Phobia (Image Works) (Commodore 64/128)

Apart from the lack of music, Phobia is superb - pretty graphics, extremely addictive blasting gameplay, even the multi-load isn't too intrusive.

Datastorm (Visionary Design Technologies Inc) (Amiga 500)

A superlative shoot-'em-up which knocks Forgotten Worlds off the top slot as the best Amiga blaster. Unmissable.

Silkworm (Virgin Games) (Spectrum 48K)

If Silkworm doesn't quicken your pulse, you must be in a coma.

Chicago 30s (U. S. Gold) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

Fast and colourful - it makes a change from all those little metallic spaceships whizzing around. Highly recommended to blasting fans.

Skweek (U. S. Gold) (Amiga 500)

I suspect that more hardened joystick-jocks will find that this isn't really the sort of game that they would want. Good for softies or girlies though.

The Games: Summer Edition (U. S. Gold) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

An enjoyable sports simulation that offers a fair amount of playability. But, if playing from cassette, the multi-load is a pain.

RVF Honda (Micro Style) (Amiga 500)

A twisting, turning, screaming, gut-wrenching, metal-melting and incredibly satisfying belt around the tarmac. And the most exciting motorcycle racing game yet into the bargain!

Archipelagos (Logotron) (Amiga 500)

A nicely polished game, with lovely graphics, atmospheric music and a very good instruction manual, but gameplay, which on occasion is a little tedious, lets the side down somewhat.

Black Tiger (U. S. Gold) (Atari ST)

An excellent conversion of the cult arcade machine which has a brilliant mix of platform and shooting action. One for the collection.

Test Drive II (Accolade) (Amiga 500)

This is the one you've been waiting for; all the pretty colours and flash of Test Drive, with a real game added to it. Whether you're a sports car fanatic or not, this is the racing game to catch.

Time Scanner (Activision) (Amiga 500)

A fairly decent translation of the coin-op, although it's lacking in a few departments.

Mike Read's Pop Quiz (Elite) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

If you're really desperate for a computer pop quiz game, Mike Read's Pop Quiz is a number one in a field of one. Not one for the mainstream gamer, though, especially at this price.

Super Hero (Codemasters) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Pretty graphics, but slow and annoying gameplay prevent Super Hero from really taking off.

Street Cred Boxing (Players Premier) (Commodore 64/128)

As boxing games go, this one couldn't really be classed as a contender.

Heartbroken (Atlantis) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2/+3)

A playable but not overly adorned platform shoot-'em-up.

Task Force (Players Premier) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A promising, but ultimately disappointing, Cybernoid lookalike.

Zamzara (Rack-It) (Commodore 64/128)

A simple but addictive blast, well worth the dinky price tag.

Subway Vigilante (Players Premier) (Amstrad CPC464)

A poor Renegade clone, with very few graphic, sound or gameplay merits. Buy at your peril.

Zybex (Zeppelin Games) (Spectrum 48K)

In spite of a couple of technical flaws, Zybex manages to be a pretty nifty shoot-'em-up which arcade freaks should enjoy.

Street Cred Football (Players Premier) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A football game sadly lacking any credibility whatsoever.

Vigilante (U. S. Gold) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

I particularly like the knife-wielding skins, and the way that when they stab you the blood sort of squidges out like tomato sauce.

Zork Zero (Infocom) (Atari ST)

A superb adventure that places Infocom back in the number one slot. It's been a long time coming, but it was certainly worth the wait!

Rick Dangerous (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

Barring graphical differences, Rick Dangerous is identical on all formats - so no matter what machine you own, this is an essential purchase.

The New Zealand Story (Ocean) (Amiga 500)

A superb game in every respect. Ranks alongside Bubble Bobble and Pac-Mania in the Amiga coin-op conversion stakes.

Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo) (Nintendo (US Version))

The best Nintendo game yet released - miss it at your peril.

Xybots (Domark) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Faithful graphics and playability make for a brilliant two-player blast.

Gilbert The Alien (Again Again) (Amiga 500)

A routine licence job. It's really just a wander and collect game, with the bonus of a couple of mini arcade games thrown in.