Bring the Buzz and the Clang of the Arcade to Your Home

Maxed out on video and computer games? Consider a home pinball machine. Too pricey at several thousand dollars? Not any more.

Saitek Industries has introduced three new high-tech machines--the F1 Super Challenge, Route 66 and Monster 4x4--at just $299 each. Each is about three-quarters the size of a standard machine and stands alone, though they have detachable legs in case you want to place yours on a table.

Each machine weighs less than 40 pounds, can accommodate two players and has adjustable skill levels to make the game more difficult if you wish. There are stereo sound effects, dazzling lights, adjustable background music and three programmable tilt levels. An LED scoreboard remembers the highest score.

* $299 each from Saitek Industries, (800) 452-4377.

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Hit Parade: CybrCard L.P., which introduced National Football League CybrCards of popular players last fall, has added a series of major league baseball players.

The new series includes individual CD-ROMS of 12 players: Mike Piazza of the Dodgers; Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners; Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants; Mark McGwire of the Oakland Athletics; Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox; Juan Gonzalez of the Texas Rangers; Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves; Cal Ripkin Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles; Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams of the New York Yankees; and Mo Vaughn of the Boston Red Sox.

Each CybrCard features full-motion videos of the player’s most memorable plays, and game-by-game stats including ’96 season, career, All-Star and post-season play. The stats can be customized to see how the player does against righties / lefties, starters / relievers, etc.

High-tech batting information allows a fan to experience the player’s swing in 3D-like motion. Other features include a baseball trivia game, and capability to design a baseball card for your player.

* $20 to $25 from CybrCard L.P., (800) 436-7722.