Midwinter (Rainbird) (Atari ST)

Midwinter is astonishing! It's just so vast, yet the gameplay is so intricate that it will take months of play to get through it.

Dragon's Breath (Palace) (Amiga 500)

Every aspect of Dragon's Breath has been superbly designed... there are so many actions you can perform that no game is ever completely the same.

Sword Of The Samurai (Microprose) (PC (MS-DOS))

Well worth persevering with: it's just a shame that the graphics and presentation couldn't have matched the depth and subtlety of the gameplay.

Coloris (Avesoft) (Amiga 500)

Not quite as enjoyable as Tetris, but the ideal game for the 0.02% of the population who want a puzzle game which is a bit more complex.

Conqueror (Rainbow Arts) (Amiga 500)

Anyone whose tastes are slightly more thinking than blasting will enjoy Conqueror.

Dan Dare III (Virgin Games) (Spectrum 48K)

The graphics and sound are great, and the gameplay is very addictive in the short term.

Space Harrier II (Grandslam) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A very well-programmed, good looking and playable game. Shame it's much too similar to the original.

Super Cars (Gremlin Graphics) (Amiga 500)

Presentation is excellent... the graphic sequences and repair/custom options in the garage add plenty of much-needed spice. It's worth a look, but don't expect fireworks.

Sideshow (Electronic Zoo) (Amiga 500)

Distinctly mediocre, despite the lightgun option. There just isn't enough variety in the package - I'd have liked to see something other than a collection of ultimately rather tedious shooting games.

Conflict (Mastertronic) (PC (MS-DOS))

A cheap and very cheerful war game, and an inexpensive introduction to the world of hard-line strategy gaming.

Space Harrier (Encore) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

Monochrome graphics, although detailed, tend to blend into each other making it difficult to follow the action. Apart from that, Space Harrier offers enjoyable play in the short-term.

Sidewinder II (Mastertronic) (Amiga 500)

A shoot-'em-up which, although playable, has absolutely nothing new to offer and gets tedious very quickly.

Joe Blade III (Players Premier) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Very similar to the first game, but just as good... The bomb disposal sub-games get the adrenalin flowing, and the map layout is fiendish.

Buggy Boy (Encore) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

Still one of the best drivers available on computer... and certainly a lot better than the Out Runs of this world.

Manhunter: San Francisco (Sierra) (Atari ST)

Whilst adventure players are not usually averse to a spot of arcading from time to time, I doubt that they like the two formats mixed - and that's the trouble here. I personally prefer Sierra's more orthodox adventures.

Chomp! (Cosmi) (Commodore 64)

An appalling piece of software which is only worth buying if you've got more money than sense.

Wild Streets (Titus) (Amstrad CPC464)

The addition of the feline assistant adds originality, and is also useful to help you stay alive when surrounded by yobbos.

Blue Angels (Accolade) (Commodore 64/128)

A nice idea let down by a lack of things to do.

Chase H.Q. (Ocean) (Amstrad CPC464/664/6128)

The Porsche tootles along as if it were a clapped-out Skoda against a backdrop and side objects that can only belong to that mythical world of Jerkyland.

Gazza's Super Soccer (Empire) (Amstrad CPC464)

If you want a decent soccer sim, disregard Gazza and choose either Kick Off or Emlyn Hughes International Soccer instead.

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

While the graphics aren't spectacular, they are very atmospheric... The programmers have achieved the impossible and successfully transferred the coin-op's split screen to the C64.

Golden Axe (Sega) (Sega Master System (EU Version))

If you like the arcade game, or just enjoy a good slash-'em-up, put this right at the top of your shopping list.

Super Hang-On (Sega) (Sega Mega Drive (EU Version))

This is an amazing game; it's as playable as its arcade daddy and it even has a free game which prolongs its lifespan even more!

Double Dribble (Konami) (Nintendo (US Version))

Two-player mode is recommended to get the most out of Double Dribble, but if you have no brothers, sisters or friends, one-player can have loads of fun playing this more than pleasing basketball sim.

Robo Warrior (Jaleco) (Nintendo (US Version))

A bit of an acquired taste. It certainly looks very jolly, but it's very difficult too... What some people would call a challenge I would term a frustratingly hard game.

Shinobi (Asmik) (PC Engine (JP Version))

An enjoyable and challenging test of reactions. However, the lack of the 3D "Shuriken the Ninjas" end-of-level bonus games is inexplicable.

Tatsujin (Sega) (Sega Mega Drive (JP Version))

If you're on the lookout for a top-class shooters, Tatsujin's the one for you, me old chums.

Scramble Spirits (Sega) (Sega Master System (EU Version))

The sprite flicker is absolutely atrocious, making it very difficult to keep tabs on either your plane or the craft attacking it. No thanks.

PC Kid (NEC) (PC Engine (EU Version)/TurboGrafix-16 (US Version))

Miss PC Kid at your peril! The graphics are truly superb... Music and sound effects are fab... But what's most important is gameplay - and it's brilliant.