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The rest of the field have just pulled away from you in a cloud of dust and you've got to catch them to retain your title Grand Prix Master. Drop a cog and give it a handful, it's the only way to get past them. You're riding a guided missile with brakes and as well as staying on you've got to win the race. You've sweated blood to qualify for the race and now you're going to show the rest of these losers what speed really means. Finishing isn't good enough - victory is all that counts.

Based on the exploits of famous Spanish motorcycle hero Jorge Martinez 'Aspar', the game allows you to join his dogged hunt for glory on a 'massive' 80cc motorcycle. Viewing the action from above, it takes no time at all to get the hang of hanging on. You just press the joystick/key in the direction you want to go. The fire button works as the clutch to keep the revs high while cornering, and that's about it. Your little red rider has to use these controls to corner more smoothly, accelerate faster and outride all the other guys to make you the champ.

The trouble is that although the game sounds and looks easy to play, to play well it's a nightmare! Qualifying for a race is all but impossible the first time round. The times reflect those actually achieved in real races so in the simulation version you have to be exceptionally good just to share the starting grid with these real world-class riders.

There are heaps of useful features to help your riding improve, including the ability to read the track before the race and practice before qualifying sessions. But once you go for the real thing, caution has to be both observed and thrown to the wind at the same time. You need to push your moped to the limits to scrape inside the required time, but can only risk losing five bikes in the process, or your season is over.

The whole course scrolls smoothly and quickly, although the playing area is a too small for a clear idea of when the next bend is coming. The controls are different to the usual for this type of game and take a little getting used to, especially the clutch/brake mechanism which lets you make nearly ninety degree turns while travelling at 100+!

Grand Prix Master takes a different approach to the world of racing. It goes for realism, and rather than having to find friends to play against you race the computer over a season. The small graphics are easily controlled, making the game instantly accessible - but the level of skill needed to get into a race, let alone win one, means it could also quickly become the most despised game in your collection. Grand Prix Master is fun but infuriating, fast but (maybe fatally) flawed on the difficulty front.

You can almost smell the burning rubber as you attempt to become the Grand Prix Master. The game is very playable and the graphics are bright and colourful. The screen scrolls very smoothly but the sound is disappointing, and reminiscent sick bumble bee. The many options include a demo and the option to watch the race if you did not qualify. On the whole, an enjoyable little game which should give hours of entertainment.

Qualify! For anything!

Good driving conditions.

Graphics 68%
P. Smooth-moving track.
N. Small bikes.

Sonics 12%
N. The engine whine drives you crazy.

Grab Factor 43%
N. Too hard to qualify.

Staying Power 81%
P. Each course has an access code.
P. Seven courses all over Europe.

Overall 61%
P. Good game that's easily picked up...
N. ...but is simply too difficult.