PlayStation

Williams Arcade Classics

I had never even heard of Bubbles before, but this bizarre game won me over in a big way. As you guide a bubble around the sink, he grows as he collects other bubbles, but must avoid bugs and razors. Sinistar is pretty lame, but has the distinction of being the first video game to feature voice synthesis! As icing on the cake, this package includes fascinating and sometime hilarious interviews with the original programmers.

If you don't remember any game before Mortal Kombat, these antiques might scare you. But if you remember when it cost only a quarter to play, chances are you'll want Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits.

For those of us who grew up playing these and other pieces of video game history down at the mall, Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits is more than a heavy dose of nostalgia. It's a whole lot of fun.

All of the titles are just like the originals using the same codes (a lot of old arcade tricks still work too!). However there is one problem, being the old-time gamer I am, I was very used to the old button configurations and joysticks to the original versions, so the games did take a bit of getting used to. I only wish the'd release "arcade classic" controllers.

Of course, not everything is perfect in nostalgia land. If you missed these games the first time around in the arcades, you may have some trouble appreciating them. And the Playstation controller has some trouble recreating the arcade control interface in games like Defender and Robotron. But if you're interested in videogame history, classic gameplay or a stroll down memory lane. Williams' Arcade's Greatest Hits doesn't disappoint.

Also included on the disc is information and history about every one of the games. Learn about the people behind the classics before you play them. Williams Arcade Classics is a must for anyone who can remember pumping quarters into the outrageously difficult Defender at the local bowling alley. Flashback city, baby!