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Bob Chappell rolls out his trusty Spectrum to test five new games cassettes

Based on the delightful story by the artist and author Raymond Briggs, this arcade game from Quicksilva gets you building a large snowman. Although there are plenty of hazards to thwart your innocent pursuit, the worst that can befall you is a gentle fall into comfortable bed. In keeping with the seasonal motif of the game, there's nothing more violent than a quick trip to the land of nod.

The basic game screen is not unfamiliar. A running animated character gathers various objects lying about on multi-level platforms connected by ladders. In this case, the platforms are covered in snow, the ladders are ice chutes and you guide the Gingerbread Man-type figure through four stages of the game.

First, you must collect clumps of show, dropping them one by one at the appointed place so that they build into a snowman. Animated gas flames toddle around the screen - they won't hurt you but will melt any snow you are carrying. A flame can be immobilised by collecting and carrying an ice lolly. An indicator shows your energy source dwindling - grabbing a roast turkey or Christmas pudding replenishes it. Bonus points if you also find time to collect Christmas crackers, presents, stockings or trees.

Stages two and three have you equipping your snowman with clothes, glasses and nose and a smile while sleep monsters try to knock you into bed but an alarm clock keeps them at bay. Preserving your completed snowman with ice cubes is the last stage, then it's on to a different layout and through the cycle again.

The Snowman's quite challenging action is smooth - although moving from a chute to a platform can be tricky since your man's feet must be exactly level with the platform otherwise he won't co-operate. The graphically charming snowman is faithful to Briggs' original drawing.

Here we have another good title from Quicksilva with one of the funniest and most unlikely-looking game heroes I've seen this side of the Muppet Show. Fred is a Clousseau-like, hobnailbooted explorer in search of treasure around a labyrinth of tunnels.

Also tramping around the caves are rates, ghosts, mummies, vampires, chameleons and skeletons. None are in the least bit frightening, but you could be tickled to death by their humorously drawn appearance. The rather cuddly rats are purple balls of fluff, while the ghosts are white sheets with noses Cyrano de Bergerac would have given a year's supply of hankies to have met.

The caves' many levels are linked by ropes - Fred will automatically leap on and off them. As Fred moves (up, down, left or right), the six different screens scroll (although none too smoothly) in the appropriate directions revealing more of the labyrinth, and meaner monsters.

The game players slowly and is not terribly exciting, but the graphics are a hoot - The Goon Show on a home computer.

Software Projects have unveiled a new weapon for use in Earth's continuing struggle against invading wriggles from outer space - blooming great boulders.

You control a chunky little rocket ship equipped with a standard issue laser weapon. The ship flies around the platform-filled screen, blasting guardian aliens to its heart's content. What these particular creature are guardians of are down at the bottom of the screen, neatly tucked up in individual slots - yellow, speckled, quivering eggs. They eventually crack open to hatch out octopus-impersonating aliens. Since these hatchlings turn out to be invulnerable to your laser, you have to destroy the eggs before they hatch.

Luckily, good old Mother Earth has bounteous natural resources - rocks, to be precise.

One of these will pop up somewhere on the topmost ledge; you must push it from shelf to shelf, so that when it finally falls off, it scrambles a surprised egg.

An original idea and nicely executed with crisp, smooth graphics and action. The pulsating blobs are enough to put you off henfruit for life.

Teddy bears were never like this in my day. Ted has taken early delivery of Sinclair's new electric car and all he needs now are the batteries to keep it running.

No problem - there they are at the top of some scaffolding. Up he climbs to retrieve a battery, quenching his thirst from time to time with a swig of milk. Trouble in the shape of skin-headed teddy bears in bovver boots arrives, strutting around the scaffolding doing their best to hamper Ted's efforts and aided by upright crocodiles. Ted obviously thinks the birch is too good for these hooligans.

Instead, he drops time bombs to drastically alleviate the harassment.

Good graphics, a catchy tune and unusual plot make this Teddy Boys' picnic from Artic an engaging game.

As 3D mazes go, this one from Games Machine goes very well indeed. You are presented with a ground level perspective view of a randomly generated maze.

Strewn around are crosses, keys, gems and coins which you strive to collect. Keys lock and unlock portcullises while crosses help to deal with huge diamond-eyed skulls that you encounter.

Skull is beautifully presented with clear instructions and a range of options.

Overall, it's an impressive and enjoyable game.