Previous Next

Codemasters' latest "simulation" affords one to four players the opportunity to play a fruit machine adapted to computer format.

Up to £1.20 is inserted at any one time, and a game is played either until the money runs out or a predetermined winning limit is reached. Whichever game is selected, normal fruit machine elements apply: predetermined amounts are won for combinations of fruits and symbols; additionally if the letters CASH-BASH are illuminated, one of four gambling sub-games is played.

Codemasters attitude to the budget market seems to be one of plagiarising an existing and popular format and stamping "NEW RELEASE" all over the inlay!

Take this game; the meretricious presentation and jazzy inlay complement the gaudy graphics and sound; these elements conspire to replace the fun of real gameplay.

The different game elements (of which there are far too few) are badly presented on-screen and prove compulsive for about ten minutes - then you realise that it's all far too easy and dependent on luck rather than reflex or judgement.

Reasonably-drawn scrolling reels and flashing lights don't make a game.

Simulating a fruit machine on a computer is a pretty pointless idea: if you can only win simulated money, why bother? Codemasters obviously deemed it wise to do so, and have made a bad job of a bad idea.

Sonically it's very derivative: the music is reminiscent of Monty On The Run, and the sound effects are occasionally Paradroid. On the positive side, the game is neatly set out on-screen, with convincing moving reels, and there's some initial pull to see what it has to offer.

I soon realised that this was very little however, since the ease with which you win money and the completely non-varied gameplay make it very dull indeed.

Presentation 56%
Sparse instructions but good on-screen layout.

Graphics 63%
Neat and tidy, but there are only three or four screens' worth.

Sound 41%
Some bland and uninspiring music and sound effects.

Hookability 35%
Very straightforward, but not very addictive.

Lastability 11%
It's far too tedious a subject for simulation in this way - the lack of any monetary gain negates the object of the exercise.

Overall 18%
A tedious and pointless time-killer.