3D, The Best Of Vortex (Vortex)

This is well worth getting, even if you're missing just one of the games included.

Alien Evolution (Gremlin Graphics)

This game is obviously derived from Ant Attack, but that's no drawback and it's fun to play - for a while.

Ball Crazy (Mastertronic Added Dimension)

A mildly refreshing game to cure you of interaction-game boredom.

Conflicts 1 (PSS)

Fairly good value for money, and it comes complete with its own rulebook: a cut-down, concise version of the original manuals.

The Crown - Journey (Wrightchoice)

A text-only adventure dominated by a combat routine needed to see off the guard beating the old woman, the drunken sailor, and a goblin guarding a lake.

Deathscape (Ariolasoft)

There's nothing gripping here; but it's a fast and pretty shoot-'em-up.

Down To Earth (Firebird)

Colour is well used, but the graphics lack the realism and smooth animation needed for an addictive game, and the sound is terrible - no tunes and only three effects.

Earth Shock (8th Day)

The three subplots add variety to the game and allow it to be played three times. Its good, lengthy location-descriptions add a great deal.

F-15 Strike Eagle (Microprose)

With all its documentation, this is a good game for simulation fans.

Falcon The Renegade Lord (Virgin)

A disappointing, very dated and poorly-presented game.

Frightened Fantasy (Dented Designs)

A very amusing adventure, where you're likely to end up with a score which reads: 'You scraped up 0 copies of Orcbusters and you have taken 43 puny attempts at this awesome quest.'

Kick Boxing (Firebird)

Kick Boxing is very unappealing; the graphics are the best aspect, and they're pretty unimpressive. And the controls are very difficult to master.

Killed Until Dead (US Gold)

Highly enjoyable. The puzzles and the different playing options add to its addictive qualities... Don't miss it!

Mag Max (Imagine)

Mag Max is a nice bit of blasting; but it's marred by the terrible perspective view.

Metrocross (US Gold/Namco)

Metrocross is packed full of playability, and you'll soon be addicted.

Milk Race (Mastertronic)

Milk Race was enjoyable to play at first but it lacked challenge and variety, and becomes boring by its repetitiveness.

President (Addictive Games)

This may appeal to strategists, but not to many battle-hardened blasters.

The O-Zone (Compass)

Despite the appalling plot and curious vocabulary, I couldn't help but develop a soft spot for The O-Zone, what with its colourful presentation.

Pulsator (Martech)

This didn't hold my interest for very long. Still, there are some good ideas, such as door mechanisms activated by sensors arid besides which can help you.

Quartet (Activision/Sega)

An average blast 'n' hack game.

Shake (Keep Publishing)

Some title screens boast that Shake is the magazine you can hear, but I found sounds produced through the Spectrum quickly became annoying and I switched off.

Stormbringer (Mastertronic Added Dimension)

This game will only appeal to the arcade-adventure freaks who like David Jones's style of programming; for them it'll be well worth the money!

Temple Of Terror (US Gold)

The adventure clearly has a good background with its "Fighting Fantasy" story, but I can't help but get annoyed at the strangely inappropriate programming, the curious stutters and the lack of finesse in communication and presentation.

Thing Bounces Back (Gremlin Graphics)

A game to keep for a rainy Sunday. Thing Bounces Back lacks a bit in gameplay because it's so difficult, and soon becomes boring.

Triaxos (Ariolasoft)

What a boring game this is - about as exciting as watching paint dry, and getting a headache in the process from the programmers' unappealing colours.

Wiz (Melbourne House)

You might find Wiz passable if you've got bundles of patience, but I doubt anyone who's paid full price for this level of unplayability will have much patience with anything.

Yankee (Cases)

One of the best battlescale simulations I've seen, and all war-gamers - particularly those who like a traditional approach - should enjoy it.

Zynaps (Hewson)

If you're bored with mindless blasting stay well clear; but healthy hands, clear eyes and steady minds will find with Zynaps that a classy shoot-'em-up can still be fresh and exciting.