Breakout

The aim of this game is to knock down a wall of coloured bricks using a ball, controlled by a bat. You are allowed three balls - if you miss a ball with the bat, the sides of the screen or the bricks, the computer bleeps - the further up the bricks are, the higher the note, and the higher your score.

The game is challenging and difficult. The further up you smash through the wall, the faster the ball gets and the game becomes progressively harder.

The game has brightly coloured brick sections and the ball can move fast. The ball moves smoothly and bounces well. The score is very clear at the top of the screen. You can choose whether you want to use a large or a small bat. The high-score "ovation" you get at the end if well worth playing for.

Dodgems

This is a program which is very similar to a popular arcade game in which you pilot a small racing car around a track eating up power pills, but you have to watch out for another car controlled by the computer which tries to stop you by crashing into you.

I found the controls a little difficult to manipulate but I soon got the hang of it. The racing cars look quite realistic - but there weren't many colours considering it can be done in Mode 2 for Model B users.

The idea of the game is quite good, but the score is a little basic in that there is an incrementing number in the centre but no high score. There are no second chances - you get one car and there are no faster or slower cars to choose from.

Flash

This is a "Simon" type game in which you have to repeat a series of coloured patterns on the screen with the help of comments in the centre. Also, musical notes are sounded corresponding to the colours and positions on the screen.

This is a rather familiar game, but this version is bright and clear with its simple squares filling up with strong colours. You get a score result right at the end.

Snake

This is a fast action graphics game in which you pilot your snake across a screen to where it can find letters of the alphabet, which it eats. The letters appear randomly on the screen and, as the snake eats them, it grows by the 'value' of the letter (A=1, B=2, etc) and becomes more difficult to manoeuvre, because you are not allowed to run into your snake's trail. Your score, plus the previous best score, are displayed at the top of the screen.

The snake moves very smoothly and is a joy to watch. The colours are clear and there is a good gulping sound when the snake swallows a letter and a raspberry when the snakes "crashes" into itself, or crashes into one of the walls. If you take your time in getting a letter, its value quickly reduces and it eventually disappears.

Verdict

Fun Games is very good value at £10 for four great games which take advantage of the speed of BBC Basic and the sound and graphics of the machine.