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Elite's eight-bit versions of the Tecmo coin-op appeared back in 1986 and now, with the advent of the 16-bitters, Elite has taken the opportunity of dusting down the old title and shoving on a new price tag.

Bombjack is a small caped crusader-type character who travels the world - suitably represented by a series of appealing backdrops - in order to 'defuse' bombs which appear on each screen.

Each bomb is made safe simply by flying into it, and once the current screen has been totally cleared, the next, more difficult one can be attempted. There are six screens in all, cycling round with different platform layouts to add variety.

A mixture of airborne beings hinder Jack's mission, contact with them signals the removal of one of his three lives. There are also extra bonus icons which float around the screen, including an extra life, a bonus multiplier to rapidly increase scores and a power pill which temporarily turns all on-screen meanies into shiny coins to be collected for additional points.

The ST version reviewed is extremely close to the arcade game but for one or two artistic licences and the music. It is fun to play, but at twenty quid represents a rather dubious investment.