News

Rather oddly there was no news section, despite it being a bumper issue. Perhaps this was a change of direction now that Julian Rignall was editor?

Features

Jon Hare provided a run down of how to use SEUCK.

A bunch of joysticks were reviewed. The Competition Pro 5000 came out on top.

The Harlequin looked back on what was a bit of a lacklustre year for adventure games.

There was a round up of the many compilation packs available this Christmas.

A showcase of game cover art, along with details of the artists.

Masters of the Universe had taken the toy world by storm and Zzap! previewed the big budget $20 million film (yes, $20 million was a lot back then), and the time in game being developed by Gremlin.

Zzap! cast a long gaze back over the C64 gaming of 1986.

Part one of Mel Croucher's "100 All-Time Computer Greats", a historic encyclopaedia of the people and events that changed the world of computing.

Notable Previews

• "Deflektor" Gremlin Graphics
• "Sidewalk" Infogrames
• "Test Drive" Accolade/EA
• "Outrun" US Gold
• "Knight Games II" English Software
• "Gryzor" Ocean
• "Inside Outing" The Edge

Notable Reviews

• "Combat School" Ocean - 91% Sizzler "Considering the problems posed by the lack of a trackball, Ocean have coped magnificently in converting Combat School, losing none of the original's feel!"
• "Driller" Incentive - 96% Sizzler "A unique 3D experience to be savoured at length."
• "Superstar Ice Hockey" Databyte - 85% "An extensive and enjoyable simulation, managing to simulate an unusual sport with style."
• "Octapolis" English Software - 86% "A highly polished and competent arcade blaster, intelligently combined with a challenging platform game."
• "Tetris" Mirrorsoft - 94% Sizzler "What we have is one of the all-time computer classics. At first glance, it's difficult to believe that Tetris would hold your attention for more than a few minutes - but I'm afraid that's one of the worst assumptions you could ever make."
• "Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer" Electronic Arts - 95% Sizzler "Fast, exhilarating and extremely polished - simply the most enjoyable flight simulator available for the 64."
• "Knight Orc" Level 9 - 81% "Level 9 once agin prove themselves to be masters of the single load adventure, and with their other recent release, Gnome Ranger getting rave reviews everywhere, it looks like the Austins will be having a very nice Christmas thank you very much."
• "Battles in Normandy" SSG - 90% Sizzler "Another Sizzler for SSG, and a game entirely worthy of purchase." (I can't find any reference to
• "Ogre" Microprose/Origin - 86% "Well worth investigating."
• "Cosmic Causeway" Gremlin Graphics - 93% Sizzler "A technically superb game that's both visually impressive and fun to play."
• "Skate or Die" Electronic Arts - 92% Sizzler "Without doubt a brilliant sports simulation, falling short of a higher accolade due solely to the annoyingly slow loading system."
• "Alternative World Games" Gremlin Graphics - 86% "A high quality, well thought out game that gently pokes fun at the whole multi-event genre."
• "R.I.S.K." The Edge - 90% Sizzler "A superbly presented shoot'em up, with enough intellectual challenge to keep the entertainment going."

Charts

Games

1. "The Last Ninja" System 3
2. "Bubble Bobble" Firebird
3. "California Games" Epyx

Music

1. "Delta" Rob Hubbard - Main Theme
2. "Sanxion" Rob Hubbard - Loading Music
3. "The Last Ninja" Ben Daglish - Title Tune