Mac gaming enthusiasts have long lamented the often anemic selection of games on the shelves of their local computer superstores and software retailers. Apple’s looking to change that perception, however — a new article on Apple’s Web site calls Apple’s own retail stores a “paradise found” for Macintosh gaming fans.
Since Apple first began to open its own chain of retail stores this past May, the company has increased efforts to get software onto store shelves. To its credit, Apple has given equal billing to games along with productivity software, creative software and other products for the Mac. Apple quoted one recent customer who called the games selection in his local Apple Store the best he had seen for Macintoshes anywhere. After visiting numerous Apple stores, this reporter is inclined to agree — Apple has done an admirable job of keeping the hottest Mac game titles stocked on its store shelves.
Apple Stores feature a Kids section outfitted with iMacs that younger users can sit down and use to their hearts’ content. Each iMac in the store comes loaded with five games that are ready to play: Bugdom, Cro-Mag Rally, Jump Start Preschool, Nanosaur and Toy Story 2 Activity Center. The kids section also has shelves full of edutainment and kids’ game software, but that only scratches the surface — elsewhere in the Apple Store, the shelves are chock full of the latest “hardcore” Mac OS games too, including many that are optimized for Mac OS X.
Need another incentive to take a gaming supply run to your local Apple Store? Apple said that the stores also feature joysticks and gamepads. And, if you’re not lucky enough to have an Apple Store near enough to visit yet, Apple noted that many of the same products are available through the online Apple Store, too! For more details, including photos of the Apple Store’s games selection, visit Apple’s Web site at the link above.