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High marks for originality to Tynesoft - after a flood of kung-fu games, this is the first game featuring an even more obvious fighting art, boxing. This may be the start of a rush - there's at least one other boxing game, from Superior, currently under development - but Tynesoft score by being first *and* setting a high standard.

Programmer Stephen Ruddy has come up with an excellent game. Not only is it a fun, exciting boxing simulation, featuring yourself versus the computer or a friend, but it is also an excellent game editor which allows you to change the fighters or add new ones. A welcome touch that it would be nice to see on a lot more games.

The game involves beating a succession of eight challengers, each with different strengths and weaknesses which you discover from the introductory screens. Some, for instance, are strong on left arm punches to the head, others vulnerable in the body and so on.

The bell rings and you're on, you punch like mad to KO your opponent before running out of energy! Simple. Playing the game takes a bit of practice and I found the keyboard game quite difficult so try it with joysticks. If the computer is your opponent you are not forgiven *any* mistakes, so practice is important.

The graphics are excellent - large, smoothly moving figures that respond well, and there is humour apparent both in the style of the graphics and the names chosen. If you win, you're provided with a password that allows access to higher levels next time you play.

This is perhaps not an instant classic, and I found the introductory screens a little tiresome if I wanted to play the same opponent again. However, this is a minor complaint and the game is both friendly and playable.

An excellent start to the year or Tynesoft with yet another hit in a seemingly endless series of great sports simulations. It's hard to think what extra a boxing game could include that isn't included in this one. Lots of entertainment and the addition of an editor make this a priority purchase for BBC/Electron owners.