Angel Nieto : Pole 500

Copyright : OperaSoft | Reviewed by : Malc Jennings

Another bike racing game for the Amstrad CPC, this style of game became even more popular after the release of Segas Hang On arcade and the eagerly awaited arcade conversion later.

This foreign import stays along the same side as Hang On and many others, with only one aim, beat the other racers and come first when-ever you can.

Graphics

Angel Nieto Pole 500 looks very similar to Sega?s Hang-On conversion released slightly later than this one. There are plenty of colours on show (unlike some others) and from the start of the game and the loading screen you know things are going to at least look great in this racing title. People looking for graphics only when playing games (there are a few you know) shouldn?t be let down by Opera Sports attempt but if you look deeper you?ll find many problems that hinder this game?s performance.

Sound

Sound is very basic with just a low buzzing sound for the engine, a simple explosion when you crash into the side of the track (something that is hard to avoid) and nothing else. It?s not entirely surprising from a software developer that you will very rarely see games from so for that reason it?s not a total let down.

Gameplay

While it looks superb and doesn?t sound that bad it has a fair amount of problems in the most important area - gameplay. The game runs very slowly indeed and no matter what you do you?ll find it hard to catch up to the computer controlled racers as they seem to be able to move a hell of a lot faster than you, this is obvious from the moment the green light signals go!

The control system is very unresponsive and you?ll often find yourself coming face to face with a lamp post and arse to floor with the grass. Because of the speed the game runs at and awful control system you?ll find it hard to complete or even play the game longer than 5 minutes without reaching for your reset buttons.

A nice looking game but flawed immensely and probably worth avoiding, if your looking for a racing game then we suggest something you already know about like Sega?s Hang On.