Consider going retro
Counter Strike
http://www.xbox.com/counterstrike

If there is one affliction that completely destroys an online gaming experience it is cheating. Unfortunately it is the most popular games that become havens for these script-using low-lifes and the king of all of these is Counter Strike.

Originally released as a mod to Half-Life it remains the most popular online shooter, with thousands of players spending hours blowing each other away.

The XBox release of the same game is an interesting experiment in online gaming. Using XBox Live, the game has already garnered amazing support from Australian players.

The handicap of the console controller seems to have been outweighed by the cheat-free experience. Playing Counter Strike on XBox completely eliminates cheat codes and other scripts that have inundated the PC game.

No longer can you be killed by a headshot from 100m with a 9mm pistol held by a player bouncing around like a rabbit on speed.

I find that I am getting better, but having spent so long playing this game using the mouse and keyboard combination, I'm distinctly disadvantaged when up against the generation who have thumbed console controllers from soon after birth.

As you would expect from a game of its heritage, the graphics are a bit below par in comparison to other XBox titles but like the PC it is purely gameplay that makes Counter Strike so popular.

Tony Hawk's Underground

A skater I am not ... and apparently that transfers into the virtual world as well.

This latest game in the Tony Hawk franchise expands on the popular skating genre and introduces a bit of blood, gore and horror to the mix.

Despite the M15+ rating, Tony Hawk's Underground (THUG) needs nimble fingers, usually attributed to younger gamers, to pull off a series of tricks in order to progress through the campaign.

Unlike the previous four Tony Hawk games, THUG includes several mini-activities such as driving cars, that expand the gameplay but unfortunately do little to add to the overall experience.

Because of its rating, my kids have had little to do with the campaign, but they do enjoy two-player games in the free skate or trick attack mode.

This takes THUG back to its skating roots and as long as someone has played the campaign to unlock new maps kids can safely enjoy this aspect of the game.

It also includes an excellent skate-park building utility that allows multiple story parks to be built within a fenced environment.

City Councils could use this utility to plan their next skate park ... the only thing missing is the random application of tags and other inane graffiti.

Great music and a huge number of gameplay options make THUG one of the best games in the genre and as such, it remains immensely popular with XBox gamers.

Red Ant's Big Bytes
http://www.red-ant.com.au

An unfortunate part of being an active gamer is deciding which new title to spend $100 on and which to let slip by.

Like most, I have no doubt missed some fantastic experiences over the years simply because my budget wouldn't allow the increased expense.

Similarly, the decision to keep a gaming rig at the cutting edge of technological development often means there is little spare cash to actually enjoy what's hitting the shelves.

Alternatively, the decision to forgo an upgrade often means the latest titles are at worst unplayable or at best poor gaming experiences.

The bargain bin is often a great way to catch up on what has passed you by and the Big Byte range from Red Ant, starting at $9.95, is an inexpensive way to flesh out your gaming library.

Red Ant have taken popular games from yesterday, repackaged them as cheaply as possible and given a new breath of life to some of PC gaming's classics.

While new titles are being released under the Red Ant label all of the time, the current range includes some absolute masterpieces.

Military gamers will be pleased to see the fourth and fifth incarnation of Atomic's Close Combat series.

Close Combat V still resides on my hard-drive and the efforts of a very industrious modding community have kept the game alive, despite its four-year-old copyright date.

Interestingly, a recently leaked mod to Close Combat V that sprang up on the Internet is a tactical decision making trainer from the USMC.

Road to Baghdad may soon be available as an off-the-shelf product in Australia, but it is already doing the rounds on the web.

The Big Byte range contains some great games that won't break the budget and still offer hours of enjoyment.

Sometimes you don't need to walk directly to the new release section for the best experience.

Competition

We have a Big Byte value pack to give away containing PC copies of Close Combat IV, Close Combat V, Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines, Commandos: Beyond the Call of Duty and Deus Ex. As well we have XBox copies of Tony Hawk's Underground and Counter Strike up for grabs.

Entries should be e-mailed to ADFgamesmen@telstra.com with the name of the game you would like to win in the subject line.

Only one entry per person, subsequent entries will be discarded.

Please include your full name and mailing address in the e-mail or your entry won't be accepted.

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