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CROAKER is another version of that well known game in which suicidal frogs cross busy highways and then hop their way to safety across a river in order to reach a hole in the bank. One day I am going to ask someone how come frogs drown if they fall into a river?

The program loads reliably and screen instructions appear while the main code is being loaded in. The configuration of the keys is a little unusual - A and Z for up and down, while M and N control lateral movement. However, they soon feel natural enough, although I would imagine a joystick would improve matters.

The game's format is fairly standard, with five lanes of traffic travelling in alternate directions and different speeds. After a brief rest on the riverbank, there are then five more lanes of logs and turtles before safety is reached at one of the five holes. When all are occupied bonus points are gained and the screens become more difficult. The cars move more quickly and are more frequent. Things are even worse in the river. Some of the turtles dive, and many logs turn out to be crocodiles with gaping jaws.

The game has little to make it stand out from its clones. But the graphics are quite presentable, with good use of colour. The key response is quick and positive.

I appreciated the first screen starting at a very easy level - my six-year old son was able to do well at this initial level, although the crocodiles made him ditch many frogs into a watery grave. Too often, a game starts with a level of difficulty that doesn't allow the young or inexperienced to achieve any success. Here it is possible to gain practice on the lower levels to help mount an attack on the author's claimed top score of 12,530.

This is a competent and addictive version, but without special features. Probably the most used facility will be that which turns off the awful tune and reverts to the original sound effects.

Phil Taylor