What a load of BALLS! No, I'm not referring to the game itself, but the hero - yet another flippin' ball I ask you, why are game programmers so preoccupied with balls?
Nope, don't answer that...

Pop Up is a fun little cross between Bomb Jack and Audiogenic's Helter Skelter. And, like those great games, it's guaranteed to literally BOWL you over!

In this wildly addictive arcade puzzler, you must guide a little bouncing ball through screen after screen of arcade action. You'll be taken through five time zones, starting at the very beginning of time itself and then on through to the present day and the future.

Each screen consists of a number of platforms which you must bounce around, collecting artifacts as you go. These increase your score, but the object you're really after is the exit key - once collected, an exit will appear which will allow you to progress to the next screen.

As ever, there are obstacles to dodge and traps to avoid, but our little rubber friend is not without help. No sireee, for tools are dotted around the screen which will help him overcome his little problems.
These include water drops which douse burning platforms, keys which allow passage through certain walls and hammers that do the same job as the keys, but in a slightly more direct way (who needs a skeleton key when you've got a 25lb sledgehammer!).

Sounds easy doesn't it? But, take it from me, things get harder... much harder. Later in the game you'll encounter bouncy platforms - in fact, just about any type of platform you can think of, all of which are designed exclusively to hinder your progress.

The more you play the game, the more you will become determined to beat it.
The controls are great and, apart from a deathly dull menu screen, Pop Up is an addictive little number. Definitely one for your software collection.