Cricket games: better than the real thing?
Computer cricket games are part of the fun for most young (and some older) cricketers. The virtual cricket world is almost as complex as the real one, and it takes great skill to be an expert. Young cricketers can show adults some of the finer points, but here are some dos and don’ts that can help everyone.
Many cricket game developers are also cricket fans and bring reality and fine details to their designs. But, it is still difficult to turn such a complex sport into an entertaining video game. Therefore, please be aware that the games may not look as realistic as, for example, football or basketball games.
However, cricket fans can still enjoy virtual cricket, especially the highly rated games. There are even rating lists and expert reviews to help you choose the right game for your family.
Look for games that are realistic and with enough difficulty levels to be challenging and long lasting. The best titles let you control batsmen, bowlers and fielders. Also, watch out for a selection of international matches, one day matches, test matches and friends. And look for titles that are licensed to use real player names.
Cricket games fall into three general categories. Arcade guys let you interact directly with batsmen, bowlers and fielders. Cricket simulations allow you to manage your team’s tactics. Can you get better results out of your team than Michael Vaughan or Rahul Dravid?
A third option is to try your hand at fantasy cricket. This demands totally different skills than computer related games. If you think you can manage an international cricket team better than the pros, why not give it a try?
For computer cricket games, the speed of your Internet connection and the processing speed of your PC make a difference. Online cricket games like Stick Cricket are a lot of fun, but don’t expect detailed graphics and fast response times. Modern PCs or game consoles are better for speed and detail; you can buy games for them as downloads or on CD.
The value for money is also important. You can find some free cricket games online and some simple games are free downloads. Others have free online demos but charge to download a full version. Shareware games allow you to try a short trial download before you buy.
PC and console games provide the fastest, most detailed graphics and realistic gameplay, eg EA Cricket or Brian Lara International Cricket. These best-selling brands have competed for several years to be the best PC/console cricket game. EA Cricket 2006 was released in November 2006 and BLIC 07 in March 2007. There are rave reviews online for both games.
Computer games have improved dramatically in the last 10 years, but the new Nintendo Wii system opens up a whole new range of possibilities. How about the motion-sensing Wii-mote as a substitute for the bat in a multiplayer game, or even as a training tool? Will the Wii ever make cricket games as exciting as the real thing?