This is one of Creative Sparks "Sparklers" range. Your task is to help Merlin fight off his adversaries and the only way he can do this is by mixing up a spell. You have to collect a part of the spell as it appears at the bottom of the screen and then drop it into a cauldron. He is hindered in this process by myriad flying creatures, all out to stop him depositing his pieces of spell — a jewel, a skull, an eye and a lizards leg — into the pot. Once five pieces of Merlin's magic are in the pot he is whisked to the next and more dangerous level. This seems very easy (I hear you say) but there is more.

Every now and then the opposition drop a parachute into the cauldron. The anti-magic spell suspended from the parachute nullifies the contents of the cauldron and forces you to start once again on your quest. Graphically the game is quite good, Merlin and the nasties all move very smoothly. I especially like the way Merlin rides to the pot on a fluffy cloud and how the parachute floats gracefully downwards. Sound is limited to a noise meant to create a magic spell effect — not very inspiring. Notwithstanding this Merlin is a game worth looking at and at £2.50 comes within the range of pocket money games.

M.W.