Fans of fighting games haven't had much to cheer about for the past year or so, as outstanding martial arts titles all but disappeared.

But now, it's time to rejoice. Several excellent titles are here or on the way, with "Virtua Fighter 4" from AM2 and Sega for the PlayStation 2 already vying for the top spot.

The franchise is almost a decade old, and VF4 takes it a huge step forward from previous titles in the series. The graphics are gorgeous, the controls are as easy to handle as fighting game controls can be, and the combat is breathtaking.

Start with the training section, the best I've ever seen in a fighting game. With three different versions available, there's no excuse for coming to the mat unprepared. The Command section, which lets you practice individual moves, is invaluable.

Then, move on to one of several competition modes. Start off with Arcade, which offers 14 stages in which you battle opponents operated by the CPU. Practice at a low difficulty setting or you'll be hamburger in no time.

Kumite is a one-person tournament mode, again featuring the character of your choice against CPU-operated opponents. You can raise your ranking, unlock accessories and items or even take things away from your enemies by beating them to paste.

Those items can range from eyeglasses to the ability to change costume colors to powerful new moves.

In the Versus mode, you can play against a friend or the CPU.

VF4 is back to a three-button control method, dropping the fourth "evade" control from previous versions. Avoiding a blow is now done by using the eight-direction D pad or joy stick.

The game gets you back on your feet more quickly than in the past as devastating attacks, and learning how to counter after being knocked down will make your fighting life a lot easier.

One of my personal favorites, the pounce attack, remains in the game, although you have to try a lot harder since the CPU characters recover as quickly as you do.

VF4 provides an excellent selection of fighters, from musclehead wrestler Wolf Hawkfield to delicate college student Aoi Umenokouji. However, you can have a lot of fun creating your own fighter if you have 60 KB of space in your memory card, then training your creation to become the ultimate fighter.

So how's the fighting, since that's what we're really here for? In a word, fantastic.

New abilities, like charging attacks and switching stances, make the battles even better. The combo moves are brilliantly conceived and fairly easy to learn, although this is not a game you'll master in an afternoon -- or a month.

Opponents all have their own styles and moves, and learning them is important as you move up.

Graphics get an A. A beautiful game to watch, with expressive characters, wonderfully detailed costumes and arenas and brilliant touches. Watch the way the water responds in a pool during a fight, or how the snow compacts as you maneuver for position. Colors are bright and bold, with plenty of imagination used in the always-square combat settings.

Sound gets another A, for the raucous sound track and explosive effects. Crank up the volume and enjoy the sound of foot meeting face.

Control, another A. No fighting game is easy to learn, given the zillion combos available for each fighter. But VF4's controls are as easy as any to master, and your character responds instantly to your wishes.

"Virtua Fighter 4" is the real deal, a complex, engrossing title that should help to make 2002 the year of the fighter for video game fans. It also seems tailor-made for online tournaments, if that's where your interest lies.

"Virtua Fighter 4" is rated T, for ages 13 and up.