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It seems that the people who manufacture coin-ops can't get enough of racing games - but, while those folks are able to add to the realism by constantly producing bigger and better cabinets, the poor old home computer has to content itself by trying to squeeze extra gameplay out of the existing hardware.

This time, that task has fallen to Probe, the programmer of OutRun. The result is a test of Formula One driving skills over four different courses (France, Brazil, Spain and, naturally, Monaco).

Why is it that computer-controlled cars never foul up? One thing that links all driving games is that, while your car struggles to avoid the barriers on a corner, your auto-opponent effortlessly glides by, changing lanes at will. This just adds to the frustration generated as you slip and slide, your position indicator rapidly turning into double figures. Super Monaco GP suffers on this count - but scores on nearly every other.

This is one of the smoothest race games currently available (bar, possibly, Indianapolis 500). Despite some slightly blocky graphics and below-par sound effects, the effect of speed is nicely handled and is what raises it above the rest of the grid. The only other problem lies in the small number of tracks, but the challenge is enough that even these four should last for some time.

The numerous options, such as mouse sensitivity control and gear-change facilities only add to the value, making this one of the best racing games available for some time.

The graphics gain some realism and the sound is much improved, but otherwise there are no apparent differences between the two.

Sorry folks, but a PC version hasn't even made it onto the starting grid. There are no plans at present - or, for that matter, in the immediate future - for any conversions.