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Having gone ape over Killer Gorilla, it was with keen anticipation that I received a copy of Killa, the upgrade produced by Bit Twiddlers. The immediate impact of the upgrade is the ability to do varied jumping, with or without the hammer. The jumps features are double, extended and double extended jumps.

However old habits die hard and it took me some time to familiarise myself with these before I stopped throwing myself off the platforms. Once I had gained some experience of them I found them invaluable in avoiding multiple fire balls. Jumping with the hammer only really comes into play where there are gaps in the platforms.

Climbing with the hammer is also useful and increases the point scoring potential, although I found myself in a dilemma on a few occasions when holding a hammer on a platform where another hammer was available. Should I run with the first or wait and take the second? Initially, hesitation was my only downfall.

While retaining the four stages within each level, the upgrade increases the number of levels of seven, these being basically increases in speed. At level 7, the speed defeated my attempts to complete all the stages and provides a challenge which in the long term will probably prove irresistible.

The extra lives at each of the first three stages, while useful, can also prolong the game beyond the endurance of players wanting to take their turn. My children were delighted while playing but frustrated while waiting.

There is also a practice mode, providing double the number of lives, which allows the selection of any stage within any of the levels. However, on successful completion of a stage, the game moves on to the next stage.

A shortcoming is that the practice mode must be selected before the loading of Killer Gorilla without any facility to switch between the practice and game modes other than by reloading the programs. Apart from doubting the value of this practice mode, I also felt as if I were cheating by going directly to a stage without first completing previous stages.

Without doubt, the most useful facility of the upgrade is the pause. Which of us, on the way to a good score, hasn't been interrupted by a telephone call or a knock on the door?

Altogether, a welcome addition for the Killer Gorilla addicts among us with the pause facility being well worth the money.

F. J. Lancaster