Previously only available on PlayStation2, Guitar Hero II for Xbox 360 is not a mere lateral move to a new platform, it's really the next level in guitar activated action. The essence of gameplay remains the same -- mimic guitar riffs on a custom (and stringless), Gibsons Explorer-like guitar controller, dubbed the "X-Plorer," with five color-coded buttons in lieu of frets, a toggle switch where the pickup should be and a little replica whammy bar for bending notes (or just shaking for effect), plus the stock d-pad and menu button recessed in heel of the body, all used in conjunction in a rather elaborate rhythm game of watch and listen, copy and keep up. It's similar to the Dance Dance Revolution or even the Donkey Konga rhythm-based games, except much more intimately manipulated.

Too, on the Uber-powered Xbox 360, there's a lot more to it. Better audio and visuals, obviously -- especially if you've got a big sound system and HDTV setup --, but also a wealth of content to rock out, some cover tunes, some by the original artists, a few new ones, most carried over from the PS2 version. It's all good, 70 songs in stock, classic anthems like Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird, power pop such as Foo Fighter's Monkey Wrench, and riff rockers like Spinal Tap's Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight (yes, that's Spinal Tap the iconic but fictitious metal band).

What's more, you can download still more songs (and other related content) on Xbox Live, currently sold in 3-packs for about US$5.00 / C$6.00, so even if you master the included songs (yeah, right), there are fresh challenges waiting for you and your Microsoft Points.

Plus, Guitar Hero II not only lets you fake shred the guitar solos of such songs, but alternately the underrated rhythm parts or even the traditionally-antiheroic bass lines.

And, it allows for two player co-operative or competitive play (additional guitar controller can be purchased separately and a dual guitar bundle is also available), so two of you can wank out like air guitaring fools, only on little plastic replicas instead of air.

Surprisingly, dual jamming with a buddy does emulate the euphoria felt by real musicians really jamming quite effectively. The intangible bliss of actually creating the more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts music is missing, of course, but otherwise the arcane camaraderie of musicianship is present, and that's rather remarkable.

Sadly, the controller is wired rather than cordless, so you're stuck standing (or sitting) just couple of feet away from the console, which can be awkward depending on where you house your 360, dangerous if you're a flamboyant, animated rocker.

As it happens, Guitar Hero III will, in fact, sport wireless guitar controllers -- and online multiplayer! But for now, the superlativeness of this here Guitar Hero II and its replay longevity found in new song packs coming out every month is enough to keep on rockin' in the free world for a long, long time, maybe even forever.

TIP: At the main menu for Guitar Hero II (Xbox 360), press Blue, Yellow, Orange, Red, Orange, Yellow, Red, Yellow, Red, Yellow, Red, Yellow, Red, Yellow, Red, Yellow to unlock all guitars, songs, videos, and cheats. Note: you won't be able to save your game like this and you'll have to reboot to undo it.