WHAT'S THE STORY? The end of the line for the ancient series, shooting everything in your path is still the key. With 100 spaceships on offer, there is some variety, but the gameplay is little more than an exercise in hammering the buttons like a monkey in a laboratory. Swear and repeat.

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING? Thumb-ruining, side-scrolling pseudo-3D arcade shooter.

PLAYS LIKE? Scramble, Defender, previous versions of R-Type, but with fancier graphics.

WORTH STAYING IN FOR? Not particularly, a decent crack habit notwithstanding.