Galaxy (Anirog) (Commodore 64)

Yet another Galaxians game, this time of superb arcade action quality. The scale of the graphics is small but the pace is furious.

Stellar Dodger (Terminal) (Commodore 64)

I would have expected a little more imaginative use of sound if the graphics hadn't been so banal. Whatever this game has, it gets from the navigational skills it demands.

Genesis (Datasoft) (Commodore 64)

The graphics might be OK on a Spectrum, but on the C64, they're pathetic. The only good thing about the game is the sound.

Gridtrap 64 (Livewire) (Commodore 64)

A challenging game that requires a good deal of strategic thinking in order to get high scores.

Jumpin' Jack (Sumlock) (Commodore 64)

An excellent implementation of the original version... I can truly say that I prefer this home offering to the one in the arcades.

Cybermen (J. Morrison Micros) (Commodore 64)

You walk your man through the maze, searching for the randomly distributed 'platinum ingots' and trying not to bump into the walls or into the Cybermen... Good value.

Bonka (J. Morrison Micros) (Commodore 64)

A rather ordinary version of Space Panic in which you dig holes to trap monsters. Fails to utilise the machine's huge potential.

Xerons (Supersoft) (Commodore 64)

Graphics nice, but sound can only be called a disappointment.

Manic Miner (Software Projects) (Commodore 64)

Must be great, right? Wrong. It's disappointing, completely failing to exploit the Commodore's superior capabilities.

Vultures (J. Morrison Micros) (Commodore 64)

Gun down the vultures as they peel off and attack... Dull stuff.

Wildfire (Supersoft) (Commodore 64)

There are nine buildings, all a kind of maze, but the game lacks any burning interest.

Quasar (Voyager) (Commodore 64)

Quasar is a very enjoyable game but just misses being in the top bracket, mainly due to its graphics which are a little on the chunky side.

Haunted House (Alligata) (Commodore 64)

It does get steadily more difficult, but difficulty doesn't equal interest.

Siren City (Interceptor Micros) (Commodore 64)

High novelty value... and a long load time due to the complexity of the graphics.

Hunter (Terminal) (Commodore 64)

Hunter doesn't really have much to offer, but if you don't mind the simplicity of the game, you may find it quite absorbing.

China Miner (Interceptor Micros) (Commodore 64)

Manic Miner rip-offs are surfacing faster than salt in Siberia, but you'd have to dig deep to find a better version than this.

Cosmic Convoy (Taskset) (Commodore 64)

The graphics are too large... Manoeuvrability is severely limited. Add to this the fact that the game is agonizingly slow and you have a frustratingly disappointing program.

Neptune's Daughters (English) (Commodore 64)

Your harpoon is an efficient weapon, but the movement of your frogman is so jerky that it's virtually impossible to avoid being punctured on the rocks or stung by an octopus.

Dancing Feats (Artic) (Commodore 64)

Dancing Feats is great fun to play at first but does become a little tedious after a while, mainly because of the limited background tune.

Supa Catcha Troopa (Abrasco) (Commodore 64)

The graphics are certainly reasonable, but the game itself is rather boring. Unlike the sharks, you have nothing to get your teeth into.

Mega Hawk (Big G) (Commodore 64)

Offers mega-excitement and it'll turn your local Spectrum owner green.

Aztec Challenge (Audiogenic) (Commodore 64)

Another great game from the programmer of Forbidden Forest. If you can't get down to the woods then go native instead.

Cosmonaut (Melbourne House) (Commodore Vic 20)

This is the unexpanded Vic, so no more screens to go on to when this one is mastered.

Star Defence (Anirog) (Commodore Vic 20)

The only real drawback to this game is that you must use the keys as well as the joystick: lives can be lost as you reach out for the return key to fire your smart bombs.

Hell Gate (Llamasoft) (Commodore Vic 20)

A fantastic looking game that will have your friends gawping, but not, perhaps, playing for very long.

Outback (Paramount) (Commodore Vic 20)

Slide up and down the side of the screen, shooting the swagmen as they float down in the balloons while 'Waltzing Matilda' plays.

Jogger (Paramount) (Commodore Vic 20)

Obstacles are standard issue: traffic and hungry crocs. The graphics are good and there are some nice tunes.

Chariot Race (Micro-Antics) (Commodore Vic 20)

A triumph of programming on the unexpanded Vic.

Banana Man (MRM) (BBC Model B)

Banana Man's graphics are colourful and, although it won't set your pulse racing, it's good fun to play.

Cybertron Mission (Micro Power) (BBC Model B)

The graphics aren't wildly exciting, but the rooms are numerous and the robots obligingly suicidal.

Zarm (Micro Power) (BBC Model B)

Even at the lowest level the asteroids are too numerous and the thrust too unresponsive. This is a pity since Zarm has very pleasant graphics and good sound.

The Pen And The Dark (Mosaic) (BBC Model B)

The game makes for a few hours' good adventuring - and the book's not bad either.

Challenger (Joe The Lion) (BBC Model B)

Definitely one of the better games available on the Beeb.

Adventureland (Adventure International) (BBC Model B)

Some of the locations are unusual and inventive and the game has enough wit and originality to make for a good few hours adventuring.

Birdie Barrage (Computasolve) (BBC Model B)

Unfortunately the skills involved are in getting familiar with the program's responses rather than anything particularly to do with golf.

Lemming Syndrome (Dynabyte) (BBC Model B)

While the game is great fun to play, it could become boring in the long run since the screen never changes.

Zombie's Revenge (Arrowsoft) (BBC Model B)

The creatures here are merely black blobs, indicative of the waste of the BBC's graphics in this dull game.

Light Cycle (PSS) (BBC Model B)

The blurb says it's 'an adrenalin-pumping game', but I remain unconvinced.

Martian Attack (Micro Power) (BBC Model B)

Martians cross the screen dropping bombs. You fire at them... You are falling asleep... you are falling asleep... falling asleep.

Horse Race (Dynabyte) (BBC Model B)

Good graphics, but winning money on the screen isn't quite the same as actually putting it in your pocket.

Dallas (Cases) (Acorn Electron)

The game doesn't seem to involve any real skill; it's largely a matter of luck whether you strike oil or not.

Abyss (Cases) (BBC/Electron)

The trouble with programs like this is that they are neither one thing nor another. Nor even anything else.

Airline (Cases) (Acorn Electron)

Luck, rather than judgement, is what makes a successful businessman in this simulation.

Poo-Yan (CGL) (Sord M5)

Poo-Yan won't have you on the edge of your seat, but I expect this is one pig who won't do too badly when it goes to the market.

Waydor (IMS) (Oric 48K/Atmos)

It isn't startlingly original, but the locations carry an unusually large number of objects so there's a lot of experimenting to do. An enjoyable challenge.

Loki (Joe The Lion) (Oric 48K)

The reason for the strange name? Each wave is named after a Norse God: Odin, Frigg, Thor and so on.

Starship (Sector 7) (BBC Model B)

Pleasantly large, above average graphics, predictable sound, and not much else to say for it.

Vanquisher (Elephant) (Oric 1/Oric 48K)

Good for puzzle addicts only.

Lords Of Time (Level 9 Computing) (Camputers Lynx)

Lords Of Time is well up to Level 9's usual high standard, and that means it belongs on your shelf.

Paragram (Elephant) (Oric 48K)

Unattractive display, no confirmation of input, and poor use of sound make this a very avoidable game.

Two-Gun Turtle (Lothlorien) (Oric 48K)

Key control is difficult - those Oric cursors again; so get yourself a joystick if you want to play this witty game.