The latest games need the latest hardware, there's nothing surer. Games are notoriously demanding on processing power, memory and disk space, but this is often overlooked when assessing a new PC.
When buying a game, look on the box for the minimum system requirements, and then ignore them. Next, look for the "recommended" system and pay a bit more attention. More often than not the "minimum" specifies the speed and memory needed to get past installation and make the game run. It is no guarantee that the game will actually be playable. Relying on using on the minimum may mean toning down the graphics and discarding sound options (if the game allows this). Even then, the game will probably test a player's patience in ways the designers never intended. Sometimes, even recommended set-ups are less than what is really needed. So, for a game recommending a 200mhz PC with 32mb RAM, the way to rewarding play is a 266mhz with 64MB RAM and a 3D graphics accelerator.
Serious game-players looking at a new Christmas PC should aim for a much higher specification. You don't want a PC that will only run today's games, but instead, one that can still run the latest games in 12 months time.
Ideally, that would be a 450MHz PC with 128mb system RAM, 8GB hard disk and a 3D accelerator with plenty of RAM. As a general rule, don't go below a 350MHz PC with 64MB RAM. Incidentally, you will still need the 3D accelerator and at least 4GB of hard disk space. Happy gaming!
Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator, PC CD-Rom, £54.99
Microsoft Flight Simulator has been one of the best-selling games on the PC for years. But it has always lacked one thing - firepower. PC pilots could fly over Big Ben and even under the Golden Gate bridge, but they couldn't shoot anything.
Combat Flight Simulator fixes that problem by combining the realism for which Flight Simulator is famous, with air combat excitement.
The performance of the planes (including a Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX and Messerschmitt Bf 109E) has been validated by World War II pilots - most of us will just have to take their word for it. The game allows historically accurate missions involving air-to-air combat or air-to-ground bombing raids.
Those not up to a campaign, can always jump into "quick combat" for fast action. Nevertheless, extracting the maximum from this game means being patient, or being a pilot. There is a 220-page manual, and each of the aircraft takes a while to master, even without an enemy at three o'clock with guns blazing. The graphics are outstanding but need plenty of processing power and memory to look their best. Those who already have Flight Simulator get a bonus (£10 off the price) and they can import planes from the original. A great game by any standards - it could become a way of life.
Rushdown, Sony PlayStation, £39.99
Kayaks, snowboards and mountain bikes feature in a refreshing game from Canal. It includes three sports and the action spans Africa, Europe, America, Asia and a futuristic Japan. Before the globe-trotting, however, the new player is stuck in Africa until deemed up to scratch.
The graphics are striking, particularly in the kayak events, and the pumping soundtrack reflects the high-energy sports. Even though the three modes of racing are almost identical, the game does just enough to give the feel of competing in different sports.
There are 15 tracks to compete on in single, two-player, championship and arcade modes. An invigorating game for enthusiasts.