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Now correct me if I'm wrong, but back in 1987 I seem to remember reading about a very similar game to Faceball 2000 called MIDI Maze on the Atari ST. In that aging title, the player had to scoot around a series of 3D mazes, zapping Pac Man-alike ghosts while avoiding their return fire. Not exactly Earth-shattering stuff, but the big deal was that up to fifteen other ST owners could link up via the MIDI port (hence the name, geddit?) and battle each other. Not that anyone ever did. Would you consider carrying your ST round to your mate's house on a regular basis? Not the most appealing thought in the world, is it?

Faceball 2000 is much the same, but thanks to the portable nature of the Gameboy, it's a more realistic concept. It's the first game in 3D that I've ever seen on the Gameboy, and it's pretty good though basic stuff (mazes are the Janet and John primers of the 3D-programming world). Speedwise it's okay, if not particularly smooth, boding ill for the future appearance of a complex flight sim.

The players (up to four, with suitable connectors) control Smiloids, inanely-grinning spheres, as they zap computer-controlled Smiloids and - heh, heh - each other, in a range of torturous labyrinths. There are two playing styles: Cyberspace (where players simply try to escape onto the next maze level) and Arena (a sort of futuristic tag, where players compete to be the first to get ten 'tags' by shooting the others).

As the players progress, the mazes get more complex and the going gets tougher, with harder Smiloids, switchable doors, teleports and what have you making an appearance. Fortunately the player can collect power-ups by shooting pods which makes life easier - but only a little, mind.

1. Fast 3D - unique on the Gameboy!
2. Smashing the smiles off the cutesy enemies is fun.
3. Inspired multi-player action.

Lonely players may find the action dull and repetitive.

As a one-player game, Faceball 2000 is fun for a while, but just running around mazes blasting Smiloids becomes distinctly boring very quickly.

However, add a second player and it brightens up considerably. Add a third and it really starts to take off. Add a fourth and... well, you've never seen a game like it. The unlimited appeal of blasting your inanely grinning mates to Smiloid heaven is irresistible.

Faceball 2000 is a reasonable purchase for the single player, but if you can persuade your Gameboy-owning mates to join you then it's essential.