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William Frederick Cody was born in Iowa in 1846, but moved to Kansas at the age of four. Because of his family's severe poverty, he went to work at an early age, becoming a Pony Express rider at the age of fourteen. During his three year career as a cowboy postman, he broke company speed records and also met with Wild Bill Hickock, who became a life-long friend.

In 1863, he joined the Union Army, serving out the tail-end of the civil way as a despatch rider and hospital orderly. Following stints as a stagecoach driver and an unsuccessful attempt at running a boarding house, he returned to the west as a scout for General Custer.

Cody made his name however when working for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company, he shot a record 69 buffalo in a single day. This beat the existing record held by 'Buffalo Bill' Constock - so Cody in turn assumed the nickname.

Buffalo Bill's daring deeds became famous throughout America, and soon his exploits were being portrayed on the New York stage. When Cody played himself in one of these 'epics' in 1872, the critics panned the play but described Cody himself as a 'beautiful blond' - a star was born!

By 1882, Buffalo Bill's shows had grown into major outdoor extravaganzas, featuring sharpshooter Annie Oakley and a cast of genuine Red Indians and horsemen (not necessarily cowboys). The show toured America and Europe - even playing in front of Queen Victoria - and by the early 1890's Cody was a millionaire.

Unfortunately, Bill blew his fortune and at the time of his death in 1917 he was still performing in US circuses even though he was so plagued with rhuematism that he could hardly stay in the saddle.

Tynesoft's interpretation of the great man, however, doesn't cover all these aspects of his career, preferring to centre just on his Wild West show. There are six events to participate in, some of them basic rodeo events and others proper wild west adventures.

Up to our players can compete in a style similar to the classic Epyx games series, but there's nothing so illustrious as a medal for the winners. With events as dangerous as these, just managing to survive them is prize enough...

Like Tynesoft's previous effort Circus Games, this is a brave attempt at taking the sports simulation out of the athletics stadium and trying something more diverse... but it doesn't quite come off.

There are just about enough events to make the whole thing seem worthwhile, but it doesn't take long to get each one off pat. Unlike the Epyx series, there's not enough diversity in the control modes - surely the programmers could have thought of something more original than a free-floating crosshair for the Shooting and Knife-Throwing? Bronco-riding, Steer Wrestling and Calf Roping can be fun at first, but again the appeal is limited - the gameplay is too basic.

The Stage Coach Rescue is marginally the most fun to play, but this falls down too as it doesn't fit in with the rodeo feel of the rest of the proceedings. A shame really, as some very nice graphics have gone to waste.

Colour has been put to good use, the backdrops and sprites are well defined and the intermission screens are gorgeous.

This wild west compendium is initially fun to play and very nice to look at, but the enjoyment is short lived, and poor old Bill ultimately fails to realise his potential.