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This is just the sort of game you need to show up friends who reckon they're ace at just about everything around. You will, of course, have put in plenty of practice before throwing down the gauntlet because, believe me, the key to success is familiarity with the fiendish layouts.

The competent Fungus player has to know just when to jump, where to dodge and still be alert to randomised attack waves. It's not frustrating building up your skill factor either, as there's plenty to see along the way; curiosity keeps driving you ever onwards through surreal worlds.

So in my opinion the program would pay back its asking price long before you've got the cheek to enter your name on the high-score table. By the way there's a nifty routine for the Hall of Fame.

Before I forget let me point out that there is definitely no zapping in this scenario, which will be a great disappointment to shoot 'em up artists. And if you still think thzt budget software is trash - you're wrong! This one would probably sell at £8 if Mastertronic hadn't started the ball rolling.

The title screen and even the insert illustration are a pretty good taster for what's to come. You're a bouncy little interstellar chappy with a craving passion for toadstools which seem to grow in the most awkward places [Charles Goodwin work on this game? - Ed]. You may choose from seven foraging areas and ring the changes with the colour schemes. Select from birds, bees, gun turrets and bombs for the attack waves and determine just how many you have to face. The actual playing ground is a series of platforms (no, no, no... this isn't a platform game) or islands, all shown in perspective so that you ramble around in three dimensional surroundings. Some of the islands are largish whilst others are teensy weensy... not more than stepping stones, or rather running jump stones, as you need a fair head of steam to leap over some of the gaps.

I'm not sure that every void is jumpable, that's something that only time will show. Tucked in between poisonous trees, narcotic flowers, lethal pyramids and septic pylongs are the coveted mushrooms. You have to pluck these while the scenery races along, bringing the abyss ever nearer. There are promontories of land you can zip along... like I said, there's plenty to explore if you can avoid the tormenting bombs etc.

While it's all happening on-screen you get to listen to a chirpy little tune which seems just about right for this bouncy little game.

Right then, what we've got here is a light-hearted game with plenty of pace, neat graphics and smooth scrolling, enough of a challenge to sustain interest and a professional polish to tie things up nicely.