Review: Deal or No Deal

Score: 61

Reading comments elsewhere, you'd think that the DS version of this hit TV show was utterly dire. Well, it's not that bad. It's just a bit dire.

The TV show concept, of making an entire hour's entertainment from simply a random number between 1 and 25, worked in real life because of the human characters involved and because of the 'beat the banker' stats-based idea, playing the odds etc.

A computer version of 'Deal or no deal' is obviously missing the former factor, but the latter has potential. In fact, the Java-based mobile phone version of this franchise is actually quite good, with quick graphics and gameplay, and you get to the 'beat the banker' bits faster and without the risk of accepting the first offer, going home with virtual money and not having to worry about ruining the TV experience for millions of watchers by 'giving in' before the bitter end.

The DS version could have been as good, but it's spoilt by the shoddy presentation. Half hearted graphics (why do these games not use actual photos - as on the game's licensed cover - more?) and poor sound (no voice samples?? - what??) make getting through the game more tedious than it should be.

There's an extra mini-game to play after each banker offer and a few trivial game enhancements after your winnings reach a certain level, but they're not enough to recommend this as a top title. Still, the score for Deal or No Deal scrapes into the 60s on the strength of it being a 'budget' game, widely available for £15 or so in the UK...