Softalk II - Spacegames () (Spectrum 48K)

A remarkable manipulation of the Spectrum's primitive sound system.

Auto Graphics (Buttercraft) (Video Genie)

Remember that it uses A$ to store its generated strings - don't use the same variable in your program.

Auto Sonics (Buttercraft) (Video Genie)

This tape will no doubt go down well with games specialists.

Spectsound (PDQ Software) (Spectrum 48K)

The main program is rather unambitious.

Mines Of Saturn/Return To Earth (Mikro-Gen) (Sinclair ZX81)

Though I found no bugs as such, there was some evidence of bad design.

Labyrinth (Axis) (Spectrum 16K)

Easy to play, the game tests your memory and perception of patterns to the full.

Everest Ascent (Richard Shepherd) (Spectrum 48K)

An interesting, if frustrating game... With practice the disadvantages can be minimised and reasonable progress can be made.

Pi Mania (Automata) (Dragon 32)

Nice gimmicks - shame about the game.

Black Crystal (Carnell) (Sinclair ZX81)

Black Crystal impresses by its sheer quantity and generally high quality of presentation.

The Trader Trilogy (Quicksilva) (Sinclair ZX81)

Cleverly devised, nicely presented, and if you're feeling indulgent, well worth considering.

Night Gunner (Digital Integration) (Sinclair ZX81)

Not a good idea to select the cursor keys as controls: they cannot be used without concentration and discomfort.

Devilbirds/Digger Man (Macronics) (Spectrum 16K/48K)

You score progressively more points for hits as you advance automatically through the skill levels.

Space Intruders (Quicksilva) (Spectrum 16K)

A good implementation of the arcade game, all it lacks is originality.

Triad (Amba) (Spectrum 48K)

Reasonable graphics and sound... Not a bad little package.

Crevasse/Hotfoot (Microsphere) (Spectrum 16K)

Attractive graphics, with a particularly handsome rabbit in the star role.

Meteoroids (Softek) (Spectrum 16K)

The spacecraft looked remarkably like a fly, and using my favourite command - hyperspace - hopped about like one!

Arcade Action (Micromega) (Sinclair ZX81)

All games are examples of good, fast, machine code programming, and the instructions are comprehensive.

Challenge (Micromega) (Sinclair ZX81)

The display is so near the top of the screen that you cannot see the meteors in time.

Superball (Axis) (Spectrum 16K)

I found the game easy to play - at very slow speeds!

Backgammon (CP Software) (Spectrum 48K)

Backgammon is quite addictive, so allow yourself plenty of time to get your own back on the computer!

Golf (Apex Trading) (Dragon 32)

The course stays the same between games but a slight random factor means that you can never master it completely.

Handicap Golf (CRL) (Dragon 32)

Either one or two people can take part; if two are playing, handicaps for both must be entered.

Spectrum Golf (B. S. McAlley) (Spectrum 16K)

Spectrum Golf is quite attractive and fun to play... but offers nothing special.

Derby Day (CRL) (Spectrum 48K)

A machine code routine scrolls the screen as the horses thud along the track.

Jackpot (CRL) (Spectrum 48K)

Anyone thinking of buying Jackpot should be warned of its addictiveness.