The original Trials game was an online phenomenon, occupying any decent procrastinator’s tab at work or school. A couple of years back, Trials HD brought the much adored franchise to Xbox 360 with enhanced graphics, realistic physics and a level of difficulty rarely seen in modern games. When Trials Evolution released last week, it broke XBLA records for most units sold in a single day. The demand for the game is more than present and thankfully, the addicting gameplay that made the original so memorable is back, and it is better than ever.

Simple to pick up, impossible to master is the absolute core of the Trials series. You control a motorcycle rider on a linear path. The only thing you are allowed to do is adjust the throttle and adjust your lean forwards or backwards. The physics in play here can make or break a game, with a lucky bounce pushing you in the right angle or too much weight on one side making you slam on to the pavement. Checkpoints are gracefully placed before any obstacle on the track, letting you snap back to a safe spot instantly when you tumble off your bike.

What was arguably the only problem with Trials HD were the repetitive warehouse environments. Thankfully developer Red Lynx took that to heart and made every level in Trials Evolution stand out with unique environments. Some tracks will take place on a traditional dirt bike trail, while others will take top a mountain or into a warzone, replacing small hills with walls of explosives. This makes unlocking new levels an absolute joy. The line the rider follows will also swerve every once in a while, allowing for a new mix of challenges for new players. Throw in some sweet special levels like the 15 minute marathon that is the Gigatrack and the awesome nod to Limbo and the visual variety does not disappoint.

Multiplayer has been added in both local and online game modes. Every game mode is a variation of racing and time trials with each track being played twice in a two track “championship.” Crashes will cause you to lose points while a successful finish will earn you points depending on the position. Despite some long matchmaking times, it is a fun distraction and can be even more competitive locally.

The quirky skills circus from the last game has been expanded, this time providing ridiculous challenges such as finishing a level without letting go of the throttle and replacing your motorcycle with skis.

Another nice touch is the level editor the designers used to create the game. The basic editor lets players post tracks online for others to try, but the advanced editor lets players rewrite the script of the game, allowing for different styles of genres to be explored. Bring back Marvel Madness? Create a 3D Angry Birds? The possibilities in store are ridiculous and a strong community is sure to keep the content coming.

As far as bang for your buck, you cannot go wrong with Trials Evolution. Sixty single player levels, a fully-fledged level editor and a strong multiplayer suite are more content than some retail games offer. Trying to break gold in every level is a mad man’s task, especially when you reach the devilish “Extreme” difficulty, but the sense of progression is always present, with new gear for your bike or rider being constantly unlocked. When it comes down to it, if you ever spent time on Addictinggames.com while you were supposed to be writing a ten page paper, you owe it to yourself to get Trials Evolution.

Timothy Silvia, the former President of the Brockton chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, was sentenced in a federal court Wednesday to more than 21 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for “conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine” the FBI reports.

His co-defendant and close gang associate Todd Donofrio, 39, of Stoughton, was sentenced to 10 years to be followed by five years of supervised release. Both pleaded guilty in October 2008.

The two men were arrested in July 2007 during a raid on their Taunton clubhouse. The search turned up 17 guns, $100,000 in cash and 116 grams of cocaine.

Silvia, 44, and Donofrio were charged in connection with “Operation Roadkill”, a two-year investigation in Southeastern, Mass. The operation has resulted in charges against 15 members and associates of the “Outlaws”, according to the FBI.

The case against Silvia and Donofrio was investigated by the FBI, Massachusetts State Police, Taunton Police, Brockton Police and the Plymouth County sheriff’s department.

The Outlaws Motorcycle Club was established in Illinois in 1935. Today the gang, who’s main rival is the Hell’s Angels, has more than 200 chapters across North America, Asia, Australia and Europe.

Motorbike racing sims have been a staple of video gaming culture for years. From Road Rash to MotoGP to Super Hang-On — heck, Excitebike — the motorcycle is fun to virtually race.

Enter Ducati Moto from Bethesda Softworks. In the 1960s, the Ducati bike became the fastest 250 cc bike in the world. They are sick bikes, indeed worthy of their own video game.

And Ducati Moto goes the legend some justice. First, it’s a relatively simple game, but there’s a lot packed into the small DS package including 11 bikes and five play styles including time trials and stunt challenges. Really though, especially with WiFi multiplayer, this is a game you can just pick up and play.

The game has basic graphics with some bells and whistles like street and dessert scenes (see screen shots). It does kinda feel like an old arcade racer. Simple controls let you push the gas and go without worrying as much about turns and braking.

Overall, Ducati is a good little game. It doesn’t try to do too much, but it does just enough to keep players occupied.