently, as they usually don't require flashy graphics or
                 wild sounds to play well. SHANGHAI offers this, but is also
                 extremely easy to learn, challenging, and has enough one- and
                 two-player options to nudge it ahead of the rest.
 
                 Runners-up:
                   THE FIDELITY ULTIMATE CHESS CHALLENGE. When this game says
                   "ultimate", it's not kidding -- the Lynx is an aggressive
                   and merciless opponent who exploits all openings. The lack
                   of a board set-up option is its only flaw.
 
                   ISHIDO: THE WAY OF STONES. With low-key sounds and nice
                   graphics, this is a respectfully difficult puzzle game for
                   players who like to think deeply before moving.
 
 
 Most Pleasant   SCRAPYARD DOG. Proof positive that Lynx games don't have to
 Surprise of     be scaled-down versions of home console titles, this game has
 the Year        enough depth, variety, and surprises as any other
                 run-and-jump title for any other system. It looks like a game
                 for the younger crowd, but over 30 tricky levels will keep
                 the average player at this for a while.
 
                 Runners-up:
                   AWESOME GOLF. This is golf on the Lynx, done well with good
                   graphics and sound. True golfers may lament the lack of more
                   complex game options (stance, backspin, etc.), but for the
                   general public, this is a very playable game.
 
 
 Could'a Been    TURBO SUB. A first-person, high-speed "destroy everything"
 Terrific,       game -- a cakewalk on the Lynx, right? Unfortunately, no.
 If Only...      Aliens with bad aim makes this game too easy, and the
                 two-player ComLynx option is almost useless.
 
                 Runners-up:
                   VIKING CHILD. A misguided meld of action and adventure,
                   this game feels more like a throwback to the '80s. Weak
                   sounds and repetitive gameplay turns a good idea into a
                   challenge for the truly devoted.
 
 
 Most Eagerly    THE GUARDIANS: STORMS OVER DORIA. The Lynx is still weak in
 Awaited Game    role-playing games, a situation that Atari will be changing in
 of 1992         the new year. If Telegames' four-player real-time fantasy
                 adventure delivers all that it promises, however, it will be
                 the Lynx RPG title to buy.
 
 
 Smartest Move   THE $99 LYNX. Players have long known that the Lynx is the
 of the Year     technologically superior portable video game system. Now
                 available for only $10 more than the Gameboy, it's awfully
                 hard to justify not buying one.
 
                 Runners-up:
                   THE LYNX II. With a smaller size, lighter weight, stereo
                   sound, and total game compatability, the Lynx II answers
                   all of the criticisms of the original machine.
 
                   THE $129 LYNX CHRISTMAS SPECIAL. Now (temporarily) costing
                   between the Gameboy and the Game Gear, the Lynx truly
                   offers power without the price. Making the deal available
                   nationwide is the icing on the cake; now if only Atari can
                   consider making the lower price permanent...
 
 
 Dumbest Move    NOT INCREASING LYNX PRODUCTION. At the recent Chicago Atari
 of the Year     Faire, company represntatives acknowledged that, while the
                 demand for Lynx units caught them by surprise, they will not
                 be increasing Lynx production accordingly. What kind of
                 mindless supply-and-demand economics is this?
 
 ===========================================================================
 
 DISCLAIMER: No votes were solicited in this survey, so the accounting firm of
 Price-Waterhouse was not needed. Any similarities between the words in this
 article and the words in the latest edition of the Websters' Dictionary is
 deliberately intentional and subject to hours of silly debates.
 
                                                 --R.J.
                                                 B-)
 
 //////////////////////////////////////|\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
    Send whatevers to rjung@usc.edu    |    If it has pixels, I'm for it.
 --------------------------------------+------------------------------Lynx up!
        "If it moves, shoot it. If it doesn't move, shoot it anyway."
 
 

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