Futureshock 3D

Future Shock 3D is rather unique for the IIGS; it was to go hand in hand with a new gaming peripheral, the Future Pad.

The Future Pad, from what I've heard, was like the Power Glove for the Super Nintendo. Whether it is or I can't say with certainty, not having read anything about it in Apple II journals, which lead me to believe both the game and the Future Pad weren't released. I have since found out otherwise, as I spotted an advert for the game in the classifieds in the back of InCider/A+ magazine. A gutsy move to develop a new game controller for the Apple II as it was becoming apparent at that time that the Apple II market was shrinking and developers were already jumping ship for more lucrative platforms. That's not to say I don't welcome new means for input for computer games - I think it's something that has been forgotten in recent years. Whatever happened to immersive virtual reality?

You can't play the game properly without the Future Pad, and the game will warn you when it's loaded that the Future Pad wasn't detected; the ultimate anti-piracy technique? Without the Future Pad, Future Shock becomes nothing more than a collectible piece of novelty software. You can control your ball with the mouse for directional controls and the mouse button stops your ball (it's effected by inertia). If you continue to keep the mouse button down, you can then view the entire play field by scrolling in the direction you want to see with the mouse. Without the Future Pad, you can't jump or do anything else that the recorded game, under the Play menu, demonstrates.

It's a shame - the game looks quite interesting and well made.