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This game is Galaxian in its ultimate form. But if you are put off by anything that resembles a previous game, don't be. Attack On Alpha Centauri is excellent in its own right.

As in most games of this type, you have three lives in which to destroy a constant stream of aliens - in this case multi-coloured, bug-eyed wasps that swoop and drop bombs on you. The setting is a mountainous, volcanic planet. This is well drawn in high-resolution graphics, making good use of colour to provide an ideal landscape.

When you start the game the wasps 'explode' from their volcanic hiding place to take up four ranks at the top of the screen, each rank progressively larger the lower down the screen, resembling an invading army. You move from side to side at the bottom of the screen, and of course score more points for destroying the moving targets than the stationary ones.

The most impressive thing about the game is that, as the creatures peel off and swoop to attack, they loom towards you to drop their bombs and then fade into the distant landscape. The 3D effect is most appealing and executed very smoothly.

The sound effects are very good but are constant and loud and can become overbearing. Fortunately, you can turn the sound on or off, even during play. The game is fast and furious so it is nice to have a pause facility available during the game, for when your eyes become blurred or your finger starts to ache.

One thing missing is a joystick facility - this may not matter to some, but it annoyed me.

Unfortunately the landscape remains a constant feature, as it is loaded before the main game. This is not unpleasant but means it cannot be removed to provide a league table. Nor is there an option to alter the level of difficulty. Despite these minor points, though, the game is very good, thanks mainly to the graphics. It is good value for money and I'm certain it will appeal to most.