Thrust II (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

The graphics are superb and the animation faultless and smooth. There is no way that you shouldn't buy this game!

Short Circuit (Ocean) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

To fully appreciate the game - and distinguish it from other 3D arcade adventures - you'll have to see the excellent film.

Uchi-Mata (Martech) (Amstrad CPC464)

The game is very well thought out and the animation is good, using the Amstrad's sixteen colour mode.

Raid 2000 (Mirrorsoft) (Commodore 64/128)

Reasonable graphics but uninspiring gameplay and plot. There are many better games on the market.

Wargame Construction Set (US Gold/SSI) (Atari 800/XE/XL)

Now you've got no excuse not to try a wargame because, if you can't find one you like, you can build your own!

Arkanoid (Imagine) (Spectrum 48K)

The angle that the ball travels depends on whereabouts on the bat you hit it but there it has an annoying habit in the Spectrum version of the game of seeming to pass through the bat when you hit it near the edge.

Transmuter (Codemasters) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A great arcade game that shows there's still life in the old scramble style of game.

SOS (Mastertronic) (Commodore 64/128)

A fairly run-of-the-mill romp through a hi-tech landscape. The screen colours gradually change as the pitch black nights fall.

Plan B (Bug-Byte) (BBC/Electron)

A game the intelligent gamer will play over a long period - there is a lot to return to. Well done, Bug-Byte!

Bar Billiards (Blue Ribbon) (BBC/Electron)

Much as I enjoyed playing around with it, I don't think this is a game I would return to very often.

How to Be A Hero (Mastertronic) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

Three Gauntlet/Strom games for the price of one budget game. Can't be bad.

Hollywood Or Bust (Mastertronic) (Amstrad CPC464)

Not a very good game... More than half the screen is taken up with functionless decorative graphics and the small area that is left has graphics that are so big there is little room for anything else.

Brainache (Codemasters) (Spectrum 48K)

A standard platform game which shouldn't disappoint its players.

The Curse Of Sherwood (Mastertronic) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

The screens look like something out of an early Ultimate game but the best part of the game is the animation of the monsters.

Condition Red (Blue Ribbon) (BBC/Electron)

A platform game, no better or no worse than many others. It's quite nicely programmed, neat and playable too.

Zulu War (Cases) (Spectrum 48K)

Highly recommended for newcomers to this type of game.

World Games (US Gold) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Reasonably well presented but there were a few glitches that I found somewhat irksome.

The Amazing Shrinking Man (Infogrames) (Amstrad CPC464)

A nicely put together game, if confusing at times.

Express Raider (US Gold) (Commodore 64/128)

A game of limited appeal. Neither graphics nor sound are particularly impressive, and the game was not varied enough to sustain my interest.

Sailing (Activision) (Spectrum 48K)

A gamer's guide to sailing... To win, you have to come up with an ace boat design and use skill and good timing to beat your opponent.

The Superior Collection Volume 1 (Superior) (BBC B/B+/Master 128)

I can't imagine any of you not making plans to buy both the Superior Collections!

The Superior Collection Volume 2 (Superior) (BBC B/B+/Master 128)

Try the collection, wallow in nostalgia, relive classic moments of gaming history and try and fathom the appeal of Kix. You won't be disappointed.

Grand Prix Construction Set (Superior) (BBC B/B+/Master 128)

A very appealing software release that is going to give a great many of you a great deal of pleasure.

Nether Earth (Argus Press) (Spectrum 48K)

This is not a game you can play in an odd few minutes. It needs careful planning to win the day.

Firetrack (Electric Dreams) (BBC Model B)

An instant classic. The gameplay is just right... and the final part of each level involves a bonus shoot-out.

Legions Of Death (Lothlorien/Argus Press) (Spectrum 48K)

This is an interesting wargame based on a fascinating period of history. My only reservation is the icons - there are just too many of them.

Greyfell (Starlight) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

This game is a must for all arcade adventurers, although, be warned, the icons can be difficult to use when the pressure is on.

FA Cup '87 (Virgin) (Amstrad CPC464)

To all intents and purposes, completely identical to the FA Cup game Virgin brought out last year. That one wasn't any good. This one is even more boring than watching Arsenal.

Sigma 7 (Durell) (Amstrad CPC464)

The pseudo-3D effect is a complete waste of time and the length of time it takes to scroll across the screen is disgraceful. This is a truly dreadful game.

Elevator Action (Quicksilva) (Commodore 64)

Don't waste your money on this... Gameplay and graphics are both uninspiring, you would do much better to look out for Mission Elevator instead - it is infinitely more playable.

Skyhawk (Bug Byte) (BBC/Electron)

A disappointment. The plane cannot fly fast enough to catch the enemy planes - which enter the screen at random heights so no pre-planning is possible, and landing at any landing pad is also impossible.

Bubble Trouble (Players) (Atari 400/800/XL/XE)

This game is incredibly simple and rather boring. There is no sense of challenge and the graphics are bland and unimpressive.

Cholo (Firebird) (Commodore 64/128)

The game is very addictive... How you use the robots is up to you and will decide your success in a game that will keep you glued to your terminal for weeks.

Leader Board Executive Edition (US Gold) (Commodore 64/128)

Both Leader Board rookies and veterans should cue up for Executive. It's well worth a shot.

Psi-5 Trading Company (US Gold/Accolade) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

I don't know when the Psi-5 Trading Company will ever actually make money. Still, it's good fun trying to.

Tobruk (PSS) (Spectrum 48K)

Undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable wargames ever, ideal for beginner and veteran alike.

Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? (Broderbund) (Commodore 64)

The presentation of this game is excellent, but there is so much information in the book that actually extracting any can be very frustrating indeed.

Ice Hockey (Bug Byte) (BBC/Electron)

Whatever this is, it is not an adequate ice hockey simulation. Still, you might enjoy it. After all, someone at Bug-Byte thought enough of the game to release it.