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At last! Buck Rogers hits the Spectrum. This is a version of the game in which you guide a spacecraft as it hurtles through a corridor battling a succession of alien attackers.

The game's interest stems from the 3D view you are given, with the enemy looming larger as they approach. Considering the Spectrum's limitations, this is done pretty impressively. Your craft moves smoothly as it swerves from side to side, and its height along with those of the alien ships is shown convincingly by the use of shadows.

But the depiction of the corridor walls is not nearly so impressive as in versions on more powerful machines. The bands which make up the walls simply flash alternately blue and magenta and it takes some effort to imagine that you really are rushing forward.

That aside, the 3D effect is among the best going on the Spectrum. The perspective has been worked out well - for example, to destroy aliens you must not only get in line with them but also move your craft to the same height, using the shadows as a guide. You then take a quick shot before swooping away to avoid a fatal collision.

This takes considerable practice, and it's just as well, because that's about all there is to the game. The enemy attack one at a time and it's merely a question of shooting as many as possible. Eventually, this takes you on to a new screen, but although the background changes in each of the six different screens of action, the actual game and tactics remain much the same.

You may find that it will not retain your interest for very long.