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Midway’s Touchmaster is a solid compilation of handheld mini offerings for the Nintendo DS. From puzzle to parlor to card-based games, the title packs a lot of variety at a value price.

Touchmaster features 23 games placed in three categories – Cards, Skill, and Puzzle. Games include Solitaire Classic, Power Cell, Hot Hoops, Word Search, Crystal Balls and Mahki.

There’s no game untouched in Touchmaster. Players can enjoy arcade-style action in Hot Hoops, which requires players to shoot basketballs into a moving hoop, Word Search to find a selection of words in a mass of letters, Crystal Balls for Tetris-style elimination by like colors or numbers, or Mahki, a puzzler to match like colors to eliminate the entire board.

Additionally, games can be played in local Wi-Fi or online with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for competitive action at any hot spot.

Also, all titles utilize require only the stylus to allow any consumer instant casual gaming gratification.

The graphics engine is no-frills and most like visuals seen in a bowling alley score-keeping system. However, all text and explanations are clear and easy to read.

Touchmaster is a solid effort for the Nintendo DS. The wide array of games, friendly stylus interaction, and value price will keep any casual game fan occupied at or away from home.