Armalyte was a much loved Commodore 64 game from 1988. That system lacked a version of Gradius, but Armalyte was excellent compensation.

This demo features similar artwork, but the graphics overall have been updated. This is probably a good thing, as the original doesn't look as it did in 1988! The sound too has been updated, with crunchy sound effects, and a great version of the original atmospheric theme tune.

The gameplay is unchanged. It's a sideways scrolling shoot 'em up, you ship is equipped with a drone, which is invincible unlike you. Power-ups are littered around each level, and you choose the type of power up you want by shooting it to make it change. It may seem slow to begin with, but it's not easy, and you need to learn the levels to be successful. This demo unfortunately doesn't allow two player games, a shame as it's much improved with a partner!

This is definitely a piece of retro nostalgia, even if it's been polished up. Whether younger players will enjoy it is difficult to say, but it's worth a go, as it's one of the best non-arcade shoot 'em ups ever made.

Still fun after all these years, and may bring ex-Commodore 64 owners to tears.

Download Armalyte Demo in Softonic

Cooliris started off as a simple Firefox extension known as PicLens which enabled you to view online photos in a full screen slideshow. After some intensive development and a change of name, Cooliris is much more than just a simple slideshow, and now it also works with Internet Explorer

Cooliris for Internet Explorer not only lets you browse online photos from a variety of websites ? including Google Images, Facebook, DeviantArt, Flickr, Picasa Web Albums and many, many others ? but also online videos and photos stored on your local computer. Cooliris makes use of tags to display valuable context information for each photo, which comes in especially handy when working with Facebook albums.

Images are displayed in a sleek animated 3D wall from where you can browse them as thumbnails, open them up in a larger view or visit the source website when available. All movements are done with the mouse, either using the wheel or clicking on the photos.

Cooliris runs smoothly and features a really attractive design. On the downside, it can take a while to load photos, and can also make your computer really slow.

Cooliris lets you browse both online and offline photos in an impressive animated 3D gallery right on Internet Explorer.

Download Cooliris 1.11.0.26762 for Internet Explorer in Softonic

Language learning is fun, but a challenge. For many, Mandarin Chinese is the most challenging of all, which is why Han Trainer Pro is a very interesting program.

Han Trainer Pro is an educational tool that will enable you to learn new vocabulary, practice your listening comprehension and swat up on your stroke order when writing. The trial version has 9 learning modes, 4 lessons, and 92 words for you to practice with.

The program is easy to install, with a choice of interface languages and little tips to help you on your way. Each of the nine modes focuses on a different aspect of language learning, offing you different scenarios to practice and learn. One lesson focuses on words related to the Chinese Zodiac signs and tattoos, a second to books and literature, a third to words related to materials, while the last is linked to a textbook (Practical Chinese Reader edited by Professor Chiao Wei) which is available to buy from the Han Trainer Pro website.

Depending on what options you choose, you will have the opportunity to practice the pronunciation, stroke order, meaning or pinyin transcription (including tones) of Chinese words. You can also print vocabulary lists to practice later, and, if the program sees that you are getting a lot of wrong answers, Han Trainer Pro will limit the range of vocabulary you are given until you are ready to move on.

Han Trainer Pro is a lovely program. Although it is of limited use to an absolute beginner, it could really help someone looking to practice the Chinese they have learned elsewhere. On the downside, the lessons prove a little difficult to find your way around and there is no help file if you do get stuck.

Han Trainer Pro provides entertaining, useful practice for the difficult task of learning Mandarin Chinese.

Download Han Trainer Pro 3.91 in Softonic