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It's zootime folks, but this is no time for spectating.

OK, so this one has been out on the full price label before, but the gameplay is so good, it's got to be worth another mention.

Life in the Aulkland zoo is serene as can be, especially for a fun-loving Kiwi. Everything is about to change, however, as the psychotic walrus comes to town, with a ravenous appetite for fresh kiwi.

True to form, the Kiwis are bundled up by the walrus and hidden in twenty perilous locations around the zoo. Who's going to save the kiwi tribe before they get eaten? You of course.

Managing to struggle your way free from your bonds, it is your task to track down your friends, taking on all manner of baddies along the way, armed with only a bow and arrow for starters.

One of your relatives is hidden on each of the levels and, on some of the earlier levels, the direction you need to travel in is clearly marked out. Very handy indeed for the novice. However, as you progress, things get tougher and, releasing your friends on many levels will alert the Big Guardian to your progress.

Tread carefully or you'll end up a very bruised fruit indeed. Along the way, doing away with the opposition can be very lucrative indeed. Picking up any items they drop can greatly enhance your firepower, and even treat you to a short dose of invulnerability.

Remember at all times that kiwis cannot fly or breathe underwater, this is vital if you don't want to hand over valuable lives for nothing.

To get airborne, simply steal someone's balloon by jumping aboard and then dealing with the occupant. Similarly, to get across the watery elements, pay careful attention to your oxygen limit when you go under. When you need a refill, simply come up to the surface and spit the water out. If you are skilful enough, you may even manage to pot an enemy with your waterspout at the same time.

Mastering the controls on this excellent offering may take a little time but, practice makes perfect, and you should find your skills increasing as you play.

The New Zealand Story really is one of the most playable platform games around and remains one of the most entertaining blasts on the market. The graphics are bright and colourful, each of the levels holds surprisingly different problems and enemies and the gameplay is simply superb.

For all-round entertainment, NZS has to be one of the best original blasts to be put out on the budget label. If anybody was silly enough to miss it the first time around, you'd have to be raving bookers to skip it on the cheap side.

Take on the role of Tiki the kiwi and get blasting - you'll be hooked within minutes.