Reversi, or Othello as it is often called, is a nineteenth century game of territorial acquisition. Strategy and skill are needed to win.

Two versions of the game are currently available for the Sinclair Spectrum, and both run on the unexpanded machine. One is by Mine of Information, for Sinclair Research, and the other has been written by Microx, based at Worthing, Sussex.

The Sinclair version comes in a very pleasant package. the cassette insert is colourful and packed with information. Beginners should soon become well-versed in the game by simply reading it.

The program loaded without any problems and ran immediately. The game is fairly standard, but with many interesting features.

To begin with. there are nine skill levels, with a three-second response time at level 1.

You can challenge the computer, with either the Spectrum or yourself starting, or you may play against a friend with the computer acting as umpire.

If you are a beginner. you may review a sample game at your leisure. Half-way through a game you may change sides, and at the end of one, you may review all the moves of the game.

The graphics are fair, and there is even a facility to change border, paper and ink colours to your requirements. All in all, this is a most magnificent game.

I wish I could say the same for the Microx version. The purchaser is greeted by a most unappealing package bearing the company's name and the program title.

After sorting out the loading problems, which I have never had with any other cassettes, I was confronted with a page of confusing text which would leave the beginner completely bemused.

The game itself has a rather uninteresting screen display, and makes average use of colour.

When I tried the program on a monochrome television set, the players' pieces were almost indistinguishable.

The program is written in Basic. and there is only one skill level. The computer's moves are average, about equal to the moves of level one on the Sinclair cassette.

The computer does not check if an opponent has had to pass. and if "enter" is pressed without a move being keyed in, your turn is overlooked.

For my money, the Sinclair cassette has to be my choice. Microx Othello is no comparison to Sinclair Reversi, and I would not even consider purchasing it. Sinclair Reversi is available at £7.95 and Microx Othello at £3.50.