Gamertell

Title: Travel Games for Dummies
Price: $29.99
System(s): DS
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Publisher (Developer): Electronic Arts (Electronic Arts and Beanbag Studios)
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Pros: Three different games, 100 Crossword puzzles, 500 Sudoku puzzles, 10 kinds of Solitaire. Informative.
Cons: You have to go back manually clear Crossword boards when you’re done. Solitaire is very hard. Sometimes the letter/number recognition is a bit off. Only one player profile allowed per cartridge.
Overall Score: One thumb up, one thumb sideways; 80/100; B-; *** out of 5

EA Games’ Casual Entertainment division recently teamed up with Beanbag studios to create three instructional/casual games, two for the PC and one for the DS. The DS game, Travel Games for Dummies is actually a collection of three popular puzzle games - Sudoku, Solitaire and Crosswords. The goal of the endeavor is to teach people how to master these three games, and then offer a wide variety of puzzles to test their newfound skills in.

Its very straightforward, since it is supposed to be educational, but also is surprisingly fun. While it isn’t as diverse as say, Crosswords DS, it is better than the shovelware sudoku and casual game compilations you see cluttering GameStop shelves. And, surprisingly enough, it can help you become a better player. At least, the Crosswords and Sudoku segments can - I’m still on the fence about solitaire. Travel Games for Dummies would make a good gift for casual gamers this holiday season - I know my mom would adore it…

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Title: CrossworDS (aka Crosswords DS)
Price: $19.99
System(s): DS
Release Date: May 5, 2008
Publisher (Developer): Nintendo (Nuevo Retro Games)
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Pros: Fairly easy to play and has two extra puzzle games (crossword puzzles, word searched and anagrams).
Cons: Scrolling through large word lists and crossword screens become tedious. A few lame clues and some words left out of anagrams.
Overall Score:  One thumb up, one sideways; 85/100; B; * * * 1/2 out of five.

Despite a few small inconveniences including a few lame crossword clues and selectively missing words in the anagrams, the portability, number of games, easy-to-use touch controls, low price and the two extra games not advertised on the cover make Crosswords DS a sure-fire winner for any puzzle-lovin’ person. If your mother likes word puzzles, you will definitely want to consider this for Mother’s Day.

Click through for the full review…

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