1991 Lynx Awards

1991 Lynx Awards
by Robert A. Jung

Around Christmas 1991, in an idle moment, I wrote out the following message and posted it to the Usenet groups alt.games.lynx and rec.games.video. It was just a lark, an attempt to highlight events with the Lynx in the past year and toss out a few comments while goofing off a little. I nominated all of the winners (and losers) myself -- as far as I knew, I was the only person to own every Lynx game released in 1991, which made me uniquely qualified to compare them to each other.

The awards were well received, at least in the sense that no one was upset by what I had written. And around eleven months later, I was getting mail from people who wanted to see the 1992 Lynx Awards...

Rob's 1991 Lynx Awards

Statistical trivia: At the time of this writing, the total number of new Lynx games released in 1991 was twenty (from Shanghai to Xybots). Very nice, especially considering that a year ago, the Lynx only had 16 titles available.

Game of the Year
CHECKERED FLAG. Sure, it's nothing original or different, but it's just well-crafted. It's easy to learn, challenging to play, and boasts some of the best graphics and sound on the Lynx. This is a game that almost anyone can pick up and have fun with in no time.

Runners-up:
WARBIRDS. As it stands now, the game is great, but leaves you begging for a few more features (more varied solo play and multiplayer teams, to name two).

* * *
Disappointment of the Year
TOURNAMENT CYBERBALL. With its severly crippled gameplay and questionable controls, this title is a major heartbreaker for the legions of arcade Cyberball fans. While people who have not played the original may derive some pleasure from it, most gamers will have to wait some more for a better conversion.

Runners-up:
HARD DRIVIN'. Players knew that doing this complex game on the 8-bit Lynx was a challenge; surprisingly, this card runs at a decent speed. But nearly impossible controls and extremely sensitive collision detection turned this from a respectable adaptation to an unplayable flop.

* * *
Most Original Lynx Game
WARBIRDS. No surprise, actually, as this four-person biplane flight simulator would be a groundbreaking title on any home system. It's not a game for everyone, and playing it alone is not as much fun, but it stands head and shoulders above the rest for its innovation and daring.

* * *
Arcade Game Conversion of the Year
ROBOTRON: 2084. The running was tight, but in the end Shadowsoft's first Lynx game wins. It duplicates all of the sound, sights, and strategy of the classic, and options for controls and game difficulty are user-friendly extras. One can argue that the original game was not as sophisticated as today's titles, but that doesn't reduce the high-speed action and fun of this card.

Runners-up:
S.T.U.N. RUNNER. With little fanfare, this literally stunned the Lynx public with a top-quality adaptation that loses absolutely nothing. The only tragedy is that the still photos for this game can't convey the speed and excitement in it.

XYBOTS. A decent return from NuFX, who brought us the sad Hard Drivin'. While the difficulty could be increased, it does capture the graphics, sounds, and features of the arcade.

* * *
Strategy Game of the Year
SHANGHAI. It's not too hard for strategy games to be done decently, as they usually don't require flashy graphics or wild sounds to play well. Shanghai offers this, but is also extremely easy to learn, challenging, and has enough one- and two-player options to nudge it ahead of the rest.

Runners-up:
THE FIDELITY ULTIMATE CHESS CHALLENGE. When this game says "ultimate", it's not kidding -- the Lynx is an aggressive and merciless opponent who exploits all openings. The lack of a board set-up option is its only flaw.

ISHIDO: THE WAY OF STONES. With low-key sounds and nice graphics, this is a respectfully difficult puzzle game for players who like to think deeply before moving.

* * *
Most Pleasant Surprise of the Year
SCRAPYARD DOG. Proof positive that Lynx games don't have to be scaled-down versions of home console titles, this game has enough depth, variety, and surprises as any other run-and-jump title for any other system. It looks like a game for the younger crowd, but over 30 tricky levels will keep the average player at this for a while.

Runners-up:
AWESOME GOLF. This is golf on the Lynx, done well with good graphics and sound. True golfers may lament the lack of more complex game options (stance, backspin, etc.), but for the general public, this is a very playable game.

* * *
Could'a Been Terrific, If Only...
TURBO SUB. A first-person, high-speed "destroy everything" game -- a cakewalk on the Lynx, right? Unfortunately, no. Aliens with bad aim makes this game too easy, and the two-player ComLynx option is almost useless.

Runners-up:
VIKING CHILD. A misguided meld of action and adventure, this game feels more like a throwback to the '80s. Weak sounds and repetitive gameplay turns a good idea into a challenge for the truly devoted.

* * *
Most Eagerly Awaited Game of 1992
THE GUARDIANS: STORMS OVER DORIA. The Lynx is still weak in role-playing games, a situation that Atari will be changing in the new year. If Telegames' four-player real-time fantasy adventure delivers all that it promises, however, it will be the Lynx RPG title to buy.

{The Guardians: Storms over Doria was never released.}

* * *
Smartest Move of the Year
THE $99 LYNX. Players have long known that the Lynx is the technologically superior portable video game system. Now available for only $10 more than the Gameboy, it's awfully hard to justify not buying one.

Runners-up:
THE LYNX II. With a smaller size, lighter weight, stereo sound, and total game compatability, the Lynx II answers all of the criticisms of the original machine.

THE $129 LYNX CHRISTMAS SPECIAL. Now (temporarily) costing between the Gameboy and the Game Gear, the Lynx truly offers power without the price. Making the deal available nationwide is the icing on the cake; now if only Atari can consider making the lower price permanent...

* * *
Dumbest Move of the Year
NOT INCREASING LYNX PRODUCTION. At the recent Chicago Atari Faire, company representatives acknowledged that, while the demand for Lynx units caught them by surprise, they will not be increasing Lynx production accordingly. What kind of mindless supply-and-demand economics is this?

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