                               Scrabble &
                                Monopoly


                             by Tony Curro


    Virgin Games has released two wonderful games for Windows. Both are
    ported from popular board games. Scrabble and Monopoly have been
    around for a long time. Now they come to Windows, with full sound
    support and animation.

    In 1931 an out-of-work architect named Alfred Mosher Butts, a
    lifelong devotee of anagrams and crossword puzzles, invented a word
    game that would eventually become Scrabble. Today, there are
    National Scrabble Association clubs throughout the US and Canada.

    Installation of Scrabble requires a minimum of 2 megabytes of hard
    disk space. If you wish to install the definitions you will need
    about 4.5MB.

    When you start, you select the number of human and/or computer
    players. You can also change many options. For example you can
    select/deselect the 2-letter word option; edit the dictionary;
    select/deselect the plural option and many other choices. The game
    is excellent and a pleasure to play.



    Charles B. Darrow of Germantown, Pennsylvania first brought the
    Monopoly board game to  Parker Brothers in 1934. In 1935, Parker
    Brothers first introduced the game to the world. And, as they say,
    the rest is history. It is currently distributed in twenty-three
    languages that are licensed in thirty-three countries. Virgin Games
    released their first computer version in 1985, and it remains a
    bestseller.

    The Windows version of Monopoly is a total experience. Requiring
    approximately 6MB hard disk space, it is real estate well spent. The
    animation and sound effects alone are worth watching. You have total
    control over this game, and can set many of the options. Select
    human and computer players. When you are ready to play, click on the
    dice. Rich Uncle PennyBags will pop up in the center of the board,
    and roll the dice. Depending, on the piece you selected, you will
    hear different sound effects. For example after you roll the dice,
    and have selected the dog, he barks and then trots the number of
    spaces. Using the wheelbarrow you will hear it creaking along. The
    car will start its engine and then putt along. You do need a sound
    card to experience all this. Even the Utilities squares have sound
    effects. I enjoyed going to jail, as it was also animated and funny.
    Getting out was also interesting.

    Other then all these features, the game plays exactly as the  board
    game. Buy and trade property. Build houses and hotels and so forth.

    I enjoyed both these games, which are sold separately, and if you
    are a fan of either,  I urge you to get them. You will not regret
    it.


                          Product Information

                          Scrabble for Windows

                          Monopoly for Windows

                             List Price --

                           Virgin Games, Inc.


                              714-833-1999
