Page 18 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #2

Classic Remakes

Since obtaining the Atari name
and properties, it was probably in-
evitable that Hasbro would sooner
or later remake Pong. We figured
it would show up eight or so years the humor! a paddle just isn’t there. It’s diffi-
from now, after their well of ideas The folks at Hasbro have even cult to overlook this problem in an
had run dry and creativity was un- seen fit to give some personality to otherwise great game.
inspired. Gladly, Hasbro jumped the paddles. The chirping/ Currently, the Sony PlayStation
on this Atari title while the getting squeaking/baby talking paddles lacks many family oriented 2-4
was good. The result is wonderful. may prove too cute for some, but player games. Hasbro Interactive
Almost. for us it’s a nice break from blowing is helping fill that void with games
Pong is an extremely fun game appendages off wailing monsters. such as this and The Next Tetris.
to play. The idea is still the same: Another creative touch is that as We like the direction Hasbro
“Avoid missing the ball for high you advance through levels, your Interactive is taking with its Atari
score,” only now you get power- progress is tracked by filling an licenses and hope to see more
ups and multi-balls in your quest Atari fuji with color. games like Pong in the future. Al-
for the high score. Unfortunately, Pong’s one fault though, one day I do look forward
Remember how much fun it was is also its most glaring. Controlling to removing some appendages
to play the original Pong with an- the paddle can be extremely diffi- from dragons in an “Adventure” re-
other person? The new Pong is no cult and can be quite taxing on make.
exception, and competition can be- one’s patience. Trying to get your
come fierce. The playfields are ex- paddle lined up for that “edge shot” Overall Rating: B+
tremely varied, utilizing soccer can be unbelievably frustrating,
fields, islands, jungles, and ice and missing the ball entirely is a bit Publisher: Hasbro Interactive
(featuring penguins that “fart out” too common. We improved after a Developer: Hasbro Interactive
multiballs when struck). Hey, we bit of practice, but the precision of Release Date: Now Available
said the game had advanced, not

Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 18