Pro Powerboat Simulator

C&VG (Computer & Video Games)

Overall 70%

Code Masters Spectrum £2.99 Have you ever seen a professional powerboat? Code Masters once again redefine the word "simulator", this time as two-player, vertically-scrolling, bump-the-other-boats-off-the-course, race-and-drop-mines game" But let's not pour scorn on PPS because it really isn't such a bad game. Pick up the flags, collect the fuel, drop mines on the opposition, dodge the helicopter and, er, that's about it, really Still, the graphics are nice and smooth, sound isn't bad, and the gameplay is quite good fun while it lasts, so, hey, why not give it a whirl?

Crash

Overall 82%

Mike Dunn

Nick Roberts

Richard Eddy

A veritable mixed-bag of budget offerings this month, and who better to deal with them than our resident mixed-bags Nicko, Richard and Mike (who is in a grumpy mood as usual and hates every game he plays). PRO POWER BOAT SIMULATOR CodeMasters £2.99 Another simulator from the masters of code for so they say). This time they try their hands at power boats, with huge outboard motors, racing at high speed. You can pretend to be James Bond and jump over roads, dodge deadly mines and blow up other boaters (even though 007 has nothing to do with the game!). This is all really good fun and packed full of addictive qualities. Between each action packed level of obstacle course, bonus levels where you have to steer your boat through as many gates as possible allow you to collect points, very hairy on later levels! You would think that this is where the difficulty of the game ends, well I'm afraid not! Those fun seeking programmers have made things even harder by adding a night level! It's really the same as other levels, but the landscape is blacked out except for the immediate area around the boat (aaargh! I'm going to crash!). All the sprites and backgrounds are excellently done in true CodeMasters style, and sound is of a similar standard. There are two boats to choose from for even more variety, and they animate really well. The only annoying thing is the lack of a password type facility. The trouble with games like this is once having worked out how to complete the early levels, it's boring having to restart, but there you go. I recommend this to every true arcade gamester - truly exhilarating!