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Pipemania is an intriguing little game which seems to be based on the old Beeb game Confusion.

Basically, you are given two sets of building blocks by the use of which you construct a pathway through which a 'spark' flows until the path ends.

The screen is divided into squares, into which you may place the blocks. A block can contain a straight, a curve or a crossroad. Blocks can be taken from any of two sets, positioned on the left and right of the screen. Each set is shown as a stack of blocks, and the player can only take a block from the 'top'.

The gamer places a highlighted square on the grid which specifies the position of the block. Once set, the player can then select from which of the two stacks a block is to be taken. When taken, the stack scrolls to allow another block to be slotted in at the bottom.

If the player can make a pathway which uses more blocks consecutively from one set before having to change to the other set, the score will be increased appropriately.

There's a built-in timer, so you haven't got all day to figure the puzzle out and as a result the action can get quite hectic at times.

In later levels, the time allowed decreases and some objects become totally invisible.

The functional graphics and sound combined with the strategic element create a thoroughly enjoyable and playable game.