Deal or No Deal? (Deal or No Deal (DS))

Member Name: Nic25

Product:	Deal or No Deal (DS)
Date:	28/01/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to understand and play

Disadvantages: Quite repetitive, boring after a while

I have the UK version of this game, although it would seem that the only main difference between this and the one pictured above is the fact that is features Noel Edmonds as opposed to the bald guy.

I think by now, everyone is familiar with the worldwide hit gameshow that is Deal or No Deal. The show in which a contestant much pick one of 22 boxes at random as their own, and then slowly pick off the other boxes until they find out the cash amount that's hidden in their box. In between all the box-opening, 'the banker' telephones to offer cash prizes for the box if the contestant will stop playing.

This version of the game is specifically made for the Nintendo DS. I got it as a Christmas present, as I'm a well known Deal or No Deal addict, and it's always on at tea time in our house!

The main rules of the game are roughly the same as the programme. You can play as a general contestant, the banker, or you can also unlock 'forfeit' modes, which are fun to play with family and friends, in which you open boxes with forfeits such as 'one member of the family must do my chores this weekend'.

Playing in contestant mode is fairly simple, in that you use the stylus to pick a box for yourself, and then go up and down the line, touching each box to open it and see the contents. The other contestnats will make a happy or sad face for you depending on what is in their box.
This is split up by calls from the Banker, which Noel answers and relates to you. I find these little parts to be really repetitive, and have only seen about half a dozen different phrases since I've been playing it.
At this part, there is also sometimes a basic mini-game of 'find the mug' which can raise the Bankers offer. To be honest I find this part mildl annoying, more so because you can't skip it!

The game has had a good few bad reviews, and it's slightly unfair, as it's not a bad game. I think the main problem is that the game is so simple, the best part of the TV version of the show is the interaction with the contestants and the audience. There are no questions etc to answer, anyone can open boxes at random, so it's important that you feel connected to the player, and care what they receive in their box.

Obviously, this can't be recreated on the DS version, as it's not real money you're playing for, it's difficult to care much about what order you open yur boxes in, and hard to feel any compassion for a cartoon contestant!

However, overall, a good basic game, that's fun for a while, but does lose the novelty factor fairly quickly.

Summary: A good basic game, one for the fans