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Ariolasoft's entry into the expanding market for gridiron games was written by Imagic (who are better known for their games cartridges) and takes you straight into the action.

You control one of a six man team (the full eleven would make the gameplay too slow), who can play either human or computer opponents in a game over 5, 10 or 15 minute quarters.

The coin is tossed and you will receive the ball. The players are set, the whistle is blown and the band start playing as the ball is kicked. You catch it around the 20 yard line and run it back to the thirty. You now have four downs (attempts) to make ten yards.

Your first play is a pass out of the shotgun formation which is caught for a six yard gain. The next, a run, is quickly clobbered by the defence and you're left with 3rd and 4. You plan a trick play. You set up again in a shotgun pass formation. You send your right receiver deep and your left receiver down the flank. You snap the ball but instead of passing, as the defence expects, you run it behind your left receiver who shields you from the defenders until you get the yards.

While in attack, you play the quarterback until he passes the ball then control switches to the receiver who you must guide to the ball and then on for as many yards as possible.

In defence you control one player who basically stops anythng the computer-controlled ones let through. Or if you're feeling brave, you can go for the quarterback.

What the computer controlled players actually do depends on the play that you enter. On offence, you must enter (by joystick) a formation where the left an right receivers will run and whether the offensive line will block straight ahead or favour one side. The defence ony have to decide a basic formation, either concentrating on one side, pass prevent or blitz.

This system works well as beginners can start playing straight away without reading reams of notes and gradually add plays to their repertoire as the game continues.

Add to that field goals, punts, penalties, cheerleaders and dances in the endzone and you have a game that will keep even the hardened football fans glued to their screens.