This weekend’s games are a mixed bag of reasonable games, some of which used to be commercial games. The first five games are from a developer called small rockets and were made freeware when they discovered that there were incompatibility issues with Win XP. That’s not to say these games won’t run on XP because when I bought one of the games several years ago it did work on XP. I suspect it’s using XP in conjunction with a dual core cpu because I’ve had several games that no longer work since I converted all my computers to dual cores. That said I still think it’s worth posting these games because if you run a dual boot system with Win 98, ME or Win 95 you will definitely get these games to work. I wasn’t sure whether I’d ever be able to play the game I bought called Kayak Extreme, but on a whim I decided to install it to my new single core lap top with Vista Home Basic (SP1), and was surprised to find the game , in fact all five games, worked with no problems, so the following five games are compatible with Vista home Basic – SP1, Win 95, Win 98 and ME, though if you have a single core you may also get the games to work on XP.
Despite it’s age, Kayak Extreme is still a pretty good game. The graphics are a little pixilated, but not so that the game looks ugly. In fact, the environments you visit on your way to winning the world Kayak championships look rich and inviting (that’s if you get the chance to look at them because most of the time you’re fighting rapids, avoiding rocks and trying to run between slalom markers. It’s a brilliant game that kept me entertained for many months when I first got it. I’m so pleased that I’ll get the chance to play it again.
You can get it from Small Rockets together with four other games that have been made freeware. These are Jetboat Superchamps and Jetboat superchamps 2, two reasonably good speedboat racing games that are not as difficult as Kayak Extreme (even set on easy it’s hard to beat the times down each river you have to navigate, which include an African Rain forest, an Alpine Environment and Alaska), but are reasonably challenging, then there’s two car racing games that represent what was typical at the time. They are called Hot Chix ‘n’ Gear Stix and SuperChix 76.
There is a small catch though. The downloads are demo’s. To convert each game to full version you have to register free with Small Rockets and then you’ll get each of the unlock codes required to unlock all the games content. This is where it can get a little complicated. For example, to activate Kayak Extreme, you will need to follow the steps outlined below:
Click on the Buy It button found in the tool bar to the left of the games menu.
From the drop down menu select and click on ‘by Internet’
Look for where it says ”What to do with the license code” and click on the Enter License code. (There’s a yellow arrow next to it). This opens a file download box which says “Do you want to open or save file” click on open which opens up the Enter License Code. Enter the name and code that you received from Smallrockets.
Kayak Extreme (21Mb)
Race against the clock in this fantastic simulation of the ultimate white-knuckle watersport.
Test your abilities in a range of environments - Alpine mountain streams, African rivers and the thunderous flows of Alaska. There's also a training course to get you started.
Complete stages to unlock new Kayaks and paddles. You'll need to master the water to complete all three difficulty levels.
features
• 4 distinct environments - Training, Alpine, Africa and Alaska
• Spectacular water effects
• 3 difficulty levels
• 3 different kayaks to unlock
• Unlock new paddle types
Download Link:
http://www.smallrockets.com/pc/kayak/
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Jetboat Superchamps 2 (16Mb)
There's smarter graphics, more tracks, more champs and powerful new sounds, but the adrenaline thrill of powering these mighty boats remains the same. Progress through 5 varied tracks including Pacific, Subway and Fjords locations, unlocking new races as you go.
Match the abilities of the champs to each course, and access all the Superchamps, including the ultimate man-machine Tetsuo!
Jetboat Superchamps 2 - Ride the waves once more!
features
• 5 highly detailed levels which can be raced both forwards and in reverse
• Race the superchamps in 30 Races
• 8 Manga-style racers with individual boats and racing characteristics
• Arcade and Time Trial modes with 3 skill levels - Newcomer, Master, Ace
• Realistic wave motion and accurately modelled boat physics
• Mood-enhancing music tracks, plus dramatic sound effects
• Special effects including semi-transparent water effects and particle sprays
Download Link
http://www.smallrockets.com/pc/jetboat2/
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Jetboat Superchamps (11.1Mb)
Six boats, three tracks and an ocean of water!
There's nothing like speeding at 300 mph across a treacherous water surface in a jet-powered speedboat. That's why there's nothing like Jetboat Superchamps. The rules are simple - be first, soonest, fastest!
Take control of one of six crazy Manga-inspired jetboaters, from the noble-but-stern Takeshi to the flirtatious Kaori, and race around the Aqua Marine, Urban Mist and Shrine courses. Beat the competitive Champs in the Championship mode, or challenge yourself against the clock in Time Trial mode.
The only prizes for runners-up are a mouthful of water-spray and an empty wake!
"Jetboat Superchamps is one of the few PC based games that follows the vain of Wave Race and offers a fun arcade racer that stands apart from all others purely because of the dynamics of its water-based setting, yet does not require a seasoned seaman to get to grips with it" - gamerscrypt.com 87%
"It runs quickly and beautifully on almost any decent system, and it's simple to obtain. It'll surely be filling up that few megabytes on my hard drive for quite some time" - gforces.net 4/5
features
• 6 characters & jetboats
• 3 tracks (forward and reverse)
• 3 difficulty levels, Newcomer, Master and Ace
• 18 Races
• Arcade mode
• Time trial mode
Download Link
http://www.smallrockets.com/pc/jetboat/
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SuperChix 76
Are you big enough for these racy ladies?
Join the rush - the Hot Chix are back in town and ready to race!
Yes, the SuperChix '76 championship is now open to all competitors - if you've got the attitude for it, that is! With some big, bouncy muscle cars and 4 international locations, it's an all-out rally scramble. Watch out - those girls get kinda aggressive, and there's no prizes for second place!
SuperChix '76 - If you can't stand the heat, get off the road!
features
• Four fabulous tracks (plus reverse modes)
• Play as one of 8 superchix
• Contend with the boys in blue in the all-new Cop chase mode!
• Drive a selection of 70's muscle cars
• Drive through the streets of San Francisco!
Download Link
http://www.smallrockets.com/pc/chix76/
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Hot Chick’s ‘n’ Gear Stix’s
These girls are always on top!
Wanted: adventurous racer to take six feisty babes in hand and lead them to victory. Must be into rubber (the burning kind). Should be willing to travel to exotic international locations - Arizona, the Alps, Siberia. Knowledge of outrageous mid-70s American muscle cars an advantage, but not essential. Good sense of humour and competitive attitude a definite must.
Hot Chix 'n' Gear Stix - the racing game with attitude!
features
• Funky 1970's music tracks
• 3 massive tracks that can be raced both forwards and backwards
• 6 beautiful chix including Daisy Lipsey and Sharon Sharalike
• 6 meaty muscle cars
• Realistic physics, inluding handbrake powerslides
Play either time trial or championship mode
Download Link:
http://www.smallrockets.com/pc/chix/
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Droneswarm: (18.6Mb)
Droneswarm is a side scrolling shooter which not only hearkens back - but actually embodies - the 2D side scrolling games of the 80's. From is slick presentation down to its thumping soundtrack, Droneswarm is the best of this genre I've seen around in a long time.
Far away from the scientific research portrayed in his other offering, Droneswarm is a futuristic take-to-the-skies rumble featuring close-quarters battles with vicious but wonderfully timed and choreographed villains.
Interestingly, the game doesn't reward you with power-ups randomly. Instead you are congratulated for accuracy. Shoot enough enemies directly, with less errant bullets, and you fill a meter. When it fills you are given a buddy who shoots along with you. Fill it twice and you have two buddies. It's a novel approach and I for one welcome it over the random power-up drops as seen in numerous games beforehand.
At just one level long (sadly development seems to have stalled since its last release) it isn't much of a challenge for hardened veterans of the genre. For beginners, however, the challenge is more than there. Either way, it's the presentation which shines almost blindingly in this game placing it head and shoulders above other similar offerings.
Reference: http://www.acid-play.com/download/droneswarm/ accessed 15th May 09
Download Link
http://www.acid-play.com/download/droneswarm/
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Harpooned (10.3Mb)
The following game was created by the same developer as Droneswarm.
In Australia there are broadcasts of Japanese whaling ships hunting whales with their explosive harpoons. They claim it is for scientific research, and that selling the meat only offsets the cost of whaling. Now that might not be the most compelling reason to play a game, but it doesn’t make much sense without it. You see, you are a Japanese whaler and are hunting whales. In the interest of science, you must bring back as much meat as possible. Destroying the whales is imperative for this research to continue.
Along the way, you can increase your haul by doing various scientific things. Such as collecting large sums of meat in one go, you can go from being simply “scientific” to being “mega scientific” or even “hyper scientific”. If you perform “species combos” by killing two or more of the same type of whale in a row, you increase your whaling profit. Remember, rare whales are worth more, so if you happen to spot the elusive white whale – don’t hesitate to open fire.
It’s a dark game, which features typically Australian dry humour. Admittedly, it’s not for everyone and it does contain incredible amounts of blood. However, I doubt there’s a more enjoyable socially challenging game around today. Download it and make your own decisions.
Reference: http://www.acid-play.com/download/harpooned/ accessed 15th May 09
Download Link
http://games.softpedia.com/get/Freeware-Games/Harpooned.shtml
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