Arcticfox (Electronic Arts)

A fairly dire conversion of a 3D tank game that could have had a lot going for it.

Blood Brothers (Gremlin)

An annoying platform shoot-'em-up, saved only by a savagely addictive sub-game.

Cerius (Atlantis)

Worth considering, but only if you like, or haven't already got, Exolon.

Dark Side (Incentive)

If you like your games hard, then Dark Side is the only choice for you, bucko.

Desolator (US Gold)

A bit of a hybrid of Ikari Warriors and Gauntlet, quite good fun, but not as good as either of the above.

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (The Essential Myth)

But when things start to go right, the story really bursts into life - I reckon you ought to burst into life and buy it right now.

The Flintstones (Grandslam)

A good conversion of the TV characters, let down by trying to put too many other bits in too.

Gutz (Special FX)

Competent kill, grab and map game which should keep you burying around your innards for a while.

Hercules: Slayer of the Damned (Gremlin)

This doesn't have a hope... A Herculean failure with about as much content as an empty bag.

Kung Fu Knights (Top Ten)

Unplayable and unaddictive. I think that's because it is a little too difficult; the arrows are hard to dodge and hardly anything happens when you lose a life, so you don't notice until the game ends.

Lazer Tag (Go!)

Unoriginal, unplayable, overpriced and generally unappealing, Laser Tag has very little going for it - stay well away.

Metropolis (The Powerhouse)

Metropolis is actually all right if you're into arcade adventures, but otherwise you'll find it extremely boring.

Mickey Mouse (Gremlin)

Violence, waterpistols and cute lickle rodents. What better night's entertainment could you ask for...?

Mindfighter (Abstract Concepts)

A serious thought-provoking game, which draws you into the reality of the world it tries to create so that you do feel like you're down there on the ground living it, not merely playing a game.

Norman (The Powerhouse)

Don't be fooled by all the "new concept" rubbish and the attractive screen shots. Norman is boring with a capital SH.

On Cue (Mastertronic Added Dimension)

Fun for a while... but it soon becomes terribly boring. Only buy this if you know you like this kind of thing.

Powerama (The Powerhouse)

I'm not saying that it's bad... just that there are better games, in a similar vein, in this price range.

Rally Driver (Alternative)

Arcade fanatics will not like it, but simulation buffs might find it good value... Play it first before you buy it.

Rockfall (Top Ten)

A good mix of quick arcade reflexes and mind mangling puzzle solving is required... Most game players will find it an enjoyable, if not totally riveting two quids' worth.

Skate Crazy (Gremlin)

A beautifully presented and very tricky roller-skating avoid 'em/collect 'em and do lots of stunts-'em-up. Great stuff.

Snookered (Top Ten)

Trivial Pursuit the board game is fun, 'cos you always have a great argument over each answer... but you can't argue with a computer, it just sits there and flickers.

Space Jack (The Powerhouse)

Even at £1.99, this is a complete rip off. Leave it well alone.

Star Wars Droids (Mastertronic Added Dimension)

There is no scenery to speak of, boring simple-simon door-opening sub-games, and the most fiddly icon control system imaginable.

Street Sports Basketball (US Gold)

Unimpressive sports sim that won't set your joystick on fire, let alone the world.

Terrorpods (Psygnosis)

Gameplay is fast, animation and graphics good, but lacks a certain flash of brilliance.

Vixen (Martech)

It looks all right, but this rumpyish runaround is less enthralling than it might've been.

Where Time Stood Still (Ocean)

All the thrills of lost worlds and lands that time forgot in a true computer movie!

Wizard Warz (Go!)

This has to be one of the least fun pieces of programming we've had the misfortune to play in months.