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If your idea of fun is plunging down an icy slope at 90 on your bum then you should rush out and get a copy of Bobsleigh now. I have never played a more realistic simulation game, nor one that had my pulse racing almost from the moment I picked up the joystick, which, incidentally, may need to be replaced as it got ever so slightly bent in a moment of high drama at St. Moritz. It is difficult to imagine how the realism could be improved upon short of asking someone to stuff crushed ice up your trouser leg every time you come a cropper.

Bobsleigh can be played by one or two players. You start as a novice competitor using an amateur class bob. At this stage it is best to race in single events where you can gain a knowledge of the tracks, perhaps win some races and gain sponsorship money which you will need later on.

A choice of six tracks is available for which maps and details of course records are given.

Each player starts with a certain amount of sponsorship money which may be used to buy basic equipment such as the simplest type of bobsleigh and a set of runners.

Maintenance costs for the upkeep of your bob are payable after each race and there may also be damage and repair costs to be paid if you crash or hit the side wall hard going down the track.

Unless you start winning a few races quickly you are likely to find yourself bankrupt and faced with restarting the game. Once you have built up sufficient funds you can move on to a National class bob; faster, more exciting but easier to bend.

In order to move on to International and Olympic class bobs you will need to compete in full season racing on all six tracks. Finish in the top three in a World Championship season and you can go for gold in the Winter Olympics. Simple, isn't it?

There are plenty of pre-race factors to consider - weather conditions, choice of runners, and so on - but it's once you get on to the run itself that the excitement starts.

The obligatory push start is achieved with a flurry of joystick-waggling, and then you're onto the course proper.

Steering with the joystick should be gentle at first, but as speed begins to build and the track tilts at ever crazier angles finesse is abandoned for the simple expedient of shoving the stick nto a corner, closing your eyes and praying.

And it's no good showing a healthy regard for life and limb and stamping on the brakes at moments of extreme crisis - braking on the track is frowned upon in the best bobsleighing circles and you will be branded a coward and disqualified. And quite right too.

The sense of achievement, not to mention relief, as you cross the finish line the right way up and still in possession of the same number of limbs that you started with at the top, is exhilarating.

Digital Integration has come up with a winner here and is, for once, not going to be worried if accused of going downhill fast.

Digital Integration is the simulation specialist. I still get excited as the engine revs climb every time I climb into Tomahawk. I'm eagerly looking forward to ATF, their next aircraft game, but this helps quell the anticipation. A fun, even thrilling, game. Don't miss it.

It is about time someone realised what sport is really about... money. It's all very well saying it is more important to take part than win, but without the odd win you don't get the sponsorship, and without the money you can't even play the game.

The more money you have, the more likely you are to win. So it's good to see a game which reflects this true, commercial, spirit of sport. Plays well too.

Graphically I found Bobsleigh disappointing. Mode 0 graphics may aid speed, but they don't enhance the detail. The small playing area leads me to suspect that Digital Integration has had considerable problems with speed. However, I applaud the decision to sacrifice presentation to make the game really playable.