Play football against the computer or with a friend in this now very dated game, playing either a single game or the Match Day tournament with seven other teams. This may have been a relatively good game back in its day, but it just doesn't compare well with other football games nowadays. The players move very slowly, and so does the ball, and actually getting hold of the ball is frustratingly difficult. One of the worst problems is that the computer never seems to let you control the player nearest to the ball, and instead selects another player who is further away, giving computer-controlled teams an advantage. The graphics are good, with colourful and well animated players, and the music is lovely as well, but it's best to avoid this game.

See also: Matchday II.

More information on CPCSOFTS

4

Matchday II
(Ocean, 1988)

The sequel to Match Day is an improvement, but it's still flawed. The game is now much more customisable; you can choose tactics for your team, the computer's skill level, and the way your players kick the ball. This last option is related to the introduction of a 'kickometer' which lets you judge how hard you want to kick the ball. There is also both a knockout and a league tournament to compete in, and as well as the traditional one- and two-player games, two players can play in the same team, against the computer. Colour has been sacrificed for more detailed graphics, which I like, and the sound of the crowd cheering and playing tunes is a nice touch. However, it's still slow, and many of the problems associated with Match Day are still present.

See also: Match Day.

More information on CPCSOFTS

5

Since tennis games are rare on the CPC, this one (known as Balle de Match in France) is relatively good. Unfortunately, you can't elaborate a real strategy because you haven't got any choice in your strikes. All you can do is try to hit the ball, which is often difficult. The more you win matches, the faster your opponents play, and the computer quickly becomes unbeatable. Anyway, it is rather fun to play once you've managed to handle your player.

More information on CPCSOFTS

5

Max Headroom
(Quicksilva, 1986)
Reviewed by CPC4eva

During the 1980s Max Headroom was born. Who is he? Well, Max is credited as being the world's first computer-generated television host. He rose to fame for a short while as a fictional British artificially intelligent character known for his wit, stuttering and distorted electronically sampled voice. You either loved him or loathed him. As for the game, it's very uninspiring. You take on the role of TV reporter Edison Carter and you must save Max Headroom from the clutches of TV station Network 23. The gameplay is utter nonsense, running around searching rooms, and the graphics are just completely naff.

More information on CPCSOFTS

2

Maze Mania
(Hewson, 1989)

Flippo has to change all of the tiles in each maze to another colour, but there are lots of monsters to avoid! It's a fun little game with some nice graphics (for the scenery, that is), and reasonable sound effects. There are also lots of power-ups to collect, as well as a chance to get some bonuses at the end of each maze. Unfortunately, Flippo sometimes won't paint a tile properly, so you have to go back and try again, which can be a bit annoying, but it's still a lovely game.

More information on CPCSOFTS

7

Maziacs is a remake of the classic Spectrum game that was released in 1983. It is an arcade game from the first era of gaming, meaning that it is simple, fast and enjoyable. Personally I was surprised to see it appearing on the CPC after 30 years and I feel grateful to 40Crisis. To begin with, the graphics are basic – not many colours and not too detailed – and the animation is minimal. The sound is also basic, with some effects and nothing else. Now we are getting to the interesting part, the gameplay. It is very fast-paced; the player must be constantly alert! I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the setting of this game; nowhere to run, nowhere to hide inside the mazes, and everything is hunting for you! The grab factor is really high, something that happens with most games of this era (pre-1984). Overall, a great idea that results in a great yet simple arcade game.

More information on CPCSOFTS

8

This Breakout clone was actually written by the same guy who wrote Masters of Space and Star Driver for the Radical software house several years later. It is different from other games like it; there are 36 levels arranged in a 9×4 grid, and at the start of each game, you can choose which direction you want to go along the grid. The other big difference is the amazing plethora of special bricks; you really won't believe your eyes! The game is an absolute feast of colour, and playing it is just wonderful, with explosions, flashes and whizzy noises assaulting your senses – great stuff!

More information on CPCSOFTS

8

Out there in the universe are millions of objects – planets, stars and comets – which have yet to be explored and which may contain strange worlds. But your orders aren't to see what these worlds are like. No, your orders are to blow every world you encounter to smithereens! Such a waste... This Asteroids clone is anything but mega. It's an ugly Spectrum port with flickery graphics, and it's dull to play. Your spaceship is tricky to control, and the game alternates without warning between two control methods, one of which makes the game even more difficult than it already is. I don't like the music either. The moving field of stars in the background is a nice effect, though.

More information on CPCSOFTS

4

The magic twins have been captured by the evil sorcerer Cobron, and Bart and Bob set out to rescue them (it's their fault that they were captured, anyway). Their journey takes them through many mysterious worlds, each with five levels and an end-of-level guardian, although you may be able to find some secret levels... This is actually an absolutely brilliant Bomberman clone, and it takes up two whole discs; it's a big game! As well as being great fun to play, the graphics and music are both wonderful, and there's a battle version where up to four players can take each other on, in traditional Bomberman style. There's also a password system so that you don't have to play the worlds you've already completed. This is a beautiful game, and everyone should play it!

See also: Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds.

More information on CPCSOFTS

10

Megablasters returns to the CPC twenty years after its original appearance. For the few CPC fans who do not know, Megablasters is one of the biggest and most advanced games that was ever produced for any 8-bit machine. This new version features eight levels and a final boss. It is far smaller than the original game, but it is more challenging and has better presentation, including a good intro and in-game images. The graphics are superb and the sprites move like they were powered by the hardware; many frames of animation with very smooth and fast movement. The sound is really good and crystal clear with catchy tunes playing simultaneously with many effects. The gameplay is awesome, a true must, while the grab factor guarantees that you will be glued once more to your CPC! Overall, the good days have come again!

See also: Megablasters.

More information on CPCSOFTS

10