From the second you pop the GD-ROM in your Dreamcast, you'll be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options. All together, you have eight choices: Basic, Arcade, Original, Adventure, Option, Extra Option, Network, and Save-Load. Basic is exactly that, you fight one on one battles throughout the game. Arcade mode sports 4 player action where only the two best fighters advance to the next round. Meanwhile, Original mode is probably the best option since you can set how many computer or human controlled characters you want in a battle. In fact, you can even program it so you can just sit back and watch 4 computer characters duke it out. This is one option that I've always loved. Even in mediocre titles like Street Fighter EX plus Alpha, I could always set up a fight between D. Dark and Chun Li, sit back, and watch the sparks fly. Adventure mode however, has a little more depth than the others. Adventure mode has no continues but allows you to collect any items you pick up during the battle for use in the Item Shop. In the Item Shop, you can chat with the shopkeeper, buy some new threads, or try combining items together in order to create a new weapon. Got a sword? Got a magic wand? Combine them to make a magical fire sword! Of course, if you mix two items that won't work together you'll end up with a pile of smoldering junk and a snickering shopkeeper. Needless to say the amount of things to find in each mode are mind-boggling and the Item Shop alone will keep you busy for days trying on different clothes and combining new items.

Now that you know all about the modes, what about the game itself? Insane arena combat. That's probably the best label you could put on Power Stone 2. With a total of 14 characters to choose from, 8 battle stages, and over 100 items to collect, what else would you call it!? .If it's possible, the game actually became simpler than its predecessor. But, in this case, simpler is better. The button layout consists of three buttons: jump, attack, and action. With 4 players scrambling for weapons and power stones there is no time for complicated button pushing. Does one of your friends have that last power stone you need? Then pick up that chain gun and blast away. If you are feeling daring you can even pick up your friend and give him a good toss against a wall. That's Power Stone 2 in a nutshell. It's not terribly complicated, just good insane fun. Luckily for us, it's also balanced fun this time around. Gone are the days of 75% life power stone attacks. At most, your power stone attacks only take up to 20% of your life. Now, players will have to concentrate on finding other means of playing dirty, such as the many special items and vehicles you can pick up in a battle. In this game, playing dirty is where the fun is!

Overall, the best part of the game has to be the multi-level stages. The game constantly keeps you on your toes as you are forced to swim from submarine to submarine or run from a giant boulder, all the while duking it out with your friends. The size and complexity of each level is perfect. They are not the claustrophobic arenas of the original. Nor are they so vast that no one ever comes close to each other. Capcom has achieved the perfect play stage balance. It makes me wonder what they could do with a third chapter in the Power Stone world?

Lastly, I have to commend Capcom on the music for Power Stone 2. I was not impressed by the original's musical score, but they obviously spent some quality time with the tunes for this installment. It all sounds very epic as you are forced to fight for freedom from a giant control freak with an appetite for destruction. Reminds me of the soon to be released movie, Gladiator. Then again, maybe I just wish Russel Crowe was a playable character (Hey, you can't beat a gladiator!). Anyway, this is yet another soundtrack I need to have in my collection.

For all of you out there who have been searching for that ultimate party game on the Dreamcast, your ship has come in. My first game of choice used to be Puyo Puyo 4 for 4-player action, but thanks to Capcom, everyone will have a new obsession. If there are any hardcore import gamers out there who still don't own Power Stone 2, my only question is "WHY!?"