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I ain't afraid of no ghost! Well, you may not be, matey, but, after the phenomenal success of the Ghostbusters film, loads of little kids were. So much so, in fact, that a new breed of 'busters has emerged - the "real" Ghostbusters. And they're everywhere! On the telly, in cereal packets, on toyshop shelves (those action figures are totally marv!) and now, via Activision, on yet very own, honest-to-goodness C64 screens, in a berrand new game!

The game's based on a little-known Data-East coin-op and has you taking control of the Ghostbusters, during a normal day at work. Work in this case is rushing around loads of different buildings, zapping ghoulies, ghosties and other paranormal types with your big gun and collecting the old ectoplasmic remains with photon trapper. Dotted around the landscapes are plants and the like which, if shot at, may or may not uncover a host of extra goodies, which include better ammo, extra lives, invincibility, etc.

If you're man enough, you might even get hold of some protection in the form of your very own personal Slimer. That's if you don't get slimed first.

At the end of each level you'll find one or two big... what? Lemons, Alka-Seltzers, Jehovah's Witnesses, armadillos? nope. Great big, ghastly, ghouly, ghostly guardians, who try their level best to halt your progress. Disposing of these demonic denizens reveals a key, which you must pick up to open the door leading to the next building. Woo!

So... who ya gonna call? No, not the fire brigade, prat! The Real Ghostbusters, that's who!

In the arcade stakes, The Real Ghostbusters coin-op isn't exactly the most exciting thing out since Galaxy Force, for your 8-bit home micro, it's pretty nifty stuff.

They could have made a better job of the splurgy graphics and the droning sound but the gameplay itself is pretty good fun.

It may not last all that long, but who cares about that when you've got plenty of ghosties to blast, loads of Slimers to release and more than enough action to keep you on the ball.

As long as you're not a dead serious Mr. Tefalbrains gadgi and don't mind a bit of good, clean, mindless blasting fun, get out your hoover and give this a go.

I think the cartoon of The Real Ghostbusters is well class, and the game will ride on the back of it, because it sure won't sell on technical merit. The 3D is unrealistic, with the little (and I mean *little*) bloke looking as if he's crawling around and sound, apart from the fair rendition of the Ghostbusters theme tune, is basic, to say the least. Add to that a completely unchallenging game overall and it all amounts to, erm, nothing much really.

Presentation 67%
One or two players with simultaneous two player action.

Graphics 34%
Sloppy, unconvincing 3D made worse by small, poorly animated characters.

Sound 45%
Not very innovative effects. The Ghostbusters theme tune is nice though.

Hookability 76%
Dead easy to get into - especially if you like Gauntlet or Ghostbusters.

Lastability 42%
Fairly low in long term playability what with only ten rather repetitive levels.

Overall 67%
Not as good as it might have been, but still quite fun in the short term.