Difference between revisions of "Virtua Fighter 3"

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(Added title screen and more info.)
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{{stub}}
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=Virtuafighter3_title.png
 
| bobscreen=Virtuafighter3_title.png
| screenwidth=
 
| title=
 
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| developer=[[Sega AM2]]
 
| developer=[[Sega AM2]]
| distributor=[[Deith Leisure]] (UK)
+
| distributor=[[Deith Leisure]] (UK){{fileref|CVG UK 180.pdf|page=80}}
 
| system=[[Sega Model 3 Step 1.0]]
 
| system=[[Sega Model 3 Step 1.0]]
| romsize=
+
| romsize={{Arcade}} 106.5 MB{{ref|http://mamedb.com/game/vf3}}
 
| sounddriver=
 
| sounddriver=
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
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| genre=Fighting
 
| genre=Fighting
 
| releases={{releases
 
| releases={{releases
| arcade_date_world=1996-08
+
| arcade_date_jp=1996-09
 +
| arcade_date_jp_1=[[AOU Show 1996|1996-02]]
 +
| arcade_type_jp_1=playable demo
 +
| arcade_date_world=1996-11{{fileref|CVG UK 180.pdf|page=80}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
{{stub}}'''''Virtua Fighter 3''''' (バーチャファイター3) is the third entry in the ''Virtua Fighter'' series, and a direct sequel to ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]''. It was released in 1996 for [[Sega Model 3 Step 1.0]] arcade hardware - one of the first games to hit the system along with ''[[Scud Race]]''.  
+
'''''Virtua Fighter 3''''' (バーチャファイター3) is the third entry in the ''Virtua Fighter'' series, and a direct sequel to ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]''. It was released in 1996 for [[Sega Model 3 Step 1.0]] arcade hardware, as the first game to hit the system, followed by ''[[Scud Race]]''.
  
''Virtua Fighter 3'' makes predictable graphical and audio improvements over its predecessor, ''Virtua Fighter 2''. ''Virtua Fighter 3'' also adds new innovations such as multi-level play areas and dodge button, as well as two new playable characters, Aoi Umenokoji (a Japanese student) and Taka-Arashi (a sumo wrestler). A port for the [[Sega Saturn]] was announced but ultimately cancelled. However, the game eventually reached home consoles in the form of a conversion for the [[Dreamcast]].
+
''Virtua Fighter 3'' makes predictable graphical and audio improvements over its predecessor, ''Virtua Fighter 2''. ''Virtua Fighter 3'' also adds new gameplay innovations such as multi-level play areas and dodge button, as well as two new playable characters, [[Aoi Umenokoji]] (a Japanese student) and [[Taka Arashi]] (a sumo wrestler). A port for the [[Sega Saturn]] was announced but ultimately cancelled, however an update, ''[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]'' was released on the Dreamcast.
 +
 
 +
Video game magazines at the time described it as having the best video game graphics up until then, comparing its real-time graphics to pre-rendered CGI of that era.
 +
 
 +
It was followed by a sequel, ''[[Virtua Fighter 4]]'', in 2001.
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
Line 25: Line 31:
 
A fourth button, the Dodge, was added (the series had previously used only three - Kick, Punch and Guard). Pressing the button with the joystick in neutral or held up makes the character move into the screen (i.e. away from the viewer), while pressing the button with the joystick held down makes the character move out of the screen (i.e. towards the viewer). This 'evasion' technique enables players to dodge incoming attacks, creating opportunities to counter-attack almost immediately.
 
A fourth button, the Dodge, was added (the series had previously used only three - Kick, Punch and Guard). Pressing the button with the joystick in neutral or held up makes the character move into the screen (i.e. away from the viewer), while pressing the button with the joystick held down makes the character move out of the screen (i.e. towards the viewer). This 'evasion' technique enables players to dodge incoming attacks, creating opportunities to counter-attack almost immediately.
  
==Characters==
+
===Characters===
 +
*Returning Characters
 +
**[[Akira Yuki]]
 +
**[[Pai Chan]]
 +
**[[Lau Chan]]
 +
**[[Wolf Hawkfield]]
 +
**[[Jeffry McWild]]
 +
**[[Kage-Maru]]
 +
**[[Sarah Bryant]]
 +
**[[Jacky Bryant]]
 +
**[[Shun Di]]
 +
**[[Lion Rafale]]
 +
**[[Dural]]
 +
*New Characters
 +
**[[Aoi Umenokoji]]
 +
**[[Taka Arashi]]
  
===Returning Characters===
+
==History==
* [[Akira Yuki]]
+
''Virtua Fighter 3'' was a launch title for Sega's [[Model 3]] arcade board. Developed by [[Yu Suzuki]]'s [[Sega AM2]], it was a revolutionary game from a technical standpoint, with its detailed computer graphics earning widespread praise. Characters' eyes appeared to track the opponent's position, their muscles could flex and relax, and the fighting arenas featured stairs and slopes.
* [[Pai Chan]]
 
* [[Lau Chan]]
 
* [[Wolf Hawkfield]]
 
* [[Jeffry McWild]]
 
* [[Kage-Maru]]
 
* [[Sarah Bryant]]
 
* [[Jacky Bryant]]
 
* [[Shun Di]]
 
* [[Lion Rafale]]
 
* [[Dural]]
 
  
===New Characters===
+
===Development===
* [[Aoi Umenokoji]]
+
The game was the last in the series until ''[[Virtua Fighter 5 R]]'' to include [[Taka Arashi]]. The series' current producer, [[Hiroshi Kataoka]], explained that the removal of Taka in subsequent installments was due to the technical implications of having a substantially larger character. Indeed, the character was nearly cut from ''Virtua Fighter 3'' due to difficulties with his jumping moves.
* [[Taka Arashi]]
 
  
==History==
+
Concepts for ''Virtua Fighter 3'' were drawn up and to some degree implemented in advance of the Model 3 board being finalised. In fact, for a while, it appears that ''Virtua Fighter 3'' was literally just an enhanced version of ''Virtua Fighter 2'', with select Japanese journalists being allowed access to what was presumably a version still running on [[Sega Model 2]] code. 100,000 [[Sega Saturn]] owners we later given a promotional ''Virtua Fighter'' disc with pre-rendered artwork reportedly set to be used in ''Virtua Fighter 3'' - this subsequently evolved into an eleven-part "CG Portrait series" starting with ''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.1 Sarah Bryant]]''{{fileref|MAXIMUM UK 01.pdf|page=114}}.
''Virtua Fighter 3'' was a launch title for Sega's [[Model 3]] arcade board. Developed by [[Yu Suzuki]]'s [[Sega AM2]], it was a revolutionary game from a technical standpoint, with its detailed computer graphics earning widespread praise. Characters' eyes appeared to track the opponent's position, their muscles could flex and relax, and the fighting arenas featured stairs and slopes. Computer and Video Games Magazine described the game's demo, unveiled in early March 1996, as "the most astounding display of video game graphic muscle ever in the history of this industry."
 
  
At the Japanese AOU show on February 21, 1996, Sega displayed non-playable demos of [[Lau Chan]], [[Dural]], and new character [[Aoi Umenokoji]], who was unveiled for the first time at the show. However, Dural, the robotic final boss, garnered the most attention, due to being made of a metallic surface that reflected the surrounding environment.
+
Character animations used motion capture technology, like ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' before it. Aoi's traditional Japanese dance animations were motion-captured from a traditional Japanese dance instructor. Aoi and Jeffrey were the most difficult characters to depict. Aoi's kimono required a high level of programming, while Jeffrey's muscle movement was controlled by a software called "muscular control."{{fileref|GameOn US 06.pdf|page=7}}
  
''Virtua Fighter 3'' was due to be released on the [[Sega Saturn]], albeit with vastly reduced graphics. A trailer was released during 1996 which made it onto numerous promotional videos and was featured in many magazines, although no gameplay footage of a Saturn version has ever emerged. The decision was later made to bring the game to the [[Sega Dreamcast]] instead, however significant delays meant that it was substituted for the improved ''[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]''.
+
===Release===
 +
At the [[AOU Show 1996]], in February 1996, Sega displayed tech demos of [[Lau Chan]], [[Dural]], and new character [[Aoi Umenokoji]], who was unveiled for the first time at the show. However, Dural, the robotic final boss, garnered the most attention, due to being made of a metallic surface that reflected the surrounding environment. Sega also unveiled a playable demo at the same event, with two playable characters, Jacky and Dural{{fileref|NextGeneration US 17.pdf|page=12}}. The demo was later unveiled in North America at the [[ACME 1996|1996 ACME]] show, held during the 7th to 9th of March 1996.
  
Reportedly, Sega AM2 were working on a 3D accelerator cartridge for the Sega Saturn to boost the performance of a Saturn ''Virtua Fighter 3''. This would have plugged into the Saturn's cartridge port to give the game extra resources at run-time, although the idea had been scrapped by mid-1997.  
+
On July 26 1996, private show of this game was held in Kamata, Tokyo, Japan.{{fileref|CVG UK 178.pdf|page=10}}
  
The game is also notable for being the last in the series until [[Virtua Fighter 5 R]] to include [[Taka Arashi]]. The series' current producer, [[Hiroshi Kataoka]], explained that the removal of Taka in subsequent installments was due to the technical implications of having a substantially larger character. Indeed, the character was nearly cut from ''Virtua Fighter 3'' due to difficulties with his jumping moves.  
+
Around July 1996, it underwent location testing at [[Tokyo Joypolis]], before getting a wider release in Japan in September 1996{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20120610004321/http://www.shenmue-online.com/pdf/YuSuzuki_Profile_Japanese.pdf}}. Reportedly the game was so popular during its initial location test that the average waiting time was eight hours, with people being forced to book slots ahead of time{{fileref|UltraGamePlayers US 089.pdf|page=18}}.
  
===[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]===
+
===Saturn Prototype===
('''T'''eam '''B'''attle) is an updated version of ''Virtua Fighter 3'' that features battles between teams of various fighters. This "team battle" version was later released on Sega's [[Dreamcast]] console as a launch title in Japan, and became one of the best-selling Dreamcast games in that country. ''Virtua Fighter 3'' was intended to be a launch title for the Dreamcast in North America as well, but it was ultimately delayed.  
+
''Virtua Fighter 3'' was due to be released on the Sega Saturn, albeit with vastly reduced graphics. A trailer was released during 1996 which made it onto numerous promotional videos and was featured in many magazines, although no gameplay footage of a Saturn version has ever emerged. The decision was later made to bring the game to the [[Sega Dreamcast]] instead, however significant delays meant that it was substituted for the improved ''[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]''.
  
===Reception===
+
Reportedly, Sega AM2 were working on a 3D accelerator cartridge for the Sega Saturn to boost the performance of a Saturn ''Virtua Fighter 3''. This would have plugged into the Saturn's cartridge port to give the game extra resources at run-time, although the idea had been scrapped by mid-1997.{{fileref|CVG UK Freeplay 10.pdf|page=1}}
Virtua Fighter 3 has received positive reviews from critics. Edge magazine gave the game an 8/10, stating "Bouts take place atop sloping downtown rooftops and on flights of steps, in the lapping waters of a desert island and on the Great Wall of China...But ''Virtua Fighter'' has grown into a highly technical game since the inception of the series in 1993, resulting in the uneven floors of the third game affecting the movement and attacks of the characters...Where once ''Tekken'''s approachable 'one button for each limb' system seemed the way forward for the genre, it limits interaction in a true three-dimensional space. VF's alternative, with buttons for punch, kick, defend and dodge, while perhaps not offering the same scope for multiple attack movements, allows you to control the characters with unrivalled grace." Gamespot's James Mielke praised the game, awarding it 8.2/10, saying "''Virtua Fighter'' fans will find all they need neatly wrapped in this package". Allgame's Cal Nguyen, however, compared the game unfavorably with ''Soul Calibur''.
 
  
 
+
==Production credits==
==Production Credits==
+
{{creditstable|
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
'''Producer:''' [[Yu Suzuki]]<br>
+
*'''Producer:''' [[Yu Suzuki]]
'''Program Director:''' [[Tetsuya Kaku]]<br>
+
*'''Program Director:''' [[Tetsuya Kaku]]
'''Design Director:''' [[Kazuhiro Izaki]]<br>
+
*'''Design Director:''' [[Kazuhiro Izaki]]
'''Game Director:''' [[Daichi Katagiri]]<br>
+
*'''Game Director:''' [[Daichi Katagiri]]
: '''Programmers'''
+
{{creditsheader|Programmers}}
'''Game System, Undulation:''' [[Tetsuya Kaku]]<br>
+
*'''Game System, Undulation:''' [[Tetsuya Kaku]]
'''Game System:''' [[Daichi Katagiri]]<br>
+
*'''Game System:''' [[Daichi Katagiri]]
'''Game System, CPU Battle:''' [[Kota Matsumoto]]<br>
+
*'''Game System, CPU Battle:''' [[Kota Matsumoto]]
'''Cloth, Motion System:''' [[Yuichiro Mine]]<br>
+
*'''Cloth, Motion System:''' [[Yuichiro Mine]]
'''Polygon Management:''' Yoichi Nakazato, [[Naohiro Hirao]]<br>
+
*'''Polygon Management:''' Yoichi Nakazato, [[Naohiro Hirao]]
'''Camera:''' [[Takashi Ono]]<br>
+
*'''Camera:''' [[Takashi Ono]]
'''Stage Collision:''' [[Norio Haga]]<br>
+
*'''Stage Collision:''' [[Norio Haga]]
'''Stage & Character Effects:''' [[Shigeru Yoshida]]<br>
+
*'''Stage & Character Effects:''' [[Shigeru Yoshida]]
'''Stage Effects:''' Tsuyoshi Nishida<br>
+
*'''Stage Effects:''' Tsuyoshi Nishida
'''Replay, Ending:''' [[Syuji Takahashi]]<br>
+
*'''Replay, Ending:''' [[Syuji Takahashi]]
'''Advertise, Ending:''' [[Hiroshi Masui]]<br>
+
*'''Advertise, Ending:''' [[Hiroshi Masui]]
'''Scroll, Hand Motion:''' [[Takeshi Yamanouchi]]<br>
+
*'''Scroll, Hand Motion:''' [[Takeshi Yamanouchi]]
'''Main Motion Set:''' [[Masataka Daigo]]<br>
+
*'''Main Motion Set:''' [[Masataka Daigo]]
'''Motion Set:''' [[Kazuhiro Shigekuni]], [[Masaya Takeshige]]<br>
+
*'''Motion Set:''' [[Kazuhiro Shigekuni]], [[Masaya Takeshige]]
:: '''Designers'''
+
{{creditsheader|Designers}}
: '''Motion Designers'''
+
{{creditsheader|Motion Designers}}
'''Main Motion Design, Direction:''' [[Kazuhiro Izaki]]<br>
+
*'''Main Motion Design, Direction:''' [[Kazuhiro Izaki]]
'''Motion Design, Advise:''' [[Toshiya Inoue]], [[Naotake Nishimura]]<br>
+
*'''Motion Design, Advise:''' [[Toshiya Inoue]], [[Naotake Nishimura]]
'''Motion Design:''' [[Kasyo Oda]], [[Akira Morimoto]]<br>
+
*'''Motion Design:''' [[Kasyo Oda]], [[Akira Morimoto]]
'''Assistant Motion Design:''' [[Daichi Katagiri]], [[Manabu Tsukamoto]]<br>
+
*'''Assistant Motion Design:''' [[Daichi Katagiri]], [[Manabu Tsukamoto]]
: '''Character Designers'''
+
{{creditsheader|Character Designers}}
'''Character Modeling Direction:''' [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]]<br>
+
*'''Character Modeling Direction:''' [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]]
'''Main Character Design, Modeling:''' [[Mika Kojima]]<br>
+
*'''Main Character Design, Modeling:''' [[Mika Kojima]]
'''Character Design, Modeling:''' [[Ringo Manabe]]<br>
+
*'''Character Design, Modeling:''' [[Ringo Manabe]]
: '''Stage Designers'''
+
{{creditsheader|Stage Designers}}
'''Stage Design Direction:''' [[Naotake Nishimura]]<br>
+
*'''Stage Design Direction:''' [[Naotake Nishimura]]
'''Main Stage Design, Modeling:''' [[Hideaki Kato]]<br>
+
*'''Main Stage Design, Modeling:''' [[Hideaki Kato]]
'''Stage Design, Modeling:''' [[Gaku Nakatani]], [[Shinichiro Shimano]], [[Naoaki Tasaka]], [[Masaaki Somaki]]<br>
+
*'''Stage Design, Modeling:''' [[Gaku Nakatani]], [[Shinichiro Shimano]], [[Naoaki Tasaka]], [[Masaaki Somaki]]
: '''Planner'''
+
{{creditsheader|Planner}}
'''Planning Support:''' [[Manabu Tsukamoto]]<br>
+
*'''Planning Support:''' [[Manabu Tsukamoto]]
: '''Sound Designers'''
+
{{creditsheader|Sound Designers}}
'''Program:''' [[Hiroshi Kawaguchi]]<br>
+
*'''Program:''' [[Hiroshi Kawaguchi]]
'''Compose, SE:''' [[Takenobu Mitsuyoshi]], [[Fumio Ito]], [[Hidenori Shoji|Hidenori Syoji]]<br><br>
+
*'''Compose, SE:''' [[Takenobu Mitsuyoshi]], [[Fumio Ito]], [[Hidenori Shoji|Hidenori Syoji]]
'''Supervisor:''' [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]]<br>
+
*'''Supervisor:''' [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]]
: '''Assistant Programmers'''
+
{{creditsheader|Assistant Programmers}}
'''Reflection Mapping, Model3 Base:''' [[Takuji Masuda]]<br>
+
*'''Reflection Mapping, Model3 Base:''' [[Takuji Masuda]]
'''Collision, Pin Point Light, Utility:''' [[Takashi Fujimura]]<br>
+
*'''Collision, Pin Point Light, Utility:''' [[Takashi Fujimura]]
'''Polygon Converter:''' [[Kazuhiko Takata]]<br>
+
*'''Polygon Converter:''' [[Kazuhiko Takata]]
'''Sound, I/O Utility:''' [[Koki Koiwa]]<br>
+
*'''Sound, I/O Utility:''' [[Koki Koiwa]]
'''Test Mode, Coin Utility:''' [[Kazutoshi Tozawa]]<br>
+
*'''Test Mode, Coin Utility:''' [[Kazutoshi Tozawa]]
: '''Assistant Designers'''
+
{{creditsheader|Assistant Designers}}
'''Stage Design:''' [[Yasuo Kawagoshi]], [[Junichi Yamanaka]], [[Kazufumi Ohashi]], [[Hidenobu Miyakita]], [[Mitsugu Tsuchida]]<br>
+
*'''Stage Design:''' [[Yasuo Kawagoshi]], [[Junichi Yamanaka]], [[Kazufumi Ohashi]], [[Hidenobu Miyakita]], [[Mitsugu Tsuchida]]
'''Assistant Stage Design:''' [[Shinya Inoue]]<br>
+
*'''Assistant Stage Design:''' [[Shinya Inoue]]
'''Effect Design:''' [[Makio Kida]]<br>
+
*'''Effect Design:''' [[Makio Kida]]
'''Scroll Design:''' [[Yukinobu Arikawa]], [[Kazuhiro Izaki]]<br>
+
*'''Scroll Design:''' [[Yukinobu Arikawa]], [[Kazuhiro Izaki]]
'''Character Design:''' [[Akihito Hiroyoshi]], [[Daisuke Sato]]<br>
+
*'''Character Design:''' [[Akihito Hiroyoshi]], [[Daisuke Sato]]
'''Taka-Arashi Design:''' [[Tetsunari Iwasaki]]<br><br>
+
*'''Taka-Arashi Design:''' [[Tetsunari Iwasaki]]
'''Publicity:''' [[Yasushi Nakajima]], [[Yoshifusa Hayama]]<br>
+
*'''Publicity:''' [[Yasushi Nakajima]], [[Yoshifusa Hayama]]
'''Special Thanks:''' [[AM4|AM R&D Dept. #4]], AM Hardware R&D, [[AM2|AM R&D Dept. #2]] Technical Research Section, 81 Produce, Action Team AAC, [[Yasuyuki Hattori]], Terushige Watanabe, Yuko Ota<br>
+
*'''Special Thanks:''' [[AM4|AM R&D Dept. #4]], AM Hardware R&D, [[AM2|AM R&D Dept. #2]] Technical Research Section, 81 Produce, Action Team AAC, [[Yasuyuki Hattori]], Terushige Watanabe, Yuko Ota
'''Presented by:''' [[Sega]]<br>
+
*'''Presented by:''' [[Sega]]
 +
|cols=3}}
 +
|source=In-game credits
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Physical Scans==
+
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
<gallery>
 +
VirtuaFighter3 Model3 EU Flyer.jpg|EU flyer
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==Physical scans==
 +
{{ratings
 +
| icon=Arcade
 +
| cvg=100
 +
| cvg_source={{num|180|page=80-82|pdf=CVG UK 180.pdf|pdfpage=80}}
 +
| gamepro=83
 +
| gamepro_source={{num|99}}, ''[https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_099_Volume_09_Number_12_1996-12_IDG_Publishing_US#page/n49/mode/2up p52]''
 +
}}
 
{{Scanflyer
 
{{Scanflyer
 
| console=Model 3
 
| console=Model 3
Line 127: Line 153:
 
| page1=VirtuaFighter3 Model3 US Flyer.jpg
 
| page1=VirtuaFighter3 Model3 US Flyer.jpg
 
| page2=VirtuaFighter3 Model3 US Flyer2.jpg
 
| page2=VirtuaFighter3 Model3 US Flyer2.jpg
}}{{Scanflyer
+
}}
 +
 
 +
{{ScanArcade
 +
| type=upright
 
| console=Model 3
 
| console=Model 3
| region=EU
+
| region=US (Deluxe)
| page1=VirtuaFighter3 Model3 EU Flyer.jpg
+
| manual=VirtuaFighter3 Model3 US Manual Deluxe.pdf
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Technical information==
 +
In the Dreamcast port, the character model of Aoi Umenokoji consists of about 7500 polygons, with her head alone consisting of about 4300 polygons. In the water stage, the polygon count reaches up to 1.9 million polygons per second, about 32,000 polygons per scene at 60 FPS.
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
{{multicol|
 +
<references/>
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 138: Line 175:
 
[[Category:Model 3 Step 1.0 games]]
 
[[Category:Model 3 Step 1.0 games]]
 
[[Category:Unreleased Saturn games]]
 
[[Category:Unreleased Saturn games]]
[[Category:Unreleased Dreamcast games]]
 

Revision as of 14:42, 2 December 2016


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n/a

Virtuafighter3 title.png

Virtua Fighter 3
System(s): Sega Model 3 Step 1.0
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Distributor: Deith Leisure (UK)[1]
Genre: Fighting

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code

Virtua Fighter 3 (バーチャファイター3) is the third entry in the Virtua Fighter series, and a direct sequel to Virtua Fighter 2. It was released in 1996 for Sega Model 3 Step 1.0 arcade hardware, as the first game to hit the system, followed by Scud Race.

Virtua Fighter 3 makes predictable graphical and audio improvements over its predecessor, Virtua Fighter 2. Virtua Fighter 3 also adds new gameplay innovations such as multi-level play areas and dodge button, as well as two new playable characters, Aoi Umenokoji (a Japanese student) and Taka Arashi (a sumo wrestler). A port for the Sega Saturn was announced but ultimately cancelled, however an update, Virtua Fighter 3tb was released on the Dreamcast.

Video game magazines at the time described it as having the best video game graphics up until then, comparing its real-time graphics to pre-rendered CGI of that era.

It was followed by a sequel, Virtua Fighter 4, in 2001.

Gameplay

This iteration is the first in the series to have undulation in the stages, such as a staircase in the Great Wall stage, a stage set on top of a sloping roof and a raft constructed of individually moving elements on a bobbing water surface.

A fourth button, the Dodge, was added (the series had previously used only three - Kick, Punch and Guard). Pressing the button with the joystick in neutral or held up makes the character move into the screen (i.e. away from the viewer), while pressing the button with the joystick held down makes the character move out of the screen (i.e. towards the viewer). This 'evasion' technique enables players to dodge incoming attacks, creating opportunities to counter-attack almost immediately.

Characters

History

Virtua Fighter 3 was a launch title for Sega's Model 3 arcade board. Developed by Yu Suzuki's Sega AM2, it was a revolutionary game from a technical standpoint, with its detailed computer graphics earning widespread praise. Characters' eyes appeared to track the opponent's position, their muscles could flex and relax, and the fighting arenas featured stairs and slopes.

Development

The game was the last in the series until Virtua Fighter 5 R to include Taka Arashi. The series' current producer, Hiroshi Kataoka, explained that the removal of Taka in subsequent installments was due to the technical implications of having a substantially larger character. Indeed, the character was nearly cut from Virtua Fighter 3 due to difficulties with his jumping moves.

Concepts for Virtua Fighter 3 were drawn up and to some degree implemented in advance of the Model 3 board being finalised. In fact, for a while, it appears that Virtua Fighter 3 was literally just an enhanced version of Virtua Fighter 2, with select Japanese journalists being allowed access to what was presumably a version still running on Sega Model 2 code. 100,000 Sega Saturn owners we later given a promotional Virtua Fighter disc with pre-rendered artwork reportedly set to be used in Virtua Fighter 3 - this subsequently evolved into an eleven-part "CG Portrait series" starting with Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.1 Sarah Bryant[3].

Character animations used motion capture technology, like Virtua Fighter 2 before it. Aoi's traditional Japanese dance animations were motion-captured from a traditional Japanese dance instructor. Aoi and Jeffrey were the most difficult characters to depict. Aoi's kimono required a high level of programming, while Jeffrey's muscle movement was controlled by a software called "muscular control."[4]

Release

At the AOU Show 1996, in February 1996, Sega displayed tech demos of Lau Chan, Dural, and new character Aoi Umenokoji, who was unveiled for the first time at the show. However, Dural, the robotic final boss, garnered the most attention, due to being made of a metallic surface that reflected the surrounding environment. Sega also unveiled a playable demo at the same event, with two playable characters, Jacky and Dural[5]. The demo was later unveiled in North America at the 1996 ACME show, held during the 7th to 9th of March 1996.

On July 26 1996, private show of this game was held in Kamata, Tokyo, Japan.[6]

Around July 1996, it underwent location testing at Tokyo Joypolis, before getting a wider release in Japan in September 1996[7]. Reportedly the game was so popular during its initial location test that the average waiting time was eight hours, with people being forced to book slots ahead of time[8].

Saturn Prototype

Virtua Fighter 3 was due to be released on the Sega Saturn, albeit with vastly reduced graphics. A trailer was released during 1996 which made it onto numerous promotional videos and was featured in many magazines, although no gameplay footage of a Saturn version has ever emerged. The decision was later made to bring the game to the Sega Dreamcast instead, however significant delays meant that it was substituted for the improved Virtua Fighter 3tb.

Reportedly, Sega AM2 were working on a 3D accelerator cartridge for the Sega Saturn to boost the performance of a Saturn Virtua Fighter 3. This would have plugged into the Saturn's cartridge port to give the game extra resources at run-time, although the idea had been scrapped by mid-1997.[9]

Production credits

Programmers
Designers
Motion Designers
Character Designers
Stage Designers
Planner
Sound Designers
Assistant Programmers
Assistant Designers
Source:
In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Virtua Fighter 3/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
100 №180, p80-82[1]
83 №99, p52
Arcade
92
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Virtua Fighter 3

Template:Scanflyer

Model 3, US (Deluxe)
VirtuaFighter3 Model3 US Manual Deluxe.pdf
Manual

Technical information

In the Dreamcast port, the character model of Aoi Umenokoji consists of about 7500 polygons, with her head alone consisting of about 4300 polygons. In the water stage, the polygon count reaches up to 1.9 million polygons per second, about 32,000 polygons per scene at 60 FPS.

References



Virtua Fighter series
Virtua Fighter (Remix | PC) (1993-1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 (Mega Drive | Sega Ages 2500 Series) (1994-1996) | Virtua Fighter 3 (3tb | 3tb Online) (1996-1997) | Virtua Fighter 4 (Evolution | Final Tuned) (2001-2004) | Virtua Fighter 5 (R | Final Showdown | Ultimate Showdown) (2006-2021)
Spin-offs
Virtua Fighter Kids (1996) | Virtua Fighter Animation (1997) | Virtua Fighter 10th Anniversary (2003) | Virtua Quest (2004)
Cross-overs
Fighters Megamix (Game.com) | Dead or Alive 5 (5+ | Ultimate | Last Round) (2012-2015)
Portrait series
Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series: (1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | The Final) (1995-1996) | GG Portrait: Yuuki Akira (1996) | GG Portrait: Pai Chan (1996)
Others
Virtua Fighter (LCD) (1995) | Electronic Virtua Fighter (199x) | Virtua Fighter (R-Zone) (199x) | Virtua Fighter 3 Win-PC-Collection (1996) | Virtua Fighter (2007) | CR Virtua Fighter (2008) | Virtua Fighter Mobile (2008) | Pachinko CR Virtua Fighter Revolution (2012) | Virtua Fighter Cool Champ (2012) | Virtua Fighter Fever Combo (2014) | Virtua Fighter Pachislot (2014) | Virtua Fighter Battle Genesis (2019)
Unlicensed
Virtua Fighter 2 vs. Tekken 2 (199x)
Demo discs
Java Tea Original Virtua Fighter Kids (1996)
Albums
Music
Virtua Fighter: Saikyou no Senshi (1994) | Sega Saturn Virtua Fighter Maximum Mania (1994) | Virtua Fighter "Sega Saturn" Image by B-univ Neo Rising (1994) | Virtua Fighter 2 Dancing Shadows (1995) | Virtua Fighter Soundtrack Vol. 1: Shinshou Hassei (1995) | Virtua Fighter Soundtrack Vol. 2: Ryuuko Kaikou (1996) | Ai ga Tarinaize (1996) | Virtua Fighter Soundtrack Vol. 3: Koubou Banjou (1996) | Virtua Fighter Complete Vocal Collection (1996) | Virtua Fighter Kids Sound Tracks (1996) | Virtua Fighter 3 Sound Tracks (1996) | Fighters Megamix Sound Tracks (1997) | Virtua Fighter 3 On The Vocal (1997) | Kimi ga Inai Yoru (1997) | Virtua Fighter 4 Official Soundtrack (2002) | Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution Original Sound Tracks (2002) | Yuuki (2004) | Virtua Fighter 5 Original Sound Track (2011) | Virtua Fighter 5 R Official Sound (2012) | Virtua Fighter 5 Official Sound (2012) | Virtua Fighter Best Tracks + One (2015) | Virtua Fighter esports Premium Music Collection (2021) | Virtua Fighter (2023) | Virtua Fighter 3tb Online Premium Music Collection (2023)
Books
Book
Virtua Fighter Maniax (1994) | V Jump Books Game Series: Sega Saturn Virtua Fighter (1994) | Virtua Fighter Maniax Replays (1994) | Virtua Fighter Sega Saturn Fighting Manual Vol. 1 for Novice (1994) | Virtua Fighter Ougi no Sho (1995) | Virtua Fighter Maniax for Windows (1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 Act.1 (1995) | Virtua Fighter Sega Saturn Fighting Manual Vol. 2 for Expert (1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 Maniax Replays (1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 Act.2 (1995) | Virtua Fighter Remix Sega Saturn Fighting Manual Complete (1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 Maniax (1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 Sega Saturn Fighting Manual Vol. 1 for Novice (1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 Act.3 (1995) | Arcade Game Hisshou Hou Special: Virtua Fighter Kids (1996) | Virtua Fighter 3 Command Game Guide (1996) | Virtua Fighter Legend of Sarah (1996) | Virtua Fighter 2 Perfect Guide (1996) | Virtua Fighter 2 Fighter's Bible (1996) | Virtua Fighter 2 Game Guide Book (1996) | Virtua Fighter Graphics "Model 2" (1996) | Tokyo Virtua Monogatari (1996) | Virtua Fighter 2 Sega Saturn Fighting Manual Vol. 2 for Expert (1996) | Virtua Fighter Kids Fan Book (1996) | Virtua Fighter Honoo no Maki: Pai Chan Bukyou Gaiden (1996) | Virtua Fighter Ryuu no Maki: Touken Kairou (1996) | Virtua Fighter Kids Sega Saturn Fighting Manual (1996) | Virtua Fighter Kids Kyuukyoku Hon (1996) | Virtua Fighter Relax (1996) | Virtua Fighter: Arashi no Maki (1996) | Virtua Fighter 3 Act. 0.5 (1996) | Virtua Fighter 3 Act.1 (1996) | Virtua Fighter 3 Act.2 (1996) | Fighters Megamix Fighting Master's Guide (1997) | Fighters Megamix Official Guide (1997) | Virtua Fighter 2: Ten Stories (1997) | Fighters Mega Books (1997) | Fighters Megamix Comic Anthology (1997) | Virtua Fighter 3 Official Playing Guide (1998) | Virtua Fighter 3tb Kanzen Kouryaku Dokuhon (1998) | Virtua Fighter 3tb Perfect Guide (1998) | Virtua Fighter 4 Perfect Guide (2001) | Virtua Fighter 4 Yoku Wakaru Haoh Yousei Dojo (2002) | Virtua Fighter 4 Kanzen Kouryaku Guide PS2 Ban (2002) | PS2 Ban Virtua Fighter 4 Perfect Guide (2002) | Virtua Fighter 4 The Complete (2002) | Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution Perfect Guide (2002) | Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution: Yokuwakaru Hisshou Senjutsu Shinan (2003) | PS2 Ban Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution Complete Guide (2003) | Virtua Fighter 10th Anniversary: Memory of Decade (2003) | Virtua Fighter 2 Technical Archive (2004) | Virtua Fighter 4 Final Tuned Master Guide (2004) | Virtua Fighter Cyber Generation: Judgement Six no Yabou Kouryaku Navigation (2004) | Virtua Fighter 4 Final Tuned Orange Book: Junkies' Last Stand (2004) | Virtua Fighter 5 Technical Book (2006) | Virtua Fighter 5 White Book: Keep It Real (2006) | Virtua Fighter 5 Black Book: Keep It Moral (2007) | Virtua Fighter 5 for PlayStation 3 Complete Guide (2007) | Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown Masters Guide (2010) | Virtua Fighter no Neppa (2018)
TV and Film
Virtua Fighter CGMV (1994) | CGMV Virtua Fighter 2 (1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 (1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 Eternal Battle (1995) | Virtua Fighter (1995) | Virtua Fighter Special Training Pack (1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 Wheel of Fortune (1995) | Virtua Fighter 2 Wheel of Fortune The Best Bout (1996) | Sega Official Video Library Vol. 2: Virtua Fighter Kids (199x) | Virtua Fighter 3 (Columbia video series) (1996) | CGMV Special Virtua Fighter 3: Shippuu no Shou "System" (1996) | CGMV Special Virtua Fighter 3: Geki no Shou "Battle" (1996)