Avenger (Kixx)

It's a scrolly one-player Dandy-style maze game (but with one big map rather than lots of individual levels) a sort of beat-'em-up (you have to beat up the baddies) and, well, a bit of a puzzler as well.

Dragons Of Flame (US Gold)

Although these computer interpretations can't compete with real D&D, D&D strategy addicts probably won't think it's too bad. Sadly, I suspect your average Spec-chum (like humble ol' me) will be left uninspired. Good potential, but doesn't deliver the goods.

Fruit Machine Simulator II (Codemasters)

An ace laugh, there's oodles of features, and it's as addictive as a, erm, very addictive fruit machine.

Grand Prix Circuit (Accolade)

A perfectly respectable game. One to get if you like this sort of thing.

Hostages (Infogrames)

A nicely presented arcade strategy game, well put together.

International Rugby (Blue Ribbon)

Things are better if you're playing with a partner - but only slightly because luck has far more to do with who wins than any 'skill' might have, so it hasn't really got any lasting appeal.

Monty Python's Flying Circus (Virgin/Mastertronic)

It's a tip-top stomper, and, as my mother always told me, you've always got to look on the bright side of life!

Night Breed (Ocean)

All in all, I'd say Night Breed is a bit of a success really. Mr. Barker's inventive (if rather icky!) imagination comes through very well too.

Quattro Adventure (Codemasters)

All these games are still certainly worth a play or two, and at a mere 75p per game we're talking a bargain factor here of at least 97 billion.

Quattro Sports (Codemasters)

A complete bargain. One brill game, one good game, one not-quite-so-good-but-not-that-bad-either game, and one crap one.

Satan (Dinamic)

Dinamic fans should enjoy it, and others should find it fun while it lasts. Quite a good leaping game. A bit naff in places though.

Shadows Of The Past (Compass)

Normally I don't like it when people re-hash old ideas, but just as we all got more enjoyment from Level 9's earlier games when they bunged them onto their new adventure system, this Compass title is also well worth another look.

Spaghetti Western Simulator (Zeppelin Games)

A bit of a duffer. I'm afraid, because although it's playable to begin with, it gets extremely boring rather too quickly. Snooze.

Super Stock Car (Mastertronic Plus)

It's playable and good fun, especially as there's the added 'bonus' of a built-in course editor thingy to design your own fiendishly fiendish tracks with. Hours of fun.

Time Machine (Vivid Image)

Certainly like nothing else you've seen before. A completely different yet completely brilliant number.

TNT (Domark)

Nothing alarmingly good, but a solid, dependable compilation all the same.

Twin World (Ubisoft)

A straightforward but extremely enjoyable little number which grows on you until it almost bursts.

World Cup Challenge (Players)

For the loyal footy nut perhaps worth a look, but for everyone else it'll be heading bin-wards pretty darn sharpish.

Defenders Of The Earth (Enigma Variations)

The first 'proper' SAM game and it's stunning. Perhaps lacking in long-term appeal though.