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Games based on top films have often been top flops, but this high flyer is set to reverse the trend and is soaring up the chart as a game in its own right.

You star in the game that pits you in a high speed aerial duel against either a human opponent or a series of computer opponents. The action takes place on a vertical split-screen display with vector graphics representing the F4 Tomcat fighters. I found the vertical split-screen displays worked exceptionally well and made the game a lot easier than the normal horizontal display (one player's screen on top of the other's), particularly for players hunched either side of the keyboard. You can of course use joysticks if you have them but single-stick owners may opt for the keyboard to make the battles fair. If you're up aganst the computer you'll need all the help you can get.

Control of the F14s is a mixture of the standard climb, bank and dive controls with additional keys to control the throttle and change weapons while reading the instruments that report your speed, altitude, attitude (climbing or descending) and plot your opponents position on your radar. Luckily, these displays are easy to read, even when travelling at speed as that's the way this game's played.

The contest begins as both fighters take-off from their respective carriers and head straight for each other. Thanks to the simple flight controls you can concentrate on the combat and decisions on whether to attack with your machine guns or fire a sidewinder homing missile. A missile will wipe out your opponent in a single shot but you will have to keep him in your sights while your missile systems lock on. To add to your problems and also your chances of survival you can also fire a flare to distinct enemy fire but since you can only select one system at a time you have to anticipate your opponent's actions almost before he knows them himself. Even the simple machine guns can cause you problems as they can overheat and jam before you can score enough hits to destroy him.

The two player game is a simple head-to-head contest where both players have a stock of three planes. The last plane flying wins the contest.

Against the computer, your three planes (or lives) must tackle a series of computer pilots that increase in skill. You don't score any points, just survive to fight the next level or group of three fighters. The first two levels are relatively easy as the enemy mainly attacks with its machine guns and fall easy prey to your sidewinders but from then on it gets a lot harder as you face a succession of missile-firing goes. To win, you will really have to be Top Gun.