Do you like card games? Well, there's a lot more to choose from than the vanilla version of solitaire included with your Pocket PC. In the past year or so, several interesting new titles have been released, designed to satisfy the wants of both casual and hardcore gamers. Many traditional card games, once found only in casinos and at neighborhood gatherings, now have good electronic versions. Some even have multimedia features such as professional quality graphics and speech synthesis. If you sometimes find yourself tired of the flash-bang of arcade games, read on!
I originally reviewed this game in the November 2002 issue of Pocket PC magazine (www.PocketPCmag.com/_archives/Nov02/games.asp), and nominated it for the 2002 Pocket PC Awards. Additionally, it's gotten a slew of positive reviews in the press.
Black Jack Pro is a real treat, featuring gorgeous visuals and plenty of features designed to make the game more enjoyable.
Blackjack is a popular casino game in which the player and the dealer bet against the value of each other's cards. This version of the game tries to push the limits in every category. For starters, it's a multimedia feast, with sharp graphics, vibrant colors, and plenty of ambient noise and sound effects. The dealer even speaks to you in a smooth, feminine voice. Throughout the game, you'll find plenty of the neon lights and spectacle the casino industry relies on to draw people in. The table looks just like the real thing, and the animated cards are dealt by a pair of realistic-looking hands.
The developer, G3 Studios, didn't skimp on game play. This is a fast, challenging, and addictive title, thanks to a smooth interface and enhancements like "speed bet," which automatically duplicates your last bet at the touch of a button. Hardcore players can adjust the game's rules to suit the variations found in different casinos. However, novices are also welcome: an optional tutor mode corrects you when you err, and an excellent offline manual gives a nice overview of how to play, including a primer on different strategies. There's even a strategy tutor in the game to help you play more strategically and "beat the house." I was able to grasp the fundamentals quickly and dive right into the game, even though I had never played previously. Whether you're a newbie or an experienced card shark, Black Jack Pro deals out a good hand.
For more information about Black Jack Pro, visit the G3 Studios Web site (www.g3studios.com). Black Jack Pro supports all Pocket PCs. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $12.99.
This game from Rapture Technologies (which has done a few titles for Microsoft's game bundles), won 1st place in the card game category of Pocket PC magazine's Best Software Award 2001. It calls itself the "king of solitaire games," and for good reason. Featuring a whopping 70 variations on the game, this game gives you all the solitaire you could possibly want in one trim package.
King Sol is one of the best values in card games, featuring solid graphics and 70 variations on solitaire.
Numerous features make for an enjoyable experience and keep gamers coming back for more. King Sol has save/resume capability, descriptive documentation for each game, customizable scoring, shuffle mode, and an undo/redo moves feature. You can even display statistics on how well you're doing in each game. Although the graphics are fairly limited, the cards are well drawn and easy on the eyes. Playing the game is simply a matter of tapping on cards and dragging them to the desired spot. You can even customize the card designs and backgrounds. If you like solitaire and are looking for a little more variety and pizzazz, King Sol is still the only game in town.
For more information on King Sol, visit the Rapture Technologies Web site (www.rapturetech.com). King Sol supports all Pocket PCs. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $19.95.
PokerHand, much like King Sol, aims for the all-in-one approach by offering eight different versions of poker: Hold 'Em, Omaha, Five-Card Stud, Seven-Card Stud, Five-Card Draw, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud, and Video Poker. An easy-to-use interface makes each game very playable. Graphics are also decent, with just the right amount of sound effects to approximate what you'd hear in a real card game.
PokerHand is a highly customizable suite of 8 different poker games.
One of the best features of the game is how it handles the computer-based opponents. Many of PokerHand's games use multiple players. Depending on your abilities and tastes, you can tweak the strength of each player (three skill levels are provided). Whatever the skill level, the game calculates opponent moves quickly. You can adjust this speed if you find it too fast or too slow.
The game is customizable in other ways, too. The options screen lets you change the table background and colors, select from a variety of card backs, and even give your opponents custom names. A solid effort, PokerHand should give fans of the genre many enjoyable hours of poker.
For more information on PokerHand, visit the Birdsoft Website (www.birdsoft.net). PokerHand supports all Pocket PCs. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $9.99.
Want to play a game of bridge but don't have three friends handy? Check out Omar Sharif Bridge (OSB) from Purple Soft. In a single-player game, the player is south allied with a computer-controlled north. Opponents east and west are also computer-controlled, and the game allows you to make the cards of other players visible. You can also play against human opponents, though I'm not sure how well that will work since everyone has to use the same device.
The game of bridge may be a little too complex for many gamers, but those who play the game will likely enjoy this well-constructed electronic version.
OSB is easy to use. Menus allow you to change bidding conventions and display options without leaving the current game. Card movement is handled either by drag-and-drop or by tapping, depending on your preference. The game screen displays vital information without looking cluttered. Cards are small but easy to read since numeric value and suit are displayed prominently. Built-in documentation provides a good overview of the game, but won't nearly be enough for new players. Those already familiar with the game will enjoy the hint mode and autoplay features. Beginners will probably want to learn the basics of bridge before tackling this one, but fans with moderate to high levels of experience will probably enjoy this game.
For more information on Omar Sharif Bridge, visit the Purple Software Web site (www.purplesoft.com). Omar Sharif Bridge supports all Pocket PCs. No demo is available; the full version can be purchased for $24.99.
Hearts, spades, and euchre are three perennial favorites usually played with several other players. These Pocket PC versions should be of interest to handheld gamers because they've won numerous awards and because of the numerous features they provide.
With animated characters, realistic game play, and lots of customization options, Championship Hearts is a winner.
The rules of each game can be customized extensively, which should please many hardcore players. Your computer-based opponents have animated faces that react to how well the game is going. They could be a bit more expressive, but they still give each opponent a more human dimension and make the game a little more fun. You'll also hear plenty of sound effects, although they can be a bit harsh.
These three games are probably more suited to experienced gamers. If you're new to these games, the documentation may seem a little skimpy and might not do an adequate job of explaining rules and game play.
You may notice a performance hit if you try to run other applications while one of the games is open. Despite this issue, those who enjoy hearts, spades, and euchre will likely find these games a treat and well worth the price.
For more information on these games visit the DreamQuest Software Web site (www.dq.com). The games support all Pocket PCs. A demo is available for each game. The bundled price for all three games is $39.95.
If you enjoy the electronic version of poker available at Las Vegas casinos, you'll like Video Poker Pro from G3 Studios. This follow-up to Black Jack Pro (BJP) has the same quality presentation and playability. Those who have played Black Jack Pro will feel right at home creating a player, setting a purse, and starting a game. Your chips are on the left; the table appears in the bottom third of the screen, above which hover the animated hands of the dealer. The screen is well designed, giving you everything you need to know without looking cluttered.
It may not look much like a video poker machine, but Video Poker Pro treats its subject matter very well.
As in BJP, lots of thought went into making the game both challenging and easy to use. To place your bet, simply tap the chips. A "speedbet" feature allows you to place the same bet quickly in subsequent hands. After you've been dealt a hand, a convenient window appears telling you the values of different combinations of cards. Holding cards is simply a matter of tapping which cards you'd like held (they become highlighted when tapped). If you're a serious video poker player, several options allow you to tweak the game to suit different styles of play. Novices will enjoy the game's documentation, which does a great job of explaining how the game works.
Aside from the game play, the neatest aspect of the game is its multimedia approach. Graphics are outstanding, with heaps of colors and quality animation. Generous use of sound effects and speech create a satisfying gaming experience. The old western motif that runs throughout the game gives the game a slightly seedy feel, consistent with the outlaw mythos surrounding the game of poker. If you can get past the fact that it doesn't look much like the video poker machines you see in Las Vegas, Black Jack Pro is a very enjoyable game--a treat for the eyes and ears.
For more information on Video Poker Pro, visit the G3 Studios Web site (www.g3studios. com). Video Poker Pro supports all Pocket PCs. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $12.99.
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