The Games

The software used on these dedicated computer systems has evolved amazingly from the simple rectangular blips used in Pong. Games today feature richly textured, full-color graphics, awesome sound and complex interaction between player and system. The increased storage capacity of the cartridges and discs allows game developers to include incredibly detailed graphics and CD-quality soundtracks. Several of the video game systems have built-in special effects that add features like unique lighting or texture mapping in real-time. There is a huge variety of games available, but most fall into these broad categories:

• 3-D Action/Adventure (Doom, Tomb Raider)

• Simulation (Aero Fighters' Assault, Maestro Music)

• Sports (NFL Gameday, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater)

• Role-playing/Adventure (Zelda, Final Fantasy)

• Fighting (Mortal Kombat, SoulFighter)

• Puzzle (Tetris, Pokemon Puzzle League)

• Shooter (Defender, Silpheed)

• Platform (Sonic, Super Mario Brothers)

• Racing (Mario Kart, Tokyo Xtreme Racer)

• Conversion (American Arcade Pinball, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?) Of course, a lot of games include aspects from more than one of these categories, and a few games are in a category all their own.