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Here's a real treat for arcade addicts. That all-time classic, Super Sprint, converted for your computer with all the features of the Atari coin-op intact - except maybe the steering wheel which you have to supply yourself. But don't borrow one from your Dad's car just as he's going off to work. That could spark off a few family arguments...

If you've never seen the arcade machine you won't know that Super Sprint gives you a bird's eye view of a race track - there are eight different tracks to choose from - and challenges you to drive your super sprint machines as fast as you can to beat the rest to the finish line.

Along the way you'll encounter hazards like oil-slicks, puddles, tornadoes, ramps and underpasses. Not your ordinary race tracks these, as you'll discover.

You can play alone or head-to-head with a friend - the best way - take part in a series of races or simply practice. You'll need plenty of practice even if you are an expert on the arcade machine.

It takes sometime to come to grips with steering and accelerating at the right moment in time.

When I first picked up the stick I found myself getting acquainted with the trackside walls quite frequently.

Luckily Catalyst Coders have included the helicopter sequence which flies in a new totally undented car when you've damaged the first one beyond repair.

All the time you are bouncing off the walls the drone computer-controlled cars are racing away - four laps isn't long you know - and the race ends when the lead car crosses the finish line.

Then the scene shifts to the winners' circle - an accurate representation from the coin-op, this - and you see your finishing position, score and any bonuses while the crowd waves at you!

Get a high score and you can enter your name in the Super Sprint Hall of Fame.

If you manage to beat the drone cars or your opponent in two-player mode, you move onto the next track in the sequence. If you are playing alone, or come second, you can simply select any track you want to race on.

The C64 version is a multi-load game, so when tracks 1-4 are completed you have to load in the next four. The Spectrum game also adds in all eight tracks at once.

Each race consists of four laps - and as you race you'll see golden spanners and bonus scores appearing on the track. Drive over these to collect them.

Pick up three or more golden spanners during a race and you'll be able to customise your race car by fitting extra features. Features like super traction, higher top screen, turbo acceleration or increased scoring. Apart from scoring, each feature has five levels.

It's up to you to work out what combination of features and levels you need to win.

As a novice I'd go for the increased traction before anything else - just to help get to grips with the tricky steering.

The Spectrum version of Super Sprint is pretty basic - the graphics are simple but adequate, as is the sound. The cars are small and the whole appearance of the game is a bit fiddly. You do get the winners' circle and hall of fame features however.

The C64 version is excellent. It looks good, plays pretty much like the arcade machine and has so many nice touches that you'll want to keep coming back for more.

I found the music for the one-player C64 game terribly irritating after a while, and turned the sound down.

By the way, the two-player option allows you to complete one-on-one or drive against a computer car as well.

Once you get to grips with the fiddly steering you're in for a whole lot of fun - so don't throw away your joystick in disgust after a couple of attempts.

It will help you if you've played the coin-op - and may be Super Sprint addicts will get more out of this offering, than the rest of you. But despite the initial frustrations I still came back for more and eventually got to grips with the game.

So far, the C64 version is the ultimate conversion. But I've had a sneak peek at the Atari ST version which looks even nicer. We've yet to have a look at the Amstrad game at time of going to press.