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Are you feeling lucky, Luke? Well, are ya?

Saddle up, cowpokes! Several of the West's most notorious outlaws have escaped in the biggest jailbreak in history. The law-abiding citizens need a hero to round 'em up like cattle and Luke's volunteered for the job. Lucky Luke is a sideways scrolling platformer and contains some of the purdiest colours we've seen this side o' the great Mississippi.

Do you have the fastest draw in the West? You're sure gonna need it because Luke and his trusty steed Jolly Jumpet have got their work cut out if the dreaded Daltons are to be brought in. The action takes place over seven levels, some of which are reasonably large: Mexican Village, Painful Gulch, Saloon, The Prairie, Ranch, Cheyenne Mountains and The Jail, but in-between several bonus screens pop up to test numerous rootin' tootin' shootin' skills.

The bonus screens are cool! Take target practice for example: Luke must shoot empty bottles by lining up a crosshair to gain an extra life.

Luke runs, jumps, swings and ducks and the animation is excellent. To dispatch enemies (some lose their trousers when shot!) you have a trusty six shooter, but when the ammo runs dry, Luke relies on his left hook.

If I have one criticism, some of the levels are like Tom Cruise - a bit short, but there's no end of intense, well-structure gameplay and Lucky Luke is undoubtedly one of the best-looking Game Boy Color games available. The Wild, Wild West was never this much fun!

This little-known French man could soon find himself climbing to the dizzying heights found by that bearded gaul Asterix.

Although Lucky Luke could just be described on first impressions as 'another darn platformer', it throws up quite a few welcome surprises. Luke handles well, grappling sombrero-wearing bad guys, shooting bottles and even gallivanting around on a stagecoach whilst Indians take pot shots.

This game is platforming as it's supposed to be done, that's what I say!

Graphics 80%
Neat animation.

Sound 60%
Honky-tonk pianos and guns!

Playability 80%
One of the better platform games.

Lastability 80%
Won't last long, but it's great fun.

Overall 81%
Go wild with this Western!