Notable for fluid 3D graphics and a precision combat system that rewards skill over button-mashing, the Virtua Fighter series has long been a staple among arcade purists. Raising the bar again, the fifth installment delivers even more intricate one-on-one showdowns and karate-kicking mayhem. VF 5 has an expanded character roster, featuring 17 brawlers, extended support for blocks, counters and dodges, and pugilist and background graphics among the best on the PlayStation 3 platform. You're not so much buying a game here as a home-theater showpiece.

Suplex-prone, mask-clad Lucha Libre (Mexican) wrestler El Blaze and acrobatic Chinese monkey kung-fu expert Eileen join the existing lineup of drunken masters, doe-eyed waifs and billowy-sleeved Hong Kong heartthrobs. All fighters handle smoothly and responsively. In strobe-lit arenas and rickety cages filled with ankle-deep water, each battle is a strikingly balletic dance of destruction. Even as you launch combination attacks or duck blows, you'll be hard-pressed not to take a second to admire the scenery.

Whether dueling at glittering mansions or delivering an unexpected knee to an opponent's gut as the sun rises over snow-capped mountain slopes, the actionís so real you can practically smell the sweat. Delivered in widescreen high-definition (HD) and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, the base package practically screams to be paired with a high-end living room setup. Nonetheless, addictive multiplayer support, plus extensive solo options for customizing an alter-ego with costumes and accessories ensure its appeal for gamers on any budget. The only downside: No online head-to-head action, so you'll have to invite your buddies over before "Hi-yah"-ing their asses into submission.