• Tag Archives American Laser Games

  • Fast Draw Showdown (Arcade)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: EGM 2 – Issue Number 5 – November 1994 – Page 150 (Fact File)

    American Laser Games was briefly famous for their laser disc based light gun arcade games that featured live action video. Their first and probably most famous game was Mad Dog McCree produced in 1990. The game featured in this review is Fast Draw Showdown which was released in 1994 and was the last arcade game released by American Laser Games.

    I was never a big fan of this type of game. It relied heavily on timing and less on strategy or other skills. However, this kind of game definitely had an appeal to certain gamers. If you liked Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace then there is a good chance you would like these games too.

    Fast Draw Showdown was shorter and less story based than American Laser Games previous efforts. You play the role of a lawman who has showdowns with various gunfighters. You must draw your gun as quickly as possible and shoot your enemy before they shoot you. However, you can’t draw too soon or it is considered a foul. Three and you are out. Your final opponent, should you make it that far, is Wes Flowers, who happens to be a real life Fast Draw champion.

    This arcade game was actually re-released by Global VR in 2002. In addition, it was also released for the PC by Digital Leisure, who bought the rights to American Laser Games’ releases, in 2004. It also made it to the Wii via WiiWare in 2010 and for the PS3 via the PlayStation Network in 2011. American Laser Games was a big supporter of the 3DO and many of their games made it to that platform. However, while Fast Draw Showdown was announced for that system, it was never released.

    The images above are from the arcade version of the game.


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  • Mazer (3D0)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    electronic_gaming_monthly_076_-_1995_nov_140

    Source: Electronic Gaming Monthly – Issue Number 76 – November 1995 

    Mazer is a game that was released in 1995 for the 3D0 by American Laser Games. The 3D0 was not a very successful system. While it had impressive hardware for the time, it was very expensive, had relatively poor third party support and too many of the games were mediocre at best. This is one such game.

    In Mazer, you choose one of four soldiers which you will control in order to attempt to defeat an alien invasion force that has occupied earth. You goal it to kill the aliens and rescue captives. The game is played from an isometric point of view.

    The graphics aren’t bad but scrolling is choppy. There is also not a lot of variety in this game. Each of the four soldiers you get to choose from are much the same and levels are very similar to each other. In addition, the game is very difficult which can make things tedious. It’s not a terrible game but be aware of these caveats.

    There aren’t a lot of games on the 3D0, relatively speaking, so this one is still worth picking up if you have a 3D0. That’s really the only way to play this game other than perhaps emulation. It probably really isn’t worth the effort though unless you already have a 3D0.

    This preview of the game is from the November 1995 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly. While it does not give an actual rating because it is just a preview, the description does indicate some of the problems with the game in more detail.





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