Rocket Jockey

Rocket Jockey is an addictive game about "jockeys" who ride on, not horses, but well, rockets. The rocket-cycles go at high speed, but you can only fly about ten feet above the ground. Unless you hit a mine and get shot into the stratosphere. The three games are Rocket War, Rocket Ball, and Rocket Race.

There are hooks that shoot out of the sides of the vehicle that latch onto poles to allow sharp turns, and can connect any of these two things together with a string: Poles, Balls, Mines, Rockets, and Opponents. Opponents can get tied to a pole temporarily, but are out if they are tied to two poles at once. A string tied between two poles acts as a trip wire, and you can pull of parts of vehicles, and clothing off of opponents. You can steal other players' vehicles, or drag the jockey around onto a mine.

On Rocket Race you have to maneuver your rocket-cycle around poles, and over and under bars. Using the hook helps (duh). Try not to let the other guy knock you off of your rocket.

Rocket Ball is pretty much like soccer. But it's timed, and there are three balls. The other guy can steal the ball before it gets into the goal. He may also want to knock you off of your vehicle.

Rocket War is the best part of the game. You and your opponent start in a stadium on your rockets, and there are two guys on the ground without rockets. The score depends on how creative and fast you are dragging, hooking, tripping, running over, and tying the other guys to poles, vehicles, mines, and each other.

Rocket Jockey has a fun "Surf Guitar" soundtrack by Dick Dale. The cover says that you can use LAN multi-player, but I haven't been able to get that to work. For several years we only had the demo version, which was still fun enough.