This is a sparkling collection of 20 strategy and arcade type games, all written in Basic for the Electron. An accompanying book gives full instructions and detailed descriptions explaining how the programs work. However, although there is a great variety of arcade games their speed is generally slow. Their appeal is not great compared with the more sophisticated machine code games available, but they do provide a good insight into programming games in Basic.

It is an intention of the publishers that users would use the listings to pick up expert hints on programming their Electrons. The variety makes up for any loss in quality.

The strategy games are not affected detrimentally by the fact that they are programmed in Basic and not machine code. Speed of presentation and response is not important. The programs are available elsewhere in various forms; the ideas are not new. This collection enables users to find out how the programs work so I would seriously recommend it for budding programmers.

Euler's Touring Knight is a particular favourite of mine. The problem is to move a knight about a chess board calling in at each and every possible square. The computer is programmed to demonstrate a solution then the user can try it out.

One of the other programs, Robotank, requires Logo-type commands. Ace High is a patience card game. Instead of manipulating your own pack you press a letter to deal and another to move the cards. I think I prefer to use real cards, but the simulation is a good one.

I can recommend this collection for those people who wish to increase their powers of programming by seeing how others do it.

John Woollard