1943 (Kixx)

Fab, therefore, if you've always wanted to play a space zapper in World War II clothing, but rather dull if you were looking for, say, a new idea.

4 Soccer Simulators (Codemasters)

Four games at three quid is breathtaking value... The package still doesn't touch Match Day II, of course, but then it doesn't really attempt to - the overhead perspective makes it a quite different game.

Arcade Trivia Quiz (Zeppelin Games)

Design is simple and neat... Not only do you need to be fast when answering questions, but when picking them as well.

Beyond The Ice Palace (Encore)

Anyone who likes a really challenging bit of action will lap this up. Look out for the little head-shaped icons - they're the spirits of the woods, and jolly useful they are too.

Castle Master (Incentive)

An excellent (and spooky) addition to the Freescape canon - faster graphics, lovely presentation. A must!

Crack Down (US Gold)

A natty conversion of a coin-op which was good, but not that good.

Cyberball (Domark/Tengen)

Nice idea, but far too ambitious for the humble Spectrum. Die-hard fans could get some fun out of it.

Darius+ (The Edge)

A sideways-scrolling shoot-'em-up with all the usual stuff. A bit like R-Type really, but not half as good.

Dead End (Interactive Technology)

Dead End is based on the film of Farewell My Lovely, from the Raymond Chandler novel. But it's not done very well.

E-motion (US Gold)

A triffic load of balls which tests your mental and your manual skills. A real love it or hate it game.

F-16 Fighting Falcon (Mastertronic)

It's very much business-as-usual here... Shoot the nasties down before they shoot you, and all will be well. Quite what difference the Magnum Lightphaser makes, I can't tell you.

Fighting Warrior (Mastertronic)

For its time, it was impressive and no surprises that it sold well, but nowadays it looks more than a mite ropey. As a piece of Spectrum history it's interesting.

Arcade Fruit Machine (Zeppelin Games)

Yet another fruit machine sim on the market, but sadly, not one of the best.

The Hobble Hunter (Compass)

Far from being the worst game you'll ever play in your life, but it's hardly what we've come to expect from Compass after past glories.

Ikari Warriors (Encore)

In the arcade game, some nifty graphics distracted you from the essential dullness of the game, but the poor old Spectrum's tiny stick-figures and unbelievably slow bullets don't really seem the same.

Impossamole (Gremlin)

Nice to see Monty back, but this really is a pretty uninspired platform and ladders romp. Better luck next time.

Italian Supercar (Codemasters)

Fab stuff. If you can get through all the course, avoid all the various buildings you're constantly being invited to crash into, and keep away from those murderous copter chappies - well, you're a better driver than I!

Klax (Domark/Tengen)

If coloured blocks sound like your cup of tea, this could be for you (with two sugars). It's really quite good.

Knight Force (Titus)

A bland beat-'em-up with potentially serious technical problems. In fact, the whole thing's completely bonkers. There's just not enough there, and what is there has all been done before.

Mountain Bike Racer (Zeppelin Games)

There's something curiously addictive about this simple little game, and I suspect that many Spec-chums will enjoy it.

Ninja Spirit (Activision)

What could have been a neat arcade slash-'em-up is practically ruined by confused graphics. Silly.

Oriental Games (Firebird)

A rather old-fashioned fighting game, but well put-together and featuring a variety of unusual sports. Quite fun for a while.

Psycho Hopper (Mastertronic)

Snore city, I'm afraid.

The Race (Players Premier)

If pure reaction games are your bag you could do a lot worse than pick this up - it's just like a futuristic version of The Dukes Of Hazzard!

Super Dragon Slayer (Codemasters)

Fast, frantic and well worth your pennies. There are spells to be had, and part of the fun is in finding out what these actually do.