There is one thing for certain: this is one of the most original games cartridges.

You move a little balloonist around the screen collecting hearts, or "Gal Marks" as the instructions call them, avoiding Galoons, Piros, Kniphoons, Sharcoons, Condolloons and Barracudas. There are two ways to tackle these creatures: knock them down with your balloon from above, or shoot them with your arrow. However, you can be knocked out by colliding with any of the creatures, being eaten by a barracuda or by failing to collect nine Gal marks within the time limit. You have five balloons.

All this takes place to a jolly background tune. Graphics and animation are extremely impressive, especially the enormous barracuda which jumps out of the water from time to time with mouth agape. The creatures all behave in their own ways and if you are not playing, you will enjoy watching them wandering around the screen. With professional touches like two-player and joypad options, Up Up Balloon is well worth its hefty price and a must for anyone who is fed up with traditional shoot-'em-up games.

S.S.