What's not so cool are the loading times, which, if you use the hard drive, are a few seconds too long - and the length of an ice age if you don't. But it's bearable, and you'll soon be scrapping your way through single-player mode, kicking ass and unlocking items and clothing for your characters.

So to the score. VF5 is technically flawless, the result of over a decade's evolution. But it's just not essential. It's Virtua Fighter. It hasn't really changed over the years and, if you're not massively into beat-'em-ups, you won't get as much out of it as those who are. It depends how you approach it. Looking for a beat-'em-up? This is a terrific one. Just after a fun PS3 game? This is undoubtedly one of them, but it's not quite up there with, say, MotorStorm or Resistance. Fight fans, then, should prioritise this at PS3's launch. Everyone else should put it third or fourth on their shopping list.

Best scrapper ever? Perhaps, but VF5 is such an acquired taste. Great, but not one for all.