Elevator Action (Quicksilva) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

The game's life is probably limited by the number of times that you're prepared to go over the same ground.

Dizzy Dice (Players) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

About as good a game as you'll get in this unadventurous genre.

Agent Orange (A 'n F) (Spectrum 48K)

An interesting attempt to try something a bit different but the idea of combining "life" with arcade action sounds a lot better than it plays in practice.

Wibstars (A 'n F) (Spectrum 48K)

A poor release which is below the standard of much budget software.

Feud (Mastertronic) (Spectrum 48K)

Very nicely presented... While it's not a budget classic it is a fairly respectable effort.

Scalextric (Virgin/Leisure Genius) (Spectrum 48K)

A good value package only lacking the competitive edge that comes from having a grid full of cars racing round the track.

Butch Hard Guy (Advance) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

You'd have to be amazingly quick-fingered to get to the end, but the game wasn't so addictive that I particularly wanted to.

Terra Cresta (Imagine) (Spectrum 48K)

There are no major faults in Terra Cresta but without a bit more originality it's not likely to take over as anyone's favourite shoot-'em-up.

10th Frame (US Gold) (Spectrum 48K)

The animation, such as it is, is good and the graphics are fair and, although it will suit those who are ten pin bowling fanatics, the impulse buyer may find it repetitous and overpriced.

Hacker II: The Doomsday Papers (Activision) (Spectrum 48K)

Lastability is questionable, but I reckon this will provide value for money for most people.

Little Computer People (Activision) (Spectrum 128K)

Thoroughly ingenious and a genuine oddity. It's an entertainment of sorts, though it's not a game.

Ranarama (Hewson) (Spectrum 48K)

It's fast and furious with a vast area and, most importantly, it's very playable and, once you've got your bearings, very addictive indeed.

Leaderboard (US Gold) (Spectrum 48K)

The ultimate accolade for a sporting simulation would be that it was preferable to playing the game itself and although Leaderboard can't quite manage that, it's a very close thing.

Top Gun (Ocean) (Spectrum 48K)

The first two levels are relatively easy as the enemy mainly attacks with its machine guns and fall easy prey to your sidewinders but from then on it gets a lot harder as you face a succession of missile-firing goes.

Ace Of Aces (US Gold) (Spectrum 48K)

Acro Jet (Microprose) (Spectrum 48K)

It's hard to keep off the ground, let alone trying to compete in the acrobatic events!

Deep Strike (Durell) (Spectrum 48K)

The best results seem to be achieved if you fly so that you fire just below the bomber's undercarriage but be prepared to move out to intercept enemy fighters and gun down barrage balloons before they destroy your bomber.

Lettahead+/Dumpy (Bradway) (Spectrum 48K)

Carefully put together with a comprehensive 12-page handbook neatly printed in stiff card covers and including a helpline for those in need.

Wargames (Cases) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Very well presented with an excellent instruction booklet giving players hints and the historical background to the campaign.

The Growing Pains Of Adrian Mole (Virgin) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

The game is a fun extension of the books, and should offer some entertainment. But I feel that because it was impossible to do full justice to the original text, the project should not have been attempted.

Imagination (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K/Plus)

Imagination is cheap and fun to solve - but it's truly primitive. Surely Spectrum adventures can be more sophisticated than this?

The Inheritance (Infogrames) (Spectrum 48K)

The tasks are mostly repetitive and tedious - especially making the money in the final part.

Tau Ceti: Special Edition (CRL) (Spectrum 128K)

Tau Ceti: Special Edition more than justifies its price tag and gives a foretaste of what the virtually unexplored 128K machines may be able to do when pushed to their limits.