When the original Xbox launched, one of the inaugural titles was a four-player party game called Fuzion Frenzy. While not exactly a critical smash, the game enjoyed commercial success and is still sought after even in the Xbox’s waning years. The sequel is finally out on the Xbox 360, and the game is largely what fans of the original game would want or expect. There are tons of minigames (43 total) as well as some online features. However, the minigames are nothing taxing, and feel like slight variations of stuff that you’ve already played. Still, if you’ve been clamoring for more Fuzion Frenzy, then now’s your chance.

Of the different modes of play in Fuzion Frenzy 2, the Tournament mode is the most substantial. The Tournament mode plays out a bit like a cheesy futuristic game show. You compete through seven different planets, each with their own unique themes and sets of minigames. You compete through each area, which include a lava planet, an ice planet, a casino planet, and several others including Earth. Working as a bit of a conquest mode, you’ll go through and win a set amount of planets in order to determine the overall victor. However, you only win once you hit the predetermined amount, meaning that the tables can turn at any time, or games can go on between two worthy players for a long time.

The game has a nice variety of minigames with 43 different games spanned across the Tournament mode. However, the problem is that none of them are terribly challenging nor original, and those looking for something new or daring in the party-game genre will have to look elsewhere.

The biggest and most important addition to the game is the online portion, which can be played against human opponents over Xbox Live. This saves you the trouble of mustering up your friends to come over for play and lets you play against anyone over the net. This is good considering that the single player AI is never very difficult and can be easily overcome.

While the game does have some nice lighting effects and moves quite smoothly regardless of the on-screen intensity, it still is pretty barebones in appearance. The character models and environments would seem to be pulled from a first-generation Xbox game were it not for the high-def visuals.

The sound isn’t anything to get excited about. The music is forgettable and doesn’t really add to the experience, and the announcing is extremely grating.

Fuzion Frenzy 2 is not a huge departure from the original game, but rather gives you more of the same. If you’re a fan of the original game, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the variety and the online play. However, if you didn’t like it, then chances are Fuzion Frenzy 2 won’t change your mind.                                                                                            

Gameplay: 7.0
The minigames are pretty varied and can be fun in group settings, but they aren’t anything that you haven’t played before.

Graphics: 7.0
A relatively barebones design, the only way that you’d know the game was on the Xbox 360 is the high-def boost.

Sound: 5.0
The music doesn’t add nor detract from the overall experience, but the announcer is very annoying.

Difficulty: Medium

Multiplayer: 8.0
The online component is a much-needed addition to the Fuzion Frenzy formula.

Concept: 7.0
While the single-player mode feels like more of the same, the inclusion of online elements are what set it apart.

Overall: 7.0
Fuzion Frenzy 2 won’t dazzle you with brand new game modes or a whole new party game concept, but the online element will ensure that you’ll never have to play it alone.