While you may not be familiar with the originalDead or Alive--a  run-of-the-mill fighting game most famous for the bouncing breasts of its female  combatants--the sequelDead or Alive 2is a major-league contender that  ranks up there with genre giants (includingSoul Caliburand theTekkenseries).Dead or Alive 2features drop-dead gorgeous visuals, with gracefully  animated 3-D characters rendered in great (and in some cases, downright naughty)  detail. Not merely scenic backdrops, the lavish 3-D arenas are also highly  interactive: fighters get slammed and thrown against walls, and, in some cases,  they can be thrown through windows and off ledges, with the camera viewpoint  following the aggressor as he or she jumps down to the lower level of the arena  to continue the punishment.A game that plays as good as it looks,Dead or Alive 2sports a rich  combat system that's heavy on the counterattacks. Gameplay moves along at a  blazingly fast pace, and the simple controls are easy to pick up on and make  executing combo moves a breeze; this is a brawler that both button-mashers and  hardcore gamers will enjoy.Unlike other fighting games which contain hidden features that must be  "unlocked,"Dead or Alive 2pretty much lays all its cards out on the  table from the start. There are 12 fighters to choose from (each with at least  one alternate costume) and seven modes of play are available (including tag  battle mode and a two-on-two battle royal that up to four players can join).--Joe HonPros:Drop-dead gorgeous visualsBlazingly fast gameplay; simple yet effective controlsHighly interactive 3-D arenas7 modes of play, including tag battle modeCons:Virtually none to speak of