5 Computer Hits (Beau Jolly)

An interesting and unusual package.

6-Pak (Beau Jolly)

A very odd selection of games. Two have "Elitist" origins (the software house, not the game), and Antirad is still a winner. Split Personalities from Domark is a curiosity, perfect for a compilation like this.

Alien Evolution (Gremlin)

The music is good, the graphics are good, and, at the price, it's terrific!

Amaurote (Mastertronic)

This game will probably shift itself swiftly off the shop shelves and be up the charts quicker than a rat up a drainpipe.

Army Moves (Imagine)

If you want a bit of gratuitous violence before tea, buy it, 'cos it's the sort of game that'll keep you amused for hours.

Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior (Palace)

This is an okay game, but it does rather chug along, and it looks very similar to some of last year's Ninjary-type games.

Bismarck (PSS)

It's a good introduction for those who are getting bored of arcade games and fancy something a little bit tougher.

Bubbler (Ultimate)

It's not as good as Ultimate's previous games, and the few people who haven't given up hoping that the company will produce another winner of the standard of Sabre Wulf, Knightlore or Alien 8 will be disappointed.

Chronos (Mastertronic)

I like this game - it's a no-nonsense shoot'em up given a touch of the ridiculous by the programmers.

Classic Collection 1 (Mikro-Gen)

A solid collection, but if you only know the Wally games, don't expect the same standard.

Cosmic Shock Absorber (Martech)

Slightly overpriced. It attempts more than it's capable of, and falls apart.

Custerd's Quest (The Power House)

An amusing spoof adventure.

Dark Empire (Lothlorien)

Pffff... When I tried to make a multiple attack on a city - and the game crashed! - I wasn't tempted to re-load.

Dogfight: 2187 (Starlight)

Miles better than Top Gun, and the graphics (dare I say it) are better than Elite. If you're into a good shoot-'em-up, this is the one for you!

Earthshock (8th Day)

8th Day games are often fairly complex and tricky, but a disappointment here was the way in which it seemed quite easy to get a fair way into the adventure.

Enterprise (Melbourne House)

This only falls short of perfection because it's an amalgam of previous notions rather than a whole new concept.

Express Raider (US Gold)

Express Raider is okay for a while, but the Spectrum's capable of much better graphics than this, and much faster action too.

Five Star Games 2 (Beau Jolly)

A compilation of the highest calibre. Get it!

The Golden Mask (Compass)

If you just like playing adventures then you'll get your money's worth from this, but if you're into writing and selling your own then you definitely ought to check it out as it shows you what you're up against!

Howard The Duck (Activision)

Easy enough in the early stages to get your excitement going and challenging enough in the expert levels to hold your interest.

I, Ball (Firebird)

A big colourful game with some neat digitised sound.

Kobyashi Naru (Mastertronic)

Some people might hate the restriction on the problem solving that an icon-controlled game offers, but to make up for that the problems do seem to be pretty devious!

Livingstone I Presume (Alligata)

It's fairly hard to play, but Alligata has given you an infinite lives cheat and a map of the first four levels, so you can't go far wrong.

Metaldrone (Sparklers)

Nice try, Sparklers, but no matter how cheap you make this, it'll always end up on its dronesome on the shelf.

Nemesis The Warlock (Martech)

A great game that's nice and easy to get into, but which takes a while to get to grips with.

Now Games 4 (Virgin)

If you haven't got Dan Dare, get it. Otherwise, don't bother.

Parabola (Firebird)

Not the most difficult game you'll ever play, nor the most original, but as a variation on an old theme it should certainly put a bit of spring in your joystick!

The Pawn (Firebird)

Despite a few quibbles, this is the first adventure that'll give Speccy owners a hint of what it's like to play an Infocom game, so buy this.

Pulsator (Martech)

One to get your pulses pulsating! Should also please the player who ponders and produces maps.

Quartet (Activision)

Ploughing your way through endless amounts of levels in search of number 99 can be a little trying, and I think perhaps the explosions could have been a little more satisfying.

Red Scorpion (Quicksilva)

The control system is too clumsy for my liking, and only serves to detract from the speed of the action.

Spy Vs. Spy II: The Island Caper (Databyte)

It's all good fun, but a touch too complicated for my liking.

Stormbringer 128K (Mastertronic Added Dimension)

If you want a graphic arcade adventure with a bit of bite, then shell out three quid for Stormbringer... it's absolutely fabulous value for money!

Strike (Mastertronic)

Graphics aren't bad, but the sound could be better. It can get quite addictive if you're prepared to put up with the initial shame. Probably a game you'll get off the shelf every once in a while for a bit of fun.

Super Robin Hood (Codemasters)

Not the most sophisticated platformer, but its clear graphics and easy scrolling action give it instant appeal.

Take 4 Games (Gremlin)

I'm pretty indifferent to this collection. Sam Stoat and Potty Pigeon are simple rusharounds, and neither of the other two is a worldbeater.

Tom Frost's Six Pack (Tartan)

Definitely a bargain six-pack, but not one for the old hands.

Yankee (Cases)

It's a clean simple strategic game and I'd really have enjoyed playing it - if I hadn't played it a few times already in different guises!