Fruit machines - you love them or you hate them, with all their flashing lights and reels. Of the few fruit machine games on the CPC, this one is actually one of the best, with lots of options to win (or much more likely, lose) some money. You start with 50p and insert 2p coins to get some credits and spin those reels. If you can light all nine letters, you can play one of six extra games where you can use your skill or luck. The graphics are very colourful and well drawn and the sound effects are really good, too - lots of lovely pinging noises.

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If you're a pub quiz regular, you might like this game. You and up to two other players can join in for several rounds of trivia questions, starting with £1 and hoping to win some money. Each round consists of five questions taken from five categories, and if you answer them all correctly, there's a cash run where you can earn up to £5. Some of the questions may also reveal joker cards, although this is a more risky way of winning money. There are four question files to keep you going, but there's not that much variety, and the many atrocious spelling mistakes spoil the game a lot for me. (The answer to the question in the screenshot is "newtonium", by the way.)

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The Archers is a radio show which has been broadcasting on BBC Radio 4 since 1951. In this game, you get the chance to control the storylines for four of the show's characters - estate owner Jack Woolley, 19-year-old Elizabeth Archer, farmer Eddie Grundy, and entrepreneur Nelson Gabriel. At the start of the game, there are two million listeners, and throughout each of the four parts of the game, you are given a choice of three decisions which will affect the storyline accordingly. Making the wrong decisions isn't going to please the listeners, and if you haven't gained enough listeners by end of each part, you must start again. There are some fairly rudimentary graphics to accompany the majority of the storylines, but unless you're a fan of the show, you won't really enjoy this game all that much.

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Arkanoid
(Imagine, 1987)

This is widely regarded as one of the best Breakout clones of all time and it's not hard to see why; in fact, a lot of people talk about Arkanoid clones instead! The graphics are brilliant and both the ball and bat move extremely smoothly across the screen. In addition, there are power-ups to collect and monsters which get in your way. The theme tune is wonderful to listen to as well. However, this game would get a much better mark if it wasn't for level three, which is nigh-on impossible to complete - I think I've managed it once without cheating. However, there is an unofficial construction kit which lets you create your own levels.

See also: Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh.

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Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh
(Imagine, 1988)

If you thought the original game was tough, you'll be screaming at the sequel. Yes, the authors clearly thought that those indestructible orange bricks should be added to the third level, again making progress beyond this level impossible. In fact, this was the subject of a letter in Amstrad Action (and no, I didn't write it). The graphics are better and the bat and ball scroll smoothly, but it's just too difficult. Do the authors of sequels have any sense at all?

See also: Arkanoid.

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In 2032, the world is close to Armageddon. Sixteen countries form the United Nuclear Nations (UNN), and its supreme commander, the so-called 'Armageddon Man', decides the fate of the world. It's your job to maintain world peace and stability between these nations. You have a network of satellites which allow you to eavesdrop on communications and shoot down nuclear missiles. There are other aspects of the game as well, and you can also declare your support for, or criticise, any of the nations. Events happen quickly, and it's quite a task to keep up with them. This is an icon-driven strategy game and will take some time to master. If you've got the patience, you might well like it a lot, but it really isn't the type of game that everyone will enjoy.

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If you already know a few Dinamic games, it's hardly useful to present you this one. Two words will be sufficient: 'beautiful' and 'unplayable'. In the first part, you drive a jeep and then fly a helicopter, and you must clear your way through myriads of enemy jeeps and helicopters. If this wasn't enough, there are many holes in the road so you have to jump to avoid them, and missiles keep falling. It's a real challenge to stay alive for more than 15 seconds. In the second part, you must cross a swamp to enter the enemy camp and destroy it. As usual with the Spanish developers, the graphics are colourful and the sprites move smoothly. The game window is a bit too small, however. Unless you play with infinite lives or are specially gifted (I'm not), it's really hard to keep your self-control!

See also: Navy Moves.

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Jorge Martinez 'Aspar' won four motorcycle World Championships in the 80cc and 125cc classes in the 80s, and this game (released outside Spain as Grand Prix Master) sees you competing in the 80cc World Championship, which consists of seven tracks and a total of twelve other riders. Unlike most other racing games, you get an overhead view of the track, rather than a view from the motorbike. You can practice each track before attempting to qualify and ultimately race, which is a good thing because qualifying isn't easy. Your bike has a turbo booster which you need to use in the corners to maximise your speed. Getting the hang of qualifying and racing will take a lot of practice, but it's worth it, as the game is a lot of fun once you've mastered it.

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America's highways are ruled by lawless anarchists, and the juggernauts that travel all over these highways now require armed protection. You're in control of one of these lorries and have to shoot all the cars and motorbikes that come up behind (and sometimes in front of) you and attack you. As well as a gun, you've got a flamethrower and some mines, although these are limited. At the top right of the screen, you can see how damaged your juggernaut is, and if any section becomes badly damaged, the juggernaut will burst into flames. The graphics are good, but I found the action to be a bit dull and repetitive.

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Joystick-waggling games are normally the bane of my life, so it's refreshing to see such a game where battering the hell out of the joystick won't work! Better still, it can be played using a keyboard! As you might have guessed, you're taking part in an assault course and you must complete the course within the time limit. It's all about getting a sense of rhythm - if you lose it, you'll fall off some of the obstacles, which is rather easy. It is possible to complete the courses, but they're all much the same, really.

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