Trap (Alligata) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Fits all the criterion for an excellent action game. It's fast, challenging and long lasting - you always think that you'll get it next time, next time, next time.

The Spectrum Collection: Update (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Room Ten (CRL) (Spectrum 48K)

Excellent... Easy to learn, yet takes a good few hours to get the hang of. This is the sort of game that you could load in at the end of every session when you just want a quickie.

Graham Gooch's Test Cricket (Audiogenic) (Amstrad CPC464)

A good game, but it would probably make W. G. Grace spin in his grave.

Rugby Manager (Artic) (Spectrum 48K)

Lacks the addictive qualities that made Football Manager a best seller. I don't think that you will get too much pleasure from this one.

Wimbledon (Gremlin) (Commodore 16)

The graphics aren't stunning - more like functional, and the game is quite fast, with good presentation and a minimum acceptable level of sound.

Nick Faldo Plays The Open (Mind Games/Argus Press) (Amstrad CPC464)

A disappointing game, marred by too flashy graphics rather than spending more time on the gameplay detail.

Speed King (Mastertronic) (Commodore 64/128)

A good taste of track racing with a bike for a touch of the unusual.

Arcade Creator (Argus Press) (Commodore 64)

With a little more development and thought, this could have been an excellent little package. As it stands, it is less than satisfactory, although the finished results aren't too bad.

The Penguin BBC B Compendium (Penguin) (BBC Model B)

The author's cynical sense of humour is refreshing and injects some originality into a book that is already well above average.

QL Gamesmaster (Collins) (Sinclair QL)

This is a thorough book that covers a lot of useful subjects and will be welcomed by avid QL programmers.

Storm (Mastertronic) (Spectrum 48K)

Although the graphics are limited, the game does have the right feel about it, particularly as a two-player game.

Qor (Maltdale Ltd) (Amstrad 6128)

If the writer had taken just a bit more time with the testing, this could have been an excellent first attempt. However, even the excellent graphics will not help this game become a hit now.

The Incredible Hulk (Americana) (Acorn Electron)

The best of the "Questprobe" games.

The Beer Hunter (Global) (Amstrad CPC464)

Overall, the adventure is well written, problems are not difficult and, if you like nonsense games, it's all quite good fun.

Quabbalah (Amsoft) (Amstrad CPC464)

Whether you like this kind of game or not is up to you - you either love 'em or hate 'em.

The Terrors Of Trantoss (Ram Jam/Ariolasoft) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A bright colourful game with a logical storyline.

Hunchback: The Adventure (Ocean) (Commodore 64)

If you are a newcomer to the noble art of adventuring, then this might be just what you are looking for... but, for anyone with a bit of experience, I feel that this game may well prove to be a big disappointment.

Phantasie (US Gold/SSL) (Commodore 64)

The game is entirely controlled by joystick and is exceptionally easy to follow, while still being a challenging game.

Nodes Of Yesod (Odin) (Amstrad CPC464)

The graphics are rather good and have been specially redone for the Amstrad and have exceptionally good detail as the four colour mode has been used.

Equinox (Mikro-Gen) (Amstrad CPC464/664/6128)

Graphics are up to the good standard that Amstrad owners are starting to come to expect, with good use of colour shading, flicker-free smooth animation of all the graphics.

Floyd The Droid (Ariolasoft/Radarsoft) (Commodore 64)

Superb graphics and animation, particularly of Floyd himself as he rattles around the sewer.

Meltdown (Alligata) (Amstrad 6128)

The game's idea had a lot of potential but, alas, this unfortunately has not been realised.

Tau-Ceti (CRL) (Commodore 64)

An excellent conversion of a superb game using the C64 capabilities to improve the original game.

Thrust (Superior) (BBC/Electron)

Superior Software have come up with a winner here; the finished-appearance of the game makes me wonder whether it was written for the BBC first and converted later.

Tantalus (Quicksilva) (Spectrum 48K)

Falls fairly and squarely into the mainstream of arcade adventures... There is nothing particularly original about it but if you enjoy this type of game, Tantalus is bigger and brighter than most.

Raid Over Moscow (US Gold) (BBC Model B)

In the first stage you must pilot your craft through the door to the satellite and down to the surface of the planet. Then there is a Zaxxon-esque section where you fly towards the Russian missile base. A good game...

Ghosts 'N Goblins (Elite) (Spectrum 48K)

Considering the average length of a game is only a couple of minutes, most people will only play it a limited number of times.

Green Beret (Imagine) (Commodore 64)

Compares favourably with the Konami arcade original... I enjoyed playing this very much.

Jack The Nipper (Gremlin) (Amstrad CPC464)

A great game... You can be as naughty as you always wanted to be, but it certainly isn't child's play.

Mother Of Charlotte (System 3) (Spectrum 48K)

Most of the graphical effort has been put into the demons, and these are quite well done but on the whole the game is nothng more than average.

Hercules (Alpha Omega) (Commodore 64)

An exceptional game, an infuriating platform game based on the twelve labours of Hercules.

Rupert And The Ice Palace (Bug Byte) (Commodore 64)

This is a simple little game, good value for its budget price and one that should appeal to younger players.

Subterranean Nightmare (Americana) (Spectrum 48K)

Undoubtedly dated, but still worth every penny of its budget price tag.

Macadam Bumper (PSS) (MSX)

I must confess that I've seen better pinball games for the MSX but not with a construction set built in.

Phantom Combat (Doctorsoft) (BBC Model B)

This game suffers immeasurably from the malady that affects most flight simulators - the pursuance of realism detracts from the game. To be accurate and playable you need a really big computer - and a BBC or even two BBCs can't do it.

Computer Scrabble (Leisure Genius) (MSX)

As a Scrabble fanatic I was rather dubious about a computer version but this is so good that I must confess I preferred it to the board game.

Battlefield Germany (Cybercom Enterprises) (Amstrad CPC464)

There is a lot in this game and wargamers should find it a great challenge but if you are thinking of buying your first wargame, you would do better to cut your teeth elsewhere.

Contamination (PSS/ERE) (Amstrad CPC464)

A highly original game that will give you plenty to think about.

Austerlitz (Lothlorien) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Wargames have a reputation for being horribly complex but Austerlitz belies that theory by being extremely well presented whilst still giving a good challenge to any budding general.

Iwo Jima (PSS) (Spectrum 48K)

An ideal game for novice wargamers to cut their teeth on. The rules are clear and the game is simplicity itself to control.

Computer Monopoly (Leisure Genius) (MSX)

Excellent value. Even a throw of the dice is accompanied by an excellent piece of dice-rolling animation, making the game a sight for sore eyes.

Theatre Europe (PSS) (Spectrum 48K)

An excellent wargame that will certainly make you think and pray that it never happens for real.

Stainless Steel (Mikro-Gen) (Spectrum 48K)

The action is fast and furious and will drive you back for more.