1994: Ten Years After (Visions)

The graphics and sound effects are very good and the game is playable.

2003: A Space Oddity (DK Tronics)

With this sort of adventure, there is no adventure. It becomes a matter of saying, press a key and let's see what they throw at us next.

Alien Swarm/Arena (K-Tel)

I think K-Tel will have to do better games than these to stay around in this field.

Arcturus (Visions)

The game idea is compelling and easy to play - very hard to win against the computer too.

Bear Bovver (Artic)

A fine game - one of Artic's best. The graphics are really excellent, and so are the tunes.

Bimbo (Joe The Lion)

Quick reactions are necessary, so it seems a shame that they haven't provided alternate control keys or a joystick option.

Blue Thunder (Richard Wilcox)

The idea of a multi-function fire and direction key is a boon once you adjust to the idea as it makes for many less control keys.

Bug Blaster (Crystal Computing)

I think the game idea palls after a bit of playing, but while you are getting the hang of it, it's great fun to play, nice and fast, with very satisfying explosions helped by the excellent sound.

Bull Run (Phipps)

Quite unplayable... the speed of the man is too slow compared to that of the bull which moves along in great jerks like a jumping spider.

Castle Colditz/Battle Of The Toothpaste Tubes (K-Tel)

A series of barren rooms with poor descriptions and a few directions available. Simply no fun at all.

Caveman (CRL)

This certainly isn't worth spending a penny on. Such games can't be doing CRL's reputation any good at all.

Cavern Fighter (Bug-Byte)

The graphics are smooth and colourful, sound is good... I couldn't stop playing... it is extremely addictive!

Chequered Flag (Psion)

Because you are definitely in the car and not outside looking down on it, it creates a simulation rather than game feeling which left me thinking, yes very good, but a bit cold.

Chopper X-1 (R&R)

I think I've come to expect more from a Spectrum game, even a 16K one than this offers.

Confrontation (Lothlorien)

After this time and this number of war games, I would have thought programmers could have made greater strides towards better looking games than this.

Cyber Zone (Crystal Computing)

Utterly addictive, with great sound and marvellous and colourful graphics.

Death Cruiser (Noble House)

Playing with a joystick, the game is very good if you're stuck with the present control key layout it is very difficult.

Denis Through The Drinking Glass (Applications)

Very worthwhile, entertaining and challenging. I can recommend Denis - even if Maggie can't.

Dinky Digger (Postern)

Fair to poor and for kamikazes only.

Double Trouble (Starlite)

I know things are never entirely real in computer games, but it seems odd that the pedestrians (for the few seconds they are alive) are ten times as big as the cars which kill them.

Dr. Franky And The Monster (Virgin)

Dr. Franky is a difficult platform game and quite challenging to play. A really good game from Virgin at last - I hope they'll do more like it.

Draughts (Oasis)

Oasis seem to specialise in these 'mind' games and they do it rather well.

Force Fighter (Perfection)

Shoot-'em-up games may be old hat, even boring, but I thought Force Fighter was pretty addictive.

Fred (Quicksilva)

With a name like 'Fred', lots of people won't think it worth buying. Which would be a shame, because it's a very good maze game, original and fun to play.

Invader Cube (Oasis)

The graphics work very well and the whole idea is appealing.

Invasion Force (Micromania)

Its addictiveness depends entirely on the muscles of the trigger finger! Great game and good sound.

It's Only Rock 'N Roll/Tomb Of Dracula (K-Tel)

Now and again you get to see the show you are putting on in Rock 'n' Roll - a drummer drumming, playing synths etc, which is quite good but I don't think it's worth buying It for that. And as for Dracula... it's pathetic.

Jokers Wild (Phoenix)

A game for speedy arcade addicts who also like adventures.

Killer Knight (Phipps)

The graphics are quite good, although rather small, and I liked the continuous sound. Its difficulty makes it rather addictive.

Laser Zone (Quicksilva)

It's the originality and simplicity of idea which makes it an excellent game.

Loony Zoo (Phipps)

A simpler version of Manic Miner, simple in the graphics and scenarios, not at all simple in the playing.

Lords Of Time (Level 9 Computing)

Lords Of Time, like any interesting adventure, has a long lasting appeal... but I think it will take at least a few weeks to figure this one out.

Lunar Rescue (CRL)

The game is reasonably hard to play, but we've just become used to playing better looking games than this.

Micro Mouse Goes Debugging (Lothlorien)

Fun to play but not very addictive. One good point is that it has user-definable keys.

Millypede (Add-On)

The game is out of date now, but even for those who really still yearn for the good old days, I would say that there are better versions around than this.

Monkey Bizness (Artic)

It's reasonable, but for my money not as good as the Blaby or Ocean versions.

Night Gunner (Digital Integration)

This is the first time I have seen a simulation turn into an arcade game - and it works!

Ometron (Software Projects)

Pretty exciting to play - it takes a lot of concentration with some timing skill when you are hard pressed.

Pengy (Micromania)

It seems a little peculiar that you often don't have to kill off the remaining bug, but otherwise this is a very good version with sensible keys.

Pi-Balled (Automata)

The graphics are excellent, especially Burt when he's on one of the magic discs, slowly turning around and climbing through the sky to the top of the pyramid. Certainly unusual.

Proteus (Abacus)

Very addictive. This game will take a long time to master and has a very good addictive quality.

3D Seiddab Attack (Hewson)

Quite an enjoyable and challenging game.

Skull (Games Machine)

The smoothest and cleverest maze game of its kind I have seen.

The Snowman (Quicksilva)

Despite the control problems, The Snowman turns out to be a frustratingly addictive game.

Star Trade (Digital Dexterity)

The property groups are identified by symbols like squares, circles, triangles etc, and due to the necessary crowding of written detail on the playing board, it can cause some eyestrain trying to see where everything is.

Starblitz (Softek)

Definitely the best 'Defender' game yet... One of those classic arcade games which require skill and concentration.

Timebomb (CDS)

I wouldn't say it's a major game to be honest, but I did find trying to beat the hi-score became something of an obsession for an hour.

Triplex (Workforce)

Not very addictive I think, but certainly unusual and interesting.

Trom (DK Tronics)

On later screens it all become enjoyable, confusing and extremely fast.

Urban Upstart (Richard Shepherd)

I think this is the best game so far from Shepherd.

Winged Warlords (CDS)

A simple game Idea, but very playable and quite addictive because of the speed at which it has to be played.