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Switching on this superb cartridge offering, it all starts off so very easily. The aim of the game is very, very simple; all you have to do is throw blocks to eliminate blocks of the same colour against the wall and reduce the number of total blocks on-screen to less than a pre-set target number within the time limit.

What could be simpler than that? Ok, you obviously haven't played Plotting yet. Deviously simple, yet brainnumbingly frustrating, this little beauty will have you pulling your hair out by the roots before you've got past the third stage.

To eliminate a block, you can either hit it directly from the side, or use the roof to bounce your own block down onto the desired target.

Once the block has been knocked out, the one directly behind it will be thrown out for your next move. The idea being, that you must plot your next moves very, very carefully indeed. Otherwise you'll be left with a block that you can't do anything with.

Do this, or miss a block and you'll lose a precious life, something you can ill-afford to do on the early levels.

Keep your eyes peeled for the Zapper blocks, which enable you to destroy any type of block, allowing you to pick the best route to the target figure and gaining a valuable extra life in the process. To start off with, the set target is nine blocks remaining but, as you progress, this target will drop, making life even harder against the clock.

That, basically, is that. Sounds amazingly simple, but Plotting really is one of those games that you have to play for yourselves to find out just how devious it really is.

Positioning blocks of the same colour in a row and eliminating them together will earn you extra points and, if you manage to get well under the pre-set target, there are plenty of bonus points to pick up there as well.

Making a mental note of block formations is very advisable, enabling you to pick up every spare point available to get to the high scores.

As a one player game, Plotting is a masterpiece but, as a two player game it really is a winner. The action is fast and furious and you'll end up hating your opponent very, very soon.

Using some excellent graphics and a nicely melodic soundtrack, Plotting is a masterfully put together package that is guaranteed to entertain for a long, long time.