Mac freeware solitaire roundup
Pong was the first computer game, but solitaire card games couldn’t have come long after. It seems no computer is complete without some form of solitaire, but why pay if you don’t have to.
We rounded up eight contenders, most of which are based on the Klondike variety usually associated with solitaire. Some apps have a number of solitaire types to choose from, and a couple are off the beaten track.
MacSolitaire It hasn’t been updated in years and the graphics are showing their age. But game play for Klondike is smooth and has a crafted feel to it. And no wonder — the developer has moved on to wood carving as a hobby. I like being able to double-click on a card to let it fly to the right place. Plus, the game graciously lets you know if there are no more moves possible.
Freecell This one has much the same look and feel as MacSolitaire, but you’re playing something other than Klondike for a change. It challenges you to beat the best number of moves, and you have the option of looking for hint if you’re stuck.
Patience The game of Patience is a lot like Klondike. It’s based on the previously mentioned Freecell — so if you like that one, you’ll like this one.
Solitaire XL Smooth, shiny graphics make this version of Klondike the best looking of the bunch. You have the option of a transparent background so that it looks like you’re playing on your desktop. Double-clicking to make the cards fly only works if it’s an ace headed for one of the four piles at the top. This may be a good thing because it makes it harder to cheat. It tallies your points and you can look at a list of high scores.
Simple Solitarus This one is a simple form of Klondike adorned with funky cartoon characters, which is not all that surprising. It’s made by DanLabGames, a developer best known for the likes of Wacky Mini Golf.
PySol The bad news is that PySol is getting long in the tooth, and it shows with the cramped playing area. The good news is that you can choose from hundreds of forms of solitaire. The graphics have a retro feel to them that can grow on you in time.
mondo solitaire You also get lots of options for solitaire with this widget — 50 to be exact. But the playing area is even more cramped than PySol’s. If you really like it, though, you can buy shareware from the developer that allows you customize the cards right down to the last detail.
Klondike Forever This space age version of Klondike has cards flipping and flying all over the place. I found it impressive at first, but the 3D antics quickly became tiresome.
Posted Monday, August 18, 2008 in Playtime
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