I like board games. I like computers. So shouldn't it follow, according to logic, that I would like Bicycle Board Games? After all, I consistently like Sierra's Hoyle series when I need a quick mind bender or light distraction. I needed a brush up on some old favorites with some family gatherings coming up, and I was feeling a bit rusty. Putting my copy of Hoyle Word Games 2002 aside, I installed Bicycle Board Games.

It must be said straight away that Bicycle Board Games has a pretty impressive array of familiar, trendy, and not so familiar games. It's appropriate too, since I'm pretty sure games like Mahjong and Mancala would not enjoy as wide a popularity as they do without the advent of computer game playing devotees. Check out this list:

• Mancala
• Color Match
• Vanish
• Five Dice
• Mill (translation: Nine Men's Morris)
• Chess
• Checkers
• Chinese Checkers
• Dominoes
• Backgammon
• Four-in-a-Row (translation: Connect Four)
• Sink the Ships (translation: Battleship)
• Reversi
• Mahjong
• Cross and Circles

Just that list alone makes this package an excellent value and a nice stocking stuffer for the game lover who might not know what they're missing when they boot up their computer. The games that are based on other games are fairly true to their inspiration, with a few changes to make the game unique. Each game comes with some difficulty options and a tutorial to introduce you to unfamiliar games.

AI seemed to be on a good roll with Bicycle Board games. After playing a game of "Sink the Ships" (aka Battleship), and winning with my ships on fire, but none sunk, I was feeling pretty good. I thought I'd play checkers. I hadn't played in years, but I remembered the general idea. I figured I could get back into it on easy and still have a chance to come out on top. Ay! I was wrong. My computer opponent seemed to have a strategy from move one, and not only had he gotten "Kinged" within minutes, but what was worse, he seemed to block all of my moves. So, it just goes to show even easy isn't a pushover - and AI is alive and well in this package.

Graphically, Bicycle Board Games doesn't do anything amazing, but it's assumed that these types of games usually aren't made to win any graphics competitions. In comparison to Hoyle, there isn't as much leeway or personality with creating the looks of your characters or as many sprited opponents to choose from. If you don't really care about this sort of thing - you may not notice it - but when you've been used to it, it seems to leave a slight empty feeling.

Overall, I can't say anything bad about Bicycle Board games, and honestly, it is a great value for the money. However, don't expect it to go above and beyond any other similar games you may have seen before. It does what it has to... and it does it well. Sometimes that's all you need!

Install: Easy
Lightning quick and easy installation.

Graphics: 7.5 
Graphics are alright for the subject matter and the price point of the series. However, there's not a whole lot of choices, so don't expect to be given a three-ring circus.

Sound: 7
Sound is pretty average and almost imperceptible.

Concept: 7 
This is Microsoft's answer to Sierra's Hoyle. It has different games, but is perhaps a bit more mundane on the opposition choices, dialogue, and more cosmetic options.

Overall: 7.5
Overall, Bicycle Board Games accomplishes what it should. It's a quick, simple, and fun collection of games that can be enjoyed by many. Nevertheless, it's too easy to compare it to Hoyle and it's real selling point to me, is perhaps the games it has that Hoyle might not. It's still a good value for the price though and if you're hopelessly addicted to games, you'll want it.