Destineer has ported its popular online game, Word Jong, to the Nintendo DS, for all casual, and few hardcore, gamers to enjoy. The game combines the likes of Scrabble and Mahjong together to make for some pretty addicting gameplay and a great timewaster. The DS game includes many modes the online game didn’t have, as well as Wifi battles and multiplayer. As addictive as the gameplay is however, it probably isn’t going to be fun playing the 8th time through.

Read on for my full review of Word Jong.

As I said before, the game is a mix of Scrabble and Mahjong. You create words with the given letter blocks you see on the bottom DS screen. The letters are stacked on each other, like Mahjong, and you can’t use the letters under top letters until you use all of the top layer pieces. Using the top layer pieces, you create words and get a score based on how long your words are, and what kind of letters you’re using (“X,” “Y,” and “Qu,” are examples of the harder letters you must use to create words). Occasionally, you’ll receive wild cards to use as a replacement for a letter which isn’t on the screen, or a bomb to blast a letter you may not need.

What’s different from the online game is the addition of new modes, as well as online play. Temple challenge has players playing endless rounds of Word Jong to see how long they can last spelling words and collecting points. Daily mode is your basic standard Word Jong game with a calendar of days shown. Each day has a certain score you must beat. Unlike Brain Age’s calendar, you can go back up to two years before the current day and beat each of those previous days’ scores. You can also play battle mode, where players must battle seven different AI opponents with progressing harder difficulties.

This game can be relaxing, especially with its simple gameplay and calming music. The background of each level, as well as its presentation, basically sets the mood for a calming and relaxing experience. I can imagine fans of Soduku puzzles enjoying this game heavily.

A negative about this game is the fact that Word Jong isn’t that amazing to enjoy daily. The game is addictive, but you can’t play it forever. It has major replay value to people who are huge fans of the original online game, but I doubt the everyday gamer will play this game daily.

Word Jong is definitely for the casual gamer. Fans of the original online game, and gamers who just want something to waste a couple of minutes away with will enjoy this game. Otherwise, it’s not anything special. I do applaud it for being one of the very few casual gamer titles to become ported onto the DS and bring more to do on the table. The mom and dad will enjoy this title more than most children will, though it is pretty family friendly and easy to pick up and play. If you’re looking for a quick break to ease some stress at the office, I recommend checking out Word Jong for the DS, for the low price of $19.99. If you’re waiting for the new Splinter Cell or Guitar Hero title to release, I don’t think you’d have much fun playing this game.

- Addictive
- Online play
- Price of $19.99
- Great for the casual gamer

- Not as great as your first couple of times playing
- Not for the everyday gamer

7/10