Sega games always seemed to have 'Casino' zones in them - like in pretty much every Sonic game, and even in totally implausible games like F-Zero GX. Apparently, "CASINO" is the new basic element of a level that goes along with "LAVA" worlds, "SNOW" worlds, etc. I'm not sure exactly why I brought this up. I think I was just expecting something a little flashier in a whole game dedicated to "CASINO" from Sega. Well, actually, it's developed by Tose Software, but, I mean, if it says "Sega" on it, it ought to be a little more polished.

Right, this is a brand new Nintendo DS game, and it's $29.95 on EBGames and I assume pretty much everywhere else. It's plain as can be. For that price, I was expecting something cooler than a bare-bones set of the Casino mainstays. I used to like playing Vegas Stakes on the SNES, which had dialogue and unique characters and your choice of personal escort. That was cool. Sega Casino has none of that. It doesn't even have slot machines with little hedgehogs or anything. It doesn't have any real defects either, per se, but I was expecting more for a game that costs thirty bucks.

At least it has one-cartridge multiplayer for the card games. The multiplayer-able games are Blackjack, Texas Hold 'Em, and Seven Card Stud. Roulette, Craps, Baccarat, Chuck A Luck, Keno, and Video Poker are available for one-player only. These are all fine, if graphically simple, except for the betting limit in Roulette. Nothing is more fun than making like $30,000 and then betting it all at once in Roulette, I'm sure of it. Too bad the limit in Sega Casino is $1000.

Some of the games need to be unlocked by acquiring enough total money, but they can all be opened on day one. It's pretty easy to play one of the card games, go all-in on a hand, and turn the game off without saving in the event of failure. The opponent AI in the card games is decent, but it gets predictable after a while. The game works pretty well as a teaching tool, since the full rules for each game are included, and it's only play-money, after all.

Sega Casino is underfeatured for the price. It's not bad, but it's just not worth thirty bucks. Keep an eye for this one down the road if the price comes down and you're hankerin' for some wireless card games.

Discuss this article in Talkback!