Bombs away...! Here's you chance to take the hot seat and pilot a World War II fighter bomber.

Mission X - a quite successful arcade machine - has been converted for the Intellivision video games console. The cartridge is a fair reproduction of the original game, faithfully reproducing most of Mission X's graphics.

The game consists of bombing fifteen or so moving and stationary targets including bridges, railways, cargo ships and enemy aircraft positioned on a constantly moving background of open sea, river valleys, a mountain scene and an airport runway.

Sound and graphics are up to the Intellivision's usual high standard but the movement of the bomber is often erratic, and difficult to control. It can be very frustrating when the plane doesn't go in the direction you want.

I have always thought that the fire buttons on the Intellivision were a little stiff, and after only a short time playing Mission X I can assure you that your fingers get very sore.

I can't help thinking that Mission X belongs to that fast growing breed of video games that are visually very impressive but lack an interesting or original idea as a base for the game.

Whereas a game in the same vein as Mission X, called River Raid for the Atari 2600 is a much more addictive and playable game, and one that doesn't rely on timing as a basis for a video game.

River Raid for the Atari is streets ahead of the Mattel's Mission X on the playability stakes and with the cartridge selling for around £24.95 you can't help feeling it's a little overpriced.

I wanted to stop playing as soon as I started.