Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 173

CN Chicago Tribune, Frtdny, Novamtw 29, 1991 Section 7 77 i j1" T7 'r rn Super NES, Sega Genesis in 1 6-bit duel Self-help videotapes make dining an art By Mary Stevens SMi ant to really shine at those important holi-fif day gatherings? These new self-help videos I offer confidence-boosting advice from ex- Public Media Video's "The Art of Dining" is a set of two programs ($14.95 11 By Dennis Lynch I mm i orgct the Bulls versus the mJ Lakers, the Twins versus the iri Braves or Trump versus a Maples. The big battle of 1991 is shaping up to be Sonic the Hedgehog versus the Super Mario Bros. That might sound like a matchup of bizarrely named World Wresting Federation contenders, but it is actually a battle of a couple of corporate spokesthings who carry on their shoulders the fates of the two biggest players in the video-game industry, Sega and Nintendo. Both companies are aggressively marketing their 16-bit game systems. Other would-be contenders, such as each) that explain the do's and don't's of entertaining (or being entertained) when it's critical to make a good impression for instance, at the office Christmas party or on an elegant New Year's Eve date.

The programs are hosted by Marja-belle Young Stewart, who has written more than a dozen books on etiquette and has a nationwide chain of etiquette schools. Last week's top releases Toy Soldiers Only the Lonely Soapdish Top prospect City Slickers (Wednesday) The Sega Genesis game system and some of its titles; below, Populous, one of the titles for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. "The Business Lunch" tells viewers how to extend a lunch invitation, choose the restaurant, order the meal, manage hard-to-handle foods, tip and end the meeting. "The Formal Dinner" covers sending and responding to invitations, seating guests, using correct dining utensils, making a toast and exiting gracefully. To order the "Art of Dining" tapes directly from Public Media, call 800-323-4222.

And internationally famous makeup artist Mark Hayles shares his tned-and-true beauty tips in "A Private Lessonr The Estee Lauder Makeup Video" He demonstrates application methods for I i three makeup styles (polished daytime, glamorous, nighttime or any time natural) on three women of -7v i i tJ V5 amereni generations: supermoaei rauiina ronzKova, her mother and her teenage cousin. The video is sold at Estee Lauder counters and comes with a certificate for a complimentary makeup consultation so it's not surprising that it promotes the use of Estee Lauder products. However, by imitating Hayles' techniques, similar results See New videos, pg. 80 Following It Billboard's list of videocassette rentals and sales tor the week ending Nov. 30.

New to chart) Videocassett rentals NEC and SNK, also are pushing systems that they claim are the best for home game-playing. With so many choices available, it's tough for consumers to know which system to buy. The good news is that no matter which of the new systems you get, you can't go far wrong. Each represents a quantum leap forward from the technology found in 8-bit game systems such as the ubiquitous Nintendo Entertainment System. Still, each system has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Here, then, is a review of the new releases in hardware and software from the major players in the home video-game market Prices listed are suggested retail. The Super flES The Super NES has been the subject of so much hype that it is almost with surprise that I can report that it lives up to its advance billing. The Super NES is a snap to install; I had it up and running in under 5 min-i utes. It boasts not only a slick design but also a palette of more than 32,000 colors (the other major game systems offer 512), digital stereo sound, and two times as much memory as the Genesis (and 16 times as much as the Tur-boGrafx). On the downside, the system costs $200, about a third more than its major competitors.

Also, forget about using any NES cartridges you might already own; the Super NES is not compatible with its famous predecessor. Moreover, only a limited amount of software about a dozen titles is currently available for the machine, though that figures to change over the coming months. The software currently available, though, is so impressive that once you try the Super NES, youH probably never go back to playing "regular" Nintendo again. For example, the Super NES comes packaged with one game, Super Mario World, that is bound to cause countless millions of kids to spend countless more millions of hours in front of the screen exploring 96 levels. Some of the recent releases in the Mario Bros, series have lacked the charm and whimsy of the Dare 11.

One Good Cop 12. Mortal Thoughts 13. Defending Your Life 14. The Doors 15. The Hard Way 16.

A Kiss Before Dying 17. Home Alone 18. Awakenings 19. Sleeping With the Enemy 20. Stone Cold 1.

The Silence of the Lambs 2. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 3. Fantasia 4. Backdraft 5. The Godfather Part III 6.

Class Action 7. Dances With Wotves 8. What About Bob? 9. Switch 10. Madonna Truth or Videocassette sales The Sega Genesis Sega is betting on Sonic the Hedgehog to outducl the Super Mario and so far Sonic is doing just that.

In several recent months the Hedgehog cartridge has been the bestsel-ling video game in the country. The cartridge has become so popular that sales of the Sega Genesis (which includes a Sonic cartridge as part of its $150 price) are up 500 percent from the same time last year. It's not hard to see why. Sonic the Hedgehog is a clever and cute game that can be enjoyed equally by young and old, males and females. The game is a dazzling array of bright-colored graphics, and the animation is the fastest and smoothest you'll see anywhere.

If, like many other players, you've become hooked on the Hog, here's a special pre-Christmas present for you: To start play at the level of your choice, at the opening screen press these keys in this order up, down, left, right; wait for the bell; then press A and Start at the same time. You'll then get to pick a level to start on. Besides the lovable Hedgehog, another reason for considering buying the Genesis is the large library of titles more than 150 of them currently available for the system. Indeed, LO of the 25 best-selling video games are Genesis See Video games, pg. 82 original, but this title recaptures the spirit that made the Bros, so popular.

Other Super NES titles include: F-Zero (Nintendo; $50) is a futuristic racing game that is so realistic that I almost get carsick every time 1 play it You race one of four hovercars on one of seven tracks. The great graphics and i sound win the checkered flag for this one. Populous (Acclaim; $60). This adult-oriented game of world creation was a hit on personal computers and is now available for both the Super NES and the Genesis. Interestingly enough, the Super NES version has 10 landscapes and 989 levels, about twice as many levels as the Genesis version.

The Super NES also has 8-channel stereo sound; the Genesis has just mono unless you buy a special cable to hook the Genesis to your stereo system. Ryne Sandberg's Super Bases Loaded III (Jaleco; $50) offers an interesting approach to baseball simulations. After each arcade-style game, you'll be rated in 13 As you get better, the quality of the competition improves as well. A version is also available for the NES for $50. Pilotwings (Nintendo; $50) gives players the experience of flight in a number of ways, from skydiving to hang gliding, from piloting a biplane to flying a helicopter.

You can even strap on a rocket pack if you wish. 1. Fantasia Disney 2. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Warner 3. The Rescuers Down Under Disney 4.

Ghost Paramount 5. Home Alone Fox 6. The Jungle Book Disney 7. Citizen Kane: 50th Anniversary Edition Turner 8. The Terminator Hemdale 9.

The Hunt for Red October Paramount 10. Prince and the N.P.Q.: Gett Off WarnerReprise.