Flying Shark (Firebird) (Commodore 64/128)

One of the better coin-op conversions available - though certainly not in the same league as Bubble Bobble.

Out Run (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64/128)

This is a heck of a let-down. Without the exhilarating graphics and other cosmetic touches of the arcade, this is little more than a mediocre racing game.

Street Sports Basketball (Epyx) (Commodore 64)

Plays well enough - although it's not quite as playable as Andrew Spencer's original incarnation.

Trantor: The Last Stormtrooper (Go!) (Commodore 64/128)

Large well-animated sprites, and a colourful detailed backdrop, not to mention quite a funky little syntho number, show that Go! have promise as a new label.

Rampage (Activision) (Commodore 64/128)

Good fun and definitely one of the games I'll be playing on Boxing Day and long after.

720 Degrees (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64/128)

USG have always been quick off the mark to sign up the home rights to hot new coin-op games - 720° proves that they can successfully convert them as well.

Bonecruncher (Superior) (Commodore 64/128)

The main high point of the game is its trickiness. Learning what to do is so easy, but mastering it is nigh on impossible.

Vengeance (CRL) (Commodore 64/128)

Definitely worth a shot. The graphics are nice... and the saving grace is in the heart of the game itself, quite a rarity nowadays.

Jinks (Rainbow Arts) (Commodore 64)

There's a little bit of digitised speech at the beginning and a reasonable tune. But the playability is catastrophic.

Project Stealth Fighter (Microprose) (Commodore 64)

In terms of aircraft specifications and performance, attention to geographical and political detail, and diversity of mission assignments Project Stealth Fighter far outclasses anything else in the air.

Gary Lineker Superstar Sport (Gremlin) (Commodore 64)

If you're desperate for a footer game, there are worse about. But don't expect too much.

Match Day II (Ocean) (Commodore 64)

Dribbling a ball up the field amounts to sheer drudgery. What makes Ocean's latest attempt so disappointing is that it doesn't really mark any advance in that crucial area.

Octapolis (English) (Commodore 64/128)

Most of the game's appeal lies in its presentation, with its crisp, colourful graphics, fast and fluid movement, and neat sound effects.

Through The Trap Door (Piranha) (Commodore 64)

There's no doubt this is still a very clever and accomplished piece of programming, but the aim of the game is too single-minded and much too difficult. Too many people are going to give up on this in despair.

Ramparts (Go!) (Commodore 64/128)

Bashing bricks and watching turrets fall down is good fun for a while, but there's little else to do. I reckon you could get bored with this game pretty quickly if you didn't use the two-player option.

Driller (Incentive) (Commodore 64)

After a plethora of pre-release publicity proclaiming Freescape the greatest thing since sliced bread, I was expecting something more than a stale loaf.

Guadalcanal (Activision) (Commodore 64/128)

An absorbing, fun and playable game but a bit too easy with more of an emphasis on strategy rather than the true war game element... Ideal for beginners or people of an intermediate standing on the wargaming podium.

Life Force (CRL) (Commodore 64)

A good and competent game that becomes pretty absorbing once you've got into it.

Basil The Great Mouse Detective (Gremlin) (Commodore 64)

Basil could have and should have been much better. It's a reasonable idea which, to my mind, has been wasted by presenting it in the form of just another platform game.

Star Force Fighter (Mastertronic) (Commodore 64/128)

Anyone who has more than half a dozen games must have something vaguely resembling this, but I can see it appealing to software-hungry Christmas recipients of C64s.

Inspector Gadget And The Circus Of Fear (Melbourne House) (Commodore 64/128)

This isn't terrible, merely run-of-the-mill. Considering that it's come from a once-great software house, it's particularly tragic.

Ninja Hamster (CRL) (Commodore 64)

The name of the game and the loading illustration brought a smile to my lips, but the game itself is actually is actually ten times worse than the worst of the stuff it parodies.

Out Of This World (Reaktor) (Commodore 64/128)

Everything about this game is slick and well-oiled, and there's enough variety in the landscapes and aliens to prevent it from being tedious. But it's also very, very difficult, which might put off less lunatic zappers.

Crazy Cars (Doctorsoft) (Amiga 500)

Even though it's far from the Amiga's best, somehow it will still keep you playing for hours.

The Hunt For Red October (Argus Press) (Amiga 500)

A good game with a lot to do in it and it should last - it took me half an hour to get to the North Sea from Scandinavia, let alone America!

Insanity Fight (Microdeal) (Amiga 500)

No blitter-driven line graphics, no quasi-3D effects, no boring storyline, just a good wholesome blast - with a few surprises.

Test Drive (Accolade/Electronic Arts) (Amiga 500)

The graphics and loading screens are truly beautiful, but there's an "is-that-all-there-is?" feeling that abounds in the game. Something's missing, like a tough Out Run-style challenge.

Ninja Mission (Mastertronic) (Amiga 500)

One of those strange Amiga games with pleasing backdrops, smooooth sprites, vivid colour... and no gameplay. I can't for the life of me figure out why Mastertronic made this so easy.

Grid Start (Anco) (Amiga 500)

A decent little game. It's nicely presented with clear graphics, attractive background scenery, a jolly opening tune and lots of growling engine noises.

Jinxter (Rainbird) (Commodore 64/128)

Shades of Infocom's classic Bureaucracy, and incredibly funny too.

Jack The Ripper (CRL) (Commodore 64)

Very good. If you enjoyed the Rod Pike adventures, or fancy a bit of horror, then this game is for you. But do heed the 18 certificate on the package.