Clubhouse Games

Best For: Ages 7 and Up
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Genre: Strategy
Available For: Nintendo Dual-Screen (DS)
# of Players: 1-4
Fun Factor: 4 out of 5

Want to play Dominoes? Backgammon? Chess? How about Chinese checkers or maybe bowling? Darts followed by solitaire or Texas Hold 'em? Maybe bridge or hangman? Or maybe something a bit more exotic like mahjong, koi-koi, or shogi? I've never seen such a diverse collection of different kinds of games offered in a single cartridge. All told there are 42 of them, and aside from a few awkward misses, most are challenging, fun, and perfect for Nintendo's stylus and dual-screen format.

Using the DS stylus to manipulate cards, smack down dominoes, or move chess pieces is fun and precise, but games that depend on just the right flick of the stylus, like darts and bowling, or pool, take some practice and then never feel quite right. The board games and card games offer a decent challenge - all except the game's artificial intelligence (don't expect any ranked chess players in your family to feel challenged by this version of chess). Luckily Nintendo offers a wide range of multiplayer options including download play (an opponent with a DS can "beam" the game to his handheld wirelessly and play against you) as well as Internet multiplayer over a WiFi connection.

Parents take note: Aside from the wide range of poker games available (you know, gambling) there's nothing for parents to be concerned about here. The game is solid and every player is guaranteed to find something to play here. Also this is a great way to introduce kids to a lot of fun card and board games they may have never heard of before -- maybe even inspiring them to challenge Grandpa to a round of rummy! Just be warned: Parents who buy it for themselves might have to fight their kids for it.

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