It's driving me nuts!

The year was 1980something.

Before Ebad and all the other online auction sites, we had to make do with television acutions. These weeklong media events would offer everything, from food to art, clothes to cleaning. Once you saw something you wanted, you'd call in to the station and speak to one of the hordes of operators waiting to take your call. They were strangly compelling, these auctions. You just had to watch and see what happened. Maybe you'd find that elusive needle in a haystack you'd been looking for, or just sit back and watch how much people would bid for certain items. These auctions could be enthralling.

Well, Sportscenter wasn't as big as it is now, let's just say. We had a few less options for our viewing pleasure back then.

No! No! Surely not! I know you don't believe me. Ask me some day to tell you the story of the rotary phone. I digress.

It was as a result of one of these TV auctions that I came to know and love the game, "Pirates!"

Gaming genius Sid Meier has recently re-released an updated version of this game. I say updated, because basically all of the old gameplay is there, with some very fresh additions. It was a real trip down memory lane as I booted it up for the first time this past weekend. Probably 10 years had passed since I last played it, and as I headed out to sea, everything was as I remember it, down to the sailing controls and fencing moves. Even a copy of the old parchment map was included with the game. It was like riding a bike again. Except I was raiding and plundering the Spanish Main. Some things you never forget.

Many new features were added, like a variety of shot types for your cannons and upgrades for your ships. You can even dance with Governor's daughters to win their affections. Great stuff. It all flows together to enhance the wonderful flavor of that old Mac game I used to spend hours playing.

Players new to the game may find it a bit simple, or at times cartoonish. Also, some of the initial load times between screens can be a bit longer than you'd like. I've also had a few problems with my video card acting up while playing. However, I wouldn't be totally surprized if one day it popped out of my computer case and it's head started spinning around, a la "The Exorcist". So take that last problem with a grain of salt.

I guess the best compliment I can give to this game is once I installed it, the rest of my weekend flew by in haze of gold dubloons and swashbuckling adventure.

Watch out, Blackbeard. The next set of sails you see on the horizon might be mine.