You have entered the strange and peculiar space-world of the Balls. In this two-dimensional place live a race of multi-coloured ball-people, quite content to bounce from day to day. But all is not well in this haven of rotundity. The evil Terry Ball has captured Lover Ball, Eddy Ball, Glowball, and No Ball and is threatening to deflate them. In fact the only Ballboy left around is I, Ball, and he alone can save his compatriots from puncture.
To do so there are 16 screens to negotiate, each made up of an obstacle course of metallic denture sets, angular metallic structures, blocks arranged in steps and rotating crosses. As I, Ball picks his way through a world resembling a lunatic scrap-metal merchant's yard, he's attacked and bombarded by lethal devices unleashed by the evil Mr Ball - micro wave ovens, crabs, roulette wheels and Polo mints come after him thick and fast. At first some of these devices present no danger, but soon they lose their benevolence and become lethal. Now, failure to avoid or destroy them means I, Ball loses a life with every contact.
I, Ball is a resilient little bouncer though, blessed with four lives with which to rescue his friends. And for defence there's a bubble-gun that sprays opponents with destructive force. However it only blows bubbles vertically, making I, Ball vulnerable to attack from devices that follow like evil puppy-dogs in his wake. The gun overheats with prolonged use and has to cool down before it fires effectively again.
On occasions a chance to acquire a power disc is presented. By touching a disc I, Ball can increase his range of weapons and abilities - turbo boost allows greater movement speed through a section, while single- and twin- lasers shoot attackers to the sides. Not only weapons, but extra scores and extended time are awarded when a power disc is taken. A status panel shows which weapons are currently in I, Ball's possession. Unfortunately, power discs can be destroyed by the bubble-gun, and when that happens, the weapon or feature it offers is also lost. Some power discs are faulty, picking one up means that the last gathered weapon is lost.
The computer gives verbal encouragement, throaty congratulations greet each new level achieved, and rasping commiserations blast each loss of life. I, Ball's friends are imprisoned at regular intervals, simply reaching the correct level ensures their release. But speed is essential if he's to get through each section before the countdown runs to zero.
Producer: Firebird
Price: £1.99
