Review: Bridge Baron 12

Reviewed By: Erica Marceau

Review Date: April 24, 2002

Genre: Card game

Format: CD

Developer: Great Game Products, Inc.

Publisher: Great Game Products, Inc.

System Requirements: System 7.5 or higher, 68020 or better, 4MB RAM, 10MB hard drive space, 13 inch or larger monitor

Network Feature: No

3D Support: No

Mac OS X Compatible: Classic mode

Retail Price: $59.95 ($29.95 upgrade; automatic upgrade plan available)

Availability: Out Now

Rating: E

In his review of Bridge Baron 11, Kirk Hiner suggests reading books or talking to other players because "Maybe by then, Bridge Baron for the Mac will have caught up with the PC version." While Bridge Baron 12 does add some features, the Macintosh version still lags behind which prevents it from being as good as it could be.

The improvements include a new bidding system (La Majeure Cinquième) which is used in France, eleven new bidding conventions (Ghestem, Checkback Stayman, Landy, Multi-2D, Mini-Multi, Multi-Roman, Ogust, D.O.N.T., Astro, Benjamin 2-Bids, and New Minor Forcing), 24 new challenging problems and 2 tournaments, an improved graphical user interface and 4 new card faces, and an increase in the skills of the computer players.

While these additions are great for the experienced Bridge player, the Macintosh version still doesn't have "Learn to Play Bridge", presented by the American Contract Bridge League. Bridge Baron 12 does have an in-game help function, but it is a reference guide and has no tutorial or definitions. So, if you're looking to Bridge Baron 12 for an education on the basics of Bridge, prepare to be disappointed.

Another Windows only capability is online play. It's a shame this hasn't yet been brought to the Mac since the capabilities were improved for this edition. Bridge is a social game, and not being able to play against real humans is a big detriment. Windows players also get the demo for Bridge Manager, allowing you edit deals. For the multilingual among us, only the Windows version includes the French, Dutch, and Spanish versions in addition to English.

Bridge Baron continues to be a great series if you want to improve your Bridge game and you don't mind the poor graphics and lack of online play. If you want to learn how to play Bridge, it's best to go to your local library because you won't get any help here. There is a lot of depth and features that will educate and entertain the knowledgeable Bridge player, but, once again, novice players on the Macintosh are left out in the cold.

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