Review of Deal Or No Deal (Interactive DVD)

Introduction

In last week`s review of the `Sale of the Century` interactive DVD, this very reviewer was lamenting the use of rather simplistic Q & A quiz shows as DVD game fodder, even highlighting the fact that the new wave of popular high-concept quizzes was making them look dull and play rather lifelessly. Well well, look who`s shown up this week. Riding high on the crest of daytime TV saving pensioners from boredom and students from coursework is `Deal or No Deal`, an unfeasibly popular vehicle for Noel Edmonds to make a comeback. If you`re reading this review, then you no doubt know the game is one of pure chance, not skill, as contestants eliminate boxes from the game somewhat randomly, hoping they don`t contain big money.

This is going to be (and by current retailer charts, already is) selling like umbrellas in a downpour this Christmas, and is sure to be the daddy of all novelty gift items under the tree. Whether it`s any good or not doesn`t really come into it.

Video

Presented in anamorphic 1.78:1, it`s difficult to fault the visual presentation, but it`s still very average. The links, presented by Edmonds, are filmed in the `Deal or No Deal` studio, with the familiar gamut of contestants lined up to open up the boxes for you.

The actual process of playing the game is presented through various computer-generated screens, and the graphics are perfectly fine for what the DVD is trying to achieve.

Audio

Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo, and during the links, the sound quality is of a par with what you`d expect watching the show.

Features

None.

Conclusion

`Deal or No Deal` is undoubtedly a popular, well presented show, and this translates to the interactive product, but all the gloss in the world can`t hide yet another shoddy DVD game. While the concept is certainly fresher than the usual lot despite seeming rather pointless with the lack of skill involved in playing and of course, no real rewards, it`s still bogged down by the technical grace of an ice-skating gorilla on uppers.

Each time you load up the disc, you have to sit through several minutes of unskippable Noel Edmonds introduction. Navigation is typically unwieldy and frustratingly slow paced enough to have players waving their DVD remote and crying, "Why won`t you work, dammit". Don`t worry, it`s the game - one which will probably take you as long as watching episode of the C4 show to play through. The game offers several modes of play, the obvious single player experience, and two multiplayer variations - a straight head to head, and a `player vs banker` game where one player adopts the role of the banker. The options are nice, but the gameplay is so sluggish and choresome, most players will be calling it a day as soon as the banker offers his first deal. Honestly, fiddling about with these things are like having teeth pulled. Why does anyone bother?

Despite the popularity of the show, it`s a terribly boring format that relies on greedy fools gambling their `real` money to make it remotely interesting. And with that, the interactive `Deal or No Deal` offers nothing that can`t be achieved with 22 slips of paper and a hat if you`re that desperate on Christmas day.