Tony Hawk's Underground 2: Remix [PSP]

When you see a portable version of a popular console game, you usually have to come to terms with a few things. It may not look or play as well as the title it's based on, and it definitely won't have as much content. That was the old way of thinking, though, because Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix on the upcoming PSP not only faithfully duplicates nearly every aspect of its console brethren, it takes things up a notch!

THUG 2 Remix is taking no shorts. It's the same intuitive gameplay you're used to, full of tricks, jumps, and sick bails. You use the d-pad to move, while the analog stick rotates the camera around the skater. The X button is your ollie, and the other face buttons execute different types of tricks. One thing that longtime players will need to get used to is the R button's change in functionality. On the PlayStation 2, it made you rotate while in the air. But with the absence of the extra shoulder buttons on the PSP, instead it levels you off to avoid bailing.

The flow and timing seem to match up perfectly with the console's Underground 2. And graphically, the title is looking top-notch. The draw distance extends far, the player models and their animations are flawless, and the widescreen PSP screen only makes things look that much sweeter. Musically, you've got a host of full, licensed tracks as well as voice-overs (some new ones were recorded). Bringing the game to a portable medium should cause no problems in production values.

Story mode still consists of Bam's team against Tony's team, in an all-out, worldwide adventure of carnage. This time, however, the structure is more branching. Instead of just unlocking one new stage, you'll be able to pick where you want to go. In Remix, you've got even more choices, since Shaba Games has added four brand new courses to the list -- while still keeping all the original levels.

These new stages are some of the biggest ever seen in a Tony Hawk game. Santa Cruz resembles the Australia level, in that it has water on one side. However, it extends much further into the land. Other new places to trick include Las Vegas and Kyoto, Japan.

Wi-Fi wireless gaming on PSP has tons of promise, and from what we played, this feature will definitely live up to the hype. Playing four-player THUG 2 Remix will be a blast, and lag is nowhere to be found. There are a ton of multiplayer options, from Graffiti to Slap.

Classic mode, which brings back the grocery-list structure of the old-school Pro Skater games, is also retained in Remix. You can even still put your face in the game -- provided you have a picture on your memory stick in one of the required formats.

Few PSP launch games show the power of the platform like THUG 2 Remix. For PlayStation Portable owners looking for thrills on the road, it should do the trick. We'll have a full review ready for when the system hits stores later this month.