I hate to say it, but the original was better in almost every way. Still above average.
First the good. In Download 2, the cut scenes have been replaced with more cutscenes with voice acting. What's up with the nude guy, seriously. These cutscenes have a more anime feel to it, but it still retain the cyberpunk feel. On the other note, the music has been improved to a nice heavy metal riffs suitable for Guitar Hero. It was cool to me as it was 18 years ago. The stages each have a surreal feel to it with some interesting themes (Ice world, Far East, Greek, et al). There are nine stage total culminating to a final encounter with cyber Hitler. It is the toughest boss in the game and a very suitable challenge.
Now the bad. It is short, even with nine stages. The last stage is the longest, but even then you can blow through this game in 20 minutes. The bosses are rather lame with only the fourth and last boss giving you any real challenge. I also hate when you die you get sent back with a pea shooter. Sometimes there is so much cluttering the screen that you can barely move without getting hit. You need a shield and to be fully powered up to survive the onslaught of the stages. Die once and you are history. Also, you don't have secondary weapons this time. The I-button only cycles through your four available weapons. There is no speed select, you have to find the S-powerup to do so. Your weapons only have two levels vice five in the original.
Bottom line: Sure the original was better, but this isn't bad. It's still too short and the game mechanics are a little lacking, but it's still a fun game. It's not too frustrating either. Give it a try.