HAVE YOU GOT THE COMPILATIONS?

There's a compilation to suit almost every taste these days, from Rainbird's Silicon Dreams collection of early Level 9 adventures to Durell's excellent set of simulations and shoot 'em ups, Big 4. Compilations are big bucks - which is why every company and its dog seems to have one out at the moment. So which is the best bargain? Here's a brief guide to some of the latest releases, in what's likely to become a semi-regular feature. Although we've referred to the original reviews (the dates in brackets are the issues they first appeared in), we've judged the games by today's standards and some of the marks may be a smidgin different. So leave off with the Trainspotter letters, eh, guys? We know what we're doing. I think!

Gremlin Graphics
£4.99

None of these four games really represents Gremlin at its best. The company had rather a fallow period in 1985, when it released a string of indifferent games. Sam Stoat (May '85) and Potty Pigeon are simple rusharounds, and while Grumpy Gumphrey and Metabolis have a bit more to 'em, neither is a worldbeater.