Alternative Software
£2.99

Is there anything left in the world that hasn't had a computer simulator made of it? I thought not, but then along come Alternative with this little offering... Pro Mountain Bike Simulator. You can play against the computer or enter a battle of the pedals with a mate.

The game is split into different maps which can be selected at the start. Each one holds a host of exciting obstacles and challenging mountains to climb on your multi-geared bike. There are a total of 18 gears to be selected, 18th to use on the straights in an attempt to break the land speed record and 1st to get up those steep mountains.

The obstacles include logs, deep holes, rocks, swamp land and ramps. Most of these can easily be taken on the bike, but things like logs and deep holes need you to jump off and carry the bike through or over! The objective is of course to filet to the end of the map before your opponent, or in record time. Graphically the game it's very colourful, and sprites and backgrounds are as detailed as they can be on this scale. You do get some clash now and then but nothing too devastating. Sound wise there's a tune and a brilliant little squeaking effect for the wheels of each bike.

Pro Mountain Bike Simulator may not have to most imaginative title ever, but the game is good fun and well worth spending some time on.

BARGAIN BASEMENT

Fancy a bargain? Look in the basement! But mind the sta-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-airs! (KLUNK!) Marcus Berkmann supplies the bandages.

Alternative
£2.99
Reviewer: Marcus Berkmann

Pro Mountain Bike Simulator? Does this not smack of desperation to you, fellow bargain hunters?

Well, of course it does, but Alternative has to pay bills too, so who can blame it for cashing in (rather late, admittedly) on the magic word 'Simulator'? Not I.

And the game, in fact, is not at all bad. Designed for two players (one of whom can be the computer) it involves you manoeuvring your cranky old grid across a perilous mountain landscape, avoiding hazards and manipulating the billions of gears on offer to complete the course in the shortest possible time. The gears are what cause the initial problems, especially when you start reading the inlay notes and discover how many trillions of combinations of keys you're going to have to master. Unlike many complicated games, though, the key definitions make a lot of sense, and it's just a matter of time before you get used to them. The computer, of course, is a bit useful, and you'll do well to beat it. It does have three skill levels though, so once you've started beating it regularly on one you can shift up to the next. Hazards like logs and holes must usually either be walked over (more keys to remember) or steered past, but ramps are fun and rocks are even more fun, as you prang the grid against them and fly through the air, breaking every bone in your body. A jolly little game in short, well executed and good for a few weeks at least.