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Pheenix, for the 16K or 48K Spectrum, is a reproduction of the arcade favourite Phoenix.

Pheenix is a space invader type of game in which you must destroy the aliens to enter the next phase of the game. You control your spaceship which is equipped with left, right, fire and barrier controls.

The barrier protects your ship from oncoming blasts of alien fire. Like the arcade game, your barrier only protects your ship for three seconds; you must then wait a further three seconds before using your barrier again.

I found the barrier most useful in the first and last phases of the game.

In each phase you will have to destroy:

Phase 1 Purple birds worth 25 points

Phase 2 Green birds worth 25 points

Phase 3 Large blue birds worth 100 to 250 points

Phase 4 Large purple birds worth 100 to 250 points

Phase 5 Alien spaceship worth 4000 to 6000 points

You are awarded 100 points on phases 4 and 3 if you destroy a bird while it is still an egg, but you gain 150 to 250 points if you destroy it after it has hatched. At 10,000 points, you gain a life and, if you clear all five phases, the game returns to the beginning.

The graphics are very good and similar to the arcade version and move smoothly across the screen. Sound is also good, but not enough sound is given when your ship is destroyed.

Pheenix is written in machine code and costs £5.50 from Megadodo Software. It is undoubtedly the best Phoenix game available for the ZX Spectrum.