Customer Reviews

Techno Source Illuminated Phase 10 Touch Screen Game

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I purchased 5 of these units for Christmas gifts in 2008 and every recipient absolutely loved it. I found that you need to play it several times to actually understand the little nuances that may be a bit different from how you actually play the card game. For example, the electronic game only allows a player to be skipped one time per phase, which differs from how my family and I always played the traditional card game. It also took me several hands to figure out how I would know if another play picked up my discard (the discard pile blinks a few times). All in all, these games were very well received and I have to admit, it is rather funny to visit my family now and typically see at least one person using the hand held game playing a quick game of Phase10. The game is sizeable enough to see the screen well (and it also has a feature to light up the display screen). But it also is small enough to fit in a coat pocket or purse very easily. The volume can be turned down or off and the brightness of the screen can be adjusted. You can select between 2 to 4 players. Another nice feature is that you can select the "quick" version that allows you to select how many phases you would like to play if you don't have time for all 10 phases. The game also appears fairly durable and although batteries need changed after a few months with heavy use (the screen will get light when this occurs), none of the recipients have had any problems. This game has been a great way to decompress for a few minutes at the end of a long day.

I had a little trouble at the beginning with the "draw" area not functioning but it seems to be ok now. There is a 'reset' button on the back. The screen could have been larger for easier viewing. The light is helpful for the dark but there is nothing you can do about sunlight, it's very difficult to see it in sunlight. I like the automatic shut off to save the batteries and the self storing "stylist" that you use to play. The game is pretty much like the card game except a player can only be "skipped" once in each phase, this may be an actual rule but we play that a skip card can be used on anyone and as many times as you want. It's a fun game.
3/28/10 (UPDATE)
I have had this about 2 months, the "Draw" area does not work most of the time. I guess this is not very durable.
12/28/10 (UPDATE)
The "draw" place that you must touch finally completely stopped working. I found this in a drawer and had not been played for awhile, after reaquainting myself with the game, purchased another one and I have had no problems with it at all. Maybe the first one was a "lemon".
12/17/11 (UPDATE)
The second game that I purchased is still working great, no problems at all and it's been a year. The first one was apparently a LEMON.

If you like the card game, playing rummy, or tired of play solitaire you should like this.
The handheld game is setup for one human vs. 1, 2 or 3 computer opponents.
You can play Classic (play all the way to Phase 10) or to a certain phase number.
It took around an hour to finish a classic game of Phase 10 w/ 3 computer opponents. Great for road trips.

I'm a little embarrassed to tell you how much I use this. The first time was on a flight from London to Salt Lake City. I hate that long flight & always have to drug myself to survive (I'm very claustrophobic). I decided to try this little game that I had recently purchased, and it kept me enamored for almost the whole flight. I didn't take one single drug (not even Dramamine for motion sickness)! The flight is over 10 hrs long, and I couldn't believe that I played a silly little game all that time!

I no longer think of it as a silly little game; it's almost attached to my body at all times :) I've always had trouble going to sleep at night (since my infancy); I tend to lie there & tell myself that I HAVE to go to sleep, then I can't. I have found that if I pick up this game & play it in bed, I will fall asleep in the middle of a game without even realizing it. This morning I woke up with the little stylus still in my hand!

If I have to have a scary medical procedure done, I ask to take my game in with me. They've been pretty good to let me (although they probably talk about me after I'm gone). When they're ready to start or give me my knock-out shot, then I turn it off, and they either take it or place it on the bed next to me. I can't tell you how much it relaxes me, because I tend to panic big time.

Well, have I convinced you yet that you need to have one? :) Actually, if you're not a game person, you might not even like it, but if you enjoy games, I'm sure you'll love it!

I was so glad to see that this is an actual card game. I picked this up one day a few months ago since the Solitaire and Yahtzee were getting a little repetitive. I was hooked! It's great fun. The 10 phases keeps it from getting repetitive. Our family likes to play table games and this will be a fun addition.

I love playing phase 10 and I can never get anyone to play it with me. This is a great option! It follows the game well and I love the sleep mode where if you have to stop in the middle of a game and come back it still has your game when you touch the screen. Overall very pleased with this and it was a great stocking stuffer!!

I already have a Phase 10 electronical touch game and wanted to get another one as a back up since I love to play it so much. Well, new one came and unfortunately didn't open it today...2 months later. I can't play it due to the 'dealer' button doesn't work and it is too late to return it. Very disappointed! Didn't think I would have a problem with a new item not working. Moral to this story: Even if you don't need it immediately, open and make sure it works properly.

I bought this for my 10 year old grandaughter. The description says it is suitable for ages 8 & up, but it seemed too difficult even for a 10 year old. I ended up keeping it for myself and getting her something else. I love the game, but the contrast on the screen is poor. I have tried changing the contrast, but this doesn't help. If the contrast was better it would be great.

My girls love to play this game. Glad to see it electronic. Easy to travel with and no cards to lose.

I found this gem of a game several years ago and I have played it steadily ever since. At first reading of the rules the game seems impossible, but once you've started playing it make sense, and the requirements of each phase are clearly shown on-screen. It takes me 10-15 minutes to play a three-player classic game, and I play several games every day: with my morning coffee to kick my mind in gear, and before bed to unwind. More challenging than solitaire, this is a rummy-type game in 10 "phases". Each phase has a different goal -- Phase 1, for example, is to form three sets of three cards with the same rank (like 3-3-3 and 7-7-7), and the last phase, Phase 10, is to form a set of five cards of the same rank and a set of 3 cards of the same rank (like 10-10-10-10-10 & 1-1-1). The objective of each player's phase is clearly displayed on the screen (a player plays a phase until the goal is reached so not all players are necessarily playing the same phase. The cards have values which are calculated at the end of each phase, and the player with the lowest final score wins. Played cards aren't counted, just the ones left in-hand. You can play against either one or two computer players, and from one phase to all ten. The touch-screen is remarkably durable and even having played the game several times a day for several years, the screen is still clear. I highly recommend this game, especially for adults and/or anyone who enjoys rummy-type card games.