Reviews (11)

the best carrier yet!
This is the 6th carrier I own. I have 2 children and my children don't like any of the other carriers, which include Baby Bjorn, Maya Wrap pouch, Snugli newborn carrier, Snugli infant carrier, a backpack carrier. This carrier is comfy for both mother and child. I've used it mostly with my newborn daughter upright in front of me facing in. She always falls asleep when she's in it as opposed to screaming with the Bjorn. Highly recommended.

WOW! Wouldn't be caught without it!!
I've had three babies and am currently pregnant with our fourth. With my first baby I had a front carrier someone gave me and it worked for a while, but hurt my shoulders. I could never use the sling portion of the carrier. I found this when Mandie was 5 months old (Jan 2003). I still use it as needed. I have used the pattern to create my own baby wraps so I have at least 6. One upstairs, one down, one in the car, one in the diaper bag, and usually one in the laundry! My back doesn't bother me the slightest when using this product. My shoulders don't ache. Mandie loves it!

Pros and cons
I purchased this because I was hoping the even distribution of baby's weight would prevent my back from aching, since the Ultimate Baby Wrap is supposed to go over both shoulders, across the stomach and around the lower back. I've tried a Maya wrap and it made my back hurt. However, the Ultimate Wrap hurts my back, too, so oh well - that's what I get for having a bad back, I guess. This wrap is a pain to get it on, and the fabric stretches so much, I don't feel like baby is being held securely. Also, if you are a large person (like me - size 18/20) there isn't really enough fabric for it to wrap around the lower back like it's supposed to, which could be why my back hurts with this one, too. On the positive side, it's much more comfortable to wear in the summer (unlike other slings) because the fabric is lighter and breathes. The fabric seems much more comfortable to the baby than a Snugli carrier (which I've also used). Maybe I'm just not using this wrap correctly, but I give up.

I like it a lot, but its cumbersome to put on
Ok, once its on and done, I love it. My baby feels secure, its the ultimate in custom adjustibility and size is not a factor. It has a lot of variances in ways to carry and the pocket on the outside is extremely handy.

However, when you live in the south and have this on over anything, it's very HOT. It takes a while to get it on, wrapped, and cinched where its comfortable, so slinging it on and off is not only not an option, you tend to dread the idea.

Don't be caught without it
I first was very discouraged in taking it out of the box. I almost just sent it back. I thought it was crazy to need a video to use it. I took 5 minutes watched the video and it totally makes sense now. It will take several minutes longer to put it on, but I have 2 small children so either one can ride in depending on who needs it more. If my 2 month old is sleeping I can leave her in her carseat and hook her to the single stroller and strap my 2 year old (she's only 22lbs) to my hip. I'm very excited and can't wait for our next outing. It's much less bulky than the Snugli soft carrier and way more versatile. I highly recommend it for someone with a colicky baby and someone that has another small child. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Parents can grow weary of shoving an assortment of blankets into a stroller to keep baby insulated on lengthy walks. Fortunately, this handy little pouch keeps baby warm with a minimum of fussing for Mom and Dad. The exterior is made out of soft yet durable fleece material while the inside is made of a thick faux sheepskin. There are openings for three and five point harnesses, which should cover most strollers so baby can be extra secure, even on bumpy roads. The entire unit is also machine-washable (on cold cycle, tumble dry on low). This Bundle Me is designed for children up to 12 months or 21 pounds, whichever comes first. We're not sure how snug a bug in a rug is, precisely, but it couldn't be much cozier than this. --Charlie Williams ... Read more

Reviews (55)

This product is GREAT!!!
I had never heard of the Bundle Me before. I had a preemie baby and my friend sent this product to me as a shower gift. I debated if I would use it or not, and didn't put it in the seat when we brought our daughter home from the hospital. Shortly after she was home and I had bundled her in her snowsuit a few times I decided to try it. I am soooo glad I did. It kept her so warm (which is a must with a preemie) and I didn't have to worry about trying to fit her into a snowsuit that was way too big. I also went to a car seat check and they didn't recommend that I use this product, because it is an after-market item, but didn't make me remove it, as it DID NOT make the car seat unsafe. I would recommend this to anyone with a new baby!!

Must have for winter babies
Your baby will be in the infant carseat until approximately 10 months of age, more or less depending on the size of your baby. So if you live in a place that has a cold winter, you will love this item! If he or she is born in winter, have it ready from day one. I consider Bundle Me a "must-have luxury". The pouch fits into the carseat and the carseat straps are pulled through slits in the bottom layer. You only have to do this once. Unzip the top then put your baby in and zip it up, and he or she will ride in fleecy snuggly comfort throughout the winter. This saves you hours of struggling to dress an infant who has other plans in snow suit and mittens. He'll still need a hat. Strictly speaking, the car seat inspectors will suggest that it is less safe to put a layer between the baby and carseat, because the cushion creates a tiny bit more travel distance for the baby's neck and spine during an accident. However, I feel that if the baby is wearing several layers topped by a puffy coat or snow suit, the cushioning layer would be much thicker thus less safe. It is always important to make sure the straps are adjusted snugly against the baby and checked frequently for correct fit. Highly recommended.

UNSAFE, DO NOT PURCHASE
This is unsafe because it is not recommended to have anything under the baby in the car seat that did not come with the seat originally. The seat was not crash tested that way. The thickness of the sherpa raises the baby's head just enough that if you get in a car accident the baby's head will hit the vehicle's seat. The infant car seats are deisgned so that the infant seat will hit the vehicle seat in an accident leaving the baby unharmed. Buy the one that has elastic that stretches around the rim of the car seat and only covers the baby. He'll be warm enough and most importantly, safe. These should be recalled. Also, I have seen many babies not correctly buckled into the car seat. Please make it tight enough that you can just fit your fingers between baby and strap. If it's too loose you might as well not even strap him in. And slide the clip to armpit level. I've seen so many babies with it at their bellies. I cringe when I see this. Let's keep our babies safe in the car. You never know when an accident will happen.

The best
My husband and I love the bundle me product. We live in New York and we never needed a blanket or anything else to keep our daughter warm in her car seat during the final days of winter here. We used the Snap and Go with the car seat and with the Bundle me already installed we are always ready to go outside, just pop her in, zip her up and we are off. She loves it, it is soft and plush and if she ever gets too warm, you just unzip it a bit. Great product, we love it.

Great Product
We really loved this product for our son and plan on purchasing it for a baby shower. I would recommend purchasing the toddler size as we had done for longer use. My sister bought the smaller size as she was not aware of two sizes and her son outgrew it within 7 months. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The three-wheel Preschool Scooter is a good solution for toddlers who,watching older siblings, have contracted a bad case of scooter envy. In front,two 4-inch urethane wheels are placed eight inches apart for stability; at theback, there's a 3-inch wheel and a "spoon" brake just like on those metal "bigkid" scooters. This vehicle is mostly plastic, but sturdy enough for the job,with comfortable foam grips. A cleverly designed "lean-and-steer" mechanism atthe front axle makes it significantly easier to control than some three- orfour-wheel toddler scooters. This one resists the tendency to tip over whengoing around corners. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (73)

BEST SCOOTER!!!
I bought this scooter for my 3 year old son 3 years ago and it is still the most popular scooter in our neighborhood! All the kids, ages 2 to 9 like to ride it. It is much easier to ride with the two wheels in the front. It is an excellent first scooter and I highly recommend it!

I completely recommend this toy!
We purchased this scooter a couple of months ago for our 2-year old (he will be 3 in August), and after his 2nd try, he was zipping, executing turns and stops all around our cul-de-sac, just like his 10-, 11- and 12-year old siblings on their "big kid" scooters! I was amazed! This is the ONLY scooter I found anywhere with the 2 wheels in the front, instead of in the rear, and it has made a tremendous difference. Educational value comes from the fact that it has improved his large motor skills, coordination and self-confidence! I read the earlier review where someone had problems with the durability of theirs, but we have had no problems at all, and he gets pretty rough with it, at times.

The best preschool scooter around
My 4 year old son has been using this scooter since he was
2 years old. He has had a great time with this scooter.It
really turns well and is very stable for young riders.Most
preschool scooters have the two wheels in the back but this
scooter has the two wheels in the front making it easier
for the young rider to scoot.My little guy can keep up
with his older friends when they are on their two
wheel scooters. This scooter provides a smooth ride and
is very durable.This is the best preschool scooter around.

We love it!!
My son got this scooter for Christmas at age 2 1/2. Right away he had no trouble balancing and quickly learned to turn. We had tested other "little kid" scooters with the 2 wheels in the back and they were much harder to balance. He loves this and rides it every chance he gets, he has learned how to control it very well which is why I gave it 3 stars for educational value. I would have given it 5 stars for durabilty, but he has 2 big brothers that also want to ride it. When the kids over 50 pounds get on it, I can see the wheels bow, so they are not supposed to ride it.

Great toy!!
My two year old received this for Christmas. We just got it out since it is just warming up(April)and he loves it!! I never would have thought he would be able to ride it as well as he does. Very fun and a great introduction to a real scooter. ... Read more

Product Description

Hit the neon streets of Need for Speed Underground Rivals in pursuit of total ownership of the tuner racing scene. In this first-ever Need for Speed title for the PSP handheld entertainment system, customize and build the ultimate tuner on four rims then take it into the underground world of street racing. With tons of tuning options, a variety of game modes, and the circuits most sought-after cars, Need for Speed Underground Rivals delivers an unrivalled tuner experience in the palm of your ... Read more

Features

• Build the Ultimate Tuner: Customize up to twenty high-performance tuner cars then hit the streets to see who rules the underground.
• Exclusive PSP System Circuits: Accelerate to top speeds on ten visually distinct circuit tracks exclusive to the PSP system.
• Eight Game Modes: Including Drift Attack, Nitrous Run, Rally Relay, and Car Spec.
• Go for a SpinAnytime, Anywhere: Engage in two-player head-to-head battles via Wi-Fi or challenge up to four rivals on one PSP system device in Party Play.
• Pocket TRAX: Listen to music or watch videos on the go with this exclusive new feature for the PSP system.

Reviews (18)

Need for Speed: Underground Rivals......
Need for Speed: Underground Rivals is everything you know and love about the Underground series but in portable form. Ditching the open city environment of Underground 2 in favor of racing like you did the first Underground, Need for Speed Underground Rivals delivers the goods of pure street racing and it does so in style. It should be mentioned, though, that certain elements of Underground 2 were also added to make this version of the Underground series a step above the console versions.Compete against rivals in 10 all-new tracks, and customize as well as compete against high-performance tuner cars from the U.S. and Japan. You'll be just as amazed with Rivals as you were when you first saw Need for Speed Underground on the PS2. The sense of speed is blistering. Control and handling is dead-on. And, the graphics are simply amazing(just check out the wet-slick streets you race on as well as the motion blur of the lights as you pass by or the sleek look of the cars you race in and tune up). Out of them all, this has to be my favorite thus far. The one thing I love most about Rivals is the riveting soundtrack you're listening to while you race. Loaded with lots of your favorite artists, it'll, definitely, keep the excitement going while you race...believe me.
I've read reviews where people go on about how Ridge Racers is so much better a racing game on the PSP(only because it supports 8 players in multiplayer while Rivals supports 2). In my opinion, the only game to ever hold a candle to the Underground series is the Midnight Club series. Until the PSP version of Midnight Club comes out, Rivals will be the ultimate street racing champ in my book and my most favorite racing game of all. Besides, Ridge Racers is an entirely different type of racing game and should be judged on its' own merits(which it is, indeed, an awesome game itself).
Street Racing fans and regular racing fans alike will love NFSU Rivals for what is....a classy street racer that will keep them occupied for weeks.

Great Street Racer
While you may want to wait for Midnight Club PSP, (comes out 6/14), this game will appeal to a street racing fan or even maybe a casual racer.There are over 60 cars and graphics are very much like Juiced, a game for PS2.They have added 2 cars to this game and now have over 60 very different cars that you can fully customize.This game has a good career mode.One thing that was an improvement from NFSU2 on the consoles was all the extra driving around.For people who are new to NFS, in Underground 2, EA made you drive around the city to look for races mostly so they could show you all of the endorcements that the game got.Overall, this game is nearly identical to NFSU , but is in no way a port.

good but not good enough
This is fun but the graphics are bad.They are the graphics you would expect from a ds (horible). its worth a rental but don't buy it.This is not nerly as good as everyone says.I think everyone who gave this a five must have rated it the first day befor the relize how quicly it gets old (It gets old very Quikly).I think they also did not consider the horible graphics when rating this.don't let the other revewers fool you.

as a final statment the graphics are the worst graphics I have seen on any psp game so far.

Awesome Game for PSP
I own MLB, Untold Legends, Need for Speed Rivals and Ridge Racer. Need for Speed is by far the best game I've played so far. Some say Ridge Racer is better but, NO WAY!!! The car mods is what does it. Their are so many mods to add to the car to make it faster and look better. The more you play the more mods you can get. It makes you not want to put the game down because you can't wait to see what the next mod will be. The graphics are awesome and also the sound. I've played this game for about 15 hours and there's so much more left. I highly recommend this game.
P.S. MLB is great also. =)

Another Racer Is Born!
I just played this game last nite with friends, and I REALLY LIKE IT!!!It's funny when all of a sudden your opponent races right over you and takes the lead...But it's a lot of fun...Now I'm gonna have to get this one too...Thanx guys for getting me hooked...You all know who you b... (TT and your wingman, GC.) ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great product
Overall I really love this playard.It is very durable, high quality and easy to assemble (although I have not yet tried to fold it back up!)The colors are not too loud or too babyish and I have found that the bassinet is sturdier than the comparable pack n play.It plays nice music and my daughter likes the vibration feature.The only reason I give it 4 out of 5 stars is that I wish it included a mobile, like the pack n play does.I have thus far been unable to find a mobile that will fit on this playard.

Excellent Purchase
Me and my husband bought this play yard when my son was too big to fit in his bassinett.He is currently 6 months old, 27 inches & 20 lbs.He is STILL able to use the bassinett feature of this play yard.The material is very durable.The musical feature lulled our baby boy to sleep MANY times.And even when he is sleeping in his crib I remove the box from the corner of the playyard and put it in his crib with the music playing.I have purchased the Ocean Wonders Aquarium for his crib which is nice but he still likes the music of the playyard music box.And the storage pockets on both sides of the playyard are fantastic not to mention the shade to go over the top to protect them from the sun or other lights.It's a great purchase.You won't be disappointed.

This playyard is a lifesaver!
We use this play yard for everything.During the day, our son sleeps in it and is changed in it.We love that it has the bassinet feature as well as the changing table.Also, he likes the vibrating option.It really soothes him.I am looking forward to using it outside once it gets nicer out as well.I would recommend this to anyone.

The best!!
We have been using this for our third baby and it has been fantastic!!Before this, we had two different brand playyards for our two older children - one had sides that collapsed (very scary strangulation hazard, but for some reason was not captured in the recall) and the other we got rid of because we thought we were done (but we like this one better anyway!).This has by far been the best that we have used or have seen.

We have a two story home and use it all the time.The change table is nice and sturdy (makes a great downstairs change station because it also has a detachable bag that can be loaded with diapers, diaper creams, etc.).The bassinet is great for the newborn stage because it is easy to lift baby in and out.The sunshade is very handy for outdoors and you can slide the shade material back and forth depending on the angle of the sun (good coverage).We recently took it on a weekend getaway and we all slept great!!It was easy to set up and take down.Just make sure you follow the instructions for how to setup and collapse the sides or you may find it difficult and frustruating like another reviewer did (the floor must NOT be in lowered position and all of the legs need to be close together in order to keep the sides from accidentally lowering when the playyard is in use).

The only downside is that it would be nice if it was made out of lightweight materials because it is a bit heavy, but then again, so are all of the other brands.

Don't waste you're $$$
Initially I thought this playard was great....that is why I registered for it. It was easy to set up & take down the first dozen or so times but after that one side kept getting jammed & it wouldn't unlock and would take numerous attempts to get it to budge. That & the fact that this is pretty heavy made it more trouble than it was worth to take anywhere so in the trash it went & I bought a Graco which I love. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Better than Graco!
I have a 9 month old and 8 year old sons, and a 4 year old daughter. I wanted a nice playyard with a bassinet, a changing table, and the playpen... I thought I wanted a Graco, but this is much better!

- It has a full sized bassinet, my son has outgrown it (not litterally, its just he kinda sits up and trys to climb out) but it was AMAZING while it lasted, I loved it, and so did he. It was stable and sturdy and He always slept EASILY in it, now he sleeps just as well in teh actual pen!
- He has yet to outgrow the changing table, and its great for just that. Its easy to snap on and off, and now that the bassinets down I leave it there all the time and just take it off when hes inside the pen.
- There is a big pouch on the side. This easily holds his diapers, creams, powders, wipes, pacifires, blankets, EVERYTHING is right at my fingertips
- Theres a cute little bar with, lambs i think, and he LOVES them. Now I give them to him off the bar, which he loves and he used to grab for them when he was younger
- It was so easy to assemble that my husband was amazed, he set aside teh whole afternoon, and it took him 30 minutes, now disasembling takes 5 minutes, and we have gotten putting it togethere in a mere 10-15 minutes!
- EVERYTHING fits into the travel bag, the pen, table, bassinet, and the bar ALL fit into the bag. This is a big downfall on graco whereas only the pen fits
- Its lightweight for a large system, easy to travel with... I love it
- Its the perfect size to fit through a doorway, and the wheels make my life that much easier!
- I have brought it outside for barbeques, at the pool, the beach, and my sons soccer games. Its that easy to set up, but I usually just use the pen, but now that I have the PNP SPORT, this has been reserved for indoor useage only!
- Much less money than simmillar leading brands!

I love this playyard, my son will soon be outgrowing it (again not litterally, but he wouldnt like it anymore) so we will be making the PNP SPORT an official member of the house, I recomend this playyard for your infant, its really the best out there... but once they outgrow it... try the PNP SPORT, its great for outside and for olderchildren!

I love it!
When I was pregnant with my 3rd child (girl) I thought I should have the BEST playyard, which I believed was the Graco PNP... I figured I would purchase the biggest, most expensive model with all the extras. I got this Madison (funny, thats my daughters name) playyard for my shower and was very excited! (I thought it was a Graco)

My husband and my father assembled it in about 45 minutes, the directions are a bit confusing but deal-able. We had set it up in our bedroom to keep our daughter in for the first few months (shes still there at 3 months, but she is able to sleep in her room sometimes too) The bassinet feature was great, it was full-sized and my pettite 12th percentile daughter will be in there for a while. I loved the little bar with the hanging white bears, they intrigued my daughter, and now she trys to grab them or swat at them! The calming music always excites her and she will squeal and then slowly drift off to sleep, its just the perfect volume. The changing table is the perfect size and super safe with the straps. My daughter loves being changed there, and she never whines. The bottom seems deep enough to place her in there for atleast a year, and she will deffinatly be comfortable down there for naps when she outgrows the bassinet. The little changing station was perfect! I can fit many newborn diapers, wipes, ointment and accesories in there and I have never EVER had a problem. The colors are terrific and its just so elegant and safe. I have also found that it will fit through my 33 1/2 inch doorways (an inch and 1/2 larger than normal) no problem for strolling it down the hallway or carrying downstairs. Its also super easy to travel with and ALL the pieces fit in the travel bag unlike all of the graco models. Its super easy to carry and very lightweight, now all my relatives dont need to purchase cribs for when we come to visit!

When I found out that it WASNT a graco I laughed, and seeing how much cheaper it is and how much BETTER it is, I am sorry that I ever thought more is better and that a brand name ment everything. Dont hesitate, the MAdison Playyard is the best for your money, much more satisfying than the gracos!

An excellent choice
My mother got this for me and my 6-month old before a recent trip and I was most impressed!Super fast and easy set up as well as folding up at the end of the weekend.The changing table insert was wonderful!Roomy pockets on the end allowed me to keep diapers and changing supplies handy and out-of-sight. And the night light with soft music and nature sounds truly helped soothe baby right to sleep.Once we got home, we unfolded it and set it up as a playyard downstairs and with the changing table, no more running up and down stairs just to change a diaper.I LOVE this product!

Can't wait to use it!
I recieved this playard as a gift at my shower.I love it.It is easy for me to set up and take down at 8 months pregnant.Also all the parts fit in the carry bag.I have some friends who have the Graco playards and can only get the playard in the storage bag, what is the point. We have extended family in other states that we will be visiting and plan to take this with us to use while we are staying with them.I just can't wait to try it out.

I Love It!
This playard is gorgeous! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the colors & it's so durable! I use this same playard (*in seamist print) @ my FIL's home so I knew buying this one would work great for my home! & I was right! But what is more appealing about this playard are the arched sides it makes it look so elegant! & it's perfect for your lil boy OR girl! I wouldhave given it 5 stars but they still didn't fix the minor downfalls I had w/the Seamist playard! But it's still a great buy for the price! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The PlayStation2 is equipped with a 128-bit Emotion Engine processor that enables lightning-fast gameplay and impressive graphics power. The console builds on its home entertainment value by doubling as a DVD player and accommodating most of the original PlayStation's vast library of games. PS2 is known for its excellent selection of titles for the older gamer. ... Read more

Features

• Includes console and 1 controller
• Plays DVDs
• 128-bit Emotion Engine processor
• Lightning-fast gameplay
• Backward-compatible with PlayStation games

Reviews (291)

My favorite system
I'll give you my rhoughts on all three systems
PS2(Top 3 games:Grand Theft Auto Double Pack/Metal Gear Solid 2/Final Fantasy X
Pros:
Play's DVDs
Plays PS1 games
Plays Cds
Has the best games out
Easiest Controller
usally doesn't cost nothing to get online
Cons:
The worst graphics, but not all that bad
Can have long annoying loading times
Need to buy memory cards
Need to buy multitap in order to have 4 players
What's up with Final Fantasy XI(They wan't $99 for game and hard drive, and pay money to be online every month, they're NUTS!!!!)

Xbox(Top 3 games:Halo/Grand Theft Auto Double Pack/Star Wars KOTOR
Pros:
Best graphics out of three
Best for multiplatform games(Like Max Payne, it was better on this than PS2)
no memory cards
Custom sountracks(On selected game)
The fastest loading systems
The best suited for T and M rated games(My kinda games)
Cons:
The controller is still a little frustrating(And I had the dang thing for a while, I need a controller S)

Xbox live costs a bit, but no that much
So far still behind in games, but it's movin on up!
Too bad it can't burn mixed CD songs on it(Cuz I hate grabbing my regular CDs just to get 1 song)
Have to buy DVD kit to play DVDs
STOP DELAYING HALO 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gamecube(Top 3 games:Zelda:Wind Waker/Super Smash Brothers Meele/Metroid Prime
Pros:
Nice tiny compact system
Good ol fasion nintendo games on a new Nintendo system
50% technology/50%good games
cheapest system
Small controller, but it wasn't hard for me to get used to it
Cons:
Not the best for fighting games, (altho I brought Soul Calibur 2 because of Link, and it worked out)
Must take care of discs or one bad scratch can put it out of commision
Cant play DVDs or CDs, but hey it's devoted to nothing but games
Needs memory cards
Bairly any online games(I only know one, and thats Phantasy Star Online)

This console war stuff is stupid, lemme say it again, it's just stupid. It's just baisicly peple who only have one of the consoles, and are mad that they don't have the other one, so they bash it hoping to stop the anger. Like when people say PS2 has atari graphics, if thats what you see, get some friggin glasses yo! And whoever says Xbox has no games, and says Halo's garbage it's catchin on up, and Halo is so far the best game I've played on any new generation console,and anyone who treats gamecube like junk, they're just missiing out on some of the good stuff. Me I just say get all three, because all of them are very good systems, I don't care if one says one systems better than the other, they're all good!

Best System Available
The Playstation 2 Entertainment System is the best videogame console available. Sure, Xbox has those awsome graphics, but have you seen the TERRIBLY clunky controler? And Gamecube isn't any good either, believe me, I owned one. It has a very small library of games, and the games it DOES have are mostly for little kids. The PS2 has the USB Headset, Internet Adapter, a HUGE library of games, it plays DVD's and CD's, and it's backwards-compatible (it plays PSX games)! My only complaint is that the graphics aren't all that sharp. If you are older than 9, and looking to buy a videogame console, look no further. Go out and buy one. NOW. If you don't beleive me, ask one of the 60,0000'th PS2 owners out their.

Games I reccomend:

Medal of Honor Frontline

Grand Theft Auto III

ATV Offroad Fury 2

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Jak II

Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando

Final Fantasy (Pick one of the many titles)

PS2 ROCKS!!! (Note: Look for the PS3 in the next 2-4 years...)

The PS2 is the best gaming system out right now
OK. Put it this way. XBOX sucks. Gamecube sucks. For XBOX, you have to freakin pay to play online. for the PS2, all you need is the Internet adaptor. And what the heck is up with the XBOX controller? Its fat and ugly. Plus the PS2 is more compact and easier carry. Plus, you have to pay more to even do what the XBOX is capable of. 30 dollars for a dvd remote just so you can be able to play dvd's on the XBOX? thats crazy. With the PS2, all you need is the PS2 and a controller. Plus the PS2 has a WIDER variety of games to play than both systems combined. Sure the XBOX may have better graphics, but thats it. So hands down, the PS2 is the best system to buy right now.

DVD? Are you sure about that?
I've never been able to get the play station to work as a DVD player, that is a disappointment, since I get sick of having so many wires in my entertainment unit, and it would have been nice to have one machine that performs three functions. (It plays Cd's quite nicely). That aside, It's a wonder machine that plays not only the new Playstation 2 games, but the older Playstation 1. (who wants to render all of their older games as obsolete?) Even though it would have been nice to use it as a DVD player, and I can't, it is a good machine and well worth the little that it costs. (But beware. . .Playstation makes up for the small cost by charging an arm and then some for the games.)

I love the playstation2!I
Ok,I dont have it,but I want it BAD!So please buy one! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Radio Flyer’s Pathfinder is the SUV of little red wagons, sporting a rugged plastic body and offering tikes a luxurious amount of towing or riding space. The wagon’s convertible seats fold down for maximum storage capacity and then flip up to comfortably accommodate two children. Webbed seatbelts ensure that children don’t bounce out when riding over rough terrain. The Pathfinder’s interior also has four built-in drink holders to keep sippy cups and juice boxes secure during the ride. The extra-long handle has a large, loop grip that even kids can control and that folds under the wagon for more compact storage. Like all Radio Flyer wagons, this one has heavy axles to handle a lot of weight, heavy-duty casters for making tight turns without tipping, and durable rubber tires that provide a soft, quiet ride. The Pathfinder measures 39-1/4 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 16-1/2 inches tall. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (43)

#1 Wagon
My parents bought this for my son last year for Christmas. We searched and searched for the right wagon for two toddlers. After receiving this one I would recommend no other. The heavy duty RUBBER wheels (not plastic)are great on any surface. We have a huge property and it's great to go to the garden, to the beach, and for walks. The seatbelts are a must with little ones and I don't know what I would do without them!!! This item is a must have for children and parents alike!

Best Wagon Out There
This wagon is great! My 22 month old and 8 month old love it! There are seat belts so we can go across busy roads without anyone escaping! The wheels roll beautifully and the cup holders are perfect. I would recommend this wagon to anyone looking at all the different ones out there! My older son can pull my younger son (with supervision of course) and feel like a big boy. The wagon is sturdy and smooth so there is no worry about the little one!

Best Wagon
We bought this wagon for my son for christmas last year and he was only 4 months old. Once he learned to sit well on his own we would take him for walks in it and when it was time to go inside he would cry. He absoulty loves it. Very easy to put together and wheels turn great. Easy to pull. Highly recommended.

The BEST Wagon!!
I just bought this for my grandson and it is AWESOME! Like one mom said the seatbelts are wonderful - I have not seen another wagon with seatbelts and being 11 months old and learning to walk he is always standing up! Now I don't have to keep turning around to check on him. Everything about this wagon is perfect - the handle is long enough to pull without having to bend over; the wheels make pulling SO easy (one review said they had problems with the wheels getting stuck- not me!) and we go off road adventuring too!! - neat cupholders for his bottle - cool storage compartment for all his neat little finds along the way - WE LOVE IT! You have to go get one - you will not be sorry! It is the best investment yet as far as toys are concerned. THANK YOU RADIO FLYER!

Best Wagon Ever!
I was searching for the perfect wagon for my daughter's 2nd Birthday. We decided to purchase this one. I love the fact that it has rubber wheels for a quiet ride. I also love the fact that the seats fold down to make a flat surface. That made it great for towing all of our gear into the zoo, such as our coolers, bags, etc., and then when my daughter fell alseep we layed a blanket on top and it was a perfect place for her to rest. While she enjoyed her ride in the wagon, we were able to strap her in with the seatbelts so she wouldn't try getting out while pulling the wagon. Great price for a great wagon! ... Read more

Editorial Review

In the bright, cheerful colors that Sassy has become famous for, this set of miscellaneous playthings and teethers is sure to capture baby's interest and attention. While the eye-catching colors and shapes, are sure to draw baby's eye, the toys in this set also come in a variety of textures and shapes, so that baby can investigate how each one feels in her hand and, inevitably, in her mouth. Soft, flexible rubber parts on many of the toys make them just right for a little playful gnawing when baby is teething, while other toys in the set come with smoother plastic parts that have been rounded off to prevent injury. --Chris Burns ... Read more

Reviews (12)

You get a lot for the price
We bought this set for our then 1 month old son for Christmas. Now that he's almost 7 months old, he plays EXCLUSIVELY with these toys. They are adorable, fun, easy to grasp( the only exception are the theething toys, that are a little bit heavy with the water inside). I have to say though: the toys we got are a little different from the ones I see in the picture here, but I bet these are great too - Sassy makes great baby toys. For the price you pay there are so many of them, that I've decided to give them to my baby one at a time, according to his age. Some of them are still in the box. We use the links to attach toys to his stroller or crib. The set makes a great gift too, especially for multiple babies. I gave it to my cousin's twins: they can share and there's plenty for both of them. All around a good product, highly recommended.

warning for the babies who are theething
the toys are cute and great for the baby to play with. the only drawback are the colorful teether toys. when the baby gets few teeth and bites the teether toys, the paint comes off!!!!!!!!!!!! unfortunately, all the teether toys had to be thrown away. babie's safety is more important!!!!

Best Gift Ever!
We received this as a gift when my daughter was born. She's now one year old, and still plays with these toys. This was by far the best gift we received, and I am now buying it for friends' babies.

I'm a copy cat!
My sister gave this toy to my newborn daughter. Now I consider it a must for friends' babies. I just ordered it for my friends twins. There are plenty to share, and 2 rubber duckies!

A Must-Have
This set of toys is a definite 'must-have' for all babies! I cannot beleive the amount of use we have gotten out of these toys. It seems that everytime my 8-month-old daughter is reaching for one of her favorite toys, I realize it is something from this set. One word of caution--even though the octopus is supposed to be a bath toy, I would not use it as such. I believe the water gets trapped inside and gets moldy. It is a fun toy outside of the bath anyway. ... Read more

Product Description

In Forza Motorsport, its all about you and your car. Over 230 of the sickest racing machines imaginable. Infinite ways to customize them. The tools to tune them to perfection. The power to take on the world on Xbox Live. And the chance to show the competition what the back of your car looks like. Because in this world, you are what you race. ... Read more

Features

• Make every car yours: Collect models from more than 60 top car manufacturers, including Mazda, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, and Dodge. Trick out sport compacts with real-world body kits, rims, spoilers, decals, side skirts, fender flares, and hood scoops. Add motorsport decals and team paint-schemes to supercars, GT racers, and exotics. Transform production cars into racetrack monsters.
• Tune it up: Take your car to the garage and install alternative engines, suspension kits, bolt-on superchargers, brakes, rims, racing slicks, and more. Fine-tune gear ratios, fuel-mapping, forced-induction pressure, tire temperature and pressure, and ignition timing for the ultimate setup.
• Experience the most technically advanced driving simulation on Xbox: Top automotive engineers teamed with experienced programmers to create an advanced physics engine for Forza Motorsport, designed to simulates authentic car performance. Cars incur damage and wear, which affects car performance. Advanced tire and suspension models respond to heat and pressure changes as well as weight transfer and aerodynamic load.
• Drive in gorgeous track environments: From the famously challenging Nurburgring Nordschleife to the spectator-lined streets of Rio de Janeiro, race on meticulously designed tracks with an incredible sense of speed and realism.
• Check out the revolutionary A.I. Drivatar technology: Train your own A.I. Drivatars to use the same racing techniques you do, so they can race for you in competitions or train new drivers on your team. Drivatar technology is the foundation of the human-like A.I. in Forza Motorsport.

Reviews (15)

Offically better than GT4
I have no idea what the person below me was talking about that this is a bad game. But you know I'm cool with that everyone has their own opinion. Check this.

Pros

Amazing car customization and performance upgrades.
Over two hundred cars.
Amazing classes of cars.

Cons
It is extremely hot outside


I'm already playing XBOX Live mabey we could play some time. See you at the finish line.

"You are what you Race"
-------Forza Motrosports

What a ripoff
I am thinking if the other reviewers are Forza game designers and developers.

Okay, here is an objective feedback:

Pros:

A LOTTTTTTTTTA CARS (Infact, the greatest collection of Cars that I have ever seen)

Customizable parts and performance.

A lot of options to tweak the behavior and handling of the car

CONS:

...HORRIBLE HORRIBLE GAMEPLAY...

If you have every played Project Gotham Racing 2 (PGR2) or Rallisport Challenge or Midtown Madness 3 or even NFS and appreciated the smooth, responsive handling of the cars, the fast gameplay and whizzing scenery around you, this game will be a LETDOWN.

The cars are extremely sluggish, very very unresponsive and at 120 mph, the scenery floats by you at the same rate as 20 mph in rallisport challenge or PGR2.

Rallisport and PGR2 are wayyyyyyyy better than this game. I think there is this whole hype factor surrounding this game that just makes us compulsive shoppers want to just go and get it. Do yourself a favor: TRY THE GAME before you buy it.

I wish somebody had told me about it so that I could have not thrown $50 in this worthless game. My time is sort of precious and I am glad that I didnt waste more than 2 hours on this dump.

Do yourself a favor and try this game from blockbuster or gamestop before throwing your hard earned money...

Quite Possibly The Best Racing Sim On Xbox.
Ive been playing this game for days now & Ive lost alot of sleep because I cant get enough of it ,its a great game,but I will warn you it is a Racing simulator type game that does have a slight learning curve & it will be a harder game when you first play it,because the driving physics are based on real-world driving.I do like other games like Project Gothem2 but FORZA is a better simulation of Real-world driving.Forza playsalot like Grand Turismo.The vast amount of different cars you can buy & race in FORZA isamazing ,the most of any game to date. You can buy just about any real-life car that are in showrooms today and also some of the older cars from the early sixties all the way up through to 2005.The manufacturers are all represented here from ASIA,North America(USA),Germany,Italy,United Kingdom,Sweden,France,Korea,Spain.You could buy a 1991 Honda CRX SI and upgrade it to about 800 HP & race it against a Ferrari ENZO. You have a ton of different race series from Point to Point, Amateur, Professional, Championship series,& Long Endurance races which require pit-stops. Each race is limited to your cars category from D class, C class, B class, A class , S class, R class.Classes D through S have four subclasses ,with 1 being the highest rated & 4 being the lowest. Class R has three subclasses R-GT, R-GTS, & P1. You cars class will raise as you upgrade it & you can sell,& remove parts,adversly you can lower your cars class if you remove parts. There are also brand specific races like Impreza vs.Lancer, RX7 vs. Supra ,American Muscle event,Roadster Challenge,Club Mustang event,Light Weight Challenge,300 HP challenge,etc.etc.There's also FW drive event,AWD event,MR event & many more.The vast number of different class restricted races is mindboggling ,this game is HUGE! You can Upgrade your cars with a large amount of options including Intake Exaust,Fuel Ignition,Turbo Charger, Supercharger,Intercooler,& you can swap up to bigger engines ,say example you could put a b18c5 engine from an Integra type R into any Civic.Also you can upgrade your cars other parts like, Tires from Y-rated ,DOT,to Slicks,Brakes,Transmission,Clutch & Flywheel,Weight reduction,Suspension.You can also add body kit parts from Front & Rear bumpers,Side skirts,Roll Cage,Hood,Rims,Spoilers. You can custom paint your cars from about 80 different colors.You can add customDecals & Vinyls on your cars left side ,top side,front bumper,rear bumper,& wing & change the shape color of each Vinyl for a completly unlimited amount of custom options.You can move,size,spin,tilt,EACH vinyl & decal & layer them up to 100,you could easily spend hours alone on vinyl applications. You can FINETUNE your cars set-up from Front & Rear tire pressure,adjust each individual gear ratio,adjust degree of camber /toe/castor,adjust ride height front & rear, adjust spring tension from soft to firm,adjust Damping Bump & Rebound,Adjust AERO downforce on front bumper & spoiler/wing, adjust Differential accell & decel,adjust Braking balance & pressure & the E-brake slow/fast.You can then go test your adjustments on any track youve unlocked & while your on the track you can fine tune it as your driving a test run in the pause menu.You can then save your cars tune set-up & then load that set-up before any race to match the track your gonna race on.You also can get a Benchmark setting to see what your adjustments have done ,it will show you Acceleration 0-60mph time ,0-100mph time, Top Speed,Braking Distance In feet ,& Lateral G's. As you win races & championships you will get credits towards purchasing more cars or parts,Also sponsors will give you discounts on parts when you win races & championships.Car manufacturers will give you free cars for winning races,series,& championships.The graphics are pretty good in this game ,the only negative thing is the people look like cardboard cutouts,but its still looks pretty good alot of nice detail.The New York & Tokyo tracks are realy nice. The cars all look fantastic and after youve finished a race you can watch and/or save your replay which looks fantastic.The strongest part of this game is the racing gameplay which is outstanding! And I did notice a big difference in performance after you add parts to your car and/or fine tune it .Its a very realistic racing game that does have a learning curve to get used to ,but once you get familiar with the driving physics its realy fun. The developers did a great job with this game & it shows. FORZA is must own for any fan of Racing sims.

Decent...but overhyped
I definetly looked forward to this game, but after 2 years of Project Gotham 2, I can't seem to accept what "seems" like a game that was created before PGR2.

The graphics are by FAR a letdown. GT4 blows it away, and PGR2 is must crisper also.

Game play is decent...sure its more realistic, harder to drive, turn, less acceleration, but it's NOT AS FUN!!

If you are a GT4 fan, this may be for you. But if you want instant XBOX live racing with a more "fun' factor...then look to PGR2.

Get the Fanatec Speedster 3 ForceShock steering wheel
If you have an extra $150 after buying this game, then I strongly recommend you also get Fanatec's Speedster 3 ForceShock steering wheel for Xbox.It was designed to work with Forza Motorsport, and it's the closest you'll get to a force feedback steering wheel on the Xbox.The Xbox doesn't offer true full-blown force feedback, but this wheel is pretty close.The wheel also works with other Xbox racing games, but Forza Motorsport has special code in it to work specifically with the Fanatec wheel to offer force feedback.

Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't sell this wheel, so you'll have to get it from either Gamestop or Fry's. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Blinded by the sun
For the most part I really like the jogger, especially the way it handles on the trail and in snow.My one complaint is that it does not have an adjustable canopy so if you are walking into the sun your baby gets blasted with sun in his/her eyes.I've had to use clips on the canopy to attach a blanket but then my toddler complains because she can't see.Overall a pretty good stroller.

Performs Great On Uneven Sidewalks
We bought this one mostly because of the great price, but it has turned out to be a great jogger.I originally thought I'd have to cart it over to the park for a smooth ride, but I jog through our neighborhood, over some pretty crappy sidewalks, and it's a pretty smooth ride (a few bumps here and there - but NOTHING like in our traditional stroller that's part of a travel system).The big, bicycle-like tires make a big difference.
Also...this has lots of storage (some joggers don't - I guess to make them more streamlined but I am not training for the Olympics!) and pockets inside the stroller that my daughter can access herself.
To reiterate what others have said - No, the front tire does not swivel but if you want to use this as a jogger, that is what you want.Say you have a stroller with a lockable front tire -you're jogging a have a pretty good pace going and the front tire becomes unlocked and turns...that would be quite a hard and sudden stop and could injure your child and/or you!
I have not had experience with folding/unfolding this stroller since I haven't had to travel with it so I can't tell you about that.
My one wish for this stroller is that the sun shade came down lower.It pretty much just covers the top of my baby's head...this can be remedied with a detachable sun shade for strollers (about $15) which I had already purchased since MOST strollers don't provide adequate sun protection.

Babytrend-A disapointment
i bough this stroller 10 months ago...i was satsfied with it although at the start it had a serious alignment problem. however the mechanics of folding the stroller have gotten tighter and tighter (not just needing to be oiled) and now it will not fold. my main dissapointment was how it was handled by babytrend who really did not get behind their product and insisted on me shipping it back to them was the only way to remedy the situation, although i cannot seem to fold it!! i feel like i am going to have to buy a new stroller, usually you would expect to have to buy only one of such an item.

Designed for Exercise!
A jogging stroller is not at all meant to be used in place of a traditional stroller, or to fit in the trunk of cars. The front wheel doesn't turn on purpose!

It definitely serves it's purpose as a good, overall jogging stroller. I purchased an, almost, identical model that Baby Trend made for The Right Start. The difference is that it does not have the pockets, etc. and is black and grey. I was unsure of how much use it would get, and didn't want to spend $300 on a Dreamer or BOB to only find out that my son hated to run. It cost just $70 after tax, etc.! To my surprise it has preformed great for me, and my husband too. The 16" wheels work well on the beach, and the treads are nice for any type of terrain. I don't have the indoor storage space, so I keep mine outside, underneath a covered awning with a plastic sheet over it. The fabric still looks brand new despite this!

I run on a mixture of pavement, gravel and grass, and have experienced no problems in six months of regular usage. My son has been riding in this since he was 4 months and really loves it. To him, he's going out on a walk while Mommy gets to workout. I added a Snuzzler for his comfort, and the only time he fusses if he's really sleepy and Mom runs over anything bumpy - so it must absorb shock well. The parent cup holder isn't very deep, so a water bottle will probably need to be stored underneath. The other little area on the parent tray has been a great place for me to tuck my IPod into.

This stroller really helped me to get back into my pre-baby jeans, and didn't empty out my pockets! It's an excellent first jogger, a great buy if you can't afford a professional model, or want to be sure that running with baby in tow is for you. I absolutely plan on buying a double when it's time.

I love this stroller!
I currently have this stroller and love it, it's very light weight and walks easily. The only complaint is that is doesn't fit in the trunk of my 2004 honda civic coupe. I have to put it in the backseat, but its pretty easy to get it in and out of the car. I have used the Jeep jogging stroller but that dosen't fit in my trunk either and i thought that stoller was heavier and it was harder to fit in my backseat. Overall, I like the expedition jogging stroller better than the jeep stoller, except that the jeep stoller has a steering wheel for the baby and you can play music in it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Nothing soothes a baby into slumber like music. Now baby canhave a CD player right in the crib. This battery-operated CD playerattaches securely to a crib rail and also has a soft-glow night-lightthat can be turned on or off, making it easy to check on baby duringthe night. This small streamlined-looking unit has a child-resistantcover to keep control buttons out of reach of curious hands. Withstandard CD player controls, high-clarity speakers, and an automaticshutoff, this CD player makes it possible to play your favorite CDselections in the nursery--at bedtime, naptime, or anytime. This playermay also be used as a tabletop unit once baby outgrows the crib.Although this is a great product concept, many users have found that itis quite impractical, as the slightest brush against the CD player orbump in the crib causes the CD to skip. Requires two C batteries (notincluded). --Deb Oroszlan ... Read more

Reviews (133)

LOVE IT!
My baby loves music! So, I bought this CD player since it hangs on the crib and has automatic shut off. I've been using it for the past six months and love it. At first, it seemed the music was too quiet, but at night when the house is quiet for bedtime, it's the perfect level. The CD player hasn't skipped and I can push a button and it'll shut off in 15 mintues. It also has a night light that automatically shuts off. I use it every night with my baby and found that if I always use the 15 minute button, the batteries last pretty long. I have definitely used this CD player, changing CDs all the time. I would recommend it. It is rather expensive, but I've got my money from it.

Worth the price
I don't know why some reviewers don't like this product. It's extremely convenient, and doesn't eat batteries at ALL. My daughter is four months' old, we use this every night, and still haven't had to change the batteries. The volume level is perfect for lulling her to sleep. I love that it fits right on the crib and doesn't have to be plugged in with cords dangling around. It's also safer than a regular CD player because it's impossible for the kids to get into. Turning on Mozart every night has become part of her bedtime ritual... I just press play, lay her down, and she goes right to sleep.

Doesn't fit on most cribs
This would have been perfect providing it fit on most cris. I thought it was the most wonderful invention until trying to put it on the crib. I also took it to the store & tried it on 10 cribs to find it only fit 2!

Good concept, but won't work like it should
I thought this was a marvel idea, as most everyone else thought. I even got it 50% off. No wonder. I do like that it attaches to the crib and it has a nightlight and can have a timer but the cons outweigh the pros.
First off it does eat batteries quickly and changing the batteries is hard. Why do they make it so difficult to change batteries on baby toys? You ahve to unhook the light part then find(!) a screwdriver that fits the screw to unscrew it and then reassemble it all. There have been many a night when it would not work due to dead batteries and no screwdriver to be found or no batteries in the house.
The most annoying thing is that the volume does not work. It is scratchy sounding like it has static in it. You have to find a certain millimeter area where the volume control will work. I did find that if I insert a small piece of cardboard under the dial it pushes it up and it will work correctly. I'm assuming mine is a lemon and I need to somehow exchange it.

Also the volume never goes too loud. I would like it a little louder for when it is in our toddler's room on her chest of drawers. She can barely hear it. We also like to play fun, dance songs and can barely hear it.
I think we are going to get a small cd player for her room that plugs in to save money on batteries and save our sanity.
I wish this device had a place to plug it up.
Good concept but doesn't work!

Lemon Law This One!
Our first one stopped working in a few days after we brought the baby home. We exchanged it for a new one and that lasted one month before breaking. The light still works, but the CD portion is junk. DON't waste your money. Get a cheap boom box or alarm clock w/ cd player and plug it into the wall. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

AWESOME TOY!!!!
I bought this toy when my son turned one. By far has been the best toy we have bought yet!! Finally a toy that is fun, teaches, and keeps them entertained at the same time! Worth every penny.

Good for learning and keeping kid occupied
My son loves this. I bought it for him when he was 9 months old and he is now 12 months and still has a blast. My nephew who is 24+ months old loves it too when he comes over. Every item has a function and there are even toys that you can buy to go with it. Like a birdhouse and a phone.

The mom who only buys fisher price
I found the Toys R Us near me carried this toy so I went to get it, my 11 month old daughter really enjoys it, she likes to dance to the music, and crawl through the door, and open in and close it, over all this toy is really neat, but the problem I have with it is my light does not stay on when you turn the light swith to on, it sometimes would blink, but now it doesn't work at all, so I probably will have to return it and get a different one.

Great bang for your buck! So many activities!
Wow! This is a new Fisher Price toy that I hadn't heard of before - but knew I had to have it when I saw it. My daughter loves to crawl in and out of things, so I thought this would be a great floor level toy that might keep her interest. This was purchased for her first birthday and I think we are still discovering new buttons and such! There are so many activities and interesting things on this toy that I think the price was a real bargain! The house numbers, the rain gutter, the radio, the clock, the window, the mailbox, etc, etc! There are sounds for nearly every activity, and even the sounds can be changed depending upon what setting the radio is on. My daughters current favorite place in the "house" is the mail box. She loves putting the mail in and out of it. She gets very excited and just chatters away at this toy - crawling in and out of the door and listening as it "creaks" open and then "slams" shut. The toy overall seems to focus mostly on the concept of opposites (night/day, up/down, open/close, etc) and numbers.

There are two volume settings - the lower one being just loud enough for her to hear it while she is playing (thank you Fisher Price!) and the other much louder. On the lower setting, I cannot hear it unless I am sitting at the toy with her.

I just can't say enough about all the activites - I expect that this will be a toy she can play with for a long time without getting bored of it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

It may not be a splashy leap forward, but Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in its own deep, dark way does just as much to move and revolutionize video games as its two predecessors, Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. As in previous installments, here you play as a thug with problems you must steal and shoot your way out of, but the problems this time are disconcertingly more realistic. You play as Carl Johnson, known on the street as CJ, a likeable criminal type who has just returned to his hometown, Los Santos (a fictionalized Los Angeles), to find that his mother has been murdered and that the police have framed him for another murder. Reunions with his friends and a troubled relationship with his brother set off a sprawling, complex plot line, taking place at first in the immediate Los Santos area but eventually spilling into San Fierro (based on San Francisco) and Las Venturas (Las Vegas).

You play as Carl Johnson, known on the street as CJ.

This is an honest effort to create an engaging story about sympathetic characters caught up in a brutal environment that is on par with a movie or novel.

Gaming Gangsters

Where Vice City took its cues, with tongue firmly in cheek, from the 1980s television series Miami Vice, San Andreas is a sincere homage to early 1990s innercity gangster films like Menace 2 Society and Boyz ‘N the Hood. This is an honest effort to create an engaging story about sympathetic characters caught up in a brutal environment that is on par with a movie or novel. If that effort hits a few flat notes (you would have to be totally desensitized not to wonder if it's OK to make entertainment out of driveby shootings), it may also mark the first step toward video games growing up.The first thing that fans of earlier GTA games will notice is the range of action is much wider now: Along with shooting, running, and driving, there's now swimming, eating, working out, shopping, and, yes, getting a haircut. All this means the game has a fairly steep learning curve. But, though the pick-up-and-play appeal of Grand Theft Auto III may be long gone, your access to the action becomes fairly transparent after a little practice. My only serious complaint is that, with the controller now crowded with such previously unheard-of functions like "Gang Active" and "Talk Positive," you can drive only with the left analog stick. A minor point, but it makes cars a lot more difficult to handle.

Bicycles take on a surprisingly central role.

Vehicular Variety

It would be hard to surpass the variety of automobiles available in earlier games, and San Andreas wisely does not for the most part try to compete on that score. Instead, it's bicycles of all things that steal the show. The bikes' speed and flexibility are perfect for many of the missions, and there is something about cruising through the streets and basketball courts on a BMX that just feels right. If you play far enough into the game, you will also be rewarded with the chance to fly a number of aircraft, and flying is something Rockstar makes a greater effort to get right this time (welcome news for anyone who struggled with the planes and ‘copters of the earlier games).

Lackluster Graphics--but a Real Feel

Graphics--never a huge priority for Rockstar--actually take a step backward from the luscious, tropical look of Vice City. Textures are rendered with only a cursory attention to detail, and contours are often blocky. It scarcely matters, though, because no matter how San Andreas looks, it feels real. This is due in no small part to voice work by an all-star cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Ice T, James Woods, Peter Fonda, and Outkast's Big Boy and a stellar soundtrack with tunes by Soundgarden, 2Pac, Public Enemy, and even a few country classics from the likes of Willie Nelson. But it's not just realistic, San Andreas is also vast, encompassing three big urban centers and huge swaths of rural land (complete with shotgun-toting farmers) between them. This vastness does mean, however, that there can be a lot of tedious driving to get to the missions, which, along with some awkward sequencing of the cut scenes (they are in places stacked one on top of the other), means that there is a bit too much downtime.But never mind the quibbles. Ladies and gentlemen, we have another classic on our hands. --David Stoesz

Pros:

• Astonishingly vast game space
• Vivid character development
• Complex, engaging plot
• Enormous range of available actions

Cons:

• Occasionally awkward game design
• You can no longer steer cars with the directional buttons
• Steep learning curve

What's Your Strategy?
Get mission strategies and detailed maps to achieve every objective with the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Official Strategy Guide.

... Read more

Features

• The next chapter in the legendary Grand Theft Auto series
• Set in Los Santos, San Andreas, plagued by gang violence, corruption, and drugs
• Carl Johnson's mother has been murdered and family has fallen apart
• Carl is framed for homicide by two corrupt cops
• He must journey across San Andreas to take control of the streets

Reviews (154)

PSM Stuff
Alright heres the stuff i read in the official Playstation 2 magazine (some of the stuff you may already know but oh well):
-The game is set in 90's San Andreas, which is a whole state that contains cities like Los Angelas, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and a bunch of country stuff in between like deserts, mountains, rivers, and lots and lots of interstate highways.
- You are CJ who decides to come back to his old Los Santos gang called the Orange Grove Family after spending a couple of years in Liberty City...
-YOU CAN: eat in restuarants (get fat), Work out in the gym and get buff( get too buff and you move slower), improve CJ's skills, get haircuts, ride a bicycle, wear lots of outfits, buy and build buildings (many more things to do with this than in Vice City), Gamble at casino's, break into houses and steal money, swim,dual wield mutliple guns, recruit your own gang to help you out, do 4 person drive by shootings.
The improvements: -five to six times the size of Vice City, game comes on a rare dual layer dvd, no more loading between cities, new graphics engine with 35-50% more polygons on screen, longer view distance, more realistic relections, shadows, and animation; every character has a "brain", a bunch of more detailed indoor locations, more mini games, man hunt style gun targeting, better hand to hand combat, each weapon is detailed and has its own realistic experience, rag doll physics, wider range of vehicles with improved physics, and the vehicles get rusty and dirty over time.
The average pedestrian in San Andreas will have up to six times more dialouge than in Vice City. Another thing is that the game will automatically adjust the level of difficulty if a player gets stuck on that impossible mission. However this doesnt mean you can fail and then it will be easy, the changes are supposed to practically invisible and very small. IF you get fat the insults will be pretty mean. You can ride a bicycle by pushing x real fast to go real fast. There is free aiming with any weapon. Also your rival gang are the Balla's and if you go in their territory you are dead meat. The cops provide a greater challenge and are very determined. I got all of this information from a very good magazine that is 100% Play Station 2 called PSM, I strongly recommend this magazine if you are interested in upcoming games and reviews on games. From what i read in the magazine this is going to be a great game and I am preordering it right now... you should too!

This game is the best of them all!!!!!!!!
The following features have been confirmed for GTA: San Andreas:
• Tweaked Vice City
• Entire state of San Andreas included, meaning three cities will be present in the game, each connected by countryside. Los Santos, a fictional Los Angeles, San Fierro, a rendition of San Francisco, and La Venturra, which is the Grand Theft Auto version of Las Vegas.
• Larger map, which is much more interesting and "alive" than Vice City. Hills have been confirmed, and even a mountain is to be included.
• Smog will be present in Los Santos to give it a "real life" feeling.
• "Characters from the past" will return.
• Ragdoll physics, aka "Impact Animation" similar to that seen in recent PC titles like Far Cry, Half Life 2 and Max Payne 2.
• In La Venturra, set up a casino, or gamble in those owned by others.
• Recruit gang members and perform four person drive by's. (Screenshot)
• Pedal Bicycles (Screenshot)
• House robberies will take place but require skill and planning.
• Stamina Meter. Carl will have to consume food on his journey across San Andreas, and will gain weight if he eats too much. Gyms will be available to work out in.

The Best Game Ever!!
This is by far the best game ever created!! I have Halo 2 and hasn't got anything compared to this. GTA SA is a must have so if you are still reading this review you must get up, go out and buy this game!!!

The Best!!
GTA San Andreas and vice city are such an advancment for rockstar games and this is the best ever but remember how it all started with that birds eye veiw...<br /><br /> John Tushew

Initial impressions
After a long wait I am now beggining to dig into this game.<br /> <br /> 1. Learning curve: Very unforgiving, the missions go from semi-simple to near impossible at the drop of a hat. Enemy AI is drastically improved, which means you will be spending alot of time in your nearby health facility. Another nice feature is due to gang placement you may not even make it out of the hospital parking lot alive.<br /> <br /> 2. Controls: simply amazing. weapon aiming is drastically improved, you can now actually aim a handgun with enough precision to hit the tiny little gas tank target allowing for 1 shot explosions which I have to say are very cool (just don't do this in sight of police) also control of vehicles improves as you use them more, which means you are less likely to fall off your bike after catching air.<br /> <br /> 3. Character developement: Want your character to be the buffest banger on the block? You better head to the gym and work off that Cluckin' big meal you just ate. Don't eat too much tho, CJ can and will throw up if you do. Does CJ tire easily on those on foot police chases? Hop on the treadmill or the stationary bike and build up your stamina. Even RPG's rarely give you this much control over your character.<br /> <br /> 4. Summary: Initial impressions very possitive, go get this. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Baby Tad is a wonderful interactive toy that makes early learning fun andeasy. Baby Tad (short for tadpole) helps your preschooler learn shapes, colors, activities,and songs. When your little one presses a colored light-up button, Tad identifies the colorand shape indicated on the button. With his cheerful demeanor and infectious laugh, Tadoffers support and encouragement and will quickly become a close and trusted friend.Besides various greetings,a squeeze of Tad's hand brings forth favorite children's songs, sung in a squeaky, high-pitched voice. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (310)

better then expected
My 2 year old daughter got this last Christmas. My first thought was she was to old for it,I was wrong. She plays with Tad, regularly and is now 3. She love to sing to the songs. I love that it turns it self off. The batteries are still going strong.<br />

leapfrog tad
My 18-mo. old received this gift for his first christmas. He loves it so much. it goes everywhere with him!

Baby Tad is a lifesaver!
My daughter got Baby Tad as a gift when she was 6 months old.At first she ignored it.Now she loves listening to the nursery rhymes during playtime.I would sing along with Baby Tad first then eventually my baby would hum along with us!Most helpful is the 6 minutes worth of Lullaby/Classical songs.When it's sleep time,I would just have Baby Tad play the lullabies and usually in 6 munutes my baby is asleep!We bring Baby Tad during long car trips too.The nursery rhymes keep my baby occupied when she's bored with her other toys and the lullabies help her settle into a nap when she's tired and sleepy.A true lifesaver!

We all LOVE TAD
I love this toy. It has two volumes (loud/soft) and it plays sleepy music (you can set the minutes) and it is easy for little kids to push. My daughter got this gift at age 10 months now she is almost three and still loves to play with him. She really loves the kiss noises he makes (lips on his cheek). This was worth the MONEY!!

Learning to hug
I love this toy for the fact that it taught our 8 month old daughter to hug everything in sight. Her's makes kissing noises and says "I love you" when you press the kiss on the cheek. She was a hug enthusiast after just a few days of playing with it! Now that she is 16 months old she is starting to understand the reward system for playing with the light buttons and has learned about turning it on and off by using the hands and foot. The tunes it sings are all her favorites now. My only regret is that I didn't buy it for her sooner. ... Read more

Reviews (51)

Very nice swing, but...
I bought this swing for my son since we were traveling a bit and visiting family and friends. The size is great, and it travels well. My son really enjoys the linkadoos toys and it entertains him nicely. The only problem I have with this swing is the back support on the seat. As others have mentioned it's not really a supportive seat - for head or back. Although he hasn't fussed or "complained" he just doesn't look comfortable in the seat. His body sags into the seat. But I really liked the swing and the option of adding toys to it so I tough of a quick fix. We just put a piece of very thin board (like a really strong/stiff cardboard) in the back of the seat under the cushion. Now his back is straight and we just put one of those head support cushions in it for him. I really like the feature of adding the linkadoos toys and all in all it is a very nice swing for the price. I'm glad we bought it.

Nearly as good as full size swing
We replaced our full size swing with this particular model and are pleased with it. It is easy to move from room to room and we have not had any problems with the speed. The rubber grips on the bottom are useful for non-slip and the linkadoo rings on each side can be removed or even replaced with other linkadoo toys available for purchase. The swing away toy boar with mirror can be annoying if baby is not interested as it can not be removed after assembly. I have also learned that anymore than one linkadoo per ring (one of three) on the swing away toy bar is too heavy and makes the plastic arm floppy. Unlike a full size swing, the seating here appears very unstable, especially if you do not place baby in it just right. Several times, I placed my son in the seat either too high or too low, then the seat nearly tips over or forward. So CAUTION on that one!! I agree that the seat could use a 5 point harness for a more secure piece of mind for mom or dad. Mu husband and I find this portable swing much more easier to travel with us, unlike a full size swing (we were trying to save money and had to disassemble the full size to fit it in the trunk. This is a wise purchase for travelling with baby or even for parent(s) who live in small living quarters since this swing folds up nicely and easily too! Well, except for that darn swinging toy arm (the sun with mirror) that just sticks out. The fabric cover is simple to remove for washing (I recommend hand washing and hang dry-you never know if it will shrink or fade the color) All in all, the hubby and I like the convenience of this swing and I personally like the linkadoos print.

Liking the Linkadoos Swing
I love the linkadoos Travel swing. I didn't think I would use it for Travel or around the house like I did. I believe the benefit of this Take along swing is just that. I have taken to and From places to put my son in. The Flower could be turned the other direction to get him in or out. He also has slid down or his head has gone to the side sometimes but not all the time. This swing is compact for travel and takes up very little space. I really like this one, My son also fell asleep to the music and the speed could be adjusted as needed. It was nice to have that, where on our bigger one we only had 2spds-no music. Is still not as expensive either.

Concerned mom
If you love your child, dont buy this product. This product is completly unsafe. My son's head fel in between the legs of the swing while the swing was still moving. I thought he was going to choke. When I called Fisher-Price, they very not helpful at all.

never again
I would never buy this swing, it is unsafe. My daughters head falls through the sides and it gets stuck while the swing continues to try to swing. Her head jams in between the sides and the legs.
Then when she is in it, it hardly moves. Very weak in swinging and the mobile sits right in front of her face. Unsatisfied! ... Read more