Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
(Global, 1986)

Wimp starts his shift at the PuraTom processing plant at 9 o'clock to find that all the tomatoes have mutated and run amok! He has to stop the big killer tomatoes and shove them in holes, and crush the smaller bouncing tomatoes before he goes home at 5 o'clock. You'll need salt to kill the bouncing tomatoes, and when you kill six of them, the salt will run out and you will need to find some more. I won't tell you what objects you need to kill the big tomatoes, though. There are also punch cards which Wimp can insert into the cube-shaped objects dotted around the plant to gain extra time. At first glance, it looks like another Spectrum port with the dull, monochrome graphics, but if you take the time to play it, you might find it's actually not a bad game at all.

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Take to the off-road in your all-terrain vehicle and negotiate six courses within the time limits set for each one. As this is supposed to be an all-terrain vehicle, the courses take place in deserts, grassland, swamps, and even on ice, and the obstacles you have to tackle also depend on the scenery. The graphics are quite good (especially when you're flung off your vehicle and it lands upside-down), but they lack colour, and the sound and music are both OK as well. It's not great, but at least you can progress through the first few courses without much bother.

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Having escaped from the clutches of Intermole by hiding in Gibraltar, Monty Mole now dreams of spending the rest of his days on the island of Montos in Greece. First, though, he's got to get some money. This is a jolly little platform game where the map resembles that of Europe, although to reach some countries, you'll have to find an airline ticket and check in at a desk. Littered around the map are travellers' cheques which Monty can pick up, and as money is collected, you'll see a picture of Montos appear gradually at the bottom of the screen. The graphics are simple but still quite good, while a catchy melody plays constantly in the background.

See also: Impossamole, Monty on the Run.

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I love the dodgem cars at the funfair, but this is no ordinary dodgem car session - no, this one involves lots of killing! Your aim is to bash the opponents' dodgem cars and cause them to fly out of their cars. As they run on to the arena to grab another car, you have to run them over with a sickening crunch! However, the timing is important; you must build up speed by circling the arena for a while, and bash into your opponents' dodgems after they've just crashed. Of course, your opponents can do the same to you... The first level is OK, but the second level, where there are two other competitors, is too hard, and it's a boring game, anyway, even with all the blood and gore.

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When I saw the loading screen, I knew this game was going to be special - a ninja with a pair of shurikens seemingly bursting from a tiger's head! Cool! The plot of the game is uncertain; something about ridding the dungeon of monsters to please the god Kwon. You can call on Kwon's services to regain your health several times, but do it too much, and he gets angry and kills you! Ungrateful fool! The dungeons are fairly huge and difficult, but not overly so - each go takes you that bit further, and the player's interest is kept going with new monsters and treasures to uncover. The graphics are fine - small but clear, and very well animated - and the music is a treat; a nice kung fu ditty and lots of satisfying explosions! I love ninja games, and this is one of the best. I advise you play it as soon as possible!

See also: The Way of the Tiger.

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Pépito is a cartoon character which is used in France to advertise a brand of sugary chocolate biscuits and cakes. You play Pépito, on the trail of some Mexican bandits who have stolen his supply of chocolate. The journey takes you across 34 screens, confronting the local wildlife, as well as chasms, boulders, and the bandits themselves. Most of the hazards are avoided by jumping over them, which requires some careful timing, although some enemies can be fought off by flinging your sombrero, or some chocolate biscuits, at them. The game is aimed at young children, so it's slightly easy, but while the graphics are absolutely stunning, you have to wait 15 seconds on average for the next screen to load, and unless you have a lot of patience, you will soon find yourself losing your temper.

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