Virtua Fighter 4 (Playstation 2)
This is a very rare type of game, indeed. I've logged 20+ hours on this fighter already, and I don't feel as though I've scratched the surface of what it truly has to offer. If, like many, you've been looking for a new fighter, you've found the best choice.
Sega has only been a 3rd party developer for a short time, and we're ALREADY seeing classics: Super Monkey Ball on the Gamecube, Jet Set Radio Future on the Xbox, and now Virtua Fighter 4 on PS2 joins those ranks. Without a doubt, this is the best fighter to have been released on the popular PS2.

Gameplay:
Just as in the arcade version, this plays like a dream. Well, not so much a dream, as playing much like Virtua Fighter 2 (the best in the series) with a bad case of ADD. Matches can be ended so quickly, that you might just blink and miss them. Really, this reviewer can't remember a speedier 3D fighter.
As with past versions of the Virtua Fighter series, your choice of characters will likely depend upon your skill level. Anyone can win a match with Pai Chan, but become an Akira Yuki expert and you're just plain dominant. This version has a few extra modes to pass the time with, and these will actually help you increase your skill. Of course, the 2player versus mode is where you SHOULD be spending your time, assuming you have a friend to play with. Competition can be very intense with this fighter!

Graphics:
How do I put this, without breaking any hearts? I've played Tekken 4 to death at the arcade, and I LOVE Tekken 4. That said, Virtua Fighter 4 improves on that games looks tremendously. What you'll find here are the current best graphics on PS2, and it's just a hair below Dead or Alive 3 on Xbox (the most graphically impressive game that the editors of this site can remember playing). The character models of this game are nice, but the background stages just STEAL THE SHOW! We won't describe them and ruin the surprises, but I'll just say that you won't be bored with the choice of arenas in which to compete.

Sound/Music:
A mixed bag. The background music is competent, mostly rock guitar and typical japanese "game music" that you would expect from Sega. That said, it's high quality, but not exactly memorable. I doubt we'll have any cover bands playing these tunes 10 years from now.
The sound effects seem to be directly ripped from the last game in the series, so nothing new there. It sounds nice, with satisfying thuds and thwacks. Voice acting is much improved over past games.

Replay Value:
20+ hours already logged and I'm having to pry the controller out of my hands to finish this review...

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