Tekken 2

In the history of video gaming, there have been many series which have only really hit their stride on their second attempts. Take Street Fighter - it was the second instalment that made the franchise a million-seller, not the first.

While the first Tekken isn't as terrible as the first Street Fighter, it wasn't until the sequel came out that the series attained the near-mythical status it continues to hold today.

Launched shortly after the first game in 1995, Tekken 2 improves on it in nearly every possible respect. The visuals are sharper, the music is better, the fighting action is even more engaging, and there are also more characters to unlock and master.

As before, Tekken 2 uses a four-button attack system, with each limb mapped to a different key. It also features a wide range of throws and grapple moves, and some characters are able to string these bone-crushing holds together to form a brutal combo.

In case you were concerned that Tekken 2 is in any way based on reality, the game boasts technicolour explosions when blows make contact, robotic ninjas, and demonic possession.

In the face of Virtua Fighter's desire to replicate authentic martial arts as closely as possible, Namco's pugilistic prince has always revelled in the absurd, and in many ways that makes it a more enjoyable option.

Given that the Xperia Play's control setup is heavily influenced by that classic PlayStation joypad, it should come as no great shock to learn that Tekken 2 plays like a dream on this phone.

Every attack, every throw, and every combination feels almost effortless. It's hard to think of a better interface, save for the original PlayStation controller itself.

With cool CGI segments, a neat drip-feed character unlock system, and new modes such as Survival and Time Attack, Tekken 2 is a gem. Established fans should invest immediately, and newcomers will find no finer introduction to the esteemed franchise than this.