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Big Arnie - he's as hard as I-don't-know-what. In the latest computer representation of one of the big Austrian's films, you play the role of one Captain Ivan Danko, a Ruskie on an exchange visit to the USA. What is doing here though? It seems that a certain Viktor Rostavilli is bringing drugs into the country via the Soviet Union. Gorby is a bit perturbed at this so Danko - that's Arnie (and you!) - is on the tail of the nasty pasty.

You begin in Moscow. Relaxing in a pleasant sauna you're attacked by a gang of hoodlums. Derobed, hence gun-less, it's your fist against a lot of unfriendly junkies. then it's a swift hop over to Chicago, where Rostavilli was last spotted, for more of the same, only this time you're armed with a revolver - trouble is, so are your assailants!

Scattered around the different screens are power pellets and extra ammunition, which can be picked up by stooping. Crouching down also assists in getting out of the way of flying ammo, discharged at waist level by the armed drug-smugglers.

The action is displayed in a 'movie screen' style, with only the top-half of the action (and Arnie) shown, the rest of the screen being taken up by the status panel.

On completing a level, you are offered the chance of boosting your flagging energy via a test of strength. Your hand is shown, clenching a rock, and by waggling the joystick very quickly you must crush the stone. Not the sort of practice you'd expect from your normal bobby on the beat but then again, Arnie isn't, is he?

Graphics are fine on both machines with good use of colour throughout, although backgrounds are unnecessarily slow-moving (considering that only half the screen is being utilised).

While spot effects are on the weak side, they can be turned off in favour of a rousing tune. I did find the bonus section irritating, not to mention unrealistic (how many people do you know who go around crushing rocks with their bare hands?) but luckily it doesn't affect the playability of the main game.

Red Heat isn't a game I'd immediately rush out and buy, but if you've got the cash spare, you could do a lot worse.

Yet another film I haven't seen but the game is quite different to what I expected. The plot comes second to the action (presumably like the film) with the differing locations serving only to provide graphic variety. Schwarzenegger strides slowly but purposefully through each level with some good animation on his and the enemies' part. It's a pity Special FX didn't widen the screen, the massive characters could have looked very good indeed. The sub-games provide much needed variety in the gameplay and the shoot-'em-up element is nicely violent in its execution.

On the other hand, repetition does creep into what is an above average but slow moving beat-'em-up.

Presentation 70% Well presented apart from dubious "cinema screen" effect.

Graphics 72% Smooth animation and good use of colour.

Sound 64% Weak effects which can be swapped for a good tune.

Hookability 69% Fairly playable beat-'em-up action.

Lastability 61% A bit repetitive.

Overall 65% An above average beat-'em-up.

Presentation 67% Good movie-style packaging, poor instructions.

Graphics 76% What there is of them is very nice.

Sound 64% Above average tunes.

Hookability 65% Level one is tough, and overly long.

Lastability 59% Battling through wave after wave of thugs soon proves repetitive.

Overall 62% A good beat-'em-up which is just a bit too long-winded.