Track and Field appeared in the arcades about five years ago and was one of those coin-ops in which you hit the buttons as fast as you can to make your on-screen athlete run, jump or throw. Track And Field II is the follow-up, but as well as lots of button-bashing, some skillful tactics are also required.

There are twelve different events in all: fencing, triple jump, freestyle swimming, high dive, clay pigeon shooting, hammer throw, taekwondo (arm wrestling), pole vault, canoeing, archery, hurdles and horizontal bar, and each requires a different approach.

At the start of the game one of three modes of play can be selected: Training, which lets the player practise events, and Olympic in which the player embarks on a full Olympic tour, with the option to choose which country he wishes to compete for. All events have a qualifying time or score, and failure to qualify on enough events on a particular day results in the end of the game.

Finally, there's Versus, where two players are given the opportunity to participate in the two-player events of taekwondo and fencing without the hassle of entering the Olympics or the annoyance of being thrown out of the game in Training should either player lose.

Track And Field II combines large, brilliant animated sprites and well-drawn backdrops and great playability to produce one of the best console sports simulations around. The twelve events are varied and offer plenty of challenge and addiction - you constantly return to it to see if you can break your records. If you're a sports fan, you'd be a nutter to miss this.

Great to look at and even better to play. Combining twelve great events and brilliant visuals, this sports simulation is a winner all the way.