Mastercalc 128 (Campbell)

Supercalc 2 (Amsoft/Sorcim)

Very big and very powerful... Many useful maths facilities, including MAX, MIN and LOOKUP.

Utopia (Arnor)

Features a large amount of disc-related commands, and the disable facility means it will not interfere with other ROM chips.

Programmer's Toolbox And Basic Extensions (Superpower)

A wide range of extra commands; it's likely you will find something that will help you... The manual is well written, explaining things very clearly.

Oddjob (Pride Utilities)

If you want a Toolkit for your disc drive, this is probably the one to go for.

Tas-Spell (Tasman)

Simple and easy to use, and easy to add to dictionary. But it's pretty slow.

The Ocean Empire

The All-Action Reviewing System

Chimera (Firebird)

Excellent graphics and character with many difficult puzzles to solve... 64 colourful screens.

Mexico 86 (Qualsoft)

It's complex and demanding - not just mentally but physically as well, given the time needed to play a whole game.

Battle Beyond The Stars (Solar)

Fast and furious action that requires little or no mental effort.

Macrocosmica (Amsoft/Datacom)

Absorbing and demanding... Once you've got over your gambling craze you'll find an involving task of getting from space-rags to riches.

Tales Of The Arabian Nights (Interceptor Micros)

I rather liked this. The first screen in particular has just the right balance of difficulty and disaster. It looks easy, but isn't.

Zorro (US Gold)

The animation isn't that hot but the game screens are well-designed and colours are nicely used to give the terracotta effect of the real thing.

3D Quasars (Solar)

If you're still waiting to be converted to the joys of mass destruction, try a different game.

Doors Of Doom (Amsoft/Gem)

A tough game task against a very difficult and intelligent robotic opponent.

Strangeloop (Virgin Games)

Combines the excellent graphic quality of Sorcery with a much tougher mental task that should give it even more lasting challenge.

Hyper Sports (Imagine)

The gameplay is excellent on all six events, providing several different types of challenge that should keep you at it for weeks.

Glen Hoddle Soccer (Amsoft/Shirekilo)

A very tough computer opponent... Not a shred of Glenn's silky skills are on view here.

10 Computer Hits (Beau-Jolly)

For anyone new to computer games, 10 Computer Hits will be a terrific introduction.

Wriggler (Romantic Robot)

Very cute and intermittently amusing... Graphics are clever and engaging, while the title tune is pretty impressive.

Yie Ar Kung Fu (Imagine)

Graphics and sound are excellent, but it's a shame you can't take on another player in this very classy punch-up.

Obsidian (Amsoft)

The game itself is not very original, but it's so well-executed that it deserves the praise it's getting.

They Sold A Million (The Hit Squad)

Three games that are already best-sellers on the Amstrad and a new one, Sabre Wulf, that has only recently been converted.

Renegade (Kuma)

The size of the game is impressive but with the gameplay being simple moving and shooting, even this doesn't count for much.

Dogsbody (Bug Byte)

Executed with a certain amount of skill and charm, and is going to be far from easy to crack... although 25 screens isn't that big a playing area.

Assault On Port Stanley (Amsoft/Shirekilo)

There is virtually nothing in the way of excitement until you get halfway through the final stage! Neither graphics nor sound are distinguished.

Geoff Capes Strongman (Martech)

Quite a novel game... Certainly has something a little different from the usual joystick bash, although six events may prove limiting.

Tombstowne (Amsoft Premier)

A large playing area to try to discover, but it's sometimes hard to know what an object is and therefore what it might do.

Fighting Warrior (Melbourne House)

As you progress, the game gets rather dull. When, you begin to wonder, am I going to get near my goal? Well, don't ask me, because however much I persevered, I didn't seem to get any nearer to saving my beloved.

Thanks For The Memory

The Never-Ending Story (Ocean)

The Never-Ending Story is superbly designed... and particularly attractive to younger players.

Seas Of Blood (Adventure International)

The combat routines make Seas Of Blood a very enjoyable game, even if it can be tiresome at times.

Magician's Ball (Global)

An excellent game. My only reservation was that perhaps there wasn't quite enough of it.

Ice Station Zero (8th Day)

A text adventure where, once you've escaped the wolves, it's a rather traditional affair of stopping a mad scientist from blowing up the world.