Eye (Endurance Games) (Commodore 64/128)

Basically a simple idea, much easier than chess to learn, but just as complex in its endless strategies.

Rastan Saga (Imagine) (Commodore 64/128)

This is a competent conversion of the arcade, incorporating most of the games' map. But it's a shame that the graphics fail to impress.

Star Wars (Domark) (Atari ST)

This will be a hit with fans of the film, the coin-op, and fast action arcades. In other words, everybody.

Knightmare (Activision) (Spectrum 48K)

Arcade adventures everywhere should find Knightmare a thoroughly enjoyable game. I know I did.

Match Day II (Ocean) (Spectrum 48K)

Match Day II comes highly recommended. It has taken Match Day as a basis to build on, and the improvements are worthwhile.

Risk (The Edge) (Commodore 64)

I've always thought that The Edge had some of the most creative and imaginative people in the software industry and Risk proves me right.

Western Games (Magic Bytes) (Amstrad CPC464)

My jaws ache, my trigger finger's all but dropped off and my wrist's seized up, but still I enjoyed this unique game.

Out Run (U. S. Gold) (Commodore 64/128)

The sound and music are really great but for too much of the time I felt I was out of control and getting nowhere.

Gryzor (Ocean) (Amstrad CPC464)

At first I thought the colourful Amstrad graphics were rather garish with everything blurring into one but this was hasty judgement and I soon got used to it.

Combat School (Ocean) (Commodore 64/128)

Possibly the best coin-op conversion of the year.

Tetris (Mirrorsoft) (Commodore 64)

Although the game itself cannot boast amazing graphics or digitised sound effects, neither are needed and indeed would only serve as a distraction from what is a brilliant, and totally addictive, game.

Bonecruncher (Superior) (Commodore 64/128)

This is a load of dross... I'm surprised Superior could let its standards drop so low.

Midimaze (Hybrid Arts) (Atari ST)

Although you can play MidiMaze on a single machine, the real fun starts when you get several players together.

Chamonix Challenge (Infogrames) (Atari ST)

Make no mistake, this is no arcade or adventure game, but a richly graphical, creatively conceived and implemented climbing simulation that will appeal to anyone interested in the sport, but may prove less than stimulating to the purist arcader.

Flying Shark (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

I've never been the greatest Spectrum fan. The games have always suffered when compared to those on the Commodore 64. But I found Flying Shark much more playable on the Speccy than on the C64.

Garfield: Big, Fat, Hairy Deal (The Edge) (Spectrum 48K)

Looks good but the play is a little slow.

Andy Capp (Mirrorsoft) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Despite my reservations of Andy Capp as a hero - you can even get him to steal your wife's handbag - I quite enjoyed playing the game.

Dark Sceptre (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

Dark Sceptre is certainly a challenge, and if you liked Lords Of Midnight, you'll go for this. Was it worth the wait? We'll pass on that.

Mask II (Gremlin Graphics) (Amstrad CPC464)

The graphics are of average quality, but the use of colour is what really brings out the better points of the game. Sound is minimal and playability is sluggish.

The Hunt For Red October (Argus Press) (Atari ST)

The simple, icon-driven controls of the submarine function extremely well.

King Of Chicago (Mindscape International Inc) (Amiga 500)

The first so-called computer movie to live up to the name. It is as huge as it is flexible... This is bound to rocket straight to the top of the 16-bit charts.

Garrison (Rainbow Arts) (Amiga 500)

With 128 levels of sheer arcade quality action and addictiveness which makes grown men weep, Garrison is the definitive Gauntlet doppleganger.

Rampage (Activision) (Atari ST)

One of the first licensed coin-op conversions for the ST - Rampage whets my excitement for '88.

Amigas And Tonic Tiles (The Edge) (Atari ST)

Both Tonic Tiles and Amigas have the standard set of extras, such as splitter, magnetic bat, laser, etc.

Bad Cats (U. S. Gold) (Amiga 500)

An imaginative package which scores highly in the sound and graphics departments but is sometimes a little frustrating to play because of the rather bewildering set of joystick controls used in different parts of the game.

Test Drive (Electronic Arts) (Commodore 64/128)

The annoying thing about Test Drive is the amount of time it takes to get from one part of the program to another, the continual disk access being a consequence, no doubt, of the graphic richness of the piece.

Scruples (Leisure Genius) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

If you fancy a laugh during the Christmas holidays, or enjoy playing Scruples but have difficulty finding opponents, then this could be right up your street.

Insanity Fight (Microdeal) (Amiga 500)

Without doubt, the most playable and impressive-looking vertical shooter yet to emerge for either the Atari ST or Amiga.

Tanglewood (Microdeal) (Atari ST)

A difficult game to categorise or review. But Tanglewood should certainly keep problem-solvers busy for weeks.

Deflektor (Gremlin Graphics) (Spectrum 48K)

With practice and demo modes, and enough levels to keep you going for weeks, Deflektor is well worth a look if you're after an arcade game that'll exercise the brain cells as well as test your dexterity.

Cosmic Causeway (Gremlin Graphics) (Commodore 64/128)

This is basically Trailblazer, only more. Lots more. Much more. Brilliantly more.

Ice Hockey (Mindscape International Inc) (Amiga 500)

The play is realistic, fast, smooth and fun. I particularly like the way the players skate about, heads turning this way and that to see what's going on.

Mean Streak (Mirrorsoft) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Not a mega-game - but not a bad addition to your collection.

Masters Of The Universe (Gremlin Graphics) (Spectrum 48K)

For me, this lacks the immediate playability to maintain interest. But if you're a fan of the cartoons or the film, you'll probably enjoy the game.

Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less (Domark) (Atari ST)

A tricky game requiring careful thought and planning. If you read the book whilst playing the game, then you will find it a lot more enjoyable.

Deja Vu (Mindscape International Inc) (Amiga 500)

This makes a quite novel adventure, although personally I would have felt happier typing in real text commands, and it would have been faster.

Venom (Mastertronic) (Spectrum 48K/128K/+2)

Pretty soon the icons begin to irritate. Give me proper text, not clingfilm-wrapped pre-packaged icon text gimmickry, anyday.

Video World (Graham Perry) (Amstrad CPC464)

In text only, colour is well used to make an attractive screen layout.

The Labour Of Hercules (Terry Taylor) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

A good value adventure that will keep you occupied for a few hours.

Gumshoe (Nintendo) (Nintendo (US Version))

An absolute must for light gunners... Graphics, sound and presentation are slick and you will be missing out on a real gem.

Tennis (Nintendo) (Nintendo (US Version))

A good, if bog standard, version of Tennis.

Wrecking Crew (Nintendo) (Nintendo (US Version))

Very playable, plenty of levels to keep you interested, good graphics and sound and, best of all, Mario and Luigi.

Balloon Fight (Nintendo) (Nintendo (US Version))

A great game for those of you with that urge to surge and a little bit of finesse on the joystick.

Out Run (U. S. Gold) (Amstrad CPC464)

This isn't the Out Run we know and love. This is something... which wants to make you scream and bang your head against the nearest solid object. A travesty.