Remember the good old days? Back when you just needed to walk down the street with some pals to have some old fashioned fun? 2K Czech sure does.

To prove it, the studio just sent over a new batch of screenshots from its open-world mobster life simulator Mafia II, which is set in that simpler, more innocent era.

Mafia II is set to hit PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 simulteously at some point during publisher Take-Two Interactive's next fiscal year, which runs from November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009.

2K Games today released a new batch of screenshots of 2K Czech's open-world mobster simulator sequel Mafia 2. The company also announced that the game will be released simultaneously on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Mafia 2 is set to hit stores during Take-Two's 2009 fiscal year, which runs from November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009.

According to Tiscali Games, a number of new gameplay and story details for 2K Czech's open-world mobster simulator sequel Mafia 2 (PC, PS3, X360) have reportedly been revealed by an undisclosed print magazine.

A sequel to the studio's 2002 hit Mafia (PC, PS2, Xbox), Mafia 2 is said to contain no direct connection to the first title's story, and takes place in Empire City, loosely based on San Francisco circa 1950. The city is reportedly twice as big as the original game's Lost Heaven and includes a variety of unique locales and interior spaces.

Mafia 2 will also include a physical destruction model for cars featuring broken glass, exploding gas tanks and detailed body damage. Vehicles will have to be refueled at gas stations, and overtime will develop a thick coat of dirt and dust from your antics on the road, removable at a number of Empire City's car washes.

Players will be able to strengthen their characters by eating at local restaurants a la Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PC, PS2, Xbox), and change clothes at boutiques to evade pursuers. Mafia 2's combat will also feature ... Read more

Take-Two Interactive today clarified a number of release dates for its upcoming titles.

The publisher revealed that Gearbox Software's Borderlands (PC, PS3, X360) and 2K Czech's Mafia II (PC, PS3, X360) are positioned for release sometime in Take-Two's 2009 fiscal year, which runs from November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009.

The new date marks a delay for the co-op friendly Borderlands, which was originally slated to arrive within Take Two's 2008 fiscal year. Prior to today, no release date had been announced for Mafia II.

Additionally, Rockstar San Diego's Midnight Club: Los Angeles (PS3, X360) was confirmed for release in the company's FY2008 fourth quarter, pinning the title's release window between August 1 and October 31, 2008.

The game was originally aimed for a spring 2008 release, but was delayed to prevent competition with Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3, X360).

Another five screenshots of 2K Czech's open-world mobster simulator sequel Mafia 2 have appeared, showcasing the game's use of weapons and shiny cars. Known as Illusion Softworks prior to its acquisition by 2K Games, the studio is planning to release Mafia 2 on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, though no release estimate has been announced.

Take-Two Interactive Software, parent company of 2K Games and Rockstar Games, today announced that it has acquired Czech Republic based developer Illusion Softworks. The studio will join the 2K Games publishing label as 2K Czech.

Illusion Softworks is behind such games as Hidden & Dangerous, Mafia, and Vietcong, some of which were distributed by Take-Two's various publishing labels. The company is currently working on Mafia 2 for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

"We have an excellent working relationship with 2K Games and the utmost respect for them," said 2K Czech Petr Vochozka. "We are pleased to become a 2K studio and are confident that this new partnership will strengthen our current and future projects."

Sating the desires of vicarious mobster action fans, 2K Games announced today it will publish Illusion Softworks' Mafia 2. The sequel to 2002's Mafia: The Lost City of Heaven, the game will retail for PC and current gen consoles at an unannounced date.

"The 'wow' factor of Mafia 2 is definitely the benchmark-setting visual quality and action that you expect to see only in Hollywood movies," said 2K president Christoph Hartmann.

The title will place wannabe Cosa Nostra members in the same mid-20th century setting as the first game and feature driving, gunplay, and other gameplay mechanics. 2K released several screenshots along with the announcement.