Salamander (Imagine) (Commodore 64/128)

1988 has been a good year for shoot-'em-ups - now Salamander is the first great one.

Tracksuit Manager (Goliath Games) (Commodore 64/128)

An excellent first release from Goliath and one of the most frustrating, fun, compelling, exciting and addictive games I've ever played.

Dark Side (Incentive) (Commodore 64)

Same Freescape, same drawbacks. Screen update is laboriously slow with each move taking about a second to register and that causes joystick overkill - you're still moving when you let go.

Desolator (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64/128)

The game doesn't look too bad, but it only takes a few games to get to the final level, which doesn't bode well for lasting appeal.

Street Fighter (Capcom) (Commodore 64/128)

You get two versions on the same tape but the overall problem with both is that without the appeal of huge sprites and great pressure pads to thump (as in the arcade) Street Fighter loses its appeal a bit.

Marauder (Hewson Consultants) (Commodore 64)

No prizes for originality, but what there is, is brilliantly presented stuff, due in no small part to Steve Crow's excellent graphics.

The President Is Missing (Cosmi) (Commodore 64/128)

A thoroughly engrossing and realistic adventure that will keep your nose to the monitor well into the early hours before you realise what the time is.

Vixen (Martech) (Commodore 64)

The game here is just an afterthought. It shouldn't spoil your enjoyment of the rest of the packaging!

Beyond The Ice Palace (Elite) (Commodore 64/128)

The backdrops are colourful, the sprites are beautifully drawn and animated (especially the hero), and the soundtrack is atmospheric, but it falls just short of its potential.

Skate Crazy (Gremlin) (Commodore 64)

Skate Crazy offers bags of entertainment and represents great value.

Hercules (Gremlin) (Commodore 64)

A fairly good crack at a game. The spot effects in the combat are fine, though not even close to the beat-'em-up standards of International Karate.

Peter Beardsley's Football (Grandslam) (Amiga 500)

I'd sooner have put my money on Eire winning in Germany than buy this game.

Buggy (Elite) (Amiga 500)

Having played Buggy Boy many a time in the arcade, I can say that Elite have done a marvellous job on the conversion, capturing not just the look, but the feel too.

Leatherneck (Microdeal) (Amiga 500)

A pretty good attempt at an Ikari game. Graphically it's a treat, with particularly splendid jungle backdrops and the leatherneck warriors are well defined.

Draconia (Psygnosis) (Amiga 500)

One of the better shoot-'em-ups to have appeared on the Amiga.

Aaarrgh! (Electronic Arts) (Amiga 500)

It's far too easy to complete, and this mars an otherwise brilliant game. What makes it worse is that this fault could have been rectified so easily, but it's been overlooked.

The Armageddon Man (Martech) (Amiga 500)

A game like this stands or falls on its gameplay, and there isn't enough to let this compete with a game like Balance Of Power.

Return To Genesis (Firebird) (Amiga 500)

A bit difficult to play but, if you're an experienced blaster, and are looking for something to provide a real challenge, this could be for you.

Shackled (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64/128)

At the end of each level a message comes up over the bold(s) you've just rescued: "Free from the shackles at last". And as I type this sentence, I know just how this little blob feels.

I-Xera (The Power House) (Commodore 64/128)

Tour dozens of identical looking screens shooting flying objects. Pfff...

Airwolf (Encore) (Commodore 64/128)

A tough challenge.

Sword Slayer (Players) (Commodore 64/128)

Sword Slayer features "two player action" and "giant graphics" complemented by pitiful sound and plenty of slow, dreary fighting action. The vile icing on this stale cake is the multi-load, although to be fair it isn't as off-putting as much as the game itself.

Beach Head (Americana) (Commodore 64/128)

Of course it's dated, but it is a classic and still remains great fun to play.

American Road Race (Silverbird) (Commodore 64/128)

A bit dated, but you could do a lot worse if you fancy a quick tour of American's freeways.

Metropolis (The Power House) (Commodore 64/128)

If you liked Pyjamarama appealed all those years ago, then guiding Moonboots the lunar explorer through the many rooms of Metropolis should prove a bit of a laugh.

Night Racer (Mastertronic) (Commodore 64/128)

Offers adequate entertainment for the price, although don't expect anything overly time-consuming.

Droids (Mastertronic Added Dimension) (Commodore 64/128)

Use the force... to give this a swerve.

Super Trolley (Mastertronic) (Commodore 64/128)

I'm sorry to say the concept isn't very exciting - shopping in Tesco's rarely is - and nor is the game.

Beach Buggy Simulator (Silverbird) (Commodore 64/128)

This is another, very average dose of Jeep-style gameplay with you controlling a fairly bland buggy wazzing over the dunes avoiding rocks and trying not to be blown up by roving helicopter gunships.

Uninvited (Mindscape International Inc) (Amiga 500)

If you want a change from hacking away at a keyboard, then sit back with a mouse, and try this highly atmospheric and suspenseful adventure.

Star Wreck (Alternative) (Commodore 64/128)

Whilst some budget games are real gems for their price, this is not one of them. Check out Wiz Biz by the same author instead.

Wizbiz (Alternative) (Commodore 64/128)

An excellent little budget adventure, that should give much amusement and frustration.