Though fundamentally similar to Lights, Camera, Action, Scene It? Box Office Smash makes some important improvements in our favorite Big Button Controller–driven quiz show. For starters, a number of new modes have been added, highlighted by Pixelflix, a charming marriage of games and movies in which classic film scenes are rendered in 8-bit, NES-style graphics. Games can also be customized now, which is appreciated, and the annoying “put these films in chronological order” segment has been made more forgiving. Avatars are also supported.

The sequel’s biggest selling point, however, is online play. Criminally omitted last year, the Xbox Live mode works just as you’d expect, although with one key letdown: none of the online questions are of the “fastest finger” buzz-in variety. Instead, all are multiple-choice. We assume this is due to some kind of technical issue involving latency and the infrared input of the Big Button Controllers, but as gamers (not programmers), we’re disappointed. Furthermore, the game doesn’t cross-check your questions database with your opponent’s, meaning someone will often have an unfair advantage when entire blocks of questions arise that one of you has already seen.

Once again, we’re not fans of the announcer: he’s as grating and unfunny as ever, and his lame dialogue repeats frequently. Oh, and we found a “cheat” of sorts: when in doubt, guess the answer that lists a film you’ve already seen elsewhere in the game. Because everything is licensed from the movie studios, the correct answer is almost always the one you know they have the license for.

Still, we remain transfixed by Scene It. It’s one of the 360’s best social experiences, and one that anyone can enjoy. That it also doles out Gamerscore points like candy on Halloween only makes us even happier to play it.

On Xbox 360

+ Still a great family-friendly experience.

+ Finally playable over Xbox Live. Woohoo!

- Numerous minor quibbles.

? Why aren’t there any “fastest finger” questions during online play?

8.0