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24! 32! 48! Hut! Hut Hut! Incredible, isn't it? People actually talk like that!

If you are a fan of that bonecrunching spectacle Americans call football which draws massive audiences to Channel 4 at teatime on Sundays, you're going to love this computerised version.

Argus Software has come up with the first really worthwhile version of the game that has become increasingly popular in the UK over the past three years.

You can either take on the computer or play a human opponent in this game of strategy and muscle. Strategy is the right word here as you have to mastermind your team's march to victory by utilising various tactics presented to you by the program.

The instructions - on screen and in the comprehensive instruction manual - list a series of "plays" you can use when on the offence or when defending. You key these "plays" by using simple two keys instructions - and the computer works out the outcome.

The attacking team aims to score a touchdown by utilising the various plays and strategies available, while the defending team aims to stop them.

The computer acts as the referee and throws in penalties from time to time in a somewhat arbitrary manner. This is one of the annoying features of an otherwise well executed program. Just like the real live players, you get really annoyed when a penalty decision comes up!

At half time and at the end of the game you get a statistics readout - how many years your quarterback ran in the game, how many interceptions were made and so on. The program allows you to get a print-out of the result and the stat-sheet. Another nice touch.

The game comes with an informative booklet - well worth the money on its own as it actually helps you understand what you see on telly too! Ken Thomas, editor of Touchdown magazine, the official NFL publication in this country, has written an interesting, easy-to-understand guide to the game and a list of all the jargon used. Great stuff - and even a five foot weakling can play it without fear of terminal damage! A Commodore 64 version should be available soon.