Features

• Games include Backgammon, Battling Ships, Bump 'em, Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Dominoes, DoubleCross, Gravity Tiles, Mahjong Tiles, Mancala, Master Match, Pachisi, Reversi, Rummy Squares, Wordox, Word Yacht, and Yacht
• Facemaker gives you the freedom to create your own character
• Each game has multiple variations
• Up to four people can play at one computer
• Enhance your playing atmosphere with various backgrounds and music options

Editorial Review

Play the sequel to

Features

• CD-ROM

Reviews (6)

Great Pinball !!!!
I only have the demo and I love it! I am surprised everytime I play it and it's to bad it has been removed from the market as it is the coolest pinball game I have played. You never really play the same game twice. Although the demo has point or time limits it does play over and over but after so many points cuts you off but still worth a try till you get the real thing which is what I am getting ready to do.

Take a creepy pinball machine into your home..
and stuff it into your computer. This game is really creepy for those of yall wicked people out there. I am a real pinball fan and I now have the ability to have arcade fun in my own home. So what are you gonna do? Take the arcade into your home!

Really love this game. I been playing it for years.
I have played other pinball games but after awhile they get boring. I play this game for hours and still don't want to quit. The only thing that would make it better for me anyway, would be to find a joystick or gamepad to use with it. I type all day and would love to be able to sit back and play without the keyboard.[...] But with or without it is a great game.shellady ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• World-Class Chess Engine - A top-notch chess engine from the creator of the original Chessmaster engine.
• Multiple play modes - Including challenging online play, computer vs. computer (learning mode), player vs. computer, and Chess Adventure.
• Chess Adventure - A unique game that introduces chess concepts in the context of a greater strategic adventure by presenting a variety of challenges, puzzles, speed drills and tutorials in the context of a story based quest.
• 24 Computer Opponents - 24 computer opponents to play against with a wide variety of adjustable settings to accommodate different play styles and levels.
• Multiple chess sets - Includes a variety of 2D and 3D sets.

Reviews (21)

Excellent
The graphic design is absolutely cool. The plataform is great and I am really enjoing it.

Nice for a beginner
I picked up the ValueSoft version a few days ago, and I'm really enjoying it. The last time I played chess was over 20 years ago, and I wanted this game ever since I played the demo. There appears to be a lot of basic information about chess I never knew about before. Variable graphics and music are very conducive to play. I'm working on both the Adventure mode and Tutorials. These two modes mirror each other in content, though it's easier in Tutorial to select the topic one wishes to cover. Quizes and mini-games seem about the same in either mode.
Enjoyable Graphics and Great for Kids Who Can Read
I like this chess game for beginner to intermediate players, and my young kids love it because of the great graphics (even 3D shading on a 2D board) and especially the adventure mode.The tutorials are quite good with short quizzes and games.I do see the drawbacks mentioned in the other reviews:
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Features

• CD-ROM
• New! Earn virtual Hoyle Bucks and redeem them for enhanced content - Now when you play Hoyle Table Games, you'll receive virtual "Hoyle Bucks" depending on how well you do! Take this virtual cash to the virtual Hoyle store to buy extra Facemaker content, music, backgrounds, and more!
• New! In-Game Tutorials with easy tips, hints, and strategies - Quickly learn how to play, the correct way, with the In-Game Tutorials, including step-by-step instructions on 6 specific card games. Learn to play Backgammon, Chess, Dominoes, DoubleCross, Pachisi, and Rummy Squares.
• New! Talk Back. Now you're able to tell your opponents what you really think! - Have you ever won a big game of Chess, and been frustrated that your character couldn't shout with enjoyment? Now you can! Hoyle Table Games now lets your characters speak words of encouragement or discontent.
• New! Maximum Pool comes to Hoyle Table Games - Newly designed "Maximum Pool" Game makes its first appearance on Hoyle Table Games

Reviews (40)

Casino Nights
This game is both fun and insightful.It actually teaches you how to play casino games without loosing your own money.When my sister-in-law and I are getting ready to go to a casino with our other friends, we use the game to help us bone up on some of the rules.It helps us to not lose all our money.

Hoyle's little money maker
Boardroom:
Hoyle Card Games
I enjoy playing the games. They are are active and playing is as if you had three other humans playing with you. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Turn your computer into a pinball machine with Read more

Features

• CD-ROM

Reviews (12)

Pinball + Rollercoasters = Awesome
This game is a very unique approach to the pinball genre. The graphics are crisp, clear, and colorful. The build-your-own-coaster mission was exceptionally fun, where you hit the pinball at different track parts, then after a set number you actually see your coaster in action.
3D ultra pinball : thrillride
this game is exciting to young and old a like. Being limited in Great game for pinball fans!
When I got this game I was so amazed! This isn't the normol pin ball thingy!Read more

Editorial Review

Play 16 board games against the computer or challenge up to four friends on the same machine or over the Internet. Games include: Backgammon, Battling Ships, Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Dominoes, Line 'Em Up, Mahjong Tiles, Mancala, Master Match, Parchisi, Placer Racer, Reversi, Rummy Squares, Snakes and Ladders, and Yacht, plus three card games. Create your own character with Facemaker, and then challenge a cast of 10 characters, including a dog, a dinosaur, and an alien. Rules, hints, and tips are available; players can choose the music, background, and skill level. Hoyle rule book and strategy guide is included. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hoyle Board Games and Xp
I am a proud new owner of a Pen 4 that came with the new Xp Home Edition, and I am sad to say that my favorite Game in the whole world only partially worked for 10 days from purchase. Though my Xp has a compatability wizard for Windows 95, 98, Me, Nt, 2000, I can not keep the color bit from dropping to 8 from 32 bits. There is no support for Xp in reality, though much lip service is given to it by the Co. I purchased it from and Microsoft. It is a real kicker that Microsoft actually wrote the Hoyle Games. Though in the read me file Hoyle promises it is Xp compatable. However, what few days I could play Hoyle Games 5, I feel in Love with it. I love Harley the beautiful and friendly Bear, Rosewell the Alien that retired from area 51, Maurice that was abducted by aliens 150 years ago, that has returned to play games with his Beaver puppet, just to name a few. Their sympathy when your game doesn't go well coupled with friendly competition is a wonderful respite from the challeges that I as a handicapped person in the Alaskian Bush with long nights (6 months long) and long winters (6 months) long really fight over and find whelming sometimes. Since, our mail services and Delivery services such as Fed X, UPS, and the US Postal Services offer such challenges to getting anything from the Lower 48, I will be with out my favorite Gaming companions for quite a while, and then I don't know if it will run even then. However, those of you that can run it, please do it is funny, charming, and engaging with beautiful graphic, and quality unsurpassed in this era of gaming, these games are not stressful, harsh, coarse and is non-violent, and so user friendly, a five year old could play them. So, go play, and enjoy as I have Hoyle Games, they'll keep you coming back.

This is a super collection of games!
My first purchase of a Sierra Board Game collection was the previous version of Hoyle Board Games. Backgammon was all I was interested in and it was fine except for the erroneous layout of the pieces on the board when you start. I sent it back writing a letter to Sierra explaining why I didn't like it. I bought this new Hoyle Board Games again, mainly for the Backgammon. I was pleased to see the correct piece layout and was more open to the other games. WOW! I never knew about Yacht, but once I played it I was HOOKED. Discovering that Yahtzee came from Yacht, I ran out and bought Yahtzee and Deluxe Edition Yahtzee and became HOOKED to Yahtzee!!! The Pachisi is great, I learned to play great games I never played before (Dominoes, Master Mind, Mancala and Battling Ships). I liked that they told you the history of the games and the more well-known names of some of them. I even like Snakes and Ladders. I like the angle of the Backgammon board, but would have liked an alternate topside view like they have for Chess. I hope they incorporate that in their next Hoyle Board Games and add Chinese Chess. Yacht's rules from Hoyle state that a 4-straight scores 30 and in this program it scores only 25; they also need to fix this, unless it is a variation of it. This is a splendid program, and if you are considering it, please treat yourself to it; if you don't know the rules to most of these games, you will after reading the easy-to-understand rules and will get hooked like me.

Hoyle Board Games has turned the family into addicts!
Hoyle Board games 2001 is a fabulous collection of thoroughly enjoyable and addicting family board games.These great games include beautiful graphic versions of Backgammon, Mancala, Chinese Checkers, Chess, Dominoes, Pachisi, Mah Jong Tiles and the addicting Mah Jong Gravity.Also, there are great versions of Battle Ships, Master Mind, Connect Four, Yahtzee and Chutes and Ladders--all disquised by easily identified title variations.A fun game called Placer Racer is a family favorite.It isn't really a board game - more of an arcade game--shooting colored balls trying to make matches of three while you race against a steadily decreasing game area.This collection of board games is great and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants fun, wholesome, clean fun for the family. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Exercise your verbal skills in between work assignments with this comprehensive crossword program from Sierra. Five hundred puzzles, spanning a wide range of skill levels, will keep you busy for a good long time, and the lush interface is easy on the ears and eyes--a welcome relief from the newsprint-stained paper shaking in your hands on the subway.Read more

Reviews (1)

Fun For Young And Old
Whether you are young or old; beginner or hardcore crosswords enthusiast,you're going to be entertained by this game. I play a game a couple times aweek. My mother, 83, will actually touch the computer in order to play. Andwhen my grandchildren were here for a week, one or the other was playingcrosswords the whole time.It helps excercise the thinking processes, it'seducational and, above all, it's fun. ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• 2 New Games - Rays & Word Searches - A newly created mind-bending game of logic and deduction, Rays will make its first appearance in Hoyle Puzzle Games. The long-time favorite - Word Searches, will also be included.
• High Score Board tracks top scores for proof that you're a pro - See your name in lights for the ultimate bragging rights. Do well enough in a game and you'll be offered the opportunity to put your name on the leader board.
• PDA Content - Backgammon & Mahjong Tiles - New PDA content to be included in Hoyle Puzzle Games, for both the Palm OS and Windows CE handheld devices.

Reviews (40)

Casino Nights
This game is both fun and insightful.It actually teaches you how to play casino games without loosing your own money.When my sister-in-law and I are getting ready to go to a casino with our other friends, we use the game to help us bone up on some of the rules.It helps us to not lose all our money.

Hoyle's little money maker
Boardroom:
Hoyle Card Games
I enjoy playing the games. They are are active and playing is as if you had three other humans playing with you. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Feel the fun with every turn! Featuring the colors of NASCAR greats Bobby LaBonte, Bill Elliot, Dale Earnhardt, and Terry LaBonte. Your mind is clear and your fingers are twitching. The action is intense. Face all the challenges that your nimble fingers can handle as you take the ramps, hit the targets, and rack up the points. Three cleverly interlocked pinball tables give strategy a whole new meaning as you navigate through the Garage, the Speedway, and the Pits on your way to Victory Lane. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Boring after a few minutes!!!!
I bought the nascar pinball game so I could have all five of the sierra pinball games. I was very disappointed in it. It's very boring after a few minutes and not even near as good as any of the other four games. The best one out of the 3-D sierra pinball games is Creepnight the second pinball game.

Windows 98 incompatible
Could not get the system loaded and although the add says 95/98, we called the distributor and we were told it is not compatiable with windows '98.

I love Pinball
I love Pinball and since the real pinball machines are hard to find these days Sierra pin ball series fills that void. The computer version of the game has different zone to go into based on a general theme and different tests you have to get through to get to the next level. Its thoroughly addictive. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A funny parody of the hit game show
This is probably one of the better (if not insanely dumb) parodies I've played.The game has the irreverence of "You Don't Know Jack" and plays on everyone's secret wish to beat the *#%$( out of those people who win the millions on TV.The trivia is challenging the further you get.Note, however, it tends to crash in Windows XP.

Bad!!
This game is an insult to your intelligence.I played once and put it away for good.Worst game I've ever played.

Worse than bad
Although you may be tempted to pick this up as a gag gift for a "Millionaire" or Regis fan, don't!The cartoonish characters are annoying, but the whole "beat up a millionaire" concept isn't even funny.The only thing you'll want to beat up is yourself for buying this game.Read more

Editorial Review

When the original Read more

Reviews (3)

Truly a hidden treasure!
How did this game go under the radar?I never heard about it until recently, and since it was so cheap I thought 'What can I lose?'Well, I lost nothing and gained a great game!The questions are hilarious, the art is astounding, and even though it's not Mike Myers, the voice guy rocks!This will be a collectors item, no doubt about it.

Any possibility of a sequel?
The title of my review says it all. Leave responses on this board and I'll check it every couple of weeks. Thanks!

It's Shagariffic Baby!
"People of Earth, or whoever's listening anyway, Dr. Evil here" your computer has been taken over.Austin Powers is "in a bit of a pickle", it seems Dr. Evil has him imprisoned in the ElectricPsychadelic Pussycat Swingers Club while he hatches his evil plot for worlddomination.The trivia match - Win Lose or Die is Groovy Baby - totallyentertaining graphics and sound -even for adults.Highly recommend it. Too bad there aren't more questions - upgrade perhaps?Buy this one NOW!Oh, Behave! ... Read more

Editorial Review

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Reviews (5)

Great Gamer for Board Game Lovers !!!!
I just love this game !!!! If you're a board game lover, this is the game for you. There's alot to choose from. They need to make more games like this. You won't be dissatisfied with this one.

Family fun!
I have every Hoyle computer game they make and this one is as equally as good as the others.My husband and son are not big board game fans.So naturally I loved this when I bought it.It's nice to be able to play against the computer.My family can barely sit through one round of a board game.This I can play all night.If you really like board games then this is for you!

I Can't Stop Playing!
I have played these games over and over and over again.It's a great collection of games - a really good variety of games for players of all ages.Zen Bones and Placer Racer are my favorites.I think I've won atZen Bones about 5 times out of 200 - but it's fascinating.Read more

Subjects:  1. logic, strategy   

Editorial Review

This CD-ROM offers you 16 favorite classic card games including poker, bridge, hearts, euchre, canasta, crazy eights, cribbage, gin rummy, memory match, war, spades, go fish, pinochle pitch, old maid, and 50 solitaire games. Play with customizable game variations, card sizes, backgrounds, and music. Enjoy hours of lively interactive action as you play against the Hoyle animated characters, or against friends either in person or over the Internet. Use Facemaker to customize your character's look. Choose different hair, eyes, and noses for thousands of combinations. ... Read more

Features

Subjects:  1. Cards (Casino)    2. Computer Games    3. Havas   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (2)

AWESOME GAME !!!!!!!
This game is excellent ! It truly is the ultimate music trivia game !

YOU DON'T KNOW JACK visits The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame!
Sierra has done it again!They've takes the fun and ease of their ever-popular You Don't Know Jack series less the sarcasm, given it a hot look, paid through the nose for the licensing of many popular songs, rolled it all up and made it into "Backstage Pass", subtitled "The Ultimate Rock & Roll Trivia Game".This may be one of the few times in consumer history where such an ambitious claim is true!The game is tons of fun!It literally plays like YDKJ! with the 3 category selections and multiple choice questions as well as a few special type questions, yet they've added tons more graphics to make this as appealing to the eyes as well as the ears.They have included 600 questions, which should last a decent amount of time since I believe the maximum amount of questions per game is 21.Sure, if you play non-stop for days on end, you'll get repeats faster than some but there's a way to avoid that...DON'T PLAY NON-STOP FOR DAYS ON END!GET OUTSIDE AND TAKE IN SOME OXYGEN!hehehe...sorry about that.Anyway, they've included a lot of music clips by the ORIGINAL ARTISTS and in FULL STEREO!I hope this is just the beginning of this series and hope that Sierra branches out to more areas.Hey, why not team up with TV LAND and produce the CDROM version of "ULTIMATE FAN SEARCH" for the fans of TV trivia but find the YDKJ sarcasm not quite to their tastes.Hey, I heard that Chuck Woolery could use the work...:) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. ultimate rock and roll trivia contest    2. Back stage    3. music   

Editorial Review

This parody includes a game-show-style atmosphere and a wide variety of trivia questions. But rather than win money for correct answers, contestants in Read more

Reviews (7)

A few laughs, but soon repetitive and boring
This sounded like it'd be fun.It's funny for a little while, but it's not a fun game.We only played for a few days, and now it's sitting on the shelf.You might want to get it if it's in the bargain bin (<$5) but otherwise, save your money.

NOT THE BEST,NOT THE WORST
THIS GAME HAS CHEAP 2-D GRAPHICS,POOR GAMEPLAY. BUT IF YOU LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW JACK YOU WILL LIKE THIS GAME. THE BIGGEST REASON WHY I DON'T LIKE THIS GAME IS BECAUSE THE GAME IS TO FAST. AND IT'S NONE LIKE WHO WANT'S TO BE A MILLONARE. TAKE MY ADVICE AND DON'T BUY THIS GAME.

FUNNY GAME!
WELL,THIS IS A CHANGE FROM THE MILLIONAIRE SERIES...YOU CAN TAKE TURNS BEATING MONEY OUT OF MILLIONAIRES,THE HARDER THE QUESTIONS ARE,THE HARDER THE PUNCH,BUT MAN! SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS ARE TOUGH,TOUGH,TOUGH! AND OCASIONALLY,IT THROWS IN A QUESTION THAT MAKES ZERO SENSE,BUT MAKES YOU LAUGH! FUNNY GAME,VERY INSULTING HOST. NEEDS A SCOREBOARD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Humor (Humour Humorous Humourous)   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (13)

Boring after a few minutes!!!!
I bought the nascar pinball game so I could have all five of the sierra pinball games. I was very disappointed in it. It's very boring after a few minutes and not even near as good as any of the other four games. The best one out of the 3-D sierra pinball games is Creepnight the second pinball game.

Windows 98 incompatible
Could not get the system loaded and although the add says 95/98, we called the distributor and we were told it is not compatiable with windows '98.

I love Pinball
I love Pinball and since the real pinball machines are hard to find these days Sierra pin ball series fills that void. The computer version of the game has different zone to go into based on a general theme and different tests you have to get through to get to the next level. Its thoroughly addictive. ... Read more

Subjects:  

Editorial Review

Crossword puzzles, word searches, and anagrams are just a small portion of what you can find in Read more

Reviews (5)

Great game!! Buying the next one!
I actually stole this from my father-in-law to play for a couple of days. That was almost 3 years ago. FAb games! You can actually play scrabble my yourself or someone else. Great for word game enthusiast! Highly recommend.. I am buying the 2003 soon!!!

Seirra Does it again!
I have all the sierra hoyle games.I like them all.Word Yacht is by far my favorite on this program.It is really fun to play against others on the web.Or if you prefer you can go to the web and watch others play as well as go to your private table and practice before you join in.I would definately recommend this program!

Best of the Word Games
I got this based on the previous reviews and they are right on target.This is by far one of the best I've played so far. I like the fact that you have several computer personalities which range from easy to tough, and you can also control the level of play for each game. I usually tire of games after a while, but I think this will keep me challenged longer than most.If you like word games, you'll love this! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. spelling, reading   

Editorial Review

This package includes two favorite games--backgammon and cribbage--with a customizable and easy-to-use interface. Play against the computer, against another user on the same PC, or against another user on the Internet. ... Read more

Features

Subjects:  1. Cards (Casino)    2. Computer Games    3. Havas   

Reviews (3)

Are the Tiles Supposed To Be This Smasll?
I am hopelessly addicted to Mahjongg.It is one of my favorite games, both on my PC and on a beautiful board with my friends. I had a mahjongg game for my PC that my youngest loved to rearrange the format of the tiles and forever lost the classic mode (my favorite).So I sent off for this version. Gravity Tile Addict Speaks
OK-the tiles are lovely in either the Egyptian or Chinese versions and the graphics are great(fireworks,sandstorms,flowers and seasons)and you can make your own layouts or choose from a bazillion layouts, for mahjongsolitare. Memory tiles basically "Concentration" but again youhave those lovely graphics. And then you have Gravity Tiles-instantaddiction. and it keeps changing because you change the way you play thegame, and because you can choose from 3 different settings-from 3 to 5different colors of tiles. Very enjoyable.

Jordan's Pick
I believe that the Mahjong tile game is the best of it's kind! It not only lets your mind work and figure out what tiles are where and what match.It also gives very good hand and eye coordination, because theclock is on you once you start and if you make a mistake it just might costyou the game.So be careful when playing this well designed game ofconcentration. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. mahjongg mah jong jongg   

Editorial Review

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Subjects:  1. Casino Hearts spades    2. Backgammon Cribbage