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This is one of those few retro games that actually show the old days in a good light - Spy Vs. Spy, based on the old Mad cartoons, is a well-crafted, strangely compelling and... well... mad game.

You can choose to take on the guise of either the White or Black Spy, odd sharp-nosed figures. Then you can select from one of four missions - Space Rocket, Speed Boat, Spy Car or Stealth Jet. You have simply got to beat the heck out of your dastardly opponent.

For each mission (of which there are many variations, with lots of different levels of difficulty) the commander will tell you exactly what to collect, and it is your job to race around a house looking under chairs, inside safes and absolutely everywhere until you've found the items. These items include binoculars, keys, a top secret disc and password book. Once found, you must exit as quickly as possible.

The missions are quite tricky as the other spy is in the same house, also looking for the items... and you're both armed to the teeth! If you meet nose to nose, it's a terrible slug-fest until the other is playing his harp. In addition to finding the items, you can also pick up cool weapons and leave bombs and acid drops around the house for them to stumble into later.

All in all, especially when you consider the wide variety of options and the ability to play against an actual friend or foe, Spy Vs. Spy is a terrific buy. The game has a sly sense of humour, top tunes, and the cool colour graphics are so detailed that you'll be puzzling away until doomsday. By the way, if anyone knows exactly what these freaks are actually all about, please write in. We're foxed!

Flippin' heck! I remember this game. I played this on my crumbly old ZX Spectrum when I was just a nipper (Dont tell me that must be a long time ago!)! The game hasn't changed much - just got a bit more colourful.

Planting booby traps for the other spy to walk into is excellent, but walking into traps yourself isn't. The animation is small but perfectly formed with the guys turning into angels and floating up to heaven playing harps when they die - neat!

If you want lots of fun for not much cash - try out Spy Vs. Spy!

Graphics 60%
Simple but effective.

Sound 40%
The usual beeps and bops.

Playability 80%
Tough to learn, but great fun!

Lastability 80%
The frustration factor will hook you.

Overall 77%
Forget 007 - Become a Sly Spy.