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Any similarity between real life characters and characters portrayed in this game is purely intentional. Splitting Images is a variation of the old sliding puzzle game where the object is to slide blocks around a grid as you try to build up a recognisable picture. There are however, several original features.

The first main difference is that you start off with an empty grid and can bring pieces on as you require. Before you think that ths will make the game too easy, you should note that every time you move a piece, it continues in a straight line until it reaches either another piece of an edge.

Pieces are simply controlled by moving a cursor around. Holding down the fire button fixes a piece and moving the joystick slides the piece of the puzzle in the required direction. The piecces not on the board are deemed to be in a queue and there are three opening and closing windows which you can use to dump unwanted bits. These discarded pieces then go to the end of the queue.

Not every block is used in making up the final picture. There are extra pieces that can score bonuses or cost lives if they are not disposed of quickly. For example, on the first picture of Ronald Reagan, you get bonus points if you can slide a picture of the American flag next to that of the Russian flag, but if a bomb appears you only have five seconds to slide it off the screen or move it against a tap which will defuse it. Bonuses can be in the form of extra time or points although you must take care that you do not create an explosive mixture. The entire game is played against a time limit and you start off with three lives.

On-screen presentation is very well done. Apart from the main screen, there is a smaller screen showing that the finished product should look like and where the individual pieces go. Another window gives details of your score and a sliding scale at the bottom shows how much land you have left.

The pictures themselves are well drawn and with the exception of Neil Kinnock on the third screen appear to be instantly recognisable. My only grumble is that I would have preferred it if the pictures appeared in a random rather than fixed sequence.

Nevertheless, a highly original and thoroughly enjoyable game.