Let's get this out of the way first... “Peggle,” by Popcap Games, is by far the most addictive casual game ever made. Now that's a pretty big statement coming from someone like myself who has spent countless hours with “Bejeweled,” “Bejeweled 2,” “Tetris,” “Picross DS,” “Bust-A-Move,” and plenty of other casual-style video games, but it must be put into public record that “Peggle” rocks.

For the uninitiated (there's a free version of the original “Peggle” available at www.popcap.com, go play it now!), “Peggle” is a simple game in which you shoot a ball at a setup of pegs, trying to clear all of the orange ones in 10 shots or less. There is also a bucket that moves back and forth along the bottom of the screen, and if the ball lands in the bucket, you get a free ball. That's the basics, although there are power-ups, strategies, trick-shots, and other ways to improve your game if you want to become a master. You either love it or hate it, and quite frankly, I find it hard to see how anyone could hate it.

So after becoming a Peggle Master on my PC, laptop and iPod versions of the game, I was left wondering, like so many other lost souls, “when will I get more?” Finally, after a long wait (which I of course filled by playing more “Peggle”), Popcap has fed the monkey with the all-new, “Peggle Nights.” Is it as good as its predecessor? Well, the answer is yes and no.

Overall, the answer is a big, huge, are-you-crazy-for-doubting-them yes! “Peggle Nights” features 60 new levels, one new Peggle Master/power-up (more on that later), the ability to download more levels, new ways to score higher points (the Double-Long shot is intense!), and is an all-around more refined product. There are also 60 new challenges to master, as well as trophies for all in-game achievements, housed in the all new trophy room. In addition, for all the “Peggle” fans out there, “Nights” gives us a look inside the minds of all our favorite characters.

Did you know that Master Hu, with his Zen-ball power-up always wanted to be a rock star? How about that Lord Cinderbottom really wanted to be a fireman? Well each of the characters five levels give us a peek into their own personal dreamworlds (hence the “Nights” theme). On top of the original ten masters, we get a brand new one, a sassy squid by the name of Marina. Her new power-up is a homing electricity bolt that spreads from the first peg you hit, to the bucket, destroying all pegs in its path. It actually happens to be the best power-up in the game, as it introduces a whole new level of strategy that doesn't normally exist within classic “Peggle.” I spent many hours dreaming about how they could come up with a new power-up (I said it was addictive, didn't I), and couldn't have imagined a more useful and game-changing idea.

The sixty levels range from brilliantly inspired (at least one per character), to insanely hard (especially towards the end), but also to more of the same. Still some of the ideas, especially with the moving pegs boards really push the envelope for what we've come to expect from “Peggle.” The promise of downloadable level packs is also a great feature which I'm looking forward to Popcap implementing soon.

So with all this praise and greatness, what could I possibly have not liked about “Peggle Nights?” Well, nothing really. But I'm a fan. The problem really is that this sequel is not going to win over anyone that didn't like the original. When it comes down to it, it's basically just more of the same, which of course isn't a problem for fans, but it's not exactly groundbreaking like the original. Now as a fan, I am perfectly happy with what Popcap has delivered to us. Of course this all feels like it could have just been an expansion pack, added onto the original game, but it works... for now. I do hope that the next “Peggle” has at least a few new characters/power-ups, perhaps a level editor, and definitely some new modes (especially for multi player) and other features that we haven't even dreamed up yet.

If you haven't tried “Peggle” yet, there's never been a better time to start. Now you've got an extra, awesome, character to play with, and an all around better game experience. Haters, well, go back to whatever it is you've been doing all this time... But “Peggle Nights,” really is a winner for us fans, and you should consider giving it another try. Now if only I could get my girlfriend to stop playing...