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Enduro Racer can definitely be classed as one of the longest awaited conversions since Gauntlet, and nobody but nobody was let down when they saw the almost unfaultable Spectrum conversion.

For those of you who haven't yet entered your local dark and sleazy arcade and had the privilege of playing this arcade beauty, I will explain what makes supposedly respectable reviewers rob banks. You are a bike rider who must negotiate all kinds of terrain and beat the time-limit to get to the finish. Yes... that's it, I don't care if there is no 'Save the World' style plot, it is quite simply a bloody good arcade game. Can the C64 version match up to the quality of its arcade and Spectrum predecessors?

At first glance, Enduro Racer looks almost identical to other run-of-the-mill race games such as Pole Position, but that's only until you hit the first jump and go flying off the bike. Enduro Racer gives you the chance to be the next Eddie Kidd (although that doesn't necessarily mean you get to star in a Levi 501's commercial!)

The controls are simple enough, forward to speed up, left and right to turn, fire to brake, and pull back to wheelie (which is needed for when you jump). When you hit the ramp, you lose precious speed unless you wheelie. You should also note that when you are in the wheelie position, you can't turn, so be careful wheeliers! Another feature which moves Enduro Racer gradually away from other race games is the fact that it has other riders. So do all race games, yes, but when you touch them on other race games it has some effect (which usually means you crash) but on Enduro Racer youch the contenders and you will find out that they are either ghosts or deformed sprites!

Enduro Racer has five courses, each level consists of jumps, a different type of land hazard such as desert, opposing riders, and boulders, at least I think that is what they are supposed to be, but they look remarkably like elephant dung. To complete each track, you must simply get to the finish before your time limit runs out. If the unfortunate happens and you do not make it, the computer will tell you how much of the track you did complete as a percentage.

The terrain of each course is different, although this isn't just for extra gloss. On level three the ground isn't even ground [Eh? - A very confused Ed] it is water. Touching the water slows your bike so you must jump with as much velocity as you can manage.

The only thing Activision had to do with Enduro Racer was a decent conversion job, as the arcade game is outstanding. When I played the Sinclair version I gasped at the graphics and playability Activision had crammed into the little machine. But on seeing the Commodore 64 version, I can't help but feel a little cheated. It isn't awful but I can't help but dream about how it could so easily have picked up where Clive's puny 48K machine left off, using the Commodore's added capabilities to make the perfect conversion. What has actually happened is the detailed graphics, smooth scrolling and gameplay has been forsaken in an attempt to improve the game.

What you are left with is blob-like sprites, jerky scrolling and an excellent soundtrack. Some very mixed priorities were at work here. I love the arcade game and after seeing what Activision had done on the Spectrum, this definitely had the potential th be the best ever conversion on the C64.

Despite my negative feelings towards this, I think I'd still buy it... if only to stop myself spending money at Ye Olde Change Chomper.