Meteor Storm (Intersoft) (TI99/4A)

The instructions state there is an additional feature for younger children whereby an adult may manoeuvre the ship with joysticks while the child uses the spacebar to fire.

Cosmic Guerilla (Crystal Computing) (Spectrum 16K)

The graphics are good, but I feel that better use could have been made of sound.

Frogger (Superior) (BBC Model B)

The graphics are extremely detailed and impressive, although at times the screen does appear somewhat overcrowded.

Kong (Anirog) (Commodore 64)

Split-second timing is required. You must knock out all of the supports to make the lair collapse.

Air Attack (Microsonic) (TI99/4A)

When a bomb hits a part of city number four, the program stops and a "Bad Value In Line" message is displayed.

Romik Cube (Romik) (Dragon 32)

The game is exorbitantly priced at ten quid, a price which makes it hardly worth considering.

Flippit (Sinclair Research) (Spectrum 16K)

Comes attractively boxed with a user manual, but I feel that it would have been better to do away with the packaging for a lower price.

Challenge (Temptation) (Spectrum 16K)

It's colourful, and the graphics are realistic, but somehow it lacks real excitement.

Pinball Arcade (Kansas City Systems) (BBC Model B)

The action is fast and furious with very realistic sound effects and good graphics.

Las Vegas (Temptation) (Spectrum 16K)

It may be a good side show for school fetes to raise funds.

Galactic Abductors (Anirog) (Spectrum 16K)

Although the graphics were adequate, I wasn't much inclined to play this game again.

Firehawks (Postern) (BBC Model B)

Reasonable graphics... If released a year ago, it might have been worth considering, but I cannot honestly recommend it now.

Defend The Cities 2 (Intersoft) (TI99/4A)

You can fire in only one direction but your ship can rotate through 360 degrees in 45 degree steps and can move in the direction it fires.

Zarquon (Stainless) (TI99/4A)

Features 'invisible craft' whose presence is announced, naturally enough, by a sound described as 'Boing, boing'.

Defend The Cities 1 (Intersoft) (TI99/4A)

Remember that, because this module is not battery-backed, the highest score is not retained.

MXCopy (Logic Systems) (TI99/4A)

A good value, adaptable and useful utility to have around.

The Generators (Quicksilva) (BBC Model B)

Both programs loaded faultlessly, though the cassette labels had been put on the wrong sides!

Games Designer (Quicksilva) (Spectrum 48K)

Not only can literally everything in your game be programmed, you can see, or hear, your own creations as they are happening.

Dungeon Creator/Dungeon Master (Crystal Computing) (Spectrum 48K)

I like D&D-type games, but this one didn't appeal to me. The action was slow, and I had to keep pressing "any key to continue".

Zeus Assembler (Sinclair Research) (Spectrum 48K)

For those who do not know any ROM routines, there are ten useful routines resident in Zeus which you may call.

Pirate (Chalksoft) (BBC Model B)

More interesting and colourful than plain narrative adventures, children should find lots to interest them here.

Death Mines Of Sirus (Phoenix) (Dragon 32)

A balanced package of entertaining software... Phoenix must be congratulated on such an enterprising concept.

Hell's Temple (Kenema) (Oric 48K)

The combat routine is C for combat, S for spell, B for bribe and R for retreat (if you are lucky!), with all these stages being clearly marked on the screen.

The Hobbit (Melbourne House) (Commodore 64)

The four colour hi-res graphics that are used are of an extremely high standard.

White Crystal (Romik) (Dragon 32)

Recommended. I have yet to succeed in getting the white crystal and expect to be playing this game for quite some time.

3 Deep Space (Postern) (BBC Model B)

The game itself is mediocre, its chief attraction being the 3D effect which would be marvellous, I'm sure, if it worked.

Flying Train (Random Records) (Spectrum 48K)

This game is one of the craziest I have played, but good fun.

Stampit/Early Bird (Phoenix) (TI99/4A)

Both games are nicely presented, with instructions printed on a card inset.

Purple Turtles (Quicksilva) (Commodore 64)

This might suit younger children best; otherwise, after a few hours playing the game, it could become slightly tedious.

Crunch (Byteware) (TI99/4A)

Graphics are very good and sound effects, including a very catchy signature tune, are excellent.