I often find that certain games and certain gamesystems recieve critical reviews without taking into account if those buying the game will enjoy them, but instead grade on a checklist of graphics, sound, online etc.

I have always liked a wide variety of games Fighting, RPG, Platforming, Sports but lately my purchases have shifted twoards group friendly games.  Many call them Party games, or Casual games, or the Apocalypse of all gaming. I try not to, as I never referred to NBA Jam, Street Fighter 2, Bomberman, or Super Mario Kart as anything but fun or multiplayer.

So with that being said I will give my review of Rayman Raving Rabbits 2 for those million like myself that Nintendo is capturing.

The Good-

The overall presentation pulls you right in with the hilarious bunnies at it again. Overall the quirky grpahics that are the same but with even mor hidden funny gems in each scene. 50 new mini games that are easy for anyone to pick up and play. The 5 rhythm are superior to most independent outing currently available on the Wii. I am looking at you Boogie/DDR. The on rails segments are once againg very enjoyable with fun real-life backdrops. 

Most importantly almost all the mini-games are set up for 4 player simultaneous play. This was what hindered the first game from being a perfect party game.

Tons of unlockable customization options for the rabbits and Rayman will have you trying to master every mini. Online leaderboards are there for those interested.

 The Bad-

While the games are unlocked easily for multiplayer play ther have basically eliminated the 1 player game. No it is not present in most party games but it really elevated the fir Rabbits game. The games are also easier, this has caused ther to be few clunkers but lack some of the diversity in control and challenge found in the first outing.

The on-rails segment was funtastic in the first game but was some-what of a let down this time. I enjoyed the first one so much I would have bought a game based around that. The problem is the control is less responsive. The beautiful live background have also hurt the framerate. While there wer emany new costume bunnies these minis lacked the great robots and creatures found in the first game.

Conclusion-

Comming off much like a record ep Rabbits 2 offer much of what everone enjoyed from the first game but isn't the complete package. The multi-player options are much improved including the ability to batch a group of mini games together for competition and tackon a variety of scoring system. The lack of single player challenge and the lesser quality of the on-rails segment will casue me to recommend this only to fans of the first. If you haven't played either pick up the first one on the cheap.

Rating 7.9

Other Wii ratings for reference 

WiiSports - 9.5

Zelda - 9.0 

Rayman Raving Rabbits -  9.0

Excite Truck - 8.1

Red Steel - 5.0 

Wario Ware - 7.0

Mario Party 8 - 7.1 

Paper Mario - 8.3

Boogie - 2.0

DDR Hottest Party - 7.0

Zack & Wiki - 9.4

Thanks for the feedback. About what I had heard/expected. I'll wait for this one to drop in price before getting it.

yeah,this is a little worse then the first

You gave Mario Party 8 a higher rating than WarioWare and Wii Sports a higher rating than Zelda??!!!!

But then again, NBA Jam does kick ass.

I know I am a bastard but from my perspective playing WiiSports with my 55 year uncle and him critiquing the quality of the bowling as well as any VGChartz member was all the kool-aid I need I need for the Wii. I have also logged 3 times as many hours with WiiSports. There just isn't as much time in my life anymore to become as obsessed with collecting bugs/ghosts whatever.

As for Warioware I was tempted to rate it much lower. I own and LOVE the GC game. My biggest surprise last gen. So when I play Warioware Smooth Moves(a game I preordered and was salivating for) and find as many broken games as brilliant ones and no mulitplayer? And you can't tell me that pass the remote multiplayer counts as I can do that with any game. I could as least play Mario Party with friends when they came over.