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ITV's Run The Gauntlet is a brilliant TV programme - it pits four teams from the USA, Great Britain, Holland and Australia against one another over a variety of gruelling events which feature motocross scramblers, quads, speedboats, jet skis, hovercraft, Argo ATVs and off-road buggies amongst others.

With action like that, it's ideal subject matter for a computer game - and Ocean have capitalised with an official licence to produce a Run The Gauntlet program. The end result is a three-stage action sports simulation played over land and water.

At the start of a game, the player(s) choose a team. After that, the first event begins - on water.

A random water vehicle is chosen - speedboat, jet ski or hovercraft; each has its own handling and speed capabilities. The action is viewed from overhead, and the course scrolls as the craft move around. A map at the top right of the screen tells you where to go, and also gives a radar indication of where the opponents are. The objective is to complete three laps in the minimum possible time.

The player partakes in three rounds of three races. The time for each of the three races is added together to produce a result for one round, and points are awarded depending on whether you come first, second or third.

After three rounds, all points are displayed, and depending on whether you've done well enough, you go onto the next round - a land-based event which features the likes of buggies, eight-wheeled ATVs and bikes. Similar principles to the first event apply, with the player competing over a variety of courses with different vehicles. There are plenty of hazards to avoid, as well as a lot of bumping one another if you are to cross the finishing line first.

Finally, there's the Hill, a tough and demanding joystick-wagging event. The player controls a runner as he sprints up the vertically scrolling screen, leaping over obstacles, running over log bridges and through water.

Run The Gauntlet is a simple but enjoyable and addictive game which has a very competitive element in two- or three-player mode. The random selection of courses and craft is another bonus, making the game unpredictable and increasing its lasting appeal.

The different style of controls is a great idea, and coming from the rather sluggish and slow hovercraft to a speedy and manoeuvrable jet ski takes some getting used to - mastering each craft is tricky, but perseverence reaps rewards.

The graphics on both 8 and 16 bit versions are polished and highly detailed. Both the ST and Amiga versions are colourful, with excellent sprites and backdrops.

Sound is also very good, with a variety of neat effects and ditties on 8-bit, and effective use of samples on the ST and Amiga to enhance the atmosphere of the game.

Ocean have certainly done a great job bringing Run The Gauntlet to our screens, and any sports sim fan after an action-packed game should definitely look this up.