* Take the two best players in U.S. basketball today. Interview them. Photograph them in action. Study their moves. Study their stats. Study their styles.

* Then, with their help, bit by bit craft a scenario on computer disk. Create in the machine an event which may never happen in real life. Put the two together on a dream court for an electronic afternoon of one-on-one.

* Make it real, sure - with fatigue factors, hot and cold streaks, fouls, a shot clock. But maybe throw in a little whimsy, too - a funny referee, a shattering backboard, even instant replay.

* The name of the game is One-on-One. You're Larry Bird or you're Dr.Julius Erving. That's the last decision you'll have plenty of time to make.

Player characteristics:
The capabilities of the on-screen players reflect those of their real life counterparts. Dr. Julius Erving is the player in the all blue strip. Larry Bird is the player in the white shirt.

Dr. Julius Erving is programmed to be a step quicker driving to the basket. His moves in close are fancier and he can stretch higher and farther and hang in the air longer.

Larry Bird is bigger and stronger, so he's better rebounder and plays more physically intimidating defensive game. Hs also got the better outside shot.

Fatigue:
Continuous running and jumping tires a player out; dribbling slowly and in place gives a little energy back to both players; calling time out gives everyone a full rest.

All this is reflected by changes in each player´s fatigue bar along the bottom of the screen. The longer the bar, the more fatigued the player. Tired players don´t move as quickly as, or defend and shoot as well as, fresh or rested ones.

To call a time out press [J] for Dr. Julius Erving or [B] for Larry Bird prior to restarting play after scroing.

Published in 1983, One on One inspired a generation of computer sports games very much like Julius 'Dr. J' Erving and Larry 'Legend' Bird inspired a generation of basketball players and fans all over the world.

Based on the success of the game, Electronic Arts themselves decided make use of the concept time and again as they released 'Jordan vs. Bird' on the C64 in 1988 and added a 'Michael Jordan 1-on-1' game mode to the 2000 edition edition of the PC-based NBA Live series. Though these sequels are also fine, it is the original that claims for a place in the Hall of Fame of computer game software.

The idea that real-life athletes and their unique abilities should be portrayed in a computer game was nothing short of revolutionary in the early 1980s.

The first sports game on the C64 to feature superstars, One on One captures the graceful athleticism of Erving and the hard-nosed yet superbly intelligent playing style of Bird with excellent accuracy.

The simulation is made even more intriguing by the incorporation of potential hot streaks and the fatigue factor as well as the opportuntiy to choose from a range different game styles and rules. Concentrating on the animation of the players and re-creating the familiar sounds of the basketball court, the artwork of One on One is also a memorable act.

Fine as the simulation is, the supreme playabilty of One on One is guaranteed by something else: the sheer fun of the scenario presented. Without ever getting to see these players in real life or witnessing the intense NBA rivalry between the Boston Celtics (Larry Bird's franchise) and the Philadelphia 76'ers (the team Julius Erving played for) you should be able to enjoy the game to the fullest if you ever laced up or dreamed of lacing up a pair of basketball boots.

Going one on one against an old friend in the backyard is basketball in its simplest and purest form - presented in this computer game with the passion and humour that is the characteristic of athletes and sports games at their best."