SLASH products have been called a bane to retro PC game collectors, everywhere.   They are sometimes presented by eBay sellers (among others) as original software – whether knowingly or unwittingly – and although such titles are not counterfeits, they are worth only a fraction of the price of the original releases.   This article contains information to help retro game collectors learn how to avoid purchasing a SLASH title for the price of an original release.

HISTORY
Based in Minneapolis, the SLASH Corporation was a game company which repackaged and resold classic 1980s PC titles from such companies as Sierra On-Line, LucasArts Entertainment, Electronic Arts, The Software Toolworks, and others.   Its President (founder?) was Charles F. Bond, and it existed as an independent company from 1991 to 1995.   In June of 1996, GT Interactive Software Corp purchased SLASH, and reintroduced it as part of their Value Products Division.   Mr. Bond was given a seat on the board of directors and the title of Vice-President, SLASH Division.

HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE
So how can a collector of classic games distinguish between an original PC game and a re-published SLASH version?  Well, this guide would be fairly pointless f it couldn’t answer this question, wouldn’t it!  In fact, there are FIVE (5) distinguishing features of a SLASH product.   (Note: not all characteristics will be common to every game; some will have one or two features from this list, some more, some all. )

The Box The Label The Box Cover Art The Diskettes Manuals & Other Documentation

1. The Box: SLASH re-releases come in cheap, white, one-piece cardboard boxes with flapped openings on either end.   Original releases are usually come in higher grade cardboard boxes, often with the company logo affixed in some way upon them.

2. The Label: Most system requirements labels for older games were affixed onto the box or slipcover casing AFTER it had been manufactured.   This permitted companies to use the same box for different platforms (such as MS-DOS, Apple II or Macintosh).   SLASH re-releases have their labels as part of the box itself.   Further, SLASH re-releases often use black lettering on white labels, whereas original releases will have color within the label or graphic images (such as the company logo).   For those SLASH re-releases that use the original system requirements box on the cover, and not the white background/black print, the lettering is difficult to read.   The reason is:

3.   The Cover Art: Original releases often have crisp, breathtaking covers.   Due to the inferior quality of computer graphics of the day, covers were not of game images, but of conceptual art.   A SLASH re-release uses those same covers, but since they are reprints of scanned images, the quality is somewhat poor.   SLASH covers seem out-of-focus, fuzzy and difficult to read the printing.   Often, the black print/white label stands in stark contrast to the cover image, appearing to have been placed over the original release cover, scanned in, and then reprinted.

4. The Diskettes: The 3. 5″ and/or 5. 25″ disks found in original PC game releases usually have color labels, company logos or graphic art.   SLASH re-releases use plain black lettering on a white label.

5. Manuals & Other Documentation: SLASH re-releases use photocopies of the original game documents, printed in monochrome on cheap paper, clearly in an effort to keep the cost of their reproduction as low as possible.   No special brochures, high-quality glossy covers, or any other extras that the original PC game releases used!

One last thought: if your goal is to play one of these classic games, a SLASH re-release is one of the least expensive methods of acquiring a physical copy of it.   Don’t forget that your new computer may not be able to play those ancient games, though!

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If you used to love to go to arcade as a young person and long for those classic games, you can find many of those same, beloved games as computer games. You will find plenty of fun games that will take you back in time, before games got complicated. Below, we will be taking a look at the Paxcon Game, Chuck Norris, Hansen’s Eyebrows, Rainy Ride and Playing with Fire 2.

1. Paxcon Game: This game involves you filling empty spaces and trapping ghosts using walls. You get to move up a level when you fill 75% of the empty spaces. You have to get away from the ghosts. You will have a life taken away if you are captured by the ghosts. “Power ups” allow you to get to the next level much faster.

2. Chuck Norris: Who doesn’t think Chuck Norris is cool? In this game you will be Chuck Norris and you will be fighting against attacking ninjas. You will be fighting to kill and will be allowed to move up a level every time that you defeat your enemies.

3. Hansen’s Eyebrows: This is a game that involves World Cup Football. It is pinball games you earn points by scoring goals pass the keeper. You have to be careful not to hit the referee or you may bet a red card and subsequently lose a life. Hansen’s eyebrows will allow you to shoot the football and score goals.

4. Rainy Ride: In Rainy Ride, you will be helping a girl named Maggie makes it to her home safely. In order to do this, you will need to wade through rainy water. You must watch out for obstacles in the water that will try to keep you from getting Maggie home.

5. Playing With Fire 2: This is a fun game that you can play against a friend or the computer. You must use strategy to lay bombs. You will attempt to blow up blocks that will blast your opponent. You will also be looking to directly bomb your enemies.

There are plenty of computer games that will allow you to play your favourite arcade games anytime that you like. You will plenty of free downloadable games online that will allow you to kick back and play some of the same games that you would spend all day playing at the arcade. If you don’t have a favourite arcade game, try the ones listed above, Paxcon, Chuck Norris, Hansen’s Eyebrows, Rainy Ride and Playing with Fire 2. These are all really fun and really simple games that anyone can pick and learn very quickly. If you’re favourite game is not included on this list. Don’t worry. It doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. It surely does somewhere. To find out, simply take some time and look through various free online games sites. You are bound to find scores of fun games, both known and unknown.

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If you are looking for an alternative to classic games, online games that you can find today everywhere on the Internet might be just what you are looking for. You can search the Internet around the world for all sorts of games and know exactly what games are more popular with players today. You will notice that games offer is very diverse: there are car games, racing, action games, strategy games, games that feature popular cartoon characters, Lord of the Ring games, Star War Games, mystery games, games of paintball and the list could continue indefinitely.
  There are also games you can download and play on your personal computer games you can play online against other players and even games where you can apply certain strategies, build an empire, a castle, d ' buy credits online and so on. There are some advantages of playing online games is that you can read them anytime, day or night because the game never stops. You'll also be able to create a new world and have fun. Some of these games you find online are even for free, or you are offered a free trial, and if you like this game, you can buy, download and play anytime. Online games are played by hundreds of people at once, so you can deal with virtual players while engaging in various tasks.
  These online games are also accessible to all. The rules are explained in detail, so that everyone can try to play. There's even a demo of the game where we can imagine a few tips that will assist you in May during the match. And remember, if you want to get good at a game and go to the nest level, you must train and play a lot. Typically, these online games are designed in different levels, and the goal is to get the highest possible level.
  If you have never played an online game before give it a try! It is sure to end up in your list of favorite things to do. You can find a complete list of fun games on the Internet if you search for games com. Be ready to have fun and develop new skills to play in a virtual world.
  By Mike Rad