Mirra 2 plays just as good as it looks, although it has a few snags that keep it from truly shining. The basic premise is simple to learn, yet hard to master. After choosing one of twelve riders including Ryan Nyquist, Colin Mackay and of course, Dave Mirra you can choose between the Proquest, Session, or Freeride. Proquest has you completing goals in order to gain experience points in order to move on to the next level. This is an enjoyable part of the game, however I found it a little difficult, especially given the two-minute time limit. As you go through the game, you are given opportunities to increase the stats of your rider, ultimately leading to a rider that fits your play style perfectly. After completing all the objectives in the Amatuer ranks, you can move on to the Pro and finally Hardcore ranks.
Session is a two-minute run on levels you have unlocked, and runs just like Proquest, only without the pressure to complete the set challenges. Freeride is definitely my favorite mode. There are no challenges or time limits - just you and your bike riding around the levels, trying out tricks and learning how the game plays.
Mirra 2 also offers some two-player match options, although I found them the least fun aspect of the game. Instead of offering link support games, it offers a series of games that require you to pass your GBA around to friends. After completing a two-minute run, your friend has to beat your time and score. This makes for one very bored friend for two minutes and definitely gives the advantage to the second player. I would have preferred a link cable option where both players play at the same time and after their runs, the computer would compare scores.
