TEKKEN 6

PLATFORMS: Xbox 360, PS3, PSP

REVIEWED ON: Xbox 360

DEVELOPER: Namco

PUBLISHER: Namco

GENRE: Beat 'em up

PRICE: £39.99

FOR a history of the Tekken games so far, check the massive video introduction to Tekken 6's scenario mode. This 20-minute odyssey tells the story of all five previous Tekkens in a stylish comic-book format. Sure, it's boring, and sure, it has no relevance to the actual game, but it's an indicator of what Namco is doing to try and keep this aged classic relevant in a world of Modern Warfare 2 and Grand Theft Auto 4.

The meat of Tekken 6 is the one-on-one fighting and that is still as tough and satisfying as it ever was. It is easy learn, but difficult to master.

Graphically the game is sub-par next to the recent Street Fighter 4. It looks all right and moves quickly but lacks any real polish or wow factor.

Along with the usual fighting modes there is the aforementioned scenario mode – a side-scrolling, Streets of Rage-style adventure, which, apart from the far-too-frequent cut scenes is an amiable waste of time.

Once again, the key to the fighting is juggling – punching or kicking an opponent into the air and keeping them up there by battering them from beneath.

But for those without the dedication to spend hours learning all the moves, the games remains a blast. It's showing its age but it's still got the muscles.

Chris Jones