When you get tired of driving, try flying.
Clever adaptations of virtual helicopter games and popular car games, take your virtual arcade experience, literally, to a higher level.
The most advanced helicopter games may, in fact, make you feel as if you are flying, and your banked 3-G turns may inspire a vague sensation of vertigo.
The basics of helicopter games In the little dialogue boxes that show you the instructions, the games seem deceptively simple: Use the arrow keys to control up and down, forwards and backwards; use the mouse to control your speed-or some variation of those combinations.
The only complicated part is that doing it simultaneously thing; going forward and going up is not as easy as intuition suggests.
One simple answer: Practice, practice, practice.
Of course, while you practice, you should play against the computer, because it provides more than enough competition for a newbie, and the mountains can creep up on you really fast.
When you get that first little inkling of cockiness, try playing against another person, learning the real life definition of "newb.
" After a little more practice with online competition in mind, return to virtual competition determined the carve out your place in the helo-pilots' hall of fame.
Start your virtual helicopter gaming experience with "HeliRacer"-challenging enough that you will build all the skills you need to become an ace, but not so overwhelming that you will surrender your pilot's license before you complete your first trip around the course.
Like all online games, "HeliRacer" challenges your dexterity, requiring your quickness on the arrow keys and your self-control on the touchpad or space bar.
Don't worry.
After you crash and explode into flames, you bounce right back and are free to resume your flight.
More advanced helicopter gaming.
The most sophisticated, high-tech helicopter games approximate the experience of a flight simulator, putting you in the cockpit and challenging you to complete all kinds of dangerous missions or death-defying races.
Developed in 3D with exceptionally realistic graphics, the high-end games admittedly make "HeliRacer" look like kindergarten stuff.
Just remember that you had to walk before you could run.
The basic skills remain the same; the multi-tasking becomes more daunting.
Caution: Helicopter games may be habit-forming.
Of course, as you compete, you will make new friends, and you will rise in the rankings; you also will earn medals and badges-all the paraphernalia that tells the world what an ace you have become.
The combination of the fun factor in the games, the friendships you develop as you compete online, and all those awards makes helicopter games dangerously addictive.
Your social networking friends may begin to complain that you are neglecting them, because you like your helicopter games far more than you enjoy turning thumbs-up on their vacation pictures.
If your boss complains that you seem to love your helicopter games more than your job, you may want to work some minor adjustments in your priorities.