When you feel like playing cards and find yourself all alone, don't fret!  Grab your favorite munchies and drink, settle yourself down in front of your computer, and pick your favorite of 15 popular card games from the Bicycle Card Games menu!

Newly released by Microsoft for 2002, Bicycle Card Games features 12 rather unique characters to oppose or partner with you when you play.  These animated characters range from an animated paper clip appropriately named Clippy...to a private detective by the name of Peter...to Mildred, a somewhat bossy grandma type.

Bicycle Card Games is a collection of 15 different card games that will appeal to people of all ages, from children to adults.  Included in this collection are Bridge, Canasta, Cribbage, Gin Rummy, Hearts, Spades, Solitaire, Pinochle, Card Match, Crazy Eights, Spite and Malice, Whist, Oh Hell!, Old Maid and Go Fish.

There may be only one version of the card game you choose to play but some of the games offer a variety of versions from which to choose.  For example, when accessing the Solitaire menu, you will find 15 different versions to play like Baker's Dozen, Klondike and Pyramid, to mention a few.

This title offers a wide variety of game options that you can set the way you want.  General game options offer a huge selection of both card fronts and backs from which to choose, including classical designs to wild and funky motifs!  You can choose the type of music you want to hear while you play or you can choose to turn the music off.  Pump up the volume for music, voices, and sound effects or turn them down or off.

Adjustments for the skill level for both you and the other characters can be set for Beginner, Intermediate or Expert.  You can even select random settings for a variety of game play.

Bicycle Card Games sports fairly nice graphics in bright, bold colors.  The animated characters are interesting though not particularly extraordinary.  Some of the animated clips are quite good.

In the sound category, this title does quite well.  There is a nice mix of music, a variety of sound effects and character voices are well done.  While I can't pinpoint any spectacular innovations here, the blend does make for a pleasant atmosphere.

I had no problems with game play itself.  There is smooth transition from game to game and hand to hand.  The game speed can be set at low, medium or fast.

I played almost every card game more than once and some a number of times.  Having done this, I did notice a couple of discrepancies within the Pinochle game menu that I feel should be addressed.  Namely, the deal does not pass after each hand as described in the game rules, which affects the way bids and game play should be done.  Additionally, there is an occasional miscalculation of the automated meld scoring that doesn't seem to occur every time you play.  I could find no consistency of occurrences which I find hard to explain.

Since this is a new game, it does not appear in the Microsoft Game Support listings on the web and I found no patches for Bicycle Card Games there either.  I hope that these issues will be addressed in the near future.

I personally enjoy games that can be played without having the game CD in the CD Rom and this title can be played without doing that.  I should note that I opted for a full install which is my normal way of doing things.

Bicycle Card Games is appropriately rated E for Everyone.

Minimum System Requirements include:  Windows 95/98/2000/Me/XP, Multimedia PC with a 133 MHz or higher processor (200 MHz recommended), 16MB RAM for Windows 95/98; 32MB RAM for Windows Me; 64MB RAM for Windows 2000; 128MB RAM or Windows XP, 100MB of available hard disk space, 50MB of available hard disk space for swap file, 2X CD ROM, Super VGA monitor capable of 800x600 resolution, Audio board and speakers recommended, and Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device. 

Install:  Easy.

Gameplay:  7.0. 
Although this game demonstrates easy transition from game to game, hand to hand, and individual game menus, the issues I noted within the Pinochle game were significant enough to lower the total score of this category by one full point.

Graphics:  8.0. 
While there is nothing particularly innovative here, this title sports nice graphics.

Sound:  8.0. 
Microsoft has combined a very nice mix of music, sound effects and character voices which makes for a pleasant ambiance while playing.

Difficulty:  5.0. 
This game should be fairly simple for any user with basic computer skills to use.  Reading and comprehending the game rules raise the difficulty rating to the mid-range of 5.0.

Concept:  6.0. 
Bicycle Card Games is a little better than the average for this type of game but sports nothing outstanding or innovative that would boost this score to a higher degree.

Multiplayer:  N/A

Overall:  6.5. 
I should say upfront that I love card games and find it refreshing to be able to play when I'm in the mood and no one else is around.  Having said that, however, I cannot find a reason to recommend Bicycle Card Games to a higher degree.  It lacks any innovative or new twist that would set it apart.  Sorry, Microsoft but I have to call it like I see it.