Clubhouse Games

"42 addicting games + Lots of unlockables + Wi-fi = :)"

You know about Five Card Draw, Solitaire, and Chess. Though these games are a fun way to pass time, you have to set up the table and get all the pieces where they need to go. Don't even get me started about then debating who has to clean up after the game. But what if all of these games were already made for you, so that you can cut right to the fun? That's exactly what Clubhouse Games does.

Right from the get-go, you have over 30 games, though you can unlock 5 more through Stamp Mode. (explained later) While many of these are fun card games you've probably heard of, Clubhouse Games offers many others such as Chess and Checkers. Even Darts and Bowling come into the mix, and all of the games come together in a package that's certainly worth your money. And if you don't understand the game you're playing, each game comes with plenty of instructions to get you on your feet.

While you can play whatever game you want on the go, there are also two Single-Player modes. The first is Stamp Mode, and in it, your goal is to win the games, you'll play every one in a preset order. Depending on how well you did at the game you are on, you're awarded stamps: 3 are required to move onto the next level. However, even if you got last place, you can still be awarded a stamp, so you won't have to worry about being stuck on a game you're not good at.

The second mode is Mission Mode, and in it, your job is to complete certain conditions. There are 30 missions in all, and while it may not seem like a lot, many of these are very hard, such as bowling 3 strikes in a row or winning checkers without losing any of your pieces. Missions are great when you just want to pick up and play, and the satisfaction of beating that mission that got you for days is very satisfying.

Clubhouse Games offers many unlockables, and many of these take work to get. As I mentioned earlier, there are 5 games you can unlock as well as 30 icons that you unlock through Mission Mode. You can get different colored game boards and even new music for when you play.

Speaking of music, the game offers you a set of songs as you play. These are aptly named "Lounge" songs, and they are slow and really set the mood of the game, though they can get slightly annoying at times. However, some of the songs really stand out, such as the song heard when playing games with a Japanese theme. And if you don't like the Lounge songs, you can always unlock the Pop songs and see if you prefer them.

Graphically, this game looks just fine. The cards, game pieces, and just about anything else looked smooth and polished and they honestly don't need to be polygons. What is in 3-D are the bowling pins and darts, and they look smooth and perfect for the DS. There isn't really anything to complain about in this department.

If you get tired of playing games alone against the AI, you can always check out multiplayer. Local Wireless is what you'd expect it to be, playing the games with your friends if you've got any around who have the game. Chances are, you probably don't, but you can still play via Nintendo Wi-fi Connection. Most games, except for a few card games, are avaliable to play with up to 3 other people, and it is very fun. There's even an online leaderboard to see how you stack up with the rest of the players.

While great in many regards, Clubhouse Games is not without it's shortcomings. While none of the games are duds, some card games just aren't very entertaining, such as President. The game could've used more action games, maybe even Ping-Pong or Mini Golf. All in all, this game is addicting and is even better if you can play it online

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/27/06