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The acid test of a game is its long-term appeal and, having played many on my Spectrum, one of the few to pass this test is Hotfoot, an earlier Microsphere offering. Wheelie is a game of similar quality.

You ride your motor cycle through a dark forest in search of the ghost rider. Being a British forest it has such delights as abandoned cars and buses to leap over along with perils like bouncing hedgehogs and ice-patches, while you must watch your fuel levels and speed. From time to time you find petrol stations where you may fill up. On finding the ghost rider you have to race him back. If successful you are given a code to move to the next skill level, a sort of 'O' Level in Eddie Kiddism.

The game is claimed to work with most joysticks but I found the keyboard very satisfactory. Graphics are top quality and there is good use of Spectrum sound to simulate the engine of your Zedexaki bike. A demonstration sequence is included.

A very addictive game likely to cause a great deal of squabbling over whose turn it is next.

D.J.