Ultraman's been a prominent Japanese popular culture icon since he slugged his first giant monster right in its alien kisser on television over 30 years ago. It's no wonder that the bug-eyed champion of humanity has inspired more than his fair share of video game spin-offs ever since the Famicom (aka Nintendo Entertainment System) was released. The latest in a long line of Ultraman games takes the form of a one-on-one 3D fighting game, Banpresto's Ultraman Fighting Evolution. It's now available in Japan and retails for 6,800 yen.

　　True to its name, Ultraman: Fighting Evolution offers little in the way of original design or mechanics. It's your typical Virtua Fighter-style 3D fighting game that lets you punch, kick, throw, and otherwise pound your opponents into a stupor in a series of best-out-of-three-round bouts.

　　The major draw is, of course, the cast of characters. These include the original hero, silver-and-red-spandex-wearing Ultraman; Ultraseven, his fancier television descendent; and Ultraman Taro, who is gaudier still. They'll have their hands full fighting against the nefarious Alien Baltan, Ultraman's scissor-handed archenemy; Dada, an aptly bizarre apelike fellow; Eleking, the menacing extraterrestrial dinosaur; Alien Metron, your typical otherworldly squid man; and King Joe, the toughest robot, composed of several flying saucers, that you'll ever see. In addition to the immediately selectable cast of eight, four more including Zetton, Ace-Killer, Alien Magma, and Gomora are also waiting to be discovered.

　　Ultraman Fighting Evolution sports colorful graphics, with the large polygonal fighters battling it out amidst detailed 3D backdrops. Each fighter is faithfully reproduced from the television source material and packs a typical array of combat moves in addition to his own unique specialties as seen on TV. Likewise, sound effects and musical numbers are lifted straight from the show.

　　While fighting fanatics looking for great challenge and deep gameplay would rather keep their eyes open for a more mainstream alternative, Ultraman aficionados will be pleased to see all their favorite characters in their most vivid video game portrayal yet.