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You may recall Magic Bytes' previous attempt at a cartoon licence, Pink Panther, which scored a massive 14% (!) back in November. Now they've been let loose on that classic cartoon duo, Tom and Jerry.

Everyone knows that mice like cheese and that cats like mice (to eat!) but the instructions to Tom And Jerry explain that Tom doesn't want Jerry for his dinner and only chases him for fun. Starting in the living room, Jerry runs and jumps around five horizontally-scrolling levels (ranging from the nursery to the garage), looking for huge wedges of cheese to scoff - he must eat it all within the ever-decreasing time limit to win the game. Jerry can use springy sofas and chairs to bounce up to high places but he must keep an eye out for the chasing Tom who tries to knock him onto the ground where he can catch him, taking 30 valuable seconds off the time limit. Time can be regained by entering one of the mouseholes that connect the five levels: Jerry runs through a 3D scrolling tunnel, collecting cheese (for extra time) while avoiding bombs (reduce time).

Just like in the cartoons Jerry can perform a variety of neat tricks to keep Tom at bay. Objects can be knocked off shelves onto Tom's head. Banana skins can also be dropped - if Tom steps on one, he slides straight off the screen. Other ways to distract Tom include changing the channel on the TV, opening the icebox (fridge to you and me), activating a jack-in-the-box, opening a car door, and unveilling an abstract statue.

The best thing about Tom And Jerry is the slapstick humour which is animated well enough. When tom gets knocked on the head by a bowling ball, he is surreally squashed while the results of treading on a banana skin are hilarious.

Laughter aside though, frustration is caused by the fact that Jerry is difficult to control and other gets stuck in the furniture. Furthermore, there's too little gameplay content to keep you coming back for more: a severe case of "that's all folks!!!".

After the horrendous Pink Panther, Magic Bytes have now moved on to even more famous cartoon stars. Thankfully, Tom And Jerry is a bit better - on the C64 the graphics are good and gameplay initially quite playable.

On the Amiga there's a good continuous tune, but graphics are disappointing and, on both machines, gameplay soon proves repetitive. Tom And Jerry is a very basic platform-and-ladders game which even the most ardent fan should think twice about purchasing.

Presentation 50% 'Acid mouse' poems and comprehensive instructions - albeit badly translated.

Graphics 66% Reasonabe backgrounds and characterful sprites.

Sound 42% A few mediocre tunes.

Hookability 45% Simple to get into...

Lastability 40% ...but it soon gets repetitive.

Overall 43% Nice graphics, shame about the gameplay.

Presentation 48% Same as the C64 but a bigger box.

Graphics 32% Banal backgrounds and jerkily animated sprites.

Sound 63% Very cartoon-like continuous tune.

Hookability 28% Stale 8-bit gameplay is immediately off-putting on the Amiga.

Lastability 26% Once you've seen all the backgrounds you're unlikely to play again.

Overall 27% Poorly presented, frustrating 8-bit gameplay makes the £24.99 price tag the funniest part of this caper.