The meat of VF5 isn’t confined to one area, and where most fighters cement you into either an arcade or versus mode, this black-eyed brawler gives you those and then some. Sure, you can while away the hours climbing the fight ladder or kicking your best friend’s teeth in, but in the aftermath of the great arcade meltdown, Sega kindly offers a sympathetic gesture in the form of Quest mode, a virtual arcade where players can battle CPU opponents for rights to a machine. It’s through this avenue that unlockable attire and decoration can be collected for your fighter, not to mention rank increases and the opportunity to participate in tournaments for prizes and glory.

For those unwilling to throw themselves to the A.I. sharks just yet, Dojo mode improves upon the training mode from prior games. This open-ended feature allows you to specify CPU settings, ring size and even the position of your sparring partner. There’s also command training, where a slew of presses and directions are hurled your way, forcing you to learn combos and get comfortable with your chosen fighter. You’ll need it all if you decide to actually go online and fight someday.

Going “live” with VF5 offers you an opportunity to experience the game as nature intended: against a human opponent. Both ranked and player matches are available, offering the opportunity for advancement or leisurely fisticuffs if ranking up isn’t your thing. Worldwide conquest is possible here, yet I have to wonder why Sega didn’t incorporate voice chat. Perhaps the language barrier is just too much to compensate for.

The grandfather of 3D fighters welcomes you to its fifth iteration with bloodied fists and a maniacal look on its face. Problem is, grandpa is out of the home and toddering toward the kitchen with a butter knife and a craving for toast. Will we let him stay for a while or entertain thoughts of sending him back after the holidays? Let’s have at his chart, shall we?