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It was a quiet day in the fairy village. All the fairy folk were going about their daily chores, minding their own business, when something very bizarre happened to them all.

To their horror, they began to change, not out of their pyjamas for breakfast (as all good fairy folk do!), but into strange fluffy fiends. They no longer have control over their actions and have kidnapped the beloved mom of Tam and Rit, the heroes of the hour. This parent in peril now lies captured at the top of the Maboots Tower and Tam and Rit are her only hope. So, armed with the magic rods of Sheesanamo, and their special shoes, the daring duo set off to save the day.

Bashing cutesy characters on the head with a big rod is what's called for in Rod Land. You wouldn't think these fairy folk had it in them but they're incredibly violent when they get their backs up!

I reckon the Rod Land programmer was on drugs or something when he invented this. On the journey through the Maboots tower you meet animals like sharks, squirrels and rabbits, but also a variety of very strange baddies: killer spuds and corncobs, and rude-looking blobs called Polymorfs try to get you with their terrible tongues.

Wiping out these weird creatures with just a rod to protect yourself ain't no picnic but it can be done. Bop them on the head, pick them up and repeatedly bash them on the floor. Luv'ly.

Collecting flowers gives extra points and picking up the last one turns all the nasties into 'Kabura', sort of like red turnips! Killing these makes them drop a letter of the word EXTRA. Collecting them all gains Tam or Rit an extra life!

Bashing a baddy makes them drop special weapons to help the quest. These range from the usual boring missiles and bombs to things like ice, flame and 'revel' that bounces four balls around the screen killing everything they touch.

At the end of each level, a big boss baddy like the terrifying elephant on a trapeze or killer whale and its babies come out of hiding for a battle. These fairies may be dainty and sweet, but they're hellish strong - I mean, could you swing a shark from side to side until its head caves in?

Rod Land is excellently presented with lots of colourful graphics and groovy tunes before you start playing. In-game graphics are well drawn and animated but are in black and white monochrome! They could have squeezed some sort of colour into the game, even if it was only for the main characters. These minor moans haven't stopped me playing the game, though - I'm totally hooked!

When I started playing I was stuck on the first low levels: I just couldn't get the hang of bashing the creatures around the screen. But I soon mastered the controls and after defeating the first big boss there was no stopping me! Rod Land is highly recommended to everyone. It may be sickeningly cute but it's also fantastically playable - I just can't get enough!

MISSILE K. A standard weapon. When launched, a missile travels horizontally until it hits a baddy or the side of the screen.

SUPER K. The seonc standard weapon. Bounces until it hits the edge or kills a baddy.

BOMB K. That's more like it! This sets off a large explosion killing any nearby baddy.

HYPER K. When activated, Hyper creates two shock waves that kill all baddies on either side. Make sure all baddies are within range for maximum bonus points.

REVEL K. Splits into four individual bouncy balls that butchers baddies on contact. Can only be found on selected levels.

ICE K. Produces a spray of deadly ice crystals.

FLAME K. Our favourite. When picked up this gives you a flame thrower for a limited lime.

Hurrah! At last a game where the heroines aren't girly wimps! Tam 'n Rit are beautiful, smart and rock 'ard! Okay, so they're fairies, but nobody's perfect. Basically, this is one hell of a game. It looks great, plays well, sounds good and drives you insane. I even gave up my lunchtime gallon of lager to play this so it *must* be good.

The way the femme fatale fairies pick up anything from sharks to corncobs and whales to elephants and throw them around until they snuff it made me laugh my head off.

Although monochrome, the sprites are nicely drawn and good animation sets them off a treat. This game's a treat for all platform freaks and beat-'em-up fans. Viva la rock-'ard girlies!

Overall 88%
A perfect conversion of a fun coin-op. Grab your magic rod and bash a bunny today!