James Pond 2: Codename Robocod (Millennium)

Simple graphics and ST sound don't detract from the main event - the gameplay. This is better than any other platform game you've seen before.

The Simpsons: Bart Vs. The Space Mutants (Ocean)

This lies somewhere in that twilight zone of games, the stratum that's labelled 'Hmmm. Okay really, I s'pose.' It's better than it could have been.

Smash TV (Ocean)

Misses the star prize but just about manages the cutlery set. OK, but not as good as Llamatron, its obvious competitor.

Realms (Virgin Games)

Fast, furious and often unfair... but it's hard not to like it - it's got a great intro, powerful graphics and a rare, expert use of the ST sound-chip to create unobtrusive, atmospheric music without samples.

The Magnetic Scrolls Collection (Virgin Games)

Smooth, pretty fast and with an excellent windows game-style, these three adventures are going to delight fans of the genre.

Suspicious Cargo (Gremlin)

The parser is as sophisticated as a modern day's adventure should be - understanding pronouns and other complex ideas. You could do worse than introduce yourself to the world of adventuring with this.

Gauntlet III (U. S. Gold)

The essence of a game of Gauntlet - that is, the busy screen, hundreds of monsters literally queuing up to bash you, swearing at the other person playing because he just collected the magic item you wanted is missing from Gauntlet III, and so the game just falls over and does nothing.

Dragon's Lair: Escape From Singe's Castle (Readysoft)

Boring, dull, frustrating, pointless and ridiculously expensive. Apart from that, it's fine.

Rugby: The World Cup (Domark)

You'll have a great time with this game. One great aspect is the skill of your opponents.

Thunder Burner (Loriciel)

The name's like Afterburner and so is the game - dire.

Chart Attack (Gremlin)

An excellent compilation. If you haven't got James Pond and Lotus Challenge, you should get it for those two. The other games are bonuses really.

Action Pack (Action 16)

These ten games are extremely varied and could provide hours of fun for the not-very-discerning user. At the price, you actually get a lot, but none of them are actually much good.

Guardians (Loriciel)

Weirdly fun. French software houses don't half come up with some strange concepts, but they're welcome departures from the usual round of monster-bashing and great fun for getting your mind around for half an hour or so.

Booly (Loriciel)

The size of Booly is really the only thing in its favour. It's not very easy to solve each screen, either. So it could stay with you forever... which is a pity because it's crap.

Magic Fly (Electronic Arts)

Magic Fly is a complex game. If you're prepared to invest the time, it does deliver the goods.

Fighter Command (Impressions Ltd)

Ultimately it's all a bit samey, but it's a nevertheless enjoyable foray into modern wargaming.

Turrican (Kixx)

A classic blaster. There's carnage aplenty, it's not too hard, and there's a huge world to explore.

Titanic Blinky (Zeppelin Games)

Yes, it's bland, unoriginal and very silly, but it's put together well. The graphics are nicely drawn: big, bright colours, good thick lines around everything, and there's some plings and plomps thrown in on the sound side.