Space Rogue (Origin/Mindscape) (Commodore 64)

The ultimate space opera on your C64... with you in the starring role!

Ballistix (Psyclapse) (Commodore 64)

An entertaining two-player game. But it's a shame one-player mode has you fighting gravity rather than a computer player.

Mazemania (Hewson) (Commodore 64)

The basic gameplay wouldn't tax the mind of a stuffed Flippo! Yes, there may be four basic types of maze graphics, but the layouts are random.

Sim City (Infogrames) (Commodore 64)

This C64 lacks some important options of the Amiga version but what's here remains very playable, providing an intriguing and lengthy challenge.

Footballer Of The Year II (Gremlin) (Commodore 64)

A good (if belated) sequel. Following your career is fun for a while... but eventually gets repetitive.

Beverly Hills Cop (Tynesoft) (Commodore 64)

A nicely-structured package of five playable but somewhat dated sub-games... Good practice option.

Bushido (Firebird) (Commodore 64)

An intriguing mixture of games types... Graphics aren't exceptional, but there's an incredible number of rooms and some nice detail on some of the baddies.

Chase H.Q. (Ocean) (Commodore 64/128)

The coin-op name lures you in but the drab Spectrum appearance is a definite turn-off. Rapid multi-load though.

Vendetta (System 3) (Commodore 64)

A superb combination of two perfectly integrated game types... Superb video intro and inter-level screens too.

Ghostbusters II (Activision) (Commodore 64)

The limited sub-games are all quite different with some nice twists, but they're completely lacking the gameplay needed for a good game.

Blue Angel 69 (Gremlin) (Commodore 64)

The game is surprisingly good solo, or in two player mode. Although I don't get very excited at the prospect of seeing a naked robot!

Dead End (Interactive Technology) (Commodore 64)

Sleuthing adventures are difficult to produce due to the amount of interaction required... Dead End makes a very good effort, even though it's still quite limited.

Drakkhen (Infogrames) (Amiga 500)

The best game I've played in a long time... In fact, I couldn't stop playing: all I wanted to do was get a little bit further than last time, just to see what's waiting around the corner.

Dragon Wars (Interplay) (Commodore 64/128)

This is excellent. I've played it for about sixteen hours and was just beginning to get somewhere when this issue's schedule interrupted.

Future Wars: Time Travellers (Delphine/Palace) (Amiga 500)

A joy to play: graphics and sound are brilliant, gameplay is compulsive and it incorporates a good, quick save/load facility and a useful pause for taking a well-earned rest during the action bits.

Cobra (The Hit Squad) (Commodore 64/128)

The backgrounds are mediocre, the animation poor and jumping is exceptionally irritating.

Shark (Players Premier) (Commodore 64/128)

While on the whole it's attractively presented, this is ultimately disappointing... There's no sensation of being underwater.

The Great Escape (The Hit Squad) (Commodore 64/128)

A vastly underrated game... There's lots of detail and the formidable challenge is irresistible.

Street Fighter (Kixx) (Commodore 64/128)

A poor conversion... On both versions it's too easy to win by using the same move over and over again. Only consolation is the fun two player mode.

Spooked (Players Premier) (Commodore 64/128)

Worth considering, in short, if you like mapping games... Visually and sonically very much a Spectrum game.

Meganova: The Weapon (Alternative) (Commodore 64/128)

If you're a shoot-'em-up fanatic this may well be of some interest, but for must sane people this is an instructive lesson on how well most other, apparently simple shoot-'em-ups are programmed.

Spitfire '40 (Alternative) (Commodore 64/128)

For those of you wanting a very easy simulation to get into, with few of today's frills, it's good enough cannon fodder.

Dan Dare III (Virgin) (Commodore 64)

If you liked the Dan Dare character (a heck of a lot!) you may 'dare' to spend a tenner on this one!

Ghouls 'N Ghosts (US Gold) (Amiga 500)

A tough but immensely playable coin-op conversion.

Iron Lord (Ubisoft) (Amiga 500)

A very well presented Defender Of The Crown-style game which seems rather disjointed... Gameplay is identical on both C64 and Amiga.

Onslaught (Hewson) (Amiga 500)

Unique and well-presented... The arcade element hasn't got that much variety in how it plays, but the ability to design your own challenge more than compensates.

Switchblade (Gremlin) (Amiga 500)

A playable arcade adventure, but lacking variety. Eventually becomes tiresome.

Mindbender (Gremlin) (Amiga 500)

For a puzzle game the graphics are great: when you consider their size they're very well done with some nice animation. Deflektor fans will love it.

Battle Squadron (European Electronic Zoo) (Amiga 500)

A first class shoot-'em-up. Doesn't have the attention to game detail as R-Type, but certainly an extremely playable, arcade-style spectacular.

Toobin (Tengen) (Amiga 500)

I love the way Bif and Jet paddle like mad while trying to evade crocodiles etc.

Hard Drivin' (Domark) (Amiga 500)

The 3D graphics are very good indeed, and driving against the Phantom Photon adds an element of competition to this enjoyable driving sim.

It Came From The Desert (Cinemaware/Mirrorsoft) (Amiga 500)

A slick release... Excellent sampled intro, very atmospheric orchestral music... Stopping the ants is a fascinating challenge... The course of event changes every game.