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Game Review of:
Superbike 
by Russell Albach 
Arcade type games are now commonplace on the PC, and they are growing in complexity and variety. Faster processors, more installed memory, larger hard drives, and faster CD-ROM drives are directly responsible for this growth. Both video and sound cards are now advertised as being "3D" capable, and processors are encoded with special extensions such as MMX, intended to increase the realism of these new generation games. SUPERBIKE, the subject of this review, is an example of what was cutting edge a year ago, but is now almost common. 

bikeSUPERBIKE is a motorcycle racing game where you try to race a high horsepower motorcycle around various racetracks around the world, just like automotive racing. If you are a bike rider, you will get a lot of fun from this game, more than a non-rider. It follows the real race circuits, with replicas of factory race bikes. You can ride your choices of a Ducati 916, Honda RC 45, Kawasaki ZX7R, Yamaha Y2F, or Suzuki GSXR. I know this bike description means nothing to non riders, but you don't need to know the specs for a Lamborghini to enjoy driving one! SUPERBIKE allows so many configurations and options, you nearly suffer sensory overload just setting up to play. 

The game comes on a CD-ROM, and includes a 16 page reference card, and a 42 page setup manual. I know it is always best to thoroughly read all information included with an application, but installation is real easy, just insert the disc and run setup. Pay close attention to system requirements though. My initial install attempt resulted in a crash thanks to that old Windows favorite, kernel32.dll (page fault). Since the installation was incomplete, there was no uninstall available, and I had to manually remove the portion already on. I have learned the hard way not to simply reinstall over a partial installation as you invariably have more problems. The second attempt resulted in no problems, and took around seven minutes. The install program detected DirectX 5 already on my machine, and upgraded it to DirectX 6 (required). The total hard drive space consumed on my machine was over 421 MB! This game is not for the casual user, nor an older, minimal machine (whatever that is now). 

Now that the game was on, the only part that could be considered difficult was to read the 42 page manual and decide on options. You can set up for Action or Simulation modes, and try a practice run or go straight to a regular championship race. The options allow you to set up each bike just as you would do to a real machine. You select tires, gear ratios, and suspension settings. There are even settings for manual or automatic transmission, and something I thought unique, engine failure. If you do not have one of the new generation of 2D-3D video cards, you need to set the video option for software rendering. This cheats you out of some really good graphics, and slows the game, but at least you can still play, and it still looks good. Competition can be against the computer, other players over a network, or by modem over the Internet. The list of options is beyond the scope of this thumbnail review, but the manual is complete and well written. 

Playing the game is a humbling experience for a long-time rider! My on screen alter-ego has suffered enough road rash to deplete half the aloe vera crop in Texas. Only the virtual skeletal structure kept my character from contributing toward a new Ferrari for some lucky orthopedic surgeon. This resulted from a combination of looking at the graphics, a faster is better ego, and using a keyboard instead of a game controller (joystick). The neatest item to me is the telemetry screen. It looks just like the ones you see on Indy or Nascar races on television. You see RPM, shift points, speed, etc. 
  

TIP: to avoid the armco, watch the track approaching a curve instead of the telemetry! 
    I initially set up for a novice level, and that lasted only until the rest of the pack lapped me and left a Dunlop track on my backside. It is possible to incur what male bike riders not affectionately refer to as a "tank slapper". (No, I won't explain that. If you don't know, it doesn't apply to you!) Motorcycles are not steered like autos are. You do not turn the handlebars, you lean the bike. This is referred to as "camber thrust". Please note that this is flaming impossible on a computer! SUPERBIKE really needs to be played with one of the newer, feedback joysticks which would help with control. I did manage to eventually turn a few laps at a speed that allowed the rider to stop putting both feet on the ground and simulate running to keep from toppling over. Yes, the programmers did include some ego degrading goodies. A large part of the needed hard drive space is devoted to sounds, and they do add a lot to the fun. Races can be saved for later resumption, which will require even more drive space. 

EA SPORTS has another game I tried, FIFA World Championship Soccer, which I think has some of the best graphics I have seen on other than a Silicon Graphics machine. SUPERBIKE is more action oriented, and the graphics, while not up to Soccer, are still very good. The only two areas where I found anything to note, are the requirements, and the Pyramid. Games are perhaps the single greatest driving force in computer development. Much of the "cutting edge" software and hardware is being created to accommodate games. While I am not much of a game player, I still benefit from the same components required for games. 

The Pyramid is occurring in more and more applications, and I do not like it! This is where programmers embed into the application, some personal items like who did what. Instead of simply listing in some small manner the names of the people involved, they are expanding this to include animations, cartoons, sounds, and caricatures. Microsoft is somewhat infamous for this, but certainly not alone anymore. MS hides theirs where you need to take some specific action to view it, and theirs is one of the more popular hide and seek items discussed on the 'net. This costs me money as the salaries for the programmers is included in the price. It also increases the likelihood of system problems. Enough people. Grow up! This game has one which displays as the game is exited. It has a long running list of the aforementioned items. It is well done, but unnecessary. The game itself, however, I give a buy. It is a fast action, reflex intensive, challenging game. 

System Requirements

The system requirements are pretty stiff. The newest computers will have no problems, but if your computer is 'last years machine', you might not be happy with it and this game. The requirements follow. 

Minimum requirements: Windows 95/98, 166 MHz or faster Pentium, AMD K6, Cyrix 6x86-MII, 32MB RAM, 4x CD-ROM using 32-bit Windows 95/98 CD-ROM driver, DirectX 6 compatible sound card with DirectSound support, 2D 4 MB DirectX 6 compatible video card with DirectDraw compatible driver, 144 MB free hard drive space (additional space required for DirectX). 

Recommended requirements: 233 MHZ or faster processor, 8x or faster CD-ROM, 402 MB hard drive space, 3D graphics accelerator or Direct3D compatible accelerator card with 8 MB RAM. 

I did not find SUPERBIKE in stock when I checked locally, but EA Sports games are available from EA on the 'net. Sometimes applications are in stock and the salespeople tell you otherwise, so look around. The price runs around $49.95. EA SPORTS, 209 Redwood Shores Pkwy, Redwood City, CA 94065. Phone: 650-628-1900. Web address: http://www.ea.com. demo available at http://www.easportssuperbike.com/demo

I am a petroleum landman who finds computers useful in that area, but prefer dealing with people. Have you ever tried to outsmart an inanimate object?