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Deep down in the depths of King Solomon's mine lies an enormous fortune - and it's there for the taking. But, before all you budding treasure hunters pack a suitcase and rush off, consider that the booty is guarded by an army of extremely hostile unearthy creatures. Still undeterred? Then take a trip to the mines...

Solomon's mine comprises twenty screens, each filled with blocks which the on-screen hero uses as stepping stones as he runs and jumps around. The priority is to find a route to the key that unlocks the exit door. Sometimes the key is in a seemingly inaccessible spot, and the ony way it can be collected is by creating a route. Pointing the joystick left or right in conjunction with fire makes a block appear, and the hero can leap foward. Completing this action when next to a block destroys it.

As well as the exit key, there are also valuable treasures lying around which yield large bonus points when run into. Sometimes breaking a block reveals an item of treasure which further increases score.

Each screen is inhabited by alien guards whose deadly touch removes one of the hero's five lives. Some follow preset patterns and are easily dodged, but others are more intelligent and try to track down the hapless adventurer. He can defend himself, but only when a pot emblazoned with a flame has been collected. When this item is touched, the hero is given one chance to fire a deadly bomb. This orb of doom flies around the screen turning every guard it touches into a score-boosting item of treasure.

The action is played against the clock, and failure to leave a screen before the time limit expires results in a loss of life. Going through the exit door converts all the remaining time into bonus points - and the quest continues on the next screen, where even more treasures lie!

After playing the arcade game a couple of months back, I've been waiting for US Gold's conversion to appear with some anticipation. Now the wait is over, and I'm glad to see that this has retained nearly all the addictiveness and playability of the original.

On the surface, Solomon's Key looks like any other platform/collecting game, but beneath its unimpressive exterior is a subtle and perplexing game of logic and reflexes. Many of its finer points aren't instantly apparent - and that's where a lot of the joy comes in.

It's great discovering a new way to complete a screen, or finding a hidden bonus. Those who like a game which challenges both the brain and dexterity should definitely give this a try.

Solomon's Key is probably best described as a platform game, but has unusual method of building and destroying blocks to 'construct' a path.

The game is thoughtfully presented, looks nice and plays really well - like most puzzle games it's also extremely addictive! My only niggle is the fact that every play starts with the same screen, which can be offputting to the occasional player.

Probe don't always hit the mark as far as conversions go, but Solomon's Key is definitely one of their better efforts - give it a go.

What a strange game mixture this is. It's a sort of Boulderdash in reverse with platform overtones. Well, whatever it is, it's certainly addictive.

The graphics and sound aren't particularly wonderful, but it plays beautifully - and that's what really counts. The first few screens are deceptively easy, but the going soon gets tough, with some devilishly tricky obstacles to overcome.

A Boulderdash level select would have been really appreciated to save me from going through the same screens time and time again. That's only a minor niggle - Solomon's Key is great, and I thoroughly recommend you look out for it.

Presentation 67%
Lacking options and a restart, but otherwise good enough.

Graphics 73%
Small sprites and flat backdrops which do their job.

Sound 61%
A repetitive, but apt tune, warbles away throughout.

Hookability 90%
The gameplay is straightforward - but addictive.

Lastability 79%
Twenty screens to keep any platform fanatic engrossed.

Overall 86%
An original, satisfying and addictive variation on the platform theme.