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Since the appearance of the Amiga some two years ago we've had a squad of basketball sims, American footie sims and golf games, many of good quality. The history of football sims however is limited to a couple of poor offerings. Kick Off pulls one back for the home side.

At first look, Anco's game doesn't hold much hope. The screen consists of huge expenses of green stripes and a mass of little red and blue characters. Playing seems to confirm fears as the ball flies all over the park and your men show less control than a Sunday League side suffering from a collective hangover. I should know.

But initial impressions are misleading. As a matter of fact, Kick Off proves to be a surprisingly playable and immensely entertaining game.

The control method does take some getting used to. A small line shows in front of the players and by using it in the way you would a sort of buffer you can dribble with the ball. Trapping and distribution is effected by holding the fire button down before you reach the ball. This is what really takes getting used to, because to begin with you'll find yourself punting the ball all over the place. Control is not fool proof, in fact it's flawed, but it does represent a genuine attempt to simulate the game.

Whilst the graphics are small, they are quite neat and reasonably well animated, so you can see what's going on amid all the goalmouth action. There are plenty of neat touches too with touts, yellow cards, sending offs and penalties. And when a man scores he runs back to the centre circle and performs a neat flip for the crowd.

Sound is variable with some muffled samples and a crowd roar which lends the game some atmosphere even if they sound none too authentic.

Other elements include a league system and various levels of play. You can play the computer, but the game really comes into its own in two player mode.

This might not look the greatest thing since Trevor Brooking, and it's nowhere near as perfect, but it sets the standard for other games in the league to follow.