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Tarzan, World Driver Championship By Chip and Jonathan Carter Tribune Media Services TARZAN, FOR PLAYSTATION � Here's a grand epic that evokes the movie from start (the Phil Collins theme song) to finish (the brilliantly rendered graphics and movie scenes). You begin the action as young Tarzan, zipping through the jungle trying to keep pace with your ape pals. You learn to climb, jump, swing from vines, jungle-surf and defend yourself with everything from fruit to feathers to a mammoth ground-pound. The programmers chose to keep the action two-dimensional, but you've never seen 2-D like this. The backgrounds are lush and richly detailed � you can almost feel the coolness of the jungle canopy. Thick vines and tree trunks weave in and out of the fore- and background, creating the illusion of 3-D. Tarzan's jaunts take him through multiple stages in each level, like a platform side-scrolling action game from the old NES days. Sometimes he's on the jungle floor, sometimes he's running along a tree limb and sometimes � and most amazingly � he surfs the slick surface of special vines. It's a great trick � you just make sure Tarzan jumps and dodges at the right time to avoid obstacles and collect powerups. Speaking of powerups, there's no shortage of things to do here. To fully complete the game, players have to collect hundreds of coins that are scattered around each level. You also have to find the letters that spell Tarzan to collect bonus items. And finding pages of old newspapers opens up other secrets. You also collect fruit that serves to give you energy and give you something to toss at pesky baboons, boars and other jungle critters. Find a feather and you can tickle them away. This one's obviously aimed at fans of the film, but there's a lot more going on here than a simple kids game. Tarzan is pure eye candy, and even the most seasoned and cynical gamer couldn't help but be impressed with the gorgeous graphics. And the old-school game play's not bad either. JONATHAN SAYS : As much as I hate the idea, I actually like this game. You can take some of this stuff either way, like the "tickling" feather � to me it looks like I'm stabbing whatever's bugging me. Either way, the outcome's the same � the critter trying to hurt me disappears. B+. CHIP SAYS : The only thing I hate more than Phil Collins is physical torture, but that's my problem not your problem. Still, the fact that the game opens with the movie's theme song sets a certain tone and lets you know you're in for something a cut above the typical gaming experience. This is one great looking game that's surprisingly enjoyable to play even if you're not 8 years old. A-. OVERALL RATINGS : A- . � BUY IT FOR AGES 6 AND UP WORLD DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP, FOR N64 � They could co-op those Volkswagen commercials for this one: Drivers Wanted, indeed. This is the most serious driving simulator we've ever seen. The idea is realism, and World Driver's got it in spades. You get more than 30 cars (not all of them are available from the start, of course) and 10 tracks in locales like Hawaii, the Black Forest and Las Vegas. You can play the arcade version of the game (just quick races), a two-player version, or take the real challenge and go for the championship. When you start your quest, you'll only be able to drive for "C" class teams. As you win races and make progress, you'll start getting offers to move up to other teams. The choice is yours. Eventually, you'll want to sign with the team that gives you the best chance to win the title. World Driver is an audio-visual masterpiece. The sounds are pure road racing � you feel like you're in the middle of the course (which is the idea!). Graphically, this one's dangerous � it looks so good, and the backgrounds are so realistic, you'll be tempted to take your eyes off the road. Doing that for even a split second could prove disastrous, though. Unlike most driving games, World Driver won't let you just floor it and go. The control is so precise that if you over steer just a little or give it just a hair too much pedal, you�re guaranteed to hit the wall or cause a momentum-stopping spin. Fortunately there's a training mode that teaches you how to take turns, gives you suggested speeds and lets you make your mistakes before you try to join up with the big boys. World Driver's not for beginners or casual racing fans. This one's all business and nobody but serious drivers need apply. JONATHAN SAYS : Looks like a dream, plays like a nightmare. This one's realistic � a little bit too realistic for me. The physics make it hard to just plug and play � you really have to practice to get good. This is way more than I want in a driving game. C. CHIP SAYS : You don't really steer this one so much as micro-manage your controller. A tiny nudge to the left, two to the right, a little gas, a little brake � it's like a Space Shuttle game where you're trying to control your ship in zero gravity with retro-rockets. When it comes to driving games, I'd rather grip it and rip it � gimme some stick! B. OVERALL RATINGS : B � RENT IT FOR AGES 10 AND UP. TIPS AND TRICKS STAR WARS: ROGUE SQUADRON, N64 � Here's one of the greatest codes we've ever seen. You know that empty spot in the hangar, right next to your X-Wing fighter? We're gonna show you how to fill it up with the awesome Naboo Fighter from the Episode 1 movie. Go to the password screen and enter your name as HALIFAX? You'll then be asked to enter another password. This time punch in !YNGWIE! When you go back to the hangar you'll see the taxicab-yellow Naboo fighter parked to the left of the X-Wing, with R2D2 tucked in back. It's a fast and powerful machine that'll give you the upper hand against the Empire. Hey, guys, looking for something new to do? Sign up for our new Bitstorm Internet Listserv. It's a new part of our Web site that'll deliver up-to-the-minute gaming news in your e-mailbox and let you stay in touch with other gamers and us. Best of all, it's free! To sign up, go to any of these URLs: http://vgames.webpoint.com/vid/ecol/next_level/ http://vgames.webpoint.com/vid/bv/next_level/ http://vgames.webpoint.com/vid/fyiowa/next_level/ http://vgames.webpoint.com/vid/hamptonroads/next_level/ Chip & Jonathan Carter are a father/son gaming team who've been twiddling their thumbs professionally since 1990. For more tips, tricks, reviews and news, check us out on-line at http://vgames.webpoint.com/vid/ecol/mainpage . Or e-mail us at [email protected] . Got a question? An inside tip you'd like to share? Write to Chip and Jonathan Carter in care of this newspaper. While they cannot respond individually, they will answer questions of general interest in their column. (C) 1999 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC. Techno file index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA