Aviator (Acornsoft)

An exceptional piece of work; nothing that I've seen for the BBC comes anywhere near it.

Horace Goes Skiing (Melbourne House)

Guide a blob around a vast expanse of white trying to miss things that get in the way. I think we need something a bit more exciting next time around.

Trom (DK'Tronics)

A visual nightmare that requires fearsome co-ordination.

Red Meanies (Salamander)

A novel variation on a classic theme, but not quite novel enough to make it a big success.

Ad Astra (Gargoyle Games)

A mega-blast... The animation throughout is superb and I was particularly impressed by the mammoth mine-layers.

Rubble Trouble (Micro Power)

Probably the best game I've seen for the BBC so far.

Heathrow Air Traffic Controller (Hewson)

A faithful simulation of the problems facing an air traffic controller.

City Attak (K-Tel)

A truly intelligent piece of programming.

Transistors Revenge (Softspot)

This game is fast and furious. Nice, smooth presentation and enough action to keep you permanently on your toes.

Red Alert & Wheeler Dealer (Mr. Chip)

A cynical assessment would be 'gambling game with knobs on', but it's engaging enough in a modest way.

Fruity Freddy (Softspot)

It's a challenging game and, once you get the hang of it, it's great fun.

Odyssey (K-Tel)

Don't think, just shoot: fast and from the hip.

Flint's Gold (Micrograf)

A major frustration with some adventure games is the same old response when you pick up an object or give the computer an instruction it can't understand. Not with Flint's Gold. It has a library of interesting responses.

Mindbender (Gilsoft)

Not the most difficult of adventures so far, but an excellent introduction for novice adventurers: even seasoned veterans should find enough to keep them entertained.

Pit Stop (Epyx)

An ill-judged ROM that adds nothing to what already exists on the market.

Zodiac (Anirog)

The action is smooth, and the graphics simple and effective.

Klartz And The Dark Forces (Dungeon)

Some descriptions seem 'sloppy' but this adventure is much better than many.

Triad (Live Wire)

I liked the option of playing against more than one player; it saved a multitude of family arguments.

Space Shuttle (Microdeal)

In a word (and this is an odd criticism to make of a sim), too much data fidelity and not enough pizazz.

Zalaga (Aardvark)

Ferociously difficult, refreshingly accessible, beautifully drawn and thoroughly addictive.

Sword Master (Acorn User)

A two player game with two swordsmen who prod each other with swords. With the exception of the odd rather knock-kneed stance they look passably realistic.

Super Pipeline (Task Set)

More frustrating than fulfilling.

Danger Ranger (Microdeal)

Beautifully illustrated and mind-bogglingly tough, this joysticks only game is an absolute must for the serious Dragon hunter.

Rainbow Writer Screen Enhancer (Microdeal)

Serious users will welcome this with open arms and novices might well be surprised when they get to fish around in it.

Chuckie Egg (A 'n F)

Thoughtfully designed so that only the most dedicated gamester will make any headway into the later screens.

It's Only Rock 'N Roll (K-Tel)

Computers are not great composers. Lines like 'Do you want a wimp, dooh wop a bop dooh' are hardly Lennon & McCartney stuff.

Psytron (Beyond)

It's graphically superb, nicely-priced and does seem to match Beyond's claim to provide 'challenging software'.

The Greedy Dwarf (Goldstar)

The input parser is better than adequate, allowing more than two-word orders.

Pyramid Painter (Thor)

It lacks the roundness of a quality game and the key responses aren't what they ought to be. Nevertheless it does have a certain addictive quality.

Space Swarm (Software Projects)

A half-baked product. Visually it's okay, but the sound is a little coarse. Personally I played it with indifference.

Eagle's Wing (Software Invasion)

The graphics are tight and colourful, if a touch symbolic, and the sounds are great.

Olympic Skier (Mr. Chip)

You won't be piste off with this one too fast.

Orc Attack (Creative Sparks)

I like this game a lot. Although it's a ROM and therefore pricey, get it if you can.

Legion (Software Projects)

Rather silly and a waste of everyone's time and effort, small though it might have been.

House Of The Living Dead (Phipps Associates)

The animation is effective and the soundtrack, namely a jovial rendition of the death march, nothing if not appropriate.

Devil's Island (Gilsoft)

The well-written descriptions create a good sense of atmosphere and some excellent - often humorous - responses make this a worthwhile adventure.

JCB Digger (Acornsoft)

A bit sort of boring... The Meanies are pretty scarce beasts and when you find one they ain't the brightest bucket of worms... Rather a pity because the graphics are stunning.

Zoids (Softek)

Not an easy game to play with, but that alone doesn't succeed in making it a challenge. I'd rather play frisbee.

Pogo (Ocean)

Q*Bert groupies are advised to look elsewhere for more authentic thrills.

Fire Ant (Mogul)

A great game... Working through the screens requires a fair amount of logical deduction.

Krazy Kwaks (Mr. Chip)

Zzzzzz...