Superb sports simulation from the author of 'International Soccer' One or two players with nine levels. The long awaited sequel to International Soccer has been floating around for months in various pirated and rather unsatisfactory pre-production forms. Now at last the real thing is here, and it's brilliant.

Anyone who has seen International Soccer will instantly recognise the players, only this time they are bigger and are dressed in really cool basketball gear. For the two of you haven't seen Soccer, control of a team of players is easy. The nearest player to the ball is chosen by the computer and put under your control. You'll know which player this is by hs vest changing colour slightly. If you pass a ball, then the receiving player is automatically selected for you to control.

On loading you are presented with a series of options. Select one of nine computer levels or play two players with a friend. If you don't like your team's colours then you can change them from a varied choice of strips. This program also allows you to play three tyes of rules: NCAA, NBA and Olympic. Each setting has its own rules and characteristics.

Once you are happy with the settings you can start the game which begins with four cheerleaders doing a little dance. The teams then run out of the changing rooms onto the pitch and go to their tip-off positions. A whistle will sound and the match starts. The ball is thrown into the air and the players have to jump up and knock the ball down to their own players. As the ball is thrown up and down the pitch the playing area scrolls up and down keeping the ball in the middle of the screen. The actual playing area is about three screens long and is viewed panoramically like International Soccer.

On the far side of the pitch is a grandstand in which detailed and polite spectators sit, watch and applaud any great moves. Advertising hoardings and the scoreboard both feature in the grandstand giving it a really lifelike appearance.

The players are large, chunky and superbly animated and look incredibly realistic. There are some really nice touches too like a player stooping to collect a low bouncing ball. The ball itself behaves like a real basketball and bounces convincingly and has a clear shadow which increases and decreases as the ball bounces.

The scoreboard displays the score (of course), time remaining and, depending on the rules played, the time the ball has been carried. It also prints up GOAL! and tells you when the ball is out, if you have fouled or made any sort of violation.

At the end of the game the players will re-emerge from the changin rooms and are followed by a woman in an evening dress. A player from the winning team steps forward and she'll present him with a cup which he holds aloft, victorious. The gameplay is terrific and some complex and clever play can be performed easily. The game is easy to master and level one is a doddle to beat but level nine really gives you a run for your money.

When you receive a ball you rman will automatically bounce it and will run with it without dropping it. If you press the fire button he will throw it: the longer the fire button is held down the further he will throw the ball.

If there is a player in the general direction of the throw then the ball will go to him. If, on the other hand, there is no player present the ball will be thrown off the pitch.

Actually going for a basket is the most tricky and important aspect of the game and practice at this is essential. Don't forget that manoeuvring in mid air is possible just before your player releases the ball. To do this simply point the joystick in the direction that you want to throw and your man will spin in flight.

Remember that the longer you keep your finger on the fire button the further the ball will be thrown. Therefore when you're near to a basket tap the button. It takes a bit of practice to get the feel of the throwing action but is quickly mastered within a few games.