Funny how simple ideas can quickly turn into big money spinners. Take compendiums, for instance. Walk into any record store and as sure as my name's not K-Tel, you're bound to find at least half a dozen compilation albums of past smash hits.

Once upon a time you could buy a set of classic board games in a box. Nowadays those old compendiums of Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Draughts and Nine Men's Morris have been supplanted by a technologically more advanced phenomenon - the computer games compendium.

These collections of previously released games have proved to be very popular, and it's not hard to see why. A compilation of quality games offers astoundingly good value for money.

English Software, publishers of the amazing Elektra Glide (in my book the best Atari race game ever) are no slouches when it comes to giving the Atari games-playing public what they want.

They have just released a further volumne in their Smash Hits Volume 4 contains the superb Chop Suey, Kissin' Kousins, Hijack and one I have not seen before, Firechief.

Chop Suey is a top notch Kung-Fu contest where you pit your martial arts skills against a human or computer-controlled opponent.

Impressively smooth animation and a variety of realistic moves result in a smashing game. Next to Elektra Glide, this is English Software's best to date.

Kissin' Kousins has you racing and leaping through a succession of obstacle-strewn streets in a gallant attempt to reach a damsel in distress. Caterpillars, frogs, bombers and bats are just a few of the hazards.

In Hijack, you pilot a chopper and must rescue ten VIPs from a moving train. To accomplish a rescue you have to position the chopper over a VIP (who has thoughtfully climbed on to the top of the speeding train) and lower a rope for him to grab.

You then deposit him on top of the rear carriage where he will be secure. Trees and cannons add to the difficulty.

Firechief sets you speeding left to right along a four lane highway, dodging traffic - you can even zoom over it - until you reach an office.

Inside you scour the maze for a safe, all the while dodging and dousing fireballs before returning to the streets and on to the next office. Three skill levels are on on offer. This one's tough but addictive.

Of the four, Chop Suey is easily the best, and the compendium's worth buying for that alone. But with three other decent games thrown in for good measure, you really can't go wrong.