5 GAMES FOR JUNE

June's selection of games takes you on a trip around the world and beyond. First up is the space-themed pinball game 3D Ultra Pinball: Space Colony followed by a global racing tour in Magnetic Field's Network Q threequel International Rally Championship. Then, get into all sorts of hijinks while in Japan in Big Red Adventure's comedic predecessor Nippon Safes, Inc before travelling to a moon colony in order to protect its independence in the FPS sequel Rebel Moon Rising. Lastly, explore the trap-filled dungeons in the Tower of Souls, a rather unique dungeon crawling RPG.

CHRONICLES OF THE SWORD

King Arthur. Merlin. The Knights of the Round Table - there's nothing quite like the most epic of British fables. Many have taken their stab at adapting the tale be it books, movies or games and in 1996, Psygnosis published Synthetic Dimensions' long-gestating adventure game called Chronicles of the Sword. Taking place after the grail has been found, with Arthur firmly on the throne, he's beginning to find ruling over Britania in the magical Dark Ages quite troublesome.

OUTWARS

If there's one overlooked sci-fi shooter of the 90s, it's Outwars, SingleTrac's balls-to-the-wall action game from 1998. Published by none other than MicroSoft, it bears comparisons to a certain space-bug movie of the time. Want to know more?

STUPID INVADERS

Stupid Idiots Need Your Help!

Spiraling through the Cosmos, five aliens have crashed on our fair planet Earth. Their intent? World Domination? Enslave out women? Steal our bodily fluids? No, they'd just like to leave. For they are trapped between the clutches of the evil Dr. Sakarin and his deadly hitman. You must help them fashion solutions from strange and savage surroundings. Arm them with bath- room products, used undergarments, and cow dung to get them home. It's the greatest adventure these 5 idiots from outer space have ever had.

 

Save Them From Themselves!

• One hour of seamlessly integrated, movie quality cinematics spanning across 4 CD-ROMS
• Explore over 120 bizarre locations in astounding 3D settings: the Abandoned House, the Dung Factory and Dr. Sakarin's Area 52
• Outwit and interact with 40 characters through 3 expansive chapters of gameplay
• Play as each of the five bumbling aliens as the absurdity unfolds
• Inspired by the animated series Space Goofs

~ from the back of the box

Comedy is something of a rarity in today's gaming market. Sure you may muster a titter or two at the quips made in Doom or the tantrum of a losing sibling in Mario Kart but none of them gets there through actual, full-on comedy skits. That's where classic adventures shine. And one that does is Xilam's 2000 point-and-clicker Stupid Invaders.

BANZAI BUG

Out of all the concepts for an action flight-simulator, that of a flying insect it perhaps the most inspired. Released in 1996 by Grolier Interactive, Banzai Bug took the gameplay from the likes of X-Wing or Wing Commander and plonked it into the miniature, colourful surroundings of a bug's adventurous life.