Wheel of Fortune

The game plays just as seen on TV: spin the wheel and pick letters to word puzzles, such as "same names," "fill in the blank," and "next line please." One to three players can play from one keyboard--don't worry if you can't find an opponent; the computer will take over to create a two- or even three-person game. You may even find the computer to be more challenging than your human opponents, but also a little luckier.

This game is appealing for those of us eager to "spin the wheel" at any given moment. The fantasy prizes successfully trigger your materialistic side--and since most come in his-and-her sets, the singles out there can imagine picking up two prizes for one. The background settings include decent animation, but the wheel could have used some more attention: its small size and tendency to stick when spinning reduces its appeal. Finally, while it's nice to have Vanna White as your virtual host, we couldn't help asking, "Where's Pat?" --Madeleine Miller

Pros:

• Vanna's smiling face
• Variable play time
• Challenging computer opponents

• No Pat Sajak
• Unrealistic wheel response
• Gender-specific fantasy prizes