Games /emulator news (02/02/2008): new FPSEce 0.010 videos; new Prowler Studios games

[Guest Menneisyys]

1. Yesterday, I reported on the new FPSEce 0.010 videos. The Pocketplayers.info folks have just uploaded two, brand new FPSEce 0.010 videos well worth checking out:

It seems FPSEce 0.010 will indeed be a BIG hit, particularly for 3D game fans with a Dell Axim x50v / x51v: it’ll really be able to run the well-known PlayStation classics without any problems. Make sure you donate to the developer (I’ve already done so) :)

2. A quick overview of Prowler Studios' games

Prowler Studios is a newcomer to the Windows Mobile gaming scene but has already released several titles. Of these, I review the three most expensive ($12.95 each) one (assuming most expensive means the best). Note that they're all Pocket PC only (not compatible with MS Smartphones - I've tested) and support all operating systems starting with WM2003.

a. Toe 2 Toe Boxing Championship is (or, at least, tries to be) a 3D boxing game. I don’t recommend this title. While it tries to be 3D, it in no way utilizes existing 3D acceleration hardware (tested this on the Dell Axim x51v). The in-game sprite animation is also VERY bad: it only has TWO phases. Taken the high price of the title into account, I in no way can recommend this game even for a quick try. I know there aren’t any boxing games for Windows Mobile (quickly checked this at Clickgamer in addition to the Sports category of the PPCMag encyclopedia). Therefore, I recommend going for emulation. The home computers / home consoles had WAY better boxing games; for example, Boxing Legends of the Ring for Mega Drive/Genesis and SNES; George Foreman's KO Boxing for the same two consoles; Riddick Bowe Boxing (which is very similar to Evander Holyfield's Real Deal Boxing for Genesis and GG) for SNES, Gameboy and GG. Make sure you check out my emulation-related articles / Bibles in the Emulators category of my blog. Or, if you don’t necessarily want boxing, just a very similar arcade game, give a try to, for example, Garou (Fatal Fury): Mark of the Wolves under the excellent NeoGeo emulator FinalBurn Alpha. (Note that I haven’t tested the title under FinalBurn. It may NOT work. If it doesn’t, you can still look for another action game to run.)

b. Shuffleboard Unlimited: Unfortunately, this title is in no way as entertaining as for example 4Pockets’ Air Hockey Challenge reviewed HERE. If you’re absolutely sure you want a simple shuffleboard simulator, you might want to check it out. However, if you want a REAL air hockey title, go for the 4Pockets game instead - it’s way better.

c. Pocket Bass Angler 2007 1.1. Probably this fishing simulator is the only game you might want to give a try – if you’re into the genre, that is. (I am not at least.)

All in all, I couldn’t find anything of real interest among Prowler Studios’ current games. Hope their future games become much better.

3. Yeah, I know it’s self-promotion like linking to frontpages of my articles, but still… in the last (Feb/Mar 2008) issue of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine, my Orions: The Second Age Strategy Guide was quickly summarized. Also, in his farewell message, Allen Gall recommended the articles of you-surely-won’t-guess-who :D