Gold Miner

Yes, maybe we do try and compare everything to the magnificent Insaniquarium, but this is one of the few games with the same kind of addictiveness (and it's one of Anne's all-time favorites to boot). It's not any form of mining that most geology students would recognise, however, and merely involves throwing out a hook and trying to grab the most valuable underground nuggets you can, all before running out of money and time.

Or, as Anne puts it, 'Beware the rocks which only waste your time and return little value, and those barrels of TNT will blow up everything in the vicinity'. What really makes the game is the balance between accuracy and greed, with a range of tantalising power-ups available to purchase after each stage, and some interesting changes as you progress through the game - just wait till you see the diamond-carrying moles.

Down arrow to send out hook, Up arrow to throw dynamite at whatever's on the end.

Don't invest too much money on power-ups you won't make full use of (eg dynamite which you might get out of the lucky dip bags), and look how quickly you can reel in those lovely precious diamonds.