VIDEO GAMES

F-Zero X HHHHH

Nintendo 64 In this complicated world, it is the small, and expensive, luxuries that make life worth living, for example, F-Zero X by Nintendo. This is yet another classic SNES game reborn on the N64, and once again, is not as good as its predecessor, but still a very addictive game. F- Zero was a high-paced, space-aged racing sim. Now, on the N64, it has superb graphics, mind-boggling tracks, cars too cool for words, and opposition tough as old boots. F-Zero X is a genuinely classy conversion of one of the best SNES games there ever was.

Nintendo, on release, pounds 39.99

Rushdown HHHH

PlayStation If the thought flying down mountains at break-neck speed on a bike, hurtling over waterfalls in a canoe, and descending a ski slope on a snowboard sounds far too scary, don't worry - you can do it all from your settee. Rushdown is a decent enough extreme sports game. You have to race the computer, or a friend, on bikes, in canoes, and on snowboards. Although the graphics aren't superb, the gameplay is certainly challenging. This may not be the best game of the year, but it will test your reflexes to the extreme.

Canal, on release, pounds 39.99

Michael Owen's WLS HHHH

PC CD When Michael Owen exploded onto the footballing scene, everyone wanted a piece. Eidos got one in their new release, Michael Owen's World League Soccer '99. This title is the sequel to World League Soccer. You, the player, have the chance to lead any of around 190 teams to domestic glory. Admittedly the graphics are world class, but the gameplay has a few flaws - the keepers are very hard to beat, but overall the opposition is no real test. This is by no means the perfect game, but it is a lot of fun to play.

Eidos, on release, pounds 39.99

TOCA Touring Cars 2 HHHHH

PlayStation With the number of great games coming out in the next few weeks, you will be forgiven for thinking Christmas has come early. TOCA 2 is yet another sequel to a highly successful game, but this time it surpasses its predecessor - the graphics are smoother, the cars more realistic, and the gameplay is much harder. However, as with most games, there is one problem: if you touch the grass, or steer too hard, you'll end up spinning faster than the wheels on a bus. Even so, this is one of the best racing sim's on the PlayStation.

Codemasters, on release, pounds 44.99