Street Fighter IV

Set sometime after Street Fighter II, the world warriors lock fists and feet once more in a new tournament, which sees a handful of fresh faces enter the fight.

Players advance through arcade mode by taking on a series of challengers, eventually leading up to the final showdown. It's a simple format, it's worked since the 80's and it works again here. Veterans will love the familiar faces and special moves that haven't changed one bit since the older titles. They're all in there; Ryu's Hadoken, Ken's fierce Shoryureppa and Chun Li's Spinning Bird Kick. It's like rekindling a friendship with an old mate you haven't seen in years.

What really takes you aback is how in-your-face it all looks. The colourful, larger than life characters are overblown, spouting cocky one liners and exuding charisma, while the superb pounding soundtrack really gets the blood pumping.

Online is where the game really shines, with a quick and reliable lobby system and tons of people ready to fight. Depending on your actions in a battle you can unlock new titles and icons to complement your gamertag, so other fighters can see what kind of a fighter you are - bragging rights ahoy!

There really is nothing to fault here - Capcom have once again continued their trend of delivering brilliant, utterly fastidious fan service. Through listening to fans and enhancing the parts of previous games that everyone loved, they have come up with one of the greatest fighting games ever developed. This is absolutely essential gaming at its very best.