Producer: K-Tel, 48K
£6.95 (3)

Part of a double bill with Tomb of Dracula; neither side of this tape comes up to scratch. It's Only Rock 'N' Roll purports to be the sort of strategy game where you pit your wits against the established music industry to become a pop star. Having chosen a name for yourself you can do concerts tours, make records, buy status symbols, write and record or sell songs, and hire yourself a manager. With the money you have at the start doing any of these things except hiring a flea-bitten manager is out of the question. Select CONCERT and you'll be told busking is more your line. The song writing facility is the only lively element in what is otherwise tedious and unrealistic. Overall CRASH rating 41%. BASIC.

MAKER: K-TEL
MACHINE: Spectrum 48K/Commodore 64
FORMAT: cassette
PRICE: £6.95

Some light relief. This is a strategy game that allows you to try and crack the charts by leading your own group. Monthly turns allow your band to write songs, play gigs, go on expensive tours, push your manager into fixing special deals and acquiring status symbols and eventually - make a record. If you've avoided bankruptcy, corrupt management and the apathy of the fickle public in the meantime, that is. Three skill levels in what's basically a text game, though there is a chance of seeing the group play live!

"A must for anybody who's ever picked up a guitar, I'd say! If there's a few of you playing it should be fun - I always find these games better when there's a few people gathered round calling out what to do. I like the pace of if - it moves fast enough to keep you interested. And it's not too easy either, even if the real thing is harder!"