3 Coin Op Classics (US Gold)

These three games couldn't be more different. Crystal Castles is well worth a tenner by itself as far as I'm concerned. Good stuff.

6-Pak Vol 2 (Hit-Pak)

Games of a consistently high standard in a fine collection.

Action Pack 3 (Alligata)

A feeble collection of Alligata's least distinguished games, available only at WH Smith.

Apocalypse Expansion Volume 1 (Command)

Serious strategy with frills of the wrong sort. Combat resolution appears to be based almost entirely on chance with a bit of bluff (poker players will like it, tacticians will hate it).

The Best Of 3D (Vortex)

Four games, all written by Costa Panayi over a four-year period. Cracking stuff.

The Centurions (Reaktor)

A tedious Gauntlet clone, rendered completely unplayable by messy graphics and flickery scrolling. No wonder the author has elected to remain anonymous!

Classix 1 (The Edge)

If you haven't seen Bobby Bearing, this is good value. Otherwise, steer well clear.

Dawnssley (Top Ten)

Never mind Dawnssley, call it "Yawnssley" and you're on the right track!

Deadly Mission (John Henry Enterprises)

I must have seen at least 200 adventures exactly like this one. Not bad, not stunning, just another everyday story of adventuring folk.

Draughts Genius (Rack-It)

Let's hear a big cheer for a cheapie. Mind you, it makes a pleasant change to beat the machine, and gives the game tremendous playability for every age and skill.

Evening Star (Hewson)

A red hot and steamy train-sim that's on the right track. Challenging and tricky, though less than startling graphically.

Flunky (Piranha)

An irreverent arcade-adventure that could get winners thrown in the Tower.

Football Director (D&H Games)

A definite Match Of The Day for football fans. But remember to save regularly - it has the occasional tendency to crash!

Heist 2012 (Firebird)

Original it isn't, but if games were banned for unoriginality, nothing would ever be released!

How To Be A Complete Bastard (Virgin)

A routine arcade-adventure based on the bestselling book. Not for the weak of stomach.

Joe Blade (Players)

The best Players budget game ever: A terrific search 'n' shoot mini Dan Dare clone, with good graphics and animation.

The Lost Ruby (Wrightchoice)

Not a downright disaster, but it would need a real ruby at the end of the quest to make me persevere with this one when there are dozens and dozens of better adventures around!

Mercenary: The Second City (Novagen)

A 3D vector graphics system displays an entire planet, and there are apparently three ways to complete it. It really is good.

Mystery Of The Nile (Firebird)

A tough large-scale arcade-adventure with lots of shooting and bombing. It's tough, but it can be beaten.

Moon Strike (Mirrorsoft)

A smart little shoot-'em-up with simply superb graphics, though a little on the slow side.

Pi-R Squared (Mind Games)

An original 'collect and dodge' arcade mind stretcher, and the best thing Mind Games has released for years.

Plexar (Mastertronic)

An entertaining Trailblazer clone with more depth and better background graphics throughout. A bit on the easy side though.

Samurai Trilogy (Gremlin)

A decent stab at bringing two new bash 'n' slash simulations to the Speccy, plus yet another Karate game.

Soft & Cuddly (The Power House)

A platformy chaseabout with a difference - warped minds have been at work! What's more, it's the first game I've played where you're asked if you want a silly walk or not!

Solomon's Key (US Gold)

Buy it! The most addictive game of the year, and one of the very few coin-op conversions which is every bit as good as the original.

Streaker (Bulldog)

A useful little Spellbound clone with nice animation plus a touch of originality in the plot. Excellent value.

Summer Gold (US Gold)

A fair compilation, but nowt to write home about.

Wizball (Ocean)

A novel game with cheerful graphics and clever gameplay but hard to get into.

Xecutor (Ace)

If you like torturing yourself with tough games, then shell out for Xecutor.