Dead or Alive 3 (XBOX)

For some strange reason, fighting games have been few and far between on the next-gen consoles. In fact, we'd be tempted to say, until the release of DOA3 for the Xbox, that Soul Calibur (Dreamcast) was the long-term king of fighting games.

DOA3 is basically the same game as DOA2 was, just with improved graphics and new locations. Most of the game modes remain the same, and the moves are also very similar. While each character has a wide variety of moves, many are just variations on each other, and unless you really invest the time to learn the ins and outs of a specific character, you may b reduced to button-mashing.

The level design is fantastic, and there are a few levels, like the forest, that will have you inviting people over just to marvel at the graphics. One thing the game sorely lacks is unlockable characters and levels. There are a few secret costume changes, but that's about it.

Of course, the main claim to fame for the DOA series has always been it's scantily clad, and highly pneumatic, girls. This time around, they're marginally better than DOA2, and at least some of the guys show off their chests. But it's still a jiggle-fest, so be forewarned. --SV

SCORE: 8.0