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It could be argued that this is a simulation rather than a game, because all the movements made by a boxer can be controlled from your Spectrum, and what you see on the cover in terms of a 3D ring, etc, is actually what you get. Your task is to pilot Frank Bruno through eight bouts against increasingly mean opponents.

The graphics are not hi-res in the Ultimate sense, but are good enough to show the contents clearly; movement is swift and smooth. The boxers are shown from the waist up, and your viewpoint is over Frank's muscular shoulders. From here you can duck, weave left and right with guard up or down and deliver left, right, uppercut and knockout punches.

Control is via six keys or, the insert implies, a joystick, but on wrestling with this for half an hour, I discovered that the joystick merely supplements the keyboard by controlling movement, whilst you punch the keys. Clearer instructions please!

The first opponent is the Canadian Crusher who is supposed to be slow and lumbering, but a further 30 minutes' play still left me defeated. When you beat him you are given a code which allows you to load the next boxer. Sadly, the review copy wouldn't let me cheat, so I can't tell you about Ravioli Mafiosi and all the rest of the gang.

Challenging, well-presented and on this assessment, should keep you busy for a long time. Tricky and addictive.

D. M.