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After New Zealand Story's kuddly kiwi and Rainbow Islands' bubbly Bob and Bub, the latest coin-op character bidding for maximum cuteness is Mr. Heli, a helicopter which can walk. This Irem cross between the latest military firepower and a Mr. Men character is a member of the Cosmic Heli Patrol, whose latest mission is to thwart the plans of mad scientist Mr. Muddy. For reasons which are obscure, Mr. Muddy is leading his hi-tech creations on a violent stomp across an innocent little planet.

Mr. Heli's brave attempt to stop the senseless destruction involves more than a little blasting. Firstly, there's the endless hordes of walking, flying and even stationary enemies to be blown apart. And secondly there's all those lovely blue crystals worth loadsa dosh hidden behind parts of the scenery. Blow away the scenery with horizontally firing cannon and either bombs (dropped when you're on the ground) or vertically firing guns (active whenever you're not) to find the crystals. Occasionally a shop is revealed as well: pop in there with the right amount of cash and you get the add-on weapon advertised on the front.

Cynics might wonder if the rescue mission isn't causing more damage than Mr. Muddy but, as all good children know, selfless bravery brings its own reward (i.e. blue crystals and lots of guns!).

Mr. Heli's home computer debut provides a textbook example of "it's not the power of the computer, but the way it's used". While the C64 game impresses with glitzy, nicely detailed sprites, good backgrounds and superb end-of-level monsters, the Amiga disappoints with garish graphics too big to be easily manoeuvred. Basic gameplay is tough on both machines. No sooner than you shoot one baddie, two more enter.

Collecting crystals at the same time needs concentration, and if you die you usually go back a long way, losing add-on weapons and all your cash as well.

Nevertheless, while the Amiga game is much too frustrating (and pricey), the C64 game provides a lot of fun - check it out.

The coin-op has held its own extremely well over the last couple of years with a good dose of arcade shoot-'em-up action mixed with Nemesis-style weapon improvement.

The coin-op may well be remembered because of this but the Amiga conversion is best forgotten. Dodgy scrolling, imprecise collision detection and frustratingly small enemies fighting your far too large helicopter are some complaints that come to light.

On the C64 though, things go well from the start with a catchy theme tune, a correctly sized Mr. Heli, great sprites all round and a wonderful level of gameplay direct from the coin-op. It may be tough but with only three levels, it mustn't be too easy, should it?

Presentation 88%
Nicely animated intro screen and good, if lengthy, password system for multi-loaded levels.

Graphics 86%
Adequate backgrounds, colourful and well-drawn sprites plus impressive end-of-level monsters.

Sound 80%
Jolly in-game tune can be turned off for some good sound FX.

Hookability 81%
Seems impossible to begin with, but practice soon puts that right.

Lastability 82%
Only three levels, but none of them are exactly easy!

Overall 84%
An unforgiving, but well presented and highly enjoyable shoot-'em-up.

Presentation 74%
No password system and a mediocre intro.

Graphics 60%
Overly large Mr. Heli sprite, jerky scrolling and unimpressive end-of-level monsters.

Sound 52%
Uninspired tune or reasonable FX.

Hookability 61%
Bulky Mr. Heli gets distinctly irked fighting lots and lots of nimble nasties.

Lastability 59%
Irritating gameplay and poor presentation would put even Mr. Heli off saving the planet.

Overall 60%
A poor ST game is ported across to the Amiga with minimal changes.