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Subroc torpedoed its way into the arcades two years ago when Sega launched the coin-op version.

By 1982 standards, the graphics were pretty impressive but, since then, Subroc has fallen in popularity and you don't see it in many arcades these days.

That's a shame because, for people who like a good shoot-'em-up, they don't come much better.

The action takes place at sea. You are at the wheel of the Subroc vessel which is being bombarded by various nasties. You have to shoot your way through progressively difficult waves of action before taking on the deadly command ship on the third screen.

The nasties you will encounter include Battleships, which make very easy targets. Interceptors, Cruisers, Drones, Fighters, Flying Saucers and Shields.

Your view of the action is from the bridge of your vessel and your gunsights appear in the centre of the screen.

To blast the enemy, you simply move up, down, left, and right, picking them off as you move. Considerable skill is required as your torpedoes bend authentically when in flight.

One of the few graphical thrills in this game is when night falls and dawn finally breaks again.

I don't know what it is about the Coleco, but some of the recent arcade-to-home conversions have been disappointing - Subroc included. The graphics are crude and jerky and there's not much of a lasting challenge in this game. I got to the third and final screen on only my fifth turn.

It's not the Coleco that's to blame for the mediocrity of these games - it's an excellent games playing machine, as evidenced by Donkey Kong and Zaxxon. The problem is the software. It seems to be a case of too much money and effort being spent in getting the licence to the game but not enough being spent in developing the game itself.

Steer clear of Subroc – you could do a lot better for £30.