Xevious (US Gold)

A good shoot 'em up and a reasonable conversion of an arcade classic. A definite maybe for joystick junkies.

Hive (Firebird)

Top Gun (Ocean)

Ocean fails to realise the potential of another potentially terrific plot. Dull graphics and very little depth.

Terra Cresta (Imagine)

Conveyor-belt blast 'em up arcade conversion. Not bad, but not really exceptional either. Its strength is it's a toughy.

Masters Of The Universe (US Gold)

It's big, colourful and complex... Some of the puzzles take some thought but the graphics are really naff.

Elevator Action (Quicksilva)

Conversion from the little known Taito coin-up turns out much better than expected. The play is pretty compulsive.

Scalextric (Virgin/Leisure Genius)

It could be called Pole Position Construction Set. Not as fast as some racing games but the DIY design option compensates.

Marble Madness Construction Set (Melbourne House)

This is a perfect example of how to tear your hair out in one easy lesson. It's so maddeningly addictive, it's dangerous.

Gauntlet (US Gold)

As good a conversion of the classic arcade original as could be expected. No-one should be disappointed.

Impossaball (Hewson)

Manages to stand up as a high-quality game that has more entertainment value than most.

Supersoccer (Imagine)

Nice try, Jimmy, but unless you're prepared to spend time training you'll never make it out of fourth division.

Peter Shilton's Handball Maradona (Grandslam/Argus Press)

Taking into account goalie isn't exactly the most action-packed position, the game turns out quite well.

Footballer Of The Year (Gremlin)

Fails miserably. "Disappointing eh, Greavsie?" "What can I say, Saint? They've let themselves down badly."

Hacker II: The Doomsday Papers (Activision)

Complex instructions but quite a simple game. It's got an intriguing plot, though there's a distinct lack of hacking.

Tempest (Electric Dreams)

Not a patch on the coin-op original, but that's to be expected. It's pretty addictive all the same.

Orbix The Terrorball (Streetwise)

Fairly original bounce the ball game, with clever 3D graphics. Difficult and perhaps lacking in variety in the long term.

Supercycle (Epyx)

A major disappointment. Everything is just very, very adequate. Epyx should try to get its name taken off it.

Golf (Imagine)

5 Star Games (Beau-Jolly)

A terrific value-for-money compilation, packed with hits.

Unbelievable Ultimate (Ultimate)

Stepping back in time with four of the early Ultimate greats. Includes Jetpac, the program which started it all.

Unbelievable Ultimate II (Ultimate)

The better of the two Ultimate compilations. Produced when the firm was at its peak, includes the classic Alien 8.

Young Players' Trivial Pursuit (Domark)

More questions, more categories, but the master game is the same. It's still a fabulous game.

Gallipoli (Cases)

Worthy but dull, just like the campaign it's an attempt at a quick kill which gets bogged down.

Acro Jet (Microprose)

Highly elaborate and accurate simulation of an acrobatic jet. Unspectacular though.

Sword And Shield (Black Knight)

A terrific wargame based on a sort of Kingdom variant. Very addictive in a strategic kind of way.

Deep Strike (Durell)

A really average shoot 'em up simulation that never really gets off the ground. And it's over-priced too.

Explorer (Electric Dreams)

Graphically brilliant - but with very little gameplay. Programmers got carried away by the technique and forgot the game.

Dodgy Geezers (Melbourne House)

Knock it on the head, John. This is a really dodgy number. A disappointing effort from the makers of Hampstead.

Kayleth (US Gold)

Excellent - great feel to the plot, good responses from the program and fine graphics. The best new adventure for ages.

Harvey Headbanger (Firebird)

A marginally inventive game with vaguely original plot... An about average budget game, reasonably presented.

Stormbringer (Mastertronic)

A must for anyone in need of a quality budget title involving a small man with a large head who can disguise himself.

SAS Operation Thunderflash (Super Sparklers)

Well presented and challenging 3D game. A simple idea, lots of violent fun and the strongest Sparklers release for ages.

Xcel (Mastertronic)

It's got most of the things that you d expect from a budget shoot-'em-up, and quite a bit more. Check it out.

Silicon Dreams (Rainbird)

Great puzzles and neat graphics with three of Level 9's best together for the first time.

OCP Advanced Art Studio (Rainbird)

Kwah! (Melbourne House)

Sequel to Redhawk, and a lot better. The comic-style presentation is retained, but with greatly enhanced gameplay.

The Doomsday Papers (Matand)

Good graphics, interesting plot-line. Should keep you amused for a while and definitely one of the strong 'indi' adventures.

Winter Wonderland (Incentive)

Should be quite fun. As you'd expect from The Graphic Adventure Creator the graphics are good, but as an adventure it's a bit basic for the full price.