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CUE A TINKLING RAGTIME PIANO, LOTS OF HOODLUMS WITH TOMMY GUNS AND A GUY WANDERING AROUND SAYING `YOU DIRTY RAT!' AND `OKAY BLUE EYES, IT'S THE BIG SLEEP FOR YOU' BECAUSE HERE'S MARK CASWELL AND HE'S OFF FOR A DAY'S GANGSTER BUSTING!

There's never an Untouchable around when you need one, is there? So, I guess, it's up to you as Lieutenant Sharkey to bring the bad guys to book.

One guy is top of your 'most wanted' list, Rubbers Malone (no fnarr-type Jokes, please!), who gained his nickname through his habit of wiping out his enemies. With trusty tommy gun and a limited supply of Molotov cocktails to hand, you hit the streets (they retaliate but you neatly duck - ho ho).

There are six levels to play through and all scroll at a slow-lab pace from left to right Gameplay's in Op Wolf tradition, you aiming your cross-hairs and letting rip with your weapon (madam).

GANGSTER PRANKSTER

Be assured that your opposition, a vicious bunch of gangsters, will be on you like a ton of bricks in about three nanoseconds. Most walk on the screen from either side but others fire at you from can or snipe from open windows in background buildings.

To the right of the playing screen is the status panel that shows (from the top) the amount of ammo left, your supply of Molotov cocktails (real booze was prohibited) and your energy level.

As you battle your way through the hail of Pb (that's scientific for lead, thickies) and dodge the odd flying bottle, you come across some very handy pick-ups. First Aid boxes replenish energy, ammo clips replenish your empty gun, machine guns provide much needed automatic fire and bottles restock your cocktail cabinet

REALLY SAYING SOMETHING At the end of each level is an informer who points you in the right direction for the next battle. However, whatever (ever, ever) you do, don't shoot him (not even accidently) - if you do it's right back to the start of the current level. Annoying, eh?.

I love these blast-the-scum-away type games, and Sharkey's Moll is no exception. It really gets the old adrenalin going when the enemy troops pop up and take pot shots at you and, being a complete and utter psycho, I enjoy replying in kind.

The graphics are monochrome but very detailed, and an atmospheric tune tinkles away on the title screen. My only niggle is that the cursor is a bit on the sluggish side, thus quick movements are hard to achieve. This is annoying because if there are gangsters on either aide of the screen most of your energy rapidly disappears. Despite this, Sharkey's Moll is well worth adding to your shopping list, especially of you're addicted to blasters)

MARK … 84%

'Anyone miss Operation Wolf when it was released? Well, if you did, all you need do is spend £2.99 on Sharkey's Moll because it's almost identical. The only real difference is the graphics - Sharkey's set in the 1920's with lots of violin cases, trendy cars and dirty rats! Every sprite and background graphic has been excellently drawn with great detail - it's quite stunning. Any shoot-'em-up fan will have a field day with plenty of baddies to be popped and a few good guys to be avoided, too. The only moan is that we've seen it all before - are all the original ideas for games on summer holiday? If a good, cheap blaster is what you're after, Sharkey's Moll is the one for you; if you own Op Wolf, it's hardly worth bothering about.'