|
contents | software | |||||||
| Clubhouse Games Review by Jonathan Trevisani,Computer Games Online  Every now and then there is an urge to play some of the games that we remember from childhood or played just recently at a gathering of friends. These are the classic games that made a deck of cards a necessity in times of boredom, power outages or parties. Chances are that a few of the games in the Nintendo DS title are sitting somewhere in a closet just waiting for you to get up the gumption to bring them out to play. Now with Clubhouse Games their chances of seeing the light of day have dropped significantly.Clubhouse Games includes a total of 42 different games that have been fit into the dual screens of the Nintendo handheld. Almost half of these games are card games such as Solitaire, Poker, or Spit; some of which you never thought you would hear from again after leaving summer camp. There is also an assortment of board games like Chess, Checkers, and Backgammon that no household should be without. Other favorites like Bowling and Darts are also packed into this varied selection of classic games. The real draw to Clubhouse Games is the fact that the vast majority of games have multiplayer options with Nintendo's WiFi capabilities. You can share all of these classics with a friendly game against another Clubhouse Games owner or downloaded onto a fellow DS unit. There is online fun to be had if you wish that people finally take notice of your skills at Checkers or Chess as you can challenge others to your hearts content with a neighborhood wireless connection. You can even chat with your opponents over the Pictochat window within the game for some friendly trash talking. For times when other players just aren't available, computer opponents will take over and give you a run for your (play) money in a game of Texas Hold 'Em. Each game is presented with a simple interface that anyone can jump into and the game even helps you along in dire times when your king is in check and you just can't remember what moves you have left to stem the tide of defeat. Game tutorials are always one screen away and will quickly bring you up to speed with the rules of the game and how to dominate the checkerboard. Moving pieces and cards around with the stylus is a snap and will have you flinging darts and rolling bowling balls with ease. Difficulty levels can be changed in case the computer isn't putting up a fight or is wiping the floor with you. Normal difficulty seems to have average results, but the higher settings will be used once you get the hang of the games and are looking for more of a challenge. Opponents will have some inconsistencies in their play style since they can do very well one minute and then forget how to play the next. This isn't always the case, but will throw you off when it happens. Computer bots are also available in multiplayer games so you and a friend can try to show that CPU who's boss. Some of the rules seem to be a little off as well since you are allowed to have a negative bankroll in games like poker. This doesn't fit with the tournament-style "winner-take-all" attitude that we have come to love, but it still works for Clubhouse Games. The three modes of single player games are Free Play (play what you want), Stamp (earn points for victories, and Mission (complete time and score challenges). There is also bonus content available for those who want to unlock avatars and background colors along with extra games. Clubhouse Games has something for everyone with its wide variety of classic games. If you were only allowed one title to be stuck in your Nintendo DS this year, then Clubhouse Games would be a great choice that would keep you entertained almost indefinitely. Aside from some odd rules and inconsistent difficulty, it surpasses that with multiplayer options and the classic (almost nostalgic) gaming that prevails today. Clubhouse Games is a great addition to any DS library and showcases the Nintendo Touch Generations campaign with a simple interface and fun game play. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Game News :: home page |