Spectrum Compilations: Quality not Quantity - 4 Crash Smashes

Quality not Quantity - Gremlin Graphics' Four Crash Smashes

Gremlin Graphics entered the compilation market with this gathering of excellent titles from their fellow publishers. With only four games spread over a brace of cassettes, it wasn't the most bountiful of compilations, but each game was boasted as having achieved the magic 90%+ score in the Spectrum magazine Crash. No duffers here: pure quality!

Night Gunner
Digital Integration's excellent shooter had two stages. There was a side on screen as you took control of a gunner taking out enemy fighters and flak balloons; and secondly the bombing mission itself. It was slick and playable, if a little short on long term staying power.
Hit/Miss: HIT
Dun Darach
I always struggled to get into Gargoyle's superb arcade adventures such as this and it's prequel, Tir Na Nog. There was no doubting the quality though as they were massively involving and considerably ahead of their time in terms of depth. I was just more into shooters!
Hit/Miss: HIT
Spy Hunter
US Gold's conversion of the classic arcade game was my favourite from this compilation. Admittedly a slim premise (and lack of a proper ending) hampered it somewhat, it was brilliant run racing through the narrow streets dodging spike-wheeled enemies and laying oil-slicks behind you.
Hit/Miss: HIT
Alien 8
By now, Ultimate's filmation was starting to become tiresome as they tried the inevitable sci-fi twist. I enjoyed discovering new rooms but never got anywhere, finding the jumping puzzles tedious and boring. Like many others, I much preferred Ultimate's earlier, 2D games.
Hit/Miss: MISS
3 HITS/1 MISS