Croaker heads this compilation tape of five golden oldies
and is similar to Frogger. Your aim is to dodge traffic on a
busy road then use floating logs and turtles as stepping
stones to cross a river.
Later screens become more difficult as crocodiles appear
and the turtles dive. Graphics are well drawn with smooth
character movement. Although the sound becomes a little
monotonous it can be switched off.
The next game is Blagger, a platforms and ladders game
with a burglar called, Roger the Dodger. With him you steal
through 20 screens.
Unfortunately, most of the obstacles don't fit in with the
scenario: Conveyor belts and disappearing platforms are fine
but spaceships and railway engines are hard to explain,
while giant mouths with gnashing teeth, although graphically
effective, do not normally pursue even the most villainous
criminal.
The sound effects are basic with the movement not always
realistic resulting in Roger staying in the air for so long that
Nureyev would begreen with envy.
Swag is next and another game for baddies where you
must collect £250,000 in diamonds before your opponent.
And you are dodging bullets and killer droids all the time.
The screen shows two houses where you and your opponent
hide your ill-gotten gains, and also the bank where a
deposit of gold allows you a further supply of bullets.
Police cars interfere with your progress but can be stopped
after a drink "that refreshes parts others can't reach" and
shooting at their car.
Graphics are excellent, sound is good, and the action is
very fast, for my money the best game on the tape.
Millionaire is a simulation where you are head of a software
company and must make the necessary decisions on
marketing, including whether to trade with Honest Harry.
The program is virtually all text, graphics being limited to a
picture of the type of office you occupy, starting from a
terraced house.
The questions posed are reasonably representative ofthe
sort of decisions that are made in business but too much
depends on luck.
The last item is Bug Eyes 2, a multi-screen sequel to
Space Agent Zelda Meets the Bug Eyes.
In the first game, Zelda took on the might of the Xxabaneans
and was captured. Your job is to search their flagship
and find the 25 keys to release her while avoiding the
nasties.
Sound is good, and the graphics are composed of smooth
moving chunky sprites. I especially liked the way that, as you
exit each screen, one of Sir Clive's C5s is waiting for you.
I rate Bug Eyes 2 and Swag as the best on this compilation
and if you have neither of these it becomes excellent value.
The other games tend tobea little dated and I would not buy
it for them alone but they are worth having to build up your
collection.