GENRE
	Compilation
	DEVELOPER
	Digital Eclipse
	PUBLISHER
	Midway
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1-4
	CONNECTIVITY
	no
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Midway's follow-up to last year's compilation has finally arrived. We're generally excited whenever a new compilation comes out, especially when it involves several titles for very little money. Midway Arcade Treasures 2 may have twenty games in it, but really only about ten or fifteen reasons to get excited about. However, with the inclusion of Mortal Kombat II and 3, it's enough to drop your twenty clams on.

visuals

While talking about the quality of the graphics within each game would be fairly pointless, there's a bit here and there that's worth pointing out. Each game is nicely recreated and if you've ever played any of them, you will recognize them immediately. One of the coolest things about the games is in Kosmik Krooz'r. In the arcades, they would spin a ship model above the machine and reflect it onto the screen. It was a big thrill to see that the developers had actually emulated the ship straight into the game. If anything, this deserves several style points.

audio

There really isn't that much to speak to regarding the sound. Everything sounds as it should and they've done a great job of recreating the production. Some of the games may inspire you to hit the mute button, but otherwise it's very nostalgic and a commendable job.

gameplay

It's easy to go down the list of titles that are featured in this game and give you the thumbs up or the thumbs down rather than explain how well each game handles. APB is a cop-driving game that blends action with police brutality in ways that no one imagined. Arch Rivals is one of the best arcade-sim basketball games of all time. Championship Sprint is a good follow-up to Super Sprint, but I still find myself drawn towards Super Off-Road. Cyberball 2072 paved the way for a completely different genre of sports games in the 80's. Gauntlet II is easily one of the best four-player games of all time. Hard Drivin' is simply hilarious, even though I must have spent pocketfuls of quarters on this game when I was a wee lad. Kosmik Krooz'r brings back some fond memories, but won't keep many people busy for too long. Mortal Kombat II and 3 are easily two of the reasons you should own this game. NARC is yet another, filled with thumb pumping action and drugged up junkies.

Pit Fighter is so terrible it's laughable. Primal Rage is one of the greatest claymation-based fighters of all time next to Clayfighter, of course. Rampage World Tour isn't really that old and shouldn't be considered a treasure at this time, but it's nice to see a Rampage game hanging around a Midway collection. Spy Hunter II is easily one of the worst sequels to go down in the history of bad sequels since Star Trek III: Search for Spock. Timber is a fun game for about ten minutes until you realize that you really, really, really need to go outside and cut down a tree. Total Carnage is the follow-up to Smash TV and is emulated so much better in this game than its predecessor was. Wacko follows up on Kosmik Krooz'r and it's strange to see both of the titles here, but it brings decent closure. Wizard of Wor is the oldest of the bunch and is definitely worth a look simply for historical purposes, much like Spy Hunter II. Xenophobe is one of the strangest sci-fi games to have come out since it did come out. Xybots is a fun psuedo-3D shooter with some weird control issues.

So, is it really that great of a compilation? Well, with a grand total of around five duds, you'll only really spend most of your time with 75 percent of the game, if that. Is this game meant for everyone? Absolutely not. If you've frantically wanted to play some of these games since you were cruising through the mall in your jellies, maybe you may want to think twice. However, if you've been hunting these games down like a pack of ravenous Barakas, it's plain to see that you won't care about the minor glitches here and there. Glitches? Well, you wouldn't expect arcade emulations of games that are almost 20 years old to be perfect, would you? Okay, Mr. Nitpick, there really isn't a whole lot here to get frustrated with, but it does spoil some of the "memories". If you didn't grow up pumping thirty bucks into Wizard of Wor or Hard Drivin', you probably won't notice much.

multiplayer

All but two of the games support multiplayer, so there's plenty of opportunity to bring a friend, or three, over to your place for some Gauntlet II or Total Carnage action. There's plenty here if you and your friends remember spending twenty bucks a day on Mortal Kombat II.

overall

Midway Arcade Treasures 2 may not be the best compilation on the Nintendo GameCube, but for twenty bucks it's definitely worth owning if you're a fan of the Mortal Kombat series, NARC, or any of the other titles featured in the game. If you don't remember any of these games, you may not want to waste your time. Give it a rental, though, just to check out some of the bonus material and play one course of Hard Drivin' for some laughs. If anything, we're looking forward to what Midway may have in mind for yet another follow-up.

7.5/10