TEKKEN 4
Yep, the King Of Iron Fist Tournament remains one of the most killer fighting titles out there (but be careful, Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance is looking for a usurping opening! Heiachi thought he destroyed Kazuya by throwing him into a volcano. But, he's back for revenge, bio-genetically enhanced by the G-Corporation. The fight is on! You're given 10 characters including some familiar faces and some new ones. Hwoarang, Yoshimitsu, Law, Xiaoyu, Paul and King return to kick ass in their unique individual ways. Then there's the huge Marduk and the boxing Steve. Christie fights with Eddy's style. A random fighter select option is available (if you can't choose) and 9 more can be unlocked - Jin and Violet being two of them. The new detail is quite noticeable, both in the characters and the 3D environments. You're able to move around trees and other objects if you choose and in the basement Fight Club looking arena, if you're fighting close to the spectators, you can knock them out as well! The fighting areas include the airport, a parking garage, skyscraper rooftop, jungle, a laboratory, a beach as well as the final arena where you have to take on the mean old guy, Heiachi (during Arcade mode). The other modes include Time Attack, Story Battle, VS Battle, Team Battle, Practice, Training and Tekken Force (the scrolling endurance game with multiple attackers, this time getting a more 3D look with guys coming from all sides - your food power-up still getting a mean "chicken" exclamation!). When you train you can record your combos, 3 of 30 seconds each! - Really getting to grips with your fighter and kicking some major digital ass. Some great new music with hectic jazzy trumpet works amazing. New outfits and hairstyles are in place with more than one option for each fighter, Paul getting the chance to let his spiky boxtop down! As per usual, the slomo replays kick ass.
Tekken 4, still up there.

6 / A
- PB