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It has been a long time since an arcade game has been converted on to the Atari 8 bit. But now Activision has released Rampage, formerly by Bally Midway.

It is based on the exploits of three indescribably nasty B movie behemoths: King Kong, Godzilla and Wolf-Man. And the only thing that will satisfy them is total destruction.

Loading the disc-based game is simple. Just unplug any cartridges on old machines or hold down the Option key on newer models while switching on. Cassette users must remember to hold down the Start key while following these instructions.

The game is designed to be played by two people using joysticks. Up, down, left and right move your monster in the desired direction. Holding the fire button and then moving the joystick will cause the monster to throw a punch or grab in the chosen direction.

In the very best of Hollywood tradition, Rampage unleashes monstrous mayhem on an unsuspecting public.

It seemed like any other day at the Greaseburger Fast Food Emporium, except for three unlucky customers who were to get something nastier than their usual Big Mucks.

The company's research division has been playing around with several experimental food additives - and have they caused trouble.

A wave of nausea, foul aftertaste then chronic indigestion soon swept over George, Lizzie and Ralph. Then they ripped off their clothing and got into their designer label fur and scales.

Life isn't funny when you're a 50 foot Gorilla, Lizard or Wolf-Man and the rest of the world is just about to find out how bad it is.

You play the roles of George, Lizzie and Ralph. And in a desperate battle for survival you climb skyscrapers and smash walls with your fists as you look for something edible - anything from toasters to tasty little humans.

Be very careful though, damaged buildings will eventually collapse into rubble. Leap off them when the foundations start to crumble as getting trapped under falling masonry will weaken you.

The nation's military is also hell-bent on your destruction and you must punch or avoid the snipers in the windows. Gunship helicopters are also buzzing around the screen in an attempt to shoot you. Swat them like flies.

If you lose all of your energy - indicated by bars at the top of the screen - you will revert to your human form and, hiding your nakedness as best you can, shuffle off the screen in embarrassment.

When a whole level of buildings has been demolished, a new city block appears ready to be flattened. There are fifty cities, and you spend three days in each, making 150 different screens to destroy.

Rampage is great fun to play and the graphics and animation are very good. Adequate sound effects complement the game, but the title music is atrocious.

Of late only budget games have been reviewed in Atari User and it makes a nice change to see a full-price game appear on the market. I only hope Activision follows it up with a few more.

Rampage has been very well written.