Bangkok Knights (System 3) (Commodore 64)

The animation is superb and silky smooth and the music - by Rob Hubbard - is wonderful.

Octapolis (English) (Commodore 64/128)

I have to say that I found the flying bits had the edge over the platform screens - but as a whole the game is just brilliant fun!

Rampage (Activision) (Commodore 64/128)

A very fun game - if you're a fan of the coin-op then you won't be disappointed by the C64 version!

Jackal (Konami) (Amstrad CPC464)

We know that any coin-op's graphics and sound suffer a little in the transition to the home micro... but this is ridiculous! Jackal on the Spectrum is in a sorry old state. And the Amstrad version isn't much better.

Block Busters (TV Games) (Commodore 64)

If you like the TV programme, and quiz games in general, you'll find this one of the best.

Driller (Incentive) (Amstrad CPC464/664/6128)

One of the best arcade adventure games to have hit the streets for ages.

Skate Or Die (Electronic Arts) (Commodore 64)

Great sound effects and driving Rob Hubbard intro tune make Skate Or Die a real must for skateboarders.

Slaine (Martech) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Slaine has a real addictive quality that most ordinary adventures just don't ahve - in fact, you could say that it refreshes the parts that other games can't reach.

Combat School (Ocean) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Combat School combines all the ingredients that made the coin-op so successful. The training events are highly playable but I wasn't too impressed with the final mission.

Zarch (Superior/Acornsoft) (Archimedes A3000)

Zarch prompts one to reel off a string of superlatives. In the graphics and animation departments, it is head and shoulders above all its rivals.

Werewolves Of London (Viz Design) (Amstrad CPC464)

Personally, I found there was just a little too much wandering around with, apparently, not a lot to do.

Athena (Imagine) (Commodore 64)

The graphics are above average for the Commodore 64, as is the sound, but the nasties come so thick and fast, it's rather unplayable.

Bobsleigh (Digital Integration) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

It it's speed and excitement you're after then Bobsleigh won't let you down - get your skates on and beat it down to your games store now!

Annals Of Rome (PSS) (Commodore 64)

PSS have a really excellent game in Annals Of Rome. If they had taken a bit more trouble with it, they could have had a world-beater.

Battles In Normandy (Strategic Studies Group) (Commodore 64/128)

SSG provide, as a rule, expensive but high-quality games. Battles In Normandy is well below their normal standard.

Gunship (Microprose) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Gunship is a realistic and complex simulator... It needs split-second responses from the player, just like flying a real combat helicopter while trying to engage an enemy. This version, with its fuzzy graphics and trick controls, just isn't up to it.

Road To Moscow (Electronic Arts) (Commodore 64/128)

A good computer wargame with an excellent playing mechanism.

Russia: 1941-1945 (Strategic Studies Group) (Commodore 64)

A game of grand strategy... But the player who opts for high command has to sit through fifteen minutes of the computer bleeping to itself.

Xor (Hewson Consultants) (Atari ST)

This is the definitive maze and problem-solving game, and will certainly appeal to anyone who revels in a challenge, even the most committed arcader.

Ranarama (Hewson Consultants) (Atari ST)

An impeccably coded, finely balanced mixture of arcade and fantasy adventure.

Phoenix (ERE Informatique) (Atari ST)

A simple, well thought out and neatly presented vector graphics arcade game, which doesn't need filled graphics to make it fun to play.

Diablo (Diamond) (Commodore 64)

With plenty of screens, and a random track generator thrown in for good measure, Diablo should keep 16-bitters amused for long enough to justify the price.

Trivial Pursuit (Domark) (Atari ST)

Recommended for Christmas stockings everywhere.

Grand Slam (Paradox) (Amiga 500)

Surely this one must be worth netting for your Xmas software collection...? Unfortunately, no.

Bubble Ghost (Infogrames) (Atari ST)

Fluid gameplay and ease of control make this one addictive and fun-to-play. Apparently, a very popular game with women too.

Dark Castle (Three Sixty) (Amiga 500)

Once you get used to the rather unfriendly control system, Dark Castle will grab you by the throat and not let go. Compulsive viewing... and hearing!

Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (U. S. Gold) (Atari ST)

16-bit versions of movie titles should really be something a little special, but this one is decidedly ordinary. Give it a miss unless you are an Indiana Jones fan.

Jack The Ripper (CRL) (Commodore 64)

I found Jack The Ripper pleasantly unpleasant to play. It's remarkable... And there is no doubt that some of the text descriptions are quite disturbing, and certainly not suitable for children.

Pride Of The Federation (Excalibur) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

This is a three part adventure, with a plot that offers a lot of scope. Playing it, I must confess I have rarely been so disappointed.

Zodiac The Secret Of Life (Incentive) (Commodore 64/128)

Both of these adventures have drab graphics, in a repetitive and overlarge border. Ugh.

The Crown Of Ramhotep/The Prospector (Tartan) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2/+3)

Unfortunately, neither of these programs were sufficiently intriguing to arouse more than my casual interest.

720° (U. S. Gold) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

Control of the board is fairly easy... but it doesn't give you much of a feel of being on a board - much too stable for a start!