Action Reflex (Mirrorsoft)

Yes, it's very clever, and it's one of the most addictive games I've played... but I think a better title would've been 'Learned Response'.

Animator I (Softcat Micros)

If you reckon the sprite-animation bit would be handy, have a good look at Animator 1 - as the saying goes, it's pretty rapid!

Biggles (Mirrorsoft)

What should be a wizard wheeze is sadly more Sorcerer's Apprentice. Biggles it may be - but for me it never really gets airborne.

Bobby Bearing (The Edge)

The graphics on this game are brilliant... Bobby's movements are very realistic, and his mobility and inertia, considering he's a fictional droid, are fascinating to watch.

The Comet Game (Firebird)

Yawn! Quite what Firebird is doing releasing this is beyond me...

Danger Mouse in Double Trouble (Creative Sparks)

The game's most obvious players are at the junior end of the market and this just doesn't play smoothly enough for them.

Equinox (Mikro-Gen)

Not a bad little game, allowing for the Spectrum's limitations, but I can't help feeling a slight twinge of envy for Amstrad owners.

The Force (Mind Games)

Definitely a game for those who want to test brain muscle rather than reflexes, especially if you've plenty of patience. But plod on, Plod, it's worth it.

The Graphic Adventure Creator (Incentive)

This all-in-one package will be the source of some impressive adventures in several month's time, I'm convinced of it.

Helichopper (Firebird)

It may hold the attention for thirty minutes but I can't see any critical player coming back for more.

Iwo Jima (PSS)

This could be a good introduction to the genre for any prospective armchair general, though it's unlikely to provide established tacticians with a major challenge.

Kidnap (Creative Sparks)

A high-speed platform arcade game. It's fast, furious and fun, fun, fun... and all accompanied by the most frenetic music.

Knight Tyme (Mastertronic Added Dimension)

This 48K version has fewer screens and the cast has to work harder as David Jones has pared down his original concept. But that doesn't mean you should give it a miss.

The Master (Artic)

A game that relies heavily on repetition and persistence... If that's the kind of game you like to get your teeth into, fair enough.

Ninja Master (Firebird)

So budget that you don't even get to fight anybody... You must become Ninja Master by passing a four stage test, over and over again.

Pentagram (Ultimate)

Provided you're persistant, the puzzles are challenging enough and almost anyone will enjoy solving them - eventually(!).

Podder (Central Solutions)

Plodder might be a more pertinent name for this... but it makes up for slowness with steadiness.

The Price Of Magik (Level 9)

The adventure of 1986? One of the best so far, anyway.

Snodgits (Creative Sparks)

A maze detective game with a hint of platform. It'll raise a giggle and includes big graphics, as well as some pretty impressive 3D effects.

Spike (Firebird)

Solid if unsensational "competent if not zowie gameplay and presentable graphics" from the Firebird Silver range.

Split Personalities (Domark)

Not the most glam game of the year, but certainly one of the oddest and most unique. If tests of mental agility and strategy set against a tough time limit suit you then give these spitting images 'l'.

Theatre Europe (PSS)

It's a highly moral, eye-opening introduction to the military mind which, to even consider the possibilities here, must be somewhat psychotic.

Toadrunner (Ariolasoft)

It's actually quite a good game - the graphics are very twee, especially the little froggy character.

A Trick Of The Tale (Central Solutions)

Central can do better than this. And so can you. Especially when walking en route to the volcano, which leads to... ZX Basic. Oops.

The Wild Bunch (Firebird)

An absorbing text adventure which was pleasantly surprising and thoroughly enjoyable. .

World Cup Carnival (US Gold)

This game, originally by Artic, wasn't even highly praised in its own day. I didn't like the wealth of posters, stickers and wallcharts either! Maybe US Gold should go in for the souvenir market full time!