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The Blues Brothers are travelling across America on a major comeback tour, but disaster has struck. All of the boogie boys' equipment has been stolen (probably be people sick of continually hearing "Theme from Rawhide"). So it's up to you and an optional pal to play either Jake or Elwood as they chase their missing gear. There are five objects to find (one on each level) and they are (in order) Guitar, Microphone, Amplifier, Concert Poster and Concert Permit. There's also a carefully hidden sixth bonus level.

The first task upon loading the game is to choose a character: both Jake and Elwood stand under their own spotlight so press that fire button and "hit it". You are next faced with a map of the town to be investigated, showing the five different levels to be explored. The present level is identified by a musical note, areas already covered are denoted by a cross.

But not everyone is a fan of The Blues Brothers (people who loathe Rawhide perhaps?); as you'll notice on Level One there are plenty of cops, grannies in trolleys and various thugs trying to send the heroes to R 'n B heaven. As the cool shaded ones are ht by flying bullets, slashed by razors or run over by psycho grannies their energy levels plummet (as indicated by a string of hearts). But don't panic yet 'coz bonus items are scattered around the scene to help out.

Hearts bestow energy, hats and glasses equal extra lives, whilst collecting 100 records gives ya (much-needed) extra energy. The boyz aren't armed, but they ain't 'armless either, scattered around are crates to pick up and lob at attackers. Apart from the animate obstacles there are also inanimate ones, including water tanks, spikes and moving platforms. As with the sentient attackers, hit any of these and it's goodnight Vienna (hey, don't you mean Chicago?).

Now and again shop doorways beckon; entering one takes you into the shop proper. The occasional bonus object can be found here, and it's in one of these establishments that the Guitar is lurking (I'm not going to tell you which one). Only when this has been found can you head for the red flag (gawd knows why a red flag) that ends the level and takes the pork-pie-hatted heroes to Level Two. Looking like a construction site this is the scene for more hijinks as the terrible twosome are on the lookout for a microphone.

"Well, I guess we're really up s**t creek" (to quote Jake and Elwood), I thought as The Blues Brothers loaded. Twelve years have passed since the cinematic release of one of my favourite comedy films. But I'm not too proud to admit that the programmers have done a first-class job on the pixellated unbogus boogie boys. The characters look uncannily like the late (and much lamented) John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd (respectively), right down to the trademarked blue suits, pork-pie hats and wraparound shades.

The simultaneous two-player option is a pleasant surprise, as many games these days are one player only. And as this is a 'run around and collect objects'-style game, you'll probably be saying "Hah, no gameplay. But The Blues Brothers is a very absorbing example of the genre, mainly because there are also some quite tricky puzzles to solve. Along with the ace graphics and gameplay are a fair few of the classic Blues Brothers tunes. Included are the 'Peter Gunn Theme' and my personal fave 'Everybody Needs Somebody To Love'.

The one fly in the ointment (who should know better than to throw himself willy-nilly into things) is the mildly annoying multi-load. Every time you die, you have to rewind the tape to the beginning and start again. Those of you with little patience will probably be tempted to give your C64 a flying lesson, but I personally think The Blues Brothers is well worth the hassle. Check it out now.

The Blues Brothers has restored my faith in film licences! Picking up where the movie ends, it's rip-roaring action all the way. Not very original, I suppose: we've all seen platform games before and one or two of the exciting features are a direct steal from The New Zealand Story, but slick execution and brilliant animation make The Blues Brothers an essential purchase. (The way he holds onto his hat when he jumps... unreal!)

Although there's little variation in game style, Titus have squeezed every last ounce of playability from the genre so you won't get bored. Like the film, The Blues Brothers the game seems destined to become a cult classic - if you don't buy it, you're a Dannii Minogue fan!

Presentation 89%
Two-player option, nicely drawn loading screen.

Graphics 90%
Both the Jake and Elwood sprites are colourful and realistically drawn.

Sound 87%
Plenty of toe-tapping tunes taken straight from the movie.

Hookability 89%
With the two-player option, the game is instantly playable.

Lastability 90%
Six levels filled with non-stop R 'n B action keeps you playing well into the wee hours.

Overall 91%
They're on a mission from God, and with this game they can't lose.