Know what I mean?

With my sporting head firmly screwed on, I waited for CDS Software's debut Arc release, promised to be the first in a gaggle of games specifically coded for Acorn's 16-bit micro-crushing machine, to chug into memory from the single floppy disc. Sporting Triangles initially pops up a loading-screen, followed closely by a rather tired interpretation of the Central Television sporting knowledge programme's theme music. Beyond the strain of enduring this musical calamity though, I'm sure all fans of this quiz, and trivia likewise, will agree this is a promising taster from a virgin Archimedes software house.

Before diving into the head-spinning array of the 2,500 or so questions included in the game - some graphically connected - the Option screen must be satisfied. In line with the Central TV programme, contestant numbers are limited to three. Any spare places not accommodated by a human player are happily filled by computer substitutes.

This simulated opposition have user-set ability levels attached to them, in case they prove, to the human player's disadvantage, too clever. The cunning computer-generated contestants even supply their own names.

A time limit can be set for the general question round, in a bid to hasten the slower participants into answering.

Playing order is decided on the simulated tumbling of a die, and the screen changes to reveal the sport selection menu.

Twelve specialist subjects are available: Indoor sports, Athletics, USA sports, Equestrian (all things horsey), Soccer, Cricket, Rugby (Union and League), Golf, Tennis, Boxing, Sport-on-wheels and Pot luck.

Players take their turn to choose the appropriate icon for their favourite - although this does not in any way secure an easy passage, or just questions on your selected topic.

Movement later around the board in the standard question rounds, chances a stop on a rival's sport, introducing a twist to the gameplay. In an attempt to retain the novelty of each quizzing session, the questions are loaded from disc in a random sequence. Once installed, battle begins as the display clears to show a graphic of the players and the studio.

The contestant sprites change according to the specialist subject selected, the tennis character looking ferociously like John McEnroe. For the first two rounds all the players trip around a communal triangular board, moving the puck with each die throw.

The suavely portrayed compere then maniacally juts his chin about, blinking busily, while the question fills a text bubble. Guided by your own conscience, and against the rapidly decrementing digital-display clock, the answer is revealedwith a tap of the spacebar and you must award yourself accordingly.

This activity returns again for the fourth and fifth stages, but is interspersed with a panic try and choose the correct response section dubbed Hit for Six. Be smart and plump for the correct personality, deduced from the clues flashed overhead, all in the 30-second countdown period and gain yourself a healthy six-point bonus.

A Jigsaw Picture question cycle involves connecting the slowly disclosed graphic with the appropriate item from the list given, while the quick-fire buzzer type round completes the competition. Here only by stabbing at the contestant's assigned key can you hope to bleep and answer before another gains the point.

Graphics are very accommodating throughout and well designed. Although animation is rare, the game show host does gesticulate in a most amusing, cartoon-like manner and the die rolls smoothly about its axis on each tumble.

Sound is rather disappointing and could have been better exploited, I felt. In particular the short, plodding introductory tune - using the standard internal sound modules - reveals an obvious lack of attention in development.

Progress of scores during play are easily tracked, with the screen switching periodically to show the emulated studio set and player sta tus. The joystick's fire button is offered as an alternative to a thump on the spacebar.

A small handbook provides all the necessary details to enjoy the game, even if it is produced as a cross-format text and details certain keystrokes for other makes of computer - but none for the 32-bit micro release. In playing the game I can claim to have spotted one tiny typing error in the answer text, but can otherwise vouch for the accuracy of the material.

Sporting Triangles certainly does not attempt to woo customers in the Trivial Pursuit general knowledge market - existing computer conversions are too strong for it to succeed here.

However, within its limiting specification Sporting Triangles has been successfully transferred to the Arc and despite its sometimes lackadaisical game play, should not fail to entertain well-readsporting buffs.

Matthew Ridd