Advanced Lawnmower Simulator (Gardensoft)

A classic simulation game from an exciting new name in Speccy software. Guaranteed number one!

Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh (Imagine)

An immensely impressive and chronically addictive sequel that takes the Arkanoid format into previously uncharted areas of excellence. A classic.

ATF (Digital Integration)

An interesting hybrid of blast 'em up and strategy game masquerading as a flight simulation, with fine and fast graphics.

Deviants (Players)

A top-notch cheapie platformer from the author of Joe Blade. It's slick, and it's cheap too!

Double Agent (Tartan)

A very nifty piece of programming by author Tom Frost - and he's even managed to squeeze a RAM save function in there as well.

Dynatron Mission (Mastertronic)

This is so hard, it should have an infinite lives poke printed on the cassette inlay card. Unless your wizardry with the joystick knows no bounds, steer well clear.

Firefly (Special FX)

A simply super shoot-'em-up/strategy game that keeps you coming back for more. The graphics are nothing short of amazing!

Guadalcanal (Activision)

A really ingenious, detailed simulation... It certainly captures the atmosphere of suspense as you send out your scouts and spotting planes to look for approaching enemy forces. But it does lack the fury of a major WW2 conflict.

The Hunt For Red October (Argus Press)

The main problem/advantage of the game is its massive complexity... It's a bit easy to get overwhelmed by it all, and you'll be tearing your hair out from places you never knew had it.

Investigations (Graphtext)

Despite its faults, this is a worthy attempt to do something different, and it does show just what can be achieved if you've got 128K and a versatile utility like the Professional Adventure Writer.

Kikstart 2 (Mastertronic)

Not as playable as ATV Sim... The collision detection in particular is seriously warped: you can be riding up a ramp and suddenly sink through it for no apparent reason, and even jump while already flying through the air!

Los Angeles SWAT (Mastertronic)

An awful Commando clone which makes VU-File look addictive. You're best off burying it in a mound of peat and exploding it from a safe distance.

Magnetron (Firebird)

An absorbing and clever shoot 'em up with all the hardness of Quazatron and more problems than the cast of Dallas.

Merlin (Firebird)

Merlin, the game, loses in prolonged playability what it makes up for in graphics. With just that bit extra it could have been fine.

Microball (Alternative)

A so-so pinball simulation. It will never turn you into a pinball wizard but, if taken in large doses, it's a very good cure for insomnia.

Nigel Mansell's Grand Prix (Martech)

It's a very clever simulation rather than an actual game. It's let down only by the fact it takes ages to get anywhere.

North Star (Gremlin)

It isn't going to break any records in the originality stakes, but control response is good and it's pretty hard yet by no means impossible.

P.H.M. Pegasus (Electronic Arts)

A rather dull combat simulation that fails to grab you by the nauticals.

Platoon (Ocean)

Competent is the word I'd use for Platoon, followed closely by disappointing. A bit more imagination and attention to what the film was really about may have made it great.

Predator (Activision)

Great graphics, but too tough to get to grips with when sudden death sneaks up at every opportunity. It's a pity, because the graphics are great, with a lovely Arnie sprite.

The Raven (8th Day)

You must talk to the other characters in the adventure, and the scale of a 128K game is shown by the fact that one of these characters has 10K set aside just for himself.

Rollaround (Mastertronic)

A sound budget offering, especially for puzzlers. Simply rolling around doesn't add up to the most action packed game, but you may lose your marbles solving the problems.

Shackled (US Gold)

A disappointing conversion from a passable coin-op game. Similar to Gauntlet and UCM but without the polish or panache of either. One to leave on the shelf.

Super Stuntman (Codemasters)

Thrills, spills, excitement and a clapperboard too. Terrific fun for would-be stuntmen everywhere.

Tetris (Mirrorsoft)

An original and very, very playable puzzle game.

World War 1 (Lothlorien)

As a wargame, it's like playing on the floor with toy soldiers and a few cannons that shoot match-sticks. If that's what you like, you'll find this game really good fun.

Yeti (Destiny)

Flip-screen shooter a la Exolon, with amusing theme but little out of the ordinary otherwise.