NFL Street 2 (PlayStation 2, Xbox)

EA Big has delivered another "big" hit with the release of NFL STREET 2. The over-the-top street football game allows players to participate in a hard-hitting, high-flying pickup game with some of the top stars of National Football League. As in the original version, games are played on concrete and dirt surfaces and there are no helmets, no refs, and no injuries.

Characters have amazing moves -- some of which you'll never see from even the top stars in the NFL, including the ability to fly 15 feet in the air to make off-the-wall catches, hurdle walls and defenders and dive for the end zone 10 yards out. Even skilled players will need some time to conquer the seven unique challenges featured in each level. Whether you're playing in single-player mode or with a partner, the basic controls of the game are straightforward. But advanced moves like running off the wall to make a one-handed catch require tons of execution and understanding of the button layouts.

Visually the game is a step above the original NFL Street. Players look more realistic, with ripped muscles and facial features that make it easy to distinguish your favorite NFL star. The playing fields are also more detailed, with 10 new fields and two bonus environments that include fences running along the sidelines, buses parked in the end zones, and a variety of other obstacles that make scoring quite a challenge.

A wide variety of playing levels make NFL Street 2 stand head and shoulders above many sports titles on the market. Younger players may get frustrated because they must win at each level to advance through the game. Mostly, though, the game is well suited for kids. While the action is intense throughout the game, players quickly recover from bone-jarring hits without a scratch. The only negative is the amount of taunting and trash-talking on the field.