Review of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (DVD Game 5th edition)

Introduction

Well folks, here we go again.....

Christmas is coming,
The geese are getting fat (unless they`ve got bird flu),
Please put a penny,
In the DVD makers` hats.

It`s another Xmas stocking filler DVD, just the previous FOUR versions of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Once again I ask you to picture the scene....

It`s Christmas Day, everyone is well fed and sleepy after gorging on the monstrous Xmas dinner. What to do next? Watch the Queen`s speech? Unlikely as it will already have been leaked to the tabloids. Play a game to stave off boredom. The actual game has evolved over the years, from charades to cards to board games, consoles and now DVD games, which are a maturing format.

Enter the 5th version of the interactive DVD of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? The format is simple, answer questions, win virtual money, impress your friends and family with your knowledge of inane trivia like the number of lakes in the Lake District (1), or the name of that lake (Bassenthwaite Lake). None of the others are called lake you see! Such a great question it`s now been featured on QI...

You must know the format - 1 question, 4 possible answers, 3 lifelines to help you out. 15 questions to win a virtual million pounds. And all of it on your standard DVD player, not a DVD ROM in sight.

This DVD is the 5th version of this game, and it has a couple of added extras. Once you get past 1,000 pounds you get a bonus "switch question" lifeline, and there are also enhanced questions with video, audio or picture clips.

Video

Maybe I was still expecting too much, but as the programme itself is widescreen, I assumed the DVD game would be. I`ve assumed that for every version of the game that I`ve seen, but it`s still not widescreen, just a standard full frame transfer instead. It all looks authentic, there are shots of the audience, and the graphics look fine.

Audio

Just a DD2.0 stereo track which is perfectly adequate. You can hear the questions, and you can hear the advice of your "phone a friend". What more can I say? This is not the disc for you if you are irritated by the sound of Chris Tarrant!

Features

Nothing (but what were you expecting anyway?)

Conclusion

Do you enjoy trivia? Do you enjoy quizzes? Do you scream at some of the idiotic contestants when Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? is on TV? If so then this is your chance to prove your mastery of trivia, if you haven`t already got the board game, console game or any of the previous 4 DVD games...

An interesting idea for a DVD and well executed. This time round there`s just 1 disc (only 1 in my review copy anyway) but still plenty of questions so it should keep you going until New Year at least. I can`t really say loads about the technical quality as it all looks and sounds fine, and is perfectly playable, all with your normal DVD player. What more can you want?

A slight change to the format, you can now choose from general knowledge, entertainment and sport versions, and there`s also the option of an adult or junior game which should add longevity and appeal.

And this time round if you complete the game you can win actual money, as there`s a bonus question at the end in which you have to text in an answer to a question. You have until 30th April 2008 to enter and it will cost you £1.50 a time. So just another excuse to get money out of us poor punters then. Ho hum.

A handy gift to help stave off the rows about what to watch on TV instead of the Queen`s speech. As with other versions, the only thing missing is a Tecwen Whittock cough simulator, but you could get a friend to do that for you. Or for £1500 you could get the man himself to make a personal appearance!