Move over, Tony Soprano - there's a new game in town. Mafia 1930 is one of a growing number of free games on the Internet that captures our fascination with the Underworld. Mafia games are rat-a-tat-tatting in popularity, and Mafia 1930 is a free game that has wannabe capos plotting dastardly deeds.

Here's the scenario: It's January 1, 1930. You are an immigrant who has arrived in the U.S. from overseas. In your home country you were a nobody. You managed to scrape together the money for the voyage to this land of boundless opportunity. You arrive in this vast city, this vast country, with high hopes. Every door is open to you and your dream is to make it rich. But reality rears its ugly head and the law of the jungle prevails. Society is corrupt. Prohibition has been in force for more than a decade.

Powerful Mafia cartels have formed, making their money from smuggling and running alcohol. They control everything - the bars, the police, politics, and the unions. Since no one is going to offer you a chance, you must seize opportunity for yourself, ruthlessly and without scruples. The law no longer applies to you or to the others who have money, power, and standing. You must earn power, money, and respect by becoming the most powerful Mafia boss of all time.

In this Mafia game, you begin with a bankroll of $300. You invest in it personnel who can, in turn, make a profit for you. This mafia-game allows you to enter into a number of tawdry trades, ranging from gambling and prostitution to smuggling and running a speakeasy. You have your own District, but your goal is to shoulder your way in and take over other districts. In this way, you accumulate districts and rise in the mafiagame ranks. You can search through the mafiagames Families and apply to join a Family. Nothing's guaranteed, though - you have to pass muster and pay a hefty fee to join. For even more money, you can form your own family and have others pay you to become members. Ruthlessness and an entrepreneurial spirit will help you realize your dream in these free games.

Before you know it, playing this mafia game online may earn you the coveted rank of Grand Padrone, and you will oversee 200 Districts. In the meantime, you can enjoy playing a Mafiosi, Don, Grand Don, Godfather, Grand Godfather, or Padrone.