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When the editor challenges you to a game of Ping Pong there's only one thing you can do - lose gracefully.

Of course he gets to use the joystick and I have to make do with the keyboard. I didn't stand a chance. But after a few games the Ed loses interest and bounds off to challenge someone else to Inter-Galactic Ludo.

Now for some real fun. Ping Pong is a nifty little conversion of the Konami original. It's simple in concept but great fun to play.

You get a three dimensional view of the ping pong table with the two players shown as two dismembered hands floating in the air. The hands look odd but you soon get used to that.

Playing against the computer is difficult - there are five skill levels to choose from - but it's easier than playing against another player. How two people are expected to compete on equal terms when you have to use a joystick and keyboard is beyond me.

Apart from that Ping Pong is an excellent simulation of table tennis. Instead of scoring 21 points to win as in the real game, it's the first one to reach 11 by two clear points who takes the honours. In a two player match it's the first to win the best out of three games.

In case you managed to return a ball, here are a few hints and tips on the various shots you can make.

Smash: This is a superfast shot used to return "floaters". Floaters will make a distinctive sound.

Drive: A fast shot normally used to return the ball.

Cut: A slow shot which can be used to interfere with your opponent's timing.

Forehard or Backhand: Switching back and forth from backhand to forehand is effective when your opponent tries to catch you on your undefended site or when you want to force your opponent to move right or left.

The only annoying thing about this game is the noise the crowd makes after a point is won. It begins to grate after a while.