Versa Computing, Inc.
887 Conestoga Circle
Newbury Park, CA 91320
16K Cassette $15.95 - 24K Disk $19.95
I've seen three "Simon-type" games thus far for the Atari. Simon Says seems to be a rather primitive type of computer game, reminiscent of the game programs available in the early days of micros. With the capabilities available from the Atari, these type of game programs are about as attractive as a black and white monitor.
Mystery Box is a fairly interesting game in which the player must try and guess the position of randomly placed atoms (points), by shooting imaginary rays into an eight by eight grid in as few moves as possible. The outside grid locations are numbered from one to thirty-two.
Before starting the game, you must select the number of atoms you would like hidden in the box/ grid. You must then choose the location at which you would like to inject a ray, by selecting a number from around the grid perimeter. The course the ray takes will help you in determining the locations of the atoms. An injected ray will never pass next to an atom, instead, it will be deflected sideways prior to passing an atom. If a ray collides with an atom, it is absorbed and if a ray exits at the same point at which it entered or is unable to enter the board, then it will be reflected. (After Mystery Box has been played a few times, it gets less confusing and more enjoyable.) Once the player feels as though he or she has guessed the locations of the atoms, and have entered the positions on the screen, then hit return. The computer will then determine just how good a detective you were. As mentioned earlier, in order to get the most enjoyment out of Mystery Box, I found that you should play the game a few times before passing judgment. Mystery Box is both fun and frustrating.
I've saved the best for last. Capture makes the Mind Bogglers package worth every penny. Actually, Capture is an Othello game written (very nicely) for the Atari. The first thing that impressed me with this game program, was the number of available options; player vs computer, player vs player, and computer vs computer (a very nice feature, especially when you are unfamiliar with the game, or are demonstrating the rules to an opponent). You are also given the choice of what color you would like to be (orange or blue), and if that wasn't enough, you can also choose who will go first, and at what skill level you would like to play (1-3). 1 always enjoy seeing options and/or skill levels on game programs like this. They help make the programs more challenging and less monotonous game after game.
I have never had the chance to familiarize myself with Othello. Capture was my first encounter with this type of game. The object of the game, is to try and finish with most, if not all, of the squares on the board in your color. The board is an eight by eight grid which is numbered from one to eight vertically, and A through H horizontally. The game starts with two blue and two orange squares located in the center of the grid. In order to capture your opponents square(s), you must place your colored square(s) on both sides. This will change the surrounded opponents square(s) to your color. This can be done horizontally, vertically or diagonally. There is also an orange and blue bar graph on the right side of the screen that, in a glance, will show you who has the largest amount of squares on the grid. I have found myself becoming addicted to Capture, a very nice game for both player vs player, and player vs computer.
Strategy and thinking games have never been favorites of mine, and personally Simon Says and Mystery Box haven't done anything to change my mind. However, Capture is a different story. I would have purchased Mind Bogglers I from Versa Computing for the Capture program alone. For the price, it's almost like getting three programs for the price of one!