In that case I prefer to choose a portable and free C++ distribution, like Dev-Cpp. It´s short good strong and it has good gamme programming devpaks like: Allegro, SDL,GLUT (all them in my possession). Visual Studio.NET is too big (needs two CD ROMS 700MB or a DVD 1+ GB). Another good tools are: BlitzBasic, DarkBasic PRO, Conitec 3D GameStudio. And even with all that, the tools I use most for gamme programming is Flash PLayer 8 with ActionScript 2.0