Sony did object, but while the matter is in court a federal judge is allowing consumers to buy the $49 software package. As to whether the program works, the answer is yes, surprisingly well. NEWSWEEK tested the Virtual Game Station on a spanking-new 400MHz G3, and our game testers were delighted that once the program was installed (a process requiring a mere two mouseclicks), simply inserting a PlayStation disc into the CD-ROM drive would boot up the game–just as if the Mac were a Sony unit. There was a problem with the controls–we were unable to get two Gravis GamePad Pro USBs working together (a Connectix technician said the company was working on a fix). But the keyboard control was adequate. Connectix is careful to note that not all PlayStation games work on its system. We found that NCAA Final Four ‘99, Future Cop and Street Sk8er all behaved quite acceptably–heck, they rocked–though it was a bit strange playing the games at a desktop instead of the preferred position: sprawled out in front of the living-room couch. And kibitzers judged that the graphics didn’t look as sharp as they did with a Sony PlayStation-TV combo.
Which leads to another question: why even bother tying up your spiffy four-figure Macintosh when for $80 more than the Connectix software you can buy an original PlayStation and be assured that every game works? This solution will seem even more compelling when Sony ships its next-generation PlayStation, announced last week. This unit will be considerably more powerful; running on a 300MHz “Emotion Engine” (Sony’s coinage), it can calculate faster than a Pentium III, run graphics like an expensive workstation, churn out CD-level sound and may even play DVD movies. Industry analysts are breathlessly proclaiming it a breakthrough. Game nuts are already counting the days until its autumn 2000 U.S. release.
Meanwhile, Mac gamers can take solace: the popularity and power of the iMac is luring more game developers back to the Apple camp. Have you seen Myth II? Awesome.
