No one complains more than myself about some lousy ratings, some unrealistic results and computer managers who take a coffee break at the wrong time. Sometimes I overlook the 98.3% of what is right about Action, and the skills and technology that made it all possible. My ingratitude was somewhat diminished when I thought of the games I used to play, starting in the late 50's.
Ethan Allen's "All-Star Baseball", the one with the spinner and the discs had zero pitching and the statistical accuracy of the hitters was non-existent. But the game did generate controversy worthy of 2009 forum debates. It was the spinner stopping on the black line all the time; from what angle were you gonna read the result? You had to set ground rules, and the spinner couldn't stand much punishment.
The first "replay" game I sent away for was Negamco basketball. Player cards and a spinner that could land on any of 100 numbers. The time clock couldn't have been more accurate - "x" number of spins per quarter. Negamco was the first to come out with college teams, and one of the categories you could spin for let you "freeze" the ball. What 30-second clock? Their hockey game was similar and had all six (6) NHL teams.
Negamco also had a terrific college football game: No individual players, but lettered ratings for offense and defense and a few charts. And, of course, the 100-numbered spinner. The same company also had the deluxe Big League Manager Football, but I didn't like it. A few years ago, dissatisfied with SOM, I bought an old Negamco football game on the Internet. Using modern technology, I substituted random number charts for the spinner, and really tried to make a "go" of it. After weeks of preparation researching college teams from the 40's and 50's, I began my tournament. It lasted four games and I went back to SOM.
In the '70's "Sports Illustrated" came out with a few dice-generated games. You could play 1962 Dartmouth against 1966 Michigan State and stand a chance to win. In real life, the point spread would have been about 78 1/2. SI's best game was "Decathalon". I'd love to see a computer version of it. Carl Lewis against Jim Thorpe.
And did I forget to mention Negamco's boxing game, APBA golf, Vince Lombardi Football, and .......








