North And South (Infogrames)

The funniest game around and a conversion miracle from Probe... Two player mode, three skill levels, optional sub-games, special features, superb animated sequences on map screen plus good intro/outro.

Atomino (Psygnosis)

One of the best puzzle games ever.

I Play: 3-D Soccer (Simulmondo)

Not perfect, but great fun and very ambitious.

Lupo Alberto: The Video Game (Idea)

Heavy multi-load and okay cartoonesque sprites, but the levels all look the same. It would have made acceptable fare on budget.

Gauntlet III: The Final Fight (US Gold)

State-of-the-art 3D, masterpiece backdrops and good gameplay make this a true classic.

Spikey In Transylvania (Codemasters)

Extremely accessible, refreshing original in ideas, and great on the staying power front.

Cricket Captain (D&H Games)

It's text only, lacking in presentation and is very slow. But cricket buffs should still check it out because there is a game in there somewhere.

Moon Shadow (Idea)

A single-load arcade adventure that overall just isn't big enough or spectacular enough to stand out in the Nineties.

Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark (Flair)

A superb translation which is a real treat for anyone with patience.

Predator 2 (Image Works)

An unoriginal but fun blast-'em-up!

Viz (Virgin)

The great graphics, and the wealth of colour in the characters and courses, don't prove much incentive to play because the gameplay is so unforgiving.

Supremacy (Virgin)

The ease of play and sheer tyrannical power makes Supremacy one of the best strategy games around.

4 Most Sport (Alternative)

All four games are decidedly weak. Even at a budget price, this compilation's value for money is highly dubious unless you love nostalgia.

Batman: The Movie (The Hit Squad)

No other game has come close to matching Batman: The Movie's superb mix of varied sub-games and great sense of fun in a movie licence.

Passing Shot (Encore)

Worth a look. It won't keep you playing for months on end, but for a couple of days fun it's not bad.

Great Gurianos (Encore)

This was a dated coin-op even in 1986. With the absence of a competitive two-player mode (here you simply take turns) it soon gets very dull and repetitive.

Dragon Ninja (The Hit Squad)

Graphics are nice and end-level confrontations are varied, if unspectacular, but it's all a bit samey. A tough challenge for ninja fanatics only.

Xybots (The Hit Squad)

Endlessly similar mazes... You wonder why Domark even bothered to release it really.

Licence To Kill (The Hit Squad)

An essential purchase for 007 fans and recommended to shoot-'em-up fans generally.

4 Most Action (Alternative)

Apart from Cobra, this compilation is useless, unless you enjoy a good giggle at diabolical games.

World Games (Kixx)

One of the best sporting sims around, despite its age.

Arkanoid 2: Revenge Of Doh (The Hit Squad)

A word of warning about the controls - it's difficult to play this game with joystick or keyboard; you really need a Commodore mouse.

Gryzor (The Hit Squad)

The gameplay is addictive to the point of obsession.