Editorial Review

Now everyone can enjoy the classic game of Yahtzee in a nifty electronic version. Small enough to fit in your hand, this addictive game lets you "roll" the dice with the click of a button. Press "hold" to keep the ones you want, and then roll again. Get 5 of a kind, and you've got "Yahtzee." A row of options at the top ("3 of a kind," "small straight," etc.) is available to select preferred scoring for each round. like the original, this fun game can be a bit noisy with its sound effects and victory song, but it does include a silence feature. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (68)

So much fun!!!
The display graphics for this game are top notch. Very easy to read and to play. It is EXACTLY like real Yahtzee but without worrying about keeping score. The unit also tells you how much your score would be for each requirement. It's so much fun, even my airline pilot husband couldn't put it down! I would like it to have a case of some kind. I have a feeling it may not take the bumps and bruises of travel very well. I'll find out soon. Worth the price!

Great Travel Buddy
This game is great. It is all the fun of Yahtzee, in your hand. All of the same rules apply and all of the objectives are the same. The objective of the game is to save the dice to get a full house or a 4 of a kind to name a few. The set up and buttons are very clear. You could learn without the instructions. There is a handy dandy point sheet on the back of the game that tells you all of the objectives and how many points they are worth. This game is small so it is perfect for a long car ride, gym or can fit in your pocket for when ever you have some free time. It is worth it.

What A Game!!
What a great game for a great price. I found myself playing this for hours when I first got it and continue to play it all the time. It is a terrific little game and will keep you occupied on those long trips and periods of boredom (LOL.) It is easy to use and has a silent mode on it. My only minor complaint is that the sound is too loud and therefore I usually play the game muted. I wish there was more than one level of sound. But I guess if that is my only complaint (...) I really shouldn't be complaining at all. Get this game, you won't be sorry! : )

Ever yell Yahtzee on a crowded plane?
My grandmother gave this to me for a Christmas gift, and it's quite addictive. The game plays just like Yahtzee and is very easy to learn. It's very durable, and turns itself off after a short time of inactivity, to conserve the battery. I did manage to rack a score of 526, to which my grandmother claimed she got over six hundred, to which I said she was a lying sack. (I was just teasing her, as I know she is a very honest woman and I am sure she got me the game after she got over 600 points on her game just to watch me try and beat her score, knowing I probably wouldn't.)

Anyway, a couple of nice features is the game displays the score, if any, of the current dice configuration as you move across the screen to decide where to best put your roll total. The game also allows you to turn the sound off as the noise of the electronic dice 'rolling' does become annoying after awhile. And the game will save the highest score in memory for as long as the single AAA battery lasts.

Favorite airplane entertainment
I've had my handheld Yahtzee game for years and it still works great. I've never had to replace the batteries. You can play this game like a zombie for hours and before you know it you're at your destination! ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Best gift I ever bought!
I bought this for my mother for her birthday last year. Within two weeks she had used it so much that the paint had worn off the back. However, one year later, without a drop in usage it is still going, and to date has not needed new batteries. Truly amazing. It is easy to see, simple to understand and very addictive. Highly recommended.

Radica Solitaire
My husband and I have been playing the Radica Solitaire games for over 10 years. We finally bought the new one - we have been playing for over 10 hours and have not been able to run a game. Who ever did the software for this game was sick - the most cards you will ever get is 4 in the suites.

This is definitely NOT worth the money and we are asking for a refund.

Unfortunately, the older ones that we had, we thru away.

I contacted Radica and they said the older ones were to easy - I agree, but why go so much the other way that it is not even fun to play anymore

DO NOT BUY THIS GAME - NOT WORTH IT

Bad programming
Who was the idiot(s) that wrote the software for the Radica Solitaire 2000?!!??? Many years ago, we purchased the Radica Solitaire 2320(or 2380..). The program was fine and you could, with some playing, expect to win daily.

Not with the 2000! One is lucky to win weekly, playing all day.

You folks have lost the concept! The idea isn't to win. THE IDEA IS TO COMPETE FOR HIGH SCORE!!! The 2320 would let you win without deducting the 20 points for going more than 3 rounds. In other words, you could win (and compete) before it went past 3 rounds. NOT WITH THE 2000!!!! It is virtually impossible to win on the 2000 before it deducts the 20 points.

I can't tell you how disappointed my wife and I are with your poorly programmed 2000...

But, we're sure you'll delete this review...

Don and Sandra Chute

SOLITAIRE LITE (Where can I find you?)
The new solitaire is ok but the Solitaire Lite in my opinion is much better. I use it at nite in bed whenever I cannot sleep and it doesn't disturb my husband. Its great on bus and plane trips when there is not enough natural light. Hope I can find one before something drastic happens to this one. I loaned my spare one to a friend and they are addicted and refuses to return it. PLEASE HELP US FIND SOLITAIRE LITE!!!!!!

Can't put it down!
Great for the plane, car or any time you want to make a HUGE block of time go by without noticing it. Really easy to use. Batteries seem to last a long time. And it seems fairly durable (with the exception of maybe dropping on concrete or running it over with the car).
The best part is that you can turn off the sound so you can play without all the beeps and craziness.
If there are two or more of you that are interested in this game you WILL need to buy one for each of you. No joke, you'll be fighting over who gets to play with it. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

It's not all fun and games
After I started playing Freecell online and on the computer, I saw this trusty gadget and thought that I would enjoy it. The easiest thing about this contraption was getting it out of the plastic case. There were no directions and after fighting with it for an hour, I put it down and went back to my regular solitaire game. I still haven't figured it out. I don't like the way it scrolls up and down so you aren't sure what card you are on. It is difficult to use, and I'm an adult... the only thing a kid might do is use it to break something else. If there were coherent directions, perhaps it might be more valuable to me... but at this point, it's somewhere in my basement and I'm not in much hurry to retrieve it.

Nice but hard to see at times.
I am an avid freecell player. Even bought a game for my palm pilot. This portable is very well constructed. It takes a bit of getting used to for the controls (especially since there were no instructions at all.)

The only complaint I really have is the lack of the ability to adjust the LCD contrast. When I put batteries in it and hold it at a normal angle, I can see every segment lit up and it makes it difficult to see the cards that are supposed to be lit up.

Other than that, not a bad little time waster.

(...)

Awesome
Since purchasing this game 2 years ago - it has become my best friend. I take it everywhere. It comes in handy when I find myself waiting in long lines, or waiting to see the doctor. I'll even play it while watching TV - it helps while waiting for the commercials to finish.

A great way to pass the time.
I spend a lot of time in waiting rooms ..... hospitals, doctor offices, etc., so I was excited when I found this compact hand held Free Cell game by Radica. I love Free Cell anyway, because the game challenges me and is never boring. Now I love it even more because I can put it easily into my purse and take it with me everywhere I go. No more boredom during long waits, and no lost games when I need to suddenly put it away. The game is still waiting for me exactly as I left it when I resume play. I find the coloring of the cards is in no way a problem, and I don't mind scrolling a bit if that is what is necessary to keep the game size compact enough to carry with me. For me, these things simply add to the interest of the game.

Glad its here, but could be better
Being an avid freecell player on the computer I was excited when I saw the handheld version from RADICA being advertised. Having played a few games on it now, I feel the cards should be in red and black since it is hard to make out which is which. Also it would have been nice to view the entire line of cards in each row like you can on the computer instead of having to scroll up and down. Still I plan to keep it, since it is more challenging than the computer version because of its problems!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

No doubt about it: Solitaire is addictive, especially for travelers and those with lots of time on their hands. Luckily, this handheld unit is easier to use on the road than cards or a computer. It offers the same variety and challenge, including one or three cards and standard or Vegas-style options, without taking up extra space. It does require a bit of practice to understand the electronic simulation of the game,but once learned it offers the same enjoyment. There's also an optional timer, stack reviewer, undo, and stack display features. Requires two AA batteries (not included). --Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Worked for me
I've used my Excalibur for about 5 years and it worked until this last weekend. I'm ready to buy my next. I thought it was a pretty good game. Have to change the batteries, y'know. Reset button & ability to turn it off were only drawbacks; that & my thumb got kinda sore.

VERY DISAPOINTED
I'VE ONLY HAD THIS GAME FOR ONE MONTH AND HAVING TROUBLES WITH IT. FOR ONE IT FREEZES UP AND ANOTHER HAS A TENDENCY TO SHUFFLE THE CARDS WITHOUT ME EVEN TOUCHING IT MAKING THE GAME VERY DIFFICULT TO PLAY. THIS PARTICULAR GAME IS REALLY A PIECE OF GARBAGE AND I'LL NEVER BUY ONE LIKE THIS EVER AGAIN. ALSO THE BATTERIES DON'T LAST VERY LONG IN THE GAME AND I FOUND I HAD TO CHANGE THEM EVERY WEEK IN ORDER TO SEE THE GAME AS IT FADED AS THE BATTERIES GOT WEAKER. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Nowhere near as good as MGA entertainment's version
Micro Games of America released an electronic UNO game a few years ago that is much better than this version. In it, you could see at a glance the number of cards each computer opponent had. This is important information. You need to know who has the most cards remaining in order to set up a strategy for using your "reverse", "skip", "draw 2", and "draw 4" cards. Mattel's version only allows you to see your own cards and the cards of the previous player's turn at a glance. Also, the control buttons on Mattel's version are not very intuitive. You use a "select" button to cycle through the cards and then a "play" button plays the selected card. MGA's game had 7 buttons labeled "A" through "G". Each of your cards were lettered and you pushed the "A" button to play card "A". It was faster, easier, and more fun. I do have to give credit to Mattel for reissuing thier version in a compact size though. The previous monstrosity was very clunky and poorly designed. Mattel electronic Uno is a fun game, but if you can find the MGA version somewhere, get it. It is not only a better choice than this, but it is probably the best LCD handheld game ever made.

I like the first Uno game that Micro Games of America had.
I think this Mattel game of Uno stinks. I like the first Uno game that was put out by Micro Games of America. This one is stupid!!!!!

A little improvement, but with a much smaller screen.
Mattel's new Electronic UNO game has some nice features; its more compact and the physical design is more streamlined. The previous version was somewhat awkward to hold, and while innovative, the lever used to select your card to play contributed to its awkwardness. The new unit is quite comfortable to hold in the palm of your hand, and the buttons are easily accessible. The UNO button is easy to reach, to call 'UNO' with or to catch neglectful computer opponents who don't call 'UNO', a very satisfying exercise!

The instruction booklet is fairly well documented, but doesn't remind you that you can't play a playable card in your hand if you have drawn one like the previous Electronic UNO. It does remind you that you cannot play a Wild Draw Four if you have a matching color in your hand. The one change I love is the color designation; instead of small, hard to see color strips, letters representing the colors appear under the cards; R for red, Y for yellow, B for Blue and G for green. The sound effects are different from the prior Electronic UNO; they aren't as crisp and are a bit more simplistic, but are pleasant enough and won't annoy too much. If they do, the sound can be toggled off. Gone is the voice that calls 'UNO' when the appropriate button is pressed, or when the computer calls it. This was a nice feature in the older game, but isn't a major beef. The ability to challenge an alleged illegal Wild Draw Four card play is still absent in this game, a wonderfully satisfying part of the game that should have been included!

The screen is MUCH smaller than before, this is a major issue with me, but the LCD graphics are crisp and clear enough that it isn't too straining on the eyes. I also agree with Sue Williams about the buttons; they feel very fragile and too much pressure could cause damage to them. The prior Electronic UNO was much sturdier. The unit doesn't follow rules for the Reverse card with 2 players. With 2 players, playing a Reverse card is supposed to behave as a Skip card. This unit is still a nice addition to any UNO fan's collection, but a larger screen a more durable build, proper behavior of the Reverse card with 2 players and including the challenge of a Wild Draw 4 play would have made for a much better Electronic UNO game.

It didn't last long
although I liked this game and the girls learned it easily, I'm writing a second review because the select button didn't last long and with out it you can't play.

More handheld fun
This is a great additon to my store of games for kids who don't speak English. The levels make it fun enough for the older adolescents and younger ones can play too. Most of my girls know how to play UNO with cards and that is a help learning this game fast. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Addictive Fun
I loved this game but then I love sotitaire in any form whether it be cards or on the computer. The fun about this one is that you can take it with you where ever!! It does have a few little problems like freezing up and going through batteries like crazy!I just wore mine out and had to buy a new one!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Confusing controls
I bought this game for my grandmother, who loves playing Solitaire on the family's computers but doesn't have her own computer to play it on. I thought a color screen would be easier for her to see. I figured the controls out, but when I gave it to her with the instructions and showed her how to use it, she couldn't play it. The buttons are confusing and the controls are complicated. Unless you've grown up playing video games, you will have a hard time remembering the combinations you need to get the cards around the screen.

Other than the controls, here are the other problems: The screen is weird; it may as well be in black and white. It has very annoying sound effects, but those can be turned off during game play. It doesn't have an "off" button, which means you have to let it sit around for three minutes draining its batteries before it shuts itself off. The only advantage to this is that you can put your game down and come back to it in the same place later. And when you initially start a game, if you don't make your first move within about 15 seconds, it starts a demo, complete with sound that you CAN'T turn off! Plus if it's in its little self-playing demo mode, it won't turn itself off! You have to start a game and THEN set it aside to turn off.

Despite all of its problems and after the initial confusion associated with the poorly designed controls, I'm having a good time with this game, mostly because I did grow up playing video games. I'm considering keeping it around for my own entertainment, and just working around its shortcomings. I'm taking my grandmother shopping for a poker game, though...

To the toymakers out there, here's what we need: a small hand-held card game with SIMPLE controls and a good resolution color screen, not these glorified calculator screens ...

Sending it back
I don't like this game because there are brackets around all the numbers and letters of the cards and it makes it very difficult to see what there are.....You also have to hold it at an odd angle to see it at all..................... ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Gin Rummy Game has some flaws
I bought this Gin Rummy game to replace one from Radio Shack that I wore out, and they don't make anymore. This game has only a few different hands, and repeats them over and over. It does not take long to memorize them and know exactly what the score will be and who will win each hand. Also, it sometimes will not let you win when you have a winning hand. For example, in one hand I had 4 10's and 8,9,J,Q&K OF the same suit. It would not allow the 10 of that suit to be played in the straight. Itstead, it kept it with the other 3 10's to make a set of 4. Therefore, the 8 & 9 were not playable when it should have been. Also, I would prefer to keep the sound off all them time, but this game requires you to turn the sound off each time a new game begins.

ginrummy games
the game is great except for the fsct that it is almost impossible to read the suits on the cards. these need to be bigger. your original game was much better. im also looking for your original hearts card game and cant find it. do you still make it? thank you.

Great gin rummy game
I have another Gin Rummy handheld electronic game by Radica. My older game is much less complex and I find the same games/deals repeating. This new Gin Rummy by Excalibur has more options and I have yet to find games repeating on me. My only complaint is that the screen is sometimes hard to read in lower light (and differentiate between some of the suit indicators). Overall, I am very pleased. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Making a major leap from your PC to the original personal computer--your fingers--is Color FX II: Free Cell, the handheld reworking of the ace-through-king card-stacking game. If you can tolerate the difficulties inherent in transferring card games to tiny LCD screens (such as displaying an entire deck of 52 cards via tiny graphics; time-consuming card selection using multiple buttons; and busy, information-packed displays that darken to invisibility when the sun comes out), there's a lot to like about the FX II, including an Auto Power Off feature to save wear on your batteries (four AA, not included). It's a cool, skillful antidote to those times when you can't rustle up a deck of cards or a computer loaded with Free Cell software. --Tony Mason ... Read more

Reviews (7)

You get what you pay for.
If you want an inexpensive Freecell game that might get abused some, this is it. I bought one of these , figuring that if if didn't work, I was only out the cost of a pizza. It does work, but as the other reviews say, the cards are TINY! I am terribly nearsighted, and I often play without my eyeglasses in order to see the cards clearly. It is best to play it in the dark, as the screen isn't very bright. It takes a while to get used to the layout of the keys, but it won't let you make any illegal moves, so any wrong moves you make are on your own. The sound effects are OK, although some people don't like the card-move sound (kind of a squelching splat). My main objection is that the black card symbols show up as white. I see they did it for visibility, but it still bugs me. If you want an inexpensive Freecell game, this is it. If you want it to be easier to play, you might look at the Radica brand one, that has the row keys laid out in an arc.

Not for older eyes
This game is extremely difficult to play if you don't have the eyes of a hawk. The covered cards are next to impossible to see, and you can't get any other view of them. I returned the game and ordered a different brand.

Save your money!
This game is a big waste of money. It is nearly impossible to see the screen. If you like freecell, there are other handheld freecell games that are a lot better.

PLAYING FREE CELL
HAVING PLAYED FREE CELL ON MY P.C. FOR YEARS I WAS THRILLED TO SEE A HAND HELD VERSION OF THE GAME ON THE MARKET. I IMMEDIATELY PURCHASED THE GAME AND UPON DELIVERY CAREFULLY READ THE INSTRUCTIONS IN CASE THE BASIC RULES VARIED FROM THE ONE I WAS ACCUSTOMED TOO. I TURNED THE GAME ON AND IT MADE ALL KINDS OF NEAT SOUNDS BUT I QUICKLY BECAME CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE PLAYING AREA I COULDN'T READ THE CARDS THAT WERE STACKED UP BECAUSE THEY WERE SO SMALL. THE SCROLL DOWN BUTTON DID NOTHING BUT CONFUSE ME EVEN MORE. THE FRONT CARD WAS BIG AND BOLD BUT EVEN WITH MY GLASSES ON, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHICH CARDS WERE STACKED ON TOP OF THE FRONT CARDS.
I CONSIDER THIS GAME A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT AND WASTE OF MONEY. MUST HAVE EXTREMELY GOOD VISION AND MUCH PATIENCE TO ENJOY THIS GAME.

Screen Size
Purchased the Freecell game with so called better graphics but when playing a magnifying glass is needed to see all the colors!!! Don't buy this game unless you want to go blind. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

this is cool
My son who was 4yrs old when he got this toy and loved it and is still playing with it. Also its great for the entire family.

Got Tanked
What an excellent toy for children of all ages. I came across this toy at last years super bowl party and everyone had a blast. Whoever was "chomped" had to take a shot. We played numerous times, dropped it a bunch (aka wonderful durability)and became obscenly intoxicated. Put away the cards, a new game has been found and it is sure to entertain you and your friends.

Great fun, no pieces
I am a dental hygientist and this toy is the hit with kids from 2 thru 15!! I give it 5 stars, somehow it found its way home with a patient and now I am so glad I found it again.

Piece of junk
It broke, I swear, the second time my child touched the teeth. I have never seen a toy do that. Maybe I just got a lemon.

Great for playdates, but a bit fragile
We are on our third crocodile dentist! It is a wonderful wonderful toy that my developmentally delayed preschooler and his typical friend all LOVE. But I carry it to the park in a large toy bag and the past two copies have broken...when you press a tooth it won't stay down anymore. A good way around this might be to keep it in a box of it's own.

This is also a wonderful toy for parents following the RDI Steve Gutstein social therapy for children with Autism. Because this toy has an element of surprise, as you press each tooth you never know if this is the tooth that will cause the jaw to snap shut! Note: the snapping shut is fairly gentle and safe for preschoolers! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Improve your bridge game even when you can''t put a foursome together with this portable bridge computer. The computer plays American 5-card, ACOL, and French 5-card bridge as well as rubber or duplicate bridge. The Pro Bridge 610 automatically shuffles and deals the virtual cards and the large screen shows your hand and your partner's hand and keeps track of the score and how many tricks have been made. The black-and-white screen layout can be a little confusing at first as it is much less intuitive than the colorful online bridge game layouts that many players are used to for practice. However, the intuitive button layout makes it easy to place bids and beginners can even retract bids to give themselves a second chance. Other beginner options include a hint button, which offers advice during play; a "view hand" function, which shows all hands; and a setting for watching the computer play against itself. Players can save games already in progress and resume them at any time. Pro Bridge 610 runs on three AAA batteries or an AC adapter (neither are included). --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Pro Bridge 610 not ready for prime time
This is not a well thought out product. The buttons are small and their low contrast labels are difficult to decipher. Most problematic of all is the overall user interface. Any serious bridge fanatic is used to a PC or Palm application with logical graphics showing opponents where they sit at the table. This machine's fixed LCD characters and non-intuitive layout make simply following the game a chore. I found I had to constantly pause and get my bearings about where dummy was situated and which positions the rapid-fire computer was drawing cards from. That makes it hard to even remember the cards played and, often, what the contract even is. Another issue is the playing convention itself. Not being configurable, I found myself making the wrong assumptions about my 'partner's' hand. For instance, I made a straightforward Blackwood response to a 4NT bid and the computer left me stranded at the 5 level in a suit I barely owned. This toy goes back muy pronto. Hey Bridge Baron! Make an elegant hand-held bridge system and you can own the world!!

Helps me keep my game sharp
I much prefer to play with friends, but the Pro Bridge 610 is a pretty good way to play and getter better atthe game. The button layout takes some getting used to, but the screen is big, and has lighting.

My Father Returned his
I bought this for my father, age 73, but still a great bridge player.
He wore out his old Shadow Bridge 612 handheld.
He returned the pro bridge 610 because he couldn't get the sound to work
and found the keys hard to read--dark on dark print not a good idea. ... Read more