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This latest Codemasters' simulation package promises so much. But, for me, the promise, is not delivered.

For the very reasonable sum of £4.99, you get two cassettes containing the standard game, the expert game, extra courses based on coastlines and extra courses based on docks, making 24 circuits in all. Not only that, there's also a colour poster and a Codemasters sticker.

All this is flawed by the fact that the game is not good. In fact, it's boring.

The courses are viewed from above. There are four jetbikes in each race and up to two people can play. You race against the clock, completing two circuits in the time, and must steer between the numbered buoys in the correct sequence. If you qualify you go onto the next course. In all there are five courses to be beaten in each championship.

Both the Spectrum and Amstrad versions make an attempt at speech. I had to listen to the Spectrum version several times before I could make out what it was. The Amstrad speech was a little better.

The jetbikes themselves appear as little more than small arrow-shaped creations with a stream of what seems like bubbles coming from the back.

So it's down to an actual race. On the Spectrum version I first elected to use the keyboard. "Get ready," croaked the Speccy. I got ready. Tension didn't mount. Then we were off.

The computer-controlled bikes rocketed away. Well, perhaps not quite, but they moved a lot faster than me. I shot off in an erratic manner, bouncing off islands, moored boats, disappearing under walkways, missing the buoys and eventually being run over by my fellow competitors. All that, and I still didn't sink.

A few more more attempts failed to see any significant improvement in my race technique or desire to continue playing the game.

However, I switched to joystick control in the hope of gaining some control over the bike. Things because a little better but I still appeared to be out of control most of the time. In a last ditch attempt, I switched to the Amstrad with the same lack of effect.

The sound effects on the Amstrad was a series of bings and bongs, the significance of which I couldn't quite make out. On the Spectrum it was clicks.

I'm sure Jetbike racing is probably one of the most exciting water sports, Jetbike Simulator is not one of the most exciting of computer games.