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Fresh from its success as a light game, Lazer Tag makes its appearance in computerised form.

One or two alternating players take the part of a cadet undergoing rigorous instruction at the Lazer Tag training school. Training is divided into two disciplines: Shoot Out and Target. Both take place against the background of a vertically scrolling, futuristic practice arena.

In Shoot Out, 'tagger' opponents advance from all sides firing leers. The player attempts to make his way through the complex within a given time limit, shooting as many of his opponents as possible.

The arena features spinning terminals which deflect the lazer and double or quadruple the beam when hit, and certain walls ricochet shots around the arena.

Target is designed to test shooting accuracy. The player is automatically transported through the arena and attempts to shoot as many taggers as possible. He controls the direction in which he fires but not the route taken through each room.

At the end of each practice session the player is given a rating: his skill determines the degree of promotion obtained.

Joysticks: Cursor, Kempston, Sinclair
Grpahics: poor on the first stage, but improve as you progress
Sound: average title tune and spot effects
Options: definable keys

'Lazer Tag is an extremely plain game that holds nothing new - a few little nasties that look like garden gnomes shooting at you isn't my idea of fun. The whole play area is monochromatic which merely changes to red when you've been tagged. The majority of the graphics are simply made up of different types of shading and the tiny enemies and vehicles make it look worse. The only way you can tell where you are on the screen is by looking for the lazer tagger with the flashing helmet, otherwise you look like the opponents! Coming from Probe, who also did Trantor The Last Storm Trooper, this is a great disappointment. I'd stick to the real thing if I was you!'

'Perhaps GO! Should have renamed this Rubber Bullet - it seems to be closer to firing rubber projectiles than the sophisticated later system on which it's based. Lazer Tag is no more than a monochromatic Ikari Warriors - albeit an above average one. The main section of the game is fun to play and mildly addictive, but the real skill is exercised on the target section, in which accuracy takes over from mayhem. Here lies a competitive and compelling test of skill and judgement. Lazer Tag is immediately addictive and enjoyable to play for a couple of hours (which cannot be said of most games nowadays) but whether it'll hold an attraction for more than a few weeks is another matter.'

'When they were first introduced, light games like Lazer Tag came across as a comparatively original concept. in the form of a computer game none of these innovations really have much impact and Lazer Tag turns out to be a fairly standard shoot 'em up. The graphics are finely detailed but create no real sense of tension. The original Lazer Tag simulates the sound of a beating heart - had this been included it might have contributed to a more motivating atmosphere of suspense. Target practice is the only slightly unusual feature and even this only generates a small amount of curiosity. Otherwise Lazer Tag is carefully programmed, scrolls smoothly and plays quite well. You could do worse than this unexceptional, but competent tag 'em up.'