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Winter Games was very successful on 8-bit formats and spawned almost as many clones as the original Summer Games did. The ST version has the same seven events and almost identical gameplay. The graphics have been enhanced for the Atari version although there are less differences than you may expect, which is partly a testament to the quality of the original Commodore graphics.

First off there are option screens for the number of players and their nationalities. I wish you could skip the national anthems, most of which are dull at the best of times, but Epyx's renditions are terrible. The games, on the other hand, are great fun.

The seven events are Ski Jumping, Bobsleigh, Figure skating, Hot dog aerials, Free skating, Speed skating and Biathlon. Two of the most enjoyable events are ski jumping and hot dogging.

Ski jumping is in three parts spread over two high-res (actually they're Atari low-res screen - it's just difficult to adjust!) screens. Having pressed the button to start your descent you must press again at take-off - too late and you end up in an unceremonious heap on the runway!

Once in the air you must maintain good style and ensure a safe landing. This is done with the help of a close-up window showing the skier's profile. Using the joystick you can maximise style points and minimise limb breakages by correcting such embarrassments as crossed skis. A clean landing will only be achieved if the flight is reasonably controlled.

Hot dogging, a kind of aerial gymnastics for people with no respect for life or limb, is fast becoming one of the most popular winter activities on the piste! In a nutshell, it involves skiing down a slope and launching yourself into the air off a man-made ramp. Once airborne you are supposed to perform such exotic moves as the 'daffy', the 'back scratch' and the 'mule kick'!

Your score is based on both the difficulty level of the manoeuvres you select, plus the style in which you execute them. If you land head first with your skis dangling unceremoniously in the air, don't expect any favours in the style department. Difficulty is judged by the number of different manoeuvres performed in mid-air. You can also combine movements for extra points, although points are deducted for awkwardness. If you fail to land on your skis you score the big zilch!

Although the two skating events seem remarkably similar, Winter Games is a professionally put together package with enough variation to keep you amused until the big thaw comes along. A must for all sports simulation fans.