Acro-Jet (US Gold)

Despite not being very original, Acro-Jet is one of the best flight simulators so far.

Agent X (Mastertronic)

Loads of content, in some very different games, all of them very well done. Worth every penny.

Aliens (Electric Dreams)

A very playable game. I didn't find it terribly addictive, but other than that, I've no complaints.

The Archers (Mosaic)

I think the game is much better than the radio programme. Some of you might well say that isn't saying an awful lot and I might be tempted to agree.

Battle Of Britain (PSS)

On its own terms it has an atmosphere of authenticity, and creates a playable fast-moving environment which many will find enjoyable.

BMX Simulator (Codemasters)

The idea is very simple, but the game is really quite playable. Keyboard controls are kept very simple and very responsive.

Bugsy (CRL)

Bugsy is without doubt an entertaining game with zany humour and a SCORE command which reflects money acquired in the first instance, but later shows your ranking amongst Public Enemies.

The Colour Of Magic (Piranha)

The game comes in four parts which makes the asking price seem very reasonable. The pictures are quite good and the presentation is very neat.

Cop-Out (Mikro-Gen)

The backgrounds are well drawn, but don't give much of a 3D impression.

Copy Cats Plus Spell Cars (Key Software)

Two programs based on sound educational practice... The accompanying manual clearly lays out the aims and objectives of the package.

Defcom (Quicksilva)

If monotonous, boring, unplayable, but pretty shoot-'em-ups are your scene, then Defcom is for you.

Donkey Kong (Ocean)

If you're one of the dedicated followers (there must be one of you, somewhere!) then this is about as close as you're going to get to the original on the Spectrum.

Double Take (Ocean)

The place where Double Take most surprised me was in the effects. Congratulations to Denton Designs for the spinning vortexes, the screen changing, and the ever so neat animation.

Dracula (CRL)

The character set takes some deciphering but once understood the game turns out to be well written and a good read.

Elevator Action (Quicksilva)

The problems here are more than compensated for by the incredible gameplay.

Footballer Of The Year (Gremlin Graphics)

The presentation falls down a bit: screen messages sometimes flash up too quickly to read and the computer bleeps at odd times. Maybe this game will only appeal to the real football fanatic.

Fractions (Key Software)

Fractions is an extremely helpful tool for teaching an important area of mathematics, with colour and large print being used to very good effect.

Gauntlet (US Gold)

More of a shoot/pick 'em up game than any of its clones, and as such it contains much more fast action fun.

Gunstar (Firebird)

The sort of game you just keep playing again and again.

Hacker II (Activision)

Colour has been used excellently, and generally I find it hard to criticise any one thing in the program, but it does lack some vital element that could have made it into a smash hit.

Harvey Headbanger (Firebird)

This is not as playable as it should be, but with two players careering out of control it can become fun.

Highlander (Ocean)

Highlander isn't one of the best games around. I can't understand why McLeod turns into a blob, liquidises, and throws his molten form at Ramirez.

Hive (Firebird)

I'm sure that Hive will appeal to some people, but I couldn't get far enough into it to enjoy it. Worth a peep.

Howzat (Alternative)

Another cricket game bites the stumps. In this one, the bowler doesn't even get to the chance to bowl.

Hypaball (Telecomsoft)

The responses are too slow on the user controlled players, making the way in which the computer players score 95% of the time both frustrating and aggravating.

Hyperbowl (Mastertronic)

For £1.99, you get stacks of gameplay, and lots of addictive qualities; it might become boring in the distant future, but it has a lot more potential than many games five times its price.

Impossaball (Hewson)

Recommended. There is more to this than simple arcade reactions (though these are a major part of the gameplay), a bit of brain-power is also called for.

It's A Knockout (Ocean)

The feel of the game is decidedly dodgy - it doesn't respond to the controls consistently, and when you add it all up there's not much depth to it at all.

Kayleth (US Gold/Adventure Soft)

Kayleth follows in the footsteps of Rebel Planet. Both have a lot to offer the dedicated adventure enthusiast. In addition, science fiction fans may find much of interest in the very well-constructed plots.

Konami's Golf (Imagine)

The graphics aren't particularly good, and the whole thing seems to lack that certain something which would make it into a really fun game.

Legend Of Kage (Imagine)

After ten minutes, things started to get a bit monotonous, and after another ten it was nothing short of tedious.

Legions Of Death (Lothlorien)

Anyone with an intrinsic interest in the era, or in naval warfare, will find a lot to enjoy in the game.

Ninja (Mastertronic)

The graphics are very poor and no brain is required, beyond the ability to move and fire.

Note Invaders (Chalksoft)

This is a really excellent little program which all beginners should enjoy and benefit from.

Pazazz (ASK)

This is a very complex, but creative package, and younger children would certainly need the help of an adult to follow all the instructions in the booklet.

Peter Shilton's Handball Maradonna (Grandslam)

Very boring, holding interest for no more than a few minutes.

Pro Golf (Atlantis)

Boring with a capital B.

Punctuation Pete (Hill MacGibbon)

An excellent package, particularly for use in the classroom.

Romantic Robot Videoface

A very enjoyable add-on for the Spectrum, which can provide hours and hours of entertainment. I still haven't found any serious use for it, but that, to my mind, is not very important.

Run Rabbit Run (Hill MacGibbon)

The game is certainly useful in encouraging skills of predictive reasoning, and the children who tried it out for me thoroughly enjoyed it - once they understood the rules!

S.A.S. Operation Thunderflash (Creative Sparks)

Very erratic and extremely hard to get used to. Nowadays, if a 3D monochrome arcade adventure wants to make an impression it has to be something very special. This isn't.

Shao Lin's Road (The Edge)

A very playable game, and I'm sure it should please 'bash and thump' fans.

Super Cycle (US Gold/Epyx)

Overall, Super Cycle comes a long way behind the best Spectrum racer, and is not a game I would recommend.

Super Soccer (Imagine)

Not really Super Soccer, more like Nearly Good Soccer. Give me Match Day, any day. At least that was playable.

Survivors (Atlantis)

This isn't a bad game, but the graphics and the 'return to the start' bit knocks it down a bit.

Terra Cresta (Imagine)

I don't know about the accuracy of the conversion, but if you fancy a slightly unoriginal and expensive shoot 'em up - that's quite a lot of fun - Terra Cresta is your game.

Theory Of Music To Grade 5 (Ted Kirk)

I asked a music professional to have a look at this set of programs. He was extremely impressed by the depth of content and commented that, though they might not improve your playing, they'd certainly help you get through the exams.

Top Gun (Ocean)

A brilliant game and well worth getting.

Xevious (US Gold)

The graphics are very average, and frankly, that's my opinion of the whole thing. It's just another shoot-'em-up. That's it.

Yie Ar Kung Fu II (Imagine)

Not a game I would recommend, especially to people who expected a good follow up.