Classic Invaders (Bubble Bus) (Amstrad CPC464)

It's amazing how often it is the simplest games which hook you the most.

Return To Oz (US Gold) (Amstrad CPC464)

A graphical text adventure using a menu system (for little hands!) with large and colourful pictures to keep the interest up.

Now Games 3 (Virgin) (Amstrad CPC464)

There's enough of a mixture here to provide enjoyment for any games player.

Doomdark's Revenge (Beyond) (Amstrad CPC464)

A superb mix of strategy and adventure and the graphics add considerable icing to what is already a very good cake.

Glider Rider (Quicksilva) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

The game is fun to play and very puzzling, and should provide a difficult game for even the most experienced player.

Trailblazer (Gremlin) (Commodore 64/128)

This deserves to be the biggest blockbuster of 1986...!

Asterix And The Magic Cauldron (Melbourne House) (Commodore 64/128)

The game will challenge battle-hardened veterans as they beat up the Romans to the accompaniment of a galloping French ditty.

BMX Simulator (Codemasters) (Commodore 64/128)

I always find that the two player option is the best way to evaluate these types of games and its addictive qualities certainly showed through.

The Legend Of Sinbad (Superior) (Commodore 64/128)

To succeed, you have to give a faultless performance and there is a certain element of luck which makes the game annoyingly addictive.

Leaper (Bug-Byte) (Commodore 16/Plus 4)

Deserves to be part of any games enthusiast's collection.

Action Packs 1 & 2 (Alligata) (Commodore 64)

The pick of the four games on the tape is Guardian.

International Karate (Endurance Games) (Commodore 16)

Although the karate theme has been dreadfully overexposed, this one is certainly one of the better releases and should rekindle the interests of C16 game players.

Speed King (Mastertronic) (Commodore 16/Plus 4)

A very disappointing game... Could have been so much better.

Pub Games (Alligata) (Commodore 64)

I was initially doubtful of this compilation... but the sheer quality of most of the games won me over in the end.

Conan (Americana) (Commodore 64/128)

Although the graphics are crude by modern standards, ths game still has that addictive quality missing from quite a few of today's sophisticated games.

Gods And Heroes (Alpha Omega) (Commodore 64)

You can slow down or speed up the game as you want and can choose to start on any of the fifty screens so that you can at least see the whole game, even if you can't complete it.

Jack The Nipper (Gremlin) (Commodore 64)

Although the game was well received on the Spectrum, I felt that it lacked a certain addictive quality. The screens look good, the sound is fine but solving the puzzles of what to do with key objects held little excitement for me.

Bazooka Bill (Melbourne House) (Commodore 64/128)

I've been a bit disappointed with Melbourne House's output of late but this could be an indication of a re-awakening of their golden era.

Jewels Of Darkness (Rainbird/Level 9) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

If you want to experience the thrill of adventuring take my advice, no collection is complete without Rainbird's trilogy.

Storm (Mastertronic) (Spectrum 48K)

Its best feature is the two player option which gives a chance for Storm to appear with Agravain, and for the two heroes to fight in unison.

Bombscare (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K/Plus)

A 3D arcade adventure complete with Ultimate style graphics. There have been many similar variants before. If you enjoy the type, it's not bad value.

Strike Force Cobra (Piranha) (Spectrum 48K)

Initial gameplay is very difficult to master and I found the 3D effects a bit off-putting but it is nonetheless an original and challenging game.

Action Pack (Alligata) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2/+3)

A reasonable selection of games, nothing outstanding, nothing terribly bad.

Moonlight Madness (Bubble Bus) (Spectrum 48K)

On a budget label, this would have been fair value for money. As it is, it is grossly overpriced and there are many better ways of lightening the load in your piggy bank.

Sgrizam (Americana) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2/+3)

Poor graphics coupled with a poor and boring gameplay make this one a miss. Blah, I never did like princesses anyway.

Pub Games (Alligata) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Light Force (Faster Than Light) (Spectrum 48K)

If FTL keep producing games of this quality with this presentation then Spectrum owners will be in for a real treat.

Paperboy (Elite) (Spectrum 48K)

Although the game is challenging, and certainly addictive, some may find it a little too repetitive but fans of the arcade game will certainly want to add this to their collection.

Druid (Firebird) (Commodore 64/128)

A wonderful game with impressive graphic animation and a challenge which few should ignore.

The Sacred Armour Of Antiriad (Palace) (Commodore 64/128)

The scenes have a solidity and depth to them which few have attempted and the animation is thoroughly detailed.

Silent Service (US Gold/Microprose) (Atari XE/XL)

A definite must, there's as much depth to this game as Elite, and that's saying something.

BC's Quest For Tires (Software Projects) (MSX)

A well programmed game with small details which raise it above others... However, I wonder how addictive it is. There is little variation in the gameplay and it could quickly become quite boring.

Jewels Of Darkness (Rainbird/Level 9) (Atari XE/XL)

This pack will keep hardened adventurers at it for wees and ordinary mortals will be confused for years.

Greatest Hits Volume 1 (DataByte/First Star) (Atari XE/XL)

Yuk. A useless package, unless you live in Outer Mongolia and this is the only software that your local stockist has. Avoid it, despite its compilation pitching.

Raid Over Moscow (US Gold) (Atari XE/XL)

A varied and interesting game.

Preppie (Americana) (Atari 400/800/XL/XE)

You all know this one... A variant of Frogger with a difference! The plot is that of retrieving golf balls from across alligator-infested rivers.

Sun Star (CRL) (Atari XE/XL)

This is a well thought out game that really has to be played to be believed as it is very fast and challenging.

The Goonies (US Gold) (MSX)

The graphics are simple but effective, though I feel that the game fails to reach the standard of Konami's Kings Valley game as far as gameplay is concerned.

Nemesis (Konami) (MSX)

The action is fast and furious and I would certainly nominate this as the MSX game of the year.

TT Racer (Digital Interaction) (Spectrum 48K)

This game is excellently presented, well put together, and marvellously programmed; if you are a bike fanatic, then I couldn't recommend this game more. However, if you just want a motorbike game then I suggest that you at least look elsewhere first.

The Best Of Beyond (Beyond) (Commodore 64)

I have a great deal of respect for the Beyond programmers and this collection is one of the absolute essentials for any Christmas list.