Sliders (Palace)

Competent, but repetitive, uninspiring and far many likely to prove all but uncontrollable.

Sarakon (Virgin)

Another addictive puzzler from the Far East, which fans of Shanghai will find familiar, but still appealing in its own right. If you don't already own something similar, buy this game.

Robin Smith's International Cricket (Challenge)

Typically laughable graphics and lots of tables in this very average management game. Fine for the more forgiving cricket fan but a complete and utter waste of time for the rest of us.

The Executioner (Hawk)

Not bad, if a bit repetitive, but you're not going to need adrenalin transplants after playing it. A bit repetitive too.

The Charge Of The Light Brigade (Impressions)

Looks brilliant and has plenty of instant appeal, but falls down as a strategy game. Even so, it bodes well for the future of wargames.

Armalyte (Thalamus)

Sloppy and inadequate shoot-'em-up, but still appealing to die-hard fans of the genre. Pretty, but not nearly good enough to compete with the best.

Metal Mutant (Silmaris)

Dainty arcade puzzler, with some very neat presentation. Straightforward, but innovative at the same time.

Living Jigsaws (Miles Computing)

A wrong-headed attempt to bring an unsuitable pastime to the Amiga.

Battle Chess II: Chinese Chess (Electronic Arts)

Boring, slow and irritating. Only the most fanatical chess fiends will squeeze any real pleasure from this oddity.

Conflict Middle East (Strategic Simulations Inc.)

A fine traditional wargame, but it's a form that looks increasingly left behind by the more sophisticated wargame techniques now in use.

Swap (Palace)

Entirely average shapes and colours puzzlers which could only appeal to die-hard Solitaire types. Strictly for those who've exhausted Puzznic, Plotting, Gem'X et al.

Striker Manager (D&H Games)

I'm afraid it's yet another terrible soccer management game. Look elsewhere for entertainment.

Billiards II Simulator (Infogrames)

Might just about be okay if there weren't any other 3D pool/snooker games around. But there are, so it's not.

International Championship Athletics (Hawk)

Terrible presentation, but lots of fun and not a little addictive.

Top Cat In Beverley Hills (Hi-Tec)

Undemanding stuff that might be okay for the under-12s, but that's about all. Cute, but totally vacuous.

Beach Volley (The Hit Squad)

A poorly-disguised variation on a poor tennis game. Two teams of cartoon characters travel all over the world in order to jump unfeasibly, and occasionally knock a ball about a bit. Sad.

Ballistix (Sizzlers)

A nice idea which just doesn't work due mainly to the lack of confrontation. Novelty value only.

Stack Up (Zeppelin Games)

A lovely little puzzle game that's probably the closest thing to a true Tetris sequel we've seen yet.

The Games: Summer Edition (Kixx)

Tries hard, looks quite good, but gameplay-wise falls down all over the place.

Head Over Heels (The Hit Squad)

One of the best games in the world ever...! Are you going to buy it, or am I simply going to have to kill you?

Test Drive II: The Collection (Accolade)

It's Test Drive II with all the trimmings. The game's okay, but if you've already got it give this a miss as all the trimmings don't really add up to much.

Magnum: The Compilation (Ubisoft)

A pretty decent collection, even if it lacks any real stand out products.

Virtual Worlds (Domark)

Measured in hours of playing time per pound, this one has 'essential purchase' stamped all over it. In red.

Virtual Reality 1 (Elite)

Ignoring the footie game, a quite incredible compilation - there's enough gameplay in here to keep you going for months, with some of these unadulterated classics.

Mega Lo Mania (Image Works)

Another game to add to that list of all-time greats. The urge for just one more go has never been as strong.

The Simpsons: Bart Vs. The Space Mutants (Ocean)

A hit, pure and simple. Bright graphics, generally smooth control, some neat puzzles, a fair amount of variety, bizarre humour and this year's strongest licence make The Simpsons an unqualified success.

AH-37M Thunderhawk (Core Design)

At last, a flight simulation for the layman. It's hard, but in a decent, honest sort of way, and at least it makes it easy for you to give as good as you get.

Blade Warrior (Image Works)

Visually superb, possibly the most atmospheric game ever, and with the gameplay to back it up.

Elf (Ocean)

Original and humorous, although not without its difficulties. A winner for anyone looking for a reasonable challenge, and a few laughs.

Nebulus 2: Pogo-A-Go-Go (21st Century Entertainment)

The memory of the first Nebulus makes you expect great things but fans are in for a disappointment. 21st Century Entertainment have simply drowned out the joyous simplicity of the original.

Gauntlet III (Gremlin)

A flawed but perfectly playable game. The fast and frantic four player action of Gauntlet II is totally missing though.