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Buy the rights to a well-known TV series. Find an old game knocking around which bears a passing resemblance to the scenario. Hey presto! another spin-off is born.

In Airwolf you are the pilot of the eponymous helicopter which you fly through a series of scrolled scenes. Two-thirds of the screen contains scrubs and mountains and the middle third, through which Airwolf travels, looks like a long black tunnel.

The inlay card informs you that Airwolf must rescue five scientists, who are being held in a base somewhere beneath the Arizona desert. You are not told why or by whom.

Viewers of the television series will already be familiar with Airwolf. The plot rotates around a slick and sophisticated helicopter which fights the baddies.

Sadly though, the arcade game is a poor substitute. The graphics are dull and the tasks uninspired. The first obstacle, a wall, appears as Airwolf shoots through the 'tunnel'. While busy destroying the wall with full firing power it starts rebuilding itself. If you succeed in demolishing that wall the next obstacle which comes into view is - yes, you guessed - a very familiar looking wall. Very imaginative.

Although there is the option for keyboard or joystick control the latter is well advised as all five keys would require simultaneous operation. The game bears a resemblence to Blue Thunder and is produced by the same company. This sheep in Airwolfs clothing is best avoided.