While watching capoeira master Elena kick the crap out of stretchy-limbed Necro, expert players will marvel at how arcade-perfect this re-creation of the 1997 coin-op looks. Less experienced players, however, will likely be overwhelmed by the various parries, super moves, and move cancels while the fighters fly across the screen.

A series of very difficult parry and combo trials are what you’re given to learn the game. Completing them is a slow process, but it’s a fantastic and compelling way to figure out this notoriously complex sequel.

Once you’re ready, you can take your newfound skills online for modes like one-on-one with spectators and an eight-player tournament mode. Extensive settings let you do everything from ban certain characters to disallow blocking — a level of attention to hardcore players that sets the SF series apart. Whatever your skill level, though, you owe it to yourself to play this remake of one of the franchise’s best entries.

On Xbox Live Arcade

+ Fantastic remake of an often-forgotten fighter.

+ Tons of great challenges and modes for players to master; lets you view other folks’ replays in-game and upload yours to YouTube.

– Some players may be turned off by its trial-by-fire mentality.

? Where’s our Mortal Kombat remake that’s this good?

9.0