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September 24th, 2008

Microsoft Tinker - Best Ultimate Extra so far (although the bar is set pretty low)

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 5:33 am

Categories: Microsoft, Vista

Tags: Extra, Microsoft Corp., Games, 64-Bit, Robots, Network Technology, Personal Technology, Processors, Semiconductors, Hardware

Microsoft has released three new Ultimate Extras exclusively for Windows Ultimate users. One of the extras, Microsoft Tinker (a game in which you control a little robot around an obstacle course), is surprisingly a lot of fun.

The three extras released were:

  • Tinker
  • Ultimate Extras Sounds from Microsoft Tinker
  • Windows DreamScene Content Pack #4

The sounds and the content pack for DreamScene are, well, OK if you like that kind of stuff (from what I can gather the whole purpose of DreamScene is to heat up your CPU).

Tinker is different. Why? Because it’s a lot of fun. OK, it’s fun if you like that sort of thing, but Tinker is the kind of game that I think is capable of burrowing into your head, especially if you like a good puzzle. Sure, it’s aimed at the casual gamer, but it’s got that sort of Solitaire/FreeCell feel to it that’s capable of melting away hours.

Microsoft Tinker

A couple of oddities:

  • The game seems to be 32-bit only. While it runs just fine on 64-bit, I’m surprised that there’s no dedicated 64-bit version.
  • There’s mention of a level editor, but so far I’ve not found it. It’s here.

Microsoft Tinker - Where's the level editor?

I give Tinker a score of 7 out of 10, making it the best Ultimate Extra to date.

For more information on Tinker, visit the Microsoft website.

Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 8 Talkback(s)
Levels database
I found web where people can share their own levels. It's http://www.playtinker.com/... (Read the rest)
Posted by: prevsetko Posted on: 10/29/08 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Tinker editor...  jtb_ventura | 09/24/08
Thanks for that  Adrian Kingsley-HughesZDNet Moderator | 09/24/08
RE: Microsoft Tinker - Best Ultimate Extra so far (although the bar is set pretty low)  epobirs | 09/24/08
RE: Microsoft Tinker - Best Ultimate Extra so far (although the bar is set  drprodny | 09/25/08
Ultimate Tinker Ultimate Levels  m.rheenen82@... | 10/09/08
RE: Microsoft Tinker - Best Ultimate Extra so far (although the bar is set pretty low)  squidgy5 | 10/17/08
RE: Microsoft Tinker - Best Ultimate Extra so far (although the bar is set pretty low)  codhubiv | 10/20/08
Levels database  prevsetko | 10/29/08

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