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A basketball game has finally appeared on the Amstrad. This version is two-on-two where the second member of your team is computer controlled.

The game has a one or two player option. The two player gives you a human-controlled and computer-controlled player on each team. The game is divided into four quarters, each of which lasts for six minutes of real time. You are the home team in the one player game and while you are attacking you may instruct your teammate to use one of four different types of play. When you are defending, you again have a choice of four plays to use.

There are basically three things you can do whilst you are in possession: dribbling, passing and shooting. Shooting is divided into a variety of shots which depend on your position on the court. You can also get your teammate to pass you the ball when he's in possession.

The screen is divided into the playing area and the scoreboard. When you are running to the opposite end of the pitch and choosing your play, the scoreboard is replaced by the playcalling screen.

The sound is limited to simple spot effects and the ball bouncing. The graphics are fairly small and sticklike but the animation is alright. Both teams can be easily identified despite the poor use of colour, the human players can be identified by their different coloured shorts.

Sporting simulations have been popular recently and this is quite a good attempt at basketball However that's only because it's the only one - much better than this could be achieved.

Definitely not a game that will got the adrenalin going. The action is too slow and the graphics too small and indistinct for you to get really involved in the game. It's possible to have quite an enjoyable tussle nonetheless. I just wish a bit more effort and polish had been put into this version.

Beat the computer.

No difficulties here.

Graphics 47%
P. Not much colour to brighten things up.
P. Small players and basket.

Sonics 30%
P. Simple effects leave your ears empty.

Grab Factor 61%
P. Easy to play with practice...
N. ...but a little difficult to get the hang of!

Staying Power 52%
P. Computer opponent plays well.
N. Action is too slow to make it exciting.

Overall 57%
If you're desperate for a basketball game, it could be worse.