Let's face it: the price of Neo-Geo software is ridiculous. Where SNK's console is concerned, the vast majority of games-players are in a strictly 'look, don't touch' situation. But that's been a blessing in disguise lately. With a few honourable exceptions, Neo-Geo software hasn't had a memorable year so far.

But SNK are making a two-pronged attempt to rectify the situation. They have already addressed the 'expensive software' issue by unveiling their long-awaited CD system. And they are also trying to breathe new life into their existing system by releasing a series of new action games incorporating both new and old ideas. Top Hunter is one of the fruits of their efforts.

At first glance, Top Hunter bears more than a passing resemblance to Capcom's ancient arcade hit, Bionic Commandos. But only at first glance. Granted, SNK have borrowed the extendable arms idea from Capcom's game, but that's where the similarities end. Instead, the programmers have gone for an action-packed platformer with SFII overtones. That's right: Top Hunter is a platform beat-'em-up.

The result of this mix of genres is that Top Hunter seems a bit confused. One minute it thinks it's a one-on-one beat-'em-up, complete with dragon punches, fireballs and hundred-hand slaps: the next it's under the impression that it's a side-on scrolling platform game. This wouldn't be so bad if the game wasn't so linear. The levels just scroll from left to right, with precious little vertical scrolling, no diagonal scrolling and a distinct lack of parallax. The four planets you have to traverse offer little in the way of spice and variety, and even the potentially interesting extendable arm concept is underemployed: you can grab baddies with it and use it to pull chains to get bonus items or points, but apart from that it's little more than a gimmick. The music is a long way from being brilliant, too; in fact it's downright bland.

However, it's not all bad news for Top Hunter. Unusually for a Neo-Geo game, it's quite tough, even with a surfeit of credits and two people playing simultaneously, and there are a few nice touches. You get the chance to get tooled up with a robo suit, for example, and unleashing fireballs at the baddies when you're powered up always provides a thrill.

But these moments are few and far between. Top Hunter provides good novelty value for a while, but soon becomes tedious. With a bit more thought, it could have been something really special.

These four beautiful worlds have been invaded by ruthless space pirates, and you and your sidekick have been hired to get rid of them. The Forest Planet is, predictably, covered with trees, and riddled with secret caverns. You'll find that the Ice Planet is treacherously slippery and full of traps.

The Fire Planet includes lots of nice graphical effects but is very tough to get through. Happily, the inhabitants of the Wind Planet don't suffer from a flatulence problem; they do, however, have lots of wind-making gadgets, with which they try to force you backwards. Each planet is split into four sub-sections, but sadly they don't vary much in style or content.