Cyraid

It's 3090 A.D. Do you know where your mother is? You battle-hardened Game Boy vets probably think you ve seen all the dirty tricks a video villain can muster. Not quite! In Nexoft's Cyraid, Rogue, a deranged doc-tor of cyber-robotic science, pulls one of the lowest moves yet-he kidnaps Mom! That's right, kids, this time it's personal.

Looking for Mom

Cyraid is really a puzzle game in adventure cart's clothing. Your goal is to maneuver through five levels and 56 rooms, each containing a multi-floor maze. You must bust open several Energy Blocks in each room to open a secret passageway to the next room.

The perspective is side view and you see the entire room/maze onscreen. The graphics, although Game Boy sharp, aren't noteworthy, but there's plenty to keep you busy.

You get your kicks as one of two mama's boys, Wdrrior or Fighter. In fact, kicking is basically your Only skill. With two G-Boys, two Cyraids, and a Game Link you can race your bro' through every room.

Rooms to Roam

This game requires brains not brawn even though you have to kick through stone blocks and boot sections of ladder together to reach all the Energy Blocks. You need patience, tinning, and the ability to plan moves ahead to figure out the best paths up the floors and stay away from dead (really dead) ends. Oh yeah, look out for spikes, laser traps, and acid pools, too.

Of course, you aren't alone. Seven types of raunchy robots can put the bite on you, but it's pretty easy to kick ladders at 'em or drop, blocks on 'em. They're slow but persistent. Watch out for the fat "Donut Hole" monster that rematerializes blocks you've destroyed. Stand in the wrong place and you're stoned. Also, three levels have end bosses and to free Mom you have to face Rogue.

Breaking blocks can reveal seven types of helpful items including extra lives, power-ups,, and temporary invincibility, but find the treasure chest for a powerful weapon. Each level alsofeatures a bonus round where you try to stock up on all this good stuff.

Yo Mama

This excellent cart is a brain teaser that's a real pleaser. You'll enjoy working your way through Cyrgid, but set aside a good chunk of time, it's a mother.