(FORTUNE Small Business) – It's hard to beat the nonstop fun of building a business--especially in this economy. But three new board games give it a whirl. Do they succeed?

RISKY BUSINESS Tag line: The game where you're the boss! Retail price: $34.95 Object: Players race to release an IPO, although it's never clear what their companies actually do. Did we mention the game was created by a software company exec? Flaw: Too much depends on luck. Bill Gates didn't get to the top by rolling sixes. High point: We, however, rolled a lot of sixes. We won. Verdict: It's no MBA substitute, but it may be worth an investment of 35 bucks.

FRANCHI$IT Tag line: The game of franchising fortune. Retail price: $39.99 Object: Snap up as many franchises as possible. Flaw: Buying any franchise automatically makes you money. In fact, every roll of the dice leads to more cash. High point: Finding a coupon for a free 7-Eleven Slurpee in the "franchise education booklet." Verdict: Unchain yourself. If franchising were this easy, we'd all own Dent Doctors.

HAPPY RETIREMENT Tag line: The retirement lifestyle trading game. Retail price: $29.95 Object: Beats us. It seems to involve buying cards with retirement fantasies (like "big yacht" or "wonderful family") printed on them. Flaw: 52 Pickup requires more strategic thinking. High point: Hmm. Buying the "big yacht" card? Verdict: Retire this game. Immediately. --Julie Sloane