ST Format
1st January 1991Full Blast
Challengers has five games on it - this one has six! Does that make it (quick mental sum) 20% better? Almost, but not quite...
Ferrari Formula One
Ferrari Formula One is a very good game indeed. It's designed as an accurate simulation of Formula One driving and team management, and it achieves that very well. The thing is, driving an F1 car is pretty tricky in real life - and so it is in this game, mouse-controlled and often fiddly. The sense of achievement you get once you master your car is terrific.
Carrier Command
Carrier Command is another classic. Piloting a futuristic carrier and a variety of aircraft, you embark on an action/strategy epic that's sure to keep you engrossed for months. Not a game for the impatient, though.
Rick Dangerous
Rick Dangerous had a slow start when it first appeared. With its old, old formula - that of exploring platforms, avoiding hazards, collecting objects etc - reviewers weren't expecting much. But, quite simple, it turned out to be probably the best game in its genre the world has ever seen. Humorous, varied and superbly playable, it's also horribly addictive.
P-47 Thunderbolt
P-47 Thunderbolt has a bit of trouble with historical accuracy - do you really get WWII aircraft being attacked by SAMs? - but never mind. P-47 looks good and plays well, even if it just an airborne horizontal scroller.
Highway Patrol
Highway Patrol is a bit of a let-down in this company. A crim-chasing bore, it's not going to set anybody's pulses racing. And Chicago '90s isn't a lot better. Buildings scroll past, villains appear at the windows, you shoot 'em. And, er, that's it.
Verdict
Four of the games on this compilation are truly great; the other two, frankly, might as well not be there. But that's still four greats on one disk, so you're well ahead in any case.