As the sequel to Yu Suzuki's 80's arcade classic, OutRun 2 has to be one of the least realistic racers to feature real cars in the history of gaming. While in the case of simulation driven games like the Gran Turismo or Forza series, this lighthearted affair comes off more like a Ferrari drenched BurnOut without the carnage and shrapnel. Released by Sega back in 2003 for the original Xbox and arcades (if you could find it), this title spurred a small renaissance for the Sega's iconic racer, leading to the release of OutRun 2 SP and OutRun 2006: Coast2Coast across the PS2, PSP, Xbox, and PC. While I'd personally recommend SP, any of the titles from this era offer a comparable experience with the only differences being some add-ons here and there.

The part of the game that causes me to return to it every now and then is the Outrun Mode. Any child of the 80's will already be familiar with the format for this race: the player races through 5 of 15 stages with forks in the road after each stage that lets the player plot their own course. Stages range across all the standards that you would expect to find in racer from that era, from the Miami-like beach front where to the race starts, through the accurately named "Snowy Mountain", and ending in a picturesque metropolis, garden, or ancient ruins. What makes the scenery in this racing game different from the rest of the pack is how it is able to render truly beautiful locations with little regard for realism without delving into WipeOut territory. Hills roll with impossible ease, the sharp turns are perfectly crafted for your car, and there always seems to be enough time once you get the hang of things. There are no stop signs, weapons, bizarre environmental hazards or other racers to contend with. OutRun 2 aims to be the ideal realization of driving with none of the frustration of conventional game design. This "it's just you and road" design mentality comes off as intensely unique when just about every driving game today center on huge wrecks, pin-point accuracy, and/or capturing photorealism at the expense of fun.

Of course there's more to the package if want more objective based gameplay. There's a fairly pedestrian Time Attack Mode that places you in a one-on-one race with a ghost car. It's not all that creative, but offers a good amount of challenge for those willing to stick with it. On the quirkier end of the spectrum, a Heart Attack Mode plays much like Sega's own Crazy Taxi. Your shortie riding with you will call out requests for specific stunts (long drifts, passing a certain number of cars, etc.) and will reward you with a time extension and hearts for each feat you pull off successfully. This welcome addition is campy, over the top, and keeps the spirit of the game while adding something a little different to the formula.

While players can wait for the OutRun Online Arcade to hit the 360, those that want to jump in the series now shouldn't find the game's $5-$10 price tag too off putting. Even if you're just going through the occasional run through a few stages, there are few high speed adventures that are this relaxing. Besides, you'll also get to hear one of the best music themes in the history of video games, and if that doesn't remind you of Spring Break, I'm not sure that anything else will.