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A game of loony tunes and musical madness, Rootin' Tootin' was a big hit in Japanese arcades but has only made it over here in home computer form.

It's a game needing the grace of a geisha rather than the bulk of a Sumo wrestler, since it requires quick reflexes and even quicker thinking.

You control a tuba trapped on a maze consisting of a musical scale. On the blue lines of the scale are a myriad of purple notes which you can blast to score points or to destroy the pursuers - a host of crazy musical instruments.

On the first of many levels, your opponents are Guitacos, whose name gives a good idea of their appearance. They pop out of their holes in the middle of the maze and relentlessly chase that poor tuba.

To avoid them you can either blow a Few notes their way or, by pressing the joystick button, turn your tuba blue and pass through them. But you only remain invulnerable for a moment, so two or three Guitacos together are bound to get you.

When you've cleared most of the notes a Trien will appear. This is a fast-moving triangle which leaves deadly stars all over the maze; it pays to get rid of it as soon as possible.

On further screens, a whole orchestra of other nasty instruments appears. Particularly gruesome is the Pianha, its keyboard flashing like rows of deadly teeth as it rushes after you. Pianos and tubas just do not get on.

Rootin' Tootin' has excellent graphics and the sound is good, if a little repetitive. There are numerous levels with increasing numbers of opponents and greater speed. Control is awkward and your tuba can be very tricky to steer around corners, but Rootin' Tootin' is well worth listening out for.