Cheap Mac Seven Pack (Software) (PowerMac) Price

Try one multiple-choice question written in the You Don't Know JACK style--Mac Seven Pack is:

1. The "as-seen-on-late-night-TV" KTEL compilation of the Greatest Computer Game Music Hits of the '90s!

2. The official multiple personality test of the Macintosh Olympics.

3. A case-by-case antidote to the Seven Deadly Sins.

4. Your library's one-stop shopping source for seven classic Macintosh games.

Beep, time's up! Of course you guessed number four, so you win! And what a prize: a seven-piece software bundle, with something for everyone. Here's what the Mac Seven Pack has to offer:

3D Ultra Pinball

For these bright flashing moments, your computer grows bumpers and flippers and emits arcade-quality "ka-ching" noises. The good news--you don't have to feed it quarters. The not-as-good news--it's not so gripping that you'll be tempted to slap your monitor around instead of pressing the so-called "tilt" button. If you like pinball games, you'll be happy--if you don't like playing pinball, this isn't likely to change your mind.

Caesar II

Ambitious and superbly balanced sim-Roman strategy game. Build your ancient Roman city, balance the wants and needs of your people in order to build a strong foundation for empire, then conquer the rest of the provinces and govern your way up to the big leagues in Rome.

Lords of the Realm II

Another strategy game, medieval this time. Where Caesar II emphasizes urban planning and crisis management, Lords of the Realm II emphasizes military conquest.

Hoyle Solitaire

Playing card games by yourself is an American institution. Heck, it's worldwide. Computers reduce wear and tear on the cards and relieve you of the need to shuffle. Hoyle Solitaire, in particular, provides crisp graphics and record keeping. No more wondering where you stuck that last deck of cards--it's on the computer.

NASCAR Racing

The classic stock car racing game, meshing racing action and pit-stop logistics. It's gripping and playable without being easy. You'll have to work fairly hard to win many races, and that's how it should be on the NASCAR circuit.

Trophy Bass

If you love fishing--and want to choose your gear, practice your casts, plan your route, choose your spots, and (when you get it right) wrestle your catch into the boat after a tough fight--Trophy Bass is for you. If you've never fished in your life, Trophy Bass will give you a fair sense of what you've been missing--minus the cooler full of beer, the buzzing mosquitoes, and the long hours when nothing happens.

You Don't Know JACK

An irreverent, well-executed, and challenging quiz-show game, playable by up to four people at a time. Not for adults whose humor glands can't process sarcasm, and not really for children, either. Children who will understand the game's sometimes racy humor are still unlikely to answer many questions correctly, so this game is best saved for the grownups. --Rob Heinsoo

Pros:

• At least two or three classic games for all tastes ...
• ... plus several other classics you may be surprised by

• As with most bundles, these games have been out for a while