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With its objective heavy gameplay and free-form combo system, the finest series in extreme sports makes the jump (Get it? "jump" ... ) to Sony's new portable dynamo with Tony Hawk's Underground 2: Remix, but does it clear the gap or bail at the last second?

In almost every way this game is identical to the PlayStation 2 version. Visually, the Hawk series has never been known for being revolutionary, but it has always been reliable. The framerate almost never drops, camera placement is always appropriate and pop up is practically nonexistent. The collision detection is excellent, and the characters are well animated. However, there are instances of polygon flicker, in which entire objects blink in different color shades, and I did encounter one instance of slow down, but aside from that the game played silkily smooth.

The control scheme is familiar as well. Thanks to the PlayStation Portable's similar button layout, people who cut their teeth on the PlayStation 2 games will have no trouble getting used to the handheld. Since the PSP doesn't have as many buttons as a PS2 controller, many of the commands have been multi-tasked to the R button, which is in charge of reverts, spine transfers, acid drops, and grabbing ledges when you're off your board. While it may seem overwhelming, this works pretty well, but on occasion it's possible to accidentally perform an acid drop when you're meaning to grab a ledge or dismount your board instead of performing a revert. This can get frustrating, especially when you're attempting the same mission objective for the 100th time.

The excellent combo system the series has become known for also survived the shrinking process. This is standard Hawk gameplay: all of the trick sets, special moves, and objectives from the console version are here. Basically, if you've played any of the Tony Hawk games after 3, you'll be right at home.

Also included is the Classic Mode, which is a throwback to the original timed-goal style of the first three Tony Hawk Pro Skater games. This mode is a fun diversion from story and is also responsible for doing away with the fetch quests that became so repetitive in the previous game's Story Mode. It really is a stand-alone game that features its own objectives and goals. I would've liked it if classic featured its own set of levels or lasted longer, but nonetheless it's a nice addition to this year's version.

From a technical standpoint, San Francisco-based Shaba Games did an excellent job incorporating every feature from the original THUG 2 into this mini version. Robust create-a-modes? Check. Full story and Classic modes? Yep. Online play? Yeah, they do that. Hell, even the face-mapping feature survived the trip. The game looks, feels, and plays like the non-remixed THUG 2 that came out last October.

Unfortunately, technical achievements don't equal a great game, and this is not a great game. In fact, this is the worst of the free-roaming Tony Hawk games, and for the worst reason: it's uninspired.

Let's start with the title. The "remix" is really just an edgy way of saying "added four new levels without changing anything or addressing any of the problems people had with the console version." The overall level design is good, but there aren't any levels that stand out like in previous games (Honolulu in THUG, London in 4) and the new levels feel tacked on. Las Vegas is cool, with its multi-leveled design and interesting goals that incorporate the environment. Kyoto is big, but most of its goals are concentrated in a single area, giving little reason to explore the rest of the level, and Santa Cruz is very similar to Australia with its beachfront and dock sections.

Secondly and more importantly, this isn't really a Tony Hawk game, it's a Bam Margera game with the dependable Tony Hawk graphics and time-tested gameplay. The narrative-driven story mode from the original THUG has been replaced by what feels like an extended episode of "Jackass," giving the game an overall juvenile tone. I'm not expecting Shakespeare in my extreme sports games, but I'd rather not do missions that require me to fart on construction workers or spin on a Mickey Mouse lookalike's middle finger. Couple this with the weakest cast of characters since "Saved by the Bell: The New Class" and it becomes a chore to play as the alternate characters and sit through cutscenes (thank God they're optional).

Also annoying is the new goals system. No longer do you freeskate around levels receiving goals from various people who inhabit the level. Instead, you're given a laundry list of stuff to do for not only yourself, but every player on your team. Nothing is more fun than breaking from gameplay in order to look at a checklist of mission objectives over and over again, and by fun I mean tedious and stupid. In some cases goals will automatically activate themselves if you skate in that area, which is confusing as all get out the first time it happens.

Thankfully the developers did away with the driving missions (the weakest part of the original THUG), but worse yet, they replaced them with driving characters like Jesse James and Steve-O. The only difference between these characters and the other skaters is that they suffer from pared-down move lists and are unable to perform specials or have their trick set edited. They were designed to break up the monotony of skating (which is odd considering skating is why people play the game in the first place), but instead they feel cheap and gimicky.

My final gripe is with the aforementioned online mode. It is easy to set up and play with people and there are plenty of game types (although most of them are throwaways), but you can only play LAN games with three other people. While nothing is more fun than taking your friends and loved ones to school, it would be nice to play against strangers, since they're less likely to hold grudges or get pissed off and key your car.

Ultimately THUG 2: Remix is a decent game that could've been great. The excellent combo system and control are left intact, but many of the characters, goals, and levels are below par for the franchise. From a technical standpoint it is an exceptional game, preserving every aspect found in its big brother. However, from a gaming perspective it is disappointing in comparison to its precursors. Its objective and combo-heavy gameplay lend themselves well to portable gaming, allowing you to beat goals and free skate around some of the bigger levels when and wherever you find time. While it may be the worst of the next-gen Tony Hawk games, it is still better than most of the extreme sports ilk and a fine launch game for the PSP.

Graphics:A-

Sound: B

First Play: B-

Last Play: C

Gameplay: A-

Overall: 86% B

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