Hits Collection Fails to Score

Game platforms like Nintendo and Sega have made the arcade format so generic that it is often the only thing people think of when they hear the words “computer game.” While other types of games now have a strong following for personal computer owners, there are very few arcade games that have made a successful transition (or even introduction) to PCs. Domark’s “Tengen’s Arcade Hits Collection” doesn’t even make it to first base.

The five games included in the collection are supposed to be classics from the Tengen lineup. They include a stunt-car racing game called “Hard Drivin’ II”; a cops-and-robbers chase game called “A.P.B.”; “Escape From the Planet of the Robot Monsters”; a teen-age inner-tube race called “Toobin,” and the most promising of a poor bunch, a puzzle game called “Klax.”

Each game is on a separate diskette which doesn’t have to be loaded onto the hard drive to be played. None is protected. So much for the good news.

The bad news is this is a lousy collection that’s worth nothing near the list price.

The documentation is abysmal. There is barely enough information to start each one of the games, much less accomplish anything once you get started. And none of the games has even the most rudimentary operations in common. Most of the games seem to require you to reboot (power off and on) your system to quit the games and get back to the real world. One of the games came up with the introduction and provided no way to start playing the game. Another game loaded up to a white screen--again with no information to go with it.

All in all, a very sorry effort.

Arcade Hits

Rating: *

IBM and compatibles, Amiga; 640K, 512K Amiga; mouse or joystick required. List: $39.95.

Computer games are rated on a five-star system, from one star for poor to five for excellent.