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Ever wondered how difficult it would be to match colours together? We've all been doing that since before we started school, right? Well, prepare to feel stupid because Dr. Roland is here, and he's bringing with him a clone of Nintendo's classic Dr. Mario (itself a clone of every "match four" game that came before it).

This colourful puzzler is guaranteed to both delight and frustrate in equal measure, which is pretty much everything a puzzle game fan wants from this genre. The colourful pills fall at just the right pace to keep you challenged and there's a vast amount of underlying strategy that you'll learn to spot as you get better at the game. Got a red virus lower down the screen to a blue one? Best pile up those pills in just the right way that when the blue one is zapped, the red pill-halves fall and take out the other virus on the same wave. It's a surprisingly satisfying feeling when you manage to pull it off.

The colourful graphics pop right out of the screen, using the Amstrad's intense palette very well. It's a visual delight. The sound design leaves a little to be desired, however. The bleepy soundtrack will not only get on your nerves after a while but, frustratingly, it will also get stuck in your head. Be prepared for this ear worm to frustrate you for days after you stop playing.

Not that you will stop, mind you. Even while writing this review I was thinking of going back for another go. I think I can probably manage to clear that next level this time round. Just one more try won't hurt... will it?

Is there no job that Roland can't do? Apparently not! Still, unlike many of this past outings, Dr. Roland is a fun and addictie challenge that's made all the better when playing head to head with a mate. Graphically it's gorgeous but I agree the soundtrack needs work!

The game is clear, responsive and shows off what the CPC can do. Sadly, the soundtrack is bleepy and annoying. You'll want to turn it down after a while but it will still be playing in your head.

Overall though, Dr. Roland is a brilliant Dr. Mario clone that not only replicates this classic game perfectly on the CPC but also manages to be a fun game in its own right. It's well worth giving it a try. Then another try.

Presentation 85%
Excellent use of the Amstrad's palette. Clear, responsive and shows off what the CPC can do.

Graphics 85%
Excellent graphic design - the whole game looks superb.

Sound 65%
Sadly the soundtrack is bleepy and annoying. You'll want to turn it down after a while, but it will still be playing in your head.

Addictive Qualities 86%
Just one more go. You know I'm good for it.

Lastability 85%
Plenty of levels and plenty of replay value. This is a game you'll come back to for a very long time to come.

Overall 84%