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"It's flippin' fabby football fun," claims the blurb accompanying the Codies' latest offering. Obviously with hyperbole like this the game's got a lot to live up to, so coupled with the inevitable comparisons with the really rather good Pinball Dreams, Soccer Pinball has a lot of work to do in the box, Brian.

The idea behind the game is interesting, if not a whole lot else - it's basically computer pinball with some interesting graphics. The first table we come across is, unsurprisingly, based loosely on a footballing theme. Pop-up pins representing the goalie and defenders can be removed by a firm boot with the ball, leaving the goalmouth free to score - a task made frustratingly difficult by the lack of power that the flippers supply to the rather Lego-looking ball. Two goals later, and it's on to the next table which, quite obviously in a game called Soccer Pinball, is all about playing cards (?). After that we move to a fruit machine and after that... Well, you don't want me to spoil it for you, do you?

Unfortunately, Soccer Pinball simply fails to stand up either as a pinball simulation or just an entertaining diversion for bored soccer fans. The graphics are fairly colourful but the sound's restricted to spot effects and the ball movement is as unrealistic as it possibly could be, with the sphere soaring off into completely random directions which bear little resemblance to the laws of physics. The gameplay seems to require the minimum use of skill, the tables are confusing and the instructions give no clues as to what should be going on. All in all, it boils down to an exceptionally unrewarding experience and one which, unfortunately, cannot be recommended.