Solomon's Key (US Gold)

Simple idea but a superb game in Boulder Dash style. Good conversion from Probe, too. A hit methinks.

Xecutor (Cybadyne)

Superb vertically scrolling bash-'em-up. Fiendish gameplay, large multi-coloured graphics and a two-player option!

Pi R Squared (Mind Games)

Surprisingly enjoyable challenge to both the reflexes, and the braincells. Based on a neat game idea.

Plexar (Mastertronic)

Trailblazer style arrives on budget thanks to MAD. In the top ten budget releases for far this year.

Heist 2012 (Firebird)

A fun little 'avoid this, jump over that and pick up the other' platform game.

Samurai Trilogy (Gremlin)

Some good ideas, but not good enough to compete with the many better martial arts games on the market.

Tantalus (Quicksilva)

Good in its time, now it's even better as a re-release. Quite a smart blast and well worth digging out.

Classix 1 (The Edge)

Not as spectacular as some of the more recent compilations but Bobby Bearing is a very good game.

International Karate (Endurance Games)

Previously boring over-priced rubbish now released as boring rubbish but cheaper.

Mission Jupiter (Codemasters)

Potentially good idea poorly implemented in this below average budget shoot-'em-up.

Frankenstein (CRL)

Gigantic, predominantly text adventure with a few excellent illustrations and many inventive touches.

Soft And Cuddly (The Powerhouse)

Oddball low-budget schlock-horror outing. Could get tedious but there's a large map and lots of things to shoot.

How To Be A Complete Bastard (Virgin)

Utterly tasteless but tolerably well programmed and quite funny really. Not for the sensitive or easily outraged.

Gunship (MicroProse)

Highly impressive combat simulation and there's enough action to interest the non-simulations player.

Evening Star (Hewson)

Another superb steam simulation from Hewson. If you liked Southern Belle, this is more of the same.

The Fifth Quadrant (Bubble Bus)

Big playing area and four droids do not an arcade adventure make. For fans only.

Wolfan (Bulldog)

An uneventful romp through yet another 3D fantasy world. The hero appears to be Batman in elven garb.

Flunky (Piranha)

Latest from Don Priestley - he of the big sprites. Very similar ideas to The Trap Door, but with a poorer plot and play.

Joe Blade (Players)

A game with elements to please all. With a clever sub-game and nice graphics, it deserves to go down a treat.

Down To Earth (Firebird)

Trundle that 'dozer! An entertaining scoop-'em-up that fades with use.

Back To The Future (Firebird)

The budget re-release of former Activision's 'big-licensed' drivel is good for five or six minutes.

3 Coin-Op Classics (US Gold)

Three good solid conversions at a knock-down price. There sadly nothing new here to tempt you.

The Lost Ruby (Wrightchoice)

Could have been a decent adventure. Next time, forget the travel-writing and concentrate on the game!

Athena (Imagine)

Lots of screens and good graphics. Unoriginal play, maybe, but definitely one for the Zapchat high scores table.

Shard Of Inovar (Bulldog)

Crom (Celerysoft)

An enormous four-part text-only adventure with a fantasy setting, good text and puzzles.

Wizball (Ocean)

Strangely wonderful arcade blast. Frenetic stick-waggling of the highest quality. Splendid graphics too.

Mercenary (Novagen)

Strategic futuristic graphic adventure. Mix of vector graphic simulator and 3D maze game. Well worth the wait.

Hybrid (Ariolasoft)

It isn't very original, it doesn't look spectacular, but it has quite a large playing area and could be fun for those who get pleasure out of lengthy mapping exercises. They have more patience than I, though!

Dead Ringer (Reaktor)

Fast paced, high octane, race set in space. The course is like a roller coaster and the obstacles come thick and fast.

Survivor (US Gold)

Colourful and moderately Alien-like exploratory space game. Lacks longevity and action despite being quite well coded.

Sling Shot (The Powerhouse)

Looks pretty with smooth 3D effects but the gameplay must be somewhere else - it's not in this game anyhow.

Streaker (Bulldog)

An arcade adventure that only got made because somebody thought naked, fat people were funny.

Conflicts 1 (PSS)

Value for money package - the two good games more than compensate for the dodo.

Conflicts 2 (PSS)

Worth it for Midway, an excellent strategy game with a real feel to it. Iwo Jima is much less impressive.

Renegade (Imagine)

Violent, beautifully animated conversion from street gang wars coin-op. You should buy it.

Mean Streak (Mirrorsoft)

Fast paced motorbike game. Lots of thrills and spills and lots of destruction. It's sort of Paperboy with blasting.

Headcoach (Addictive)

An excellent and deep strategy program that will appeal to Am-Foot fanatics as well.

Rockman (Alligata)

Rapid Fire (Mastertronic)

Below average arcade effort imitating the merely average Cobra and Death Wish licences.

Football Director (D&H Games)

Another attempt at a football management game - aren't there enough about? Bit pricey too.

Grand Prix Simulator (Codemasters)

Superb follow-up to BMX Simulator with a look and feel reminiscent of Super Sprint.

Ocean Conqueror (Rack-It)

Neat budget simulator offering a good blend of complexity and playability. Sacrifices some accuracy for action.