Knight Lore (Ultimate)

Macman In The Treasure Caves (Sinclair Research)

The game is not very exciting, certainly not up to the standard of the Psion Estimator Racer.

Boulder Dash (Front Runner)

Although there are many features in the game, your excitement can quickly turn to frustration when, time and time again, Rockford is bombarded by boulders.

Underwurlde (Ultimate)

The game is extremely fast and colourful; those braggart voices which claim previous Ultimate productions are too easy will find life in the Underwurlde is no picnic.

Jasper (Micromega)

Jasper may only require a few control keys to play but it is an obvious candidate for joysticks and it is amazing that they are not included.

Wordsetter (Sinclair Research/Macmillan)

The accompanying booklet has plenty of tips for parents emphasising the enjoyment of the activities.

Tachyon Command (Century)

I think the public should have been spared the sorry saga of the 'super-fast eternal triangles'.

Estimator Racer/Number Painter (Psion)

Ghoulies (IMS)

IMS deserves a pat on the back for this attractive and well made program.

Runes Of Zendos (Dorcas)

Carefully produced and will have considerable appeal to amateur cryptologists.

Clown/Highwire (Englefield)

Steve Davis Snooker (CDS Microsystems)

Although the correct penalties are awarded and the option to take the shot or put the player who fouled in again is there, there is no provision for a free ball. Nor does there appear to be any recognition of a touching ball.

Lode Runner (Software Projects)

Redesigning a screen is as simple as moving a cursor. But, as for the rest of the game, you might just as well forget about it.

Backpackers' Guide To The Universe (Fantasy)

If you can't manage to get the animals back to your module you can always see how many screens you can get through.

Pitfall II (Activision)

There is clearly scope for strategy here, but there is so little you can do to avoid the nasties that the exercise will probably become boring long before the problem is solved.

Doomdark's Revenge (Beyond)

This game will take its place in computer history in record time.

Potty Pigeon (Gremlin Graphics)

Although not as graphically complex as other games it will hold your interest with its gently addictive quality. Beware though, this game is not for crawlers.

Waydor (IMS)

If you are to feel part of a world and a process of discovery you will expect to get detailed description and scene setting. Don't look to Waydor for this.

Legend (Century)

The combat sequence adds little to the game and is mainly a matter of reflex - a warrior is shown flailing his sword around and when it stops you must choose from different types of thrust.

The Prisoner (Spoof)

Response time is fast but there seemed to be far too many 'I can'ts' in the replies and an unnecessarily limited vocabulary - a bottle of whisky could not be reached by entering 'get bottle', only by using 'whisky'.

Love Oracle (Solar)

When you consider that the book alone is half the price of the program it does not seem to be very good value, but there again if you 'believe' then you will probably want to have it for your collection.

Havoc (Dynavision)

Dynavision should wake up and realise that Spectrum owners now expect a lot more for their money and won't be palmed off with this abysmal rehash of a famous game.

Project X (Compass)

It may not be one of the all time greats but you'll find it aggravatingly entertaining.

Faerie/Ice Station Zero (8th Day)

It may well be for beginners but it certainly is not a doddle by any means.

ATRAM (PD Visual Marketing)

Giant's Revenge (Thor)

Sometimes you can walk straight through stalagmites or monsters. Sometimes they zap you before you even touch them.

ZKUL (Talent)

Pascal (Computer One)

Maths Tutor For The Spectrum (Century)

An excellent introduction to the language of algebra and geometry... Highly commended.

Forward 100, Logo And Your Child (Viking)

Logo: A Guide To Learning Through Programming (Ellis Horwood)

Ray Hammond works in two ways, as personal commentator, and as reporter. He is demonstrably better as the latter.