Tim Burton and Deane Taylor’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is a modern animation classic. Fans hoping for a movie sequel shouldn’t hold their breath, although the forthcoming Corpse Bride looks like it will provide an even darker dose of animated mischief. But don’t worry, you haven’t seen the last of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. Capcom have hit upon the idea of a sequel to the cult film in videogame form, and it’s not just a cobbled together cash-in – the engine is based on that of the fluid and balletic Devil May Cry. Jack Skellington returns from a holiday of sorts to find the bug lord Oogie Boogie is causing trouble. Worse than that, he’s taken over the whole of Halloween town. Lucky Jack’s found a new tool that may help him get out of this predicament. It’s called the Soul Robber and takes the form of a mucus-like green creature that’s attached to his arm. With it, Jack can knock out Oogie’s henchman with a flick of his snotty green friend, or use it to grab hold of distant objects, or use it as a grappling hook. It’s a sort of Indiana Jones’ whip of the world of nightmares. Jack’s got another trick, too. He can switch heads and become the fire breathing Pumpkin King or Santa Jack, who is feared by all fiends for his skill at throwing explosive presents. Nor is the game a mere action game. It continues the musical theme of the original film with rhythm-based dance-offs when you face down area bosses. The continuity continues with original tunes from the film and new music by the same composer. Not only that, but the original voice actors from the film return to reprise their roles. Seeing Jack Skellington again is like being reunited with an old friend, and the fact that this has been put together by a quality outfit like Capcom makes us even happier.