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Review of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader: Make the Grade on PlayStation 2

by Tanya Krane Tanya Krane photo Oct 2007
Cover image of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader: Make the Grade on PS2
Gamefings Score: 6
Platform: PS2 PS2 logo
Released: 26 Oct 2007
Genre: Quiz/Trivia
Developer: THQ
Publisher: THQ

Introduction

Let's dive into the chaotic classroom of 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader: Make the Grade' on the PlayStation 2, where you get to challenge your brain against the brightest minds aged 10 and under, and probably fail gloriously while being reminded that you are *not* smarter than a 5th grader. The nostalgic game, based on the popular quiz show, offers a hilarious take on education, all while emphasizing that knowledge is key - even if you have no clue who invented the light bulb. Spoiler alert: it was Edison - but don't worry, you're not alone if you forget that.

Gameplay

The gameplay revolves around answering questions from grades one through five, which is a chic way of saying you'll be picking subjects like Animal Science instead of doing something important like, you know, adulting. Players will choose a subject, and your task is to answer questions that, surprisingly, are not as easy as they sound. Suggested hints from adorable 5th graders, known as your classmates, can either be a blessing or a disaster, depending on how bright your little buddies are. And let's just say, you've got three cheats: Peek, Copy, and Save. The Peek lets you cheat off your classmate's answer, Copy means you hope they actually studied, and Save ensures if you really mess up on your first question, you can pretend like you got it right by using your classmate's answer. Brings back memories of tests in school where you wished someone had your back, or, honestly, just passing the class with a C-minus.

Graphics

The graphics naturally lag behind modern standards - we're in the era of polygons and flashy colors, but this game looks like a nostalgic trip back to the early days of 3D gaming where blocky characters seemed like the norm. The classroom setting is bright and cheerful, filled with colorful decorations, and let's not forget the ever-present backdrop of the classroom itself which is clearly designed to distract players from thinking too much about what they're doing. Couple that with iconic sound bites from the show, and you have an aural feast that can either awaken old memories or make you cringe. You know that feeling when you see your old high school on Google maps - a mix of nostalgia and horror? Yep, that's about right.

Conclusion

So, 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader: Make the Grade' is a fun but flawed outing, ideal for those who want to reminisce about their school days or just see how poorly they would stack up against children. It's hilariously entertaining, and while it can occasionally feel more like a trivia quiz show than a full-on game, it still manages to deliver some laughs - especially when you find yourself correctly answering questions about fifth-grade subjects while failing at basic adult responsibilities. If you think you can take on the challenge, then grab your pencil (or controller) and jump into the classroom. Fair warning though, be prepared to feel a little less smart than you initially thought!

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