Macintosh

"Extremely Lacking"

The Macintosh simply is not a good gaming platform. Compared to the PC with Windows 95, or even Windows 3.1 or MS-DOS 6.0, and the Macintosh does not have anywhere near the supply of quality games. As with most gaming machines, installed user base has a lot to do with this - less users, less developers, less games.

First, the hardware of the Macintosh does nothing to allure game developers to the platform. Apple does not do a good job of attracting video card developers to the Macintosh. Hence, super advanced graphics are not optimized for the Macintosh. This has a funnel down effect with game developers. Also, Windows 95 and 98 can not read Macintosh files, which makes transferring from one operating system to the other nearly impossible. Strangely, Macintosh's computers CAN read Windows 95 and 98 files. The Macintosh also lacks many small software programs that make life easier. However, it does provide a much more stable operating system than Windows; Macintoshes rarely crash.

When developers DO make games for the Mac, they're often ports of Windows games. Except for one little thing - they're very very late. Diablo 1 was released more than a year later on the Macintosh than on the Windows platform. Other games have also been released on both the Macintosh and Windows, and the Macintosh version is almost always later. The Macintosh does not have many exclusive commercial titles.

Fortunately though, the Macintosh has many fine home programmed games available, and many great public domain games. Most of these games are free, or shareware titles, which can be registered for small fees. They cover all genres of gaming. What they lack in graphics and sound is covered up by deep and expansive gameplay. Classic games such as the Oregon Trail and Lemonade Stand can be found on the web for the Mac for free.

The Macintosh WAS the most popular computer type for several years. Back in the day, when computers came into the classroom in the eighties and nineties, Macintoshes were used. They were packed with children's games. In this area, ancient educational children's games, the Mac is also very strong.

If you're getting the Macintosh solely for games, then you have a serious mental defiency. Although the future does look a bit brighter than the past with the widespread popularity of the I-Mac, Apple can not overcome the fact that more than 90% of home computers run Windows 95, 98, or a similar Microsoft product. Until more gaming support is provided, avoid the Mac.

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 06/27/01, Updated 06/27/01