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Okay, imagine you're Zeppelin. You want to do a game about the A10 Tankbuster, but you realise that there's already a game by this name (on the PC and Amiga, by Sierra On-Line as it happens). Do you give up? Do you think of another plane to do a game about? No. You change the name a bit to Q10 Tankbuster.

Fair enough. Anyway, what you've got here is a sideways-scrolling shoot-'em-up in the traditional mould. You can move in eight directions to avoid the baddies that whizz towards you. You have a forward-firing gun and a load of bombs, so as you trundle from left to right, you can unleash the odd shot.

But if you can just wait until the first power-up appears, you'll be laughing. The power-ups give you extra lives and, more importantly, serious weaponry.

Attacking you is a varied selection of flying machines. Helicopters come buzzing across in waves, fighters come zipping across in squadrons, and a Frenchman drives across in a 2CV. It's almost too much to cope with.

Of course, you mustn't forget the whole reason for flying over the enemy's territory - to destroy tanks. And there are plenty to fire at. Dive down to the ground, fly incredibly low, and when you see a tank, truck or anti-aircraft vehicle, drop as many bombs as you can (you've got an unlimited amount, which helps).

You have to carry out these strikes while keeping an eye open for the billions of enemy planes that continually swoop in. Now you know why you need the best collectable weapons you can find.

In the best sideways-scrolling tradition, after you've cleared a level you meet up with an incredibly large baddie who can absorb hundreds of rounds of damage. It could be a massive bomber, a helicopter or a state-of-the-art Russian fighter (even though we're all friends now).

Aha, you'll be thinking. These end-of-level baddies sound remarkably tough. Well they're not. Owing to some rather poor game design, you can sit at the top of the screen, where you can't be hit, and fire at a baddie every time it pops up. This technique works with all the end-of-level jobbies, so you don't ever have to worry about them.

It's a great pity, because it makes the game a great deal easier. You can also stay safe as you fly through the levels. Just hold down Fire and keep moving back and forth to avoid the anti-aircraft shells that occasionally whizz your way.

This oversight spoils what is basically a pretty fun game. It's dead old-fashioned and not very stunning, either to look at or listen to. But it's enjoyable, and you could have a few hours' pleasure before beating it (except that, with the hiding place you could finish it in about three goes).

1. The not-terribly-advanced graphics make this game seem like an oldie re-release.
2. So does the sound actually, come to think of it.
3. All the levels are pretty similar.
4. And there's the cheaty thing where you can sit at the top of the screen in almost complete safety.
5. Every end-of-level baddie behaves in the same way.
6. There are plenty of games like this, so it's not sparklingly original.

1. It's fast enough to keep you concentrating hard.
2. You don't have to go back to the beginning after each loss of life.
3. There are plenty of meaty weapons to use.