Pogo.com is the ideal time-wasting solution for desk jockeys the world over. The launch of Pogo mobile means that this same group of dedicated users can waste time during their lunch breaks as well. Turbo 21 is a fast-paced version of blackjack, in which you must make 21 as many times as possible, within 70 seconds. Score high, and you'll net some tokens, which can be used to earn badges and the like. The PC and wireless versions of the game post statistics to the same servers, so any work you do on either platform will be duly rewarded. You can easily see the addictive potential of Turbo 21, despite its simplicity.
In Turbo 21, players must play four games of blackjack at once. You cannot hold, but must instead either make 21 on a hand (thereby clearing that part of the board) or go bust--you win points by doing the former and lose them by doing the latter. The twist is that you can see the next card you'll be dealt and decide where it should land. The challenge is therefore to memorize combinations of two to five numbers that add up to 21. This makes Turbo 21 mostly a mental math game, which means it might not appeal to players with cashier day jobs.
The game's strength is the facility with which it can be picked up or put aside. Each game lasts just over a minute, which doesn't constitute a major time investment for most people. The game is instantly reinforcing, and you have the potential to drastically improve your playing almost right away.
Turbo 21's presentation is adequate. The game looks much as it does online, and sounds play every time you win or lose a hand. The stripped-down UI makes this game highly scalable. It ran just fine on our LG VX6100.
Pogo.com games are designed to appeal to casual players, who may not have an interest in mainstream video games. True to form, Turbo 21 is incredibly simple--too much so for some. If you're looking for a game you can play while talking on the phone and writing a paper, however, Turbo 21 fits the bill.
