We are coming to a close in our SEGA Saturn Month here at SEGAbits, so we decided to go out in a bang by telling you guys our favorite SEGA in-house developed game. SEGA had a power house of developers during the 90’s and most of them really hit their strides during the Saturn, we know its hard to pick just one game, so we will also be listing three more titles as honorable mentions.
Like always, if you guys want to let us know your favorite SEGA developed Saturn titles, you can do so in the comments section.
This is Saturn kicks off SEGAbit’s Saturn Month in style, with a look a SEGA mech-shooting bundle of action, Cyber Troopers Virtual-On. Widely hailed as one of the most memorable titles for Saturn, is this game really all it’s cracked up to be? Or does it belong in the scrapyard?
This is Saturn is a video series created by British teenager Liam ‘TrackerTD’ Ashcroft, aiming to give an alternative and in-depth look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of SEGA Saturn gaming, all whilst maintaining a somewhat strong accent.
My Life with SEGA is back! A.J. is back! Mickey Mac is back! In our first episode since our team up in Rambo for SEGA’s Master System, it’s time to get our mech on in SEGA’s critically acclaimed arcade smash, Cyber Troopers Virtual-On for the SEGA Saturn! Released in 1995 to arcade’s by Sega AM3, Cyber Troopers Virtual-On is a versus fighting game featuring robots known as the “virtuaroids”, appropriately powered by Sega Saturns. Yes, sticking consoles on your protagonists was a thing even before The Typing of the Dead. The game was later ported to the Saturn, which is the version we’re putting to the test in this 2-Man Scramble. Who will come out on top? Watch and find out!
Virtual On recently had a ‘memorial talk show’ live on Nico Nico where SEGA designer Mori Yasuhiro and model makers Volks and Hasegawa talked about the franchise’s history and creation of the model toys for the franchise. They showed off some matches and then Mori made some comments about the future of the franchise.
“Virtual On is still alive! Something might wake up [on Virtual On’s 20th anniversary]” – Mori Yasuhiro
What does this mean? Who knows. I guess we will find out sometime in 2015 when the franchise celebrates its 20th anniversary. Do you guys think there is a market for a brand new, next generation Virtual On?
Back in November, SEGA released three awesome Model 2 fighting games to XBLA and PSN: Fighting Vipers, Virtua Fighter 2, and Sonic the Fighters. Two other Model 2 titles were also on the horizon: Cyber Troopers Virtual-On and Virtua Striker. However, as the Japan release date for these titles approaches (February 13th), SEGA West has said nothing of a release outside Japan. Hoping for an answer, fans reached out to the Virtual-On team who replied that SEGA has “no plan to re-release them in other area”. While this isn’t SEGA West shooting down any plans for a release, it does make it clear that internally there is no release planned.
UPDATE: The three Model 2 Fighters (VF2, FV, STF) will be bundled for $15 on PSN. Those three come out this fall and the other two are “Winter 2013″ These are Japanese dates so no official dates for America/Europe yet.
Coming this fall through winter (to Japan at least) is a Model 2 Collection. five of Sega’s classic Model 2 games retailing roughly around 800MS Points ($10) each while if the translation is correct, PSN gets a 3-pack for $15. Some games prices are not known yet. This is a rough translation. Games included are…
Virtua Fighter 2
Sonic the Fighters
Virtua Striker
Fighting vipers
Virtual On
It is unknown what bonus features will be included at this time except for the 3 newly playable characters in Sonic The fighters. It appears that through a poor translation, most if not all five games should have online, though it’s not 100% confirmed. UPDATE: OFFICIAL SITE CONFIRMS VF2, FIGHTING VIPERS AND STF TO HAVE 2-PLAYER ONLINE! Did Sega hire a wish-granting Genie? rough translation after the jump. Also, you can check out the official site here.
Australian Gamer recently sat down with famed SEGA developer Mie Kumagai, the first ever female president of an internal development team (Hitmaker). She has worked on titles in the Virtua Tennis and Virtual On franchises.
In a surprisingly short interview, she discusses a bit about Virtua Tennis 4, and tells us that SEGA is looking to continue Virtual On. Hmm….
Well, he’s probably singing about Virtual On anyway.
I’ll be the first to admit I don’t really know what’s going on here but he does seem to be singing to promote Virtual On 4 Force. He even shows off the collectors’ edition at the end of the video.
What else is there to say? He’s got a lovely singing voice and seems very passionate about big robots.
Virtual On 4 Force is will released for Xbox360, in Japan very soon. A western release for the game is yet to be announced. Fingers crossed!
Microsoft has a new series of commercials rolling out in Japan. They are all based around this X character which has an Xbox symbol for his head… Yeah I don’t get it either but there you go.
It seems there is already one for Virtual-On Force. You gotta admit Temjin looks pretty cool in CGI!
Translation:
Co-Worker1: This thing sure got delivered beautifully!
Co-Worker2: Is this shoe Italian?
Co-Worker1: Hey you! I told you not to use oil on it!
Xboxman: X! (subtitled: I am sorry)
Co-Worker1: How about you big-project-fella?
Co-Worker1: No answer huh? haha!
Narrator: Virtual On is in its way for Xbox.
Co-Worker2: That thing is great!
This is what a Bayonetta as a virtuaroid would look like. It really makes me miss the real Bayonetta and her sexy curves. This was posted up on the Official Platinum Games forums. They even have a House of the Dead: Climax Edition.
