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Have you been looking forward to the summer months so at last you can turn on the TV and not see FOOTBALL? Tough, 'cause it's World Cup time again.

This sporting event is about to hit both TV and computer screens the world over, and the first team to try for a winner's medal - on micros, at least - is Virgin's World Cup Soccer: Italia '90.

The Branson bunch has been rather crafty and united two licences for its Italian footie frolic. First it secured the rights to the arcade title and then scooped the rights to the World Cup itself. With the teams ready for action, Virgin has hit the turf running with the first game on the scene.

As an arcade, WCS-I'90 (catchy, innit?) stresses one thing above all others - playability. On the coin-op, you'd have been pretty miffed if your 50p was swallowed up by some team selection procedure you didn't even want to understand. So, true to the original the Virgin squad rushes straight out onto the pitch, line up and is ready to play before you can say "over the moon Jim".

The whole game is viewed as if you were sitting in the top row of the stands behind your own goal. This blends a good tactical view for passing and tackling, while letting you see the players in their full purple glory. Which is spiffing, because they're the best looking and fastest footie graphics yet! Yes, even better than Kick Off! [Shurely shome mishtake? - Ed]

Now football is reputedly a game of two halves, but it is also whispered to involve 22 players. Think again, pal, this is an arcade conversion. There's only one half and 14 men, and it's just as well. If the game was any bigger the RSPCJ (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Joysticks) would be round, because it's hectic game, that strains joysticks and fire buttons to the limit.

The first matches deal with qualification for Italy, while the rest of the game's about going out there and winning the trophy! No points for originality, but bundles for a clear and simple game design. To qualify, you have to win three matches on the trot, then once in Italia, you've got to keep on winning until you hoist the cup above your head or are defeated and head home with your tail between your legs.

Playing couldn't be easier. After picking a country, the game begins. You play up-field, and the man currently under your control carries a large white arrow on his head (bit of a giveaway, really) and he can run and kick in eight directions. There's no attempt at a kick'o'meter or anything fancy. When you press the fire button, the guy either kicks the ball or tackles, which ostensibly is all you need.

What's so different about WCS-I'90, then? The goals, that's what! As soon as a striker gets free with the ball inside the 18-yard box, the whole perspective switches. From high above, the view cuts to behind the player and facing the goal. If attacking, you get to move the player; if defending you move the keeper. It's a waiting game, as both striker and goalie dart from side to side until the striker feels he's got a chance. Then squeeze the fire button for a shot. The goalie can dive but, if the shot's well-timed, he doesn't really stand a chance. So it's time for a trot back to the centre circle or a snog with your mid-field general (whatever takes your fancy!).

These goalmouth sequences don't break up the game as they did in Gazza, they actually add to the drama. Going for goal takes on the menacing air of a gunfight as the two players vie for position. Naturally, you can't stay in front of the goal bobbing and weaving all night, though - speed is of the essence. Take too long lining up your shot and one of the defenders will jog you back into overhead reality by nicking the ball.

The two past masters of CPC soccer were Emlyn Hughes and Kick Off. Emlyn looks better than WCS-I'90 but can't live up to its pace.

Kick Off, on the other hand, has great gameplay but is a graphic catastrophe. WCS-I'90 nearly matches it for ball skills and floors it with crisp, realistic sprites. What's more, neither has a WCS-I'90's goal section. The game may be slightly shallow, with only one tournament to play in and limited two-player mode. Importantly, though, it's fun and easy to play, if not win. It'll be enough to keep any die-hard football fan, who's also a desktop John Barnes, torn between TV and monitor this June.

Nice to see that this year's Official World Cup game has had so much effort put in. Looks good, plays well, and is great fun with two players. Well done, Virgin.

Qualify for the finals.

The green, green grass of Rome is no problem.

Graphics 82%
P. These boys run so well!
P. Brilliant goalmouth sequences.

Sonics 1%
N. There's a whistle...
N. ...and, um, another whistle.

Grab Factor 81%
P. Arcade quality.
P. Easy to play, tough to beat.

Staying Power 66%
N. Just the one route to the finals.
P. A very hard journey to win.

Overall 81%
The World Cup starts here!