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First off, I'd like to vent my frustration at the complaints about the length of this game. Granted, if you get 30 or 40 credits on the bonus game and then use all of those credits to get to the end in half an hour with two player's and decide the game is no longer worth playing then, yes, the game is short. I mean, would the game have been any longer if it took another 30 minutes? I mean you'd still be able to beat it in a day without any skill and infinite continues. I, on the other hand, like to play the game like I was in the arcade, this means limiting the number of credits I use ( read how much cash I'm willing to pump into a machine) and relying on _SKILL_ to get to the end. You can approach most of the Sega Arcade ports in much the same manner. What fun is Virtua Cop if you have to rely on an inordinate amount of continues in place of skill? How about Virtua Fighter 2? I suppose I could get to the end with enough cash, but the fun lies in the mastery of the game, not the depth of my pockets.

That said, Die Hard Arcade is a BLAST! Two player mode is even better! Tag teaming a baddie from both sides is just great. This title brings to the Saturn something I think has been sorely missing from the Next Gen market, COOPERATIVE two player support. The fiance' and I easily spent three or four hours last night developing team strategies and learning new moves. So far, on the three credits that are the default we can get to the beginning of the third of five stages, and we are slowly getting better each play.

The graphics, well what can I say, if you've seen the arcade, then you've seen this game. Up to SEVEN texture mapped polygon figures on the screen at once, as well as polygonal objects and weapons. There was no pop-up or tearing that I can tell, and overall the graphics are solid and non-distracting. The cut-scenes could use some work though. They are apparently rendered on the fly (like Virtua Cop) instead of prerender FMV, this causes there to be a few second pause whenever the camera angle changes as it loads up new textures. Often this pause happens in the middle of a characters speech, which can be VERY annoying.

Graphics Overall: B+

The gameplay is PERFECT. It's 3-d Streets of Rage/Double Dragon/Final Fight with ALL the extras. If you like these kinds of games, run out and buy it now, and if you don't stay away from it. Pretty simple. Of course, all the extra's include loads of weapons, health power ups, Bosses at the end of each of the five levels, props that can be used as weapons, and THREE PAGES WORTH OF SPECIAL MOVES! The moves are fairly easy to do, but if you don't have an arcade stick yet, I suggest picking one up with the game. I've got one and the fiance' and I were fighting over who got to use it.

Gameplay overall: A+

As for replayability, this game's got tons of it. Granted it's no Virtua Fighter, but you can spend hours working out different combo's, moves, and team attacks. My favorite so far, my favorite is a groin kick, followed by a Giant Swing throw, and finishing with an elbow drop to the guy laid out on the floor. There's also a great challenge level, especially if you don't rely too heavily on continues. The enemies are challenging without being too frustrating, and the learning curve is perfect. You can have fun just doing basic punches and kicks, but when that gets old, there are lot's of other moves to spice the game up.

Replay Overall: A

So, if you are looking for a good challenging Double Dragon style game with great cooperative two player support, and more moves than you know what to do with, and not a game to "beat" as quickly as possible, then I highly recommend this game. Otherwise might I suggest a good RPG is up your alley. :->