AMONG all the letters to Santa from children around the world, there are bound to be more than a few requests for new Super Nintendo games for Christmas. Super Nintendo is among the latest in video game technology and involves using had-held controls while watching yourself on television as you become an heroic warrior, a jet fighter pilot or Formula I racing car driver. The Super Nintendo was released in the early 1990s and has been gaining popularity all over the world. In Japan, people were queuing up outside stores the night before its release, and the new console sold out - nationwide - within an hour. Superb graphics and sound effects have helped this game popular, as has the length of time that the games can be played. However, such delights do not come cheap. A Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) console costs between $1,000 and $1,500, while the consoles are expensive, too - from $250 to $450. If you think the games cost too much, buy a disk system to go with your SNES console, which cuts the price to $10 per disk. The best place to buy the hardware and software is the Golden Shopping Centre, Shamshuipo. Hong Kong's most popular game at the moment is Dragon Ball Z. It is based on the popular comic book and animated television series and involves a single Super Hero, Son Goku, against seven very bad Super Villains. Graphics: Very good, but it would have been better if the picture was sharper. Score: eight out of 10. Sound: Absolutely brilliant; this game has got some of the best stereo effects yet. There is also a nice selection of background music. Score: Nine. Playability: Very difficult if you cannot get the special moves out at normal difficulty level; otherwise it is an excellent game. It has two one-player games and two two-player games, which makes the game really fun to use. Score: Eight. Durability: People will be playing on this game for ages. You will probably need a chainsaw to separate someone from it. Score: Eight. Dragon Ball Z is suitable for children aged 12 and over and is not to be missed. If you are going to get a SNES game, get this one. Overall score: Eight. The game Pop'n is suitable for children aged eight and over. It is the latest in a series about a courageous boy and girl. The heroes in this game live in a wonderland, but, unfortunately, the evil Mad Professor has invaded the place - yes, he has done this before, too. It is up to you and your cute fighter plane to stop the Mad Professor. Graphics: To play this game is a sheer delight. Score: Seven. Sound: This is good, particularly the squeaks and tinkles. The music and sound constantly reminded me of the Warner Brothers cartoons. Score: Seven. Playability: Very enjoyable, suitable for both very young children and adults. It is even better if you have two players at the same time - it can teach children to co-operate with others. Score: Seven. Durability: This should last quite some time, since there are seven difficulty levels. Score: Six. I definitely recommend this to anyone who plays SNES games. Overall score: Seven. The game Axelay is suitable for ages four and above. The storyline involves a whole armada of alien spaceships attacking Earth (now where have we heard this before?). And guess who has to fly off in a spaceship, armed to the teeth with weapons, to save Earth? That's right - you! Graphics: These are good, but the first stage reminded me of another game, Space Harrier. Sound: There is nothing new in this game. It has all the usual sound effects, so it's a bit of a let-down. Score: Five. Playability: This is one of the hardest games. It will definitely take a long time to complete. Score: Nine. Durability: Should last a long time as it is difficult to master. It is frustrating, yet enjoyable. Overall score: Seven.
