Merlin

There are two types of magic in the world. The first type is the kind of magic found in storybooks. By that we mean mythology and legend. Tales of wizards and warlocks, witches and elves that, even if it's a right load of rubbish, can still engage our imaginations. The second is the type we are all used to seeing on a regular basis. Unfortunately, this type of magic is more at home with the TV magicians of this world: "Oh look, I've made a ten pence piece appear from behind your ear." You know – that type of magic.

Thankfully, this game is based on wrinkly wizards and warlocks, not weirdos and wallies!

Alakazam!

In yet another platform game for the GBC, you must guide Merlin, the old master of magic himself, around a series of wonderful and mythical landscapes. The reason for Merlin's quest (if there has to be one) is that all of the happy little gnomes have been turned evil thanks to a dragon that has awoken after a long sleep! The pointy-hatted old duffer's quickly into platform country, and from then on it's simply a matter of jumping and dodging, using spells and not getting caught out. Yes, it's all very familiar, and in this case, very dull!

As you attack your foes, your magic increases, but this magic is the only thing keeping you alive. This means that after one hit your magic diminishes to nothing and after another, you die. Which becomes very annoying after a while. The worst thing about this game though, is how you control Merlin. To put it simply: the control system is very poor indeed! The responsiveness (or lack of it) means that tapping jump more often than not results in a mistimed leap into Dearhsville! While not all bad, there is nothing interesting in this game to warrant putting it in your collection alongside Wario or Tomb Raider. As Paul Daniels might say: "Now that's tragic!"