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Billy and Bobby are balls who just love to bounce. Of course, even bouncing against a wall can get boring after a while so the two balls like to do something more exciting. Yes, they like to squash monsters by landing on them in 80 wall and platform-filled screens. However, the monsters must be squashed in the correct order (an arrow points at the next one).

Squashing the wrong monster results in him splitting into two smaller creatures - making the screen more difficult to complete within the short time limit.

One or two players control a ball by moving left/right and pressing Fire to control the bounce - as the ball falls to increase it; as it rises to lessen it. Occasionally, tokens appear: their effects include stopping the timer, freezing monsters and making them all squashable. Collecting the letters E-X-T-R-A earns a bonus ball.

After every ten screens, a password is given. A screen designer allows you to create your own screens which can be saved to tape or disk.

Helter Skelter garnered plenty of praise on the Amiga almost two years ago, and this conversion is amazingly faithful using overlays to produce sharp, clear graphics.

Gameplay is completely manic, with the most careful laid plans soon disintegrating into utter panic as time runs out.

Imaginatively varied levels, a superb screen designer and a great simultaneous two-player game make this a fun game which will appeal to everyone.

How can anything as frustrating as this be so addictive? Rather like E-motion, Helter Skelter is incredibly annoying at times, with the tiniest of mistakes punished by the total mayhem caused by creatures splitting into two.

Worse still, the control system is also difficult to master with your bouncy ball seemingly having a life of its own, ricocheting wildly around the screen.

After a few goes I did manage to get the hang of it but with ever shorter time limits, the later levels proved even more frustrating and I eventually gave up - before my sanity did.

Presentation 80%
Simultaneous two-player mode, passwords, easy-to-use screen designer.

Graphics 68%
Simple but varied backdrops and creatures.

Sound 54%
Spot FX and some tunelets.

Hookability 70%
A fairly easy opening to the game makes for rapid addiction.

Lastability 71%
80 screens pose a big challenge, password system avoids repetition.

Overall 70%
A fast, fun and playable arcade puzzle.