Jet Bike Simulator
Copyright/Publisher: Codemasters, Music By: David Dunn,
Release Year: 1989, Genre: Water Sports, Number Of Players: 1 or 2

Ave yer seen it? 'Ave yer? That ace program Run The Gauntlet, you know, the one where they race about on them Jet-Ski things. Ever though to yourself 'I wouldn't mind having a go at that' but been too nervous of getting wet? Well now you can have a go without going near any water, with Jet Bike Simulator.

It's race between four riders (one or two controlled by human players) over a number of set courses. These range from lake, coastline and dockland courses, through which you steer your craft, negotiating bridges, jumps and gates. Each course must be completed within the time limit to allow access to the next, harder level.

Gordo
I played this on the Spectrum when it was in the £4.99 range (OK, I admit it, I have played on of them gadgi Spectrim machines), and as far as I'm concerned, there's been no real advance on the gameplay it offered then.

It's just like BMX Simulator thrown in the bath - graphics OK, sound OK, game OK. Price - way too expensive. If this had been released at Code Masters' new budget price of £2.99, it would have got a mark in the 80s; for almost a tenner it's just about passable. If you've got the money to brun, check it out; if not, forget it.

Maff
Code Masters Plus? Plus what? Is it the bigger box? Well it's certainly not quality, if this is anything to go by. It's just BMX Simulator with worse graphics and an extra course tape.

One of BMX Simulator's good points was its cheap price - but Jet Bike Simulator hasn't even got that, which is sad really, as it would have made quite a nice little budget game. Nine pounds for a simplistic racing game is way overboard.


INTRO SCREEN

PRESENTATION 59%
A few decent options and a choice of courses but the general appearance is shabby.
GRAPHICS 40%
Flat backgrounds and piddly little sprites with far from the best of colour schemes.
SOUND 30%
Disco-ey music, Dalek speech and pathetic effects.
HOOKABILITY 56%
Hardly the most compulsive of race games, but it's quite good fun with a couple of players.
LASTABILITY 31%
The additional courses and expert version may extend its longevity slightly.
OVERALL 39%
Bland and about seven quid too much.