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Killer Gorilla is an excellent version of the arcade game Donkey Kong by Nintendo. The idea of the game is to help Mario (the hero) to save his girlfriend who is being held by a mean-looking gorilla before his bonus runs out. To do this he must negotiate iron beams, ladders and lifts, and jump over barrels thrown from the top of the screen by the gorilla. Fireballs also appear from time to time.

There are four sections to the game. In each section, except the third, there is a hammer with limited life. If Mario jumps and gets it, he may smash the barrels, fireballs, etc., but not climb or descend. Once the hammer has disappeared from his hand he is free to climb and jump again.

The first section has just ladders and iron beams, fireballs and barrels. When Mario has completed this he goes on to the next section. This has three conveyor belts as well as the stationary beams. There are no barrels here, but the fireballs are still around, as are what look like bowls of custard. Also in this and the next two sections are bonus objects which are worth between 300 and 900 points if Mario runs over them or hits them with the hammer.

The third section provides more of a challenge. As well as the fireball problem, there are no proper walkways, just lumps of iron and the odd ladder. You have to be very precise in moving and jumping to get across. Also there are two lifts which you have to use. Add to this, the iron bars that keep falling, and this section is really quite hard to master.

The fourth and final section is the hardest. There are five parallel girders with connecting ladders. Four of them have two yellow blocks which must all be knocked out. To do this, Mario has to run over them. There are a lot of fireballs in this section! Upon completion of the fourth section the game starts all over again, this time on the next skill level which has even more hazards, e.g. holes in the ironwork, faster conveyor belts, etc.

The game's graphics are absolutely superb. Much care and time has gone into the visual side of the game. It really has to be seen to be believed. The girl and Mario are both realistic, the ape is almost perfect, and the girl's heart even breaks when the ape comes to get her at the end of each section.

The sound is also far above average; there are four tunes and many good effects.

You may use either keys or joysticks for this game. It really is excellent, and full credit must go to the person who wrote it.

Phil Taylor