Hypaball is a sport of the future in which two teams battle to score the most goals by throwing a steel sphere into a moving target. The game is three-a-side, with the players wearing jet packs - essential if they are to reach the target which moves up and down a pole in the centre of the playing arena. This simulation allows one or two players to replay the 'classic' cup final match between the Vipers and the Hawks. A computer controlled Vipers team makes up for the lack of a human opponent in the one-player mode.

Teams are selected from a pnael of ten players before the match begins. They all have different strengths and weaknesses, the details of which are displayed under their pictures. It's up to the user to decide which characters are best suited to his or her team.

When the teams have been chosen, play commences with six cheerleaders rising up from under the playing arena. The teams then appear and take up positions in the arena: one member of each team stays on the floor, while the other four players take up positions on either side of the central 'goal pole'. A metal sphere is fired into the arena and the match begins.

The user controls two players at once: lateral joystick movements make the ground player run left and right, while both lateral and longitudinal movements are used to control the flying players. Only one flying player is controlled at a time, with the computer automatically switching control from one player to the other as the ball moves around the screen. The ground player however, is always under control.

The ball is automatically caught if it comes withing range of any player. The player can then be moved, and the ball released by pressing the fire button. The ball can only be held for two and a half seconds - any longer incurs a penalty, and the opposing team is given a free throw at the goal.

The match is played over ten minutes, after which time the final score is displayed on a newspaper along with headlines revealing details of the match.

There is some initial atmoshere generated by the music and dancing cheerleaders (very cute), but during play there is no feeling of 'being there' - mainly because the characters and playing area are so small. More flexibility and variety in gameplay would have helped, but as it stands Hypaball is far too dull to play - even against a human opponent. I would have expected more than this simple, unimaginative future sport from a company with Odin's reputation.

The second problem lies in its difficulty, or rather the lack of it. The computer team only has one skill level which is ridiculously easy to beat. Why not have several levels, or teams of differing ability? - that would have really made the game. As it stands it's a pretty miserable affair, with the only saving grace of a two player option - but you can't really fail with that. Even if you are a future sport fan I'd recommend that you avoid Hypaball - it looks really appetising on the outside, but once you get your teeth into it, you realise how bland and boring it actuall is.

Hypaball fails because it is so incredibly boring - from the first game I found the action tedious and repetitive. After playing a few games and becoming competent at controlling the players, the computer team poses no threat whatsoever. Even at budget price this wouldn't be any big deal - but at just under a tenner... well all I can say is don't bother.