Simulation Games

When you get down to it, all video games are simulations. Whether you're attempting to see what it's like to face down a big league pitcher or live the life of a hitman, all without leaving your living room, you look to video games to simulate some sort of fantasy. Simulation games cross many genres, but tend to share the most common ground with Planning Games, and many titles are interchangeable between the two categories. For the purpose of this buying guide we'll focus on games that specialize in simulation, such as flight, hunting and fishing simulators, as well as microeconomic management simulation software.

Consoles
Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2 : Head out into the forest gunning for big-game, but watch out for other hunters' bullets and ornery animals who don't take too kindly to the idea of becoming dinner.	Sky Odyssey : Flight simulators for today's consoles are rare, but Sky Odyssey does it right with its adventure-placed gameplay. The graphics are a little weak but the smooth physics and intriguing missions make up for the deficiency.	The Godfather : Work your way to the top of the Corleone family in this adventure/mob film simulation. Much of the game feels as though you're re-living the movie as supporting character who was behind the scenes on the silver screen.	Rapala Pro Fishing : If only fishing were this exciting in real life. Take on other pros in high-stakes tournaments, trying to bag the most gilled creatures with the right combo of lures, rod choice and casting techniques.

Handhelds
Super Black Bass Fishing : Despite the title, black bass aren't the only fish that bite in this fishing sim. More than 500 species are swimming around in the virtual lake, waiting to fall for you hook, line and sinker.	Cabela's Dangerous Hunts : The PSP version of the console and arcade hit is just as good-looking and thrilling as its counterpart. Anyone can gun down a poor little quail, but it takes guts to face down a tiger.	World Series of Poker : This could be classified as a sports title, but few besides ESPN programmers consider poker a sport. Sit down in Las Vegas with the great ones and see if you can bluff your way to the $1 million grand prize.	Zoo Tycoon DS : Manage your own zoo, attempting to maximize patronage while minimizing cost. You also have to protect your animals with the proper habitat and food or else face creature deaths and a guilty conscience.

Computer
The Movies : Play director and studio head in this Hollywood industry simulation. Choosing from among movie stars, expensive sets and an array of special effects choices, you try to make blockbuster films and draw audiences while also being able to pull down prestige with Oscar-friendly releases. The game even includes a feature that lets you make your own animated short films.	Cabela's Big Game Hunter : Cabela owns the hunting simulation genre because the developer knows exactly what it takes  to get the blood flowing in the ammo & hiking boots set. This PC title packs in loads of invigorating hunts -- grizzly bears, anyone? -- that would cost way too much to pull off in real life.	Commuter Pilot : This business  flight simulation puts you in the manager's chair. You fly businessmen back and forth from a small town to a larger hub airport, choosing the routes that will make your business most successful.	Railroad Tycoon 3 : There's big money to be made on the railroad system in 19th and early 20th century America. Figure out the optimal routes, materials and business strategies to make the money train come in and pay for your virtual heirs' Ivy League educations.

Classic
The Oregon Trail : Everyone who didn't play this one in grade school raise your hand. The former computer class staple has you lead a pioneer family across the tough terrain to the promised land of the great Pacific Northwest. Hunt for food, distribute rations and fret over whether or not to try to ford rivers with your dinky covered wagon.	Super Black Bass : What's so super about the black bass? Does it wear spandex and fly? Actually, the name just signifies the Super Nintendo console for which the game was made. Give this old game a try and you'll see how influential it was on the current crop of fishing games. You'll also noticed how vastly graphics have improved.	Pilotwings : The Super Nintendo really took flight with this advanced -- for its time -- flight simulator, which had you pulling off tumble maneuvers, bank turns takeoffs and landings.	Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator : This primitive, difficult-to-navigate Atari 2600 is only for the most die-hard Trekkers. Manage your fleet and try to shoot down some Klingons.

External Links

• GameSpot -- One of the top gaming resources on the net.
• IGN -- Covers video games as well as the rest of the entertainment world.
• Game Informer -- An excellent video game magazine's home page.
• About.com Computer Sim Guide -- About.com's guide to the best in computer simulation games.