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The Goonies is a game based on the latest Steven Spielberg film which will reach these shores this Christmas. The game is an eight screen platform game based on the adventures of the Goonies kids in their search for pirate treasure.

Each screen poses a different set of problems that must be solved by two of the Goonies working together. These are either controlled by different players or by one with a press of the joystick button swaping control between them.

This takes some time to get used to and certainly adds a new dimension to a platform game. It is inevitable that you'll move the wrong person at the wrong time losing you one of your eight lives.

The problems posed by the screens are more involved than the standard "get the object" and involve extensive planning, decisive control and quick reactions.

To solve one screen the two characters must operate a series of trap doors to control a ball so that helps clear the exit rather than set some killer birds onto them. In another,, the kids must avoid jets of steam before blowing a pipe to clear their exit. Progress in another is hampered by giant birds dropping eggs that, if left alone, will hatch into more trouble.

US Gold hope that this Datasoft program will be their "Ghostbusters" of this Christmas. Certainly all the ingredients are there. The film has done well in the States and there's a Cyndi Lauper single and in my opinion the game is better. Whether they mix, time will only tell. Even if it doesn't break all software records, it's one of the best platform games I've played.