Dead or Alive: Dimensions

But if you can't decide between the dainty damsels, muscular men and Eliot, then the Tag Challenge mode lets you pick your two favourites. This is different to the tag system from previous DOAs, as you only take charge of one character. Your partner, meanwhile, is either controlled by the AI or a friend via local wi-fi. And while this may sound like a cop-out in lieu of a full-featured tag mode, Tag Challenge is surprisingly fun to play.

The "challenge" aspect comes in the form of solo fighters and tag teams with brutal AI difficulty that can withstand lots of punishment and deal heavy damage. But to balance things out, you and your partner can tag out to recharge health while performing tag combos and throws. A limited lives system also lets you revive a downed team-mate if you can stay alive for five seconds. But if you're down to your last slither of health, this is harder than it sounds.

The other features on offer include an Arcade mode with six difficulty courses that range from Easy to Hard, a Survival mode that challenges you to win anything from ten to 100 consecutive fights and a Free Play mode that lets you get straight into the action. There's also the obligatory Training mode that comes with everything you'd expect - except a record function. But as an aid to improving your game, Dimensions also offers two lower-screen functions.

The default function is a handy Move Details box that automatically highlights whichever move you're performing, along with its nearest contemporaries. This is perfect for those who're just starting out as it's a constant reminder of each character's depth. But the pièce de resistance is the alternative Move Details box that displays everything from damage scaling and critical damage to the start-up, advantage and disadvantage frames of each move in your repertoire.

This is an excellent tool for advanced players as it lets you gauge the safety of your own moves as well as looking for possible exploits in the various match-ups. It's the only game I can think of that actually contains frame data; Team Ninja should be commended for going the extra mile. But while these technical features are aimed towards fighting game enthusiasts, Dimensions also offers its fair share of casual content.

By winning fights you'll gradually unlock 999 different figurines that can be viewed in Showcase mode, and if you feel the need to "create epic diorama scenes" as the game suggests, then you can put your figure collection into compromising poses with the 3D Photo Album. While it's a throwaway addition at best, anyone familiar with the Trophy system from Super Smash Bros should know what to expect.

The final piece of the puzzle is the online functionality offered by Internet Play mode. This works by tapping into your wireless router and offers a choice between two- or three-round matches against local or global opponents. A dual ranking and matchmaking system also charts your progress while pitting you against similarly skilled opponents, and while the netcode isn't anything to write home about, the stability of local matches is still impressively smooth – especially for a handheld fighter.

However, to describe Dimensions as simply "good for a handheld fighter" would be a huge injustice. By offering a finely tuned fighting system, a full cast of characters, a seductive graphics engine, a robust online system and a multitude of excellent modes and features, it's easily the best Dead or Alive to date.

And although you're within your rights to moan about the d-pad and thumb stick if you choose, in this reviewer's opinion, Dead or Alive: Dimensions is the best game currently on the 3DS and the best portable fighting game ever made. It's no less than the pocket fighter of choice.