Number Painter (Sinclair Research) (Spectrum 48K)

An excellent game, well thought out, expertly programmed, and a price which is almost unbelievable these days.

The Designer's Pencil (Activision) (Commodore 64)

Excellent value... Getting the hang of The Designer's Pencil can claim education benefits both for geometry and programming concepts.

Plan And Design Your Garden (Blandford Press) (Spectrum 48K)

The liner notes are an inaccurate description of a program which adds nothing to a good book.

Five Dice (CJ Software) (Spectrum 48K)

Fair value - but could easily have been improved.

Psi-Games (CJ Software) (Spectrum 48K)

When self-testing, the computer will try to predict each random card based on least popular, most popular and random selection.

Time Tunnels (CJ Software) (Spectrum 48K)

Enjoyable and addictive... An unusual adventure-like program which is fast and reconfigures itself for each game.

Catacombs (Anirog) (Commodore 64)

No doubt there are lots of problems to be solved along the way, if you can manage to reach them.

The Runes Of Zendos (Dorcas) (Spectrum 48K)

One of the best things about the structure of this adventure is that it does give you a decent chance to get started before it gets awkward.

The Magic Sword (Database) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A charming game... Perhaps a little overpriced but what price a child's enjoyment?

Black Tower (Dollarsoft) (Spectrum 48K)

It's a rather over-priced, ordinary adventure with nothing special to commend it.

Body Swop (Sinclair Research) (Spectrum 48K)

I didn't think that the program was very user-friendly and the rewards were meagre.

Estimator Racer (Sinclair Research) (Spectrum 16K/48K)

An excellent game, excellent programming.

Intermediate Science (Scisoft) (Spectrum 48K)

The trouble with using a game concept is that it immediately draws comparison with a game in presentation terms. This just doesn't stand up.

Intermediate German (Scisoft) (Spectrum 48K)

If this was the work of a teacher for classroom use, then the lack of programming sophistication could be forgiven, but the dullness not.

Intermediate Maths (Scisoft) (Spectrum 48K)

Theprogram to draw graphs of the same type of equation is rather sombre, though undoubtedly well done.

World Geography (Superior) (Commodore 64)

Considering the great variety I found this limited. Any incorrect response is not corrected, thus you cannot learn from your mistakes.

Intermediate Geography (Scisoft) (Spectrum 48K)

In using these games, you or your child will undoubtedly gain in skill and knowledge.

UK Geography (Superior) (Commodore 64)

This program could have been a lot better.

Travel With Trashman (New Generation) (Spectrum 48K)

The game features all the usual joystick protocols, excellent instructions, and is very addictive.

Caesar's Travels (Mirrorsoft) (Commodore 64)

A beautiful program, well thought out, educational and entertaining.

Bruce Lee (US Gold) (Commodore 64)

An attractive game... Deserves to be a success.

Run For Gold (Hill MacGibbon) (Spectrum 48K)

Superb graphics... The execution of this concept is immaculate... I didn't find playing it as intriguing as Yacht Race or Rally Driver from the same publisher; you may disagree.

The Open (Cases) (Spectrum 48K)

Very cleverly done in Basic, but not exactly an action game unless you're a golf fanatic with a fairly clinical approach.

Match Day (Ocean) (Spectrum 48K)

A real masterpiece, and a must for your collection, even if rather expensive.

American Football (Softstone Limited) (Spectrum 48K)

A poor simulation and I cannot really recommend it on any of the usual criteria.

Pitfall 2 (Activision) (Spectrum 48K)

It would have been good to see what Ultimate or Ocean would have made of Pitfall 2, but in its present low state of sophistication, it should only command a retail price of £1.99.

Pure Flash (No Man's Land) (Oric 1/Oric Atmos)

The choice of control keys is bizarre. For example, the up cursor key is used to lower your space ship!

Mr. Freeze (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

In addition to manual dexterity, you'll have to use brainpower, particularly to solve the sixth compartment, which initially you might think is impossible.

Mars Mine Lander (H. Taylor) (TI99/4A)

Graphics are moderately good, and the game has just the right degree of difficulty to make it reasonably challenging.

Crazy Caverns (Firebird) (Spectrum 16K/48K)

A wacky plot which should appeal to younger computer buffs... They'll also like the pocket money price.