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If you've admired Manic Miner for the Spectrum, you'll really dig this program. It's an unashamed rip-off, complete with conveyor belts and collapsing floors, but the miner is called Wally instead of Willy and it's a lot, a lot more difficult.

If you're unfamiliar with the game, think of it as a series of obstacle courses. You have to complete each obstacle course in turn, but if you lose your five lives it means starting again from course (or 'screen') number one

The screens in China Miner are all original and include some enjoyable new hazards such as moving floors, chutes and flashing laser beams. There are also the usual in-jokes such as cribbing characters from other games as monsters.

There are a total of thirty different screens, representing incredible value for money if you ever get to see half of them, which is doubtful.

It could, for example, take a good hour to work out how to get through the first quarter of the first screen. Because to get past one monster (a Pac-Man on legs) you have to make an immaculately-timed double leap, followed by a quick dart back to escape up a ladder.

It seems impossible until you do it. And you can imagine the frustration at working your way through similar difficulties on later screens. You'd rapidly use up your five lives and then have to play for another hour for another try.

The graphics are clearer and more colourful than on the Spectrum version and the action is accompanied by a tune in glorious three-part harmony.

So although Manic Miner rip-offs are surfacing faster than salt in Siberia, you'd have to dig deep to find a better version than this.