REVIEWS COURTESY OF ZXSR

Five Star Games 3
Beau-Jolly Ltd
1987
Crash Issue 48, Jan 1988   page(s) 34

Whether you're still looking for last-minute presents or someone's cheque is burning a hole in your pocket, you're bound to find something to light your candle in the Christmas season's spate of compilations.

They come from software houses large and small, specialised and general; they range from £4.99 to £14.95; they come in all shapes and sizes, from boxes a foot long to laminated video-size boxes down to the (now) ordinary double-cassette boxes (for which we still have no racks!). You may not have anywhere to put all these different sizes, but they sure look pretty on the retailer's shelf.

But some small independent retailers have great problems with the big, bold packaging of compilations, and when space is tight they usually end up at the bottom of the pile.

And some compilations aren't even available in independent shops this Christmas - not because of the packaging, but because they're distributed on limited exclusive deals with high-street multiples. For instance, Gremlin Graphics's Ten Great Games is currently only available from chains like WH Smith and Menzies. It's strange the indies are treated this way when they account for 75% of all software sales...

Beau Jolly is back on the compilation wagon, and the nouveau Beau Jolly is launching a two-pronged attack on the Christmas market with two collections and a £100,000 TV ad campaign for them.

The fourth in the series of 10 Computer Hits includes the Marble Madness clone Spin Dizzy and the Gauntlet clone Dandy. But pick of the bunch is either Pyracurse or Contact Sam Cruise, both CRASH Smashes.

And Though Five Star Games Vol. 3 has fewer games than 10 Computer Hits, it's probably the better package, it's hard to choose between such greats as Strike Force Harrier, Tau Ceti, Firelord, Aliens, The Way Of The Exploding Fist and Uridium Plus (an improved version of the issue 35 Smash).

FIVE STAR HITS VOL. 3
Beau Jolly
Uridium Plus - 90% Issue 35
Trapdoor - 88% Issue 33
Tau Ceti - 94% Issue 23
Firelord - 91% Issue 35
Aliens - 84% Issue 37
The Way Of The Exploding Fist - 92% Issue 21
Strike Force Harrier - 83% Issue 33
£9.95


REVIEW BY: Dominic Handy

Transcript by Chris Bourne

Sinclair User Issue 70, Jan 1988   page(s) 91

Label: Beau Jolly
Author: Various
Price: £9.99
Memory: 48K/128K
Joystick: various
Reviewer: Tony Dillon

Yet another compilation from BJ, this time with seven games.

On the single tape pack, you get Trap Door, the very playable game featuring all the characters from the TV series. Then there's Uridium Plus, a slightly enhanced version of the original. Next is Tau Ceti, that great skimmer simulation that was the first of the Galcorp games. Exploding Fist makes a welcome return to our screens with the original action game. Firelord is the best ever arcade adventure (well I thought so) with some terrific graphics and sound. Strike Force Harrier is one of the best combat-cum-flight simulators I've played, and finally Aliens (UK version) controlling a crack team trying to destroy an alien presence. It's an compilation.


REVIEW BY: Tony Dillon

Overall9/10
Summary: Another jolly excellent offering from the Jolly stable with seven titles.

Transcript by Chris Bourne

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