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Nope, this isn't a truck drivers' caf sim, but a game based on a popular ITV kids' programme featuring two culinarily-named chimps. Their tricks and japery enthral millions of under-tens, and it's this market the game is aimed at. James Leach regresses (slightly) to check it out...

Kids' television! Pah! Just loads of stuffed, fluffy animals and stuffed, fluffy presenters. Or is it? Okay, it's easy to scoff when you get just that little bit older but, be honest, there are always a few kids' programmes that transcend their tackiness and become fondly-remembered classics.

From Muffin the Mule through Animal Magic to Danger Mouse, kids' TV has a knack of making superstars out of the unlikeliest characters.

And what better way of introducing the under-tens to computer gaming - and perhaps also teaching them a thing or two about problem-solving and thinking logically - than by writing games specifically for them which feature the latest kids' favourites?

One software company that's realized this is Alternative Software. Bangers & Mash is one of the latest batch of their licences to hit the mean streets. The plot is easily recognisable by anyone who knows the telly programme.

Bangers & Mash are chimps who are sent out by their mum to collect fruit from a spooky forest. You get to play one of the chimps (there isn't a two-player option, sadly) in a world of platforms, ghosts, cavemen and other nasties. To make matters worse, they all appear to resent your 'superstar' status - being on TV and all-and try to do you in. If just staying out their way was enough, then Bangers & Mash would be an easy game.

Naturally this isn't enough of a challenge for our intrepid chimp hero, so he has to show off by trying to collect every bit of food in the woodland level without getting too big a fright from his ghastly ghostly pursuers. Still easy? No chance!

Bangers (for it is he) starts the game at the base of an old hollow tree trunk. To the right, there are wood platforms and to the left a spooky graveyard. Littering the screen are three kinds of fruit and some rather smart-looking gems. It is the fruit though, and not the baubles, that are at the heart of the game. On each level there are a set number of fruity-type things, and only when all the bananas, apples and pears have been collected has the level been completed.

Bangers is armed [Must be a real urban gorilla - Ed], and can shoot grey coconutty-looking bullets to root out the evil ghosts, goblins and other members of this gruesome gang. Most can be taken out with a single shot, but some never die and just run away for a bit after you've blasted them. Recognising which monster is which - and knowing what they'll do under fire - is vital if the Bangers is to survive.

Set on a huge play area, Bangers & Mash provides plenty to explore and masses of tricks to learn! The monsters change platforms and speed during and between games, so you can never be sure which one of the little blighters you'll meet next. There are also some strange plants which flower throughout the game. Some colours are harmless, other mostly harmless, while some are deadly. The first few games are filled with unexplained deaths, but it you pay careful attention, you'll soon work out which blooms do what damage!

If Bangers has a weakness, it's in the graphics department. Everything is clear and does its job adequately, but they hardly sing TV licence from the treetops. Most annoyingly, the main sprite is a tad weedy, which won't help the game retain its grip on the really young player's attention.

For once, a game aimed at younger gameplayers doesn't make the mistake of thinking older means more skilful - it doesn't. Here you get a full-bloodied test of your leaping skills and tactics, and in the gaming world folk are as likely to develop these skills at 50 as they are at five or 15! The licence hasn't been used to stunning effect; it could be any sprite and any reward would really suffice.

Fortunately, the licence is saved by the presence of decent gameplay. The skilful player will prosper, the less handy will become increasingly frustrated at the relatively high level of difficulty. But most importantly anyone who gets hold of Bangers & Mash because they like the TV show is in for a pleasant surprise!

1. A toughish tester.
2. Huge play area and plenty of different tricks.
3. 'Bonus' flowers make life more interesting!
4. Full of neat little touches.
5. Good collision detection on platforms and beasties.
6. A host of different beasts, each with its own attack style.
7. Countdown effect for the fruit adds to the tension.
8. Victory calls for both tactics and skill.

1. The main sprite is a bit iffy.
2. Pretty tough going.
3. One player only.
4. The game doesn't make very good use of the TV licence.