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Comments This is a game I have mixed feelings about. I like it and hate it at the same time, mainly due to a few niggling issues which are probably down to the original coin-op design combined with a Tiertex conversion that has some problems of its own. My main gripe is getting stuck on walls through no fault of your own, which leads to a lot of cheap deaths and can be very frustrating. The horizontal flick-screen scrolling is also pretty annoying, as it can lead to you getting ambushed by enemies hiding just off-screen. Graphics Graphically, there is good use of colour, with well-drawn sprites and backgrounds. However, the animation can be very jerky at times, and when combined with the occasional bit of slowdown, it gives the game a rather messy and unpolished feel. Sound The sound isn't bad, with pleasant music on the title screen and the high-score entry screen. A little ditty also plays just before you start a level, which isn't bad either, although it does delay getting into the action. Thankfully, it isn't too long. Gameplay Gameplay is the biggest letdown for me, and the original coin-op wasn't exactly a blockbuster to begin with. The conversion definitely has some issues, some of which may be down to the transition to home computers. There are holes dotted around the levels which you have to jump over, and this is handled rather clumsily by holding fire and up on the joystick. This is far too easy to do by accident. The coin-op would have had a separate button for jumping, and I realise concessions had to be made for single-button joysticks, but it doesn't really work very well. Too often, you find yourself jumping into trouble when you didn't intend to. Conclusion Overall, this is a mediocre conversion of a mediocre arcade machine. Despite all that, though, I actually come back to play it from time to time, just to try and get a bit further. So, it must have some appeal after all, warts and all.

August 31, 2026 by NeepieLantern