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SegA's mega coin-op landed with the impact of a Cruise missile in 1988, and the inevitable home computer conversions did a creditable Job of representing the sophisticated 3-D graphics of the original.

On the Spectrum version, though, the main problem is control. The game has four main stages; city skyscrapers, desert valleys, river delta and finally an oil refinery. The view alternates between top and front perspectives, and because you have to control the speed, left/right position, up/down position and firing missiles and cannon, from a combination of joystick and/or keyboard controls, it all gets a tad confusing, and you find yourself slamming info the ground or shooting off all your missiles until you get used to it.

Still, the action's fast and furious - a bit like Afterburner, though with more variety of ground and air defences. There's the obligatory mothership at the end of each level, and you get bonus points for destroying enemies as quickly as possible.

Now, you might be put off by the fact that Thunderblade win cost you £3.99, but despair not. Though the price hike for budget games was inevitable, the bitter pill is sugared by the offer of a free game (well, actually it will cost you 99p p&p) The offer's open until August and includes titles like 10th Frame, Black Beard, Side Arms, Hardball, MetroCross and Trantor (subject to availability) So as you blast away at Thunderblade, do this little sum; 3.99 + 99 = 498, /2 = 249 each, = a bit of a bargain.

Label: Kixx Memory: 48K/128K Price: £3.99 Reviewer: Chris Jenkins

It's not like anything you've seen before, unless you've already bought it! Well worth the dosh, especially if you plump for the special offer too!