42 All-Time Classics brings all the best-loved card, board and parlour games to Nintendo DS for anyone to play; with simple touch screen control and a multiplayer mode that pits your skills against players across the world! With no boards to set up or cards to deal out, you can get straight into the action in seconds and play more than 40 gaming favourites - from draughts to darts, poker to bridge, and backgammon to billiards - with simple touch screen control. You can play solo or challenge up to seven friends by sharing one game card. And if you don't have anyone to play with, simply log on to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and find opponents across Europe or in the US. You can even chat to each other, PictoChat-style, while you play!

In a nutshell:
Possibly the least obscure game title ever, this does exactly what it says on the tin with forty-two classics from chess and backgammon, to darts, poker, bridge and solitaire.

The lowdown:
The surprising thing about this game is that nobody???s thought to do it before. The games are split into three varieties of card game and two of board games, plus a selection of "action" games including bowling, darts and billiards. Playing the card games is just as easy as you???d expect with two screens and a stylus, whether it???s Old Maid and Pig or Texas Hold ???Em and Bridge. The board games work just as well, with Chinese Checkers, Checkers (i.e. Draughts), Dots and Boxes and more. You???ll also find games like Turncoat (i.e. Othello), "Connect Five", Ludo, Mahjong and Solitaire. You have got to go to some effort not to find something of interest amongst this selection.

Most exciting moment:
The best thing about having so many games is that, except for the ones that are purposefully single player, they can all be played online. If you???re playing against a friend you can even chat using a PictoChat style interface.

Since you ask:
The Japanese and Western versions of the game have several different exclusive games. Japan never got Texas Hold 'Em, Dots and Boxes, Grid Attack, Ludo, Dominoes, Escape or Mahjong Solitaire but instead have Napoleon, Goninkan, Bozumekuri, Sugoroku, Size Game, Last One and Mini Golf in their version.

The bottom line:
The one video games compendium that really is for everyone. - HARRISON DENT

I put this game on my christmas list last year and I really enjoy playing it. I play games I have'nt played before and its so good fun.Its my number 1 games so far.

Yup its a touch generation type game that some people don't like, but they can't deny its amazing Nintendo polish. The interface and menus are very VERY well thought out and the games are wide ranging and fun. If you don't like most of these games - don't get it, simple... it isn't meant for you. I do have problems playing chess though as I find it hard to visualise and plan ahead, I'm the type of person that needs the board infront of me, but that may be just how my brain works! Its a perfect pick up and play casual game and the online and multiplayer play is very good too.

I just got this game today and am hooked already. As an older Nintendo fan (40 something), I don't play all the shoot 'em up or beat the clock type games. I like games that I can play at my leisure and think about. This is definitely the one to have. Got it hooked up to my wireless internet easily and was playing backgammon with someone in no time. It's not one of those games where once you play to the end, you're done. Lots of variety and I'm sure it will keep me entertained for hours, days, even months to come.

Im one of those people who own a DS so i can just pick it up and kill some time. This game is my fav by far, and trust me i own many ! It has loads of games to play from darts to card games which are all very addictive and easy to play. The real bonus about this game is playing with others using the WiFI. The chat option when playing against people via the wifi is very limited but its very safe for children, you dont need friends codes either. All the games can be played using ds to ds game play and you dont need two games to play against others either. If i was only allowed one game for my DS this would be it !

It is brilliant. I'm not one for platform or role play games, so this is the game just for me. I have played games I didn't think I would understand at all, others baffle me totally (but I will persevere), but I've had great fun playing darts, rummy, dominoes and so many others. If you want something that will appeal to all ages and skill levels, then get this one. Worth every penny, it provides hours of fun. My dad even has a copy!! My only issue is the absolutely tiny Mahjong Soliatire board, so get the magnifier out!!