Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament

"A poor fighting game reflecting on a great anime..."

The Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files anime is one of the best works of art ever created. This game really drags it down in so many ways.

Graphics: 9/10
The graphics are the only good thing about this game in my opinion. I am a die hard Yu Yu Hakusho fan and I know when animations are correct. The cut scenes are exact from the original series and the fighting graphics are well refined.

Each character depicted in the game looks, sounds, and moves like they should and their signature moves are also well transposed. The mini-game is also a fine rendition on character appearances.

Control: 3/10
While the game has excellent graphics, the combat timing is completely pathetic. Your character can walk and move around at lightning speeds but any type of attack you throw slows down almost into "bullet time" framing. For instance you are playing as Hiei and you have your sword drawn out. You rush forward with a double slashing and want to finish with a teleport then kick from behind. The depressingly slow speeds your character moves at totally takes all the fun out of the game because it makes counterattacks way too easy.

For some characters, such as Kuwabara, the special attacks are delayed or enhanced in speed. Kuwabara's "Sword Get Longer" maneuver has a slow attack rate while his "Shrapnel Sword" is lightning fast.

The overall control of executing moves is interesting but too difficult when in comparison to the computer's character. In order to pass some of Genkai's tests or to rapidly defeat your opponent with any kind of style, you have too much of a chance of being countered and defeated.

Gameplay: 5.5/10
The gameplay value of this game goes down majorly due to the combat timing. Chaining together combinations, drastic attack speed variations, and the low proportioning of damage taken to damage dealt is horrible. Also your character's spirit energy levels are depleted quickly and replenished very slowly.

The token game can be fun when you don't feel like fighting or watching the awesome anime cut scenes, but it too falls short in the time quality.

I suppose the Atari team is trying to keep the game in line with the anime, but they made a poor rendition of a great series in my opinion.

Overall: 5/10
Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament made a great animation but a poor fighting game. All in all I would not recommend buying this game unless you're in it just for the animation scenes and uncut footage. The graphics are great but the game itself really isn't up to the expectations of many fans.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 10/27/05