Colossal Cave, Mountain Palace & Castle Dracula (Duckworth) (Amstrad CPC464)

Calls for great ingenuity and patience.

Tycoon Tex (Gremlin Graphics) (Commodore 16/Plus 4)

Whilst this isn't a bad game, even at the price I don't feel it's very good value... I found myself getting bored before I had got half way through the first screen.

Best Four Series (ASK) (BBC/Electron)

These are some of the best educational programs yet developed for home micros and in this form they represent wonderful value for money.

Elidon (Orpheus) (Commodore 64)

The graphics are attractive and the music is Grieg which conjures up images of Nordic magic.

Robin To The Rescue (Solar) (Commodore 16)

This is a good version of a classic game and is sufficiently tough to extract plenty of howls of frustration.

Petals Of Doom (Gremlin Graphics) (Commodore 16/Plus 4)

This is a fast action shoot-'em-up game which is challenging and fairly original.

Hot Pop (Hudson Soft) (Commodore 64)

The music is annoyingly repetitive, the game is reasonably entertaining but nothing revolutionary here.

Stringer (Addictive Games) (Commodore 64)

True to the company's name, this is addictive and good fun.

Helichopper (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

Mildly amusing for a few minutes, but no longer.

Short's Fuse (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

Potentially an enjoyable game, but too unfriendly for me, I'm afraid.

MCT Basic (Micro Component Trading Company) (Commodore 64)

A first class package which represents excellent value for money.

Spooks (Mastertronic) (Commodore 64)

It isn't a classic game but, like the others in this range, it is remarkably good value for money.

Moon Buggy (Anirog) (Commodore 16)

The graphics are nicely drawn with good use of the C16's colour abilities.

Operation Whirlwind (Ariolasoft) (Commodore 64)

Represents a good introduction to wargaming, giving you plenty of opportunity to exercise your strategic talents while the computer does all the hard work.

Chickin' Chase (Firebird) (Commodore 64)

Initially entertaining, the action is more frantic than varied and the chicken graphics are blocky and unappealing.

Realm Of Impossibility (Ariolasoft) (Commodore 64)

A good game, this one... Excuse me, while I just go and explore the next dungeon.

Tower Of Evil (Creative Sparks) (Commodore 16)

Plays quite well with equal opportunity to zap nasties or use speed to avoid them... Not exactly tough, but the different modes of attack by each nasty make life interesting.

Star Seeker (Mirrorsoft) (Spectrum 48K)

Not easy, but good. You will have to work, but the basic info is here.

Type-Rope (Mastertronic) (Spectrum 48K)

Cheap, nicely presented, fairly easy to use, but of limited value.

Murder On The Zinderneuf (Ariolasoft) (Commodore 64/128)

The graphics are rather odd; I found the patterned carpets very distracting.