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	Blasteroids (Imageworks, 1989) As the name might suggest, this game is based on the all-time classic Asteroids, although it's an improved version which sees you roaming across the galaxy, clearing sectors of asteroids, and eventually defeating Mukor, the guardian of the asteroids. You should all know how to play Asteroids - shoot an asteroid and it splits in two; shoot those asteroids and they split into two, and so on. However, you can transform your ship into one of three types, which affects your speed and manoeuvrability, but allows you to blast enemy spacecraft more easily. It's a rather average game and it can become slow when there are lots of objects on the screen, and the graphics leave a lot to be desired. More information on TACGR 6
	Blazing Thunder (Hi-Tec, 1990) Battle your way through five levels of non-stop shoot-'em-up action in your armoured tank. Each level is filled to the brim with soldiers, guns and tanks out to get you - and watch out for the flashing mines as well. Most of the soldiers carry guns which don't harm you much, but the soldiers firing mortars cause much more damage to your tank. Power-ups can also be collected which increase your firepower, speed or energy. This is one of the few Hi-Tec games that isn't based on a cartoon character, although the usual colourful graphics are present. The action is hectic at all times, and while it's certainly not original, it's an entertaining game to play. More information on TACGR 7
	Blip (Silverbird, 1989) Several magazines completely disliked this collection of six Pong-style bat-and-ball games (which, incidentally, was released as Video Classics), but I didn't think it was that bad. The six games are tennis, football, squash, solo squash, 4-bat blip, and Asterbliperoids, and they're all pretty much the same, with some minor differences. Since the game is supposed to be minimalistic, don't expect much from the graphics and sound effects. It's all right for a while, but there isn't a lot in here to keep you coming back. More information on TACGR 5
	Blockbusters (TV Games, 1988) "I'll have an S please, Bob." The classic quiz show presented by the legendary Bob Holness is reproduced on your CPC. One or two players select letters from the board, trying to form a line of their own colour across the board either horizontally or vertically by answering questions correctly. The answers to the questions start with the letter that is chosen. The one player option is a bit odd in that when it's the computer's turn, it chooses a letter for you and you have to answer the question; if you get it wrong, the computer automatically wins that letter. The questions also appear on the screen very slowly. Despite these problems, it's not that bad, even in the one-player game. (The answer to the question in the screenshot is "Nepal", by the way.) More information on TACGR 6
	Blood Brothers (Gremlin, 1988) Hark and Kren are the Blood Brothers, and on returning home from an expedition, they find that the Scorpions have destroyed their village and its inhabitants, and now they want revenge. The brothers have to find their way around the Scorpions' mines, shooting aliens and collecting gems. There is another aspect of the game, though; when you want to fly from one mine to another, you enter a 3D section where you must manoeuvre your spaceship through walls and shoot blocks. Unfortunately, both parts are very difficult indeed; the spaceship's controls are very sensitive, and the two brothers don't have very much energy to enable them to survive for long. It's also a game that is best played with a friend, as controlling both players simultaneously is awkward. More information on TACGR 5
	Bloodwych (Imageworks, 1990) Reviewed by Javier Sáez Someone has to find the Crystals of Sanguis to destroy the demon that dwells in the castle of Bloodwych. Any volunteers? In this role-playing game, your first task is to recruit four heroes among wizards, warriors, thieves and adventurers. Each of them has different abilities, attributes, equipment and knowledge of magic. You move your party through three-dimensional dungeons where fighting is not always the best choice, as it is possible to trade and offer things to characters controlled by the computer. It's precisely when fighting comes that the game isn't that good, as combat is a bit confusing and it's difficult to know what's really happening. On the other hand, this game has a two player mode with a split-screen view, which is a rare feature in role-playing games. More information on TACGR 8
	Blueberry (Coktel Vision, 1987) Blueberry is a comic strip which is very well known in France, and dozens of books have been released. This game follows the ageing Blueberry (also known as Mike), and his companion Jimmy MacClure, as they travel across the deserts of Arizona in pursuit of a gold mine. However, they know that the area surrounding the mine is cursed, and a spectre guards the mine. Many pitfalls await them, not least the native Indians and other ambushers... The game plays like a comic strip, while allowing you to make your own choices as to what you want to do next. There is also some arcade action where you must shoot enemies while avoiding being shot yourself - it's nice at first, but quickly becomes a real chore. The graphics are excellent, as one would expect from Coktel Vision, but the arcade sequences let the game down slightly. More information on TACGR 8
	The Blues Brothers (Titus, 1992) Jake and Elwood are playing a concert tonight, but the town sheriff remembers their previous concert, and has stolen their equipment. Now the Blues Brothers must find their way through five levels of platform action, collecting one item at the end of each level. You'll find crates which can be used to get rid of any enemies you encounter, and you can collect records as well; if you collect 100 of them, you'll get an extra life, but collecting a broken record means you'll lose 50 records. This is a really enjoyable game; the graphics are brilliant, even if the screen is rather small and everything is, well, blue. And of course, there's plenty of groovy music from the film of the same name to listen to. More information on TACGR 9
	BMX Freestyle (Codemasters, 1989) See how good you are at BMX stunts with this test of your skills. Among the six events are wheelie trials, ramp jumps, half and quarter pipes, a 'slow race', and finally, a tricks track where four judges rate your stunts. You've only got one shot at each event, and if you don't qualify, you'll have to start again. Most of the events can be mastered if you persevere at the game, and as a hint - you'll need to get a good build-up of speed to succeed at the wheelie trials. Apart from that, the graphics are standard and there's a really cool tune which suits the whole BMX thing rather well. More information on TACGR 6
	BMX Kidz (Silverbird, 1988) This game also tests how good you are at performing tricks on your BMX. You're up against three other riders and have to complete each course before your time runs out. After the second course, you'll also have to perform a set amount of stunts to qualify for the next course. You'll need to collect spokes and cans of Coke along the way if you're to make it to the finish. The graphics are colourful and neat, and while there's no music, the sound effects do the job. However, the game seems to be too difficult - completing the first course is tricky enough, and the second one is almost impossible. More information on TACGR 4

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