You just picked up a used Philips CD-i console with
a copy of Cartoon Jukebox. That’s great, but you’re going to need a few games.
Of course, that’s harder said than done. After all, the CD-i isn’t exactly the
NES. CD-i games are hard to find in the wild and the majority of them blow
chunks. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and listed ten relatively cheap and fun CD-i
video games you can purchase from eBay.
Burn: Cycle is best described as an interactive film.
Playing as data thief Sol Cutter, you’ll search the landscape for clues, fight
enemies, and solve puzzles in an attempt to rid your brain of a computer virus.
The game sucks you in with its engrossing plot, gorgeous graphics, and slick
first-person interface. Save often, though. One wrong move and you’ll end up
dead.
Escape from CyberCity is like Dragon’s Lair, but much, much
cooler. It features a series of cut-scenes from the Galaxy Express 999 anime
series, which serve as the back drop for the game. The entire game is
cursor-based, so you’ll point and click to choose paths, dodge oncoming cars,
and shoot at enemies. But you’ll need to be quick and accurate as the game is
quite unforgiving.
Hotel Mario isn’t your standard Mario fare. Instead of
jumping over pits, breaking blocks, and wrangling Yoshis, you’re tasked with
closing doors. While this sounds pretty lame, the game’s actually quite fun.
You can go up and down levels, collect coins, and stomp on Goombas and Koopas.
But, watch out! If Mario touches an enemy, he’s toast! Hotel Mario’s graphics
are quite colorful and a number of catchy tunes play throughout the game.
However, Hotel Mario’s
cut-scenes are downright awful. They’re boring, bland, and choppy. And, for
some strange reason, Mario sounds like a 65-year-old chain smoker.
The CD-i library is lacking when it comes to quality sports
titles, but International Tennis Open is pretty good. It serves up some sharp
graphics, great audio commentary, and a host of modes, including training,
exhibition, and tournament. The controls are a bit sluggish, but they work well
enough with a little bit of practice. There are two versions of International
Tennis Open. Be sure to get the one marked “2-Player
Game” if you want to play against a friend.
Test your trivia smarts with “Jeopardy!” for the CD-i! The
game features more than 2,000 answers and utilizes a save feature to eliminate repeats.
“Jeopardy!” looks and sounds just like the TV program. Host Alex Trebek opens
the show and announces the categories while longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer
Charlie O’Donnell reads the answers aloud. Up to four players can play at once,
making “Jeopardy!” ideal for get-togethers or parties.
Kether is an enjoyable, albeit short, mishmash of gaming
genres. You play as Melkhor, a space knight who’s out to save the planet of
Kether. Each level starts off with an impressive-looking flight sequence through
an asteroid belt or a futuristic city. Once you finish the flight level, you’ll
be greeted with a puzzle. When you solve the puzzle (it’s pretty easy), you’ll
enter a 3D maze where you’ll shoot monsters as you search for runes. Rinse and repeat.
Mystic Midway: Rest in Pieces is a graveyard-themed shooting
gallery game that’s both challenging and fun. You slide a gun left or right and
attempt to shoot at a number of targets that appear on the screen. Tombstones sometime
scroll across the screen to block your shots and you have a limited amount of
bullets to work with. If you fail to reach the target score, the game ends.
Each level is harder than the last and this gradual increase of difficulty
gives the title an old-school, arcade feel. While Mystic Midway: Rest in Pieces
isn’t much to look at, it has some nice sound effects and an appropriately
creepy carnival theme.
Palm Springs Open is one of the earliest games to be
released for the CD-i. It featured photo-realistic backgrounds, full-motion
video, and voice commentary. The game supports 1-4 players and it lets you
practice, play the back nine, or play a full 18-hole round. The game mechanics
are your standard golf fare. You can choose a club, check a map, and aim your
shot. The game uses a swing meter and you can attempt to hook or slice your
shots accordingly. If you enjoy golf games, this one’s a must-have.
Tetris is an all-time classic that’s been ported to just
about every home console, handheld, and smartphone. That’s because it’s simple
to play, yet fun and addictive. The CD-i version is no exception. The controls
are spot on and the photo-realistic nature scenes and soothing music fit the
game like a glove. Best of all, the CD-i console saves your high scores.
Voyeur is a full-motion video game with an adult theme.
Playing as a detective, you’ll spy on sleazy businessman Reed Hawke, his
associates, and his family in an attempt to expose his evil deeds. Over the
course of the game, you’ll eavesdrop on conversations or record some videos in
the hopes of getting enough damning evidence to take down Hawke. The graphics
look terrific, the acting isn’t half-bad, and the simple point-and-click
interface makes collecting evidence a breeze. The problem with Voyeur is that
it’s short and once you’ve beaten it, there’s little reason to go back and
replay the same cut scenes.
Bonus Suggestion: CD-i
Gamepad
The CD-i remotes were designed for use with edutainment and
multimedia titles. You’ll find that out very quickly, if you haven’t already.
That’s why you should consider getting a CD-i Gamepad. It has a nice long
cable, a directional pad, and three action buttons, making it the perfect
accessory for the CD-i gamer. Be sure to pick one up. You won’t regret it.
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