Commando, but better. The Speccy version was delayed by months as other formats were developed. Whilst that may have removed some of the shine off the game upon release, IW has stood the test of time. It's all killkillkill but you can employ a little (just a little) thought into the game rather than just ploughing through.

Driving the tanks and running people over is great fun. Having them blow up (with you in it) isn't. The 128K sfx really add to the game as well. Play IW today and re-live your genocidal tendencies

Columns, but on the Speccy. Released as an original budget game by Zeppelin, Stack Up was (and still is) a perfect antidote to Tetris (or Dr.Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine). The game manages to capture what makes puzzle games so much fun (challenging gameplay v's staggered progression).

There's variation in each level, with set tasks for you to complete before you can move onto the next round. The difficulty is pitched just right and you even get a couple of continues to extend your game.

Even the presentation is spot on, from the initial front-end to typing your name on the high scores list. And Stack-up includes a choice of five different types of block you can play with. If only all budget games were this good...

Sideways-scrolling Beat em Ups coupled with a toy license don't often provide for inspiring games. ThunderCats managed to become the exception to the rule. Fast scrolling, excellent graphics and a nail-bitingly difficultly level ensured those that played it were at it for some time.

The challenge in ThunderCats isn't unfair - just frantic to the nth degree. Hone your reactive skills on this game and you'll be ready for any contemporary challenge.

An odd game which can only have come from the Arcades, Toobin' is more Californian than California Games. Manoevre through the various levels, dodging the nasties, picking up the bonuses and avoiding the alligator.

Despite being as deep as a one page novel, Toobin' is extremely playable and thoroughly enjoyable. A serious contender for porting to mobile phones if ever I saw one.

Initially labelled as a Marble Madness clone, Bobby Bearing is more of a search-and-rescue game. Spread over many isometrics planes, you have to trundle through looking for your cousins then bring them back to base.

Not as simple (or as boring) as you'd expect, as you have to avoid being squashed, weave around the nasty metallic balls and complete the game within a tight deadline.

Some excellent graphical effects and a marvellous control over Bobby (ooer) ensure that once you've started playing you won't want to quit for some time.

Absolutely ancient now (from 1985) but Cosmic Wartoad remains one of the most original and entertaining games in the Speccy's history. You play the title hero and you have to rescue the Princess by traversing through a space grid.

Each component of the grid is made up of a separate game, most of which involve shooting something. It's great fun (if a bit surreal). and the Cosmic Wartoad is the cutest amphibian I've ever seen on a computer screen ever!

The last of three Batman games for the Speccy and the series ends on a high. Much more action orientated than the first two, the game didn't suffer for being released [roughly] in time for the film.

Suitably dark graphics, excellent animation and sound are all wrapped in a worthwhile gaming experience that also ties in well with the key movie elements. Batman the Movie raised the Speccy standard for movie conversions and platform games. Play it and find out why.

This was Sinclair User's best original covertape game. A sideways-scrolling variant on Commando, Iron Soldier provides you with plenty of action, shooting and jumping to keep you entertained for weeks.

It's not the easiest of games; one shot and you can lose all of your four lives on the first screen, so avoid typical 'gung-ho' attitudes. You're equipped with three types of weapon so there's a bit of strategy needed. Playable, simple fun. It's this type of enjoyment which has you going back for more.

The best game to feature a construction worker! High Steel is a platform game combined with puzzle elements. It takes both genres and you end up with a highly entertaining game.

You have to build a set number of platforms within the time limit, ensuring that the assorted monsters don't sabotage you. Certainly frustrating at times but not enough to have you hate the game. Good graphics a decent 128K tune & effects round off the game. Original and well worth a play (or ten).

The worst aspect of the game is its' long name! Still, Operation Thunderbolt improves on its' parent game by enhancing the graphics and adding a two-player element. It also has levels which scroll 'into' the screen as well as scrolling left or right - back in 1989 this was a Big Thing [tm].

The game is still a one-track shooting gallery game but the Speccy version has been developed so well that you don't really need any others in your collections. Besides: which other game do you get points for when you shoot a cat?