Motocross Challenge (DHG Games) (Game Boy Advance)

Even with a £20 price tag, this would be easily the best game of its type on the GBA... The bargain-price of free makes it essential.

Alien Abduction (Pumpkin Games) (PC (Windows))

An essential freeware release... The presentation is flawless and the simple and addictive gameplay is near identical to the original arcade classic.

Bomb Chase 2007 (Cronosoft) (Commodore 64)

This game will be one of Cronosoft's strongest C64 titles this year.

Bomberman C64 (Samar Productions) (Commodore 64)

Technically outstanding, with beautiful high-res pixel work (almost 16-bit quality) whilst maintaining the essential fast-paced game-play of the original.

Bubble Dizzy (Foxysofts) (Game Boy Advance)

I can't speak highly enough of the developer... The game is silky smooth and absolutely superb.

Cannon Bubble (Ubisoft) (Spectrum 128K)

A colour-clashed collection of pixels and some damn fine gameplay... a bounteous haul we have here.

CarVup (Magic Team) (Game Boy Advance)

Don't be fooled by its cute appearance - Arnie's quest starts off easy enough, but the later levels will provide even the hardened gaming veteran with a challenge.

Chocolate Castle (Lexaloffle) (PC (Windows))

A nice game that's both well made and cleverly presented, but I don't think that I personally have enough patience to get my 20 dollars worth.

Echoes (Binary Zoo) (PC (Windows))

A great piece of arcade style game design... A striking, futurist remodelling of the Asteroids formula and a fast, challenging, enjoyable freeware game.

Farmer Jack In Harvest Havoc (Cronosoft) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

The game-play and difficulty curve are spot-on too, and every time I play it I succeed in progressing a little bit further.

Goldrunner (Foxysofts) (Game Boy Advance)

A fine piece of work... it's for the more masochistic shoot 'em up players who like a truly hardcore challenge.

Guxt (Pixel) (PC (Windows))

There's nothing truly innovative here, but who cares? Big guns, plenty of stuff to blast and it does the job beautifully.

Groops! (Binary Sciences) (Amstrad CPC464)

Up there with the best puzzlers from the Amstrad's life - the animation of the tiles is a really nice touch, the in-game instructions are clear and concise, and the soundtrack is absolutely fantastic.

Izzy Wizzy (Cronosoft) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Wonderful presentation... Graphics are a bit of a let down, though the tanks, C5's and other background scenery are all very well drawn.

Kunkun & Kokokun (SMS Power) (Sega Master System (EU Version))

KunKun And KokoKun is cute, but it has an air of something that hasn't quite been completed, almost like a teaser or preview.

La Mulana (GR3 Project) (PC (Windows))

The expansive quest, quirky humour, and classic whip-cracking game-play make it a choice way to while away the hours.

Mind Blast (Fandal) (Atari XE/XL)

A strong addition to the Atari's catalogue of software... One of the most refined and well-realised puzzlers we've played on an 8-bit computer - period.

mini01 (Buster) (PC (Windows))

A perfect distraction from work and its easy-to-pick-up game-play is both addictive and endearing.

Pulse Blade (Nepia World) (PC (Windows))

Not much in the way of long term interest, but anyone who likes old-style vertical shmups... should give it a go.

Q Game (Papposoft) (Commodore 64)

rhacp (Crostar) (PC (Windows))

Admittedly, rhacp is simple in concept and short in length, but the execution is flawless and the game is fun while it lasts.

Square Pit 64 (Civitas) (Commodore 64)

Solid and slickly presented... The only flaw is that, after you've played for a while, you've really seen all it has to offer.

Stranded (Cronosoft) (Spectrum 48K)

The game contains a password system to help you get through the 32 challenging levels.

Streets Of Rage Remake (Bomber Games) (PC (Windows))

One of the most fun games I've played... I honestly cannot think of anything they could add to make this game better.

Stronghold (Cronosoft) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Very average... As a retro-arcade enthusiast the game certainly didn't maintain a strong-hold on my interest.

Veck SE (Smayds) (PC (Windows))

Veck offers a unique look at what's fast becoming the game genre du jour.

X-It Again (Puzzlehouse Finland) (PC (Windows))

A fantastic remake of an overlooked original title - the gameplay is spot on and what it lacks in originality it more than makes up in style.