This compilation from Gremlin consists of five blasts from the past. Most notable of which is probably Ghouls 'N Ghosts, an old Zzap! Gold Medal now given another outing.

Although it's now around two years old, it certainly still stands out as a great game. This multi-level arcade adventure features the tried and tested plot of the brave knight battling to rescue the damsel in distress. In this game, he's called Arthur, and he has to progress through five crazy levels to retrieve (!) his girlfriend.

Ghouls is extremely pretty, both graphically and in its Tim Follin musical score, giving it a great atmosphere. Indeed, the game has a very spooky feel to it that has you on the edge of your seat. It's also extremely playable with the ghoulies appearing out of nowhere and moving in on you thick and fast whilst you jump and shoot your way across the scrolling screen towards the next level. It's a classic you can get your teeth into straight away, and will certainly keep you hooked for quite a while.

Impossamole is another arcade adventure featuring that old hero Monty Mole. Different from his previous flip-screen adventures, this is a multi-directionally scrolling number with plenty of jumping, dodging and shooting to be done. Graphics and sound are merely adequate but gameplay is certainly intriguing.

The obstacles Monty has to tackle on each level have been very imaginatively created with a surprise around each corner. This is a very challenging game, with plenty of strategy thrown in - without getting too frustrating.

The compilation also contains two car racing games. The first, Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge, has a viewpoint behind the Lotus as it races round a variety of tracks, dodging computer-controlled cars in a bid to win the race. Graphics and sound aren't startling, but it's fast and challenging - burning round the circuits is exhilarating.

There's plenty of features such as a choice of circuit, manual or automatic gears, and pit-stops. The best option, though, is a novel simultaneous two-player mode with the screen split horizontally. In this mode the game really comes to life with frantic tactical tussles between the two drivers.

Super Cars isn't quite as much fun but still fairly playable. This time the track is viewed from directly above. A novel feature is that each of the computer-controlled cars races individually. Indeed, as the screen scrolls along (keeping your car in the centre) you see the other cars closing in on you, or more likely pulling away, as you race against each individual car for a good finishing position. This wins you wads of prize money, which you strategically invest in various ways throughout the eight races. Your car has to be maintained, and you can even buy special speed boosters and weapons to pave your path to victory. Make enough dosh and you can buy a better car. This sort of strategy adds to an apparently simplistic, but absorbing game.

Finally there's Cloud Kingdoms, in which you guide Terry The Ball through the four kingdoms in search of his magic crystals. It's an original and strategic game requiring very careful joystick control to avoid toppling down into unfathomable holes. This requires patience, and is a little frustrating at first.

But the beautiful sound and graphics are rewarding, and it can give hours of fun if you stick with it.

All five oldies are good in their own right and complement each other very nicely making this an excellent buy overall.