"Not a bad effort, but troublesome"

First off, if you don't know where the idea of Dungeon Dice Monsters comes from (as in where in the show/manga it originated), please go upgrade your knowledge. I'll wait.
Better? Good. This game is a decent transition from the show format to the video game format, but it comes with a few problems.
The concept is thus: You and your opponent are positioned at opposite sides of a large field. The goal is to summon monsters by rolling dice and ''Dimensioning'' them on the field, thus creating a path to the opposite side, and strike your opponent three times. Different monsters have different strengths and weaknesses, and there are items that can alter the course of a duel.
It's a complicated setup, since careful positioning can allow you to bypass your opponent's monsters entirely and finish him off in a few turns. The game makes a decent stab at it, but fumbles in a few key areas.
The first, and most troublesome, is the opponent AI. To be perfectly frank, it's a idiot. Even if it rolls the proper crests (crests are needed to move monsters, attack, guard, and so forth), the AI just lets its monsters sit there while you hack at it. The only difficulty you're likely to suffer most of the time is from the randomizer.
The second trouble spot is the graphics. Although some of the monsters look pretty good (such as Pumpking and Battle Warrior), most look like their 3D models were slapped together in a few minutes. Also, when two monsters fight, the ensuing cutscene is terrible. It looks like a computer game from 1991. (Thankfully, the game allows you to turn off the battle sequences.)
Finally, the music. Whereas Yu-Gi-Oh: Eternal Duelist Soul got the music right, this game digs deep into the barrel of stock battle/trouble/menu music. Not one tune even managed to get stuck in my head, for good or bad.
Are there any bright spots? Actually, yes. The first is in the characters you duel against. This is the first time that the characters from the Japan-only first season of Yu-Gi-Oh have gotten American exposure. Although many people complain about the names assigned to them, I honestly didn't care - but then, I've never really been affected by translations. (Besides, Yugi's mother is a duelist in this game. Go ahead, pick your jaw up.)
Another good thing is that the AI does actually brighten up later on, after the first couple of tournament rings. By that time, though, you've probably thrown the game into your desk drawer.
So, should you buy this game? Only if you're a complete fanboy. I borrowed my copy from a friend. If you're a casual or normal fan looking for an actual fun show-based experience, get Eternal Duelist Soul - the card game is better than Dungeon Dice Monsters any day.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 03/13/03, Updated 03/13/03