You'd think a game that plays kinda like Tony Hawk 3 and is coming out well after it would at least play and look better, but Mat Hoffman 2 just doesn't bring much new to a genre that's getting stale. You're forced to achieve too many similar objectives-- same-ol' stuff like collecting crap, performing certain tricks, bashing obstacles--over and over throughout the eight environments. And some objectives aren't very clear (have fun trying to Smith Grind a two-story rail in L.A. And figuring out what to do to the parking meters in Chicago). Adding to the ho-humness, your biker's stats don't ramp up (although you can find nimbler bikes) so you never get much sense of accomplishment aside from unlocking new stages. Level design, on the other hand, is great, with lots of lines and new areas that open.

But the best thing here is the quick-to-pick-up gameplay. Mat Hoffman 2 is an easier game to get into than Tony Hawk; you don't need to fiddle with extra tricks like reverts to keep combos going, and flatland stunts are especially fun and simple. This sequel borrows from Dave Mirra's game and adds a trick modifier, for players who want to get fancier. You'll find the usual assortment of multiplayer modes, plus a couple of new and nifty mini-games (my favorite: Halfpipe Hell, which dumps in platform gameplay).

Download Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 to PC, ANDROID OR iPhone. To play this GAMECUBE ROM, you must first download an Emulator. Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 offers significant and much needed changes over the original release. With an improved control system and large levels, those who enjoy riding around attempting trick combos will have few complaints.

The entire package is fun, sure. It just puts you through too may of the same old motions. It's like deja vu all over again. There's no denying that Mat 2 feels a whole lot like Tony Hawk 3, but is that such a bad thing? BMX 2 features some really cool levels, a neat 'road trip' setup and a great flatland-trick system that's better than Tony 3's setup--you don't need to build up your special meter in Mat to see the fancy stuff. But like I said, when you get into the game you're gonna experience a major case of 'been there, done that' if you're an experienced Tony Hawk player.

You might also get annoyed at how the game forces you to complete specific goals before you can unlock new levels (I know I did). Other than that, Mat 2 is a killer game. Standards in the action-sports genre have ollied to new heights after. Now Mat Hoffman 2's stale two-minute-deadline gameplay no longer cuts it--what used to provide an adrenaline rush now simply annoys and infuriates. Why am I hurrying around trying to fit in a few objectives under a too-short time limit?

Despite this, the game still delivers. Mat Hoffman 2 is designed to please combo-happy players: easy-to-perform wall rides and wall push-offs help keep your trick strings going, and the ommission of an extra 'revert'-type button press (like in Tony Hawk 3) lets you link moves with the utmost of ease. Air time, air time and more air time. If a BMX game ain’t got that, it ain’t got crap. Lucky for Mat Hoffman (and all of us), Activision signed up Rainbow Studios to develop this game. Their previous titles- and -are a testament to their successful vehicles-plus-jumps-equal-giant-air-time formula. As you can see by the pictures, they didn’t hold back for MHPB2. Blinded by love lyrics.