Ghostbusters (Activision) (Commodore 64)

Cynics will say the gameplay is terribly simple, but thanks to the music and the overall structure of the game, most people will find it offers hours of entertainment.

Bristles (Statesoft) (Commodore 64)

I recommend all Commodore 64 owners to add Bristles to their shelves. Painting has never been such fun!

Rocket Roger (Alligata) (Commodore 64)

Sets your pulse racing every time you fly... Easily outflies, outmanoeuvres and outguns any opposition from arch-rival Jetpac.

Headache (Firebird) (Commodore 64)

The whole game has a very professional appearance, from the clever split-screen effects to the excellent animated nasties.

Jinn Genie (Micromega) (Commodore 64)

There are some clever parts of the game, like the Sphere of Oblivion and the gradual brightening of the rooms as you light torches.

Toy Bizarre (Activision) (Commodore 64)

Frenetic action as you chase around the screen trying to keep everything under control... And the toys look so lovable at first, it seems a shame to have to finish them off!

Drelbs (US Gold) (Commodore 64)

Graphically attractive, easy to play, and enjoyably addictive when you start. Though I'm inclined to doubt whether the addiction will last all that long.

Fatty Henry (Software Projects) (Commodore Vic 20)

Just because a game is on the unexpanded Vic doesn't mean you have to put up with it if it's boring, which this one is. The ten screens are basically the same.

Fighter Pilot (Digital Integration) (Commodore 64)

Four skill levels, comprehensive controls, and good instrumentation make this a winner for anyone who longs to take to the skies.

Space Invaders (Livewire) (Commodore Vic 20)

Chunky graphics and smooth movement... But it will not disappoint you if it's a game you want to play.

Cluedo (Leisure Genius) (Commodore 64)

The Whodunnit board game on your home computer, and a pretty straightforward translation it is too.

Bird Mother (Creative Sparks) (Commodore 64)

Suffers badly from playability problems and the overall concept is a little boring after a while.

Cuthbert Enters The Tombs Of Doom (Microdeal) (Commodore 64)

There are a couple of interesting features, such as the oil lamps immobilising the ghosts and having to stop yourself running out of air, but apart from that it's all pretty run of the mill.

Psi Warrior (Beyond) (Commodore 64)

Forget the psychological Psi-Id nonsense, I enjoyed this game simply because of the really beautifully smooth action and graphics.

See-Saw (Quicksilva) (Commodore 64)

Very enjoyable to play and extremely difficult to win.

Aztec (Beyond) (Commodore 64)

A very unusual arcade-adventure. The graphics have a very mystical quality about them.

Sorcery (Virgin Games) (Commodore 64)

Pressure on time and energy makes for a hectic game, and trial and error seemed the best way of discovering the game's secrets.

Firequest (The Edge) (Commodore 64)

The 3D perspective has certain shortcomings, but it doesn't really detract from the game's playability which is based pretty much on millisecond timing.

Super Cobra (Konami) (MSX)

Chunky graphics, stereotypical sound, but easy to get the hang of and fun to play.

Comic Bakery (Konami) (MSX)

The game is just difficult enough to keep you at it, and certainly had me hooked.

Coco In The Castle (Kuma) (MSX)

A rotten game. Let's hope the MSX circus can find some more entertaining acts than this.

Time Pilot (Konami) (MSX)

The trouble with Time Pilot is that it doesn't get any more difficult or introduce any new elements: your opponents may change but you just do the same thing.

Nightmare Maze (MRM) (BBC Model B)

Presentation is great, the animation is far better, good title page, sound on/off, quit option, freeze option, different baddies for each screen, good sound effects and a complete and utter loony storyline.

Duck (Firebird) (BBC Model B)

The graphics are quite good... Maybe some people will buy it because it's so cheap. I only buy games if they are worth playing and this certainly isn't.

Castle Of Gems (MRM) (BBC Model B)

With 18 different and complicated screens, this is a must for Beeb owners.

Eddie Kidd Jump Challenge (Martech) (BBC/Electron)

An entertaining novelty, and this version is far superior to that on the Spectrum.

Felix Meets The Evil Weevils (Micro Power) (Acorn Electron)

It's a simple enough idea but has just enough to it to make it an entertaining game. The weevils are devilishly slippery and it's no easy task to finish them off.

Spaceman Sid (English) (Acorn Electron)

The graphics are good if not outstanding, with some nice touches including flashing beacons and well animated explosions.

Scrabble (Leisure Genius) (BBC Model B)

The vocabulary is only 8,000 words, but includes many that are just the job for this game.

Mickey The Bricky (Firebird) (Commodore Vic 20)

For the unexpanded machine it looks good and plays smoothly... One big drawback - it's far too easy.

Super Mutt (Silversoft) (Spectrum 48K)

Super Mutt has pretty graphics and the movement is very smooth, yet it lacks any truly compulsive element.

Roland On The Run (Amsoft) (Amstrad CPC464)

The key responses in this game weren't exactly razor-sharp... Pressing a key also pauses the action for a split-second.

Holdfast (Kuma Computers) (Amstrad CPC464)

The all-text nature of the game is a let-down. Perhaps it should say on the cover (after the intellectual bit, of course) 'for children under ten'.

Styx (No Man's Land) (Oric 48K)

Gets a big round zero for novelty, but I reckon it deserves 10 out of 10 for playability.

Fire Flash (No Man's Land) (Oric 48K/Atmos)

As good a Defender clone as you're likely to find... despite the key controls and sluggish movement.

Tir Na Nog (Gargoyle) (Spectrum 48K)

I found the animation pretty mind-blowing, and reckon that there's material here to keep me playing for many a long, dark winter's night.

All Or Nothing (Abbex) (Spectrum 48K)

'All Or Nothing isn't bad at all. Currah speech-unit owners get the added bonus of spoken instructions, and the odd "Stop or I'll shoot!"

Volcano (Computer Magic) (Spectrum 48K)

Volcano is slow, amateurish and boring. My excitement at this game soon ebbed.

Jasper (Micromega) (Spectrum 48K)

Well done Micromega..! It'll take a lot of time, a lot of concentration and a lot of skill before you complete this masterpiece.

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

Trashman was genuinely original; the follow-up is a disappointment... A hackneyed game idea of collecting objects while avoiding nasties. Yawn.

Sir Lancelot (Melbourne House) (Spectrum 16K/48K)

Sir Lancelot is very impressive, given that it's only in 16K.

Buggy Blast (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

It's a fast, mean shoot-'em-up, featuring some of the best 3D graphics yet seen on a Spectrum.

Underwurlde (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

What puts Underwurlde in a class above most other recent arcade-adventures is the way it plays. The action is incredibly hectic, yet wonderfully different.

Mr. Freeze (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

Horribly unexciting... You would have thought that a game with only six screens would at least have six interesting screens.

Meltdown (Kerian) (Spectrum 48K)

Probably the worst game I've seen this year on the Spectrum. Seeing games like this makes me pleased to be able to warn you off buying them.

Country Cottages (Sterling) (Spectrum 48K)

A fairly standard property management game for two players. It is simple to play and neatly presented, although not the most sophisticated game of its kind.

Insurgency (Cases) (Spectrum 48K)

Graphics are used to display the troop positions but most of the symbols are unclear. The maps are probably more confusing than helpful.

Booty (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

A brilliant title screen sets the mood well and there is a catchy little tune. Quite a lot of screens for your money as well - some of them quite good, others best forgotten.

Turmoil (Bug-Byte) (Spectrum 48K)

The animation is superb and hilarious. The original touches should give it the edge on its competitors.

Knight Lore (Ultimate) (Spectrum 48K)

Astounding graphics... There have been plenty of 3D games in the last year, but this one is in a class of its own.