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If you enjoy the balletic bone-crunching spectacle of American Football but are confused by its complexities you may think twice about buying a simulation of the game.

However, with this well presented package, every attempt is made to enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the game whether you are approaching it as a total novice or an expert.

A 15 minute cassette explaining the rudiments of American football rules is a sensible inclusion for those who don't know their split ends from their tight ends.

The simulation is actually a replay of the 1986 Superbowl between the Chicago bears and the New England Patriots and is designed very much to be a two player game.

There is, however, an option to play the game against the computer to acquaint yourself with the basic moves before tackling an opponent. Defensive and offensive menus for deciding strategy include a play game option where the opposing side will play automatically.

This option is highly recommended to get a feel of the game and achieving touchdowns is relatively easy but don't be lulled into thinking that it will be as simple in a competitive game.

The screen display is divided into two halves. On the right is a scrolling map of the grid iron with your team formations symbolished by squares. Although these are tiny, a useful aid is added as your controlled player or nominated receiver becomes an outsized square as you propel him around the pitch.

Once a play has begun, it can be difficult to tell just what is going on and this is where the display on the left hand side comes in showing large animated figures replaying the vital moves - a successful pass, a fumble, a touchdown or a tackle. The display also tells you who is in possession, something that is not always apparent from the overview of the pitch.

If you are on the offensive there is a list of options that appears before each down, including:

Long pass, short pass, rush play or special play (these plays being field goal attempt and punt). Each option leads to other more sophisticated strategies to choose from.

Once you have decided on your strategy, you have the change to see what will happen to your players by using the view next frame option. Then it's time to select your preferred receiver who will hopefully collect the pass from the quarterback.

Then it's the defensive team's chance to organise with a choice of formations, 3-4-4, 7-1-3 etc and to nominate which of the defensive line will mark each attacking player. The defence team also has a nominated roving player who can create mayhem under joystick control and there is an option to change this player once play has commenced.

Passing can be very tricky. When the ball is snapped back to the quarterback he is under joystick control. Once you've decided who will receive the ball (the cursor can be moved over potential receivers when you press the fire button) release the fire button and the ball speeds on its way to the receiver who comes under your control once the ball is released. Passing is difficult to master but it's well worth persisting with.

If you successfully position your receiver you are on the way to a touchdown but if there is a fumble you can renominate a receiver to retrieve the ball or protect your man once he is in possession. When a pass goes wrong however it is very hard indeed to avoid losing possession.

Playing Superbowl can be as complex and strategically advanced as you choose to make it. Although it is a two player game, there is only an option to use one joystick, the other player having to be content with keyboard control. If you want to keep things even, both players can use the keyboard.

It would be difficult to imagine a better simulation of the game and its success comes from the fact that it is not a poor imitation of the real thing but within its limitations tries to give a flavour of the game at its highest level. The biggest compliment is really that this simulation, because it is well presented and simple to get to grips with, will, if persevered with, help you to understand and enjoy the real thing to a greater extent.