Unlike games that rely on likeable characters, beautiful scenery and intriguing plotlines to grab interest, releasing Scrabble is a hard sell: how do you improve such a fundamental, tried-and-true format? Atari figured it out: fill it with as many little perks and extras as humanly possible.

This version is perfect for those who either can't get enough of this classic or who can't always find someone else interested in playing. If you haven't played in a while, or if you just want to hone your skills, you can get back in the groove with either the Mini-games or Trainer mode. Mini-mode features games like "Diction or Fiction" and "Scrabble Blitz," which is a race against the clock to get the most points possible. Trainer mode analyzes a game you've played and shows you where you went wrong and how you could have gotten the most points on any possible move.

Once you're ready to play a real round, you can play against up to three other people, real or AI. AI is where this game shines. You can set the AI's player level to 'beginner,' 'veteran player,' 'deity,' or almost a dozen other selections. If you're not sure which level is best for you, after playing a game you will receive a rating such as "1300." If you wish to play a competitive game, simply look for the rank that is closest to yours: in this case, it would be "tourney player." If you want to really challenge yourself, choose a level (or five) higher. The rankings are pretty accurate and thus it's very hard to be outsmarted or bored if you choose your opponent wisely.

During the game there are many more perks available to aid you towards victory. You can ask for "suggestions" that will list most available moves and the points that those moves will get you. You can also ask for help if you find yourself swamped with either vowels or consonants, or if you have a "q" without that much-needed "u." If you are not sure if a word is acceptable you can check it in the dictionary. Be careful: these "cheats" are so reliable that you will be tempted to use them if you don't end up finding that seven-letter, 549 point word in the first two seconds.

The only one qualm we had- and it is admittedly quite minor- is that sometimes we would place down a word that we were sure was- well, a word- and the referee would challenge it, effectively making us lose a turn. We would have much preferred that if we placed down a word that was not valid, a sign would pop up telling us that it would not be accepted and then let us try again. However, we are admittedly not Scrabble experts, and for all we know that's the way the game is played in the pros.

The biggest advantage to this edition is undoubtedly the online version that allows you to play either by email or via LAN. We had no problems finding or playing with virtual companions, and although the players were not as reliable in skill as the AI, all went smoothly.

The actual game aside, there are several fun secondary features. The sound effects are fair, and the music is decent, although at points it borders a bit too much on the campy jazz side. There are several backdrops to choose from, several styles of board to play upon, different tile shades, and the option to self-pick your tiles instead of having them randomly appear on your rack.

In sum, if you're a Scrabble nut or just want another fun puzzle to help occupy your time, you can score big with Scrabble Online.

Our Final ScoreGood

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