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Eeh I know it, don't tell me, it's on the tip of me tongue... Yes indeedy, we at Commodore Format are proud to introduce the arcade quiz featuring your friend and mine, Emlyn "correct me if I'm wrong, but don't people usually talk like that when they've been kicked in the nether regions" Hughes.

This time our squeak-talkin' guy is endorsing one of those pub trivia type games - you know, the ones which immediately let you win 50p to get you interested, than ask you a string of questions about the outer Mongolian bowel tick [What sort of pubs do you go to?! - Ed]

The play area is a box flanked right and left by two bars reading win and lose respectively. Within the box itself is a maze of sorts, made up of stepping stones. The type of stepping stone varies; they may be questions, fruits (for bonus winnings), zappers which allow you to destroy subsequent questions without answering them, super zappers which destroy everything visible on screen, kickers which shunt you onto a random adjacent square, blockers which move up and down to restrict your movement and inverters which temporarily confuse you by requiring the wrong answer before allowing you to proceed!

The aim is to travel across the maze from left to right collecting as much cash as possible, before moving onto the win bar. This would be a relatively simple task if not for the fact that the maze scrolls slowly from right to left so that, unless you plan your route carefully and answer the questions correctly, you are thrust onto the lose bar (urk!) thus forfeiting the game completely.

When you complete a level by stepping onto the win bar, a sub-game is entered where in which you have to answer a question against the clock for each coin you have collected. In this respect, the game makes a two-pronged attack on the greedy. Spending too long on the maze reduces your chances of reaching the win bar, while winning too many coins means you get asked more questions. If you get through unscathed, you can proceed to the next level, but only if you've collected enough money to cover the admission fee (a fee which gets larger with each subsequent level).

There are ten levels in all, at the end of which is a static screen completely full of question squares, the aim being to search out eight hidden diamonds within a set time limit. This is exciting stuff!

If you're a girlie swot and find it all a bit easy, you can always load in a trickier set of questions. On completion of the game, a code is given which entitles you to enter a competition that Audiogenic is running. Yes, folks - real prizes!

Visually, Squeaker's Arcade Quiz is relatively pleasing. Each section of the screen is clear and functional, which is a blessing when everything is played against the clock. There's even a caricature of Emlyn which grows progressively more panic-stricken as you get closer to the lose bar! Sound is also well-implemented, adding to the overall effect of a polished pub game.

Where it all falls flat (as with most games of this type) is in the money department. The very nature of the game lends itself to winning real money and, as there isn't any, a certain amount of enjoyment is lost. This is partially redeemed by the fact that there's an ultimate aim - but not quite enough.

If you enjoy trivia, you'll probably find this a rip-roaring hoot. It is, after all, very competently done and has a more intricate challenge than most games of this type. Even solo contestants can enjoy this puzzler, but if fast brainwork isn't your bag, either give it a miss or try it first. Would you agree with that, Emlyn? 'Squeak!' Yes, quite.

1. Functional graphics allow for unhindered gameplay.
2. Appropriate sound effects add to the style of the game.
3. Scrolling maze leads to edge-of-seat playing with alarming regularity.
4. Large variety of hazards require strategic planning as well as knowledge of all things trivial.
5. Additional question sets prolong the life of the game.
6. End-of-level sub-game provides yet more variety.

1. A money winning format with no money reduces enjoyment somewhat.
2. Later levels may prove annoyingly tricky to all but the most proficient trivia types.