Now Games

C&VG (Computer & Video Games)

Spectrum, Commodore 64, £8.95. This package really represents an excellent deal, worth every penny. In some ways Now Games is different from most of the other packages. The games were all originally released by different software houses. The six on offer are Lords of Midnight (Beyond), Brian Blood Axe (The Edge), Strangeloop (Virgin), Pyjamarama (Mikro-Gen), Arabian Nights (Interceptor) and Falcon Patrol II (Virgin). All the games are well-known and if you've already bought one or two of them you will be forgiven for wincing when you see how much all six can now be bought for. Excellent value and a wise buy for the cash conscience.

If you can sell something once, you can sell it twice - that seems to be the current motto of many software houses. It was a lesson quickly learnt by the record industry. A hit single can be included on a compilation album with other past hits and sold at a bargain price. The customer sees it as good value for money and the record company squeezes a few extra pounds out of a song. Now as Christmas approaches, software houses are releasing their old games in compilation packs. And if you haven't already bought any of the games included in the compilations, many do offer good value for money. Donning Father Christmas gear, the C+VG review team has sifted through some of the compilations now on offer with a view to festive gifts.