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When Video Olympics came in for review, I groaned out loud. Here we go, I thought, another visit to the electronic doctor will be required after looking through this game. I wasn't disappointed, because the final tally was two joysticks and one very pulled muscle in my forearm coupled with tennis wrist! If by this casualty list you have gathered that this is another stick wiggling, keyboard bashing, go-as-fast-as-you-can-before-time-runs-out, olympics game, you have gathered right.

This is a great Mastertronic cheapie, very similar to the old Ocean/Artic, one player, decathlon games of a couple of years back and gives you six events to compete in starting with (groan!) the 100 metres dash, then on to a not so tiring long jump and javelin, followed by (groan, groan) 100 metres hurdles, hammer throwing and (gasp!) swimming; all worked by simply how fast you can wiggle your joystick.

There is of course a gulf of difference between say the frills of Epyx's Summer Games series and Video Olympics, so don't expect arcade quality graphics but, nevertheless, the look of the game is quite reasonable and the whole thing is immensely playable although, a word of warning, you have to qualify through each event before being allowed to progress to the next.

The only sound I could find was at the beginning of the game where a simple rendition of Chariots Of Fire is played before the first race. But in all honesty, it's not sound effects or fabulous graphics that give this game its appeal, it is simply that old adage that you always try to do better than last time.

I think Video Olympics has a lot going for it. It's unfussy, comical and most of all maddeningly frustrating for a small outlay. Just how much it's going to cost you in repairs is another matter though!

Smartly produced six-event sports game that works up a sweat. Great value for money. Daley on a budget.