Atari announced they were about to launch a new range of computers. First there were the new XEs which were basically upgraded/re-styled 800 XLs. But more importantly were the STs which would provide an impressive jump from the existing machines.
Robert Schifreen who had written the "Bug hunter" and Micronet columns for C&VG was arrested for hacking.
Notable Reviews
"Starion" Melbourne House - Spectrum Game of the Month 10/10 "Programmer David Webb, a 19-year old student, spent nine months working on Starion - and if there's any justice in the world he will be rewarded with a number one hit!"
"Shadowfire" Beyond - C64 9/10 "Though the die-hard text adventurers will probably ridicule it, the game is well worth trying."
"Wriggler" Romantic Robot - Spectrum 10/10 "This is Romantic Robot's first venture into the games market - and if this is an example of the quality of their product then they are a name to be watched."
"Brian Jacks Superstar Challenge" Martech - Spectrum/C64/BBC/Electron/Amstrad 10/10 "The game demands a great deal of tactical thinking as well as stamina and - of course - a tough joystick!"
"Zaxxon" Electric Software - MSX 10/10 "Excellent graphics and every effective sound are the order of the day in Zaxxon. This is definitely one to look for."
"Norseman" Electric Software - MSX 10/10 "This is not an easy game to play. But if it was that easy, there wouldn't be much point!"
"Dambusters" US Gold - Atari 9/10 "Dambusters is really a shoot-'em-up of the best kind and should keep trigger-happy owners contented for some time."
"Demon Attack" Imagic/Parco Electrics - TI 10/10 "While waves of demons attacking the outposts of our planet would seem old hat, occasionally a rare spark in programming comes up with something that lifts a game out of the ordinary. Imagic have certainly managed this, with smooth graphics and the most imagintaive demons I've yet seen."
"Microsurgeon" Imagic/Parco Electrics - TI 10/10 "The multi-screen graphics are superb"
"Popeye" Parco Electrics - TI 10/10 "The price might seem a little heavy but, when you calculate how much you drop in the coin slots, it all becomes relative!" (the game cost £24.80)
"Tunnels of Doom" Parco Electrics - TI 10/10 "Moody background music and superb graphics really show the Texas at its best."
"Slymoids" Parco Electrics - TI 10/10 "A lively game, with certainly different ideas."
"Gremlins: The Adventure" Adventure International - C64/Spectrum/Amstrad 9/10 "The game has a nice easy feel to it being amusing and fairly easy at first, but becoming progressively more difficult towards the end."
"Entombed" Ultimate - C64 8/10 "Excellent puzzles and clever puzzles add up to another smash for Ultimate."
"Mama Llama" Llamasoft - C64 7/10 "Mama Llama is a game for dedicated Minterites. Lesser mortals might find it a mite too complex for them."
"Gates of Dawn" Virgin - C64 9/10 Star Game "Gates of Dawn, with superb graphics, animation and sound, combines joystick action with strategy, enabling you to pit your wits in an effort to solve the mystery of the dream and the 'mystery of the mind'."
"Buck Rogers" Electric Software - MSX "Good sound effects and title theme and smooth, colourful graphics make use of all the MSX has to offer."
C&VG previewed upcoming sci-fi/fantasy movies, namely "Morons from Outer Space", "2010", "The Neverending Story", "Terminator II" and "Alien II".
A look at the people (Digital Productions) and technology (a rented Cray X-MP) behind the special effects on "The Last Starfighter".
The Enterprise was a new computer about to be released which promised impressive sound and graphics, and a rather unique design featuring a joystick built into the keyboard. Despite the huge hype preceding its launch the machine was a commercial failure.
The Bond Diary continues, though by now it's given up all pretence of being a developer diary and is just a preview of the game based on "A View to a Kill."