Mercury Meltdown Remix for the PlayStation 2 (PS2) resembles a modern-day version of the classic video game Marble Madness. They both share similar traits -- players move through a series of mazes, working to reach a goal before time runs out. However, instead of controlling a large marble, players roll around in an unstable pool of metallic ooze. Like Madness, Mercury's has an instant charm that players will pick up right away. Too bad the charm failed to show up in the multiplayer and party game modes.

Mercury features 188 levels, separated through a series of "labs" (worlds) along with two exclusive PS2 labs, which provide an additional twenty levels. Each level works about the same, with players moving through twists and turns and activating numerous items in an effort to reach the goal. Over the course of each level, new items get introduced, providing different challenges. These items include paint machines, transporters, enemies with a taste for metallic ooze, switches to speed up or slow down movement and even a solidifier that changes the liquid into a solid marble shape, so it can slide down pre-set rails.

Mercury Meltdown Remix requires players to remain as stable as possible since losing pieces of ooze over cliffs and through doorways always poses a threat. Sometimes, players must break the ooze apart, as they mix different colored piles of it to create new compositions in order to access new areas. The difficulty level stays on an excellent progressive slant, starting players out slow. However, and over time, gamers need some quick thinking in order to survive. Thankfully, an auto-save feature lets them make continuous attempts.

Aside from the bonus levels, the PS2 edition also features superior controls. Instead of bothering with the annoying analog nub, players use the DualShock 2's left analog stick. This works much better because it allows for more precise movements. Players also rotate each maze rather easily with the right analog stick, just to get a look around and see where dangers lie.

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