Sam Cruise (Microsphere) (Spectrum 48K)

A brilliant computer game.

Fairlight II (The Edge) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A game for map makers and game purists alike. It's not for the novice arcade adventurer though; it's big!

Skate Rock (Bubble Bus) (Commodore 64)

Skate Rock is a different game which skate-boarders and gamesters alike will enjoy playing.

Paperboy (Elite) (Commodore 64)

Many of the most recent arcade conversions have been very poor. Paperboy is the exception. Rush out and buy it now.

Top Gun (Ocean) (Amstrad CPC464)

I'm not sure if the game will have a really long playing life after the initial newness has worn off. I can't see myself returning to it in the future.

Knucklebusters (Melbourne House) (Commodore 64/128)

My advice is to play a friend's copy before you decide to shell out your hard-earned cash - unless of course you just want to hear the neat soundtrack.

Hypaball (Odin) (Commodore 64/128)

This is all right to begin with but it becomes a little boring.

Xeno (A 'n F) (Spectrum 48K)

A nicely presented and fairly playable game. It's nothing to write home about - but it's cheap, and not bad value.

Footballer Of The Year (Gremlin Graphics) (Spectrum 48K)

Despite its limitations it's fun to play and will appeal to all would-be soccer superstars everywhere.

Uridium Plus Paradroid (Hewson Consultants) (Commodore 64/128)

Championship Wrestling (Epyx) (Commodore 64/128)

The action is fast, fun and very realistic. The only gripe is the constant reloading the disk after a bout has finished.

Street Machine (Software Invasion) (Commodore 64/128)

Street Machine is by no means a classic but if you like the Sprint III coin-op, this is the nearest you're going to get to it.

Five Star Games (Beau Jolly) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2/+3)

Quite simply a great buy. If you know somebody getting the first Spectrum, then this would be the ideal gift for them.

Five Star Games (Beau Jolly) (Commodore 64/128)

Yes, it's true, all the games on this tape are of star quality and are hits on their own.

Five Star Games (Beau Jolly) (Amstrad CPC464/664/6128)

Beau Jolly have put together a superb combination of games that should appeal to almost any gamer except die-hard adventurers.

Masters Of The Universe (U. S. Gold) (Spectrum 48K)

A good platform adventure and unlike many other cartoon, movies, book, comic spin-offs actually does manage to capture the spirit of the original characters.

Impossaball (Hewson Consultants) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Totally addictive and very playable. A great debut game from its programmer.

Kat Trap (Streetwise) (Spectrum 48K)

Kat Trap is a sort of futuristic Green Beret with a few nice gimmicks added in. It's a winner. Check it out.

Deep Strike (Durell) (Spectrum 48K)

A playable and different air-combat game.

X-29 Fighter Mission (Midas) (Commodore 64/128)

The solid graphics are the thing that make this game - reminds me a bit of the old Tymac jet fighter shoot-'em-up.

Boulderdash Construction Kit (Ozi-Soft) (Commodore 64)

Good fun and definitely good value.

Sigma Seven (Durell) (Commodore 64)

Overall, this game is not original enough to stand in my selection, and the gameplay gets amazingly boring after a while. If someone does complete it, I think they deserve a medal for their staying power.

Artic Fox (Electronic Arts) (Commodore 64)

Don't expect fast and furious action. But do expect to enjoy playing the game!

Shao-Lin's Road (The Edge) (Spectrum 48K)

The characters are big and well animated... This could well be the best martial arts game yet for the Spectrum.

Legend Of Kage (Imagine) (Commodore 64/128)

Does it have that all-important lastability factor? Not really, my guess is that once you've rescued the princess you won't be coming back for a second try.

Annals Of Rome (PSS) (Spectrum 48K)

An epic game. Certainly it is realistic in the sense that most rulers spent a lot of time looking at the map and worrying... but it can get very dull.

Legions Of Death (Lothlorien) (Commodore 64)

Legions Of Death takes a while to set up and starts slowly, but once first contact is made it becomes really engrossing.

Gallipoli (Cases Computer Simulations) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

This is a seriously bad simulation. The campaign briefing booklet states: 'There was little artillery and this did not play a decisive part in the fighting'. Um, exactly the opposite is true!

Europe Ablaze (Strategic Studies Group) (Commodore 64)

Far too complicated to persevere with. It's so confusing that plotting strategy is easier with a pencil and map instead.

Germany '85 (Strategic Simulations Inc.) (Commodore 64)

The graphics are very poor indeed. The battle map is basic black, scrolls with a ripple effect like water in a pond, and the symbols on it are more or less incomprehensible. If you can cope with this the game is not a bad one.

Destroyer (Epyx) (Commodore 64)

This is a fast, lively game with good graphics, but it's basically just a shoot-'em-up, and I had been hoping for something more.

Indoor Sports (Tynesoft) (Commodore 64)

You'll probably find yourself coming back to this when you get tired of your arcade games.

America's Cup Challenge (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64/128)

If you're into the intricate details of sailing yachts then America's Cup Challenge could be of interest to you. But if you're just into messing about in boats, forget it.

Caverns Of Eriban (Firebird) (Commodore 64/128)

What a disappontment! If I have to play this again, it will be with a bucket beside, for me to be sick in.

Phantomas (Codemasters) (Spectrum 48K)

This is a good game but it is too much like Vampire. Let's hope they can find a new set of graphics to use in the next Spectrum release.

Zub (Mastertronic Added Dimension) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

One of the most frustrating games that I have ever played!

Survivors (Atlantis) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

This is one of the worst budget games I have ever seen. Movement is jerky and the graphics are very simple.

Vampire (Codemasters) (Spectrum 48K)

A slightly above average arcade adventure. Check it out before you buy.

Pro Golf (Atlantis) (Spectrum 48K)

This must be the best game to come from Atlantis, especially with the fabulous title screen music.

King's Keep (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K/Plus)

A must for Spellbound fans, but otherwise just an average game.

Defcom (Quicksilva) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Dull and uninspired. At its price, it's a complete rip-off.

Glider Rider (Quicksilva) (Commodore 64)

A rather poor game if ever I saw one. I thought it was going to be good after reading the plot, but was disappointed. Don't make the same mistake.

They Call Me Trooper (CRL) (Spectrum 128K)

Trooper isn't a game that will make you want to rush out and get a 128 for. Save your cash and get hold of CRL's Academy - it shows they are capable of much better things.

Atari Smash Hits 6 (English) (Atari 400/800/600XL/800XL/130XE)

Not quite as good as the fifth compilation, but a reasonable selection of arcade games for your Atari.

Terra Cresta (Imagine) (Commodore 64/128)

Terra Cresta is one of Imagine's better offerings - it's a challenging zapper which will please even the most demanding joystick jockey.

Xevious (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64)

A good thumb-busting zapper for shoot-'em-up fans of all ages.

Orbix The Terrorball (Streetwise) (Spectrum 48K)

A good debut for programmer John Pragnell and the Streetwise label.

Erebus (Virgin Games) (Commodore 64/128)

A pretty good blaster. The game has no real faults and is slickly presented.

Nuclear Embargo (Micropool) (Commodore 64)

This is quite simply the worst game I've played this month... Even if it were only two pounds, it would be doubtful as to whether it would get a good review.

Infodroid (Beyond) (Commodore 64)

Impressive to look at but a little hard on the eyes. It does have, however, some - multi-soundtracked - pleasant music.

Dodgy Geezers (Melbourne House) (BBC/Electron)

The game captures the atmosphere of the characters and plot beautifully, and goes to make a very entertaining, and quite difficult, adventure.