Soul Calibur (Namco, 1999; 800 MS Points/$10): Developers have a knack for capitalizing on the buzz for a new product in unique ways. Namco, taking advantage of the excitement for the fifth installment in the Soul Calibur series, is getting back to their roots with the release of 1999’s Soul Calibur.

Soul Calibur was the breakthrough for the series. 1995’s Soul Blade was big in arcades, but reception for its PS1 release was lukewarm. But 1 million copies were moved for the Dreamcast in 1999, and no doubt countless more were downloaded because of that system’s lazy DRM.

As far as XBLA ports go, this one is lacking. The HD upgrade is said to be incomplete and there’s no global multi-player, though the traditional leaderboard returns.

Verdict: With since-departed characters like Hwang and Blade Master, it’s a great addition to your comprehensive fighter collection. But used copies still go for $10-20, if you’re really into paying for Dreamcast games. (QP in no way endorses or condones the piracy of videogames new or old, but we did at one point buy the damn game. -Ed.)

Also available:

Wits & Wagers (Hidden Path, 2008; 320 MS Points/$4): For die-hard fans of Wits and Wagers, the critically acclaimed trivia game, there’s a new pack of 280 questions. For those new to the converted board game, W&W may be the game to hold you over until the return of You don’t know Jack.

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