I'm In Shock (Artic) (Spectrum 16K/48K)

Fun to play for a while... I doubt the game's lasting appeal; it can become monotonous.

Proteans (Dk'Tronics) (BBC Model B)

Excellent use is made of the Beeb's sound and graphics facilities.

Spectron (Virgin) (Spectrum 48K)

A standard game, competent but inspiring. Better use could have been made of colour.

Stix (Supersoft) (Commodore 64)

If you have a C64, you must get Stix. It shows what a real game is like.

Arena/Alien Swarm (K-Tel) (Spectrum 16K)

The concept of the game is quite good but this is jerky... Get Zip Zap from Imagine instead, because this just doesn't bear comparison.

Kong (Extended) (TI99/4A)

A moderately-good version of the gorilla-based Donkey Kong, requiring joysticks to work and thus likely to fall foul of the alphalock key.

Krazy Kong (PSS) (Spectrum 48K)

The animation of the man is excellent, the legs actually appear to move properly, it's even interesting just to watch him jump.

Kong (Stainless) (TI99/4A)

I found this game to be quite enjoyable and relaxing to play, since there is no time limit involved.

Hopper (PSS) (Spectrum 16K)

Highly recommended... Hopper gets more difficult when all four lilypads are filled.

Cruncher (Virgin) (BBC Model B)

By no means bad, but it isn't up to the standard of Program Power's Danger UXB by any means.

Plankwalk (Virgin) (BBC Model B)

I didn't enjoy this game though it is hard to define why.

Atom Smasher (Romik) (BBC Model A & B)

This program may have been lapped up when there was little software available, but I doubt if it will attract many games players now.

Transistors Revenge (Softspot) (BBC Model B)

Control layout is excellent, as are the full colour graphics... The circuit down which the components move changes for every level.

Killer Caverns (Virgin) (Oric 16K)

There is potential for a good game here, but my opinion is that it is "Virgin" on the mediocre.

Caesar The Cat (Mirrorsoft) (Commodore 64)

A gem. It's well packaged, and should appeal to both children and hardened arcade fanatics.

Alphabet Games (Sinclair Research) (Spectrum 48K)

A valuable educational experience... Requires parental supervision.

Ollie Octopus' Sketchpad (Storm) (BBC Model B)

The enlarge and contract facility is well done, with good 'rubber-banding' on screen.

Whizz Quiz 7+ (Computertutor) (Spectrum 48K)

Instructions throughout were reasonable, but only parents with time will find this program useful.

Sum Scruncher (Longman) (Spectrum 16K/48K)

Super graphics and sound effects. I can't get my children away from the keyboard!

Mr. T's Number Games (Ebury) (BBC Model B)

The program is aimed at children up to about seven years old, but many older children were fascinated by the graphics and simplicity of operation.

Transylvanian Tower (Richard Shepherd) (Dragon 32)

An innovative idea, but it seems to me that this program could easily get boring after a while.

Robber (Virgin) (Spectrum 48K)

Not much impressed with this program.

Dodge City (Phoenix) (Spectrum 48K)

The graphics in the action game are a bit chunky, and the game is not what I would call addictive.

Abyss (Cases) (Spectrum 48K)

Definitely a "try before you buy", and perhaps the publishers should be a little less misleading in their insert description.

Mad Martha 2 (Mikro-Gen) (Spectrum 48K)

Rather slow... As my old grandad used to say, "neither one thing nor t'other".

Tape Copier (Lerm) (Spectrum 48K)

Easy to use, and it worked every time on my own programs.

Monitor And Disassembler (Sinclair Research) (Spectrum 48K)

If you are interested in taking up either machine code or assembler, then perhaps this may help you.

Toad Graphics (Timeless) (TI99/4A)

As well as giving beginners an introduction to computer programming, Toad Graphics should be interesting to the more experienced programmer who would like a change from programming in Basic.

Dream (Dragon Data) (Dragon 32)

Could be useful to a machine code programmer writing adventures... Also can be used with the Dreambug monitor and debug program.

Abersoft Forth (Melbourne House) (Spectrum 48K)

The program is excellent... The special features are well worth the extra money.

A.B.M. Control/Cavern Hunt (Fantasia 99) (TI99/4A)

Actually travelling through the maze is quite slow.

Multi-Games Pack 2 (Tansoft) (Oric 48K)

All five games are recorded slowly and are interconnected in the programs, and I found it very tedious having to wait so long to load and play each different game.

The Soft Seven (T. D. Copsey) (Dragon 32)

An ideal first tape for the new Dragon owner - the sort of tape that Dragon should have supplied with the machine, in fact.

Games Pack 3 (Gem) (Camputers Lynx)

Excellent value for money... The games aren't the usual run-of-the-mill arcade variety, and should offer something for everybody.

Games Pack 4 (Gem) (Camputers Lynx)

A good tape for younger children... Two games on the tape means that it isn't bad value for money.

What Makes You Tick? (Third Program) (Acorn Electron)

Whilst the program does perform as claimed I can't see anyone wanting to buy it.

Quicker Qwerty (Stainless) (TI99/4A)

The program has 22 levels which are progressed through one after another.

Vu-Type (BBC Soft) (BBC Model B)

You should learn to type very well with this package and should then be able to go on to learn the other typing skills without too much trouble.

Tax Calc (BBC Soft) (BBC Model B)

I suppose if you recoup more than its cost from the taxman it is good value.

Beyond Basic (BBC Soft) (BBC Model B)

A must! Well written, with plenty of exercises to keep the mind nimble.