Dan Dare (Virgin Games) (Spectrum 48K)

This is simply brilliant. It's graphically wonderful, addictive and very, very playable. In fact, I would almost consider buying a Spectrum just to play it!

Psi Chess (The Edge) (Spectrum 48K)

An excellent program for the beginner and experienced player alike.

Paperboy (Elite) (Spectrum 48K)

Extremely playable, very addictive and incredibly easy to get into. What more could you ask for?

The Inheritance (Infogrames) (Amstrad CPC464)

This might not be to everyone's tastes, but The Inheritance is a genuinely different game. The graphics and gameplay are unlike anything around on the Amstrad - or any other machine for that matter.

Parallax (Ocean) (Commodore 64/128)

Fast, slick, smooth and above all entertaining.

Tujad (Ariolasoft) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A tediously standard maze game with nothing particularly bad about it, except the loading screen which is awful. You've probably played many games very much like it.

Vera Cruz (Infogrames) (Amstrad CPC464)

If you like detective stories and whodunnits then check out Vera Cruz. It's a very arresting game.

Super Cycle (Epyx) (Commodore 64)

The graphics on this game are of Pitstop II quality, but the sound is that of an average C64 game.

Revolution (Vortex) (Amstrad CPC464)

Revolution has been around nine months in the making and the effort certainly shows.

Full Throttle (£2.99 Classics) (Spectrum 48K)

Good fun at a nice price.

Pacific (ERE Informatique) (Amstrad CPC464)

Not the best from the PSS 'French Collection' by any means.

Mission Omega (Mind Games) (Spectrum 48K)

Infiltrator (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64/128)

Graphically excellent. You get a nice view of the cockpit with realistic hands at the controls.

Xarq (Electric Dreams) (Spectrum 48K)

If you liked Panzadrome - and are prepared to stick with the game for a prolonged period of learning - then Xarq could be for you. Otherwise give it a miss.

Stainless Steel (Mikro-Gen) (Spectrum 48K)

This game is so mediocre that even the Ed himself couldn't bring himself to play it for more than a few minutes. Sorry, Mikro-Gen, try again.

Strike Force Harrier (Mirrorsoft) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Strike Force Harrier is set to become a classic of its type on all formats. Take off after it today.

Mission Impossible (U. S. Gold) (Amstrad CPC464)

The Amstrad conversion isn't the prettiest thing to look at - but the old addictiveness and playability lurks underneath the chunky graphics.

Arcana (New Generation) (Commodore 64)

Arcana is really a direct copy of Staff Of Karnath and Entombed. It's fun to play, but certainly to be avoided if you already have the two of those.

Beyond The Forbidden Forest (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64)

If you don't mind terrible graphics, naff sound, pathetic gameplay and long loading time, you should get this.

Cauldron II (Palace) (Spectrum 48K)

A delightful game... Don't delay, buy it today.

Miami Vice (Ocean) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Miami Vice isn't a mega-game. It will probably sell more on its name than its addictiveness, but it is a good program, professionally put together and fun to play.

Rescue On Fractalus (Activision) (Amstrad CPC464)

A great conversion, better than the C64 version. Go get it!

Iridis Alpha (Hewson Consultants) (Commodore 64)

A Jeff Minter game, and the same old mix of - admittedly very successful - high speed arcade action zapping, dazzling colours and fantastic sound.

Mission Elevator (Micropool) (Commodore 64/128)

Mission Elevator is fast, well presented and very playable. One of the best games around for the Amstrad right now. And it's not bad on the C64 either.

Freak Factory (Firebird) (Commodore 64/128)

Rather disastrous all round. Avoid it at all costs.

Jack Attack (Bug Byte) (BBC/Electron)

Familiar stuff, with nothing much to distinguish it from all those other ladders 'n mazes games you've played.

Action Reflex (Mirrorsoft) (Spectrum 48K)

There isn't an awful lot to the game, and the price will prohibit its inclusion in all but the most extravagant of software collections.

Lap Of The Gods (Mastertronic) (Spectrum 48K)

Gameplay is pretty basic - but addictive nonetheless.

Star Firebirds (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

A sub-Space Invaders clone with absolutely nothing to recommend it.

Molecule Man (Mastertronic) (Amstrad CPC464)

There is a maze designer program which allows you to re-design the game completely or change the existing one.

Octagon Squad (Mastertronic) (Spectrum 48K)

A competent strategy game - but it really needs a bit more explanation to help out the first time player.

Speed King (Mastertronic) (Commodore 64/128)

Really quite difficult to control; save your pennies for the full price game.

Mindstone (The Edge) (Spectrum 48K)

Great gameplay.

Knight Games (English) (Amstrad CPC464)

Really just another combat game, but it has enough originality to make it worth a look.

Mind Pursuit (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64/128)

Quite good fun to play but rather slow and laborious.

Mikie (Imagine) (BBC Model B)

The graphics aren't much - a bit blocky and sluggish and you can see through the characters... Bring on the aliens, that's what I say.

International Karate (Endurance Games) (Amstrad CPC464)

It was very good on the C64, but the Amstrad version is a disappointment. Really, if karate is like this then no wonder it's a dying art!

Savage Pond (Bug Byte) (BBC/Electron)

This recycled game is good fun.

Phantasie (Strategic Simulations Inc.) (Apple II)

All in all, this is quite the best game of its type that I have seen.

Futurezoo (Clwyd Adventure Software ) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Many words are unrecognised, and the number seems greater than it is, due to the 'You can't' feature.

Jewels Of Darkness (Rainbird) (Commodore 64/128)

If you haven't played the games before, then at £15, Jewel Of Darkness undoubtedly represents excellent value for money, providing you with a well-packaged compilation of three quality adventures, at a mere £5 each.

Hunchback: The Adventure (Ocean) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Despite its shortcomings, Hunchback: The Adventure is a great game. It is well assembled, fun to play, and offers a reasonable challenge.

Lapis Philosophorum (Ariolasoft) (Commodore 64/128)

The Philosopher's Stone is of German origin, and has been translated into English. But beware of some of the responses, they're really weird. They don't make the game any harder, just a little unusual.

Mandragore (Infogrames) (Commodore 64/128)

The graphics aren't bad, but there seems little depth in the game itself.