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I suppose it was inevitable that a copy of that great game Boulderdash would appear, but even though this one is a lot cheaper, I don't think it will give much competition to the original. It's set in underground vaults where a Remote Excavation Module (REM) has to collect radioactives before moving onto the next of twenty screens.

The playing area is a very large cavern that has been filled with volcanic rocks, earth radioactives and aliens. On each of the twenty areas, there are a number of radioactives lying around to be collected (or created if there are none). Once the correct number has been picked up, you can move onto the next level with a new layout and new difficulties.

As the REM moves about the screen, you notice this game's one big failing - the scrolling. It is absolutely awful and guaranteed to bring out the worst in migraine sufferers. The control is also bad, since it is difficult to calculate when to change direction when being chased or about to be squashed. If you can cope with these problems, the game presents a challenge... but I suspect most people would rather have the real thing.

Once inside a cave, the physics of the game are much like Boulderdash, with gravity affecting both rocks and radioactives creating the danger of you being squashed. If you do collect enough radioactives within the generous fuel time limit, you can exit to the next screen or continue collecting for more bonus. A bonus is also given for fuel left and, once you've completed the level, you're given a code allowing you to bypass it next time.

Every fifth cavern is a challenge stage where bonus points can be earned but lives can't be lost. If you get far enough, you start to encounter the three forms of alien life that have invaded the caves. Glomps are first and these smiling, red-faced chaps home in on you, killing you on contact. Spidons are similar but when crushed by a rock turn into a radioactive. Blinkers don't kill you but sap the fuel supply when they touch the REM.

The whole thing is played at a much slower pace to Boulderdash and, with the graphic inadequacies, it won't set the pulse racing.

It's certainly the scrolling that's the problem with this. If it were about 200% smoother the game would be a reasonable budget alternative to the real thing. As it is, it can only be recommended to masochists and rock fetishists.

P. 20 levels.
P. Some stages are difficult.

N. The scrolling is diabolical.
N. Control is difficult.
N. It's thoroughly difficult.
N. The whole game seems to operate at slow motion pace.