Conflicts 1 (PSS) (Commodore 64/128)

All four games involve a single player against the computer. It's an interesting collection but it still needs a second thought at £12.95.

Conflicts 2 (PSS) (Commodore 64/128)

If you can't get Battle Of Midway by itself the compilation is worth it for this game on its own.

The Tube (Quicksilva) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A mishmash of ideas taken from other games - which is no bad thing if they come together well. In this case I have to say they don't.

Street Sports Baseball (Epyx) (Commodore 64/128)

If you can put up with the machine's team ego, and select a good squad from the rabble you're shown, you might just enjoy this game.

Hybrid (Starlight Software) (Spectrum 48K)

An inventive, if graphically mediocre, game.

Flunky (Piranha) (Spectrum 48K)

A thoroughly entertaining game in the tradition of The Trap Door. Don Priestly will get a lot of praise for it, but no knighthood.

Addictaball (Alligata) (Atari ST)

Addictive by name, addictive by nature...! Basically it's Arkanoid which scrolls, with a lot of extra added ingredients. The best Alligata game for an age!

Last Mission (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64)

If you liked Uridium, then this is the next game for you!

Sidewise (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

Sidewize has all the features of a classic shoot-'em-up arcade game, yet I'm dissatisfied. Some of the aliens are just too fast to hit.

Defender Of The Crown (Cinemaware) (Commodore 64)

This is a conversion of the beautiful Amiga game, and it's come out great. In fact, the animation here actually seems quite a bit smoother than that of its predecessor.

Ace II (Cascade) (Commodore 64)

Ace graphics and ace sound - from music man Rob Hubbard - ensure Ace 2 is a worthy successor to Ace.

Mask (Gremlin Graphics) (Amstrad CPC464)

A great cartoon and a very good game.

Head Over Heels (Ocean) (Atari XE/XL)

It's been rated a classic in every other version, and all I can add is that XL and XE owners really must have this in their collection.

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

All in all, a great collection.

Ballblazer (Activision) (Atari XE/XL)

Ballblazer uses a horizontally split-screen for the two points of view, and the chequerboard playing area positively flies under you as you both zoom around. There's even a pounding music score!

Who Dares Wins II (Tynesoft) (Atari 400/800/600XL/800XL/130XE)

It's a tough and noisy game, slightly let down by the subdued graphics.

Conflict In Vietnam (Microprose) (Atari XE/XL)

Serious wargamers should find much to challenge them here.

Leader Board Tournament (U. S. Gold) (Atari XE/XL)

Even if you don't normally like sports simulations, you should take a look at this.

War Hawk (Firebird) (Atari XE/XL)

The asteroid graphics are great but the aliens look rather washed out. Still, they swoop around fast enough to keep you on your toes.

Universal Hero (Mastertronic) (Atari XE/XL)

A bright and colourful game calling for much mapping and some lateral thinking as you puzzle out how to use the things that you've collected in your nine pockets.

Up, Up And Away (Bug Byte) (Atari 400/800/600XL/800XL/130XE)

An interesting different game that can prove strangely addictive!

Gun Law (Mastertronic) (Atari XE/XL)

The graphics are a little basic, but if you're not a wild fan of the original, but fancy some lively, bloody action, this is well worth a look.

Bubble Trouble (Players) (Atari 400/800/XL/XE)

The graphics are a little disappointing, but there's a bubbly soundtrack and touches like the basin-drinking at the end of the game are great.

Spellbound (Mastertronic Added Dimension) (Atari 400/800/600XL/800XL/130XE)

David Jones' brilliant arcade adventure system of 'Windimation' comes to the Atari.

Gauntlet: The Deeper Dungeons (U. S. Gold) (Atari XE/XL)

The game's extremely playable but it's a pity that the graphics rather let it down by being far too small.

Laurel & Hardy (Advance) (Commodore 64)

In the game's favour I have to say the animation is brilliant, especially in the way that is used to bring Stan and Ollie to life, but this alone cannot save the game. It's just a pity that Advance couldn't put it together.

California Games (Epyx) (Commodore 64/128)

California Games deserves all the accolades and trophies it's likely to get this year. The action is realistic and the graphics detailed.

Death Wish III (Gremlin Graphics) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

It's an excellent game which is shockingly realistic!

The Armageddon Man (Martech) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A thought provoking and well put together game - but you'll have to be a strategy or wargame fan to enjoy it to the full.

Rebel (Virgin Games) (Commodore 64)

Rebel is a reasonably entertaining game - but it lacks any sense of urgency and the thrill power that will get you coming back for just one more go.

Codename: Droid (Superior/Acornsoft) (BBC B/B+/Master 128)

There's lots going on and plenty of imaginative features to keep you going for a good long time.

The Hacker (Firebird) (BBC Model B)

Graphics and sound are basic, although the animation is not bad. Unfortunately, key response is not exactly instantaneous and it's easy to make mistakes.

Faery Tale (Microillusions) (Amiga 500)

This first class animated adventure should keep adventure and arcade adventure freaks occupied for ages - highly recommended.

Road Runner (U. S. Gold) (Atari ST)

With typical cartoon-like chase music, excellent sprite design and animation, and simple but effective gameplay, Road Runner will make a worthy addition to any ST arcaders collection.

Altair (Infogrames)/Hades Nebula (Nexus) (Atari ST)

Barbarian (Psygnosis) (Amiga 500)

If you persevere, you'll be richly rewarded with the sight of new, and even stranger-looking animals, not to mention traps of an extremely devious nature.

Colonial Conquest (Strategic Simulations Inc.) (Atari ST)

This ST conversion is proficient and bug-free, and should appeal to anybody who likes Risk, Diplomacy, or a spot of armchair dictating.

Deluxe Paint II (Electronic Arts) (Amiga 500)

A must for any Amiga owner with a creative bent.

Academy: Tau Ceti II (CRL) (Atari ST)

If you fancy a thinking person's arcade game, then Academy is for you.

Impact (Audiogenic) (Amiga 500)

Combine the editor feature with the incredible sound effects and the icon weapon system, stir in liberal portions of playability and addictiveness and Audiogenic have a sure fire ST and Amiga winner on their hands.

Karate Kid II (Microdeal) (Amiga 500)

While fighting you are treated to some nice sampled effects, and you really know when you've hit your opponent in a soft spot.

Space Battle (Anco) (Amiga 500)

A nice game at the right price, which should appeal to lots of gamesters. Be careful with the Two-Player modes, one wrong shot and fists fly.

Double Gold: Top Secret Plus Mountains Of Ket (Incentive) (Amstrad CPC464)

Stationfall (Infocom) (Amstrad CPC464)

I've been stuck now for some six play-hours, over half way through, and I still keep coming back for more!

Sharpe's Deeds/The Black Fountain (Incentive) (Amstrad CPC464)

More Gold packages are planned by Incentive, and if they are all up to this standard they'll be well worth checking out.

Star Wreck (Alternative) (Amstrad CPC464)

Life-Term (Alternative) (Commodore 64/128)

Uninspired pictures contribute to a fairly drab and awful game.

Suds: The Adventure (Riverdale) (BBC/Electron)

Not a bad series of adventures. They are quite well written, with a sense of humour.

Operation Berlin (Wrightchoice) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Slowly you will manage to fit the puzzles together as you plunge deeper and deeper into the shadowy world of espionage, the premature termination of your existence being likely more than a few times!

Bubble Bobble (Firebird) (Commodore 64/128)

A game as addictive as bubble gum and just as long lasting.

Druid II (Firebird) (Commodore 64)

Druid II is a masterpiece, a game which develops and enhances the original's features.