Not Nearly As Bad As Most Reviews Suggest
Story: 5/10
While it doesn't follow the cartoons exactly, it does stay true to the ''Tom chases Jerry, cartoon hilarity ensues'' model of them. In the cartoons, Tom chases Jerry and is usually caught up in the traps he is trying to set for Jerry, leading to a painful ending. However, in this game it is possible for Tom to actually hurt and kill Jerry, if you're not quick enough.
Gameplay: 7/10
This game is not overly difficult, and there is a decent amount of variety. The basic premise is that in one player mode, you play in a horizontal split screen, with you controlling Jerry on top, and the AI controlled Tom on the bottom. This is slightly distracting at first, but you quickly adjust. Your goal is to reduce the health bar of Tom to zero, by setting traps, and using weapons. The backgrounds have a fair amount of interactivity, and the number and variety of weapons is decent. One fun example in the first stage is the ability to open the refrigerator - if your opponent winds up in front of it right after it opens, he will be frozen in place by a blast of cold air, and you can take a swing at him.
Graphics: 5/10
The colors are bright and pretty, and the backgrounds are well detailed, but the lack of moving backgrounds, and the small size of the sprites (average SNES size) lead me to reduce the score somewhat. Not that the graphics are bad, but diehard PSX fans expect more from a game on this system.
Sound: 7/10
I personally like the zany cartoon music in the background, even though it does get repetitive after a while. If you like the musical score that accompanies cartoons, with the slide whistle ''zooooops'' and bouncy rhythyms, you will not be disappointed. The sound effects are also crisp and clean, with many different sounds for all the objects. Unfortunately, as is the case in many games, the sound of you or your opponent being hit with something is always the generic ''whap'' sound, kind of like smacking a dead fish.
Replay value: 6/10
This game also offers a 2 player mode, where a friend can control Tom instead of the AI, and this leads to a much more exciting experience, as the computer AI may not be the best in the world - at times it is frustratingly accurate, and then it goes right to bumbling around. While this game will not fill weeks and weeks with enjoyment, it is quite fun.
Rent or Buy?
If this review has convinced you of how much fun I have had playing, I suggest buying it - you can find PSX games like this on eBay for $5, and you would be hard pressed to find stores that still rent Playstation games. But, if you can find it for rent, it would certainly fill a weekend with laughs!
Overall Ratings:
Story: 5/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Graphics: 5/10
Sound: 7/10
Replay Value: 6/10
Overall: 6/10