When we scheduled our Real Racing 2 HD review, we knew an update was coming soon, but little did we know that Firemint would unleash its highly anticipated update -- which adds 1080p output support on the iPad 2 -- just hours before the article would go live. (We gave it 5 stars, which is our highest possible rating, so fortunately, the update can't really affect that -- it's just icing on the cake.) Now that the 1.10 update is out there, we wanted to alert you to its release and take the app for another spin around the track.

Expectedly, considering the immense quality of Real Racing 2 HD and Firemint's previous releases, the 1080p output is extremely well done. Simply plug the Apple Digital AV Adapter into your iPad 2 and link it up to your HDTV or compatible monitor via an HDMI cable, and within seconds you'll be able to experience the game in its full-screen, high-resolution glory. When playing in this manner, you'll see all the on-track action on your television, while the iPad 2 screen houses details on the track layout and your competitors. Whether you're digging into the career, playing individual races, or even taking part in the 16-player online battles, it all runs without a hitch.

And the resulting experience is very impressive. Real Racing 2 HD runs at a steady 30 frames per second in this mode, and proves that its sharp visuals aren't just a result of being on a 9.7-inch screen. On the 32-inch TV we tried it on, the game looked as crisp and clear as it does on the iPad 2 screen, without any fresh jagged edges or washed-out textures. Even the intro movie (below) impressed with its unflinching clarity.

The 1.10 update also updates the visuals for the Alkeisha Island and San Arcana tracks when playing on iPad 2, while making other fixes and optimizations to the app. Real Racing 2 HD is still priced at $9.99 on the App Store, and you can consider the 1.10 release (and this story) the exclamation point on our already-glowing review of the game.