Some games are a long time in the pipeline. By Fair Means Or Foul is one of the best examples. Has two years of development meant that it has missed the boat or jaded with age? Read on...

Until now there has only been one boxing game available for the BBC and Electron - The Big K.O.. Boxing fans have no doubt bought it and if they felt the same as me then they were disappointed. By Fair Means Or Foul is another story. It is absolutely brilliant.

The game can be played in one or two player modes. In the one player mode you play against six increasingly difficult opponents ranging from the Junior Champion to the World Champion. Each opponent has his own style of fighting and the harder opponents really give you a scrap.

You have a range of moves, some legal and some illegal. Dirty moves have been used in games before but I've never seen a game with a referee and this is where the game really shines. You can score some good hits with headbutts, kicks, sticking the knee in and groin punches but don't get caught or you'll be for the chop.

Each player has four lives. If you lose a round, get knocked out or get caught fouling then you lose a life. To win a round you must either knock out your opponent or have more energy at the end of a round.

The graphics, animation and sound effects are all first rate and the game is absolutely packed with variety. You need to use great skill and varied tactics to survive. Sometimes the best plan is to play clean, other times fighting dirty is best and if you are ahead in energy it can be best to try and stay out of trouble.

The two player mode is even better than the one player mode. The rules are the same but the enjoyment of 'pulverising' a friend adds further to the excitement.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is the best animated fighting game ever. Good though it is, Barbarian just does not have the same appeal and The Big K.O., Karate Combat and Exploding Fist don't come anywhere near.

I simply cannot fault this game and would recommend it to anyone.

Both the BBC and Electron versions are excellent, and can use keyboard or joysticks and if you have a Master then you really are in for a treat. The enhanced version is even better.