US GOLD: MORE CORK-LIKE COIN-OPS!

Black Tiger, appearing early next year from US Gold, follows the story of one man’s crusade to rid the world of three very large and very evil dragons. Along the way BT will be helped by a variety of friendly strangers, but the restoration of peace is in your hands. Around the same time Crack Down will be available: early in the 21st century a band of genetic warriors are created — led by an evil genius who wants to take over the world. You (or thanks to multi-player mode, you and a buddy) must infiltrate their base and, in a multi-level battle, destroy the weapon they plan to use to cut short everyone’s lives. Sounds familiar but exciting. We can hardly wait (for the game, not for the end of the world).

“Hallo! Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future, here. Just to let you know Virgin are just putting the finishing touches to my third natty computer game, and hope to release it in the new year. It’s called Dan Dare III and Digby says it’s bound to be reet grand, whatever that means.”

WHAT A GREAT ESCAPE

After spending 17 years in a prison called Inzeeslammer, desperate BoBo decides to attempt a jailbreak. It is up to you to guide the reluctant hero through five levels of nail biting action as he runs the gauntlet of guard dogs, search lights and other things that are associated with prisons. Released by Infogrames BoBo should hit the streets right now.

JOE BLADE III

JOYSTICK AHOY!

The Delta 2000 Joystick is now available at Boots and most leading computer stockists, this is according to its manufacturers — and we can’t argue with them. So what do you get for yer £9.95, well reliable microswitches, a two year warranty and smooth accurate action. Wizzo eh?

PAT IS BACK — BACK!!

After last month’s revelation that Alternative were about to release a Count Duckula game, word has reached our ears that Postman Pat is on the way. Set for a November release Pat will soon be resuming his duties in his little red van with the personalised number plate. He’s bad, he’s back and he has trodden on the cat (Miaooooow!). Sorry Jess.

EARTH SHATTERING NEWS!

And just as this issue ‘goes to bed’ (gnuk!) news is coming in of a stunning new development in the software world. The product that could revolutionise the industry comes from Alternative Software who have announced the imminent release of... (wait for it!) The Sooty And Sweep Computer Game! Yes! You can play either Sooty or Sweep in a game against the clock, the objective being to collect all Sweep’s yummy bones that he has left lying around Matthew Corbett’s house! Sooty and Sweep have to find them all before Matthew gets home or they’ll be in trouble!! The pair of scamps! Available soon, Sooty and Sweep will cost £2.99. Crikey! It’s enough to make you say ‘Izzy wizzy let’s get bizzy!’. Erm, yeah.

LAST LEVEL

Boo hoo, sniff, sniff, after eight years and over fifteen top selling adventure games, Level 9 are releasing one more product before they hang up their adventuring hats for good. The game will be called Scapeghost and places you in the boots of a cop who has been murdered and blamed for crimes he didn’t commit. You’re given three nights to investigate and clear your name. So, using your investigative skills plus the help of other ghosts, can you solve the puzzle?

Featuring three parts and high quality graphics Scapeghost was available at the PC Show and looked promising. More info from Level 9.

IT TAKES TWO TO TENGEN!

Barely do they draw breath after the news that Cyberball and Escape From The Planet Of The Robot Monsters are on the way, than Domark announce another Tengen licence planned for an early ’90 release. Entitled S.T.U.N. Runner, the game will place the player in the 21st century at the controls of a billion dollar racing vehicle of immense power. The idea is to stay alive long enough to complete races in which opponents actually try to kill you. Normal Speccy prices are expected to apply, more news of the game when we receive it.

NEW MUG IS TRASH!!

Third Millenium Systems have announced the UK launch of ‘Trash’, their brand new multi-user adventure game. Trash is due to be available in the New Year on Micronet, Prestel, Telecom Gold and the Callstream Network. Phone in and you’ll be able to do such amazing things as grow your own spaceship, teach machinery to hum and meet fire breathing cabbages. Sounds fun.

COMIX

The Avengers
Marvel Comics, 70p Monthly

The Avengers used to be one group — with members popping in and out — but now we have three comics to confuse us. The Avengers, West Coast Avengers and Avengers Spotlight, the first two dealing with the problems faced by the two splinter groups, West and East Coast Avengers, whilst Spotlight splits into two, a multi-part story starring one member of The Avengers and a single part story centered on another single member (!).

Most of the original Avengers still survive in one comic or another, including Ironman, Captain America, The Scarlet Witch, The Vision and Thor. Although they’ve on and off been joined by new faces like Shulkie, Quasar and Gilgamesh. Along with SpiderMan and DareDevil these are heroes I grew up with, and I’m glad to see they’re still (just about) together. ’Nuff Said.

Star Trek — The Next Generation
DC Comics, £1.00 Monthly

Gone are James Tiberius Kirk (bet you always wondered what the T stood for), Mr Spock and Co and in is Captain Picard and crew from the new series.

A Trekkie myself, I like the new look and not surprised to find the comic very good. The Enterprise sets up orbit around the planet Raimon. Its inhabitants have a strange attitude to death. When someone’s time comes they call their peers to the bedside and hold a joyous celebration, with the dying man as guest of honour. Captain Picard is summoned to attend, but ends up being accused of murder. Gripping stuff.