42 All Time Classics (Nintendo DS)

It`s game night and everyone`s invited. Play 42 classic board, card and party games alone, with friends or via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. With familiar favourites like checkers, darts and poker, 42 All-Time Classics is for everyone and part of the Touch Generations library. Video game newcomers will appreciate the easy-to-use interface.

Players can challenge up to seven friends with one game card via Multi-Card Play or DS Download Play. Can`t play checkers without shouting KING ME! across the table? The in-game (PictoChat-like) feature takes table talk to a new level. There`s no need to lug around cards or boards when you want to play a quick game. 42 All-Time Classics is one-stop gaming that will appeal to everyone`s tastes, whether they`re in the mood for bowling, backgammon, bridge or billiards.

• With familiar favorites like checkers, darts and poker, Club house Games will appeal to everyone from kids to adults. Video game newcomers will appreciate the easy-to-use interface, while card game novices will appreciate each game`s rules section.
• Players can challenge up to seven friends with one game card via Multi-Card Play or DS Download Play.
• Can`t play checkers without shouting "KING ME!" across the table? The in-game (PictoChat-like) feature takes table talk to a new level.
• There`s no need to lug around cards or boards when you want to play a quick game. Clubhouse Games is one-stop gaming that will appeal to everyone`s tastes, whether they`re in the mood for bowling, backgammon, bridge or billiards.
• Clubhouse Games is part of Nintendo`s Touch Generations library, which includes uniquely engaging titles that have appeal beyond core gamers.

The lowdown:
The surprising thing about this game is that nobody’s thought to do it before. The games are split into three varieties of card game and two of board games, plus a selection of "action" games including bowling, darts and billiards. Playing the card games is just as easy as you’d expect with two screens and a stylus, whether it’s Old Maid and Pig or Texas Hold ‘Em and Bridge. The board games work just as well, with Chinese Checkers, Checkers (i.e. Draughts), Dots and Boxes and more. You’ll also find games like Turncoat (i.e. Othello), "Connect Five", Ludo, Mahjong and Solitaire. You have got to go to some effort not to find something of interest amongst this selection.

Most exciting moment:
The best thing about having so many games is that, except for the ones that are purposefully single player, they can all be played online. If you’re playing against a friend you can even chat using a PictoChat style interface.

Since you ask:
The Japanese and Western versions of the game have several different exclusive games. Japan never got Texas Hold 'Em, Dots and Boxes, Grid Attack, Ludo, Dominoes, Escape or Mahjong Solitaire but instead have Napoleon, Goninkan, Bozumekuri, Sugoroku, Size Game, Last One and Mini Golf in their version.

The bottom line:
The one video games compendium that really is for everyone. - HARRISON DENT