Kids Pack

Sinclair User

Graphics 75%

Sound 70%

Playability 79%

Lastability 69%

Overall 76%

Garth Sumpter

Matthew Denton 76%

Label: Alternative Memory: 48K/128K Price: £12.99 Tape Reviewer: Matthew Denton It's back to school folks with a collection of six, T.V. based programs aimed at the children's market with Kid's Pack featuring; Postman Pat, Sooty and Sweep, The Wombles, Superted, Popeye 2 and Count Duckula. Count Duckula has the hero searching a huge pyramid for a mysterious and magical saxaphone. Various objects aid our feathered fiend, as do Igor and Nanny, who pop up occasionally to help out our crispy little friend. Unfortunately all the screens look similar so it's difficult to remember where the various objects (and the places they are to be used), without making a map as you go. Sooty and Sweep is a platform romp in the Jet-Set Willy mould. One or two players must collect Sweeps' lost bones before big, bad Matthew comes & home and viciously beats them all (are you sure? - ED) Various creepy crawlies must be avoided or stunned with either Sooty's magic wand or Sweep's water pistol (no violence here, kiddies). It's all good fun, with colourful graphics and simple but pleasing gameplay, which entertains for a fair few hours. Postman Pat (and his rabid black and white cat), take to the roads in a simple drive-around-and-deliver-lots-of-things type game. There's not much to in this and really when it comes down to it, not much enjoyment to be gained from it either. Even the rib-tickling japery of driving around in reverse, loses its appeal after a few lamposts. Definitely not one to get the package for and probably the worst one on the compilation. The Wombles comes in as close second worse however. You collect bits of rubbish and find parts for one of Tobermory's inventions, as Orinoco and competing against you is his best kleptomanic friend Wallington, who nicks all of your ill-gotten gains without mercy. This game is extremely tedious and repetitive, having all the excitement of watching Arsenal play football. The one good thing about this game is the well-designed graphics which manage to capture some of the TV programme's flavour. Popeye is my personal favourite of the pack with it's excellent graphics (Popeye looks and moves just like his TV counterpart) and challenging gameplay. Popeye must traverse the platform and ladders whilst de-activating bombs and collecting hamburgers for Wimpy. Cans of spinach give him the super-strength needed to get past nasty goons and big, bad Brutus. Sometime you get hit by objects falling down the screen which you have no time to dodge a rare occurence which does not spoil what is a very enjoyable and addictive little game. The last game, Superted, is a horizontally-scrolling game with beat-'em-up overtones. Texas Pete has kidnapped Spotty, and it is your job to save him from being liquidised. To do this you must dodge the various obstacles in your way or alternatively, give them a damn good hiding. The compulsion to see the next level is very strong and coupled with the colourful graphics, it makes this one of the better titles of the pack. Overall, this pack is a fun bundle of games, which is great in the short-term, just don't expect to be playing them in a couple of weeks time, that's all. If you can live with that then have a look - you could do a lot worse with your money.

"A delightful, estate with easy access to the Crypt."

Come on Pat. Stop thinking about your moggy and get to work.

Here's the dog trying to make a clean sweep of it.

Inside Duckula's residence, furnishings are gorey! (Euuch!)

Looks as if Popeye 'Can't stands no more!" of Brutus. And Olive can't stand either of 'em.

Madame Cholet rewards the boys with pie.

Matthew always keeps a bone in his bedroom...

No letters for the baby Jesus today christians.

Texas Pete is brave to want to kidnap Spotty!