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Don't expect to see any of the G-Force stars of the TV cartoon series Battle Of The Planets once you've loaded in Mikro-Gen's latest release. What you can expect is an addictive and action-packed space shoot-'em-up in the Elite tradition.

The G-Force may be conspicuous by their absence - but what you get are some really fast and smooth vector graphics, exciting action and a touch of strategy to spice things up.

Zoltar's space invasion fleets surround each planet and are beaming down landers which will eventually destroy the planets - unless you can get to them first.

You have to clear the skies around each planet of alien craft and then zap down to the planet's surface - via Star Wars-style space stations - where you'll find the heavily armed lander-tanks waiting to do battle.

Destroy them, Rendezvous with repair and fuel craft on the surface and then it's back to space to find a stargate and a quick trip onto the next planet.

The G-Force ship is equipped with long range indicators which flash up icons on your view screen. These show alien craft, space stations and stargates. Learn which is which - quickly! - and you are half way to a big score.

The icons also show the position of these various objects - so you'll soon learn how to reach them. Your ship also has various equipment when you can check on by calling up status reports which appear in a window at the left hand side of the screen. On the right is a readout of your score - plus an indicator which tells you which key to press to call up the status reports.

Your ship is armed with a limited supply of neutron torpedoes and a laser. The laser can overheat if you use it too much and will cut out on you if you're not careful. Some of the enemy craft - in space and on the surface - can take varying amounts of punishment before they are destroyed. Some also can avoid your torpedoes. Replenish your torpedoes at repair ships.

The graphics are the fastest and smoothest vector style yet to be seen on the Spectrum. No jerky movements as the alien craft or landers move across the screen.

One minor criticism. The explosions are a bit wimpish. The craft detonate into a bubble which makes a silly popping noise! Apart from that little gripe, the game is pretty good.

Elite fans who want to give up trading for a while and have a decent zapping session should grab a copy of Battle Of The Planets today!

Anyone who enjoys fast space shoot outs can't fail to like Mikro Gen's first venture into arcade action - a mixture of Elite and 3D Tank Battle.

Take off after it.