"Pikmin 2" may be old news around Japan, but it's fresh out in English.

For those of you who do not remember the original "Pikmin," it was a highly influential game released in Japan in late 2001. This was one of the titles that put GameCube on the map after its dismal launch. Not only did "Pikmin" help sell the first million GameCubes in Japan, it produced a best-selling soundtrack as well.

"Pikmin 2" picks up where the original left off -- literally and figuratively. Like "Pikmin," the sequel combines real-time strategy and role-playing in one family friendly package filled with fun challenges and a lot of guilt.