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It's been nine years since the original Virtua Fighter appeared, and the newest version is the best 3-D fighting game available for PlayStation 2—maybe even for any console. Choose from 13 characters (two are new), and start swinging. The fighting is extremely fast, yet it still requires a certain degree of timing. An in-depth training mode will get you up to speed before the blood-shed begins. The novel AI training mode lets you coach a computer-controlled character that can later compete against other AI characters (you'll be surprised how much you can learn as a coach). Try to stay focused: Beautiful backgrounds and gorgeous characters may prove distracting during battles.