The first release sold by the truckload, but had just as many flaws to its name. Deal or No Deal returns to try to right the wrongs – and make some money for Christmas time.

The out-and-out hit show that’s shown on Channel 4 has grabbed the world by the short and curlies, and still refuses to let go. If the suspense doesn’t get you watching, the characters on show will, as the contenders involved get immersed in the game like it’s a round of Russian roulette.

It’s all held together by Noel Edmonds, who keeps play going like an empathetic maestro, and he returns to do his job for you in the new Family Challenge version. The branding is a little misleading, as there’s no reason why you couldn’t just play it with your mates, but for marketing purposes, it does the job better. As with the actual series, there’s only one question to ask here:

Good or no good?

On first impressions, it’s definitely good. The soul-destroying pauses from the first have dwindled away, and the ill-advised graphics that take you away from the action when a contestant reveals the next sum have been upgraded, so now it actually resembles the real thing.

There are also actual extras in the DVD too like a traditional disc, with clips and mini-documentaries about the show, Noel and contestants making it a nice – but soon forgotten – touch. They have thought it through however, as the films are only a few minutes long at the maximum and aren’t dull and dreary celebrations at how to feel self-righteous about creating a hit gameshow.

Added in-game features include the possibility to ask the for advice again, with in-show characters coming back to add the personal touch - as well as a bit of crowd participation – and a lucky dip feature, that brings out some of the little quirky props and features that have been bought out during the series – including Noel in his rainbow hat.

The best extra is the ability to ask the banker questions from a pre-defined list. From asking the meaning of life, where babies come from and what his favourite band is (you’ll never guess...), the answers are written in a way for all ages to enjoy, with double-entendres all over the place – especially the already-mentioned baby poser.

The gameplay itself is a lot more relaxing, as boxes can be chosen in groups of five rather than individually, and it’s fairly fast paced (it’s possible to complete a game in 15 minutes). The new Family Challenge section is what it’s all about though, as you select one box between you (up to five people) and then decide to ‘deal’ or ‘no deal’ individually when the moment comes.

It makes for plenty of tantrums and entertainment, as does the banker mode, where you can take on a friend and try to beat them from the banker’s side of the phone. The options you used to have are limited now to a set of three pre-determined totals, but it does help in a way as it stops the game getting tied up in useless deliberation.

With these additions and tweaks, does it put to rest the major flaws of the former?

It does, but only as far as you can go in a DVD game. From now on it will probably be difficult to advance any further without making it into a video-heavy computer game, which does leave you with a slight feeling of disappointment as the magic isn’t quite there.

Saying that though, you’ll probably be too busy trying to win big that your fellow comrades will fill in the atmosphere and tension that is missing from the DVD itself. You probably won’t play it all year, but when you do, you’ll find the minutes falling away.