Chicken Run (Impsoft)

So tedious. The farmer can only do one thing at a time while you cluck about watching your energy diminish.

The Inferno (Richard Shepherd)

A graphic adventure with a smallish vocabulary that's neither duff not particularly revolutionary.

Special Operations (Lothlorien)

I never really liked wargames, and, frankly, since I discovered Lords Of Midnight, they just seem pathetic.

Elite (Acornsoft)

This really is that good. This is a classic - in the genuine sense where classic means Forever.

Carpet Capers (Terminal)

Over nine screens with just enough tricks to get the old adrenal gland buzzing nicely. It makes really nifty patterns, too.

Beam Rider (Microdeal)

There are several patterns of boards to clear as one progresses but somehow the whole concept is uninspiring.

Electron Invaders (Micro Power)

A recommended intro to the world of serious alien-bashing for all Electron owners with that special merciless streak.

Grabber (Microdeal)

The documentation is inaccurate, the graphics pathetic, the joystick response suspect and the music awful. Ho hum.

Buzzard Bait (Microdeal)

This game shows what the Dragon can do. It leaves most other software in the shade.

Uncle Claude (Alligata)

While lacking the length and depth of something like Jet Set Willy, everything is certainly better animated and a lot more fun.

Hyperblast (English)

Standard arcade shoot-'em-up stuff but well translated with goodish graphics and sound effects.

Blue Thunder (Richard Wilcox)

Fuel is limited, and so is the game. Everyone who I've seen play it was bored after fifteen minutes of gameplay.

Perseus And Andromeda (Channel 8)

Presumably this kind of thing appeals to enough people to keep Channel 8 in business, even if it seems pretty old hat to me.

Mugsy (Melbourne House)

You can almost smell the aroma of mafiosa pasta as you wander along the wharf. Unfortunately prolonged play results in brain seizure. The game fails to live up to its early promise.

Go-Sprite (Mirrorsoft)

Takes a lot of the trouble out of programming in Commodore's hideous Basic. Very nice.

The House Of Usher (Anirog)

Definitely one for the numero uno gamestar. The kind of guy who does the Hampton Court maze, plays grandmaster chess in his head and tap dances. All at the same time.

Master Mariner (Atlantis)

Marred by some of the most mind-numbingly sluggish graphic sequences... but actually pretty entertaining in the buy/sell stages.

Les Flics (PSS)

Tres ennuyant, mes enfants.

Zaxxon (Sega/US Gold)

Erm, you get the first space fortress, outer space, the second fortress and the Zaxxon Robot encounter, seen from the usual 45 degree angle. You must know more or less what to expect from Zaxxon by now, surely?

Grab It (Voyager)

It's like a sort of reverse tennis where you have to avoid the bouncing bits instead of hitting them. Quite simple but fun nonetheless.

Trollie Wallie (Interceptor Micros)

An enjoyable and addictive game with graphics of the standard we have come to expect from Interceptor.

Solo Flight (MicroProse)

An instrument panel features altimeter and engine speed dials and various fuel, heading, pitch and climb rate indicators.

Vagan Attack (Atlantis)

Not bad but nothing special.

The House (Celyn Jones)

Whosoever first conquers this thing stands to win some kind of cash prize. If they can get through it without falling asleep in the first five minutes, they'll have deserved it.

Dan Strikes Back (English)

I think three lives, with no bonuses, is a bit mean, and certainly makes it hard to get into the game.

Pac-Man (Bally-Midway)

To this day it remains the worst-ever arcade conversion, sparking off hoots of derision whenever mentioned.