Virtua Fighter 2 remains one of the best one-on-one fighters in the history of videogames. When it was originally released it destroyed the competition, and even today (after three updates) hardcore fans feel that Sega has never really bettered the classic brawler. But before you all get too excited, this isn't the superb Saturn version but the rather less impressive Genesis/Megadrive port.
Released when the Saturn version was thrilling gamers worldwide, this 16-bit version is a brave attempt to shoehorn the gameplay of the 32-bit version into technically primative 16-bit hardware. The game is no longer 3D but 2D, and this move causes all kinds of problems. The gameplay of VF2 is supposed to exist in three dimensions - taking one away renders much of the previously available tactical brilliance impossible.
Graphically the game is nice to look at, but the sprites animate poorly (possibly because they've based on the 3D originals) and the gameplay never really challenges Super Street Fighter II (the Genesis fighter of choice) in terms of speed and control. Almost all of the moves are present and correct which is a triumph in itself, but you probably won't want to play the game long enough to discover them all thanks to the sloppy and clunky controls.
VF2 on the Genesis is something of a mistake. Some might even call it a cash-in. However you want to view it, there's no denying that it's a game you should avoid. If you really must have a one-on-one fighter on the VC, stick with Street Fighter II, or wait for the upcoming SF2 Turbo.
1. Jonno
27 Mar 2007, 19:44 GMT
Hmm... this game is not as good as Street Fighter II me thinks. May buy it anyway since Super Street Fighter II has not been confirmed yet!
2. Kelvin
16 Apr 2007, 17:49 GMT
Did the VF2 really "destroy the competition"? My memory of the era puts Tekken firmly on top, partly because of the Playstation's popularity, but also because it was by far the better game. I mean, yeah, VF was good, and I'd say the modern VFs are better than the modern Tekkens (the series peaked with Tekken 3, imho), but back then? Nah. Tekken was king.
(pun sort of intended)
3. Damo
16 Apr 2007, 17:55 GMT
Kelvin - Tekken doesn't even come close to offering the same depth as VF2. I loved both games, but for me Tekken was always about glitz and flashy special effects, whereas VF2 was more tactical and really rewarded the player.
In the arcades at least, VF2 was top of the pile without a shadow of a doubt. Tekken did better on the home consoles (in terms of sales) thanks to the fact that the Saturn misfired so badly. If you take a look around the net (as well as checking out the next issue of Retro Gamer magazine, which has a massive VF feature explaining why it's so ace, with comments from Richard Leadbetter, former editor of Sega Saturn Magazine and Maxiumum, who sang the praises of the game WAAAAY back in the mid 90's) I think you'll find that most serious fighter fans favour VF2.
4. charlie
16 Apr 2007, 23:25 GMT
Woah damo! Tekken was light years ahead of Virtua Fighter 2, in general virtua fighter games have always been a bit naff, the characters are extremly unorignal and the moves are just nearly as bad as kung-fu for the nes. And who can forget the classic fmvs when finishing arcade mode! (ninas finishing movie springs to mind) sorry to disagree with you
5. Wolf
17 Apr 2007, 00:56 GMT
This is a 2d version I bought the cart for like $1. its not that bad but its not the saturn version (obviously) so dont even bother with it.
6. Damo
17 Apr 2007, 11:52 GMT
Charlie - It's funny that to counter my argument, you just go on about how great Tekken looks compared to VF2. That wasn't what I was saying - Tekken doesn't have anywhere near as much depth as VF.
7. Anthony Cromartie
17 Apr 2007, 22:56 GMT
Damn it did I waste 800 Wii points. I got overly excited. The game is too realistic-the char feels like that have no personality, sorry too used to projectiles and what not-and man is the game slow and the sound is blargh. I wish I could trade it or something-or at least get it off the screen. Save your points.
8. tinjam
04 May 2007, 14:35 GMT
The saturn version was appalling graphically and the end fight with Dural was ridiculously hard. Panzer Dragoon is the only title id like to see from that console. But, I have to give props to Sega for tryng to utilise 2 processors.
9. Jadelouise
06 May 2007, 05:07 GMT
This what annoys me when people compare Tekken to VF. You can't they are different too different. Tekken is a fun brawler with a storyline and is basicly a button basher as in an expert can be beaten by a beginner on a fuke. I love Tekken but VF is the serious fighter. No real story line as it does not need one its all about the fight as Ryu's SF ending would say. An VF expert will destroy any newcomer as its not a button basher there thousands of moves, you watch some of the Japanese experts on youtube(or the old vhs's as I first saw them)they are amazing it looks like a different game when they play the thing. VF has in Japan huge telephone book sized move list books, the game keeps the Japanese arcade alive VF5 is the biggest coin-op since pacman in Japan. The saturn port was not appaling graphically its near identical to the model 2 arcade with only shun di's bridge really missing. Dural is not ridiculously hard if you are any good and if you think thats hard try playing someone who knows what they are doing. Nights,Xmen vs SF,Burning Rangers,Dragon Force, VF2, Fighters Megamix, Virtua cop 1 and 2, Fighting Vipers the list goes on and on of great saturn titles. The system was great and I recommend people get one on the cheap.
10. CB
08 Jun 2007, 17:31 GMT
What about Virtual Fighter 1 for the 32X. It was actually 3D and loads of fun to play, bad polygons and all. It cant be that hard to get the Wii to emulate 32X games.
11. sashaboo
17 Jun 2007, 16:14 GMT
I dowloaded VF2 just out of curiosity. What a waste of my sweet 800 points. Its not worth 1 point never mind a rip off 800. The graphics were not to bad considering the hardware limitations but the fighters have had had loads of moves taken away. Its nowhere near as good as the saturn version.
12. Mesu
12 Sep 2007, 22:52 GMT
Every time I finish this game it just keeps getting more fun. I downloaded this knowing what it was to an extent because I rented the genesis version years ago. If you ignore what other versions are out there and just enjoy it for what it is it can be quite good.
Hopefully SEGA decides to make a Virtua Fighter game for the wii because enough people downloaded this.(it wouldn't have any problems with the controller because Virtua Fighter is a 3 button game and if you use the dpad for movement and the B trigger for blocking and the buttons on back of the nunchuck for punch and kick then maybe the analog stick for sidestepping)
13. Koolkitties
09 Dec 2007, 23:36 GMT
Youguyz should just buy Sega GEnesis collection if youi're dying to play this.
14. uncle smuck
01 Feb 2008, 19:32 GMT
Oh dear.....Lesson for VC enthusiasts... DO NOT DOWNLOAD GAMES WHILE DRUNK!! AVOID LIKE PLAUGE!
15. Tony
07 Jul 2008, 19:29 GMT
I would like to see Virtua Fighter for the 32x. That game was awesome!
16. LordJamak
10 Aug 2008, 15:33 GMT
Any chance of Sega Saturn games coming to VC... The first Virtua Fighter I played was on that and was the first 3d fighter I played. Very cool. This game was fun back in the day too. I believe it was the last Genesis game I purchased in 1999.
17. Cally
15 Aug 2008, 09:51 GMT
I played this game on the Genesis Collection and thought, "they did WHAT?" I cannot believe they even made this game, let alone re-release it three times (PS2, PSP collections, and VC), even while the series still goes on why would they want this to be remembered?
It's actually some dumb fun if you somehow forget the fact that this is based on a top-tier 3-D fighter, but the prospect of anyone spending eight bucks on this thing . . .
2/5
18. Mickeymac
06 Oct 2008, 05:20 GMT
Never really a fan of Virtua Fighter. Sure, the move list was long, but they all looked pretty boring, and I never felt compelled to find all of them. Plus there was that lousy "floaty" jump that they never fixed. Not to mention the characters themselves were all pretty lame, and only succeeded in getting lamer as the series went on. I don't think I'll get this one, even if it was a good port.
19. Corbie
27 Oct 2008, 06:39 GMT
Regarding the Tekken vs. Virtua Fighter argument, I'm a Tekken fan. Although I'll admit the game play in VF is more in-depth and requires more strategy and planning, I like the up-tempo style of Tekken a bit more. If I want depth, I'll play Garou: Mark of the Wolves.
Also, I still think Virtua Fighter 2 is the best of the Virtua Fighter series. Future renditions were good, but never quite felt as fresh as VF2.
As for the Mega Drive version of Virtua Fighter 2, it's simply a way for Sega to cash in on the Virtua Fighter 2 popularity. This game controls sluggishly and just doesn't have much to offer. Unless you're just a diehard VF fan, you'd better stay away from this one.
20. Badknux
27 Oct 2008, 22:18 GMT
I'm with you Corbie, I like Tekken much more. The roster in Virtua Fighter is like Diet Pepsi: bland! But I think that Tekken is much more engaging to play. But, that's my opinion. Also, KOF XI is my favorite 2D fighter. Damn do I love that game!
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