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Our friend Monty the Mole has been through as many trials and tribulations as the micro industry itself. And the poor rodent has finally had enough. He's heard tell of another place, a land far, far away where moles can frolic in the trees unmolested (er...) and he's determined to get there. This place, Montos in the Aegean sea, is unfortunately a long, long away from the mole's current bolthole in Gibraltar.

His persecution has made Monty a bitter man. Ok, mole. All he wants to do now is make good his escape to the sunny island, and he doesn't care if he breaks the law a little to achieve this end. If Intermole want him for stealing coal, then they might as well want him for nicking the Mona Lisa.

According to the rubric. Monty wants to steal enough to buy the island, on which he will be safe as nobody knows of its existence. It's a good thing logic counts for naught in games such as these, really.

Still, Monty is now in Gib. He wants to be in Montos. Let's go, kiddies. In best Monty custom there are sundry assorted subgames to complete, all linked to some extent.

Monty has to make his way through a large selection of European countries in search of sufficient loot to grab his dream domain. Each of these countries has a little stereotyped contribution to make to the game. The Germans, bless their little leather Lederhosen (sorry about the teutonic tautology) are partial to a drop of white wine. They'll be more than happy to grease Monty's paw if he pauses from Greece in order to drop in a drop of the old antifreeze. To be truthful, it's probably not antifreeze, because anything called Chateau Blanc just has to be pure of heart and of Victorian vintage.

More undemanding racial roles await in other principalities. Tennis in Sweden, tulips in Holland, bacon in Denmark. All play their part in this trans-Europe extravaganza. Travel across borders is usually by flying. A recurring theme is the ticket hunt in the airport, followed by a little airborne jaunt. If you have any remaining ties to logic, abandon them at this point, as you have to and I quote) "try to nibble the back of the other planes to increase your score" while in flight.

Italy is a little busier than usual. As well as being home to those helpful fellows called the Cosa Nostra (I don't think this game runs on the ST) there is that omen of ill-tiding, a female. Or a female, if you want to be biologically accurate.

In general, men, girls tend to be best avoided. Otherwise things get a bit fraught... and I don't think moles are exempt from the great traumas of life. She's called Juliette, and that doesn't help our romantically-inclined rodent one shred.

Is this Monty's last stand? After he makes it to his island, will there be no more sequels? Who knows. But in the meantime, Monty zoomers can get their revenge on the rest of Europe. Should keep you going for a bit.

Another moldy molevelant moladoit bore from our burrowing bungler of the Talpa ilk? Well, no. I didn't make much headway in this game, but what I did was fairly pleasurable.

Like many other venerable videogame themes that have progressed through several incarnations, the playability has improved along with the programmers' experience. It's another epic, I'm afraid, but easy to get into and easy on the eye.

Try it at your local emporium. If after five minutes you want to play more then you'll probably find it worth the money.

Monty is a much-hyped mole. Along with the free badge is an offer to sent for a map of Europe. The old ladders and platforms theme is wearing well, As with all games of the genre, the skill comes in learning to control your character.

While I love this type of program, Auf Wiedersehen Monty failed to gel for me. The smooth sprites and clever puzzles failed to endear me, Perhaps I'm not a moley person. Perhaps Monty is becoming old hat, living on burrowed time.

Good old Monty, intrepidly making his way across Europe (I should be so lucky) trying to get to the haven of his sunny Greek island (who isn't?).

I liked the little Monty character, cheekily bouncing around, collecting all the collectibles, and doing his best to avoid colliding with any nasties (of whom there are many).

The game is varied, as are the tasks Monty has to perform - no one said this was going to be easy. But the satisfaction, and relief, of guiding Monty through perils such as Mafia shoes to the safety of Montos leaves one with a warm glow of pleasure.