Zzap


The Lineker Collection

Publisher: Kixx
Machine: Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Zzap #86

The Lineker Collection

It may sound like one of those 'greatest hits' albums, but don't worry, England's goal-scoring hero hasn't yet ventured into the pop world (apart from backing vocals on 'World In Motion') This is, in fact, a collection of his greatest computer-game hits.

Italy 1990

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This is the best game in the pack, reviewed elsewhere in this issue as a budget re-release (under a different name!). As I said there, the actual gameplay's pretty simplistic but played at a lightning pace that makes two-player games frantic fun. The game's star attraction, though, is the full World Cup tournament with near-authentic squads of players for all 24 teams. If you control Brazil it's pretty easy to win the Cup - for a real challenge, try doing it with Scotland!

Gary Lineker's Superskills

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This isn't a footy game at all, but simulates all the arduous training players have to do every week (apart from the nightclubbing!).

The first of three sections is the gym, where you move the joystick rhythmically in various directions to do push-ups, squat thrusts, weight training and monkey-bar swings. Following this is a spot of ball juggling - not as difficult as it sounds, as the computer automatically selects the appropriate shoulder/knee/kick when you press fire with left/right.

Finally, field work involves dribbling around cones, chipping, shooting through tyres and taking penalties (I think Gary needs a bit of practice at this!).

Despite a multi-player option and three skill levels, it soon gets boring just trying to beat an overall time limit. No wonder players hate training.

Gary Lineker's Hotshot

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If your wrist hasn't seized up by now, it's back onto the pitch for some more footy. This overhead view game isn't a patch on MicroProse, but a fair kick-around with two players. Sadly, the computer sides are dead easy to beat and the action's pretty sluggish.

Gary Lineker's Superstar Soccer

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Another disappointing performance from Gary, this has the novelty of controlling a single player for the whole of the match. The action is extremely unrealistic with teams scoring over 20 goals and, again, the computer sides are far too easy to beat.

The disk version is marginally improved by simple management options and a league.

Recommendation

By far the best game here is Italy 1990, and that's just been re-released on budget (as World Class Soccer). Despite the inclusion of a neat European Championship wall-chart, this compilation isn't really worth the extra dosh.