For all the flashy graphics, cool moves, and complex combos, a fighting game is only as good as its cast. Without a strong roster of compelling, unique fighters to choose from, brawls will end up feeling kinda 'meh'. But Capcom's legendary Street Fighter series has always offered a diverse range of awesome characters - and it looks like will be no different. Whereas Street Fighter 4 put a lot of emphasis on its eccentric newcomers, SF5 looks like it'll bring back old favorites - with a few new twists.

Only a handful of fighters have been revealed so far, but rumors are always afoot about who might secure a spot in the roster. We've rounded up all the for-sure fighters who will be in SF5 - and just for the fun of it, included our picks for some hopefuls (or ridiculous long-shots) that might make a return. So, which character will you be choosing as your go-to main? Time to make your selection.

These guys and gals will definitely be in Street Fighter 5.

It simply wouldn't be Street Fighter without series frontman Ryu. With his iconic gi, noble fighting spirit, and fireballs aplenty, Ryu is back to kick some butt in SF5. As always, his suite of specials - hadokens, shoryukens, and hurricane kicks - make him a well-rounded fighter that can deal with any situation, against any opponent. Ryu's the kind of character that appeals to beginners and veterans alike, thanks to his versatility and timeless moveset.

In SF5, Ryu seems to have retained his signature moves - including his normal attacks, such as the crouching medium kick that easily combos into a point-blank hadoken. Though not much has been disclosed about the so-called 'V-Trigger' ability in SF5, it seems to provide fighters with a burst of elemental power. Fittingly, Ryu's V-Trigger is themed around lightning, which makes us think of the old .

The first lady of fighting games is back, and it looks like her kung fu is better than ever. You no doubt know Chun-Li for her adorable hair buns, spiked bracelets, and thigh muscles that look beefy enough to snap bones like twigs. Like Ryu, Chun-Li has her standard special moves at the ready: lightweight kikoken projectiles, lightning legs that strike like a machine gun, and a variety of tricky flip kicks that can throw opponents off-balance.

Her playstyle favors agility over big damage, but Chun-Li's more than capable of some devastating combos and meaty hits. Counter to Ryu's lightning-based V-Trigger, Chun-Li seems to enhance herself with the power of flowing water, which makes her Spinning Bird Kick look like a whirlpool of death. It also look like she's got a few new normal attacks, such as a peculiar crouching fierce(?) punch that slides her ever-so-slightly forward.

In English versions of Street Fighter, he's Charlie; in Japanese, he's Nash. Convenient, then, that his full name clears up any possibility of mistaken identity. Charlie is a staple of the Street Fighter Alpha series, before he met a heroic end saving Guile and Chun-Li from a fatal explosion. So if he's dead, how is he back for SF5? One look at his new form, which appears to be bits and pieces of rotting flesh stapled together like Frankenstein's monster, should provide some answers.

Not only has Charlie's appearance changed - he also has some new game-changing special moves in addition to his previous toolkit of sonic booms and flash kicks. Through some kind of strange magic (no doubt related to the jewel embedded in his forehead), Charlie can now teleport around the screen for devious mix-up opportunities. He's also got what looks like a descending flash kick, as well as a face-electrifying command grab. Crazy!

For us, the moment M. Bison returned to Street Fighter was the most important day of our lives. But for him... it was Tuesday. The classic big bad of Street Fighter is back, and that head of white hair under his trademark cap indicates that yes, the ol' dictator can actually age. Known for his mighty Psycho Crusher and unrelenting Scissor Kicks, M. Bison is the perfect fit for players that like to apply pressure on their opponents and never let up.

In addition to his lightning-fast teleport, it looks like Bison will have another tool to get close to fighters that like to keep him at bay: a projectile reflector that sends a burst of Psycho energy back at whoever's chucking fireballs. And his V Trigger mode appears to let Bison unleash his raw Psycho power on the poor opponent, complete with devastating double-headstomps and additional hits on his Scissor Kicks.

Acting as the American yin to Ryu's Japanese yang, Ken Masters is as much a part of the series as his trusty sparring partner. His trademark fiery dragon punch is always a crowd-pleaser, and Ken's quicker hurricane kicks offer just enough variety to distinguish his Shotokan fighting style from Ryu's (they did study under the same master, after all). Plus, what would flowchart following gamers do without him?

Tiger! Tiger! Tiger! Tiger! Tiger Uppercut! With the way people gravitated to him when SF4 first debuted, Sagat seems like a no-brainer addition to the hypothetical SF5 roster. Less of a villain and more of a principled antihero, Sagat's eye patch, scar, and obsession with moves named after large feral cats are all a well-established part of Street Fighter lore. We're just hoping that, if he is in SF5, he won't be as overpowered as he was in his first SF4 incarnation.

Of the four brand-new fighters to be introduced in the Street Fighter 4 roster, Viper's the one with the most staying power. Capcom set out to create a cool, technically complex heroine that felt like she could belong in the King of Fighters universe, and the result was a hit with players who don't mind difficult inputs for combos. Plus, her part in Marvel vs. Capcom 3 made her something of a hit - her crazy Seismic Hammer and Thunder Knuckle setups are always a sight to behold.

Believe it or not, Poison had never been playable until Street Fighter X Tekken (unless you somehow picked up the ridiculously obscure Final Fight Revenge). But popular demand spurred Yoshinori Ono to include her in the game, and the resulting elation following her announcement was an encouraging sign for fans of the transgendered fighter. Now, with two fighting games under her belt - including a strong showing in Ultra Street Fighter 4 - there's no reason Poison can't come back for SF5.

Here's another female fighter who should totally stick around for SF5. Ibuki makes up for her relatively weak damage by having some of the trickiest mobility in the game, letting a skilled player dash circles around their confused opponent. Adding her to the Super Street Fighter 4 roster was a stroke of genius, and her aerial attacks and kunai-tossing work just as well in 2.5D as they do in regular ol' 2D.

Alright, we could probably go on stating obvious character inclusions all day. Blanka, Zangief, E. Honda, Dhalsim - we have no doubt in our minds that they'd make the cut for SF5, and if they're ever confirmed, we'll gladly add them to the list. But it's interesting to hypothesize about the borderline characters; fighters who have enough clout to sneak their way into the SF5 roster. The more the merrier, we say, so if Capcom sees fit to include the followings fighters, we'd be delighted.

Despite only appearing in Street Fighter Alpha 3, Karin’s a fan favorite who never misses the chance to demean her assailants. Born into the rich Kanzuki family, Karin fancies herself to be Sakura's rival after Sakura trounced her in a scuffle. Like Dudley, she’s always accompanied by her loyal butler; unlike Dudley, she rarely treats her butler with much respect. But all is forgiven when you see her crazy kick loops in the corner!

Everyone's favorite loincloth-wearing tyrant deserves to make the jump to 3D. Ever since he debuted in Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact, he's been a fairly popular mid-to-high-tier character, knee-dropping and Chariot Tackle-ing his opponents into oblivion. His Aegis Reflector super move can also be a game-changer, bouncing back incoming projectiles and setting up nasty unblockables on knockdown. We'd gladly welcome this metal-controlling megalomaniac into the SF5 roster.

When it comes to Capcom games, Maki’s been around the digital block. First appearing in Final Fight 2 as an analogue for the absent Guy, Maki resurfaced in Capcom vs SNK 2 before finally landing a gig in the Street Fighter lineage, with a slot in the Street Fighter Alpha 3 ports for the Game Boy Advance and PSP. Like Guy, she's another disciple of the Bushin-ryu style, using her tonfa to lay the smackdown on Mad Gear goons and rivals alike. Maki and Ibuki would get along like ninja peas in a pod.

It seems like SF fans have been quietly waiting to see the triumphant return of Q. This terribly mysterious fighter might be man, machine, or monster - no one's seen underneath his metal mask and lived to tell about it. His fighting style is also quite unlike any other character in the series' history: a sort of lanky, lumbering brute that can withstand absurd amounts of punishment when played correctly. Something tells us that Q is just enough of an oddball sleeper hit to make it into the next game.

This zany pro wrestler has only appeared in Street Fighter Alpha 3, but she gets a nod in SFxT via Kuma's alternate costume. With her ridiculously impractical attire and a grappling style fashioned after Zangief's piledrivers, R. Mika deserves life in 3D for the next crossover. Like Hugo, she utilizes her butt as a weapon, flinging herself into the opponent backside first for maximum damage. It's all for her fans, and the Japanese wrestler's moxie comes through in her win quotes: "Don't underestimate me! I believe in my dreams!"

So, which fighter are you planning to play as (or hoping makes a comeback)? Let us know in the comments below!

And if you're looking for more, check out .

The world of is a dangerous place. In the south, the massive Nilfgaardian Empire presses forward in an attempt to expand its empire to the north. Only a handful of kingdoms remain independent of the Nilfgaard's aggressive expansion: Temeria, Aedirn, Redania, Kaedwen and Kovir. Non-humans -- such as elves, dwarves and halflings -- suffer bigotry and violence from humans and the land is terrorized by a host of vicious creatures.

Though an instability exists between non-human and humans throughout the unnamed continent, a modicum of control exists in the fight against monsters. These warriors are the Witchers.

The central figure in CD Projekt Red's video game adaptation series is Geralt, part of a dwindling group of hunters known as Witchers.

Witchers are genetically mutated humans who undergo years of special training and are imbued with supernatural abilities thanks to various potions and elixirs. Their development, which the universe’s lore states begins at an early age, is for the specific purpose of hunting and slaying dangerous monsters that terrorize the land.

The first game in CD Projekt RED's series begins years after the conclusion of the Witcher novel saga as Geralt is discovered in a forest with no memory of his previous life.

Geralt struggles with amnesia, unsure of his past. As he attempts to piece together his memories within the walls of Kaer Morhen, the last remaining Witcher stronghold in the world and home to the remaining few of his kind, the fortress is attacked by a group known as the Salamandra. In the ensuing conflict, an assassin known as the Professor and a Salamandra mage named Azar Javed escape with the secrets of Witcher mutation, which had been sealed by the Witcher Order for centuries.

(Note: The Witcher series author and creator, Andrzej Sapkowski, has stated that CD Projekt RED’s video game series is not canonical.)

On his way south to Temeria's capitol city Vizima in search of the Salamandra, Geralt befriends a dwarf named Zoltan and a child who appears to have powerful magical abilities named Alvin. The region is in turmoil, Geralt learns. Vizima is under quarantine and two militia groups - the human Order of the Flaming Roses and the Scoia'tael (a group of guerrillas made up of non-humans, such as elves and dwarves) - are embroiled in a growing conflict.

After being taken prisoner before entering the Vizima city gates, Geralt is offered his freedom in exchange for defeating a creature that stalks the sewers under the city. Underground, Geralt meets Siegfried, a knight who aids in his quest to defeat the menace and offers him advice in his search for information regarding the Salamandra. In his quest to uncover the group's plan, Geralt comes face-to-face with the Professor and Azar Javed, but the pair escape after Geralt is knocked unconscious.

Geralt regains consciousness in the personal quarters of the powerful mage Triss Merigold, who had been among those that nursed him back to health at Kaer Morhen. The mage works to restore his memories, but cannot unlock his mind. As Geralt uncovers Salamandra bases within the walls of Vizima, the extent of Alvin's powers become more clear. The boy has visions of humanity’s destruction and is eventually revealed to be a Source, a person born with innate magical abilities rather than earning those gifts through training or elixirs.

In Vizima, Geralt greets Princess Adda -- daughter of the King Foltest, ruler of Temeria -- and it's revealed that the Witcher had once cured her of a disease that was transforming her into a feral beast many years ago. Eventually Geralt discovers the Princess is working with the Salamandra and is once again confronted by the mage Javed and the hired killer known as the Professor. In the encounter Geralt manages to kill the assassin, but Javed flees. To protect her role in the Salamandra plot, Princess Adda calls for Geralt's arrest, but Triss manages to teleport Geralt away to safety.

In the village of Murky Waters, Alvin's visions continue to disturb him. Geralt and his friend Dandelion the Bard care for the boy. To help suppress his magical abilities and nightmares, Geralt gives Alvin a pendant sent to him by Triss.

The conflict between the Flaming Rose and the Scoia'tael (also known as the Squirrels) expands to the region, giving players the ability to remain neutral in the battle or choose the side of either the knights of the Flaming Rose or the non-human Squirrels. The conflict scares Alvin and the young boy mysteriously disappears in a flash, never to be seen again.

The civil war between the Flaming Roses and the Squirrels reaches its apex, with all non-humans within the region joining the ranks of the Scoia'tael. Princess Adda once again begins to transform and King Foltest pleas for Geralt's assistance. Geralt can decide to either kill the Princess or cure her once and for all. Regardless of Geralt's decision, King Foltest helps the Witcher locate Azar Javed. Geralt finds and kills the mage and learns that it was Jacques de Aldersberg, the Grand Master of the Order of the Flaming Rose, that was responsible for the attack on Kaer Morhen.

Geralt learns that Jacques de Aldersberg's plan is to use the secrets from the Witcher Order to create an army of mutant soldiers to protect humanity from an apocalypse. During a battle with Jacques, who is revealed to be a Source, Geralt and the Grand Master are teleported into the potential future, a decimated world that resembles the destruction of humanity prophesied by Alvin's visions. After killing the Grand Master, Geralt discovers Jacques carries a dimeritium pendant similar to the one given to Alvin by Geralt, though it has been ravaged by time. Though it has never been confirmed within the game's narrative or by CD Projekt RED, popular fan theory (and some in-game speculation) surmises that Alvin disappeared through time and grew up to become Jacques de Aldersberg.

Geralt's quest doesn't unlock his memories, but he is given a pretty penny for his role in quelling the rebellion of the Order. King Foltest offers his thanks and Geralt makes his way toward "a new beginning." Before leaving the kingdom, however, Foltest is attacked and Geralt steps in to save his life. After killing the would-be assassin, Geralt discovers the kingslayer is also a Witcher.

Geralt of Rivia is now employed by King Foltest, assigned to offer advice and protect him from danger, alongside Triss Merigold. Geralt's past is still hazy, but pieces of it return to him over time. Geralt helps the King rescue his illegitimate children from a former lover, but an assassin -- who is later revealed to be a Witcher -- infiltrates the stronghold housing the children and kills the King. Geralt is immediately suspected of the crime, and is arrested for regicide.

Geralt convinces Temerian Special Forces commander Vernon Roche that another is responsible for the King's death during interrogation. Roche offers Geralt the opportunity to hunt down the true king slayer and frees him. The two escape together and, along with Triss, follow the true assassin's trail to the city of Flotsam.

Once the trio land in Flotsam, they are ambushed by rebel elf Iorveth. It is revealed that Iorveth is working with the Witcher responsible for the death of King Foltest as well as the death of the king from the neighboring region of Aedirn.

Once Geralt, Triss and Roche make their way to the town square, Geralt reunites with (and saves from hanging) his old friends Zoltan and Dandelion. While in town Geralt defeats a giant monster threatening the town's economy and learns that the Witcher kingslayer intends to betray Iorveth. Geralt manages to convince Iorveth that his assassin ally is untrustworthy as Roche arrives with an armed force to stamp out the rebel threat. Geralt eventually confronts the Witcher assassin, named Letho, but the kingslayer escapes and takes Triss Merigold as his hostage.

From here players choose to side with Iorveth or Roche, altering the path toward the game's ending.

If Geralt sides with the rebel elf the two sail to Aedirn in pursuit of Letho. While there, the two are wrapped up in a plot against King Henselt, who controls the region of Kaedwen. After helping him escape to the city of Vergen, Geralt learns of Triss Merigold is being held by members of the Nilfgaard kingdom from sorceress Philippa Eilhart. Eventually Geralt breaks a spell unleashed onto the battlefield and helps repel attacks on Vergen by King Henselt’s forces alongside the Scoia'tael and the rebel leader Saskia the Dragonslayer.

Geralt later discovers Saskia is a dragon taking human form whose mind is being controlled by Philippa Eilhart. Once this is discovered, Philippa teleports Saskia and herself to the city of Loc Muinne, where Triss is being held. Geralt and Iorveth follow toward Loc Muinne, where a summit of royal leaders is taking place and is central to the sorcerer’s motivation for her control of Saskia.

Upon arriving in Loc Muinne, Geralt and Iorveth discover Philippa Eilhart has been taken prisoner and choose to aid in her escape or rescue Triss. Helping Eilhart escape gives Geralt a dagger that can break the spell over Saskia. Geralt soon discovers the plot of the mages was to use Saskia's dragon form as leverage in an effort to re-establish a Mage Conclave. The group of mages have hired Letho along with other Witcher assassins to kill neighboring kings in order to weaken their stranglehold on the region. Geralt then discovers that Letho has once again betrayed a contract, learning he has turned against Síle de Tansarville.

Still under mind control, Saskia attacks Geralt in dragon form. If he helped Philippa escape, he may use the dagger to break the spell. If Geralt chose to save Triss, he must kill the dragon.

If Geralt assists Roche, the two eventually sail to Aedirn and learn of a rebel plot against the Kaedwen King. The two decide to aid King Henselt, despite the fact that the king appears to be completely amoral and carries himself with an arrogant sense of immunity. Geralt discovers an insurgency within the King's army believes Henselt is conspiring with the Nilfgaard empire. In his time working to protect the King, Geralt uncovers Triss Merigold's whereabouts. Eventually Geralt defends King Henselt from two Witcher assassins before uncovering they are working with the sorceresses Síle de Tansarville and Philippa Eilhart. Once discovered, Síle de Tansarville flees to Loc Muinne with Philippa Eilhart and Saskia, where Triss is being held.

Henselt's vicious character comes forward even further after the plot to destroy him fails. The king first rapes Ves -- the lone female soldier in Roche's Blue Stripes special forces unit -- and then has the rest of Roche's men killed in retaliation for spreading rumors about the King’s support of the Nilfgaard empire.

The player may decide to allow Roche to kill King Henselt in revenge, causing a civil war in the region, or to spare the king.

Geralt and Roche learn that, in an attempt to kidnap King Foltest's illegitimate children, Foltest's son has been killed. Geralt must then choose to rescue Foltest's daughter, Anais, or continue in his search for Triss. If Anais is saved, she is either return to Temeria to become a "great leader" or brought to the region of Redania where she is expected to eventually grow to marry.

Eventually Geralt confronts Síle de Tansarville, learns Letho has betrayed her, and is attacked by the dragon. Geralt may either kill the dragon or leave it wounded; regardless of his choice, Geralt never learns the dragon's true identity if he choses to side with Roche.

If Geralt rescues Triss Merigold, the Mage Conclave is re-established and they work to seal Loc Muinne. Later, on his way to confront Letho, Geralt sees Roche defending Anais from a group of attacking soldiers. Geralt may choose to help him; regardless, Geralt learns the once Commander of the Blue Stripes has now been labeled an outlaw.

If Geralt saves either Philippa or Anais, Letho blames the deaths of each king in the northern region on Síle de Tansarville and a witch hunt of Salem, Massachusetts, level proportions ensues. Additionally, Iorveth is labeled “public enemy number one”. Letho then saves Triss himself and reveals that he and Geralt were once allies. Letho also reveals that the plots to kill the kings of the north were all in an attempt to destabilize the region in preparation for a Nilfgaard invasion. Letho says he only agreed to the plan because the Emperor of Nilfgaard promised he could re-establish his Witcher school.

Geralt may choose to either kill or spare both Letho and Síle de Tansarville in their final confrontations.

By the end of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, Geralt has regained his lost memories. He remembers that he and his true love, a sorceress named Yennefer of Vengerberg, were attacked and killed by an angry mob out for non-human blood.

Thanks to his adopted daughter, a young but powerful sorcerer named Ciri, the pair were revived and brought to safety before she absconded to forge her own path. Geralt recalls that Ciri, like Alvin and Jacques, is a Source.

Geralt remembers that once they were revived, his peaceful existence with Yennefer did not last. She was soon kidnapped for her power by the Wild Hunt, a vicious group of Wraith-like warriors that terrorize the land. Geralt, with his friend Letho in tow, gave chase to the group and offers his soul in exchange for Yennefer. Their leader accepts the trade immediately.

Geralt escapes the Wild Hunt and eventually finds his way near the last Witcher stronghold of Kaer Morhen near death and with no memory of his past.

Nilfgaard begins its invasion of the north. Geralt has recovered his lost memories and he knows Yennefer, his true love, is being held somewhere within the advancing army's territory. The story of Geralt, the Witcher, is coming to an end.

'Different strokes for different folks'. 'To each their own'. 'You're just mental and my opinion is definitely better'. One of these three statements doesn't quite belong, and here's a hint: it's the exact same one that gamers most love to utter. We really are a surly, self-important bunch, at least we can be, provided players believe strongly enough in their own video gaming verdicts. One player's 'massive pile of slag' is to another 'the sweetest culmination of a thousand euphoric truths'. Defy a Zelda devotee at your peril. Defend a critically-panned cult hit at your own personal risk. It certainly doesn't take much for the long knives to come out when a fan's deepest convictions are questioned.

So then, what kind of games are we talking about? Which titles produce the most volatile of forum fracas, the most bile spewing of debates? Just what are the most polarising, the most massively divisive games of all time? Click that there page turner and find out.

Supporters see - An interactive Twin Peaks, complete with compelling, if altogether nonsensical, cast and an ambitious open-world design. Atmospheric, richly layered and boasting a self-effacing, humorous charm, Access Games' epic remains the veritable grand wizard of cult hits. In choosing to criticise its lacklustre mechanics, detractors only emphasize their own skewed perspectives - this is an experience so much more than the sum of its parts.

Detractors see - An insufferably tacky and horrendously realised title that lacks even the basic semblance of playability. Controls are atrocious, the visuals are worse, and the game's much-touted storyline reads like a teenager's pained attempts at eccentric edginess. Fans of the narrative forgive far too much, lauding its story while forgetting about every other element that makes up a game - a bit like persevering with a broken laptop because you find the particular tint of the blue screen of death to be soothing.

Let's settle it - Twin Peaks marathon. First one to question the nature of reality loses.

Supporters see - Endlessly creative, visually engrossing and buoyed by the same brand of gentle, enjoyable gameplay as its famous forebears, Wind Waker succeeds on almost every level imaginable. Its story is more absorbing, its content more diverse and its challenges more numerous and more finely honed than ever before. TWW represents the absolute perfection of an already magnificent formula. How sad that some players cannot overcome their graphical bias.

Detractors see - A needless reinvention of a time-honoured visual tradition. Just imagine the uproar had TES: Skyrim switched to cutesy characters, or Metal Gear Solid gone kawaii crazy. Not only that, but the game employs numerous unadorned fetch quests, simplistic 'shopping list adventures' that themselves make use of the game's ultra bland sailing mechanics. Majora's Mask hinted at bold new moves, Wind Waker just repaints old Ocarina and calls it a day.

Let's settle it - Wooden sailboat endurance race. First one not to drown is crowned champion.

Supporters see - A novel concept tied to a challenging narrative. Gone Home represents the future of video game storytelling, weaving a multi-faceted and emotionally charged tale of everyday familial intrigue. Though seemingly simplistic at the outset, Gone Home's sparse environment actually belies a far deeper tale, one that is both horror and not-horror, mysterious and at the same time oddly humdrum. It's a tale that relies almost entirely upon the player's own fragmented perspective for effect, prompting our imaginations to do much of the heavy lifting. We're the ones who make it horror, or thriller or murder mystery. In that, Gone Home represents a brand new breed of interactive storytelling.

Detractors see - An utterly pretentious 'statement piece' lacking in any rewarding gameplay mechanics or even basic value ($20 at release). As an adventure game it lacks challenging tasks and/or puzzle elements. As a prospective horror title it foregoes any actual menace. As a thriller, it lacks thrills and as a detective title it leaves players with an utterly underwhelming conclusion. As socially and even narratively progressive as it may be, Gone Home comes off as more of a damp squib than a revelatory adventure.

Let's settle it - Toss a coin. Then inspect said coin repeatedly hoping for some sort of clue. Go bonkers.

Supporters see - A satisfyingly brutal, intensely challenging and richly detailed 'old school RPG' for the modern age,one that foregoes the hand-holding and exposition-heavy treatment of its contemporaries for a far more difficult, albeit infinitely more rewarding payoff. Dark Souls is a game that crushes you down completely, to rebuild you in its own terrifying image, and proving only as cruel as it needs to be in order to achieve that end. Souls institutes a veritable trial by fire, the completion of which yields vast new worlds of immersion, excitement and elation. This is real adventure, one in which triumphs are only ever as rewarding as its tasks are testing.

Detractors see - Needlessly punitive, consistently frustrating and altogether unfair, Dark Souls brings the coin-guzzling difficulty of old school arcade machines direct to your living room. Particularly galling are the game's many boss monsters - overpowered behemoths that utterly annihilate the player several times over before their attack patterns can be memorized. Even then, encounters often feel cheap. So, if your idea of fun is banging your head into a brick wall over and over again until finally it cracks (or you do) then this is the game for you.

Let's settle it - Slip 'n' Slide water torture contest.

Supporters see - A more visceral and immediate take on the Dragon Age formula, Dragon Age 2 ditches its predecessor's expansive settings and associated bloat for a more driven and linear adventure. That's not to say it's a short game however, as Hawke's tale still offers up a generous 40 to 60 hour run time. Combat is smoother, its mechanics more streamlined, and the game's storytelling far less grandiose or liable to meander. Naysayers may balk at the loss of needlessly obtuse menus and character creation suites, but that's no reason to slam this bloody good title.

Detractors see - A corporate-ordered sequel bereft of any new ideas, desperately pandering to the mainstream action fan. What had seemed like an amazing franchise in the making was shortly thereafter been sullied, transformed into something far more flashy, yet much less substantial. Gone are the tactical flourishes and strategic micro management of old, not to mention a narrative of any actual significance, replaced instead by a brainless brand of combat and a largely inconsequential plot.

Let's settle it - Poor quality LARP-level sword fight.

Supporters see - The Sopranos of the video game landscape. GTA 4 added a whole new level of depth, maturity and gravitas to the tried and true sandbox formula, marrying meaningful character design to realistic and vivacious environments. Liberty City is more than just a setting, it's a character, one that horrifies and entices in equal measure. Its inhabitants are every bit as complex and emotive as their city, displaying their own particular quirks, desires and demands. Added to that is a much improved combat system and a chaotic multiplayer suite. Cynics may bemoan the loss of the series' juvenile humour, but it's a worthwhile trade-off nonetheless. Every franchise has to grow up sometime.

Detractors see - A pompous, self-important and downright gloomy addition to a franchise formerly known for its sense of outlandish, satirical fun. GTA IV mistakes sullen grit for cinematic greatness, opting for chore-like realism to the detriment of the player's engagement. Cars handle like bricks, shooting is sub-par, and inter-character relationships feel forced and occasionally aggravating. Realism for the sake of realism - even the boring bits.

Let's settle it - Invitation contest. Both sides send incessant, highly annoying invitations to one another. First one to crack loses.

Supporters see - A rollicking good action franchise boasting outlandish setpieces aplenty. Blessed with grade-A production values, top quality multiplayer modes and some of the slickest shooting mechanics this side of a Halo ring, CoD is more than just some angry tween's playpen - it's a wildly entertaining slice of popcorn cinema served straight to your console. Sadly, COD's ever-present status and mammoth sales figures have turned it into a perfect target for the contrarian 'too cool to be popular' crowd. They claim the game never changes, when in fact it's really undergone all manner of tweaks and adjustments, the kind they'd probably notice if only they weren't too busy decrying the title to actually play it.

Detractors see - Unambitious, unrefined and iterated half to death, CoD represents the game of choice for the hulking 'dudebro' masses, the majority of whom couldn't spot a quality narrative if it knocked off their indoor shades before punching them square in the face. CoD is everything that's wrong with the modern gaming scene, from the scores of irate clichés screaming down their microphones, to the publisher's now seasonal exploitation of fans.

Let's settle it - Man with the Golden Gun-style duel to the death.

Supporters see - A darker, more mature interpretation of the classic Zelda mythos. Despite ringing the changes, Majora's Mask proves to be every bit as brilliant as its illustrious predecessor, buoyed up by an equally classic soundtrack, superior cast of characters, and a richer, more varied brand of gameplay. This may be a different breed of Zelda, but it's easily on par with the triumphs of Link's Awakening, Ocarina and co.

Detractors see - 'Errand Boy: The Video Game'. Majora's Mask opted to scuttle the series' dungeon-led formula in favour of an ongoing series of fetch quests and mini-games. It's also far more linear than previous entries, and a major step back from the greater accessibility and openness present in Ocarina.

Let's settle it - Run around a costume shop adopting the characteristics of every new mask worn. First to be thrown from the premises Jazzy Jeff-style is declared the winner.

Supporters see - An exquisitely crafted, sharply streamlined, and altogether more focused addition to the recent Final Fantasy canon. It also bears mentioning that 13 looks absolutely stunning, sounds fabulous, and features a deep and malleable battle system. It's linear, yes, but who needs more tiresome fetch quests or perfunctory exploration - this is a franchise about battles, character and otherworldly atmosphere. FFX13 nails all three.

Detractors see - A sizeable step back for what was once a progressive and keenly ambitious franchise. Only the bare essentials remain. Combat, now far shallower and less thoughtful. Characters, largely clichéd and unlikeable. A storyline bereft of any real scope or weight. Gone are the vibrant, explorable cityscapes, the unique and talkative NPCs, and any kind of challenge in combat. FFXIII is little more than one pretty corridor after the next, an on-rails RPG for the brainless masses.

Let's settle it - JRPG hair-teasing contest. First contestant to pass out from all of the hairspray fumes is declared the loser.

Supporters see - An epic, oftentimes moving send-off to the illustrious Solid Snake. Metal Gear Solid 4 includes everything that made the franchise so special to begin with. and then adds a whole heap more. Gameplay is as tight and nuanced as ever, allowing players to sneak or shoot past every obstacle, while the game's central storyline justifies its lengthy runtime through top quality direction and performances. Sadly, detractors just don't have the patience for this kind of complex experience.

Detractors see - An overwrought, overlong and underwhelming adventure plagued by outdated mechanics and godawful writing. Movement is wooden and unintuitive throughout, characters are tepid and unlikeable, and those damnable cut scenes go on for far, far too long. MGS has always fancied itself a bit of a blockbuster, but 8 hours of pained, non-interactive exposition is just way too much.

Let's settle it - SM sneak-athon. Both parties don tight rubber suits and crawl around their local towns. First to be arrested loses.

Supporters see - A bold new step for the Metroid series, Other M combines beautiful graphics, compelling gameplay and a much more ambitious style of narrative to create one of the Wii's most under-appreciated gems. In keeping with the series' 2D roots, Samus returns to her agile best here, forsaking the 'tank-like' movement of the Prime titles and introducing a unique and highly responsive control scheme.

Detractors see - A short, overly linear and occasionally uncontrollable mess that disregards much of the franchise's tradition. Featuring a bevy of unskippable, overlong cut scenes, starring a newly obedient Samus, Other M consistently interjects lame, cookie cutter plot beats into a franchise that has little-to-no need of them. Give us back our strong leading lady.

Let's settle it - Both parties confront MMA champion Ronda Rousey with classic 1920's sexism. First to die loses.

Supporters see - The precision gunplay of Halo meets the endless possibilities of the MMO, bonding quality levelling elements to a rewarding and consistently-varied shooter. Hype has a way of hardening some people's perspectives, but don’t be fooled, this is a highly competent and gratifying experience that’s sure to endure and expand over the years to come.

Detractors see - An unfinished, largely generic FPS title masquerading as an online game-changer. Quests are uninspired, the setting pretty but lifeless, and the storyline all but non-existent. Go here, kill this, defend that - rinse, repeat and regret. Even the mighty Peter Dinklage can't summon up any enthusiasm for this paint-by-numbers actioner.

Let's settle it - Xbox live endurance test featuring Clockwork Orange-style apparatus. First one to devolve into casual racism and juvenile mic tirades loses.

Supporters see - An emotional roller coaster unlike any other game before it. Beautifully realised, both in terms of its graphical fidelity and authentically mo-capped performances, Two Souls ably continues Quantic Dream's stunning run of unique and challenging titles. This is the 'interactive narrative' writ large, delicately measured and consistently thoughtful throughout - certainly not one for any knuckle-dragging action fans.

Detractors see - A barely interactive 8-hour movie that scarcely deserves consideration as a game. Beyond's narrative aims for high art and misses by some margin, its runtime racked by numerous instances of dreary tedium, and all despite being almost completely linear in nature. Gameplay where it does exist proves to be just as tiresome, clunky and unfocused, with the game more than happy to press on without you, essentially relegating the player to the role of inconsequential 'page-turner'.

Let's settle it - Spot the difference contest featuring Ellen Page and Ashley Johnson's in-game avatars.

Supporters see - An aesthetically sumptuous title that isn't afraid to take established RPG mechanics in brave new directions. Final Fantasy 8 is consistently challenging, its battle systems deep and adaptable and its cast of characters more richly layered and believable than ever before. Purists may loathe the lack of traditional aeon and mana use, but in their place stands a far more customisable, if initially tricky system.

Detractors see - A needlessly fiddly experience that disregards much of what worked before in favour of change for the sake of change. The central junction system is overthought and underdeveloped, as are the levelling, SeeD, 'draw' and GF mechanics. One malfunctioning element would be bad enough, but all of them? As for the game's storyline, that too quickly descends into gibbering farce, filled with criss-crossing plot holes and poorly considered motivations? It's different, but not in a good way.

Let's settle it - See Final Fantasy 13

Supporters see - One of Ninty's teresting experiments, Zelda 2 completely defied expectations, introducing a slew of new and permanent additions to the ongoing Zelda franchise. It may be the relative black sheep of the saga, but that doesn't make it any less of a classic.

Detractors see - An awkward and unnecessary shift away from the first game's iconic framework. There's a reason later games in the franchise would better reflect the original. There are hundreds of identikit side-scrollers out there, but only one Zelda.

Let's settle it - Pistols at dawn.

This weekend, Mad Max mania comes to a head. - won't be out until this September.

But don't worry - there are plenty of games out there to help you satisfy those cravings for all things anarchic and high-octane. If you didn't know, the Mad Max films have , and the series' unique atmosphere has had a sizable influence in the realm of gaming. While you wait to play as the real Max Rockatansky, you ought to check out these titles inspired by George Miller's movies in a variety of ways. Spoiler: some of them don't even involve cars.

This 2011 shooter-racer hybrid from id software is currently the closest thing we have to a game set in the Mad Max universe (ignoring the best-left-forgotten NES game). Besides all the futuristic bits about cryogenic freezing and nanites, Rage's depiction of the desert wasteland that was once Earth feels just like the gritty, unrelenting world of the films. Everywhere you look, there's another homage: muscle cars and dune buggies covered in scrap metal and animal bones, maniacal bandits who terrorize (and sometimes feed on) other survivors, even a deadly metal boomerang that can lop off body parts just like in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. Drive angry.

If not for the cel-shaded aesthetic, the Borderlands franchise would have the edge over Rage as the go-to video game simulacrum of Mad Max. The first two games feature more traditional sun-baked badlands, populated primarily by masked Psychos who would fit right in with those Mad Max savages. But I'm going to give the edge to , given how most of the denizens of Pandora's moon speak with an Australian accent, just like the casts of the first two Mad Max films. No matter which game you choose, hopping into an Outrunner or Moon Buggy with a co-op buddy and mowing down bandits is always a rip-roarin' good time.

Were it not for the Mad Max films, gaming's car combat genre probably wouldn't even exist. And while there are a decent number of vehicular deathmatches to choose from, like the Vigilante 8 games or Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012, I consider Twisted Metal: Black to be the pinnacle of the genre. The dark, horrific atmosphere in Black is just as gritty, brutal, and dystopian as Mad Max's world, complete with poor sods chained to cars (much like Lord Humungus' ride in The Road Warrior). Combatants all have a reckless disregard for the value of human life, and the automotive mayhem maintains adrenaline-pumping speed throughout each match. If you've got a PS3, I highly recommend you snag this PS2 Classic ASAP.

The original Mad Max is all about the roaring choppers, and no series does motorcycle combat as well as Road Rash. Even though being the first one to cross the finish line is your primary goal, the action really revolves around punching, kicking, or clobbering your competitors with blunt objects as you all weave in and out of traffic. If you don't feel like dusting off your PS1, N64, or (god forbid) 3DO to play the classic versions, you'll definitely want to check out , a spiritual successor to Rash on Steam Early Access.

Pick any Fallout, really - all of them perfectly capture the feeling of wandering alone through a post-apocalyptic desert, scavenging and killing to survive. You won't do a whole lot of driving (unless you fix up a Corvega in Fallout 2), but the tradeoff is Dogmeat, a loyal canine companion just like the one at Max's side in The Road Warrior. Body armor comes in the form of whatever you can find and safely strap to your body, and chems will keep you fighting at a long-term, irradiated price. If only you could sustain yourself on cans of Dinki-Di dog food.

Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome is a bit of a weird one, what with the chainmail-clad Tina Turner and tribes of disheveled, primitive kids. But one of the most memorable bits is the subplot with Master Blaster, the symbiotic pairing of a small, arrogant man (Master) riding a hulking, metal-masked brute (Blaster) who together keep the lights on in Bartertown. This design was taken wholesale for 's Ferra and Torr, with the slight adjustment of a little woman as the piggy-backer instead of a man. Granted, Ferra is much more suited for battle than Master, as she'll happily bum-rush opponents with her razor-sharp claws or literally bore her way through their chest cavity like a human cannonball.

If you can't fathom the thought of jumping from the roof of one speeding car onto another, you probably won't last too long in the Mad Max universe. But there's a safe way to train up before the inevitable apocalypse: play the Pursuit Force series, a pair of obscure PSP games about police officers who leap between moving vehicles with reckless abandon. These games are action-packed and gloriously campy, with your character pulling up alongside enemy vehicles and diving into the driver's seat like it's no big deal. Though the superior sequel Extreme Justice is sadly locked to the PSP, the original game is available as a download for PS Vita - just be ready for some merciless difficulty spikes.

Bullets are pretty hard to come by in the post-apocalypse, so Mad Max characters typically rely on more traditional means for deadly projectiles: metal bolts and arrows. Most road warriors fire their volleys with compound bows, but some elite baddies make use of miniature crossbows - perfect for puncturing flesh and tires alike with one hand while you steer with the other. If you're looking to simulate the act of dealing ranged death with adorably small ballistics, Dishonored has the best handheld bows in gaming (or wrist-mounted, if you're playing the Daud DLC).

Lastly, let's pour out a little gasoline for the fallen Auto Assault, which was basically the Mad Max MMO before it was shut down in 2007. Instead of killing boars and rats, all the battles took place between tricked-out vehicles, with combat that let you aim your guns and hit your nitro boosts in real time. Sadly, much like modern civilization in the Mad Max movies, Auto Assault will only live on in our memories. Whichever of these aforementioned games you choose - or others, like the spectacular wrecks of Burnout, or the car-riding possibilities of Just Cause, perhaps - we'll get through the wait for the forthcoming open-world Mad Max game together.

This weekend, Mad Max mania comes to a head. - won't be out until this September.

But don't worry - there are plenty of games out there to help you satisfy those cravings for all things anarchic and high-octane. If you didn't know, the Mad Max films have , and the series' unique atmosphere has had a sizable influence in the realm of gaming. While you wait to play as the real Max Rockatansky, you ought to check out these titles inspired by George Miller's movies in a variety of ways. Spoiler: some of them don't even involve cars.

This 2011 shooter-racer hybrid from id software is currently the closest thing we have to a game set in the Mad Max universe (ignoring the best-left-forgotten NES game). Besides all the futuristic bits about cryogenic freezing and nanites, Rage's depiction of the desert wasteland that was once Earth feels just like the gritty, unrelenting world of the films. Everywhere you look, there's another homage: muscle cars and dune buggies covered in scrap metal and animal bones, maniacal bandits who terrorize (and sometimes feed on) other survivors, even a deadly metal boomerang that can lop off body parts just like in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. Drive angry.

If not for the cel-shaded aesthetic, the Borderlands franchise would have the edge over Rage as the go-to video game simulacrum of Mad Max. The first two games feature more traditional sun-baked badlands, populated primarily by masked Psychos who would fit right in with those Mad Max savages. But I'm going to give the edge to , given how most of the denizens of Pandora's moon speak with an Australian accent, just like the casts of the first two Mad Max films. No matter which game you choose, hopping into an Outrunner or Moon Buggy with a co-op buddy and mowing down bandits is always a rip-roarin' good time.

Were it not for the Mad Max films, gaming's car combat genre probably wouldn't even exist. And while there are a decent number of vehicular deathmatches to choose from, like the Vigilante 8 games or Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012, I consider Twisted Metal: Black to be the pinnacle of the genre. The dark, horrific atmosphere in Black is just as gritty, brutal, and dystopian as Mad Max's world, complete with poor sods chained to cars (much like Lord Humungus' ride in The Road Warrior). Combatants all have a reckless disregard for the value of human life, and the automotive mayhem maintains adrenaline-pumping speed throughout each match. If you've got a PS3, I highly recommend you snag this PS2 Classic ASAP.

The original Mad Max is all about the roaring choppers, and no series does motorcycle combat as well as Road Rash. Even though being the first one to cross the finish line is your primary goal, the action really revolves around punching, kicking, or clobbering your competitors with blunt objects as you all weave in and out of traffic. If you don't feel like dusting off your PS1, N64, or (god forbid) 3DO to play the classic versions, you'll definitely want to check out , a spiritual successor to Rash on Steam Early Access.

Pick any Fallout, really - all of them perfectly capture the feeling of wandering alone through a post-apocalyptic desert, scavenging and killing to survive. You won't do a whole lot of driving (unless you fix up a Corvega in Fallout 2), but the tradeoff is Dogmeat, a loyal canine companion just like the one at Max's side in The Road Warrior. Body armor comes in the form of whatever you can find and safely strap to your body, and chems will keep you fighting at a long-term, irradiated price. If only you could sustain yourself on cans of Dinki-Di dog food.

Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome is a bit of a weird one, what with the chainmail-clad Tina Turner and tribes of disheveled, primitive kids. But one of the most memorable bits is the subplot with Master Blaster, the symbiotic pairing of a small, arrogant man (Master) riding a hulking, metal-masked brute (Blaster) who together keep the lights on in Bartertown. This design was taken wholesale for 's Ferra and Torr, with the slight adjustment of a little woman as the piggy-backer instead of a man. Granted, Ferra is much more suited for battle than Master, as she'll happily bum-rush opponents with her razor-sharp claws or literally bore her way through their chest cavity like a human cannonball.

If you can't fathom the thought of jumping from the roof of one speeding car onto another, you probably won't last too long in the Mad Max universe. But there's a safe way to train up before the inevitable apocalypse: play the Pursuit Force series, a pair of obscure PSP games about police officers who leap between moving vehicles with reckless abandon. These games are action-packed and gloriously campy, with your character pulling up alongside enemy vehicles and diving into the driver's seat like it's no big deal. Though the superior sequel Extreme Justice is sadly locked to the PSP, the original game is available as a download for PS Vita - just be ready for some merciless difficulty spikes.

Bullets are pretty hard to come by in the post-apocalypse, so Mad Max characters typically rely on more traditional means for deadly projectiles: metal bolts and arrows. Most road warriors fire their volleys with compound bows, but some elite baddies make use of miniature crossbows - perfect for puncturing flesh and tires alike with one hand while you steer with the other. If you're looking to simulate the act of dealing ranged death with adorably small ballistics, Dishonored has the best handheld bows in gaming (or wrist-mounted, if you're playing the Daud DLC).

Lastly, let's pour out a little gasoline for the fallen Auto Assault, which was basically the Mad Max MMO before it was shut down in 2007. Instead of killing boars and rats, all the battles took place between tricked-out vehicles, with combat that let you aim your guns and hit your nitro boosts in real time. Sadly, much like modern civilization in the Mad Max movies, Auto Assault will only live on in our memories. Whichever of these aforementioned games you choose - or others, like the spectacular wrecks of Burnout, or the car-riding possibilities of Just Cause, perhaps - we'll get through the wait for the forthcoming open-world Mad Max game together.