Game Lounge is offered on DirecTV’s channel 110 and, according to the web site, includes more than 70 games. Instead of a game controller you use the directional buttons on the DirecTV remote to play casual style games including various match-3 puzzles, word puzzles, card games, kids games (usually based on a TV cartoon shows including Ben 10 and Chowder) and popular board games including UNO and Monopoly. There are even games offered en espanol.

To help celebrate the Fourth of July 2008, DirecTV is offering a free preview weekend of its Game Lounge interactive channel for the long weekend (July 2 through 6, 2008, CH 110).

The channel allows you to play casual style games through DirecTV service (so you have to be a subscriber) using your remote. There are currently more than 40 games available on the Game Lounge, including…

Product: Toshiba Satellite X205-S9349Price: $1,899.99Rating: 8.5/10Pros: Surprisingly impressive sound system, a great screen and it plays games well despite Vista. Comes with internal hardware extras – extra USB ports, HD DVD drive, DVD burner and 1.3 megapixel webcam – you’d eventually add to your home PC anyway.Cons: Some front ports hard to see, the system runs pretty warm and the cover easily smudges. Keys are a bit too low and pop out too easily.Overall: A good purchase for a hard-core gamer in need of a portable system. Plan to spend time wiping off promotion apps. The sound system will certainly impress your friends.

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