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Revs was Acornsoft's follow-up to Elite, and it caused a stir not seen in racing games since Pitstop II. Revs had some of the most excellent graphics possible, and this is what caused the stir.

The view was not the back of your car, but instead of the cockpit with a steering wheel, wing mirrors, a tachometer (rev counter) and gear stick. Its main difference was that it was a simulation, so racing fanatics (like myself) could not beat the lap record immediately.

I was surprised that within a month of release nearly every major computer magazine had given it an extremely good review and rating, because according to Acornsoft themselves, it would take some months to get the hang of. So I suspect that the game was judged on its graphics and the fact it is the follow-up to the highly acclaimed Elite.

The game will take only an analogue joystick as opposed to a normal one. Out of all the games in this article, Revs was the only daunting one. People like me, as I have already said, like to load a game, play for an hour, win and then load something else, a game which is tough but easy to play, so Revs to me is appalling, I don't have the time for it.

Saying this is bound to infuriate the thousands of Revs owners who can be bothered to play it, so for them I have included a second set of ratings, worked out by my associate R. Hearn who has shown me the other side of the coin concerning Revs. It is up to you to prefer one set of ratings over the other.

For your £15 you get a video-style case, with solitary tape in it, a manual with lots of pretty pictures of the car, a special programme (leaflet) with more pretty pictures and one of the best loader screens of all time.

The programme contains lists on cornering and overtaking, and descriptions and drawings of your competitors who are: Max Throttle, Johnny Turbo, Davey Rocket, Gloria Sleep, Hugh Engine, Desmond Dash, Percy Vea, Gary Clipper, Willey Swerve, Sid Spoiler, Billy Bumper, Slim Chance, Harry Fune, Don Dipstick, Wilma Cargo, Miles Behind, Roland Slide, Rick Shaw and Peter Out.

In the game itself, you have a choice of either Silverstone or Brands Hatch, and practice or race. Practice for about eight months continually is recommended before going on to the race! You drive a Ralf RT3, which can be controlled in four different ways: using an expensive analogue joystick; a switched joystick with paddles; keys and paddles; or just keys. The key controls the CTRL - gears down, Q - gears up, A - brake, S - throttle, T - start, ; - steer left, : - steer right, space - amplify steering motion.

This makes it very difficult, but with practice it can be done. Racing is said to be fun if you can get past the first corner. It may be. The graphics are very nice, especially when a car appears in a wing mirror.

The courses are very accurate and even includes bumps, but for me, this simulation has nothing except its nice graphics. The game will reap rewards if it can be played for a long time, but for the impatient (like myself) the game will hold nothing.

Graphics 98%
Playability 2%
Addictiveness 3%
Lastability 2%
Value For Money 4%
Overall 21%

Graphics 98%
Playability 75%
Addictiveness 76%
Lastability 81%
Value For Money 76%
Overall 81%