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Superb! Fabulous! Addictive! Just three of the superlatives which I *won't* be using to describe US Gold's 3D jungle arcade game.

After being treated to "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Dixie" during the loading sequence, the game's sound effects appear flat and monotonous in comparison. The visuals are equally boring in the sense that there are only two basic settings, though the 3D effect is up to the high standard which we have come to expect from US Gold.

In the first screen the player takes on the role of the White Hunter who is intent on capturing Congo the gorilla. Like his older brother Kong, he makes life difficult by hurling down a barrage of coconuts which must be avoided as you scramble up the slopes and across a river to Monkey Plateau.

The Plateau is inhabited by three capering apes who totally ignore you at the first two levels of the game. After this, you must once again cross the river and dodge coconuts until you reach Congo, at which point the screen scrolls up to reveal scenario two.

If you've played Frogger then you'll have a good idea where the inspiration for the Great River comes from. You must negotiate the river by jumping on lillies, hippos, islands and fish to reach the other side where a charging rhino must be dodged before climbing up to the reclining Congo. When you reach him, an automatic sequence takes over in which a stick from a fire is used to give Congo a hotfoot.

From here, it's back to the first scenario which becomes more frantic on each visit. More coconuts to dodge and the monkeys becoming more malevolent, jumping on your back if you collide with them. Removal of a monkey is achieved by jumping on the spot three times, but if all three climb aboard it's over the cliff you go to a watery grave. Similarly, the hazards increase at the Great River with the fish lashing their fangs and becoming more and more carnivorous.

Congo Bongo appears to lack the originality which we've come to expect from US Gold, being derivative of Donkey Kong and Frogger, and I found my interest waning. US Gold? Definitely not. Perhaps US Bronze.