GUILTY GEAR: JUDGEMENT
Majesco, PSP, $39.99
Fighting-game afficionados should be familiar with the Guilty Gear series. Since its debut in 1998, the franchise has been known for its intricate fighting system, punishing combos, and bizarre characters including bio-enhanced super-soldiers and a Japanese schoolgirl who fights with the aid of a powerful spirit. With Guilty Gear: Judgment, Majesco brings all of this mayhem, along with a few new tricks, to the PSP. Eighteen levels feature stylized opponents and a ton of devious traps, meaning you get more than your money’s worth. One of the newest treats is the Boost mode; reminiscent of Final Fight, it’s a side-scrolling way to beat up opponents featuring 15 warriors from the Guilty Gear cast. Those who crave a more traditional fighting experience will find the one-on-one combat is identical to that of the critically acclaimed Guilty Gear X2: Reload. Fans of that title can breathe easy–nothing was lost in the translation and the action is as fierce as ever, allowing you to lay the smack down with all the Overdrive Attacks and Psych Bursts of the PS2 counterpart. As a bonus, you can also wail on your buddies via the PSP’s wireless connectivity. Given the lack of quality fighters for Sony’s handheld, Guilty Gear: Judgement is a very welcome diversion, and the biggest no-brainer out there for fans of the fisticuffs. Chris Zimmerman
www.majescoentertainment.com

Love: Wild characters, furious combos, tight action
Hate: No new characters.
Final word: Killer moves!