Producer: Workforce 16K
£5.00

Something of a cult among galaxian fans, with two options (2-part load) for the 'brave' and 'also-rans'. Six skill levels, laser, forcefield barrier and simple but effective graphics. This is a fast game for the experts - novices might not even realise they've lost all their lives. Disappointing graphics and ultimately not of lasting appeal.

Producer: Workforce 16K
£5.00

Something of a cult among galaxian fans, with two options (2-part load) for the 'brave' and 'also-rans'. Six skill levels, laser, forcefield barrier and simple but effective graphics. This is a fast game for the experts - novices might not even realise they've lost all their lives. Disappointing graphics and ultimately not of lasting appeal.

Producer: Workforce 16K
£5.00

Something of a cult among galaxian fans, with two options (2-part load) for the 'brave' and 'also-rans'. Six skill levels, laser, forcefield barrier and simple but effective graphics. This is a fast game for the experts - novices might not even realise they've lost all their lives. Disappointing graphics and ultimately not of lasting appeal.

Memory Required: 16K
RRP: £4.95

It's got eggs, birds and eventually the mothership, but with the exception of the birds flapping their wings, the graphics are boring. It is a reasonable copy, but by today's standards rather poor. The laser shield is almost too effective. There are several game/speed variations to experiment with, but on the whole uninspiring.

CHRIS PASSEY

The speed of this phoenix version always takes my breath away, but I learned sometime back that it's actually easier to get better scores by playing the higher speeds. In the slower speeds you try to be accurate (never a good idea!) but faster you seem to get a better rhythm going. Sadly the graphics are small and dull and the overall impression is disappointing.

LLOYD MANGRAM

Winged Avengers from Work Force is a Galaxian-type game in which waves of attackers move down the screen towards the player's missile firer, break formation, circle about and then attack again. Six speeds are offered and the action is fast. But with the exception of a formation of birds, which appear in the second attack phase flapping their wings very effectively, the display is a little dull.

AVENGERS TAKE WING

Being bombed by a flock of alien birds from the depths of space can be an experience and it is in a new game for the Spectrum called Winged Avenger, which is based on the arcade game Phoenix.

Your laser base is at the bottom of the screen and you can switch-on a defence shield to protect it from the evil aliens.

The first three assaults on your base are carried-out by drones in an effort to soften you for the main attack by the big birds. The avengers flap about the screen in formation trying to destroy your base with laser and bomb.

You can return fire but the aliens are really difficult to hit. Winged Avenger is available from Work Force, 140 Wilsden Avenue, Luton, Beds. It costs £6.95.

For sheer frenetic action it's hard to beat conflict with the hordes of Winged Avenger from Workforce.

These outer-space fleets dive out of the sky, scattering bombs in all directions and challenging you to match their fearsome fire.

You are represented on the screen by a small laser base, with left and right controls plus fire and shield.

A timer ticks down from 500 and you have to get rid of wave after wave of aliens. This can be done in two ways, by shooting them or by running into them while they spend time on the ground.

Both are equally effective. But as the aliens have a tendency to swoop down at your position regularly. It is possible to build up quite a score by merely staying still and letting them crash against you - I have wiped out whole waves without touching the controls.

There are speed levels from a sedate 0 to a hectic 6 and the aliens come in three waves. First the small round variety, then as large green birds which can lose wings without being affected. And finally in a mothership which contains a fuel cell. If this is blasted successfully the timer resets and you can start all over again.

Guaranteed to give you an aching wrist, Winged Avenger, unfortunately, doesn't leave much scope for tactics. It costs £6.95 for the ZX Spectrum.