Butcher Hill (Gremlin)

An uninspiring idea for a game tackled in a pretty uninspiring way.

Captain Blood (Exxos)

Curious game, proving difficult to get to grips with, but which might benefit from perseverance.

Chicago's 30 (US Gold)

A nicely presented horizontally scrolling 'gangster' shoot 'em-up which may leave you unsatisfied due to its lack of difficulty.

Coliseum (Kixx)

The chariot sprites are huge and detailed, and the gameplay is fast, well balanced and thoroughly engrossing. Worth a punt, I'd say.

Command Performance (US Gold)

An addictive little sausage, full of mad porkers running around, dropping down holes, popping up again and blowing each other up.

D.N.A. Warrior (Aartronic)

Shoot-'em-up with neat storyline sabotaged by relentlessly dreary and unoriginal gameplay. Simply not a full-price product.

Dark Fusion (Gremlin)

A superior shoot-'em-up in the traditional mould. If you reckon you can handle yet another one, go for it.

Eliminator (Hewson)

Hewson maintains its high standards with this rootin', tootin', killin', maimin', shoot-'em-up. Simply brilliant!

Fish! (Rainbird)

It's tough going and also full of funny finny jokes, leaving no fish unpunned, and no barrel unscraped in the quest for aquatic cracks. Spectrum adventurers seem to like that kind of thing - and they should definitely like Fish!

Gary Lineker's Hot-Shot! (Gremlin)

An enjoyable game which, despite having little new to offer to the seasoned Speccy football player, compares favourably with its rivals.

Gunrunner (Rack-It)

Cracking good fun, and another reason why a Hewson's Greatest Hits would be a memorable addition to anyone's software library.

The Hit Squad (Codemasters)

You're swiftly seduced by splendid graphics, but the gameplay does pall after a while.

Incredible Shrinking Sphere (Electric Dreams)

It's original, it's fun and it's got a pair of shades that even the ever so trendy woman from DEFII would kill for.

International Speedway (Silverbird)

The screen is conveniently split in two - but as the track is so boring to look at from both angles (and there's nothing else new about this game at all) that you begin to wonder after about 0.00001 seconds, why you bothered to load it up.

Pac-Land (Grandslam)

Dull (and very late) sequel to Pac-man which turns that brilliant original into just another chase and grab game. Good conversion of a bad game.

Pawns Of War (Lee Floyd)

Not a bad little effort, but nothing to get wildly excited about. And a shame about the sloppiness - more care next time, Mr Programmer.

Renegade III (Imagine)

For someone like me, who was getting bored sick of the average punch and kick game, this is a very welcome development indeed.

Rygar (Kixx)

Not for sophisticates, but reasonable fun for the violently inclined.

SAS Combat Simulator (Codemasters)

Rather a greatest hits of programmers' tricks, but it's no less fun for all that.

Skate Or Die (Electronic Arts)

Competent and absorbing new skate sim, but no better than 720° and not as good as Skate Crazy.

Super Trux (Elite)

Stay away from this unless you're of the freak brigade who really get off on naff racing games. Ten out of ten in the realism stakes - trucks are unwieldy and boring to drive, so's the game!

Tank Attack (CDS)

A bit of a disappointment for hardened war gamers, but some of you might like it.

Technician Ted (Rack-It)

I'd never recommend this to everyone - because, let's face it, lots of people detest this type of game with a vehemence bordering on violence - but if you caught onto JSW on its recent rerelease, then you'll lap this up too.

Titanic (Kixx)

Not totally without merit, but woefully short on substance.

Wanderer (Elite)

Seemingly naff space trading game which really begins to glow when you turn on the 3D effect.