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New Generation's latest contribution to the software market is the highly recommended 3D Tunnel. On the cassette, there are two versions of the game available, 16K and 48K. The 16K version comes in two parts, playing sequences and practice modes which have to be loaded separately. The 48K version has the added attraction of a demonstration mode (which anyone could watch for a long time in fascination) and a London Underground train to avoid.

The whole object of the game is to shoot as many assorted creatures as possible, and to avoid the underground train (48K only). Points are awarded as follows:

Hitting a bat ... 20 points Hitting a toad ... 40 points Hitting a spider ... 60 points Hitting a rat ... 80 points Avoiding the underground train ... 100 points

Provision has been made within the program for the use of joystick control - Kempston Microelectronics and AGF are to be sed. If theuser does not have this facility, the normal keyboard can be used with a varying combination of control keys.

When the program is loaded, you are greeted with an options page. This shows the selection of speeds available - fast, medium, or slow. There are also practice modes for each phase of the game:

Phase 2: Crawling spiders Phase 3: Leaping toads Phase 4: Scurrying rates Phase 5: London Underground (48K only)

Any one of these modes can be selected along with the speed to start the practice sequence.

Highly recommended maybe, but my first disappointment came with the start of the game - the so-called 3D Tunnel is no more than variating borders of colour whizzing towards you (depending on the selected speed). I would have liked to have seen, at the least, vanishing points at the corners of the tunnel walls to give the view more perspective although actual graphics within the game are superb.

My second disappointment came when I first started to play the game; the first phase, Flapping bats, has no end! I have sat at my Spectrum for twenty solid minutes without managing to complete this first phase. I find this very discouraging - surely the actual game is not another practice mode?

At £5.95 3D Tunnel is good value to anyone who is prepared to sit at the computer for hours just to reach the other end of the tunnel!