This game is pretty good, though not espcially robust. It has a lot of games, which is nice for variety. But it doesn't have Texas Hold Em poker, which I was hoping for. Some of the games require a lot of clicks to keep the game moving forward. All in all though its a pretty good game for the price since you get a lot choices.

i bought it for my husband. He really likes to play cribbage. and he can take it with him on trips. thanks for the hours of entertainment. I like to play crazy eights and poker on it.

This game has tons of card & casino games. I am 47 & use it on my son's Gameboy when we travel or go camping. It is great for all ages!

anybody who like cards games this is one of the best.canasta,spades,heart and about any cards games you can play.it even keep track of how many wins you have and your highest score and lowest score for each game.

I am a huge solitaire fan and I bought this just for Klondike. The game only lets you go through the deck twice and then you LOSE! WHAT is this!!! Instead of letting you select different cards/backgrounds/music it should have given you more options for your actual game! After wasting thirty bucks on this I gave it to my sister and went back to my old gameboy two color cartridge.

Also, it seems like they could have made the cards a little bigger and had less background. Have the makers seen the latest reasearch on the number of adults playing video games? Also that the adults preferred games are card and puzzle games? You guys need to MAXIMIZE the size for aging eyes!

P.S. I am 46 and have my own Gameboy Advance SP and love it!

if you like playing cards or just occasionally then this is the game for you it has all the great games on it it's got alot of games on it for the money. it will keep you busy for hours and alot of fun.

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys playing cards. The cartridge contains a nice assortment of card games and, of course, the replay factor is unlimited. Each game comes complete with instructions. Although the cards appear very tiny on the viewing screen, I can see them clearly when playing on my Gameboy Advance SP. If you're looking for action, adventure or arcade games, this is not for you; but if you like card games, this is a "must have" for your game collection.

I LOVE THE ASORTMENT OF CARD GAMES. NOW I DONT NEED ANYONE TO PLAY WITH OR SHOW THEM HOW TO PLAY. I LEARN A GAME BEAT IT AND LEARN A NEW ONE. THE ONLY THING I DONT LIKE IS THAT IT DOESNT HAVE TOO PLAYER AND I CANT GET THE COPY GAME TO WORK.

All in all, this is a good game. You might play the games differently than the computer does, and you cant change it. You can play many different games though, and it will teach you the ones that you dont know. This isnt not one of those games that will entertain you for hours, but it is definatley fun. If your not that crazy about card games, do not buy this game. But if you are, BUY THIS GAME!!!!!!

I've noticed that a lot of the reviews are really harping on a specific game having a bug that ruins the experience for them. If you look at the group on a whole, though, this is the best bargain in Gameboy games that I have seen yet.

The casino games are a lot of fun. Poker and Blackjack are well done, albeit slow (the computer really takes its time dealing cards). Video poker is a bit too simplistic to play for any amount of time, but your kids or slightly retarded uncle might enjoy it.

The Classic card games are extremely well done. I haven't played euchre in ages, but I got sucked back in almost immediately. Gin Rummy is slightly different than the version I played as a kid, but it's as viable a version as mine, so it doesn't bother me. Crazy Eights is a hoot, and learning to play cribbage and bridge by myself with a cold beer and Radiohead playing is a lot easier than having to listen to my grandmother or mom harp at me about how I played the last hand all wrong.

The solitaire games, while technically fine, are rendered almost useless by the controller. Moving each card one-by-one with the controller reminds me how much easier it is to play the solitaire games on my computer with a mouse. By the end of one game of Freecell, my hand was cramped so bad I had to go get another couple of cold beers and listen to side 1 of Dark Side of the Moon before my hand was functioning again. Fun, competent solitaire games, but I'll bet you develop Popeye forearms after a couple of weeks.

The cartridge is definitely worth it just for the Classic and Casino games, though. Perfect games for sitting in the airport or riding in the passenger seat - most of these can be played in 5 to 10 minutes, which is a plus for me. Even when they go longer than that, every game has a good save feature. You can make an identity for yourself, complete with customized face. Pretty funny and cool. This thing never seems to come out of the GBA. My wife is just as hooked as I am, too.

After going through the deck three times, the program freezes up, making it impossible to win. Rather than admitting a programming error, telegames replied "that's how this version is in some countries." What they should do is fix all the bugs in the program and issue a recall to replace the older version if sent to their mailing address.

Yes, some of my favorites are missing from this game, but there are so many versions of card games, there was no way the creators could please everyone.
The graphics are surprisingly good, with choices of background, card backs, and a face creator. Face creator is a bit more limited than the one included in "Ultimate Brain Games" but will suffice. I didn't buy this game to create faces... I play card games with it!
The link feature is nice and the whole family can link up and play.
Overall, it was a good buy and an improvement to be able to finally play card in color on the Gameboy as opposed to my old B&W game.

It has plenty of card games to play. I purchased this mainly to play spades on the go. I wish it were more like Yahoo spades with more options in the menu so I could play double nil passing and suicide. Also, I would like characters with different difficulty levels, because I have only lost 1 game so far. I play on a regular Gameboy Advance, and I have found that if I create too many faces (3) and save too many games and settings, the game will freeze up. This can be corrected by going to the options menu and erasing your saved stuff. And I agree, there really isnt enough female faces. They all look like men. I didn't dare make one for my wife either! But, nonetheless, I love this game, as does my wife (gin rummy). I can't get the gameboy away from her! Hearts, Poker, Blackjack, Crazy Eights, and Go Fish are excellent. I would give this game an A, 4 stars because there is room for improvement. But it is my favorite gameboy game so far. Enjoy!

First off, I've got to say that I own a Palm, so I own most of these games in one form or another on my Palm. But I love card games, so I just had to buy this game when it came out. After playing it for a week or two now, I've got to say that this is one of my favorite games! Of course it's easier to play games like solitaire on a PDA with its touch screen, but I've got to admit, Telegames did a great job making this game as painless to play as possible. The selection of games is wonderful, as are the features. Here are some of the features I like:

--Backgrounds - You can change the background image to a picture or a gradient color.
--Music - There's an hour worth of music on the cartridge and it's playable CD-style, so you can pick and choose what songs you want to hear.
--Windows-style menus - This may sound crazy, but it really does make it easier to navigate options while you're in the middle of a game. You can save or load a game, view rules, change the music or background. All games should implement this system!

The graphics are wonderful considering how much the screen has to show, and on the photo backgrounds, the images are crystal clear--I never knew the GBA SP could display photos so clearly. There's even a simulated 3D face creator, so you can create your own likeness for when you play.

So here's what I don't like:

--Glitchy buttons - In order to rearrange your cards, you must first press the "R" button and then choose which card you want to move by pressing the "A" button. Thing is, if you're not careful, the "A" button also acts as the discard button, so you can lose a card you meant to keep.
--No female features in face creator - I'm sorry, but every single feature in the "Face Creator" program looks like a man's face. I tried making one for my fiance and decided against it as she would've killed me if I told her, "I think this looks like you."

These are small gripes and I think the game still deserves the five-star rating. This is a great game for all ages. There's no violence and the selection is such that there is bound to be a game you know, no matter your age. I mean, what six year old doesn't know "Go Fish"? And even if you don't know, the game has a pretty good "How to play" to get you started. I recommend this game to everyone, although I think adults will enjoy it more with the inclusion of Blackjack, Poker and Video Poker.

I really enjoyed playing the game, it offers loads of different games to keep u interested.

I also like the fact that the games have menu toolbars that gives u information necessary to enjoy the game

Ultimate Card Games is a very good game. It offers a whole bunch of entertainment value in a single purchase. I have noticed a few "quirky things" occur, but most of these things I later found described in the onscreen how to play information or in the onscreen rules section. There are a lot of variations on how to play these games and the options generally allow you to adjust your version to your own taste. It will be in my collection for a long time.

*Pitiful*. The "brain" behind this software, in the Gin Rummy option, is *horrible*. *Frequently*, my hands are not optimally parsed. For example, one time I had 5-6-7-8 of clubs, two other 8's, and four-of-a-kind of some other denomination ... a *gin* hand! *But* the program *insisted* upon putting the 8 of clubs into the 5-6-7 run, instead of with the other two 8's, and wouldn't allow me to knock, telling me that I had 16 in deadwood. Another time I had K-Q-J-10 of hearts, two other 10's, and 6 in "deadwood" in the remaining four cards. When the AI opponent knocked with 8, I should have scored an undercut, but, instead, my 10 of hearts was grouped with the K-Q-J, instead of with the other two 10's, leaving me losing by 18! This sort of thing has happened to me about every 5 to 8 hands. I'd *never* recommend this game to *anyone*: it's *trash* which shouldn't have been published without minimal testing. Shame on Telegames for releasing this game and shame on Nintendo for approving Telegame's release of this game.

I ordered Ultimate Card Games because I enjoy playing solitaire but I have not played even one of the many solitaire games because I absolutely cannot stop playing Spades. I'm sure the others, such as canasta, hearts, many different solitaire games, gin rummy, poker, blackjack, are just as addicting but I cannot stop playing Spades! Thanks, Amazon, for having this new video game in stock since no one in my town including Toys R Us or Wally World seems to even know about it.

It seems to me that some people seem to be missing the point of this game. It is not a full blown casino product nor a master rated bridge game nor an aggregation of Microsoft products. What it is - is a superb collection of various card games with lots of features that is intended to be an entertaining way to "waste time" for mainstream consumers. Sure some of the games play a little differently than I'm accustomed to and some of the computer opponents are a little weak for my skill level, but so what. I adapt to their rules and still enjoy playing. I've had the game for a week and it is obvious to me that I will enjoy this product for years, not just for weeks or months like many other products. I'm getting ready to use it now to waste some more time while I wait for my ride to show up. Just get it and enjoy it.

I just bought this game 2 days ago and am already a big fan. Not only are there a good variety of some of the best card games around (sorry I am not a big Texas Hold Em fan) but the game also keeps stats on everything you play even down to how many Full Houses you get in Video Poker, how many minutes you have played a game, and your current win streak. It is also great for my 4 year old son who is getting good at Go Fish. The face creator adds a nice touch to personalize your character as well. If there are games that you are not all that familiar with you can read the in-game help to learn how to play it. Most of the games as well have rules and settings that can be changed to suit your style of play. This game will surely remain in my collection until the GBA becomes a thing of the past.

I've been enjoying playing the Draw Poker game, which is the main reason I wanted this cartridge. Poker is a betting game, and this game has all the fun of check-raising and betting All-In.

This is where I've found a bug... If some of the players go All-In and some players fold, then if the All-In players have any hand, the pot is divided up, instead of the winning hand taking all the pot. Sometimes the pot is split, sometimes the better hand wins the pot (correct), and sometimes the better hand just wins the antes.

Set the betting limit to $20,000 (menu/Rules), and go All-In and draw and make a hand (pair, two pair, trips, etc), and if you get any callers, you'll see what I mean. Play a couple of hands like this. I think one of the criteria for this split pot bug error is that one of the players has to fold.

I wrote Telegames about this, and this is the response I got: "We regret any inconvenience that this situation has caused, but hope that you will still enjoy the many games and features that we have been able to pack into Ultimate Card Games."

Not really an acceptable response, so minus 2 stars.

Also, would have been nice to have Texas Hold'Em Poker. Maybe version 2?

Didn't you love all the lunk-heads who left reviews before the game was released? Caramba.

Okay, The Positives are clear. LARGE selection of games, well done graphics, pleasant music, changeable backgrounds (good for fighting boredom and to see better in low light. Great built in help menus.

Negatives: All of these games are rather easy. I play A LOT of hearts, and find this game not challenging at all. As a matter of fact I won 24 out of 25 hearts games. In all that time, the computer NEVER once passed a heart! I am a casual Gin player and am cleaning the games clock too. Don't get me wrong. I'm NOT trying to say I'm the worlds best player. What I'm saying is the games are too easy.

Now, that said....It doesn't bother me because the game pack holds so many games, there couldn't possibly be enough memory space to write every game with lots of levels. I play gameboy to pass the time at airports and waiting rooms. If I want challenging opponents, I'll play against humans, or a GBA advanced gamepack that is only one game, Like Chess with Kasperov.

By the way, I appear to be in the minority about the sister game pack "Ultimate brain Games." I hated that thing. If you did too, don't compare that to this. This is much better.

I'm glad I bought this game, and recommend it.

Well this has shipped and has totally met all my expectations, with all kinds of card games and massive replay. Plus up to 4 can play with one cartridge!!!

5 star, A++++, all kinds of superlatives....the must have game! I am learning all the games I wished I knew before (Conasta, Euchre), having a blast with the casino games, brushing up on old faves (hearts, solitaire).

This is a perfect addition to my gameboy collection. I stayed up until midnight last night playing canasta. I haven't played it since I was a kid but it came back to me. I love having solitaire available on my gameboy also. With this, tetris and snood I'm set for plane trips and waiting rooms.

I pre-order this game months ago, only to have the release date postponed month after month. Well after all the waiting, i have to say...what was all the hype about?

Pro's first, lots of game choices, cool wallpaper selections.

Cons: I was most interested in the Solitare games but these are nothing like the Microsoft versions i have played or even the ones you can play on-line and you cannot modify anything thru options.

The face creator is awful! I have ultimate brain games and the face creator on that one was cool; i was able to create nearly perfect likenesses of both my husband and myself. Every face on this version looks like an alien.

After waiting for so many months I was fairly disappointed.

I ordered this game in Oct.2003. I just received it and it was worth waiting for. If you like solitaire you will like this. It also has Go fish,Hearts and some others. I love playing games on my GBA. It keeps my brain working.

I waited months for this release like many others, only to be incredibly disappointed. I wanted the Solitaire games most of all, and was hoping they would play the same as Microsoft's versions that are included in their Windows operating systems packages. I didn't get that. Klondike, FreeCell and Spider (called Spiderette in Ultimate Care Games) all play differently than the MS versions and cannot be customized. I guess I must continue to wait for someone to release the sort of Gameboy Advance solitaire package that I have in my dreams. This is not it.

I am a card game junkie. When I first heard of this collection last summer, I was drueling at the thought. Then the delays came. It made me anticipate it even more (you want what you can't have). Finally, the last week of May arrives and I run to the store to pick this game up. I sat down to play the games and you know what...it is terrible. I realized then and there that the joy of playing card games is playing the person...not the cards. I went through all the games hoping to find a glimmer of hope for my money just spent. Nothing. I guess for the novice this is a fine collection, which is why I gave it two stars rather than one. It isn't Telegames' fault, it is just that cards are meant to be played with real people. I see that now. Now to trade this in and get half of what I spent. What a shame.

I was really impressed with the Ultimate Brain Games compilation when it released, but Ultimate Card Games really blows me away. Every game is well done, with slick interphase, and so many features and adjustments that I'm almost overwhelmed. The games they chose to include offer a lot of variety. Since I don't really gamble, I'm glad they didn't include too many "casino" games, although I still wish they had included Texas HoldEm. Overall, I think it is the best product I have ever bought for any system.

I like the game very much. It all comes together.

Sure, Hold'em would have been a fit but Poker is more fun with real money anyways. I was not looking to play casino games but the classics. Videopoker is excellent for "training" before going to Vegas.

All games are very customizable to your favourite rules-set. When the previous reviewer states that he plays Spades without the Joker (Benny), then just switch the Rules-set... Even more options are available there. Go to the Options >> Rules in the during Pause. It's simple. You can even change the Scoring if you like to.

Overall I can suggest the game to everybody with a Game Boy. It will have unlimited playing time and you might keep your GBA just for this game. I have never seen a game with higher value.

I, like many folks, waited months and months for "ultimate card games" to be released. I am underwhelmed by the game in it's final form.

Pros: 1. Very easy interface, you quickly pick up how to play your cards, make wagers, etc. 2. You can save games quickly and at any point during a game or even during a hand. 3. Game keeps your stats, if you're into that sort of thing, that's kinda cool. 4. As far as "classic" games go, you have a lot of selections. I was particularly interested in cribbage and euchre, and it's nice to have both of them in a handheld format. 5. The AI isn't overly smart, but when the CPU is your partner (at least in euchre) you can trust it to make the correct play.

Cons: 1. Non-existent game manual. There are token descriptions of games that you can read when you choose them from the menu but no rules, no how to play, nothing! I've always wanted to learn to play Bridge or Canasta but I'm not going to learn how here! How hard would it have been to give me a tutorial on these card games? At the very least put rules, etc. in the printed manual so I can figure out how to play these games. That's just lazy in my opinion.
2.They should've called it "Ultimate Solitaire with some other stuff thrown in". I'm not a big solitaire fan, for the most part I find it boring. Telegames gives you about a dozen versions to play and I'm saying, so what? If you like solitaire, you might give this game a higher rating. My problem is you've got a dozen kinds of solitaire and only one game (draw) of poker. Has telegames not been watching tv lately. Poker is HUGE! And while they may have given us the most familiar kind of poker (draw) they missed several great games. Like say...uhhh...I don't know....TEXAS HOLD 'EM! How about some poker with dueces wild or five-card stud or even regular seven-card stud?
3. Since we're talking about casino games. Where's Baccarat? Where is caribbean stud or pai gow? You give me black jack, draw poker and video poker (Video poker? What? I thought we were doing actual card games here? Why not just throw in pachinko, keno and slots and call it ultimate senior citizens games?)

4. The AI seems to get awfully good cards on a consistent basis. In both poker and cribbage I've had commanding leads and though my cards don't necessarily get worse, the AI's card become incredible! I've only been playing it a week so "lady luck" or random chance might have more to do with this, it just seems suspicious.

5. This technically is an addition to my first complaint. I've been playing euchre for roughly thirty years now and it's certainly possible that I and the millions of people who play it online are wrong. However, the last time I checked there were 24 cards in a euchre deck. This game has 25, the extra card being some sort of "super card" that trumps the right bauer (the highest card in a given hand). What is that? Get it right people, or at the very least include a game manual that explains this and all the other games in some sort of detail that would allow those unfamiliar to enjoy this "ultimate" selection of games.

6. There are hundreds of kinds of card games and I'm sure that Telegames wanted a few kid friendly games to attract the younger set, but maybe skip "go fish" or "crazy eights" and throw in pinochle or some other "adult" game.

Synopsis: This game has many good points, it has a decent selection of games. The interface is wonderful and easy to learn. However, the overemphasis on solitaire, the lack of any kind of manual and the limited variety in casino and poker games makes it difficult for me to recommend this at it's current price point (29.99). In no way is this the "ultimate" in card games.

Has anyone received this product yet ?? I placed an order back in february. I'm getting alot of conflicting information. My account states that this item should ship last march. I got a letter from amazon, last april, stating that the release of the product is being pushed back to May 18th. This website (Amazon.com) states that the game is available and should ship in 2-3 days and I can't get a striaght answer from amazon customer no service. Does anyone know what's going on ? Maybe I can get the game faster if I cancel the order and re-order.

Like my subject... AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!
I have been waiting for this stupid game for sooooo long!!! It was supposed to come out so late, then it was pushed to February, then it was pushed to March 31, now it is pushed to MAY?! Aaaaahhhhh!!!!! I recently read their review on Gameboy.IGN.com and I thought, I am sooo happy I waited long enough to get this game. I saw their release date and it says March 31... May 12... I may as well just cancel this and order something else...

Pros:
Very good for long drives

Cons:
Too long to wait...(it's just like GTA 3 for GBA...)

For all those people waiting for this game please be patient. This game is worth waiting for. Don't worry about the postponements. They did the same thing with the Ultimate Brain Games. And that turned out to be one of the best titles for Gameboy in a very long time. Enjoy all when it FINALLY comes out.

I have been waiting for this game to actually come out for a while now. I am so excited to play this. I purchased the Ultimate Brain Games and was not impressed so I really hope this is worth the wait!!!