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Ronny had always wanted to become a clown, for years he studied at the Fieldington Clowns College until 1982 when he graduated with a City and Guilds in pie-throwing and falling over. For many years he entertained the crowds, but one day Ron decided to become an Errand Boy. So with roller skates firmly laced our hero is about to take his final 'in the field' exam to earn his Errand Boy stripes.

Disaster strikes when a band of thieves nick the Fieldington Crown Jewels, but as luck would have it they dropped the lot as they escaped. For some reason the jewels are to be found in glowing boxes scattered around the game's nine scrolling levels. The police feel that an undercover agent would have a better chance of recovering the loot, so three guesses who the mug... erm, volunteer is (and the first two don't count).

The game begins with the obligatory option screen. Here you can choose to start a new game, continue a game (there are two continue plays available per game) or view the high scores. Ronny starts the game with ten pence and four large pockets in which to store collectable items. The aim of each level is to retrieve all the bus fare to the next level (at least a quid). But as Ron travels through the game, a myriad of nasty creatures attack without mercy ('coz it's her day off).

Our lad isn't defenceless though - he carries an unlimited supply of stunted salami (missus). These are very smelly meat missiles produced by the Fieldington Butcher's Guild. But be warned, when you fling the projectiles you lose energy with each throw. Health is also a major concern, at the bottom of the status panel are a string of hearts. With each hit, these deplete until Ron collapses in a heap, never to throw a shaving foam pie again.

As mentioned before, collectable items come to Ron's rescue. These include money, health and energy bonuses, a time bonus (yes, each level is timed) and little surprise packages that could be anything. The salami isn't going to stop all the meanies, and to this end extra weapons/powers are available: superjump, powersneeze (smart bomb), stenchalizer (destroys all in its path), magnetofluct (attracts collectable objects) and megahonk (temporary invincibility). They may sound strange but, by gawd, they work.

Ron has a tough time leaping around from ledge to ledge, and often there's no visible way to reach objects (much puzzlement ahoy). But patience does reap rewards and soon Ronny is on his way to catch the bus to Level Two. This takes our red-nosed hero to The Sewers where, in the stinking depths, plenty of evil creatures await your presence. Level Three is Shakespeare Park and isn't for the nervous; plenty of nasty surprises lurk around each corner.

Later levels see Ronny skating around Municipal Offices, Spencer Street, Fieldington Docks and finally Scotland Yard. You should have stuck with the circus Ron, life would have been much easier!

Platform games are as old as the proverbial hills, and no doubt many of you will say 'oh no, not another leap around collect-'em-up game. But I'm here to tell you that Rolling Ronny is one of the best games of its type I've played in many an aeon. Both the character and background sprites are a joy to behold, the animation is superb and the colours are bright and lively.

Make no mistake about it, the game is tough from Level Two onwards. Not only do you have to collect the glowing jewellery boxes, but an eye must also be kept out for cash and marauding meanies.

The usual mildly annoying multi-load rears its ugly head on the tape version: every time you die, you have to rewind the tape to zero and start again. But the saving grace here is the continue option that allows you to carry on the level where Ron met his demise.

Rolling Ronny is a platform freak's dream - get your skates on and whizz down to your local computer shop now!

It's a fairly regular platform game, sure, but I found Rolling Ronny hard to leave alone. The ability to hold several objects at once, deciding when best to use them, adds a tactical element to the otherwise simple but compulsive, run-and-jump action.

I also like the way you can barter for more money for errands - for which you have to find the right house to deliver to. Experienced gameplayers mght find the early levels a bit too easy, but there's plenty to see and do with lots of bonuses to find.

The presentation is very slick with a nice 'How To Play' screen showing what all the objects/icons are. The one fly in the ointment is the annoying multi-load, but a continue option reduces the frustration. Overall, well worth giving a roll.

Presentation 86%
Annoying multi-load, eased by two continue-plays. Nice title and 'how to play' screens, plus amusing instruction manual.

Graphics 88%
Colourful, with some nice varied backdrops and psychopathic creatures.

Sound 86%
Good title tune and hummable in-game ditty.

Hookability 88%
Very easy to get into, early levels aren't that difficult.

Lastability 86%
Multi-load may put some off, but this is balanced by the ease of the first few levels.

Overall 87%
Unoriginal, but great fun.