Rock Manager

With a never-ending supply of Tycoon games pouring onto the shelves, offering industries as diverse as transport and trailer parks from which to earn a virtual fortune, it was never going to be long before some enterprising developer would Theme Up' the music industry.

Unfortunately, since Bullfrog weren't around to deliver the goods, it was left up to Swedish games combo Monsterland to bring us what ended up being, in effect, a poor cover version of Codemasters' cult 16-bit classic Rock Star Ate My Hamster, which quite frankly wasn't particularly noteworthy back in the day anyway.

The aim through Rock Manager's eight missions' is to build a band and simply whore it to the top of the hit parade by whatever means necessary. First you select a song, draft in some band members, mix the tune, design a record sleeve, then hawk it around the radio and TV stations, offering bribes and presents until the songs hit the charts. A modicum of interest is added by having your spoof Gallagher brothers argue, or one of your hardcore punksters admit a liking for small furry mammals - problems that can easily be resolved. But for all the promising ideas and potential the subject matter offers, the developers managed to pull-off one of the most lifeless games ever. Another series of Pop Idol would be preferable to playing this game.