MTV Music Generator 2 - PlayStation 2

Boasting more than 48 channels and 10,000 samples that vary in genres--including rock--MTVMG 2 is a small recording studio on a disc. You can either paste the samples together or alter them somewhat for creating more original sounds. Sadly, mouse support, which could've made navigating the many screens and menus less painful, is sorely lacking. Many of the instrumental samples we heard sounded quite sharp; however, the vocals were universally awful. The video creation tool is a cute feature for making forgettable psychedelic lightshows. If you're serious about creating music, you must purchase the optional USB sampler accessory, which allows input from most audio sources into your songs.

While the sequel does feature some much-needed improvements over the original program, MTVMG 2 hasn't evolved itself enough from its predecessor to get a solid recommendation. Still, it's the only one of its kind for a video game console, and we like that even musical laymen can use it to make surprisingly decent tunes. --Mark Brooks