Telegames has just shown everyone what a good game compilation should contain: popular games with broad appeal, solid presentation, great graphics, lots of options and finally, single pak multiplayer capability. This attention to detail elevates this collection above the crowd and ensures this is a game that everyone should have in their collection.
Ultimate Brain Games consists of eight games: Chess, Checkers, Mahjong, Backgammon, Dominoes, Sink the Ships (Battleship), Four-in-a-row and Reversi. Upon startup, players can choose from either single- or multi-player modes, choose the music selection and design a face for their character. Then, scroll through the game choices and choose a game. Once a game is picked and the game screen pops up, players can hit the Select button for a pull-down menu that is similar to that on a computer. Here, many options are available, including difficulty settings for the AI, to save or quit, or start a new game.
The AI is excellent with even the easy settings offering a bit of a challenge, so don’t expect to just make plays at random – some thinking will be required. If unfamiliar with a certain game, help is just a click away on the pull-down menu, but more help than offered here may be required, as some of the games don’t offer much in the way of their help files.
The graphics are really nice and make full use of the GBA’s capabilities. The face-maker is very well-done, on a par with the Hoyle series from Sierra. For each move, a miniature hand appears to move the playing piece.
There are several songs to choose from off the playlist, but most of them are rather loud and techno, although a couple are of the elevator type music staple. I chose to play with the music off. However, others may find the musical selections enjoyable.
The interface is excellent, and allows players to choose from many options in a seamless, unobtrusive manner. It’s extremely easy to just jump right into a game, with no fuss. The ability to play a friend with just one cartridge is wonderful; I wish more companies would follow this example. There is also a hot-seat option, where friends can swap the GBA back and forth while playing.
What a nice collection! My daughter and I are having a lot of fun playing the various games, with my favorite being Backgammon and her’s Sink the Ships. There are only a few negative things to say about this game, one being the brief game descriptions in the Help section, and the lack of a critical thinking game to add to the mix, besides just board games. Other than these very minor quibbles, this is a wonderful game and one that we will definitely keep. Every GBA library should have this included for its instant “on-the-go” fun and variety of games.
Gameplay: 9
These games are proven classics that have stood the test of time in terms of enduring popularity. The gameplay is what you would expect, with a well-designed AI ensuring that there is plenty of challenge. The multi-player option adds to the fun, too!
Graphics: 8
Very nice graphics that make these games even more fun.
Sound: 7
While I can’t rhapsodize about the music, others will probably enjoy.
Difficulty: Medium
The games range in difficulty from easy to difficult, with the difficulty levels adding to the wide range of skill needed.
Concept: 8
Well, as of right now, this is the only board game collection that I know of for the GBA. Even if there were scads of others, this would still stand out for its thoughtful presentation.
Multiplayer: 9
Players only need one game cartridge, need I say more? Oh yeah, and there’s a hot-seat option available, too.
Overall: 8.9
A lotta fun in a little package, this game is sure to please the general population. The only things missing, really, are a different type of game other than board games, and better help files. Hey, Telegames, when will the card game collection be out? I want Freecell!
