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Tourists are a real problem, aren't they? They just can't go for a day out in the park without creating havoc, dropping rubbish everywhere and doing silly things like leaping into the river when they can't swim. Consequently, a Park Patroller's life is a very busy one - you can find out just how busy by playing Park Patrol.

Taking the role of Head Parkie, you have to look after the welfare of your beautiful park and the river which runs through it, a task which involves whizzing about the place on foot and in your powerboat. The joystick-controlled Parkie can move anywhere on the screen, and pressing the fire button makes him jump up into the air. The boat is boarded and left by jumping, a tricky task which sometimes leads to a wet ending - mis-time the jump and Parkie falls into the water, losing one of three lives. The river is filled with logs which have to be avoided - if the boat hits one, he poor Parkie is catapulted out of the boat, lands in the water and drowns, once again losing a life.

Picking up rubbish dropped by the visitors is Parkie's primary task and is achieved by running or sailing over the offending items. Twelve pieces of rubbish need to be collected on each level before Parkie is allowed to progress. This job is made difficult by the marauding land-turtles (!) and river snakes which try to molest him - if they succeed Parkie loses a life. Luckily both types of creature can be disposed of: turtles are really stupid and sometimes fall into the river, allowing Parkie to run over them; and river snakes can be made to disappear by throwing snake repellent into the river.

Another problem is the swimming tourists in the river - these too have to be avoided at all costs. Occasionally swimmers get into a spot of trouble and start drowning. Parkie is immediately alerted, and must assume the role of life-guard. Another life is lost if he ails to sail to the stricken swimmer and pick him up before he drowns. If Parkie reaches him however, a large points bonus is given.

As Parkie moves around, he expends calories, shown numerically on screen. If this calorie meter is allowed to reach zero a life is lost. Fortunately, the lost calories can be replenished by going into the park hut. Extra lives are only awarded every 20,000 points.

When all the rubbish has been collected any calories remaining or decrease the number of creatures, swimmers and swamps, making life as difficult or easy as you see fit.

Two to three years ago, Activision were releasing some highly original and playable games, amongst them Zeni, Toy Bizarre, HERO and Pastfinder. Since then they have been steadily going downhill and the quality of their software has deteriorated somewhat.

There are a few exceptions, but it's a great pity that Activision have never quite found the old magic. Park Patrol is a classic piece of Activision software, and they were foolish not to release it two years ago.

Fortunately, Firebird have acquired the rights to release this neat game - and at a budget price! The graphics are lovely, as are the tunes and spot effects, and combined with the simplistic but addictive gameplay a true arcade feel is generated.

This is a polished and playable game worth anybody's time and money.

It's difficult to believe that this game is nearly three years old - it's brilliant in all respects. The graphics are fabulous - really colourful with exceptionally 'cute' sprites and great parallax scrolling backdrops. Soundwise, Park Patrol is excellent too, with five boppy tunes and wonderful sound effects creating a perfect atmosphere.

The gameplay is neat, requiring some nifty joystick work and precision timing if you're going to complete the rubbish collection without falling foul of the many hazards. This must rank as one of the best budget games ever. Miss it and you're missing something really special.

The old cliche "they don't make 'em like they used to" certainly applies to Park Patrol. It's nearly three years old but still compares very favourably with full-priced present day software.

But Park Patrol isn't full priced, it's only £1.99, and as such ranks alongside Thrust as one of the best Value For Money budget releases.

It makes most other software houses look rather sily, including Activision, the original authors. Why they didn't release this little gem over here themselves is a complete mystery to me! It's hardly as if their catalogue is overflowing with great games.

Buy Park Patrol, you've no excuse not to.

Presentation 97%
Excellent. Many slick features including a comprehensive options screen.

Graphics 94%
Unusual, crisp, colourful and extremely well thought out.

Sound 96%
Five great tunes and quality sound effects.

Hookability 95%
Instantly playable and very addictive.

Lastability 90%
Plenty - if boredom sets in, you can use the option screen to change the game around.

Value For Money 99%
All the qualities of a full-priced game for only two quid!

Overall 94%
An original, attractive and extremely addictive game. Don't miss it.