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Bob Smith is putting the final touches to his much anticipated psychedelic blast-fest splATTR for Sinclair ZX Spectrum computers with 128K or more, which is due to be Cronosoft's next big hit. This production is a shoot-'em up, but not (quite) as we know it. Innovating the game mechanic, Bob's game sees all manner of nasties (and goodies) which must be destroyed with a well-timed shot from your manoeuvrable cannon. Sweets, cakes and other sugary snacks provide your vessel with an often much-needed energy boost.

Different attack patterns pose different problems, and while some may be easy to work out (the Wasps and Invaders, for instance) others are more problematic, such as the Eyes and Ducks.

The play area is several screens high and wide, and there are two selectable radar types for you to master, which will help you progress. Not everything will be shown on radar though; only those things that can be shot, which doesn't always include objects that will do you harm.

I've been play-testing the final beta release for a few weeks now, and I'm happy to report that this is likely to be Bob's best game to date, and it is certainly one of the most original games this year. It uses the much dreaded 'colour clash' to great effect. Actually, if it hadn't have been for the machine's crude RGB palette of 15 and a half colours, I'm not sure if such a production would have ever been attempted as it's not the most obvious game mechanic for an 8-bit. All credit then for thinking "outside the box" and inside the screen for this piece of entertainment software.

If you want to learn more, head over to www.bobs-stuff.co.uk for a playable preview, or wait until the full review, which will follow in the next couple of weeks, in these very pages, of course.

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While on the subject of new Speccy games, Computer EmuZone Games Studio (CEZ GS) has recently released the Sabre Wulf-inspired Jinj for machines with 48K or more. The story begins many years ago, in a creepy dwelling on a lost island somewhere in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean. The mad professor Bel-Monte is plotting to take over the world and is in search of a scroll which, as legend has it, will open the gates to Hell, and will take control of all beasts and beings that escape as a result.

On discovering this ploy, our hero, Johnny, attempts to escape and is subsequently brainwashed. His task is to explore the island to try to regain his memories and personality. Each object will give yet another clue to his identity, and open up the game further.

Jinj is available now to download, and is very slickly executed, colourful and fun to play. Get it now from cezgs.computeremuzone.com/ficha.php?id=705&l=en.

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Atari 8-bit fans have yet more entertainment software to shout about. The first new release comes from the skilled craftsmen Zdenek Eisenhammer and Frantisek Houra who have created a Bejewelled or Zookeeper-type affair known as Swapz, for the Atari XE/XL range of micro computers. Nothing too original, but it's a job well done, and one that puzzle fans will thoroughly enjoy. You can download the executable file for your favourite emulator from tinyurl.com/6xbgv8.

Meanwhile, Atari 2600 enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that Ben Larson has released Incoming for the console. This is a simple enough Artillery Duel clone, pitting two armoured tanks against each other amid the rugged and colourful terrain. Again, this game may be downloaded for your favourite emulator, in this case from the Atari Age (www.atariage.com) forums, so you'll need to sign up to get the game. Point your browser at tinyurt.com/6kzvr2, and the file is contained in the thread.