** 0.5 page review / 352 words **

Attack of the Mutant Penguins

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Slimy green aliens picked up our TV transmissions and decided to infiltrate earth disguised as penguins. They soon realised their mistake and after a hasty rethink disguised the penguins as humans - which didn't work either so the fight is on.

Like the convoluted plot this lemmings with attitude style game isn't easy to get a handle on but after a few plays and a quick re-read of the manual everything falls into place and you've got yourself an excellent strategy cum shoot 'em up which will keep you coming back for more.

The main feature on every level is a Doomscale - a giant pair of scales, one side attracts good penguins, the other side alien penguins. Your character, Barnard or Rodney, must hinder the alien/mutant penguins while at the same time letting the good penguins through to stop the scales triggering the doomsday button which finishes the game. The number of aliens attacking each level is displayed at the top left of the screen and when the counter reaches zero you've completed the level.

If you'd rather have a never-ending battle you can select from four pandemonium levels and the aliens will keep on coming.

To help you there are the good penguins, weapons, powerups, bonuses, player bridges, glue, dynamite, coin, switches, machines and gremlins.

The splash screens are well drawn, the in-game graphics and animation is mostly excellent (with momentary glimpses of a previous gaming era) and the sound FX are unobtrusive yet appropriate.

There's a peek mode which you can use to nose around the level figuring out where everything is before the action starts. The high score, game settings and highest levels are stored in the cartridge even with the power off.

Jonathon Adams

** Boxout **
Attack of the Mutant Penguins

Supplied by:
The Console Centre
Halifax Road, Birchencliffe, Huddersfield, HD3 3BS
Tel/Fax: 01484 544926
Email: morgan.magee@cableol.co.uk

Requires: Jaguar console

Pros: Mostly excellent graphics, tutorial mode first time new feature encountered, involved gameplay or shoot 'em up action, longevity.
Cons: Steep learning curve.
89%
** /boxout **