


loan shark), derives from German Schorke or Schurke ('rogue' or 'rascal'), as did the English word "shirk". In general usage, principally in American English and more commonly with the "shark" spelling, the term has also taken on the meaning of an expert card gambler who takes advantage of less-skilled players, also called an advantage player, without any implication of actual cheating at cards, in much the same way that " pool shark" or " pool hustler" can (especially when used by non-players) be intended to refer to a skilled player rather than a cheater or swindler.Ī card sharp or shark (by either of the gambling-related definitions) may be a " rounder" who travels, seeking out high-stakes games in which to gamble.Īccording to the prevailing etymological theory, the term "shark", originally meaning "parasite" or "one who preys upon others" (cf. The label is not always intended as pejorative, and is sometimes used to refer to practitioners of card tricks for entertainment purposes. "Sharp" and "shark" spellings have varied over time and by region.
CARD SHARK OR CARD SHARP CODE
But unless you’re really fond of wiggling your thumbsticks around every few minutes, you may find the whole experience to not be as good as it could have been.ĭevolver Digital provided us with a Card Shark Switch code for review purposes.Card-sharpers by Candlelight (1845) by Feliks Pęczarski, National Museum in Warsaw.Ī card sharp (also cardsharp, card shark or cardshark, sometimes hyphenated) is a person who uses skill and/or deception to win at poker or other card games. And if I could ignore my dislike of them, then there’s plenty about Card Shark to make it worth recommending – and even with those minigames, I’d still say it’s better than average. Obviously, if you’re okay with WarioWare-style minigames, then that may be a bonus for you. Right up until you have to learn a new card trick, at which point it feels like you’re playing a minigame that’s at odds with the vibe of the rest of the game.

It all moves along at just the right pace… Even the story, which makes reference to the growing dissension that culminated in the French Revolution while still advancing the story of Comte de Saint-Germain and his mute protégé (you’re the latter). Likewise, the music is perfect for the game, evoking a feeling of Bourbon-era France with its mandolins and whatnot.
CARD SHARK OR CARD SHARP SERIES
It’s absolutely gorgeous, and frequently looks like a series of sketches come to life. Admittedly, the easiest mode is a little more forgiving – but not so forgiving that you’re not stuck playing what feels like minigame after minigame.Īs I said, absent that core gameplay mechanic, there’s a lot to love about Card Shark. It’s stressful in the same way as WarioWare is, where you have to remember some fairly non-intuitive motions without much in the way of leeway, and failing to do so sets you back. Not only that, you have a short time in which to do the moves, and the game keeps piling on new ones the further in you get. You mark cards, you switch decks, you use false shuffles, you tip off your partner about what cards are in which player’s hands – and you do all of it by memorizing various twists, turns, and presses on your controller. The thing is, though, I don’t, and I think it’s because I’ve never been super into the WarioWare series – and WarioWare, more than anything else, may just be Card Shark’s biggest influence.Įven though Card Shark is superficially about a card cheat working his way through pre-Revolution France, what it’s really about is mastering a series of minigames. Throw in the fact that it looks incredible, the story is engaging, and it’s got a fantastic score, and it seems like I should be all over it.

It was developed by Nerial, who created Reigns, and Arnaud De Bock, who created Pikuniku.
