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River Rescue is a not-so-distant relative of the arcade game where you have to fly a helicopter/jet/rocket over rugged mountain terrain, bombing everything in sight (Airstrike, reviewed blow, is a prime example of the species).

The basic skills are very similar, though Thorn EMI has brought off a cunning change which makes the thing worthwhile as a game in its own right. The basic scenario is that, instead of trying to avoid mountain peaks while zapping the nasties, you are piloting a launch down a river to collect explorers, who have somehow got lost in the jungle.

There are jetties at various points along the river on both the north and south banks. Bringing your launch to a stop at a north bank jetty causes an explorer to dash from the jungle and hop on board.

The idea is to collect a few of them and drop them off on the south bank jetties. You can load your boat up with as many as nine explorers if you wish, but since the launch goes at a great clip and the river is full of twists, turns and things to bump into (including dolphins), it is smarter to unload them as fast as you get them.

The pace of the boat can be slowed marginally, using the joystick, but it tends to shoot off once you signal normal speed. The dolphins have an irritating habit of wagging their tails just as you think you've found a clear line past them.

This, and any other crash, does for your boat, your passengers, and you. In case you think this is all you have to worry about, there is also a helicopter which appears from time to time and mines the water in front of you. The launch is armed and you can blast your way clear this goes for the dolphins as well, which I thought was a bit off, even if they do move at the wrong time.

If you can keep the throttle full down and avoid crashing into anything, the boat moves into the right hand section of the scrolling display. This cuts down your reaction time, of course, but it gives you higher scores.

All in all, an exciting game.