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We've already gone into fits of ecstasy about Boulder Dash on the C64. Now we're about to do the same for the Spectrum version of this great game from Front Runner, the Storm Warrior people.

The Spectrum version features Rockford in all his glory. It has the sixteen Boulder Dash caves, packed with boulders, gems and other nasties. Each cave has five difficulty levels making Boulder Dash not just one game but about eighty!

The object of the game is to help Rockford search through the caves in search of gems. Each cave has a fixed target of gems for Rockford to find and there's a time limit on his search too.

Once he's collected the required number of gems, Rockford has to find the exit to the next cave - which only appears once he's reached the target number of jewels. Each cave is different and features odd things like amoeba, butterflies, fireflies and other obstacles.

You have to master the "physics" of the game - discovering just how those rocks roll and fall - to collect the gems. You also have to be good at working out patterns and strategies to be in the right place at the right time.

The programmer has made a brave attempt at converting, the sounds of the original, music, falling rocks and jewels. The graphics are adequate - but the game is spoiled somewhat by the slow screen scrolling. Rockford can dash off the screen while the rest of the graphics are trying to catch up!

This is annoying - but doesn't detract from the incredible playability of this game. Boulder Dash is terribly addictive - don't start playing if you've got anything else to do that day. If it's not a number one hit, I'll eat my joystick! Rush out and get it. You won't regret it.