Castle Assault (MRM) (BBC Model B)

Castle Assault's graphics are excellent. The castle walls are a brilliant red, the hero moves nicely and the crabs are gruesome.

Nifty Lifty (Visions) (BBC Model A & B)

Nifty Lifty does look a bit too simple-minded at first glance, but it's colourful and compulsive and had me playing for longer than I'd ever expected.

Rubble Trouble (Micro Power) (BBC Model B)

A very good version of an arcade original with some interesting original touches of its own.

Frak (Aardvark) (BBC Model B)

Frak is going to be a BBC classic. The more observant may discover something interesting in the shape of the platforms on the first part of the game too.

Web Runner (Alligata) (BBC Model B)

One for the hardened mega-zapper.

Spitfire (Alligata) (BBC Model B)

Dull. I think I'll wait for the Messerschmidt.

Darts (MRM) (BBC Model B)

Darts is fine for relaxation... but it probably will not hold most users' interest too long.

Croakit (Kerian) (BBC Model B)

You'll have to top 8,000 points to put yourself in third place, and I guarantee you won't find it at all easy.

Frenzy (Micro Power) (BBC Model B)

One for all fans of Demon Decorator, Potty Painter or Qix.

Artisan 1 (OIC) (BBC/Electron)

The accompanying booklet contains clear instructions and a good step-by-step demonstration session and will repay careful study.

Blockbuster (Micro Power) (BBC Model B)

Nice graphics - even if a little hazy - but dull sound.

Digger (Visions) (BBC Model B)

Yes, folks, it's Dig Dug time again. And a pretty dull version it is too, with merely average graphics and very ordinary sound.

Nerble Force (Dragon Data) (Dragon 32)

Nothing special, but Defender fans will enjoy it.

Frogger (Microdeal) (Dragon 32)

Frogger fans will tremble with excitement, but the rest of us will be fast asleep.

Middle Kingdom/Breakout (Dragon Data) (Dragon 32)

One of the drawbacks with tapes offering more than one game is that the programs tend to be of rather less-than-average quality. Middle Kingdom/Breakout is, alas, no exception.

Grabber (Microdeal) (Dragon 32)

The graphics aren't anything to write home about, but there's some good sound (by Dragon standards).

Flight (Dragon Data) (Dragon 32)

Despite the current popularity of flight simulators, it's hard to see this particular program taking off.

Katerpillar 2 (Tom Mix) (Dragon 32)

The pace isn't exactly scorching, but once you've notched up about 30,000 points, things seem to heat up a bit.

Moon Hopper (Dragon Data) (Dragon 32)

Five levels of play, the most difficult of which will keep your fingers twitching, but won't have you fainting with excitement.

El Bandito (Dragon Data) (Dragon 32)

Unless you've got a friend to compete against, there isn't really much to this.

Tim Love's Cricket (Peaksoft) (Dragon 32)

A must for cricket lovers.

Bumpers (Dragon Data) (Dragon 32)

Fun, if you like this sort of thing.

Fruity (Dragon Data) (Dragon 32)

Fruit machine addicts who need a fix after pub hours will think it's marvellous. And people who always swore they'd never waste their money on a one-armed bandit can now have their cake and eat it.

Tank Commander (Creative Sparks) (Commodore Vic 20)

Rates as one of the best games ever written for the Vic.

Mutant Herd (Commodore) (Commodore Vic 20)

A good game with reasonable graphics and an exciting build-up of sound.

Submarine Commander (Creative Sparks) (Commodore Vic 20)

Good use of graphics married to relevant, varied sound effects.

The Pit (Interceptor Micros) (Commodore Vic 20)

Looks set to be another winner for Interceptor.

Mine Madness (Creative Sparks) (Commodore Vic 20)

I didn't even bother to collect a gun and, as for reaching level four to thrill at the spectacle of falling rocks... no thanks! I'll just use up my lives being squashed by a lift.

Punchy (Mr. Micro) (Commodore Vic 20)

There are sixteen screens to get through but I have a hunch you won't be losing too much sleep over this one.

Flight Path 737 (Anirog) (Commodore Vic 20)

This program is the software equivalent of 'Airport '74'. Yes, that bad.

Swoop (Micro Power) (Commodore 64)

A very enjoyable version of an old and faithful favourite.

Horace Goes Skiing (Melbourne House) (Commodore 64)

Features some well-animated graphics including motorcyclists, Ford Escorts, Bulldozers and an ambulance.

Golf (Kerian) (Commodore 64)

Weak graphics and non-existent sound make this a disappointing buy for such an advanced machine as the Commodore 64.

Where's My Bones? (Interceptor Micros) (Commodore 64)

The graphics here are great, the sound effects okay (no music though) but somehow this program leaves me cold.

Mr. Mephisto (Bug-Byte) (Commodore 64)

An intriguing and compulsive game. It is pitched at just the right level of difficulty to make you sweat without ever actually inducing despair about reaching your goal.

Wallie Goes To Rhymeland (Interceptor Micros) (Commodore 64)

There are a multitude of "Manic Miner-type" games available on the C64 offering more screens for your money. The nursery rhyme theme hasn't really been properly exploited.

Boxing, Galactica 1 (I. G. Programs) (Commodore 64)

It's no knockout, but it's not bad by compendium standards.

Star Wars (Domark) (Commodore 64/128)

At £25, Star Wars is a very expensive game but if you're a fan of the original it's really worth buying.

Cavelon (Ocean) (Commodore 64)

An attractive variation on a well-proven game form.

Potty Pigeon (Gremlin Graphics) (Commodore 64)

This is a quality game that will keep you happily fluttering your wings for many an hour.

Ugh! (Softek) (Commodore 64)

Because the maze is drawn diagonally, control is a little difficult.

Star Crash (Supersoft) (Commodore 64)

Doesn't offer anything new for interstellar mercenaries. Expect aching fingers and not much else.

Harrier Attack (Durell) (Commodore 64)

The action is fast enough and, at the higher levels, the game presents a real challenge.

Star Trooper (Melbourne House) (Commodore 64)

Enlist if you must, but this is one inter-stellar crusade I won't be joining.

Star Command (Supersoft) (Commodore 64)

There's tough competition in outer space and Star Command is just a bit too average for me to give much for its chances.

Olympic Skier (Mr. Chip) (Commodore 64)

The ratings start off at the worst as Hilarious (which I must admit I achieved rather frequently at first). I finally progressed to Rubbish. Not that it's hurt feelings that make me think this is a duff game.

Jungle Trouble (Durell) (Commodore 64)

The primitive quality of the animation and the graphics makes one wonder who Durell employed for the job: a chimpanzee perhaps?

Bozo's Night Out (Taskset) (Commodore 64)

Bozo's Night Out comes across as a rather simple game. On the other hand, it offers pretty graphics, a different game idea and nice touches of humour.

Carnival Massacre (Thorn EMI) (Atari 400/800/XL/XE)

A simple game with pleasant but repetitive music. It's not quite all the fun of the fair, but it's good for a few turns.

Orc Attack (Creative Sparks) (Atari 400/800)

Graphics seem a little blurred for the Atari but the sound is adequate.

Caverns Of Khafka (US Gold) (Atari 400)

Caverns Of Khafka should tempt quite a few gamesters underground. Paul Norman sadly hasn't produced another Forbidden Forest, but this is a very enjoyable game nonetheless.