Afterburner (Activision)

A technically brill conversion that can't quite make up for the original's shallowness.

Aquasquad (Atlantis)

It's not been that badly programmed, but there's no spark of originality, nothing to make you want desperately to see the next screen, or even the screen you're on in most cases.

The Balrog And The Cat (Zenobi)

This doesn't have many shortcomings, - though perhaps a bit easier than earlier John Wilson games, it should appeal to his many existing fans and win him a few more into the bargain.

Classic Games 4 (CP Software)

A package of games, one good, the rest poor and most let down badly by very bad graphics. Oh dear.

Clock Chess '89 (CP Software)

Fabby Chess program for the Speccy, let down by poor graphics.

Computer Maniac's 1989 Diary (Domark)

Not so much a game, as an entertaining and occasionally useful utility.

Death Stalker (Codemasters)

The graphics are so poorly drawn that it's next to impossible to make anything out.

The Deep (US Gold)

A dull, tedious game from US Gold, which deserves to sink without trace.

Echelon (US Gold)

A brain-blendingly complicated space simulation with plenty of mileage in it.

Encyclopedia of War: Ancient Battles (CCS)

An excellent package: good game with added bonus of 'design your own battle' mode.

G.I. Hero (Firebird)

Good graphics but not enough action, not enough atmosphere, and too much boredom.

Heavy On The Magick (Rebound)

Another spanker, although what the cover illustration has to do with it all, I have no idea.

Heroes Of The Lance (US Gold)

A blockbusting conversion of a popular RPG with heaps of dragon-slaying action. Lots to get your teeth into.

Ice Station Zero (8th Day)

A rare failure for 8th Day.

Ingrid's Back (Level 9)

The best Level 9 release ever.

Into The Eagle's Nest (Pandora)

An excellent game, with clear and attractive graphics and endlessly challenging gameplay.

Las Vegas Casino (Zeppelin)

None of the four card games are particularly impressive, but they're all playable enough if you like that sort of thing, and I do, from time to time.

Last Duel (US Gold)

Fast and tricky but it's a bit too samey for my liking.

LED Storm (US Gold)

A futuristic, vertically scrolling racing game that is only average in most areas except for speed - where it positively stomps on most rivals.

The Munsters (Again Again)

TV tie-in, based on sixties monster show, from the makers of Terramex, but not as good.

Operation Hormuz (Again Again)

Durell-built flying combat sim, with excellent graphics and sound sound. Shame about the plot.

A Question of Sport (Elite)

Accurately captures the concept, but tacks a lot of the spirit of the TV show. A nice treat for sports fans though.

Rebel (Virgin Games)

The graphics are brill - brightly coloured and well drawn - and the whole game's a ripsnorter. Ten levels for two quid? A bargain, mate.

Robocop (Ocean)

Playable, efficient but uninspired shooty thing based on everyone's fave filmic gorefest.

S.D.I. (Activision)

The arthritic graphics don't help to alleviate the monotony and dullness of this mediocre shoot-'em-up.

Shoot-Out (Martech)

A bog-standard shooting things with a cursor game. Very, very boring indeed.

Spitting Image (Domark)

Nicely packaged and well executed beat-'em-up which would be birrova goodie if not for deadly long loading sequences.

Star Farce (Mastertronic)

A fine game, as addictive as any full price shooter now on the market, but at a fraction of the price.

Battle Tank Simulator (Zeppelin)

A disappointment on historical grounds, and for 1989 it doesn't really impress either.

Tomcat (Players)

This is so bloody hard that, in the end, it seems a bit of a wasted opportunity.

WEC Le Mans (Imagine)

Lovely large car sprites, a challengingly curvy track and a smooth set of acceleration/braking/gear change controls. However, there are no surprises at all in the gameplay.