"8 games in 1? You can't get much better than that!"

Sink Ships(Battleship), Mahjong, Backgammon, Chess, Checkers, Reversi(Othello), Dominoes, and Four In A Row(Connect Four) all in one cartridge!!! What a deal!

There's also a ''face creator'' where you can create up to 2 of your own characters to save and play as, choosing from the predetermined facial features listed (eyes, hair, lips, nose, skin color, clothes, etc.). In the options menu, you can choose to play against one of the 12 pre-created characters from this feature.

The buttons are very intuitive. A button chooses menu items, B button cancels (goes back in the menu), Start button brings up the in-game menus. The game makers really thought this aspect through because it’s all so easy.

There are so many options in this game, it’s almost unbelievable.

In Mahjong (my favorite), there are 8 different tile layouts under each of the 3 difficulty levels (that’s 24 layouts!), plus two more under the “Rivers” mode (same layout, different number of tiles, so really 26 layouts total). That’s a huge amount and we’re only talking about one game! The only problem, if you can find something to gripe about, is that the tiles are pretty small, and the Domino tiles are even smaller. Fortunately, I have attached a magnifier to my GBA SP (not merely for these games, but because I’m a grown up and the ol’ grey mare ain’t what she used to be – not that I’m old mind you… c’mon, it’s just a saying). =oD

In Backgammon, you will use A & B buttons to choose which dice number you want your game piece to move. A nice touch is that the computer shows you where your game piece will land depending on your choice. Saves a little time, but still lets you think about which choice to make.

Reversi (aka Othello) shows you which pieces will flip as you move your piece to different spaces on the board, again, taking the time factor out, but still allowing you to make the right (or not so right) decision.

A cool feature is that each game comes with its own set of instructions. I found that a couple of them are not completely explained (maybe its just me), but with the demo modes and hint menus (where you can tell the computer to make the next move), you shouldn’t have any trouble getting by.

DIFFICULTY: Ranges from Very Easy to Extreme depending on the game. Every game is a challenge, even on Easy (EVEN on Checkers), so don’t expect a walk in the park. But if it is, there’s harder levels to conquer.

SOUND: The music is very good and appropriate for this game. It’s kind of new age… dramatic and ominous at times, a little peppy at other times, easygoing, but not elevator music… it is all instrumental, though. I call it thinking music. Not boring nor distracting, but distinct. You can change the playlist to play the songs in whatever order you want or you can go to the options menu and shuffle it if you want.

SAVING: You can save any of the games but you can save only one copy of each. In other words, if Susie and Johnny both want to save their own checkers games, only one can save it for later. BUT, you can save one of each game and come back. So Susie can save her checkers and chess games, and Johnny can save his backgammon and dominoes games. AND Johnny can play a new game of checkers or chess, but can’t save it or he’ll erase Susie’s game. (Just go to the game you want and push Start to bring up the menu, choose Game menu, then Load to bring a game back.) Just know that the game will ask you EVERY TIME if you want to save a game… you can’t just quit, you have to say no you don’t want to save it. I guess that’s okay for those people who push buttons and then change their minds a lot. =oP

OPTIONS in the games vary, but include being able to change the colors of the pieces or the pieces themselves, changing the view (angled or facing or overhead), changing the background (Mahjong), checkers can be played normal (must jump) or giveaway, switching sides, etc.

For each game, the computer keeps track of and displays on the title screen, the wins, losses, and success percentage for those who like to keep track. You can reset these in the Options menu. Then again, you can reset anything you want in the Options menu.

One of the COOLEST features is that not only can you play against the computer, but you can grab a friend who has a GBA and a link cable and link up with only ONE cartridge!!! A truly RARE feature indeed!!! (I’m tired of having to buy 2 of the same game just so my kids can play each other.)

All the fun old school board games are still fun (if not frustrating) with a little help from your old friend, the GBA.

This is a REALLY good game if you REALLY like any of these games. Rent if you are interested, or buy if you REALLY like one or more of these games.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/10/04