A Software Review of ‘Money Machine II’
Remember when (not meaning to sound like Andy Rooney . . . but) you had to buy a board game to play your favorite T.V. quiz program? Well, if “Wheel of Fortune” is your favorite gameshow, it is now available for the 2068 computer. Herb Bowers and ABBA Software offer a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ clone called ‘Money Machine II’ that captues the essence of this popular television show. You even get a little sprite named ‘Banna Brite’ to turn those letters. Perhaps the only thing you don’t get are the prizes!
Money Machine II is played very similarly to Wheel of Fortune with the spacebar controlling the wheel that sounds incredibly like the one heard on our T.V. sets. Up to three people can play this family, fun game. Individuals can also play by ‘passing’ the other two players. There are five rounds of competition before the overall winner is declared. Several hundred puzzles are contained on the original cassette and tapes of 800 each are available. Another program is available to make your own puzzles. To avoid repetition while playing at one sitting the puzzles are randomly selected without using the same puzzle twice. To avoid an unfair advantage from having played previously the players do have the opportunity to choose different puzzles.
Money Machine II interacts quite well with the players with its bright colors, flashing messages, various print sizes, appropriate audio reactions, and thorough documentation. A game clock keeps players on their toes to encourage continuous play. Every detail seems to have been covered. A method for tie breaking after the end of five rounds is provided. Players are reminded about the free spin they previously acquired. ‘Banna’ lets you know that your phrase contains an apostrophe. And one does know when the bonus round is coming up!
Approximately one week after I sent in my order the Money Matic II tape arrived. It came on a LASER C-10 cassette and took about four and one-half minutes to load. I had no loading problems and Herb Bowers assures me that all his programs are saved directly from his 2068 without the use of high speed duplicating equipment. He loads each tape twice on different recorders to verify their ‘loadability’. Herb is ‘2068’ all the way from the labels on the cassette and mailing package to the documentation from the 2040 printer. This software package is available for a modest $12.00 from Herb Bowers, Sr., ABBA Software, 2588 Woodshire Circle, Chesapeake, VA. 23323.
The letter that this software package rates is an ‘A’!