The Sims: Hot Date Expansion Pack
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (14 December, 2003)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

The Sims: Hot Date Expansion Pack represents an entirely new experience for your Sims--dating! With exciting new characters, interests, romance objects, and an all-new downtown area filled with restaurants, shops, and parks, Hot Date will get your Sims off the couch and into the singles scene. Play matchmaker for your Sims and watch them become Casanovas or Casa-nevers.

Players can have their Sims ask each other out on a date, or they can try their luck with an in-game dating service. Arrange to meet another Sim downtown at exciting and romantic locations that the player can create. Everything from a candlelit dinner, a drink at the bar, or a rendezvous in the park is possible as your Sim attempts to orchestrate an evening to remember.

Once your Sim is out with that special someone, additional interests and new interactions keep the conversation flowing and chemistry clicking. Sims can now flirt, play footsie, engage in a little tonsil hockey, or converse in Simlish about new and diverse interests. Being a fun and fascinating date gets your Sim one step closer to a goodnight kiss, or more!

Players can watch sparks fly or fizzle as their Sims meet and date a host of new characters. Sims can spurn the advances of the Jock, welcome the overtures of the Femme Fatale, find true lust with Mr. Medallion, or strike out with the Blonde Bombshell. More than 100 new objects, including the Picnic Basket, Cuddle Couch, and Love Tub, allow players to set the mood for their Sims. Find your Sim a soul mate... or just have fun looking with The Sims: Hot Date Expansion Pack. ... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Genre: Strategy
• Mission: Strut your stuff when you take your Sims on a dream date
• Platform: Windows 95/98/Me/XP

Reviews (417)

Great game, a few bugs still to be worked out...
I've been slightly obsessed with playing The Sims since the day I first got the game. This wasn't too long ago but I was enjoying the interactions and wanted a bit more. Lo and behold, I got Hot Date. I have to say, I've been having oodles of fun designing the downtown area and taking my Sims places where they (literally) had never been before.

I greatly enjoyed all the new objects (ceiling lighting...finally!) and architectural styles and definitely enjoy watching my Sims cuddle, blow kisses, flex muscles, you name it! Also, being able to invite the Townies over is great and all these things expand the game so much which only makes it better.

So I was there, feeling like quite the architect AND matchmaker when a few problems starting coming up such as Sims that would never get into the cab to go downtown, the cuddlers who just got stuck... I have to add that I installed the patch offered on the official website to fix both of these problems but sadly, it didn't have the desired effect so some Sims are just not able to EVER get downtown when they call the cab and some others just well... cuddle too much, let's say.

So, despite all this, I still have enough resources to garner A LOT of quite fun gameplay but still, I wish it were perfect, just as it was intended to be *sigh* Still, it is way too much fun for me not to recommend it due to a few problems. Get it, you'll really enjoy it.

The best game expansion pack ever!!!
The Sims: Hot Date is without a doubt the best game expansion pack ever. Some people say that The Sims: Vacation is a better than hot date but they are wrong. First of all there are 125 new items on Hot date. Only 77 items on Vacation. There are many Pros and Cons about this game.
_________________________________________________________________
Pros
1.Alot of new items/objects. There are new floors, windows, wallpapers, doors, trees, lights, tables and counters. There's even a lighted ceiling fan.
2.You get to create a whole different world(Downtown).
3.Get to expand the sims social life. Alot of the sims atitude depends on social activity.
Cons
1.Takes a long time to load.
2.It could have more features.
_________________________________________________________________
This is a must buy expansion pack!

Spend money on WOMEN, not silly GAME
Guys, really! If you want to go on a date, fine... get a fine looking woman, and ASK HER OUT! If you want to sit around the house all day desperate, alone, and lonely...buy and play this game religiously!

With the amount of TIME and MONEY you spend on these PATHETIC games, you could be meeting real people, doing real things, and maybe...oh my gosh!...GETTING ***REAL*** WOMEN! LOL! ... Read more

Asin: B00005N6ZL
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Simulators (Simulation)    3. Strategy (Strategic)    4. Simulations    5. World Building (Builders)   

The Sims Livin' Large Expansion Pack
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (30 August, 2000)
list price: $29.99
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Editorial Review

Sex and aliens. That's really all that was missing from the amazingoriginal edition of The Sims, and the expansion Livin' Largedelivers these new treats to liven up your beloved Sims existence.

New characters (including a gladiator and Xena-like warriors), and, moreimpressively, new decorations are the reasons to buy this game. Thefurnishingsare mostly grouped by theme, with the medieval dungeon option the mostauthoritative of the bunch. (Little Cassandra Goth has been longing toread by torch light all along.)

Our personal favorite is the futuristic theme, with an optional, butexpensive,maid/gardener robot to take care of the fabulous modern furnishings. ClearlytheSims team has been doing its research over at Herman Miller, and you'll have abright red, flowing-foam sofa to show for it.

But it wouldn't be The Sims if only good taste prevailed. Bring on themai tais with a tiki-heavy islander theme. There's also a startling collectionof carpeting and objects best grouped under the design ideal we call "dementedclown."

The attention-getting rarities include: a lame fortune-telling ball (ouradvicemostly centered around hiring a maid), a voodoo doll for hexing roommates,and agenie who delivers as much bad as good (dead plants, anyone?). And, yes,there'sa vibrating bed to give your Sims the spice they've been missing.

While the expansion didn't blow us away, it did provide more of the humor andnovelty true Sims die-hards will appreciate. With even more attentiontodetail than the original offering, EA deserves Sims-like applause forthis edition. --Jennifer Buckendorff ... Read more

Reviews (250)

Livin' It Up
Livin' Large wasn't bad, but I worship it compared to Vacation as it's got variety. Livin' Large has new items concentrated in the different ways of construction of a house. Lots of new doors, windows, wall textures and roofs are added as well as decoration items to go with the theme. I use the medieval theme a lot! It even includes the Love Bed, abduction of Sims are now possible through frequent use of the telescope, and Grim Reapers appear to decide the fate of your close-to-dead Sim who you can only save by beating it to a game of Stone-Papper-Scissors (cute).

Livin' Large definately enhances the game, and it's absence would affect the game greatly unlike some other expansion packs I could mention.

The Most Underated Expansion Pack
Although Livin' Large is not my favorite expansion pack, I think it is the most underated.What would we do without the telescope, chemistry set and guitar?I loved all the wacky items that Maxis added and the medieval theme.If you have the sims deluxe edition don't worry about buying it... Livin' Large is included.

Ehhh... it's ok
Actually this is a great installment, but my favorite is House Party. What's great about Livin' Large is mostly the items. New items include a robot, love bed, and a lot more. Like all the other expansion packs this one more neighborhoods. I would suggest you just wait for Sims 2 to come out instead of buying more expansion packs. ... Read more

Asin: B00004UE0I
Subjects:  1. Living simpeople people    2. Expansion add-on pack    3. Computer Games    4. Strategy (Strategic)    5. Simulations    6. World Building (Builders)   

The Sims: House Party Expansion Pack
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $19.99
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Editorial Review

Toga party, anyone? Now your Sims can do that and more withThe Sims: House Party Expansion Pack, which makes it easier thanever for characters from The Sims to make friends and quicklyrise to the top ranks of their professions.

They'll need all the extra money they make from promotions to pay forall the cool goodies included in this expansion. Party themes rangefrom Wild West campfire cookouts to Hawaiian luaus and room-shakingraves, with plenty of objects provided to keep guests entertained.There's a costume trunk to guarantee everyone will be dressed for theoccasion, and it's even possible to hire a caterer to keep the food anddrink flowing. If you're really lucky, a famous star may pop in for aguest appearance. Every party is packed with surprises, and theinclusion of extra neighborhoods ensures there's always a bash to plan.This is one expansion that no fan of The Sims should be without.--T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• More than 100 new objects and characters
• Guaranteed social interactions can really help a Sim's career
• Great music and fun themes
• Plenty of surprises

Cons:

• Takes time away from real parties

... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Genre: Strategy
• Mission: Party hard with your Sims using a dance cage, mechanical bull, and hookah
• Platform: Windows 95/98/Me/XP

Reviews (197)

Having a big bash!!!
It's cool to have parties when a lot of people come.I have a huge party room where people dance and be the D.J. It's fun when you get a big cake and hire a male or female dancer and they pop out of the cake and do a dance,but watch out because sometimes they come up to you and make out with you or flirt with you.If you don't have this game you should buy it.

House Party!
The Sims House Party is one of the few expansion packs that I can't do without apart from Hot Date and Livin' Large (And to some extent Vacation, and Superstar). It truly enhances Sims' lives by inviting each other for costume or themed parties, but it has it's disadvantages as well.

You want to make sure that your Sims really know the people around you for the party to go well or the dreaded Mime'll arrive. He doesn't do much apart from get in the way and annoy people. While on the other hand, if your party's a success you get a surprise visit from a celebrity! It's never happened to me yet, but then again I've done the sad mistake of signing up with the Talent Agency too quickly.

Also, if your Sim isn't on good terms with any other Sim in the neighborhood, using the phone to declare a house party'll automatically invite them as well. This can get nasty sometimes. In cases like these, it'd be "safer" to use the phone and manually select who you want to invite over. Then of course, you can always buy the turkey and the Christmas tree.

Parties are even divided into adult or kiddy parties, with dance entertainers popping out of cakes for the former but a purple gorilla usually stuns the kids for the latter. Some of the additional items that come along with this expansion pack are DJs, Caterers and costume wardrobes!

Recommended.

Great New Stuff!!!
Want some new skins, objects, walls, and floors for your Sims?Look no further than House Party!There is some great having-fun-potential here!!!Whether you want an entertainer to pop out of a cake or you want to sit around a campfire to sing songs and roast marshmallows (this is so cute... when they sing around the campfire, someone pulls out a guitar and they all sing real melodies but with Sim lyrics), House Party is for anybody!
Don't stay up too late! And go easy on the alcohol! ;) ... Read more

Asin: B000059S8D
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Simulators (Simulation)    3. Strategy (Strategic)    4. Simulations    5. World Building (Builders)   

Gran Turismo 3: A Spec
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (13 July, 2001)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

The PlayStation2 takes the Gran Turismo franchise to new heights in thethird edition of the venerable racing series. The graphics are sure to grabyou--the cars and tracks are awe inspiring, and there are some incredible lightingeffects. This game is much more than eye candy, though.

The gameplay in Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is the same as its predecessors;fans of the previous games will feel right at home, while newcomers will be ableto pick things up easily. There are more than 150 cars from which to choose, andplenty of tracks upon which to race them. Arcade mode works well for a quickfix, while simulation mode provides outstanding replay value. The sound effectsare impressive--each engine has a unique sound, and tire screeches fromdifferent cars sound noticeably different. The soundtrack is a good mix oforiginal compositions and a wide variety of recording artists, including MotleyCrue, Raekwon, Jimi Hendrix, and Snoop Dogg.

One minor flaw with the game is its relatively predictable artificialintelligence. Computer-controlled cars follow distinct lines, and you'll be ableto pick up the patterns after a few races. Considering how far the graphics havecome since the original Gran Turismo, it's disappointing that the AIhasn't progressed similarly. Despite this, GT3 remains an outstandinggame. Few games offer its combination of high quality and immense variety.--Raymond M. Padilla

Pros:

• Incredible graphics
• Excellent physics and controls
• Great soundtrack

Cons:

• Predictable AI
• No Porsche or Ferrari licenses

... Read more

Features

• Gran Turismo 3 raises the bar for racing games.
• Using the calculation power of the PlayStation 2, the physics model is identical to that of a real car!
• Feel the speed as you maneuver through curves and shoot down straight-aways.
• Environment mapping creates broadcast-quality graphics that blur the line between game and reality.

Reviews (626)

Only GT4 is better!!
The only driving simulator that is better is GT4. If your expecting an easy arcade like racer with Lambo's and dressed up import's go try NFS or some other title. Gran Turismo is the measure by which all racing game's are compared to, and justifable too. Realistic graphic's and physic's are great. Expect to take a lot of time learning to drive. This is not a casual racer. Only two comment's/annoyance's are the music and number of car's. 1. Cars: Or should I say lack of car'
s. I think there were more car's in the original Gran Turismo(not sure I could be wrong).Also I think that more of a variety of car's. After winning the 50th Nissan Skyline(not sold in USA) it get a bit annoying,lol. This is fixed in GT4 so don't worry too much(number of car's). 2.Music: Aside from Lenny Kravitz and Motley Crue the sound is pale in comparison to GT2(The best of Gran turismo soundtracks). This also goes for GT4(apart from Van Halen's-"Panama"). It seem's as if they spent so much time and effort on other area's and music was an afterthought. In the first two (GT and GT2) soundrtack's they were an integril(I know I spelled that wrong,lol)part of the experience. Only serious racer's and car nuts need to apply.

I MEAN NO STARS!
This game has bad graphics.
It has sucky cars.
It is so hard to play on different tracks.
The cars dosn't even have a driver in it.

The King of All Racing Games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been a fan of Gran Turismo ever since it's debut. The game is so addictive that I have played it for 10 hours straight! The graffics are stunning and the courses are well made. My favorite part about the game is that they brought in F1 racers. I smoke the competition every time I use my 900 horsepowered monster! Over all this game is AWESOME! ... Read more

Asin: B0000503MO
Subjects:  1. Gran    2. three (III) 2000    3. Video Games    4. PS2 (PSX2)    5. Sony Playstation (Play station) 2    6. Playstation2 (Play station2)    7. Racing    8. Flying   

Roller Coaster Tycoon
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

Want to build an empire without all the usual bloodshed? Try RollerCoaster Tycoon, which puts you in total control of a theme park, managing every detail from ride development to rescuing lost guests.

A simulator in the style of SimCity, this game has a simple enough concept: build a park attractive enough to draw in hoards of tourists and then separate them from their hard-earned money. This is accomplished by researching and building rides, along with amenities, gardens and decorations. Once you have your infrastructure, and the staff to maintain it, it's time to sit back and watch the funds roll in...all in hopes of building an even bigger rollercoaster somewhere else!

The big draws in a theme park, the coasters are expensive and flashy. They lure in thrill-seeking guests prepared to pay top dollar for a wild ride. RollerCoaster Tycoon even allows you to design the coasters yourself, a finicky but ultimately rewarding operation.

Despite a clunky interface and the usual simulator drawbacks--such as long waits while you acquire funds for the next ride--RollerCoaster Tycoon is an utter gem of a game. Its soundtrack, a mix of calliope music and ride machinery, is mixed with the sound of guests squealing with delight and terror as the coasters hurl them around. The sound mix is joyfully evocative, and you can almost smell the cotton candy and the popcorn.

Best of all, you can play in this theme park for hours without once losing your children or friends, getting sore feet or experiencing motion sickness. --Alyx Dellamonica ... Read more

Reviews (581)

Great game!
I have never played such an addicting game! The scenarios are different and fun, but the variety lacks. You get the same rides to choose from over and over again, and when you create your own roller coaster, your park guests become wimps and ignore it. The handymen are a pain to control since they never do their job and if you tell them to mow grass, it's all they do. Excellent for a game that came out before the year 2000.

Tycoon of Tycoons
This is a great game to kick off the Roller Coaster Tycoon series and I will recommend it to anyone who likes Roller Coasters and strategy/tycoon games. You manage most all aspects of an amusement park and you get to see what Roller Coaster designers have to face when building new rides. This game really kept me thinking and playing it for a while. The layout of controls, the interface and graphics are fairly simplistic so it is easy to get used to and will not run too slow on most computers. If you already have Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 or 3, you may still want to think about purchasing this major hit. You will then get to see the major changes for yourself and get to decide wether you like any one in particular better.

Yay!
I never thought this game looked very good until I played it at a friend's house.I went out and bought it for the very low price of under ten bucks at Wal*Mart the next day.

It is so much fun!You can build and design your own rides, or buy ones that have already been built.Food stands, bathrooms, and souvenier stands can also be purchased as well as scenery items.Detailed information is available about all of your customers, from their feelings to how much money they're willing to spend at your park.You have a certain goal to reach when you create a theme park, and when you reach it, your name will be posted under the location name.And there are many new locations to unlock as well.You can hire handymen to clean up trash and puke, mechanics to fix and check rides, security guards to make sure no one breaks anything, and entertainers that can be dressed in a panda, tiger, or elephant suit.Also, some advice: Don't let your park entrance fee be "FREE" (If you start at $1.00, people will keep saying that your entrance fee is cheap, and you get to raise it!I got as high as $20 once!)

Overall, if you like The Sims, or Zoo Tycoon, you will enjoy this game!It is addicting, and is now a favorite of mine!I'm so happy I gave it a chance. ... Read more

Asin: B00000K4MC
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Strategy (Strategic)    3. Simulations    4. World Building (Builders)   

Roller Coaster Tycoon Expansion Pack:Loopy Landscapes
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (20 September, 2000)
list price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

Roller Coaster Tycoon is one of the few games everreleased that seems to appeal to gamers of every type, and the Loopy Landscapesexpansion pack will appeal to all RCT fans. The only slight letdown isthe lack of new rides. As the name suggests, the main focus of this expansionpack is new terrain and themes.

One of the best aspects of Loopy Landscapes is that it lets youpersonalize your park in ways that weren't possible in the original game.Open ahat stall, T-shirt stand, or nearly any other shop and choose a color for eachof your items. It's a hoot to watch a herd of hapless fun-seekers walk throughyour park wearing a rainbow of caps and holding an equally colorful assortmentof balloons. We also had a blast working our way through the new scenariosincluded with the package, which incorporate all the new themes and settings(such as the icy Winter Wonderland and majestic Medieval Castles) and range indifficulty from sedate fun to frenzied puzzle solving. One of best newscenariosgives you an empty park and unlimited funds, but you only have a certainamountof time to attract 2,000 guests, and if the park rating dips below 700 youlosethe game. This effectively turned time and space into the most valuableresources in the game, requiring us to rethink some old strategies.

As an additional bonus, the complete content from the first expansion pack,Corkscrew Follies, is included on the CD. Players who already purchasedCorkscrew Follies can send in for a $10 rebate until December 31, 2000,but the process for doing so is persnickety (don't throw your box away).Newcomers to the RCT world should note that a copy of Roller CoasterTycoon is required to play Loopy Landscapes. And RCT junkieswill want to get their hands on all the new goodies Loopy Landscapesoffers as soon as possible. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• You can customize nearly everything
• The new themes can really transform a park
• Comes with Corkscrew Follies, if you missed it the first time around

Cons:

• There aren't many new rides
• We're still waiting for a design editor that lets us experiment withtracks outside the confines of the game

... Read more

Features

Reviews (121)

YAY!
New rides, new food, new...everything.This is an excellent bargain add-on to the orriginal Rollercoaster Tycoon.This comes with even more parks, even more rides, and it brings even more hours of fun.If you loved the first Rollercoaster Tycoon, you'll love this.Here's why.

First, there's new stuff!!!You can do cool things like make banners, which prevents guests from entering some areas.But the high points are the new, awesome rides, parks, and food stalls.THis comes with cool new rollercoasters to build, tons of new parks, and other stuff.For example, this expansion pack has DOUBLE the amount of parks the first game had.You can experience new, challenging scenarios to beat in new areas and such.

Second, there's so much more gameplay!The first game came with endless hours of gameplay, and now...MORE endless hours!Yippie!Now you get to design even more theme parks, with new stuff!You know you want to buy it.

Third, the price is incredibly low right now.This is a great bargain, so my reccomendation is to buy it.

Best Game In The World!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If your a fan of rollercoasters ye'll LOVE this game. The first
time I layed eyes on this game I begged and begged to have it and sure enough I got it!! Get it, see for yourself.

Fun, Addictive... a few flaws.
This review is for the whole RCT set, including the original game.
My family loves this game, it is truly deserving of its "E" rating, since my school-age daughter, and both adults in the family have a ball with it.Scenarios range from easy through impossible (and the expansion pack scenarios are not necessarily harder than those in the original set.) While only the first person to win a scenario gets his name 'on the board', scenarios can be played, and won or lost, over and over again.
However, the game does have a few flaws.
1. Sometimes, no matter how many times you turn the screen, you can't get a good angle to see what you are building. (Especially a problem as the park gets more crowded with rides and pathways.)
2. We joke in our family that the people in this world are wimps.The game allows you to build elaborate coasters with steep drops, tight turns, loops, twists and more.But, in our experience, any coaster much more complex than a simple circle with a few gentle drops gets rated 'ultra-extreme' with a 'ultra'high' nausea rating -- and nobody will ride it.
3. As a related issue, you can't stop the clock while designing and testing coasters.If you are building a complex coaster, months can tick by as you design your coaster, try to make the coaster fit the landscape (or alter the landscape to fit the coaster), test it, then make any necessary changes.In real life, of course, the planning would happen in the designer's office, and the actual construction would happen fairly quickly.

Still a favorite game in our house. ... Read more

Asin: B00004WHW7
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Simulations    3. Strategy (Strategic)    4. World Building (Builders)   

Monopoly Tycoon
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (26 September, 2001)
list price: $14.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Monopoly Tycoon is, put simply, a marriage between the classicboard game and the city-building aspects of Sim City. It's an idea thatshouldn't work as well as it does. Licensed games usually don't take risks, andthat's what makes this one quite brilliant. Instead of churning out a quickMonopoly-related cash-in, Deep Red has dared to take Monopoly concepts and usethem to make a fun, unique game, a game of city building, but also of propertymanagement and brutal economics, all encased in one gorgeous graphics engine. Itlooks as good as it plays.

After playing through a very detailed tutorial series of missions, you'llproceed to the main game: a series of locked scenarios, the next of which youunlock by succeeding at the previous one. There are three difficulty levels, andyou can choose to play as any of the familiar playing pieces, each with its ownpersonality, advantages, and disadvantages. The top hat is a stage magician, thedog is an old-money socialite, the wheelbarrow is a steady worker, and theracecar is a stuntman with a curling mustache. Respectively, the computer playsthese opponents as cunning, shrewd, tenacious, and bold.

The game itself plays on a 3-D map. You can zoom in to see the wandering peopleand their cars, or zoom out to view the map top down like a board game. Thelayout isn't like the board game, however; it's more like a city, but Monopolyconventions hold true. Each block consists of two or three colored propertieswith familiar names. You can't buy these properties. You can build on any ofthem, owning various retail or residential buildings of varying size and height,and pay rent to the property owner, or you can engage in an auction to lease theproperty (for 25 years). If you lease all the properties of a color you gain amonopoly and can build lucrative hotels and even commandeer buildings away fromrivals. You are all competing over convenience-oriented and fickle citizens, soproperty values, selection, and types of goods and services offered is whatattracts them. A grocery store on St. James Place isn't going to command thesame clientele or profit as one on Pennsylvania Avenue, and, of course, controlof Boardwalk and Park Place is essential.

Chance cards exist as single-day random events, and you can even control theRailroads and Utilities and get money from your rivals that way (you get theirservices for free). The action begins in the '30s and moves all the way to thenew millennium. The styles and cars all evolve to show the progression of time,a nice touch.

All told, Monopoly Tycoon is a must-buy for fans of the Sim or Tycoonlines of games. It's deep, fun, has a great multiplayer option, and has justenough Monopoly in it to be utterly charming to anyone familiar with the classicboard game. Infogrames didn't invent the city-building game here, but they didreinvent Monopoly for the 21st century. --Bob Andrews

Pros:

• Attractive graphics
• Deep, charming, and satisfying gameplay

Cons:

• The interface is a bit cumbersome

... Read more

Features

Reviews (69)

A great game and business simulator
I never thought that Monopoly could be applied to a game like this.It is really a business/economic simulator, because you have to take charge of aspects such as cash flow, sales, supply and demand, etc.However, a drawback to it is that it does not allow you to play a regular game--you can only play the scenarios.But it is an excellent game, especially if you want to practice business/economics.

Didn't like it at all.
I enjoy Sim games so much that I got this game for my kids last Christmas thinking they would really like it since they love Monopoly.I was wrong. This game needs a doctor because something is definitely lacking. It wasn't what I thought it would be at all.I think the fact that the challenge is a short amount of time is what was the worst aspect of it.

Fantatsic Game!
As with all games you can not please everyone. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing this game. It is hours of fun. There are so many things you can do. It is similar to the Monopoly game we all played as kids, but it has lots of twists to it. I am glad that this game was there to entertain those of us that enjoy a challenge. Thanks to J&R Music and Computer World for having it also. ... Read more

Asin: B00004T77P
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Board    3. Strategy (Strategic)    4. Simulations    5. World Building (Builders)   

Monopoly (with Watch)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (03 July, 2001)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Play the classic property-trading game from Parker Brothers like you've never played it before. Follow all the action as fully animated 3-D Monopoly tokens respond to dice rolls and energetically move around the board. Create your own custom game board with clip art images or imported graphics for a totally unique gaming experience. This version also allows players to choose from 10 of their favorite cities. Play on boards featuring the famous landmarks of New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, and Toronto.

Included with Monopoly is an exclusive, limited-edition Mr. Monopoly wristwatch. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Classic Roll
Sometimes I often forget about hot important the older board games seem to turn out to be. Especially when it comes to the roll of the dice. Either that, or nobody plays with me, when I'm alone. That seems to be the case with all the classic video games and board games too. When I look at that within games like Scrabble and Sorry, I see it within a little time. One other game I see it with that lapsed time is Monopoly. The only time I get to see it, is when I enjoy it.

With this edition of Monopoly for the P.C., it goes a little bit further, with the dazzling sound effects and animation. Although I've played it originally for the original Nintendo Entertainment System, I rediscovered that joy on P.C. The realisic graphics and animation are just amazing, but the one drop theme music is a little bit batty. The other thing I like about this game is the different gameplay boards. It is like getting ten different Monopoly games for the price of 1. That actually works a little bit more, because you don't get board and bored within the same board. Still, I was surprised about how long it takes until the game ends, but that is another story. What I also like about this version, is that you also can customize your very own style of the game board, to add more of the fun in the game.

Still, I got my version through an offer for a free CD-ROM version of Monopoly through a cereal box offer. But, if you love the classics with your kids, I really think this would be a great gift for anybody, even if you have to play alone. I just wish that more of the great classics could make it this big for the computer as soon as possible. Sometimes, you need to search like a wild goose chase to make it work. Hopefully, you won't have to with Monopoly.

Only for fans
I?m a Monopoly fan. I use to play the board game for hours. This PC game is exactly as the original game (even the tokens), but have some problems. The board is moving all the time and makes you feel dizzy, tokens jump all over the board (it's funny for a couple of minutes), the voices are also annoying. So, the game is ok, but you can get bored of voices and movement after 5 minutes and that's not good for such a long game.

Great Game, with some issues
I'm sorry to have to give a 3 to this game - it's a great game, but I had to lower its rating because it has a few bugs and missing features.

First, the good things.It's certainly true to the board game.It includes all of the properties and pieces that you find in the original board game, plus the extra ones found more recently such as the sack of money.Basically, if you like the board game, this is a great computer game to own and it's fun to play.

One of the best features that it has is the ability to add "custom rules."You know the rules I'm talking about - rules that we always include when playing in real life, but are not exactly in the monopoly rules (such as a Free Parking Jackpot).These custom rules also allow you to change the amount of money you start with, the amount of money for landing on various spaces, and deal out all of the properties at the start of the game for a shorter game.The music is catchy and the voices are good (sometimes annoying, but they can be turned off).You can also play with custom boards or boards from the "cities" versions of the game.

Now, the bad things.On my computer, I'm having a redraw problem where sometimes the buttons stay on the screen but disappear when moused on.I suppose this could be an anomoly and/or a conflict with my video card.However, a major problem is that your settings (such as turning off voices) are not kept for the next game you play, Nor are they kept if you restore a saved game.Also, a computer player can interrupt you at any time to build houses/hotels or offer a trade, which can get irritating when you're trying to research something and you have to wait for it to go crazy with trades and/or building.

The extra boards are just plain buggy, with names of properties at times not matching chance cards, deeds, and/or voices.I also have had problems getting custom boards and the calculator to work properly.I spent 2 hours creating a custom board, only to find that when I tried to use it, it would no longer load in either the board creator or the game itself.

In all, this is a great Monopoly game that I enjoy playing.However, it has some bugs and issues that need to be worked out. I'm hoping for a patch. ... Read more

Asin: B00005JD6M
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Board   

SimCity 3000 Unlimited
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (16 May, 2000)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

SimCity 3000 is back, and it's bigger than ever! Maxis pulled out all the stops for this new version of the bestselling game, adding enough new customized graphics to re-create cities from around the world. The new European and Asian building sets serve up hundreds of new buildings that match the architecture of these diverse environments. From the Great Wall to the Berlin Wall, it's in there. Of course, you can still mix and match--freedom to run a city as you choose has always been the name of this game.

No addition to the SimCity family would be complete without some new methods for destroying your creations, and SimCity 3000 Unlimited has four more devastating disasters than the old version. You can re-create the movie Armageddon by unleashing large chunks of flaming space debris, smite your populace with a buzzing swarm of locusts, destroy seaports and coastal developments with a whirlpool, or uncork some toxic clouds.

The Building Architect, formerly available as a free download, is now packed on the CD-ROM. This 3-D architectural program lets users create the buildings of their dreams, from dilapidated outhouses to towering skyscrapers to works of modern art that are intended for pure decoration. Don't worry if you don't feel like using this powerful tool to create things yourself--the game comes with dozens of new ways to make your cities unique, and you can always head to the SimCity Exchange to download imaginative add-ons created by other users. The infinite expandability and infinite replayability of this game should keep would-be mayors completely occupied until they move to the suburbs of The Sims. ... Read more

Features

• All-new Asian and European building sets with hundreds of new buildings to choose from
• 13 challenging scenarios or create your own custom, goal-based adventure
• 4 new disasters to inflict: plague of locusts, toxic cloud, space junk, and a whirlpool
• 23 new landmarks: Helsinki Cathedral, Japan's Himeji Castle, and more
• Customizable terrain with scores of new options, such as snow, rolling hills, and a desert

Reviews (123)

Great game in its day; rather old now.
This was a great game back in its day. However, it is old and dated now. It was a vast improvement over SimCity 2000 and the original SimCity, offering larger cities and maps and improved graphics and other details.

For all the reviewers who are being so negative, look at the system requirements. This game was designed for Windows 95 and 98, not 2000 or XP. Most games like that will not run properly under 2000 or XP (if at all). For those of you with 2000 or XP, I recommend SimCity 4 (Rush Hour or Deluxe Edition) instead.

Technology marches on, and it is critical to verify that your system meets the requirements of the software programs (and understanding that old programs may no longer work on newer PCs and operating systems).

4 stars for win 98, 0 for others
Like other reviewers, I've had problems with this game on both Win 2k and Windows XP. On 2k, the game installs and loads, but stalls on the first screen. On XP, the game installs but does not load.
I originally bought this in China (legally) and thought that this may be the reason. I used to play it on a Windows 98 machine until that machine crashed, and I had to upgrade to 2k, and have not played it since.
I also contacted EA Tech Support who insisted that this game is/was designed for Windows 98. They suggested I run the compatibility wizard but this was a failure.
Why they're still selling this game escapes me. Maybe they've corrected things on later versions though.
If you can get it to run, this really is a fun game. There are plenty of improvements from Sim City 2000 that I enjoyed, especially the more logical traffic and crime patterns, and the huge increase in map size.
All in all though, don't buy this.

simy 3000
this game is a city.you build roads etc.How is it that no one likes this game anymore?duh!the next one.It is sad that this game is not enough for people anymore.it should be. ... Read more

Asin: B00004T1M7
Subjects:  1. Sim City town simtown    2. Maxis    3. simcity3000    4. Computer Games    5. Action    6. Strategy (Strategic)    7. Simulations    8. World Building (Builders)   

Electronic Arts Top Ten Family Fun Pack
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (06 March, 2001)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Electronic Arts Top Ten Family Fun Pack features 10 of the best family-friendly games from EA.

SimAntSimAnt puts you directly in charge of an ant colony out to conquer a suburban backyard. By directly controlling one ant and manipulating ant caste and behavior, you can help your ant colony overcome insect and human obstacles and lead your fellow ants to victory--invasion of the human's house.

Theme ParkThink you can design and build the greatest amusement park in the world? You select the site and lay out the rides. In fact, you control every aspect of running a profitable amusement park.

Marble DropMarble Drop is a fiendishly fun puzzle game that'll send your mind on twists, turns, spirals, and swings. In Marble Drop, you devise the smartest way to get your colored marbles into their correct bins. Outsmart each puzzle and wrap your mind around an ever-more-challenging kinetic contraption.

Power PokerPower Poker is easy to play, making it ideal for a quick, casual hand of poker. But if you want to hone your skills to a professional level, Power Poker is your ace in the hole.

SimLifeSimLife is an advanced biological simulation that allows you to design plants and animals from the genetic level to influence how they look, act, and eventually evolve. Test your creations' adaptive abilities by turning their environment into either a paradise where life is easy or a wasteland where only the strongest survive. Play with genetics, food webs, mutation, extinction, and natural disasters to witness the effects on the gene pool, the ecosystem, and life itself.

Theme HospitalFrom the creators of Theme Park comes the most unrealistic and humorous hospital sim ever! Complex, realistic AI, detailed SVGA graphics, and wacky bullfrog humor abound.

SimEarthIn SimEarth, you manipulate atmospheric, geologic, climatic, and life processes while watching your planet evolve. As you advance in skill, you can design, modify, manage, and nurture a planet. Create and form the oceans to your specifications. When life first appears, you are there to watch and help it evolve in its development of intelligence and technology. Be the guiding hand of this new technology as civilization extends itself into the universe in search of new homes.

SimCity 2000 The ultimate city simulator and more. Now you can design, build, and customize any city you can imagine, and SimCity 2000 will bring it--and its resident Sims--to life. If this game were any more realistic, it'd be illegal to turn it off.

SimSafariSimSafari brings Africa to you! Imagine yourself in rugged bush country, peering through binoculars at vast herds of elephants, zebras, and lions. Choose from exotic plants and wildlife to create your own safari park. Build a flourishing safari camp, keep your eye on the budget, and run a successful camp business. Learn about Africa's endangered and fiercest animals.

Extreme Pinball By offering four distinct contemporary tables complete with video boards, Extreme Pinball allows you to take the arcade home with you. The gameplay is impressive, the graphics are fantastic, and the experience is authentic. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Some MS-DOS Games don't work on Windows XP
If you are trying to run MS-DOS games on Win. XP, it probably won't work. Microsoft is just saying 'Out with th old and on with the new'. If you have Windows 3x, 95, 98, or ME you can run it. Here is how to do it w/ 95, 98, or ME: Right click on the program, hit properties, then hit th program tab. Check the box that says: Prevent DOS programs from detecting windows. Hit OK, then an MS-DOS icon will appear. Double click it and you got it!

Quite worthwhile
I thought this entire pack was quite fun and very cheap compared to buying everything sepratley.(Sorry im not a good speller.)Sim life has so many variables, Theme park you can have a very funny time, Theme hospital is almost addicting,and the rest are fun as every now and then games. Plus buing all else is over 30$. Thanx for listinging to me ramble.

Can't play some of these on Windows XP
I bought this pack mainly for Theme Hospital - which I have now played to death and figure I got my money's worth with just that one game.

SimCity 2K - an old classic.I haven't loaded this on my new machine because SC3K is so much superior.But if you have no Sim City games, you'll get a kick out of SC2K.

SimAnt - another one I had previously and enjoyed.Sort of a short game to play, but I thought it was fun.

SimLife - I was so excited about this one when it was new, but I couldn't ever seem to figure out how to play it properly.I tried again recently, and it's still greek to me.

SimEarth - ditto what I said for Sim Life.They look very similar to me, actually.

Theme Park - I didn't load this, I already have SimTheme Park which I think is nearly the same.Which isn't nearly as good as Hasbro's Roller Coaster Tycoon.

SimSafari - a new one to me, I've fiddled with it a little when I had time and it looks pretty promising.

Marble Drop - this one I couldn't load on my XP machine.

Extreme Pinball and Power Poker - I haven't even bothered to try loading these two...I have a bazillion pinball and card games already so I just tossed these aside. ... Read more

Asin: B000059XS3
Subjects:  1. Theme Hospital; Sim City 2000    2. Theme Park; Sim Safari    3. Computer Games    4. Computer software (programs)    5. Kids (Children)    6. Power Poker; Sim Ant    7. Sim Earth; Marble Drop    8. Sim Life; Extreme Pinball    9. Sports Simulators (Simulation)