Action Game Roundup

(CNN) -- Game publishers' most popular products are action-oriented titles that let players experience the excitement of simulated adventures. New levels of creativity and realism have been achieved because of advances in software design and 3-D graphics acceleration. Here are examples of some of the best games to be found on software store shelves.

Courtesy: Hasbro Interactive

"Frogger" is an amphibian adventure set in an all-new 3-D world. Hasbro Interactive's resurrection of the popular arcade classic from the 1980s includes dozens of new levels in nine different worlds. "Frogger" also supports up to four players on the Internet.

"G Police" from Psygnosis is a combination high-tech simulation/adventure. You fly a government police helicopter against criminal elements terrorizing citizens in the 21st century. There are 35 story-based combat missions that let you fly around a variety of futuristic cityscapes. The pyrotechnic effects are spectacular and with an engaging storyline, "G-Police" is a sure-fire hit.

Courtesy: Psygnosis

Here's another aerial simulation, this one of present day technology. "Longbow 2" from Jane's Combat Simulations is one of the most realistic and challenging sims I've ever seen. The program lets you fly the Apache Longbow gunship, the Kiowa scout helicopter as well as the Blackhawk transport. With 3-Dfx accelerated graphics it's about as real as it gets with a keyboard and a joystick.

Moving from air combat to some ground-pounding action, "Armored Fist 2" from Novalogic is a sequel and much improved simulation of the M1 Abrams tank. You can almost smell the gunpowder and feel the ground shudder as you defend and capture territory in cyberspace. "Armored Fist" has over 50 missions and lets you command up to 32 tanks.

Courtesy: Electronic Arts

"Need for Speed Two Special Edition" lets you cover a lot of ground in a very short time. The game features 12 of the world's most exotic production and concept cars for the ultimate international road trip. The software designers at Electronic Arts got hold of the original designs and performance specifications so each simulated car has its own unique handling characteristics. This title also offers 3-Dfx support with faster frame rates and more detailed graphics.

Real time strategy games are very popular right now. There are a number of collections of "electronic action figures" to play with in your digital sandbox. Microsoft's "Age of Empires" is based on history and challenges players to build their own civilizations. Choose to play the Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Assyrians or Babylonians in a game that can span 10,000 years. You can take the paths of exploration and discovery, the accumulation of wealth and power or simply destroy neighboring civilizations militarily to win the game.

Strategy game pioneer Sid Meier has taken his interest in the American Civil War to create a realistic re-enactment of the pivotal three-day battle at Gettysburg. You choose to command troops from the north or south and fight every stage of the battle with historically accurate elements.

"Total Annihilation" from Cavedog Entertainment sets a new standard for real-time strategy games. It's a science fiction-based story that pits two races of mechanized robots in a battle to rule the galaxy. With over 150 different units and buildings to create, it's one of the most involved and most fun to play. Cavedog is also posting one new unit per week on its Web site so players can experience almost limitless gameplay possibilities.

Related sites:

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• Frogger
• G-Police
• Longbow2
• Armored Fist 2
• Need for Speed II SE
• Age of Empires
• Sid Meier's Gettysburg
• Total Annihilation

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