The internet isn't the only place to get gaming info. Plenty of magazines line the racks in the grocery stores. Which ones are worthy of your cash, or better yet, a subscription? In no particular order, here you go:

1. Play: This is, without a doubt, the best gaming mag in the US. It's elegantly put together on high-grade paper, the writers are almost all well known in this segment, and the design is simplistic and beautiful. It's the closest thing to the best gaming mag ever printed, Next Generation, to come along in some time. They do waste a bit of space with anime (not all gamers enjoy it, it's a bad stereotype) and DVD's, but most of the 'zine is packed with information and well written. It takes a LONG time to get through an issue as text overtakes any pictures. That's a good thing. It's run by Dave Halverson who produced the beloved Game Fan back in the 90's and Gamers Republic afterwards. Both died but not without a fight. Here's hoping Play sticks around. Grade: Subscribe

2. EGM: They've been around for decades now. It's a scary thought, but a true one. There has been a serious decline in quality since the mid-90's. The writing is mostly amateurish, aimed at times to young kids. Reviews are highly critical, and that's a good thing. They bow to nothing or no one. Features like letting younger kids playing classic games and claiming they make insane statements well beyond their years damages credibility. Still, it's a quick and easy read, laid out with solid graphics. It's a decent enough to be mainstream. Grade: Buy it off the shelf

3. Game Pro: This one has been around for nearly as long as EGM. Their style has never changed. It's aimed squarely at kids. The writing style seems stuck in the early 90's with cheap puns and occasional foul language that seems way out of place. The recent re-design is a good one, printing everything against white backgrounds as to not obscure any of the text. They have done an admirable job to move ahead. They simply need to quit focusing so young. Grade: Leave it

4. Game Informer: Definitely a contender for most improved, this Gamestop exclusive is a solid one. There's a great retro section in the back along with accurate trivia that certainly earns a point or two. The odd and obnoxious size makes it difficult to handle and hard to store. Writing is a bit above average, though a recent review of "Tiger Woods DS" was simple excruciating. The reviewer was too lazy to open the instruction book to learn how to perform a simple function (or maybe he didn't even play it that long). Ouch. Even still, it's a lot better then the junk they produced before the millennium. Grade: Buy it off the shelf

5. Nintendo Power: If you read this for your gaming information, it's time to move on. Seriously. This is almost without a doubt the most useless printed gaming journalism available, blatantly advertising all Nintendo made products and giving them ridiculously high praise. It offers little in the way of useful information. Grade: Leave it