Reviews

Part of the initial Sinclair Spectrum software ranged launched in September 1982, this compilation from ICL didn't exactly get things off to an auspicious start.

First up is Martian Knock Out, a rudimentary artillery game. Once you've figured out roughly how much power you need to send your missiles flying through the invading fleet of spaceships, which takes about thirty seconds, it's a bit of a cakewalk.

Race Track is a simple 2D driving game with the obligatory downward scrolling road. Again, you're unlikely to get more than a minute's fun out of it.

Labyrinth is the best game on the tape, although that's not really saying much. You have to sneak through a maze past some predictably moving guards to reach a treasure at the centre. You're up against the clock but the time pressure is hardly harsh and the game is unlikely to last you more than fifteen minutes before you've worked it all out.

Skittles is the last of the bunch and is basically just a streamlined version of Martian Knock Out. Pick your lane, knock down a bunch of skittles and repeat until you run out of turns or knock the lot down.

In short, it's utter rubbish even by 1982 standards. Luckily, Psion came to the rescue and provided the Sinclair software range with a bit of backbone with the likes of Space Raiders, Planetoids, and Hungry Horace.