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Once upon a time in a land far, far away, a personable young man by the name of Gary Lineker packed his belongings in his red spotted handkerchief and bravely set out to seek his fortune in Barcelona, where streets are paved with goals.

The fairy tale turned into a horror story, however, when Gazza failed to score for his new club. Tired of the jet-setting life, he got completely pixellated and ran away to a CPC at Gremlin HQ. First fruit was Gary Lineker's Super Star Soccer (AA29, 66%), rapidly succeeded by Gary Lineker's Super Skills (AA60, 64%). Now comes the conclusion to the trilogy.

To say nothing at all's different about Hot-Shot may be unkind, but it's true. The game is viewed from directly overhead, with an arrow to indicate the player nearest the ball. Yawn, yawn, there have been countless similar games. So why, you're asking at the top of your voice, review it and why give it a Rave? Because it's done with a deft precision that gives the game a quality lacking in his previous outings, that's why. So shut up and listen for a minute, will you?

You begin by choosing your team, and then the players dutifully don the appropriate national strip (yellow for brilliant Brazil, green for the idiosyncratic Irish, or white for wimpish England). There's a one/two player option, as is the various time limits and the tournament standings. After this, it's into the dressing room to get changed and now it's time for the FOOOOOTBAAAALLLAAAHHHH!

You really appreciate the difference when you get on to the pitch: you view your immediate area, as well as a diagram of the pitch outline showing your relative position. This is useful when you get the ball, put your head down and charge towards the opposition's goal, because it helps a little if you know where to run. You are also given a power-meter to show how hard you are about to wellie the ball when you get there.

This is all very run of the mill stuff for a footie sim, but what makes Hot-Shot so different is its speed. Everyone on the pitch runs around like a thing possessed; pitch scrolling is smooth; the ball flies for absolutely miles (it must be an altitude journey, like Mexico or the Moon). Your guys move at quite a lick, as unfortunately do theirs, and can cover the length of the pitch before you can say 'Arnold'.

Another touch that puts the game at the top of the table is the professional foul. Now this is not something which is generally encouraged (except at Glasgow Rangers!), but your player has a little square in front of his foot which is where, if he were in control of the ball, he would kick. By lining up your square and your opponent's ankles you can bring him down to earth with a bump. So they get a free kick, but you don't half feel good about it.

On the minus side the screen is tiny, and the stripey grass does have a hypnotic effect when you are chasing the ball end to end. Occasionally players get stuck in a glitch, which is irritating, if only temporarily. These are worthy sacrifices for a game that actually features football at a realistic, almost exaggerated pace.

Sonically the game is limited with the usual ref's whistling and the crowd roar when there's a goal, although there is a jolly (annoying?) little tune during the non-football sequences. But overall, the balance of the game is right, as it places good fun, fast and furious football first. Play it with a friend and you will have aching wrists and fingers before long, as the pace of the game demands constant attention and action.

Gremlin are obviously huge football fans (Can't think why, coming from Birmingham - the only team not to score during the reign of a Pope!) and they have turned out a game that features many of the game's entertaining aspects. Most importantly, it makes the transition from match to monitor painless and well worth the effort.

Gazza hasn't had a great time of it lately, what with one thing and another, and perhaps he'd appreciate any contributions you could make via Gremlin to his retirement fund. And so yourself a favour too!

Beat the computer in a ten minute match.

The grass is just as green.

Graphics 83%
P. High speed slick movers.
N. Very small playing screen.

Sonics 66%
P. Good toon and all the usual effects.

Grab Factor 77%
P. High speed play makes it an instant winner.
N. Hard to score against computer goalies.

Staying Power 73%
P. Two player game a big feature.
N. One player option appeal soon fades.

Overall 81%
P. Serious footie freaks will love it!