@BEGIN_FILE_ID.DIZDark Unicorn Dispatch Newsletter  Nov/Dec Issue
Dark Unicorn Productions' bi-monthly newsletter.
This issue: CD32/SX-1, CD titles and where to get them,
software reviews, new DUP products, new commercial
games coming from UK, tons more.  Get it!
@END_FILE_ID.DIZ


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                        "One Step Above Excellence" 
 
                     Dark Unicorn Dispatch Newsletter 
                         November/December Edition 
 
         "A Bi-Monthly Informative Look Into The Amiga and CD32." 
 
     Call Dark Unicorn Productions' World Headquarters - TOMBSTONE BBS 
     (803) 863-0313 - 24 Hours - 14.4 K Baud - Latest Amiga Shareware 
      On-Line Games and Interactive Fiction - Commodore News - Cheats 
      DUP Products Old and New Always On-Line - Specialize in Hard To 
        Find and Odd Amiga Shareware - Thousands of Titles Off-Line 
 
                    * Next Issue: AmigaGuide Format! * 




                        ... Table of Contents ... 
 
Introduction              -  Welcome to The Dark Unicorn Dispatch 
Coming Attractions        -  What New Is Coming To The Amiga  
Shareware Update          -  The Best In Shareware and PD 
Software Reviews          -  A Look Into Cannon Fodder & Valhalla 
Hardware Reviews          -  Find Out More About The CD32's SX-1 
CD32 Corner               -  Learn About The Awesome CD32 
The Future                -  Some Thoughts on The Amiga's Future 
Where Are We?             -  How To Contact DUP Members 





Introduction 
 
     Welcome to the Dark Unicorn Dispatch.  This issue we discuss 
the Amiga CD32 game console.  If you are having trouble finding 
software, this issue's column CD32 Corner will be sure to help 
you out. 
 
     We also have great reviews of the popular games Cannon 
Fodder and Valhalla: The Lord of Infinity.  The latter really 
goes to show what a great production house can do with AMOS (ah, 
didn't know did you?).  In addition to our helpful software 
reviews, we will also review the SX-1 "A1200 Emulator" for the 
CD32.  All this plus much more!  Next issue, we will release this 
newsletter in the popular AmigaGuide format.  Stay tuned! 
 
     There are a few things I would like to touch on in this 
issue's introduction. 
 
     There has been tons of gloom and doom about the Amiga.  I 
have seen lots of people run for the MS-DOS platform, dumping an 
old friend in the process.  Some people, admittedly, DO keep 
their Amiga, but never turn it on after the Pee Cee enters the 
house.  Let me share my outlook. 
 
     o Commodore has been figuratively dead for five years.  
Drive the last nail in the coffin and let someone who CARES pick 
up the pieces and run forth.  In my humble opinion, NO ONE can do 
worse than Commodore did.   
      
     o PCs and Macs are STILL playing catch up.  Those of us who 
have no choice to use those 'other' platforms at work realize 
this fact EVERY DAY!  In regards to Operating Systems, graphic 
manipulation, and video production, in may be a long time indeed 
until these platforms catch up.  Find a cool game on the Pee Cee 
that DOESN'T require a CD-ROM or five megs of RAM. 
 
     o MicroSoft is cutting its own throat.  Why?  Well, consider 
the power of technology today and look at the 80x86 PC.  There is 
STILL a 640K barrier there (among other things) and it is because 
no one wants to risk backward compatibility problems.  Bing!  Let 
MicroSoft continue to set the standard:  it is STILL SUB- 
standard. 
 
     o The Amiga will not die.  Do you all realize that the Amiga 
should have died a thousand deaths already?  The fact that this 
machine has survived this long is proof that the Amiga is HERE TO 
STAY somehow.  You can't keep a good computer down.  I also 
recognize that NO other platform has the loyalty, endurance, 
strength, and LOVE (yes, love) of its users.  NONE.  Consider 
that when you consider changing platforms.  Do you ever think you 
could LOVE a PC?  I couldn't. 
 
     o Development is still happening!  Look around.  Just 
because Amiga World is shrinking and ads are smaller, there are a 
LOT of products and companies not represented in the pages of 
American magazines.  If you really want a rush, get an Amiga 
Format magazine from the U.K.  They are available from large book 
centers including WaldenBooks (if your local Walden doesn't carry 
it, send about ten Amiga friends in and ask for it;  it is on 
their circulation list so they CAN get it).  You can also order 
it from major American companies like Sideline Software and 
AmigaMan.  Its nice to see a magazine totally dedicated to the 
Amiga that is STILL in wide format with over a hundred pages a 
month.  I guarantee that this magazine will renew your faith.  
Faith is a pretty hard commodity to hold onto these days. 
 
     o Above all, SUPPORT THE DEVELOPERS!!!  I am really bad 
about registering my Shareware (something I am working hard to 
fix) so I understand why people don't.  Being a Shareware 
programmer myself, it is often depressing to see how poorly a 
Shareware product does.  Remember that demo groups, shareware 
programmers, and such often become commercial developers.  Show 
the world that we are serious about supporting our platform and 
maybe they will too.  There are already some rumors flying around 
about MicroSoft supporting the Amiga by coding a version of WORD 
for us.  This scares me and you will understand why when you read 
the article 'The Future' elsewhere in this issue.  It could be 
the worst thing ever for the Amiga. 
 
     Well, I have rambled enough this issue.  Hope you enjoy the 
coverage and PLEASE drop us a line and tell us what you think of 
the newsletter, our products, and anything else on your mind.  
Unlike some companies, we truly CARE about the Amiga.  I would 
probably DIE without one.  Of course, now that I have a CD32 and 
realize that there are more CD titles for it than any other 
console platform on the PLANET, life is good! 
 
                         Shane R. Monroe 




     
Coming Attractions 
 
     There are literally dozens of new titles coming for the 
Amiga.  Although there is a definate swing toward the AGA 
platform, there are plenty coming for ECS Amigas and for the CD32 
(which is AGA too).  DUP also has a bunch of great goodies in 
store for you.  Last but not least, we included a couple of game 
cheats to help you all out. 
 
                         DARK UNICORN PRODCUCTIONS 
 
     This is a little summary of all the programs currently in 
development here at Dark Unicorn Productions and some notes about 
them.  I also included the coder(s) at the beginning so you know 
who is leading the project.  Look for our demo/slideshow that 
contains exclusive screen snapshots of all these great games.  It 
can be found on GEnie, Tombstone BBS, BIX, and any other good 
BBSs. 
 
     FLYING TIGERS - (Seumas McNally) This is what we like to 
call an Arcade Simulation.  Here is the deal.  Imagine for a 
minute Choplifter, Gunship 2000, and Desert Strike all rolled 
together.  That is the best way to explain it.  The game is a 
horizontal side scroller a la Choplifter.  You are offered 
numerous choices of helicopters to fly, each with its own 
distinguishing flying characteristics.  You can even recruit a 
couple of 'wingmen' for the computer to fly with you.  Then you 
arm up your chopper.  Lots of missions will keep you busy for a 
while.  The destruction rate is excellent;  you can kill or 
destroy everything.  The game is in its early beta stages and 
VERY playable.  This will be a classic. 
 
     IT'S THE PITS - (Kit Felice) An arcade adventure game 
featuring multi-part game play, smooth graphics, and very clean 
routines.  I have seen the first couple of stages of the game and 
it is IMPRESSIVE!  One scene has you flying down a tunnel like in 
StarDust blowing away these ugly bugs that are flying at you.  
Another is a very clean Lunar Lander type segment with some 
totally killer graphics.  Pretty cool.  I talk to Kit fairly 
often, and progress is coming along well. 
 
     <TITLE CONFIDENTIAL> - (Troy Toulou, Shane Monroe <assist>) 
A new financial program, the likes the Amiga has never seen 
before.  This will be a modular designed productivity title aimed 
at the personal finance and small business community.  Modules 
can be added as needed by demand across a relational type 
database.  Using a very unique, flexible, easy to use interface, 
this program will answer a lot of Amiga owner's prayers for a 
good finance system.  We are projecting a preview around 
Christmas. 
 
     FLEET COMMANDER - (Shane Monroe) Take command of a starship 
and explore the galaxy in this new space simulation!  Very 
similar to Star Trek, this game will feature rendered graphics, 
digital sound, full motion video clips (!), exhaustive game play, 
great special effects, and tons more.  The Shareware version will 
be a slightly crippled search, explore, and destroy game while 
the Enhanced Version may be available shortly thereafter with a 
campaign scenario which will allows landing parties, 3D asteroid 
flights, plus much more.  The Shareware version is about 60% 
complete at this time (mostly coding is done; graphics are in 
production).  A preview will be out hopefully by Halloween.   
 
     TOMCAT - (John Graham) Quite possibly the most exciting game 
to hit the Amiga in years.  Finally, full motion video for the 
Amiga; and without a CD-ROM!  This new game will set new 
definitions as to what the world can do with this killer machine.  
The entire game is live video.  If you want to see exactly how 
the game is played and laid out, get a Sega CD and play TOMCAT 
ALLEY.  It is the root inspiration for TOMCAT.  Plays just like 
it, too.  Very exciting.  The graphics are 1/4 screen black and 
white (color will probably come with our next FMV game), but very 
smooth and fluid.  Full digital sound, of course.  Don't expect 
it to be really big.  The size and resolution of the playfield 
allows us to keep stuff small.  The game will require a hard 
drive (or another device to install the game to) and will be 
recommended to be played out of RAM (with an accelerator there is 
NO break in the action at all running from RAM!).  The caching 
program HYPERCACHE from Prairie Software is also a recommended 
option as it makes the game load faster for those with slow 
machines.  Loading is done on the fly while you play; much faster 
than a CD-ROM.  We project about 5 disks for this release.  The 
Shareware version will be only air to air combat, while the 
registered version will contain reconnaissance and ground battle 
too.  The engine for the game is completed, now we are processing 
all the tons of video to bring in.  I have played it (early 
preview) and it is just KILLER!  We are all very excited about 
it.  A space simulation with FMV is tentatively planned if this 
game is popular. 
 
     NOTE: Just before this newsletter went to 'press', we 
released the playable preview of TOMCAT and the response was 
TWICE as much as we had hoped for!  We have people calling 
Tombstone BBS from Germany getting our products.  TOMCAT is going 
to be HOT!  Development for the NEXT FMV game is already in the 
planning stages!  
 
     That about sums it up.  If you have any comments or ideas 
about these titles, please write us.  We would LOVE to hear from 
you! 
 
                           COMMERCIAL OFFERINGS 
 
     Here is a list of games that are now available in the U.K. 
(possibly in the U.S. by the time you read this) or will soon be 
released.  Start saving your money - it is going to be a merry 
Christmas!! 
 
                                Amiga Games 
 
Theme Park (AGA/ECS)               Bubbles and Squeak 
Ishar III (AGA)                    On The Ball 
World Cup USA '94                  Dream Web (AGA/ECS) 
Sensible Golf (AGA/ECS)            Sensible World Soccer (AGA) 
Dawn Patrol (AGA/ECS)              Pinball Illusions (AGA/ECS) 
Gulp!                              Mr. Blobby 
Lords of the Realm                 High Sea Trader 
Big Sea                            Kingdoms of Germany 
KTM Motocross                      Lemmings III 
Troll Islands                      All Terrain Racing 
Battle Isle II (AGA)               NHL Hockey 
PGA Euro Tour                      Shaq Fu 
Putty Squad                        Out To Lunch 
Jungle Book (AGA)                  Super Stardust (AGA) 
Breach 3                           Castle Conquest 
Dark Stone                         Dragon Stone 
Field of Glory                     Hannibal 
Police Quest III                   Robinson Requiem 
Realms                             Ruff & Tumble 
Mighty Max (AGA)                   Skeleton Krew (AGA) 
Top Gear 2 (AGA)                   Magic Carpet (AGA) 
Aladdin (AGA)                      Banshee (AGA) 
D-Day                              Detroit (AGA) 
King's Quest VI (AGA/ECS)          Raiden 
Sim City 2000 (AGA)                TFX (AGA) 
U.F.O. (AGA)                       Alien Breed-Tower Assault 
Cannon Fodder 2                    King Pin Bowling (AGA) 
Kid Chaos 
 
                                CD32 Games 
 
Marvin's Marvellous Adventure      Scavenger 4 (Nova Storm)  
World Class Cricket                Jungle Strike      
MegaRace                           Communicator      
Alien Breed II                     Arcade Pool      
Banshee                            Captain Dynamo      
Brian The Lion                     Brutal Soccer      
Caesar & Chort                     Cannon Fodder      
Combat Cars                        Dark Seed      
Dragon Stone                       Fire and Ice      
Guardian                           Heimdall 2      
Litil Divil                        Liverpool      
Ryder Cup                          Universe      
TFX                                Simon the Sorcerer      
Skidmarks                          Aladdin      
Kin's Quest VI                     Sim City 2000      
Theme Park                         U.F.O.      
 
                                 CHEATING 
 
For those of you needing a little help in the game department, 
here are a couple of cheats we came up with.  Enjoy. 
 
Dune II - If you want to make LOTS of cash with your harvester, 
here is somthing to try.  Every time you click on your harvester, 
it reports how much spice the harvester has harvested.  Well, 
every time you click it, it also adds 1% to it. Just keep 
clicking and you will have a full harvester in no time! 
 
Valhalla: The Lord of Infinity - Here are the level codes: 
     Level 2: LOPFGW               Level 3: UHGWIL 
                    Level 4:ABHEFT 





 
Shareware Update 
 
     Instead of discussing new stuff this issue, I want to recap 
those titles that we have found exceptional.  Some are old and 
some are new; some maybe you have never heard of before.  
Remember, we get some UNIQUE stuff on Tombstone.  This list is by 
NO MEANS comprehensive;  but I want to give everyone some new 
things to look at.  I mean, EVERYONE knows about TERM but what 
about Scheduler?   
 
UTILITIES  
 
1.   Virus Z II V1.9 -  How could you turn your computer on 
                        and NOT have this program running in the 
                        background?  Virus protection done RIGHT. 
 
2.   Scheduler      -  Anyone who knows a little something about 
                        the Amiga OS should have this program. 
                        You can view and remove tasks, windows, 
                        and just about everything else. 
 
3.   DirWorks V1.62 - Still the best directory utility ever. 
                       Smaller than DirOpus and easier to use 
                       than anything else.  Skip Dir Works V2.0. 
                       Too much like DirOpus and it is no longer 
                       Shareware. 
 
4.   AmigaGuide     - What the hell took this system so long to 
                       make it to the premier multi-media  
                       computer?  Hypertext document system. 
 
5.   PC Task        - Cool.  Finally, I can cut ALL ties with the 
                       PC world.  Sure it is slow; but it WORKS! 
                       Heh heh... Pretty neat playing PARATROOPER 
                       on an Apple II emulator, Battle Chess on a 
                       PC emulator, and still run the Amiga un- 
                       scathed.  HA! 
 
MUSIC  
 
1.   EdPlayer       - This is one of those titles that everyone 
                      somehow forgets to register and really 
                       should.  Could support more formats... 
 
2.   EaglePlayer    - THIS supports formats.  I don't even know 
                       what some of them ARE!  Lacks the finesse' 
                       of EdPlayer but has some really cool and 
                       different options/displays.      
 
3.   2 Unlimited Demo- I know, it should be in the demo section, 
                      but it is more music than demo.  This is 
                       one of the best around for music quality. 
 
DEMOS 
 
 
1.   H_Hammer II    - Hypnotic Hammer II.  121K.  Still one of 
                      the most impressive demo-2-size ratio. 
                      A total mind shock.  Pumping cool music and 
                      wild effects.  A must have. 
 
2.   Virtual Dreams - This is one of the AGA demos I HAVE seen 
                      and another bit of evidence that PROVES 
                      that Amiga can run a DOOM engine properly. 
                      This is from Fairlight. 
 
3.   State of the Art-Often copied, never duplicated.  The very 
                      first of the 'dancing silhouette' demos.  I 
                      still love the music mod (available on  
                      Tombstone, BTW).  This is a true favorite. 
 
4.   9 Fingers      - Some guys as SOTA.  Somehow they took live 
                       video and turned it into detailed polygons 
                       and animated it!  Truly awesome.  Music is 
                       decent, but the video process is what 
                       really makes this one shine. 
 
5.   Sequential     - A vector rollercoaster ride and the best 
                       computer bubbles I have ever seen. 
 
6.   Americon Demo  - Short but impressive look at what you can 
                       do with chunky pixels. 
 
7.   Odyssey Demo   - Five disks.  Over 20 minutes.  Killer 
                       graphics and sound.  Now hard drive 
                       installable.  Space battle.  Any other 
                       questions? 
 
8.   Kefren's D.D.  - Desert Dream.  God, what cool music!   
                      If I could program like that, I would 
                       really be making money hand over fist. 
                       Write games, damn it! 
 
9.   Cube-O-Matic   - See, we can do texture mapping too! 
                      Good music too.  Hey, interactivity! 
 
10.  Eric Schwartz  - Take your pick.  Favorites include Day 
                       at the Beach, Quality Time, Morphy the 
                       Magic Man, Batman (shed a lot of tears 
                       laughing over that one), and the Anti- 
                       Lemmings demo.  Also, the intro from  
                       Super Frog was his, too. 
 
ENTERTAINMENT 
(No bias here, folks, just the facts <grin>) 
 
1.   Scorched Tanks - This game does rule.  Death and destruction 
                       still sells.  Up to 60 weapons and 13 
                       shields with lots of tank deaths. 
 
2.   Ork Attack     - Death, violence, and lots of gore:  They 
                       finally got it right.  The blood left on 
                      the wall is cool. 
 
3.   RingWars       - Oh, yeah.  It's STAR CASTLE!  Vectors and 
                       all.  Well done. 
 
4.   Deluxe Galaga  - The latest version finally got my 
                      attention with the two player simul- 
                       taneous option.  Worth the cash. 
 
5.   Klondike AGA   - This is cool.  Nice graphics, but it is 
                      still only solitaire. 
 
6.   MegaBall       - Umm...I just threw this one in because I 
                       would've gotten lynched if I didn't.  For 
                       me, I prefer Arakanoid... 
 
7.   Mine Runner    - Lode Runner.  Yup, perfect translation with 
                       only one sound effect being wrong.  Oh, 
                       but you CAN play four players at once! 
 
8.   Deluxe PacMan  - I still like it.  Where else can you get 
                       a gun for the yellow guy? 
 
9.   Extreme Violence- Don't lie...How long did you laugh the 
                       first time you waxed the other guy?  I 
                       thought so.  BINGO! 
 
10.  Llammatron     - I finally realized what a GREAT clone of 
                       RoboTron this is;  I had to stop LAUGHING 
                       first. 
 
     Next issue:  A look at the latest and greatest from the 
files of Tombstone BBS! 






Software Reviews 
 
     Games have been sparse these days (at least here in the 
U.S.) but the quality seems to have gone up.  Cannon Fodder and 
Valhalla are two of such games.  Let's take a look. 
 
                               CANNON FODDER 
 
     For those of you who have been stuck on a deserted island, 
this game is pure classic arcade death action with some great 
little puzzle solving thrown in to keep the game challenging. 
 
     The view is overhead and slightly tilted.  The game play is 
entirely with the mouse.  You control up to three little soldiers 
in various terrains like the jungle, frozen wasteland, etc.  The 
input is standard 'click on the place you want to go and you will 
go there' deal.  Weapons are handled the same way with the right 
mouse button.  There are lots of enemy soldiers, buildings, etc. 
to demolish while you play.  You can split your soldiers up and 
leave a little 'detail' back while one soldier sneaks around.  
You can even split them into three, one man details.  In fact, 
some missions REQUIRE you to. 
 
     The point of the game, basically, is to kill and/or destroy 
people and stuff.  This is all for a mission, of course.  The 
missions can be as easy as killing all the enemy soldiers or more 
difficult like destroying a heavily guarded enemy ammo dump.  
Some are almost wickedly hard 'Lemming' type puzzles where you 
must put a soldier in a specific spot or carry out a smaller 
mission within the mission.  Beware, there are tons of missions 
that will keep you busy for a LONG time to come.   
 
     The game is VERY well polished.  The background graphics are 
very rich and detailed.  The other, moving graphics are small but 
very well animated.  As with all of Sensible Software's games, 
the sprites are terribly cute (as cute as soldiers blowing each 
other away can be) and though the detail is low, there is never a 
question as to what they are doing. 
 
     Music and sound effects are excellent.  The music is 
perfect.  The killer intro song will have you laughing awhile (if 
you listen to the words).  Sound effects finish the game off 
right.  From the terribly excellent explosions to the screams of 
soldiers as they die, all are done exquisitely.  Turn up the 
volume! 
 
     Sensible Software definitely has a sense of humor.  Most of 
their games has some subtle humor, but this one is great.  Take 
for instance the fact that you can continue to shoot enemy 
soldiers over and over again.  This is great fun.  Pop a round in 
them and they scream, fly backward, fall to the ground and wait a 
second before disappearing.  So, pop another round into them 
before they vanish.  They will again scream and fly back.  Repeat 
this until you are tired of hearing their screams.  Great bloody 
fun.  Speaking of blood, there is an appropriate amount littered 
through the game.  Cartoon blood, though, to be sure. 
 
     It is a very addictive game.  Plan on wasting numerous hours 
playing it.  Big bang for the buck.  Hard drive installation is 
missing (of course) but the fast floppy loader makes life 
bearable.  Swapping of the disks in minimal.  Some form of two 
player action would've been a nice treat; maybe even over a null 
modem cable or ParNet.  The version I reviewed was PAL, so if you 
still have one of those old OCS machines, you might want to ask 
the dealer about it before you fork over the cash. 
 
      
                      VALHALLA: THE LORD OF INFINITY 
 
     Once in a great while we get a game that is truly different 
from anything on other platforms and certainly on the Amiga.  
VALHALLA is one of those games. 
 
     VALHALLA comes on four disks and is billed (appropriately) 
as the Amiga's first talking adventure game.  In fact, the story 
plot is told to you by the Prince of Valhalla himself (your on- 
screen alter ego).  Somehow, the speech really lends a hand to 
the game.  Even playing off of floppies doesn't slow down the 
action that much. 
 
     The storyline is basic.  Your father, the King, was killed 
by his brother in an attempt to take the crown for himself.  You 
must find a way to reclaim the crown as your own. 
 
     This is a pure adventure game.  There are NO monsters to 
fight, however.  The game is pure puzzle solving and exploring.  
In its most basic sense, it is an object-exchange game.  Find an 
object, figure out where it goes, it will give you a new object, 
use that object to open a door, get a new object, etc.  This is 
not a bad gendre, though, since you have much more time to think 
things out instead of engaging in an encounter every two minutes. 
 
     The graphics are superb.  Dark dank dungeon all done up in 
brown.  Very nicely detailed.  There is very little on-screen 
animation, though.  In fact, the only real animation is your on- 
screen alter ego, the Prince himself.  He stays stationary in the 
middle whilst the dungeon moves around him.  His animation as he 
walks, peers, and talks is incredibly smooth and sharp.  Other 
things, such as the talking skulls, have limited animation. 
 
     The true magic comes from the little guy's personality.  He 
will look 'up' at you and tell you just about everything that 
happens.  For example, when you look at a key, he will lean 
forward, peer at it, and then look up and say 'It looks like a 
door key!" or something appropriate.  This is the standard 
English accent of course.  Other cute expressions are, "It 
doesn't fit!", "I can't do that!", "It's a SKULL!!" etc.  The 
skulls themselves speak in their deep baritone voices, "BRING ME 
BLOOD!" or something similar depending on what they want from 
you. 
 
     Although there are no monsters, there are plenty of ways to 
die, mainly through the use of pit type traps.  His cuteness even 
extends to this point where he screams as he disappears.  There 
are lots of ways to avoid the pits; sometimes you can see them, 
other times a hidden map will tell you where they are.  The save 
game feature should be used often. 
 
     Technically speaking, the game was well written.  I could 
run it on numerous system configurations; from my brain dead A600 
to my dressed out A2000/25mhz/7megs.  (Haven't tried it on my SX- 
1 equipped CD32 yet, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.  The 
hard drive installer facility was not only easy but flawless and 
the icons from each disk arranged themselves perfectly in the 
hard drive window after the install to form a nice large picture.  
Nice touch.  The game was written in AMOS, by the way.  One more 
notch in this awesome languages' belt.  Aside from published data 
deeming it so, any programmer of AMOS will recognize the 
occasional 'echoing' samples during the introduction speech. 
 
     There are a couple of things I did NOT care for in the game.  
First, there is only one save game position.  That is NOT cool 
for an adventure game of ANY type.  On the plus side, it does 
restore the game in a flash; even off floppy.  There are no 
options for turning off the repetitive speech.  I wouldn't have a 
use for it, but some people would.  Some nice music in the 
background during play would also be welcome.  Also, I wouldn't 
mind a little 'arcade' mode somewhere in the game.  Just 
something small to break up the monotony of the normal game play.  
Last thing, perhaps an option to play with the mouse. 
 
     All in all, I heartily recommend this game.  Even if you 
don't really care for adventure games, this one is quite well 
rounded and very pleasant.  There is an instant liking of the 
little Prince and you will find yourself sympathizing with him 
when he says, "I'm SCARED!" 






Hardware Reviews 
 
     This issue, we are going to discuss the new SX-1 expansion 
unit (about $249) for the CD32 game console. 
 
     As most of you know already, the SX-1 basically turns your 
CD32 into a CD-ROM equipped A1200.  With the exception of the 
Planar to Chunky chip, they are basically the same. 
 
     The SX-1 plugs into the expansion slot on the back of the 
CD32.  The box itself is rather plain, but has ports sticking out 
all over it for the computer basics such as a keyboard, disk 
drive, serial, parallel, etc.  It also allows for RAM expansion 
and includes an IDE interface as well.  Once connected and an 
Amiga compatible external disk drive in place, you are prepared 
to run the dozens of AGA titles available.  As much as I hate to 
admit it, the games market is swinging to AGA.  Some very hot 
titles like U.F.O., TFX, Aladdin, Sim City 2000, and others are 
AGA only. 
 
     Any AT PC keyboard can be plugged into it, making it cheap to 
add it on.  There is also a special SX-1 keyboard that better 
matches the CD32 available for about $45. 
 
     This SX-1, naturally, allows you to use the popular PARNET 
software and cable to connect the CD32 to your Amiga.  This, of 
course, allows you to tap that double speed CD-ROM drive as a 
device.  No, a $600 CD-ROM drive is not a great deal, but it is a 
nice extra for the $30 it'll cost you for the PARNET stuff.  
Chances are you already have it. 
 
     RAM expansion is handled by a chip and can be upgraded in 
the standard one, four, or eight meg manner.  I doubt you will 
need more RAM, unless you plan on using the CD32 as your primary 
computer as well as console game machine. 
 
     Software Hut has a 40MB HD for the SX-1 for about $150.  
This, again, is really unnecessary if you have your systems 
connected with PARNET.  PARNET is REALLY fast, and should be 
usable for most games. 
 
     Is the SX-1 expansion module for you?  Well, if you are like 
me and already have a fully dressed out Amiga 500/2000/3000 and a 
CD32, and really want an AGA computer, this is one way of doing 
it and getting the CD-ROM drive as an extra goodie.  With AGA 
fast becoming the gaming standard, it would really be wise for 
all die hard game fans to get this SX-1 to keep up. 






CD32 Corner 
 
     This is a new addition to the Dark Unicorn Dispatch and it 
is here to stay.  I got to see one of these incredible game 
machines about a month ago, but have been so busy programming on 
Fleet Commander that I haven't had a chance to try and get one.  
Now, I have one and it is really the most exciting console 
around. 
 
     For those of you who know all about the CD32, go ahead and 
skip this part.  I want to try and impart the excitement I have 
for this machine to everyone. 
 
     I have a Sega Genesis at home too; I won't lie to you.  
Although half the titles available on Sega started off as Amiga 
games, there are always a couple of really big titles that take 
awhile to make it to the Amiga (Such as Mortal Kombat II and 
Beavis and Butthead).  That is why I bought the Genesis. 
 
     Let's run down a comparison chart of Sega CD and CD32. 
 
                         CD32                SEGA CD 
----------------------------------------------------------------- 
Processor/Speed           68EC020/14mhz        68000/16mhz 
----------------------------------------------------------------- 
Max Colors                >256,000             64 
----------------------------------------------------------------- 
CD-ROM Speed              Double Speed         Single Speed 
----------------------------------------------------------------- 
Extra/Custom Processors   AGA Chipset/Planar   One Graphics and 
                          to Chunky Converter  One Extra 68000 
----------------------------------------------------------------- 
Expansion Ability         One Port             None 
----------------------------------------------------------------- 
Controller Type           11-Button/Pad        3-Button/Pad 
----------------------------------------------------------------- 
Software Available: 
     Firmware             N/A                  Hundreds of Titles 
     CD Specific          >130                 Couple dozen 
----------------------------------------------------------------- 
Price:                    $369-400             $300-400 
----------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
     There are a LOT of good quality titles for Sega CD.  Some of 
which I would really like to see make it to the CD32.  Some of 
these include Dragon's Lair, Sewer Shark, Double Switch, Tomcat 
Alley, Night Trap, and some others.  But, the grainy 64 color 1/4 
screen full motion video from CD is becoming quite unacceptable 
in this new age of games.  Also, the Genesis has a tenancy to 
overwork the hardware (yeah, like the Amiga has never done THAT) 
sometimes to the point of losing graphics altogether (Mortal 
Kombat II is a good example;  have both players play Kitana and 
both do the Fan Wave at each other and watch most of the player 
graphics disappear).  The graphic processor is very good, but no 
match at all for the AGA Chipset. 
 
     Both can play regular CDs, CD+Gs (graphics are imbedded with 
the music and are displayed while the music is playing), and DK 
Karaoke discs.  With a Full Motion Video Card ($249) you can 
watch V-CDs (actual movies) on the CD32.  These movies are 
getting more and more popular and CD32 WILL play the CD-I format 
movies, too (one of the only things CBM ever did right).  No 
option for this on Sega CD. 
 
     When you turn on the CD32, you will immediately want one.  
The big AMIGA CD32 logo is on top of the screen with the CD in 
chrome spinning around in 3-D.  A CD flies up to the screen 
and starts releasing colors at you.  WOW!  There isn't even a 
DISC in it yet!  As you would expect from an Amiga based product, 
you can put in a CD at any time and it will detect it and begin 
to play it.  You hardly ever have to turn off the machine. 
 
     The CD playing facility in the CD32 is totally awesome.  It 
is the same one that was used for the CDTV and it really is 
sharp.  In addition to the standard shuffle, random, and 
programmability found in most CD players, the CD32 has a really 
neat (although mostly useless) feature.  When playing a CD, it 
will actually show you a CD spinning.  Then, above it, a laser 
beam is being shot onto the disc!  The laser tracks the disc as 
it plays, at least giving you the illusion that the laser on the 
on-screen disc is in the same position as the laser is on the 
actual disc.  It is all aesthetics of course, but it is still 
pretty neat to watch. 
 
     The expansion slot in the back of the CD32 is used for the 
full motion video card or the now available SX-1 expansion 
device, which allows you to basically turn your CD32 into a CD 
equipped A1200.  The SX-1 is reviewed elsewhere in this 
newsletter.  Since A1200s seem to be scarce these days, this is 
one of your only methods of getting an Amiga comparable to this.  
You can also purchase an inexpensive adapter that will allow you 
to hook up your existing Amiga to the CD32 and use the CD-ROM. 
 
     So, how about the software?  Well, as you may have guessed, 
a lot of the stuff out is pretty much the same to its Amiga 
counterparts, but with a really nice soundtrack and/or some extra 
glitzy backgrounds.  On the other hand, there are some miraculous 
titles out there, too.  Many companies are offering CD 'bundles' 
of their popular games like the Lotus Turbo Trilogy (all three 
racing games on one CD) or Team 17's Ultimate Body Blows (Body 
Blows and Body Blows Galactic together).  Don't forget, too, that 
most of CDTV's software can be used on the CD32 also.  These 
titles are on BIG closeout everywhere and can be purchased for a 
tenner or less most of the time.  Remember, too, that you can use 
all the PD CD's if you have an SX-1 or the adapter.  There really 
is a wealth of software out there. 
 
     So what are the best games for the CD32?  I am still a 
relatively new owner, but here are my favorites so far are 
Liberation, Microcosm, and Chaos Engine.  I have heard good 
things about many of the other titles, too, like Zool 2, Banshee, 
D/Generation, TFX, and Wing Commander.  One title I was warned 
about was DEEP CORE.  I heard it is pretty bad.  Below is a list 
of all known titles that are AVAILABLE at the time of writing.  
Prices range from $8-$60.  That is FAR from meaning that there 
are not tons of other titles out there being sold by private 
parties or available in the UK.  Check your local For Sale or 
Trade Nets. 
 
            CD32 Specific Titles 
 
Alfred Chicken           Arabian Nights 
Banshee                  BattleChess Enchanced 
Battletoads              Beavers 
Brian The Lion           Brutal Sports Football 
Castles II               Chambers of Shaolin 
Chaos Engine             D/Generation 
Dangerous Streets        Deep Core 
Defender of the Crown 2  Diggers 
Disposable Hero          Donk the Duck Samaurai 
Fire and Ice             Fire Force 
Flashback                Football 
Frontier: Elite II       Fury of Furries 
Global Effect            Grolier's Encyclopedia 
Gunship 2000             Heimdall 
Humans                   Impossible Mission 2025 
Insight                  International Karate Champ 
James Pond 3: Starfish   John Barnes Soccer 
Jurassic Park            Labyrinth of Time 
Legacy of Sorasil        Lemmings 
Liberation               Lost Vikings 
Lotus Trilogy            Mean Arenas 
Microcosm                Microcosm/Chaos Engine/Diggers 
Morph                    Naughty Ones 
Nick Faldo Golf          Nigel Mansel Racing 
Oscar                    Overkill/Lunar C 
Pirates Gold             Premier 
Reach Out For Gold       Robocod 
Ryder Cup Golf           Seek and Destroy 
Sensible Soccer          Sim City 
Striker                  Summer Olympix 
Super Methane Bros.      Surf Ninjas 
TFX (Coming Soon)        Total Carnage 
Trolls                   Ultimate Body Blows 
Video Creator            Whales Voyage 
Wing Commander (Soon)    Winter Super Sports 
Zool                     Zool 2 
Seven Gates of Jambala   U.F.O. 
Alien Breed II           Top Gear 2 
Vital Light              Kid Chaos 
Aladdin                  Guardian 
Universe                 Little Divil 
Jet Strike               Simon the Sorcerer 
Beneath a Steel Sky      Second Samaurai 
Arcade Pool              Heimdall 2 
Bubba & Stix             Wild Cup Soccer 
Alien Breed/Qwak         Emerald Mines 
Sheer Delight 
 
      CDTV Titles That Are Compatible 
 
Long Hard Day At The Ranch    Bun For Barney 
Advanced Military Systems     All Dogs Go To Heaven 
American Heritage Dictionary   American Vista 
AMOS PD Library               Animals in Motion 
Barney Bear Goes Camping      Barney Bear Goes To School 
Battle Storm                  Case of the Cautious Condor 
Cinderella                    Classic Board Games 
Fun School 3 8yrs+            Fun School 3 5yrs- 
Garden Fax: Fruits & Veggies  Garden Fax: Garden Plants 
Garden Fax: Indoor Plants     Garden Fax: Trees, Shrubs, Roses 
Hound of the Baskervilles     Illustrated Holy Bible 
Illustrated Shakespeare       Moving Gives Me A Stomach Ache 
Mud Puddles                   My Paint 
New Basics Cookbook           Paper Bag Princess 
Psycho Killer                 Raffles 
Sexual Fantasies              Snoopy: Case of the Missing Blanket 
Strip Poker                   Tale of Peter Rabbit 
Team Yankee                   Thomas Snowsuit 
Tie Break Tennis              Time Table of History: Business 
Time Table of History: Science Women in Motion 
Wrath of the Demon 
 
SOURCES: 
     Software Hut    800-93-AMIGA 
     Better Concepts  800-25-AMIGA 
     Sideline        800-888-9273 
     AmigaMan        800-258-0533 
 





The Future 
 
     This information is as current as 10/24/94 ... 
 
     Right now, there is still no buyer for the Amiga.  The 
contenders at this time are confirmed to be Commodore UK, 
Creative International (CEI), and Commodore Germany.  Reports all 
say that all other contenders are no longer in the running (so 
what's the problem?)  All the other contenders had no intentions 
nor wants to keep the Amiga alive; but simply to cannibalize it.  
Some ugly rumors are floating around about CEI as well.  Let's 
take a look at each of these contenders and what we know.  All of 
them want to resurrect the Amiga (Lazarus, eh?  Remember AmigaDOS 
V1.x?) at least in SOME form. 
 
     Commodore UK - My own personal hopeful based on all the new 
information about CEI I have.  CBM UK wants to revamp the Amiga 
using RISC technologies and get AGA product back into the 
mainstream as soon as possible.  They will concentrate solely on 
the UK market to start off with and will work with ANYONE who 
wants the distribution rights in other countries.  Full support 
of the NTSC standard will also continue.  I have a feeling that 
if CBM UK gets the bid, we will see a very different Amiga in the 
next year or two.  One that will run just about everything.  I 
also believe that UK will also license out the Chipset and make 
an Amiga Emulator for the PC and Mac.  Overall, I think that they 
know how to market and will restore the Amiga.  It just might 
take us awhile to see it here. 
 
     Commodore Germany - Sorry, I have NO information at all at 
this time of writing.  Just that they have entered the foray and 
are interested specifically in the A4000T. 
 
     CEI - Something is really WRONG here.  I truly think that 
there is something really bad happening behind the scenes of this 
deal.  This is *all* speculation, folks.  I really hope that I am 
wrong and I will be perfectly happy to eat every page of the 
newsletter if CEI gets the bid and I am wrong.  Consider the 
following information and see if you can put them together 
yourself.  Then you will understand why I am so afraid! 
 
     1. CEI has SILENT financiers whose names are NEVER revealed 
        in any interviews or text. 
     2. The silent partner is reputed to be a multi-billionaire. 
     3. Rumor has it that Microsoft is developing MS-WORD for the 
        Amiga... 
     4. When CBM UK made their extraordinary offer for the Amiga, 
        CEI came forth with a bid that CBM UK couldn't HOPE to 
        touch.  (This is still rumor) 
     5. Commodore's liquidation got a rather large press spot in 
        Microsoft's in-company newsletter. 
 
     Okay, do you see it?  BILL GATES WANTS THE AMIGA or at least 
parts of it.  Don't laugh and say that it isn't possible or be 
REALLY stupid and ask why he would want it.  WINDOWS SUCKS.  That 
much is true.  What about stealing the Amiga OS and making a 
brand new version of Windows?  Or some other "new" and "standard" 
OS based on AmigaDOS?  The Amiga is one of the most powerful 
computer engines ever made (VIRTUALITY virtual reality game 
systems are based on it as well as lots of other high tech and 
powerful systems).  My guess is that CEI is a front for 
Microsoft.  Bill has been waiting for years for Commodore to go 
under so he could step in and snap it up for a song.  Steal the 
Chipset and make a new Windows-accelerator card.  Before you 
start cheering, remember who we are talking about...Do you REALLY 
think that he would let it be Amiga compatible?  Nope.  He 
doesn't need compatibility with anything but MS-DOS and Windows.  
Don't forget; Bill Gates doesn't change a lightbulb, he just 
declares darkness as the standard and people follow him.  Afraid 
yet?  I certainly am. 
 
     Once again, this is all speculation on my part.  Sure makes 
a lot of sense, though, doesn't it?  Ah, I know, why not just 
take Commodore outright?  Because the liquidators KNOW that 
resuming production is the only way to make the Amiga immediately 
make money.  If Microsoft stepped in, everyone would know what he 
was up to.  Therefore, the CEI front.  I'll bet CEI has even has 
the wool pulled over their eyes.  Don't forget that Jay Miner 
pulled the wool over a lot of investor's eyes with the original 
Amiga (claiming to be building a game console).  Bill probably 
promised Microsoft support and financial backing to CEI.  In 
doing this, he will own a piece of the new Amiga technology.  Now 
THAT is depressing.  Hopefully, the creditors and courts will 
award the bid to UK even if the bid is lower.  I just don't want 
to take the chance. 
 
     Well, enough doom and gloom for this issue.  All things 
considered, though, things are actually looking better for the 
Amiga.  Lots of new products, hardware, and support.  People are 
not abandoning the Amiga in droves like people predicted.  I am 
confident that the Amiga will survive (even as Windows V5.0 or 
Chicago Deluxe or something).  Ten years later and STILL in 
demand and on top of technology.  Long live the Amiga. 






Where Are We? 
 
     You can reach Dark Unicorn Productions in numerous ways. 
 
     * U.S. MAIL 
               Member's Name 
               c/o Dark Unicorn Productions 
               110 S. Cranford Rd.  #6F 
               Goose Creek, SC  29445 
 
     * INTERNET 
               Shane Monroe   - s.monroe1@genie.geis.com 
               Seumas McNally - j.mcnally1@genie.geis.com 
               John Graham    - viruality@bix.com 
 
     * GEnie 
               Shane Monroe   - S.Monroe1 
               Seumas McNally - J.McNally1 
               Kit Felice     - K.Felice 

     * BIX 
               John Graham    - virtuality@bix.com 
 
     * Tombstone BBS - (803) 863-0313 
 
               Shane Monroe   - WYATT EARP 
               John Graham    - VIRTUALITY 
               Seumas McNally - LONGBOW 
               Troy Toulou    - SPYDER 
               Peter Olafson  - PETEROO 
               Kit Felice     - CAPTAIN PSYCHO 
               Dale McBane    - MORGAN EARP 
               Mike Hall      - DOC HOLIDAY 
 
     * Secret Service BBS - (803) 766-2050  
 
               Shane Monroe   - WYATT EARP 
               John Graham    - VIRTUALITY