Perfectly suited for the DS, Scrabble is a challenging pocket-sized companion

User Rating: 7.5 | Scrabble Interactif 2007 Edition DS
You can't go far wrong with Scrabble, I've always felt. It's an easy enough game to play (and difficult to master, as all good board games are), and it transfers effortlessly onto any gaming format that's around – because of it's simplicity. You don't expect pizzazz or flash graphics or amazing tunes or weapon upgrades (although there's an idea….), so sticking Scrabble onto a DS is perfect.

The stylus is used to great effect as you slide your tiles from your rack onto the board, as you would if you were playing in your living room. You can even jiggle your letters along your racks to help you decide what word to play, which is a lovely touch.

Another exquisite feature is that the games' expansive dictionary tells you what words mean as you're placing them – informative as well as educational. Scrabble DS also gives you a chance to improve your own game as in Career Mode you progressively face harder, smarter opponents, whom you can learn from. Link-up play is available if you fancy taking on a friend, Exhibition Mode and a few side games like "Anagrams" complete the list of things to do.

Away from the actual Scrabble itself, there are a few little annoyances – such as the constant Jean-Michel Jarre-esque theme music (which you can turn down / off of course) and the cartoon-like avatars just don't suit this type of game. But these and a few other niggles aside won't detract from your enjoyment of Scrabble.

If you're a fan, Scrabble DS is a must – you can take it everywhere, like Travel Scrabble but without losing all the tiny magnetic bits! Even if you're not a die-hard, there's still enjoyment to be had with this one if you fancy a change of pace.