OMG! I can't believe I missed this game, which was released in October 1999 if you can believe that. I had read a bit about this game months ago and was intrigued, but never saw enough additional coverage to tickle my memory and remind me to check it out.

Then I saw this Daily Radar review:

http://www.dailyradar.com/reviews/game_review_1235.html

Well, to make a long story short, this game is amazing! It's a robot building game, similar to the classic Robot Odyssey on the Apple //. I could explain it, but just check out these sites and think "modern update in 3D":

http://www.droidquest.com/
http://members.aol.com/Fractal101/odyssey.htm

I know, it sounds geeky, but this game is SO MUCH FUN. And quite polished, now that it's at version 1.07, a year after the initial release. Check out the demo at http://www.mindrover.com -- seriously, guys, don't pass up at least trying the demo of this game.

And if that doesn't grab you, how about this?

"Item: We've been having some fun exercising MindRover's technology. We've
been experimenting with robotics. We can simulate a little robot on screen
in MindRover, then take the MindRover code, pass it through a converter
program (which is already part of MindRover's system), and run it in a Lego
Mindstorms device. It's amazing watching the robot on the screen do the same
thing on the floor.

We haven't got definitive plans with this yet, but we're working on it. Both
Mattel Interactive and now Hasbro Interactive have been sold off from their
parent companies. Does this mean toys and computer games don't go together?
Or does it leave the door open for an innovative small company to fill?"

Amazing. Sign me up. I ordered my copy direct on the strength of the demo.

The story behind the company is touching, too.. a real mom and pop backyard operation, operating on the strength of their conviction about this game.

http://www.cognitoy.com/aboutus/progcontents.htm#menus

The developer diaries since 1997 are fascinating. Really makes me root for the small guys who can produce games like this.

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

Mmmm... Robot Odyssey. I never could get that Subway Token.

MindRover is a game that should have gotten more press. I mean, it's pretty impressive that it's gotten as much as it has considering its origins and publishing model. I think I read that they were going to have a retail release soon. Maybe then it'll get a bit more attention.

I'm the first to admit that the game's not for everyone. I'm not even that good at it. But I certainly have to say it's an impressive product. Mark and/or Tom, if you haven't played it, maybe check it out and draw more attention to it. I think it deserves it.

EB's been selling the boxed product for weeks now.