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"They fight, they bite... but unfortunately, that's about all they do"

The problem with games based on television shows is that the amount of effort is clearly minimal. It is apparent that the game is made purely for profit, as it is average at best. Even if the game could be seen as ''good'' by some, it's evident that the creators didn't treat the project with care. While its clear that some developers pour their hearts into a project, Itchy & Scratchy does NOT show this at all.

Gameplay - 3/10

Itchy & Scratchy is as simple as you can get in gameplay. You are Itchy the mouse. You have your playing area, a simply created map with different platforms and teleports, and you go around hitting Scratchy with various weapons. That is it. I guarantee you this game offers nothing else in the way of gameplay. Even so, this bland style of gameplay can be fun at times, but since the entire game is just this simple, and can be beaten in less than two hours, there is so little in the way of enjoyment. The controls are simple and fluid, but that's not to say they are well done. Jumping is sometimes inconsistent, and your weapon isn't always accurate. If your weapon is a projectile, there are times where it will travel directly towards Scratchy, yet go right through him, and if your weapon is simple (like a mallet or frying pan), there are times where it misses even though you have clearly hit him. This can prove to be frustrating, and ultimately, makes your experience that much less fun.

Story - 2/10

This is an action game, and there are various levels. But that's it. The only thing that changes from one place to another are the backgrounds, the music, and the weapons you can get. There is no story. You are just there to kill Scratchy over and over and over. He doesn't do anything differently, nor do you. There aren't even words on the screen to display anything close to a story. The only words you ever see are the names of each stage. That is pretty much it.

Visuals - 6/10

There is nothing you can really complain about the graphics. They are as simple as can be, but are also effective in illustrating exactly where you are. Items are usually quite identifiable, and sprites are fairly animated. This is not to say they are well done. They appear just as rushed and simple as everything else in this game. It is just they reach such a level of mediocrity that you can accept them without the need for criticism.

Audio - 4/10

The music is quite repetitive and can get very annoying. In fact, not only can you easily get annoyed by the consistently annoying rhythms, but they do not even balance well with the various levels you are in. This is one of those games that feels weakened by its music, as you may be able to bear it for a while, but sooner or later, it needs to go away. Reducing the sound to minimal volume is advisable, or else you are likely to get annoyed. Very annoyed.

The sound effects are weak and boring. They offer nothing in the way of originality, and sometimes don't even seem like they fit. Since there aren't even that many things you can do in this game, it really limits the amount of sounds you hear. If you're impressed with basic gunshot sounds that don't change despite an exponential increase in the size of your weapon, then by all means, gape in awe at the basic effects used.

Replay Value - 4/10

This game does actually have higher difficulty settings, which could create some sort of replay value, but the game is so unbelievably short and uninteresting that there isn't really a need to go back. This is the type of game you play when you are very bored. In fact, I might even be so bold as to say that staring at the box for this game is more exciting. But truth be told, this game may actually be fun the first time through. But after that, I doubt you'll come back for more, unless you're either that bored, or you didn't beat it on its highest difficulty setting and wanted to give it a shot. I doubt you even need to rush yourself... you'll still beat it in three hours, at the most. Most likely less.

Conclusion

If its not clear by what I've stated in this review, you'll be pretty darn unsatisfied at the end. You may like it, if you're the type of gamer who doesn't like to delve into intricate plots and such. Hey, I'm not one to comment on this, as a lot of people are like this, and even those who aren't sometimes want a break from long stories or engrossing plot twists. Sometimes, people want a very simple game with simple controls and no need to over think. The fact is, you DON'T need to think. You cannot even lose Scratchy in any level, as an arrow in the corner points you in the direction that Scratchy is currently located. Simplicity is the word in this game. If that is what you're looking for, give it a shot. If you're looking for something with a story of some kind, or a game that presents new and interesting challenges as the game progresses, Itchy & Scratchy is not for you.

To keep it short, a rushed effort hardly ever brings about a pleasant result. I highly doubt this game took even a small fraction of the time that other GameGear games took to create. This game offers you the chance to beat or destroy Scratchy in a bunch of simple ways. Unlike ''The Itchy and Scratchy Show'' that you see on ''The Simpsons'', this does not make you laugh. In fact, it makes you wonder why it was made. The answer is profit. The end result is disappointment.

Final Score: 4/10

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 04/16/04