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This is an unlicensed copy of the coin-op game Space Firebirds. Originally released by Insight - producers of Subterranean Stryker - it is now being re-released as a budget title.

The game is available in both Z80 formats and is largely identical in both instances. Space Firebirds, sorry Star Firebirds, has you in a small upwardly pointing spacecraft that can move from side to side with a slight upturn at the edge, making the movement a sort of curve rather than a straight side to side movement.

The aliens come down in formations composed of a number of different types of baddies of various belligerence. You also get bombs that progress slowly down the screen and will either explode when you shoot them - the score depending on how late you leave it - or they will explode on their own. Both times they will explode showering shrapnel everywhere.

The baddies drop bombs that are extremely nasty and the screen can get very busy at times. The graphics and sound is up to scratch and the gameplay is as identical to the original game as possible. The presentation is also very good with the usual Insight big letters.

Worth a couple of quid just to relive old memories.