Why settle for anything less than the best? We didn't. Our annual roundup of the top CD-ROMs includes the best we've seen this year -- and our weary eyes have seen everything from talking dictionaries to dead bodies.
Of the hundreds of CD-ROMs we reviewed for this article, many were informative, entertaining, and highly interactive. But many others were buggy, boring, or low in content. Those that met our standards scored high in several areas: quality of content, overall fun, interface usability (how easily we could navigate the disc), and production (how good the video, sound, and graphics were).
Many hours of subjective testing went into weeding out the worst, but there was a method to our madness. We checked reference titles for accuracy, and we enlisted the aid of subject-area experts to ensure that the discs were as informative as they were enjoyable. We played games to their conclusions, and we counted the number of entries or the minutes of video a disc contained.
The discs that earned our highest ratings scored well in every category from interface to fun and attracted a broad range of users. Those that scored lower were generally marked down because their audience was too limited or their interface was awkward. Nonetheless, our top-50 list includes only the finest products. We're sure that music lovers, game players, and even fly fishermen will find something to love in this hodgepodge of hits.
Reference
Talking dictionaries and interactive encyclopedias breathe life into dusty facts and figures by using a wealth of QuickTime clips, hypertext, and clever animations. The ability to store entire libraries of information on lightweight, easy-to-access discs makes research virtually painless.
The Way Things Work / (5 out of 5 mice) Outstanding / DK Multimedia / $79.95 list
It's not often that a reference work pops, bubbles, steams, and squeaks with as much whimsical charm as does The Way Things Work. Interactive illustrations show off hundreds of inventions, from hydroelectric turbines to toilet tanks, and a click brings you the bio of the machine's inventor. Kids and adults alike will be enraptured by this outstanding CD-ROM adaptation of David Macaulay's book, in which explanations of complex scientific principles are as innovative as the inventions they describe.
Microsoft Wine Guide / (4.5 out of 5 mice) Very Good/Outstanding / Microsoft $39.95 estimated street
Short of a lengthy trip to France, there's no better way to learn about one of the world's decadent pleasures. You can follow a year in the life of a vineyard; check out a world atlas of wine; or search a database of 2,000 wines by country, region, grape variety, style, star rating, or food match. You can even go wine tasting with Oz Clarke and brush up on the wine world's slang. With a little practice, you won't even feel foolish raving about the resounding tannin in an impeccable '85 cabernet.
American Heritage Talking Dictionary / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good SoftKey International / $59.95 list
Attention, all English-speaking crossword cheats! This dictionary finds words for you. Provide a few letters, a definition, or even part of a definition and the dictionary fills in the blanks -- a feature that's great for finding synonyms, antonyms, and anagrams. Even more impressive is the disc's ability to pronounce words. (We could understand only one of the two speakers, however.) The disc includes over 200,000 entries plus Roget's Thesaurus (1.5 million words).
Microsoft Cinemania '95 / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Microsoft $59.95 estimated street
This year's updated version of Microsoft's box-office smash will have film fanatics drooling over its vast collection of movie clips, quotes, and stills from golden oldies to recent releases. A few mouse clicks move you from a movie's script to the leading lady's biography to a complete list of her previous films, in an endless series of informational twists that would leave Hitchcock green. Critics such as Roger Ebert also dish out reviews for more-discriminating viewers.
Microsoft Encarta '95 / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Microsoft / $99.95 estimated street
Writing school reports was never so easy. The Encarta encyclopedia puts an end to rummaging through heavy stacks of books by offering over 26,000 articles jammed with movies, color illustrations, and sound bites. Each entry comes laden with hypertext cross-references that make research as easy as clicking a mouse. You can either browse through the encyclopedia randomly or locate specific topics by word, subject, time, place, or media type.
National Geographic Picture Atlas of the World / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good The National Geographic Society / $99.95 list
Long renowned for its color photographs of diverse cultures, The National Geographic Society has combined high-quality images with a variety of geographic data. The result is a compelling world atlas. Pick a country (or a continent); see its political or physical map; check out current statistics on such topics as population, religion, and climate; and then dive into the enormous library of photos that seem ripped out of the magazine itself. You'll also find video clips for many countries and audio samples of speech and music.
Nine Month Miracle / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / A.D.A.M. Software / $39.95 list
If you still believe the stork brought you into the world, flip through the pages of Adam and Eve's electronic family album and find out where babies really originate. This month-to-month look at pregnancy, from conception to birth, is brought to life through photography, detailed animation, and expert narration. Follow animated sperm through Eve's fallopian tubes; console the mom-to-be through heartburn and hemorrhoids; or witness a gut-wrenching film clip of an actual birth. A not-so-graphic cartoon explanation of the same process is offered for curious kids.
A.D.A.M. The Inside Story / (3 out of 5 mice) Average / A.D.A.M. Software / $69.95 list
To wear a fig leaf or not to wear one? That is the question presented at the start of this anatomy overview. From there it doesn't get much more complicated. The disc clearly and simply explains most physiological functions, from breathing to digestion, with text and straightforward animation. This disc is perfectly suited for high-school students or for adults who slept through their biology courses.
Human Anatomy / (3 out of 5 mice) Average / Gold Standard Multimedia / $99 list
Although others may be interested, biology and medical students who don't have a cadaver on their desks are clearly the target audience for Human Anatomy. The still images are somewhat gray and unclear, but after all, the guy's dead. A quiz section helps you prepare for exams. Don't expect this title to entertain: It's methodical, educational, and scientific.
Sports Illustrated Multimedia Almanac, 1995 Edition / (3 out of 5 mice) Average StarPress Multimedia / $44.95 list
From horse racing to the Super Bowl, the 1995 edition of this almanac has all things sporting. Missed last year's NBA playoffs? Use this disc to review Hakeem Olajuwon's glory. Thought soccer wouldn't mesmerize the nation? Suck in your pride and watch the U.S. team advance in the World Cup. This disc has articles, pictures, and video; there's even a trivia quiz with which to impress your friends.
Nature and Animals
You can't feed the animals on these digital tours through the wild kingdom, but you can find out about what makes them tick, growl, hiss, or bark. Stunning photography and videos take you to exotic locations, simply by popping in a disc.
OceanLife Volume 4: The Great Barrier Reef / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Sumeria $49.95 list
Anemonefishes sway in an exotic water dance, partners to the 240 other species of fish that swim through this stunning look at the Great Barrier Reef. Tear yourself away from your real-life fish tank and access the two-and-a-half hours of film clips that capture the intense colors and beauty of marine life. More than just a collection of pretty fish, this two-disc set is loaded with facts about fish behavior and morphological structure and includes maps of the region.
Wild Africa / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Sumeria / $49.95 list
Herbivores to carnivores, savanna to the Serengeti -- Wild Africa's compilation of sights and sounds makes for a virtual safari adventure. The disc includes detailed maps of three of Tanzania's famous parks as well as video, photos, and text about many of the plants, animals, and birds that inhabit the parks. An original sound track speaks of tropical nights and ancient breezes, and the extensive, well-done videos are accompanied by informative narration. What does a yellow-barked acacia tree look like, you ask? The answer lies within.
How Animals Move / (3 out of 5 mice) Average / Discovery Multimedia $39.95 list
How do birds fly? Why can't I fly? At some point, most of us stop asking these childhood questions, but not necessarily because we know the answers. How Animals Move gives you those answers. A general overview provides text and video clips that show interaction among muscles, ligaments, bones, and joints. Animal lovers will also get a kick out of more than a dozen games and experiments that educate as they entertain. You can delve further by taking a guided tour or by charting your own course. A file-cabinet metaphor makes navigation easy.
Microsoft Dangerous Creatures / (3 out of 5 mice) Average / Microsoft $59.95 estimated street
This slick introduction to the animal kingdom captures the sights, sounds, and feel of the lairs of some of the world's most dangerous creatures. Kids will love the disc for the wealth of facts, film clips, and animations that their school books lack, but adults may find the cutesy cross-referencing and skimpy content slightly condescending. If you're the type who learns more from Sesame Street than from a PBS documentary, you'll appreciate this lighthearted approach to nature.
Multimedia Dogs: The Complete Interactive Guide to Dog (3 out of 5 mice) Average / Inroads Interactive / $39.95 direct
For those seeking a new best friend, Multimedia Dogs stands a breed apart. This comprehensive collection of doggy data includes facts and photos for almost every breed. A sliding bone scale will help you find out which canine is most likely to lick your face after a hard day's work, and a clear-cut training guide teaches you how to keep your new pal from talking back. Ordinary production quality and a no-frills interface are the disc's only drawbacks.
History
History takes the modern age by storm with an outpouring of titles that re-create events from the Old West to the Space Age. You'll find a wealth of authentic film clips, award-winning photos, fun games, and cultural commentary. Although not meant for serious research, these overviews should satisfy any casual user.
Passage to Vietnam / (5 out of 5 mice) Outstanding / Against All Odd $39.95 estimated street
Dazzling is the word that best describes this endeavor, a disc that brims with captivating photos and exquisite, indigenous music. Given a week to document Vietnam, 70 top photographers were up to the task. Witness a flock of fishing boats gliding seaward under cooling skies, or check out a web of precarious bridges spanning a steaming river. Alternatively, visit one of five virtual galleries that showcase the works and words of some of the photographers.
Leonardo the Inventor / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Future Vision Multimedia $49.95 list
Mona Lisa won him artistic renown, but Leonardo da Vinci the inventor has been largely ignored. More fun than a tour of the Louvre, this fanciful disc showcases da Vinci's inventions by turning his sketches into working models and showing off the modern-day descendants of his inventions. Fans can learn more about this Renaissance man by browsing through his biography or a full list of his artworks.
Apollo XIII A Week to Remember / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good Legacy Space Marketing / $39.95 List
The movie grabbed the spotlight, but the disc deserves recognition too. The absorbing collection of newspaper clippings, film reels, and interviews with the astronauts and controllers who took part in the ill-fated space flight weaves an eerily suspenseful tale of what should have been the third lunar landing. The interface, however, is uninspiring -- you click on tiny rockets at the bottom of the screen to propel yourself through the week-long ordeal.
Nile: Passage to Egypt / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / Discovery Multimedia / $39.95 list
Cruise down the Nile as captain of your own felucca, and use the tools on board to take a closer look at historical shoreline attractions. Glimmering lights in the distance show up on your on-craft monitor as video time capsules or interactive games. Although not designed as a heavy-duty research tool, this disc provides a solid overview of the history of Egypt. Use it to navigate history like a true explorer.
Amnesty Interactive / (3 out of 5 mice) Average / The Voyager Company / $10 list
For those who aren't up to speed on worldwide human-rights issues but would like to know more, this disc is ideal. Complete with pictures, stories, and political histories of several human rights and a library of the major human-rights documents, this trip through activist history is everything the title suggests. When you're done, you'll be able to toss the name Rigoberta Menchu into conversations intelligently.
Microsoft Ancient Lands /(3 out of 5 mice) Average / Microsoft $59.95 estimated street
Enlist the aid of a guide to show you around, or wander on your own through the politics, history, and culture of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. You can casually explore these ancient lands via a trail of colorful graphics and info-bits that won't choke you with tons of dry data. Microsoft's easy-to-use interface and extensive use of hypertext makes history an adventure each time you play the disc.
The Myth of the Ten Lost Tribes / (3 out of 5 mice) Average / Creative Multimedia $29.99 estimated street
Myths often fall by the wayside now that our elders aren't telling stories around the campfire. Stacey Keach, the narrator of this title, is a good replacement for granddad, though. This disc offers ideas about where Jacob's ten sons may have led their tribes when the Assyrians conquered northern Israel. The interface is difficult to use, but the maps are good and the bios of historical figures are interesting. Don't be alarmed if you, too, are surprised that Jacob's offspring ended up in Utah.
Wyatt Earp's Old West / (3 out of 5 mice) Average / Grolier Electronic Publishing $49.95 list
Serious historians may not learn much by meandering through Wyatt Earp's old stomping grounds, but those who have never been to the Old West will enjoy poking around this virtual town. A gruff-voiced narrator explains the stops on your self-guided tour as saloons and stables come alive through more than 500 old photos and film reels. A free Wyatt Earp mouse pad makes up for all the time you'll spend soaking up dirt in the Boot Hill Cemetery after an unsuccessful gunfight.
Music
The classic works of Dvorak share space on our music shelf with releases from the freaky figures of The Residents and a hilarious tribute to Spinal Tap. Many of the discs can also be played on audio-CD players, just in case interacting becomes overwhelming.
Antonin Dvorak: Symphony #9 "From the New World (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / The Voyager Company / $59.95 list
Robert Winters' newest disc takes you through every detail of Symphony #9, from individual instruments to biographical data for Dvorak. Pluck a single instrument out of the orchestra and hear it soar unaccompanied (the English horn in the largo of the second movement is like nectar) or review a particular section of the score, listening to the music and watching as the notes appear on-screen. Navigating the symphony is a breeze. Pictures are limited, but in this context, what does it matter?
Bob Dylan: Highway 61 Interactive / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Graphix Zonk $59.95 direct
Bob Dylan fans, take note. Highway 61 lets you walk through Dylan's old haunts in Greenwich Village during the '60s, hear music from the Columbia recording sessions, and browse through song lyrics. An illustrated collage leads into an extensive virtual world that culminates in a Dylan concert. Along the way, enjoy snippets of music by folk heroes such as Woody Guthrie or the sage words of fellow artists such as Roseanne Cash and Eric Clapton.
Puppet Motel / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / The Voyager Company / $39.95 list
Dim the lights, turn up your speakers, and prepare for a long night as a guest in Laurie Anderson's 33-room Puppet Motel. The artist premieres over an hour of new music in this performance piece, which lets you play electronic violins, connect the dots to your own constellation, or search through the attic of Anderson's imagination. Users with the right connections can also hook up to the World Wide Web and download some of Anderson's movies.
This Is Spinal Tap / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / The Voyager Company / $34.95 list
Metal's heaviest band makes its digital debut with this rockumentary, which features the entire 82-minute motion picture along with two additional commentary tracks by the cast and crew. Spinal Tap groupies can cut right to their favorite scenes by clicking on tour photos in this hilarious small-screen version of the classic rock 'n' roll send-up that deafened America -- volume control on this disc ranges from 0 to 11.
Rock `N Roll Your Own / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / Compton's New Media / $39.95 list
You don't have to be a professional musician -- just act like one with this wildly entertaining sound studio that lets you mix and record your own chart busters. Customize up to eight song tracks with more than 80 prerecorded song loops and hundreds of hysterical sound bites, or add your own music and sound effects to create a truly original score. Each song track, ranging from country to rap, gets visual with music videos and dramatic graphics.
The Residents' Gingerbread Man / (3 out of 5 mice) Average / ION / $49.95 list
Weird -- very weird -- and yet riveting. Heads roll in psychedelic accompaniment to the beat of the new release by The Residents, a San Francisco-based group of musicians who cater to the unusual. Trial and error provides the only way to navigate the twirling designs of color and music that pose as an interface -- there's no help button to give you guidance. But, as the manual states, "some experiences are not experiences until they are experienced."
Hands-on
Feed him a fish, and he'll eat for a day; teach him to fly-fish, and he'll have fun for weeks. These comprehensive hands-on guides make use of QuickTime magic to help you improve your swing, create your own comics, or serve up tasty Thai dishes.
4 Paws of Crab / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / Live Oak Multimedia / $44.95 list
Sample some Thai culture, and get a taste of Thailand's national history while learning to dish up native delights in this quirky, but clever, cookbook. Detailed recipes include illustrations as well as definitions for unfamiliar cooking terms and ingredients. You can order up to 17 hard-to-find dry ingredients by printing an order form and mailing it to a supplier in California.
ESPN Golf: Lower Your Score with Tom Kite / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good Intellimedia Sports / $59.95 list
Tom Kite, the golf pro, has something to teach golfers. A two-disc set, this comprehensive title provides help on swinging, putting, posture, driving, gripping, and more. Tom Kite assists you through a series of helpful videos and even provides a series of exercises to help you improve, say, putting. If a mental block is hampering your game, fear not: Dr. Bob Rotella, sports psychologist, will talk you through it.
ESPN Winning Hoops with Coach K / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / Intellimedia Sports $59.95 list
People love to insult a winning team: Just ask Coach Kryzewski of Duke University. He doesn't address that issue on this CD-ROM, but he does teach you several more-valuable things. You'll find how-to information on everything from shooting to passing to defense to what kind of workout is best for a big guy. Coach K often shows a game clip to illustrate how his tips work in a real game.
The Multimedia Cartoon Studio / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good Byron Preiss Multimedia / $59.95 estimated street
A grab bag of goodies lets you create your own comic calendars, to-do lists, stationery, fax covers, and cartoons. You can personalize predrawn scenarios with your own witty blurbs and a wide array of props. Also, Bob Mankoff, cartoonist for The New Yorker, teaches you his trade through 21 funny tips. A library of cartoons and animations shows off previously unpublished works for those who prefer the hands-off approach to cartooning.
Fly Fishing: Great Rivers of the West / (3 out of 5 mice) Average / IVI Publishing $34.95 direct
If you're casting around for new discs, hook into this fantastic guide to fly-fishing six trout-laden rivers of the American west. Learn about technique, tackle, and flies through step-by-step instructions and video clips. Serious fans will appreciate the detailed maps that show routes to each river, the information on where to buy flies and find guides, and the lists of regulations pertaining to each site.
Games
Out-of-this-world graphics and star-studded casts will keep you up at night figuring out puzzles or fighting enemy forces. Golf fans won't be able to resist the chance to play with the pros at the PGA, and armchair sleuths will become embroiled in murder mysteries.
Dark Forces / (4.5 out of 5 mice) Very Good/Outstanding / LucasArts $44.95 direct
How often have you fantasized about being a Star Wars Rebel hero, saving the universe from Vader and the Empire? With Dark Forces, you don't have to resort to your imagination and a few Kenner action figures. In this Doom-like game, you play a Rebel agent trying to uncover the Empire's plans to build a super army. The game is complete with 3-D action and graphics that would impress even Han Solo.
The Daedalus Encounter / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Virgin Interactive Entertainment / $59.99 direct
Tia Carrere leaves the friendly confines of Wayne's World and stars in this three-disc sci-fi adventure as a fellow soldier in an interstellar war. You play a human brain/spaceship/probe being, and your mission is to stop your craft from crashing into a star. It's a full entertainment package, with lots and lots of puzzles to go along with the gripping movie sequences.
Jewels of the Oracle / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Discis Entertainment / $69.95 list
If you enjoy relaxing with the daily newspaper brainteasers, you'll enjoy Jewels of the Oracle. This disc will keep you busy for hours -- or even days -- with its collection of mental exercises and puzzles. Set in a lost mythical training ground for the mind, the games emphasize creativity and freedom over fending off adversaries or beating a clock. The point-and-click interface won't break your concentration, and the graphics outshine those of crossword puzzles.
Journeyman Project Turbo / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Sanctuary Wood $49.95 estimated street
The original Journeyman Project was a gripping game -- but the play was so slow that you could clip grocery coupons and read the obituaries while you were waiting for the next screen. But now the program's gone turbo, and the speed breathes new life into this eye-catching game where you travel back in time to stop evil forces who want to change the future.
Star Trek: The Next Generation Interactive Technical Manual / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Simon and Schuster Interactive / $69.95 list
Beam yourself aboard the USS Enterprise and poke around Captain Picard's private quarters in this 3-D replica, which comes complete with an owner's manual. Thanks to QuickTime VR technology, you can traipse through the ship's rooms, moving or looking in any direction, simply by dragging your mouse. If you're afraid of getting lost in space, take the ship tour, which is narrated by Commander Riker. True Trekkies will find this disc out of this world.
Club Dead / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / Viacom New Media / $59.99 estimated street
No, this isn't a game in which MTV VJ Kennedy is killed by a falling disco ball. You're a convict who's been whisked away from prison and placed in a posh resort to find out why its visitors end up dead. It's got some great tunes -- but you'd expect that from a disc produced by MTV.
PGA Tour Golf III / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / Electronic Arts / $59.95 estimated street
You don't have to worry about tee times or the weather when you play this game of golf. This disc features three PGA courses, a soothing sound track, and gorgeous graphics. The interface is easy to use: You don't have to fiddle with controls while you're trying to decide which club to use. You can enter tournaments, and the game will tally up your total purse. It's almost as good as being there.
Who Killed . . . ? Series / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / Creative Multimedia $21.95 direct
You have six hours to question witnesses, collect evidence, and piece together enough clues to solve the murder in each of three deadly scenarios. Two discs are new this year: Who Killed Brett Penance? and Who Killed Taylor French?, both of which star actress Sheryl Lee. These bare-bones mysteries lack the glitzy graphics that make other games so enthralling, but their classic, puzzle-solving appeal is elementary, my dear Watson.
World of Xeen / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / New World Computing / $69.95 list
Role-playing fanatics will enjoy the latest in the Might and Magic series for the Mac. This CD-ROM combines two Might and Magic games previously available for the PC into one game for the Mac. There are three possible solutions, one for each game and a third that involves completing both games. The colorful graphics and attention-getting sound will immerse you in this medieval fantasy.
Rebel Assault / (3 out of 5 mice) Average / LucasArts / $24.99 direct
Based on the Star Wars movie series, Rebel Assault lets you play a Rebel rookie in training to battle against the Empire. You'll learn how to maneuver your X-Wing so you can blast away TIE fighters in actual battle, you'll fight Imperial walkers on frozen tundra, and you'll defend your home planet from enemy forces.
Children
These sure-fire kid pleasers have been Dad-tested for your children's approval. And that was no easy task -- there are literally hundreds of children's titles available.
Earth Explorer / (4.5 out of 5 mice) Very Good/Outstanding / Apple Home Learning / $44 list
Explaining global ecosystems and the difficulties humans have trying to preserve them to kids could be as much fun as playing in a toxic-waste dump. But Earth Explorer makes these topics fun -- while conveying a remarkable depth of information. Quizzes teach facts but also encourage kids (ages 10 and up) to look at issues from all sides before forming opinions.
Imagination Express Destination: Rain Forest / (4.5 out of 5 mice) Very Good/Outstanding Edmark / $35 estimated street
OK, you say, another program that urges kids to write stories by creating scenes against backgrounds. This disc offers rain-forest authenticity and great self-sizing, animated stickers. Every creature (including Homo sapiens) is linked to a book that explains its ecosystem. Kids (ages 6 to 12) soon learn that heroes can snack on paca but shouldn't bat an eyelash viper.
Big Top's Cartoon Toolbox Starring Felix the Cat / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good Big Top Productions / $54.95 list
Felix and an entourage that includes Poindexter and evil Master Cylinder are here, in prebuilt animated clips that kids (9 and up) can paste into background scenes, along with sound effects and props. The frame-by-frame approach may be daunting for younger kids, but once they figure it out, the range of possibilities is truly rich.
Elroy Goes Bugzerk / (4 out of 5 mice) Very Good / Headbone Interactive / $49.95 list
Sent to the country for the weekend, Elroy fears he'll never find a bug to beat the urban vermin his rival is entering in this year's Insectathon. Then he spots the rare Techniloptera, a stink-bomb-wielding robo-bug. To help Elroy catch this creature, kids (8 and up) must use facts about real insects to solve a series of humorous puzzles.
Arc of Doom / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / SunStar Interactive / $49.95 list
Earth is plagued by a mysterious series of unnatural "natural disasters," and the Alpha Team sent to investigate is missing. Players (ages 10 and up) assemble a Beta Team and use knowledge of earth science and geography to rescue the lost group and unravel the mystery behind the cataclysms. The game sneaks abundant facts into action-filled play.
SimTown / (3.5 out of 5 mice) Average/Very Good / Maxis / $39.95 direct
SimTown puts kids (ages 8 to 12) in charge of building a community from the ground up. There are plenty of amusement parks and arcades, but beware: Resources must be used wisely for a town to prosper, and video games use lots of electricity! Once a town has been set up, kids can peek inside buildings and visit the citizenry.
Nikki Echler is a MacUser assistant editor. Rebecca Olson is MacUser's research assistant. Roman Loyola and Jim Shatz-Akin contributed to this report.
5 Classics You Can Still Buy
These CD-ROM titles didn't break any molds -- they created them. Kudos to these breakthrough products that still manage to educate and entertain:
1. A Hard Day's Night / The Voyager Company
2. The Living Books Series / Broderbund Software
3. Myst / Broderbund Software
4. Microsoft Musical Instruments / Microsoft
5. Spaceship Warlock / Reactor
5 We'd Rather Have as Books
Why waste money and time installing discs when you can get the same effect by flipping through the pages of the books that spawned them? Here are five discs we prefer in book form:
1. Material World: A Global Family Portrai StarPress Multimedia
2. Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venu Harper Collins
3. Murmurs of Earth / Warner New Media
4. Better Homes and Gardens Complete Guide to Gardening /
Multicom Publishing
5. Escape From Management Hell / Zelos Digital Learning
Get Info / A.D.A.M. Software 619-483-2229 Against All Odds 415-331-6300 Apple Home Learning 408-996-1010 Big Top Productions 415-978-5363 Byron Preiss Multimedia 818-295-6600 Compton's New Media 619-929-2500 Creative Multimedia 503-241-4351 Discis Entertainment 416-250-6537 Discovery Multimedia 800-457-1239 DK Multimedia 212-213-4800 Edmark 206-556-8484 Electronic Arts 415-245-4525 Future Vision Multimedia 914-426-0400 Gold Standard Multimedia 904-373-1100 Graphix Zone 714-833-3838 Grolier Electronic Publishing 203-797-3530 Headbone Interactive 206-323-0188 Inroads Interactive 303-444-0632 Intellimedia Sports 404-262-0000 ION 415-455-1466 IVI Publishing 612-996-6000 Legacy Space Marketing 713-242-1011 Live Oak Multimedia 510-654-7480 LucasArts 415-721-3300 Maxis 510-254-9700 Microsoft 206-882-8080 The National Geographic Society 301-921-1330 New World Computing 818-889-5600 Sanctuary Woods 415-286-6100 Simon and Schuster Interactive 212-698-7000 SoftKey International 617-494-1200 StarPress Multimedia 415-274-8383 Sumeria 415-904-0800 SunStar Interactive 203-785-8111 Viacom New Media 212-258-6000 Virgin Interactive Entertainment 800-874-4607 The Voyager Company 914-591-5500
u Earth Explorer
u Wild Africa
u National Geographic Picture Atlas of the World
u Microsoft Wine Guide
d The Way Things Work
u Passage to Vietnam
d Leonardo the Inventor
u Antonin Dvorak: Symphony #9 "From the New World"
