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When all matches are off due to adverse weather conditions and Subbuteo sets have long since been strewn to all four corners of the loft, soccer fans might well be tempted to try a football game on their Atari.

Super Soccer gives you the opportunity to play a match against a team controlled by your computer or by another player.

Team colours can be cycled, although both teams end up looking much the same and even the goal-keepers wear the same colours as their team.

You can choose which country you want to represent, but this seems to have no bearing on the game and is not referenced elsewhere - for example, the scoreboard merely titles the sides as home and away.

Your view of the action is from the side with the pitch set against a backdrop of static spectators and ground-level advertisements. The two teams - quite large figures - troop out, a whistle sounds and play begins. As players advance towards either goal - only a part of the pitch is visible at any time - the screen scrolls rather jerkily.

The player currently under control from each team is highlighted by a pair of brackets surrounding his head. Players and ball move slowly, particularly when two players are close to each other - essential when one player is trying to gain possession of the ball.

It is sometimes difficult to see who is who and quite what is going on. The goalies can be controlled to a limited extent but only when the ball is nearby. At the press of the fire button, the appropriate one will immediately execute an unballetic dive.

The goalkeepers are likely to find themselves on the free transfer list before long - on several occasions they faced their goal when a goal kick was being taken!

I don't know if the invisible referee was off buying a packet of peanuts whenever it happened, but the teams have an unlawful habit of taking a goal kick when opponents are still in the goal area.

There is a good sporty opening tune, but apart from that and the piercing whistle, sound effects are lacking. The roar of the crowd is nothing more than a constant hiss which rises and falls in volume in relation to the action and the ball boinks unrealistically when it bounces.

No, much as I love football, I really couldn't take to this game. It plays a little too slowly for my liking and didn't generate enough feeling of a real match. If it's a football simulation you want - I use this word because a graphical representation is not the same - you would be better off getting Addictive Games' ancient Football Manager - it's still the best soccer simulation.

But if you actually want to see 22 men running around a pitch you might give this one a try.