Virtua Fighter

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Model 1
  • Saturn
  • 32X

Virtua Fighter Title.png

VirtuaFighter Saturn JP SSTitle.png

VirtuaFighter32X 32X JP-US TitleScreen.png

Virtua Fighter
System(s): Sega Model 1, Sega 32X, Sega Saturn
Publisher: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Saturn
Sega 32X
Tec Toy (BR)
Sound driver:
Sega Saturn
SCSP/CD-DA (18 tracks)
Peripherals supported:
Sega 32X
Six Button Control Pad,
Sega Saturn
Saturn Backup Memory
Genre: Fighting Action/Kakutou Action (格闘アクション)[1][2], Action[3][4]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (Model 1)
JP
¥900,000[5] ?
Arcade (Model 1)
US
$? ?
Arcade (Model 1)
UK
£6,000[5] ?
Arcade (Model 1)
AS
? ?
























Sega Saturn
JP
¥8,8008,800 GS-9001
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
US
PACK-INpack 81005
ESRB: Teen
Sega Saturn
EU
MK81005-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
DE
MK81005-50
USK: 16
Sega Saturn
PT
STJ81005
Sega Saturn
UK
MK81005-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
PL
209zł209
Sega Saturn
AU
FSAT01SSS
Sega Saturn
BR
193016
Tectoy: 13+
Sega 32X
JP
¥7,8007,800 GM-4013
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega 32X
US
$69.9969.99[11] 84701
ESRB: Teen
Sega 32X
EU
MK84701-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega 32X
ES
19,900Ptas19,900[17] MK84701-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega 32X
PT
XJ84701
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega 32X
UK
£49.9949.99[15][16] MK84701-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega 32X
AU
FVIR07SXC
Sega 32X
BR
153020
Tectoy: Todas as Idades

Virtua Fighter (バーチャファイター) is a fighting game developed by Sega AM2 and published by Sega Enterprises, Ltd. for Sega Model 1 arcade hardware in 1993. It is the first game in the Virtua Fighter series. It is often cited as being the first fully 3D fighting game released to the general public, and is a basis for almost all subsequent games in the genre.

It was an influential game in the development of 3D polygon graphics, popularizing it among a wider audience (along with Virtua Racing), demonstrating 3D human character models effectively, with realistic movement and physics, and creating the basic template for later 3D fighting games (such as Tekken, the Soul series and Dead or Alive), and playing a key role in the development of early fifth-generation consoles (the Sega Saturn and PlayStation). It was followed by a 1994 sequel, Virtua Fighter 2.

Story

While much of the first Virtua Fighter's story would be retroactively filled in by newer games and merchandise, the basic premise of the first game is that martial artist Akira Yuki, specialising in the forgotten art form of "Hakkyoku-ken" enters the World Fighting Tournament, in an attempt to be recognised as the greatest fighter in the world.

Gameplay

Virtua Fighter is a one-on-one versus fighting game, pitting two of eight characters (nine, if Dural is included) against each other in a three-dimensional arena to fight over the best of three matches (or "sets" as referred in-game). Players win a match point if their opponent's life bar is depleted, by a "ring-out" (when one of the opponents falls off the edge of the ring), or has less health when the in-game timer reaches 0. The arcade version's cabinet utilises an eight-way control stick and three buttons: P (punch), K (kick), and G (guard, also referred as defense/block); with the punch and kick buttons not having different "strenghts" like other fighting games. Movement of the characters with the control stick is done with Left and Right to move away/towards the opponent; Down to crouch; holding Down-left or Down-right while standing or crouching makes the character slowly crawl backwards/forwards; and Up, Up-left, or Up-right are used to make the character jump into that respective direction, with characters having access to two jump heights, depending of how long the player holds any of the up directions. Each attack has their own damage values, with attacks that deal 30 points of damage or more causing knockdown.

While fights take place in a 3D arena, players can only manipulate their characters in a two-dimensional manner, with movement on the third dimension being dictated by the characters' attacks and special moves. Unlike other fighting games at the time, the characters do not turn around automatically when an opponent gets behind them, requiring to tap the required direction in order to face each other. While considered a milestone in real-time 3D graphics, the 3D has limitations, with every arena being a flat square and backgrounds 2D in nature. It also operates with a refresh rate of only 30FPS — half that of Virtua Racing (and Virtua Fighter 2).

Virtua Fighter takes a more realistic approach to combat than many of its popular 2D rivals from the likes of Capcom or SNK, with characters using real world fighting techniques (as opposed to genre-defining Street Fighter II which arms characters with fictional chi-based special attacks and projectiles). It is a slower-paced game as a result, though with hundreds of moves and a computer able to adapt to the player's fighting powers, a more tactical fighter than others on the market. Where this does not apply in the original Virtua Fighter (and its sequel) is the jumping mechanics, with characters being able to jump twice their body height (as was the case in other fighting games of the time).

Unique to Virtua Fighter upon release was the concept of characters receiving "visual damage". If hit with a barrage of attacks, loose items of clothing (for example, Pai's hat or Kage's headband and mask) will fall off and lie on the arena floor until the match is over. This feature makes no difference to gameplay, but would become a staple in many of Sega's fighting games going forward. Another new concept upon release was that of alternate costumes; during a versus match where both players selected the same character, one of the players would receive a secondary costume for that character. This feature would also inspire later 3D fighting games.

Back Attack

Back Attacks are used to defend against an opponent who is coming from behind. When an opponent is behind a character who is facing backwards, the character can perform a Back Attack by pressing P or K. Pressing P performs a standing punch back attack, and K performs a high kick back attack.

Quick Step and Running

Quick Steps can be used for quickly move around the ring. When quickly tapping (if facing to the right) RightRight, the player's character will quick step forwards, which is called a Quick Forward; and by quickly tapping LeftLeft, the player's character performs a backwards quick step, which is referred as Step Back.

Running is performed by quickly tapping Right, followed by pressing and holding Right. It is only possible to run in the direction the character is facing, for example: if the character is facing away from the opponent, he can run backwards by tapping Left then pressing and holding Left again.

Short Jump

Quickly tapping Up performs a short jump, which can be used to hop over low attacks; tapping Up-left makes the fighter Short jump backwards, and tapping Up-right makes the fighter do a forward Short Jump. During a short jump, characters can perform various jumping attacks by pressing P or K. Pai, Lau, Jacky, Sarah and Kage can perform a backflip instead of a back jump when quick tapping Up-left. Backflips can be chained up to three times.

Giant Leap

Also called Big Jump (大ジャンプ), a Giant Leap is performed by holding Up, in which characters can leap very high up into the air; by holding Up-left or Up-right, the characters can respectively Giant Leap backwards and forwards. During a Giant Leap the characters do a variety of jumping attacks by pressing Right P for a spinning sledgehammer punch; Right K for a dropkick; Left K for a reverse dropkick; and finally, pressing K while simultaneously jumping, while airborne, or while landing out of a Giant Leap for a variety of jump kick attacks.

Throws

Throws are performed by inputting a special command while standing near the opponent, and are completely unblockable. All characters (except for Akira) have access to a default throw technique by pressing P+G while close to the opponent. In addition, all characters have access to their own command throws.

Throws are subdivided in three categories: High Throws, which are performed on a standing opponent; Low Throws, which are performed on a crouching opponent; and Back Throws, which are performed on opponents whose back is turned towards the player.

Down Attack

Also referred as Stomp Attack, Down Attacks are attacks that are used for hitting a knocked down opponent for additional damage. The input motion for this move is Up P or HOLD UpP when the opponent is in a knocked down state, which causes the character to automatically jump towards the knocked down opponent and attack them. Down Attacks performed with Up P deal less damage but are hard to dodge, while Down Attacks performed by HOLD UpP deal more damage, but are easier to dodge.

Quick Recovery

When a fighter gets knocked down, or gets into a knocked down state after performing some specific moves, they'll get get up automatically after a few seconds, however during this time they are vulnerable to an opponent's Down Attack. During a knocked down state, players can perform a Quick Recovery in order to get up quickly. Listed below are the two types of Quick Recovery.

Recovery is a more defensive type of Quick Recovery, being useful to dodge down attacks.

Move list (Recovery)
Name Command Description
Quick stand up Rapidly tap Left and Right The character will get up more quickly.
Backwards roll Hold Left The character will roll backwards then get up.
Side roll stand up GGGGG The character will roll to the side, either towards or away from the camera, then get up.
Spring up onto feet Hold Up The character gets up in their feet with a kip-up, which can be used to dodge certain Down attacks.

Kick Recovery is a more offensive type of quick recovery, being used to quickly attack the opponent right after getting up.

Move list (Kick recovery)
Name Command Description
High Kick KKKKK The character gets up with a spinning high kick.
Sweep Kick HOLD DownKKKKK The character performs a sweep kick, then stand back up.
Side Roll and Sweep Kick GGGGG then K The character will side roll either towards or away from the camera, then perform a sweep kick.

Arcade Mode

In the arcade mode, the player completes a series of 8 Stages (referred as "Rounds" in-game) where he fights against all playable characters in a fixed order (regardless of the character chosen): Jacky, Jeffry, Sarah, Kage, Pai, Wolf, Lau, and Akira. After completing all 8 Rounds, players enter the "Bonus Stage", where they are pitted against Dural in a best of five match. It is not possible to use any continues during the Bonus Stage, meaning the player only has one chance to defeat Dural.

Characters

Virtua Fighter contains eight characters each employing a different fighting style. A ninth character, Dural, is not readily available to players.

As well as detailing their careers and hobbies, Virtua Fighter also lists the character's blood type, which in Japanese culture can determine one's personality.

Virtua Fighter claims to feature over 700 moves[18][19][20], many of which were left undocumented for players to find them on their own.

Note: Move lists assume the player is standing, facing right. If facing left, Left and Right should be reversed.
VirtuaFighter Akira Portrait.png Akira Yuki
Akira is a 25-year-old kung-fu teacher with blood type O. Akira is largely considered the main protagonist of Virtua Fighter, featuring predominantly on the games' cover art.
Move list (regular attacks)
Name Command Description
Chusui (冲捶) P Akira's normal standing punch.
Housui (崩捶) P while crouching Akira's crouching punch.
Shoutai (昇腿󠄀) K Akira's standing high kick.
Youzentai (易前腿󠄀) K while crouching Akira's crouching low kick.
Sokutai (側腿󠄀) HOLD Down-rightK Akira's mid-level kick.
Move list (Short Jump attacks)
Name Command Description
Rakuho Sousui (落歩双捶) P during Short Jump's ascent Akira performs a hopping downward double hammer punch, which knocks the opponent down on hit.
Rakuho Sui (落歩捶) P while descending from a Short Jump Akira performs a step punch after landing from a Short Jump, which knocks down on hit.
Choushitai (跳刺腿󠄀) K during Short Jump's ascent Akira performs a hopping side kick.
Shitai (刺腿󠄀) K just before landing Akira performs a forward step kick after landing from a Short Jump.
Move list (Back Attacks)
Name Command Description
Kenhaisui (拳背捶) P when the opponent is behind Akira performs a turn-around punch.
Koushutai (後蹴腿󠄀) K when the opponent is behind Akira performs a turn-around high kick which knocks down on hit.
Move list (down attacks)
Name Command Description
Gekihousui (撃崩捶) Up P
Move list (special moves)
Name Command Description
Hachimon Kaida (八門開打) PP
Kansuitai (環捶腿󠄀) PK
Jouho Chouchuu (上歩頂肘) Right P Akira performs a forward advancing elbow strike.
Rimon Chouchuu (裡門頂肘) RightRight P Akira performs a charging underhand elbow strike that knocks the opponent down on hit.
Mouko Kouhazan (猛虎硬爬山) HOLD DownRight P Akira performs a charging palm strike that knocks the opponent down on hit.
Utankyaku (右揣脚) RightRight K Akira performs a forward hop kick. Its possible to input the command for this move while holding the G button. The move's name is also read as Migitankyaku.
Renkantai (連環腿󠄀) RightRight KK Akira performs a forward hopping double kick attack. Its possible to input the command for this move while holding the G button.
Doppo Choushitsu (独歩頂膝) RightRight K+G, then quickly release G for 1 frame while still holding K (close to opponent) Akira performs a flying knee strike. When it hits an opponent, this attack will launch them up into the air.
Tetsuzankou (鉄山靠) LeftRightRight P+K Akira performs a charging back shoulder lean that knocks the opponent down on hit.
Soukahou (槍下炮) Down-right P near the knocked down opponent Akira's unique Down Attack. Akira strikes the knocked down opponent with a downward punch. The move can be repeated indefinitely, but players must wait a moment between hits.
Toushin Soutai (倒身捜腿󠄀) Left P (close to opponent) Akira grabs the opponent and trips them with his leg.
Shin'iha (心意把) Down-leftRight P (close to opponent) Akira grabs the opponent's arm, then knocks them away with a shoulder tackle.
Youshi Senrin (鷂子穿林) LeftDown-right P+K (close to opponent) Akira goes behind the opponent at three-quarters back from them, then performs a charging back shoulder lean from there, which temporarily stuns the opponent. When an opponent gets hit by this move, they will move slightly to the left of Akira's initial position.
VirtuaFighter Pai Portrait.png Pai Chan
Pai is an 18-year-old "action star" whose hobbies include dancing. She has blood type O.
Move list (regular attacks)
Name Command Description
Chuuken (冲拳) P Pai's normal standing punch.
Souchuken (掃冲拳) P while crouching Pai's crouching punch.
Sentai (旋腿󠄀) K Pai's standing high kick.
Sensaitai (旋栽腿󠄀) K while crouching Pai's crouching low kick.
Senchuutai (旋中腿󠄀) HOLD Down-rightK Pai's mid-level kick.
Move list (Short Jump attacks)
Name Command Description
Toukuu Soushou (謄空双掌) P during Short Jump's ascent Pai performs a hopping downward knifehand chop with both hands, which knock down the opponent on hit. When this attack is done in a neutral jump, Pai inches slightly forward.
Toukuu Chuuken (謄空冲拳) P while descending from a Short Jump Pai performs a step punch after landing from a Short Jump, which knocks down on hit.
Hishitai (飛刺腿󠄀) K during Short Jump's ascent Pai performs a hopping side kick.
Toukuu Soku Inkyaku (謄空側陰脚) K just before landing Pai performs a forward step kick after landing from a Short Jump.
Move list (Giant Leap attacks)
Name Command Description
Hien Youshuu (飛燕鷹蹴) HOLD RightK while during Giant Leap's ascent Pai performs a jumping dive kick that knocks down the opponent on hit. Whether the attack hits or misses, Pai always lands on her feet.
Move list (down attacks)
Name Command Description
Enshuu Raigeki (燕襲雷撃) Up P Pai leaps towards the opponent, using both of her knees to land across them.
Enshuu Kouraigeki (燕襲高雷撃) HOLD UpP
Move list (special moves)
Name Command Description
Renkentai (連拳腿󠄀) PK Pai's punch into roundhouse kick two-hit combo. Similar combo to Lau's.
Raigekishou (雷撃掌) PPP Pai performs a three hit punch combo.
Souken Senputai (双拳旋風腿󠄀) PPK Pai performs a two hit punch combo that ends into a roundhouse kick.
Renkan Tenshin Kyaku PPPK
Renkan Tenshin Soukyaku PPPDownK
Renkan Haitenkyaku PPPUp-leftK
Senpuuga (旋風牙) K+G Same technique as Lau's.
Ensen Shuu (燕旋蹴) HOLD DownK+G Same technique as Lau's.
Taitou Risenkyaku (腿󠄀登裏旋脚) Press K while standing up from crouch Pai performs a forward advancing roundhouse kick from a crouching position that knocks down the opponent on hit. Same technique as Lau's.
Haitenkyaku (背転脚) Up-left K Pai performs a backflip kick.
Risentai (離旋腿󠄀) Up-leftUp-left K Pai performs a backflip followed by a backflip kick.
Rai'in Shouda (雷陰掌打) Down-right P near the knocked down opponent Pai's unique Down Attack. Pai strikes the knocked down opponent with a downward punch. The move can be repeated indefinitely, but players must wait a moment between hits.
Tenshin Soutou (転身捜倒) P+G (close to opponent) Normal throw technique.
Rasen Anshou (螺旋按掌) Left P against a opponent's high kick A catch counter throw against high kick attacks; Pai catches the opponent's kick attack, then throws them to her left.
Ensen Hairyuu (燕旋擺柳) Left P against a opponent's high punch A catch counter throw against high punch attacks; Pai catches the opponent's punch attack, then flips them on their back.
Senpuu Enjin (旋風燕陣) LeftRight P (close to opponent) High Throw technique.
Tenchi Touraku (天地頭落) RightDown P (close to opponent) DDT-like throw technique.
Toushin Inshou (倒身陰掌) RightRight P+K (close to opponent) High Throw technique.
VirtuaFighter Lau Portrait.png Lau Chan
Lau, father of Pai, is a 53-year-old Chinese cook. He has blood type B and enjoys Chinese poetry.

During development, Lau was known as both "Lee" and "Tao".

Move list (regular attacks)
Name Command Description
Chuuken (冲拳) P Lau's normal standing punch.
Souchuuken (掃冲拳) P while crouching Lau's crouching punch.
Katsumentai (括面腿󠄀) K Lau's standing high kick.
Sensaitai (旋栽腿󠄀) K while crouching Lau's crouching low kick.
Senchuutai (旋中腿󠄀) HOLD Down-rightK Lau's mid-level kick.
Move list (Short Jump attacks)
Name Command Description
Toukuu Soushou (謄空双掌) P during Short Jump's ascent Lau performs a hopping downward knifehand chop with both hands, which knock down the opponent on hit. When this attack is done in a neutral Short Jump, Lau inches slightly forward.
Toukuu Chuuken (謄空冲拳) P while descending from a Short Jump Lau performs a step punch after landing from a Short Jump, which knocks down on hit.
Hishitai (飛刺腿󠄀) K during Short Jump's ascent Lau performs a hopping side kick.
Toukuu Soku Inkyaku (謄空側陰脚) K just before landing Lau performs a forward step kick after landing from a Short Jump.
Move list (down attacks)
Name Command Description
Kosou Raishuu (虎爪雷蹴) Up P Lau jumps toward the knocked down opponent and lands on them with a two foot stomp.
Kosou Renshuu (虎爪連蹴) HOLD UpP Lau jumps toward the knocked down opponent and lands on them with a two foot stomp, followed by a second stomp attack.
Move list (special moves)
Name Command Description
Renkentai (連拳腿󠄀) PK Lau's punch into roundhouse kick two-hit combo.
Raigekishou (雷撃掌) PPP Lau performs a three hit punch combo.
Souken Senputai (双拳旋風腿󠄀) PPK Lau performs a two hit punch combo that ends into a roundhouse kick.
Renkan Tenshin Kyaku PPPK
Renkan Tenshin Soukyaku PPPDownK
Renkan Haitenkyaku PPPUp-leftK
Shakashou (斜下掌) Down-right P Lau performs a forward palm strike that can also hit crouching opponents. If this move hits as a counter, the opponent will be launched into the air. This move can be chained into a series of combos.
Shajoushou (斜上掌) HOLD Down-rightP Lau performs a rising palm strike that can also hit crouching opponents. If this move hits as a counter, the opponent will be launched higher into the air than with Shakashou. This move can be chained into a series of combos.
Chugeki (肘撃) Right P Lau performs a forward advancing elbow strike.
Taitou Risenkyaku (腿󠄀登裏旋脚) Press K while standing up from crouch Lau performs a forward advancing roundhouse kick from a crouching position that knocks down the opponent on hit.
Rekkakosen Kyaku (烈火虎尖脚) Up-right K Lau performs a low jumping high kick. It looks similar to Hishitai, but the gap for the attack to hit the opponent is shorter, making it easier to connect to other attacks.
Senpuuga (旋風牙) K+G
Ensen Shuu (燕旋蹴) HOLD DownK+G
Kokyaku Haiten (虎脚背転) Up-left K Lau performs a backflip kick.
Risentai (離旋腿󠄀) Up-leftUp-left K Lau performs a backflip followed by a backflip kick.
Kensha Touraku (肩車頭落) P+G (close to opponent) Normal throw technique.
Ryusha Senten (柳車旋転) Left P (close to opponent) Lau performs a back drop on the opponent.
Tenshin Ha'inshou (転進巴咽掌) LeftRight P (close to opponent) Lau grabs the opponent by the neck, then does a jumping chokeslam.
VirtuaFighter Wolf Portrait.png Wolf Hawkfield
Wolf is a 27-year-old Canadian wrestler who enjoys karaoke. He has blood type O.
Move list (regular attacks)
Name Command Description
Straight Hammer (ストレートハンマー) P Wolf's normal standing punch.
Low Hammer (ローハンマー) P while crouching Wolf's crouching punch.
High Kick (ハイキック) K Wolf's standing high kick.
Low Smash (ロースマッシュ) K while crouching Wolf's crouching low kick.
Face-Lift Kick (フェイスリフトキック) HOLD Down-rightK Wolf's mid-level kick.
Move list (Short Jump attacks)
Name Command Description
Step Hammer (ステップハンマー) P during Short Jump's ascent Wolf performs a hopping downward double hammer punch, which knocks the opponent down on hit.
Rock Punch (ロックパンチ) P while descending from a Short Jump Wolf performs a step punch after landing from a Short Jump, which knocks down on hit.
Toe Crush (トークラッシュ) K during Short Jump's ascent Wolf performs a hopping side kick.
Hammer Edge (ハンマーエッジ) K just before landing Wolf performs a forward step kick after landing from a Short Jump.
Move list (Giant Leap attacks)
Name Command Description
Drop Kick (ドロップキック) HOLD RightK during Giant Leap's ascent Wolf performs a jumping front dropkick, which if whiffs or hits the opponent causes Wolf to land on his back, entering a knocked down state.
Move list (down attacks)
Name Command Description
Elbow (エルボー) Up P Wolf performs a jumping elbow drop into the knocked down opponent.
High Elbow (ハイエルボー) HOLD UpP Wolf jumps high up towards the knocked down opponent, striking them with a elbow drop.
Move list (special moves)
Name Command Description
Jab - Straight PP
Hammer Kick PK
One-Two Upper (1・2、アッパー) PPP
Sonic Upper (ソニックアッパー) Down-right P Wolf performs a right hand uppercut.
Vertical Upper (バーティカルアッパー) HOLD Down-rightP Wolf performs a crouching uppercut.
Knee Blast (ニーブラスト) Right K Wolf performs a flying knee strike. When it hits an opponent, this attack will launch them up into the air.
Axe Lariat (アックスラリアート) RightRight P Wolf does a running clothesline, which knocks down on hit. This move can be dodged by crouching under it.
Shoulder Attack (ショルダー・アタック) LeftRight P Wolf performs a shoulder tackle that knocks the opponent away on hit.
Brainbuster (ブレーンバスター) P+G (close to opponent) Wolf's Normal Throw technique; Wolf performs a vertical suplex on the opponent.
Body Slam (ボディスラム) Right P (close to opponent)
Splash Mountain (スプラッシュマウンテン) Down-rightDown-right P+K (close to opponent) Same move as Jeffry. Also, this is the only game in the series (alongside Virtua Fighter Remix and Virtua Fighter PC) in which Wolf can perform this move.
Giant Swing (ジャイアントスイング) Left Down-left Down Down-right Right P (close to opponent) Wolf's command throw. It can also be inputted as Left Down Right P.
Double Arm Suplex (ダブルアームスープレックス) Down-left P+K+G (close to crouched opponent) Wolf's Low Throw.
German Suplex (ジャーマンスープレックス) P+G (standing directly behind opponent) Wolf's Back Throw technique.
VirtuaFighter Jeffry Portrait.png Jeffry Mcwild
Jeffry is a 36-year-old fisherman from Australia who enjoys reggae music. He has blood type A.

Curiously, Jeffry's prototype name was "Dural", a name re-assigned to the final character of the game. He was also briefly known as "Willy".

Move list (regular attacks)
Name Command Description
Straight Knuckle (ストレートナックル) P Jeffry's normal standing punch.
Low Knuckle (ローナックル) P while crouching Jeffry's crouching punch.
Upper Kick (アッパーキック) K Jeffry's standing high kick. Also called Uppercut Kick[21].
Vertical Kick (バーティカルキック) K while crouching Jeffry's crouching low kick.
Side Kick (サイドキック) HOLD Down-rightK Jeffry's mid-level kick.
Move list (Short Jump attacks)
Name Command Description
Hammer Down (ハンマーダウン) P during Short Jump's ascent Jeffry performs a hopping downward double hammer punch, which knocks the opponent down on hit.
Step Knuckle (ステップナックル) P while descending from a Short Jump Jeffry performs a step punch after landing from a Short Jump, which knocks down on hit.
Step Kick (ステップキック) K during Short Jump's ascent Jeffry performs a hopping side kick.
Pushing Kick (プッシングキック) K just before landing Jeffry performs a forward step kick after landing from a Short Jump.
Move list (Giant Leap attacks)
Name Command Description
Rising Sun Hammer (ライジングサンハンマー) HOLD RightP during Giant Leap's ascent Jeffry performs a spinning downward sledgehammer punch, which when whiffs or hits the opponent, Jeffry lands with a short forward roll.
Killing Bites (キリングバイツ) K simultaneously while performing a Giant Leap Jeffry performs a jumping high kick that only hits on the way up, knocking down standing opponents.
Jumping Foot Stamp (ジャンピングフットスタンプ) HOLD RightK during Giant Leap's ascent Jeffry performs a jumping front dropkick, which if whiffs or hits the opponent, causes Jeffry to land on his back. Also called Jumping Foot Stomp[22].
Flying Low Kick (フライングローキック) K during Giant Leap's ascent Jeffry performs a jump kick that only hits airborne opponents.
Move list (down attacks)
Name Command Description
Flying Body Press (フライングボディプレス) Up P Jeffry leaps towards the opponent, landing on them stomach first.
Raiden Drop (ライデンドロップ) HOLD UpP Jeffry jumps high up into the air towards the downed opponent, landing buttocks first into them.
Move list (special moves)
Name Command Description
Double Knuckle PP
Knuckle Kick PK
One-Two Upper (1・2、アッパー) PPP
Smash Upper (スマッシュアッパー) Down-right P Jeffry performs a right hand uppercut.
Double Upper (ダブルアッパー) Down-right PP Jeffry performs a right hand uppercut followed by a left hand uppercut.
Dash Elbow (ダッシュエルボー) RightRight P
Toe Kick (トーキック) Down K Jeffry performs a forward kick, in which he hits the opponent with the ball of his feet.
Toe Kick Hammer (トーキックハンマー) Down KP Jeffry does a Toe Kick followed by a Hammer Punch.
Jump Hammer (ジャンプハンマー) P during Giant Leap's ascent Jeffry's unique Giant Leap attack. Jeffry performs a downward hammer punch when descending from a Giant Leap, which knocks the opponent down on hit.
Jumping Knuckle (ジャンピングナックル) P while descending from a Giant Leap Jeffry's unique Giant Leap attack. Jeffry lands from the Giant Leap with a step punch that knocks the opponent down on hit.
Knee Attack (ニーアタック) Right K Jeffry performs a flying knee strike. When it hits an opponent, this attack will launch them up into the air.
Vertical Upper (バーティカルアッパー) HOLD Down-rightP Jeffry performs a crouching uppercut.
Elbow Hammer (エルボーハンマー) RightLeft P Jeffry does a elbow strike followed by a Hammer Punch.
Back Flip (バックフリップ) P+G (close to opponent) Jeffry's Normal throw technique.
Powerslam (パワースラム) Right P (close to opponent) Jeffry performs a scoop powerslam on the opponent.
Body Lift (ボディーリフト) LeftLeft P (close to opponent) The drawback of this move is that if the grabbed opponent repeatedly presses any buttons, the damage of the throw will be reduced. Also can be inputted as just Left P after dodging an opponent's high attack.
Splash Mountain (スプラッシュマウンテン) Down-rightDown-right P+K (close to opponent) Jeffry's command throw.
Iron Claw (アイアンクロー) Down P (close to crouching opponent) Jeffry grabs the crouched opponent's neck and holds them up in the air, then throws them into the ground.
Powerbomb (パワーボム) Down-right P+K+G (close to crouching opponent) Jeffry's Low Throw.
Machine Gun Knee Lift (マシンガンニーリフト) DownRight P (close to crouching opponent) Jeffry grabs the crouched opponent's head and hits them with three knee strikes
Backbreaker (バックブリーカー) P+G (standing directly behind opponent) Jeffry's Back Throw technique. Must be performed from behind the opponent.
VirtuaFighter Kage Portrait.png Kage-Maru (影丸)
Kage-Maru (also spelt as Kagemaru, Kage Maru or just Kage) is a 21-year-old ninja who plays mahjong for a hobby. He has blood type B.

Kage was originally known as "Yagyu" during development.

Move list (regular attacks)
Name Command Description
Danken (弾拳) P Kage's normal standing punch. Kage does a forward spearhand strike.
Jizuri Dan (地擂り弾) P while crouching Kage's crouching punch.
Tsukikaeshi Geri (突き返し蹴り) K Kage's standing high kick.
Suri Geri (擂り蹴り) K while crouching Kage's crouching low kick.
Naka Geri (中蹴り) HOLD Down-rightK Kage's mid-level kick.
Move list (Short Jump attacks)
Name Command Description
Shutou (手刀) P during Short Jump's ascent Kage performs a hopping downward knifehand chop, which knocks the opponent down on hit. When this attack is done in a neutral jump, Kage inches slightly forward.
Tobi Seiken (飛び正拳) P while descending from a Short Jump Kage performs a step punch after landing from a Short Jump, which knocks down on hit.
Tobi Kakato Otoshi (飛び踵落とし) K during Short Jump's ascent Kage performs a hopping side kick.
Tsuki Kakato Geri (突き踵蹴り) K just before landing Kage performs a forward step kick after landing from a Short Jump.
Move list (Giant Leap attacks)
Name Command Description
Rakuyou (落葉) HOLD RightP during Giant Leap's ascent Kage performs a downward spinning headbutt, which when whiffs or hits the opponent, Kage lands with a short roll.
Hishougeri (飛翔蹴り) K simultaneously while performing a Giant Leap Kage performs a jumping high kick that only hits on the way up, knocking down standing opponents. Kage can perform this move during a forward Giant Leap only when near the opponent.
Kuuhadan (空巴弾) HOLD RightK during Giant Leap's ascent Kage performs a jumping dropkick, which when whiffs or hits the opponent, Kage lands with a short back roll.
Move list (down attacks)
Name Command Description
Hiendan (飛延弾) Up P (close to the knocked down opponent) Kage does a high jump forward, then lands head first into the knocked down opponent. If the opponent dodges this move, Kage lands head first on the ground and enters a knocked down state — which during the part where he lands head first, he is vulnerable to any attack.
Asuka (飛鳥) Up P (at mid range of the knocked down opponent) Kage does a high jumping backflip towards the knocked down opponent that ends on a stomp. After successfully landing the move on the opponent, Kage jumps forward and lands facing backwards. If the opponent dodges this move, Kage will just land on his feet behind the opponent.
Hishougeki (飛翔撃) Up P (at far range from the knocked down opponent) Kage does a high jumping backflip towards the knocked down opponent and then lands on them with both knees. After successfully landing the move on the opponent, Kage does a forward roll, getting up with his back turned towards the opponent. If the opponent dodges this move, Kage lands on his knees, usually behind the opponent and gets up slowly.
Move list (special moves)
Name Command Description
Resshou (烈掌) PP Kage performs a two-hit spearhand strike combo.
Hagasane (葉重ね) PK
Sandan Urageri (散弾裏蹴り) PPPK Kage performs a two-hit spearhand strike combo, followed by a knifehand hook, finishing with a spinning back kick.
Sandan Fujinkyaku (散弾風神脚) PPPUp-leftK Kage performs a two-hit spearhand strike combo, followed by a knifehand hook, finishing with a backflip kick.
Hiji Uchi (肘打ち) Right P Kage performs a forward advancing elbow strike.
Fushin Hiza Geri (浮身膝蹴り) HOLD DownRight K Kage performs a forward jumping knee strike.
Suisha Geri (水車蹴り) Up-left K Kage performs a somersault kick, similar to Sarah and Jacky's Somersault Kick. This move also can break an opponent's crouching guard.
Senpuu Geri (旋風蹴り) LeftLeft K Kage performs a backflip kick. Its possible to input the command for this move while holding G.
Ryuu'ei Kyaku (流影脚) RightRight K Kage performs a forward backheel sweep. Its possible to input the command for this move while holding G.
Rairyuu Hishoukyaku (雷龍飛翔脚) RightRight P+K+G Kage performs a forward roll, then kicks off the floor with his hands into a forward catapult kick. This move cannot be blocked high.
Taitou (太刀) P+G (close to opponent) Kage's normal throw technique. Kage performs a hip throw; the opponent is thrown behind Kage slightly to the left axle.
Koenraku (弧延落) Left P (close to opponent) Kage grabs the opponent and falls backward, rolling on his own back and using his foot to launch them backwards in a very high arc into the air, with the opponent taking damage when they fall back into the ground. While the opponent is airborne, Kage can follow up with an attack and/or with a variety of combos, albeit canceling the damage from the throw if he hits them while they are still airborne.
Katana Gasumi (刀霞) P+K+G (close to opponent) High Throw technique; Kage flips the opponent upside down.
Kage Gasumi (影霞) LeftRight P (close to opponent) High Throw technique.
Haura Gasumi (葉裏霞) P+G (standing directly behind opponent) Kage's Back Throw technique.
VirtuaFighter Sarah Portrait.png Sarah Bryant
Sarah is a 20-year-old female college student from the United States. She enjoys sky diving and has blood type AB. She shares a few of her special moves with Jacky.

In earlier versions of the game, Sarah's name was spelt without the "h" (i.e. "Sara").

Move list (normal attacks)
Name Command Description
Straight Lead (ストレート・リード) P Sarah's normal standing punch.
Squat Straight (スクァト・ストレート) P while crouching Sarah's crouching punch.
Vertical Hook Kick (ヴァーティカル・フック・キック) K Sarah's standing high kick.
Low Kick (ローキック) K while crouching Sarah's crouching low kick.
Middle Kick (ミドルキック) HOLD Down-rightK Sarah's mid-level kick.
Move list (Short Jump attacks)
Name Command Description
Elbow (エルボー) P during Short Jump's ascent Sarah performs a hopping downward elbow strike, which knocks the opponent down on hit.
Step Straight (ステップストレート) P while descending from a Short Jump Sarah performs a step punch after landing from a Short Jump, which knocks down on hit.
Step Hook Kick (ステップフックキック) K during Short Jump's ascent Sarah performs a hopping side kick.
Step Heel Kick (ステップヒールキック) K just before landing Sarah performs a forward step kick after landing from a Short Jump.
Move list (Giant Leap attacks)
Name Command Description
Jump Kick (ジャンプキック) K simultaneously while performing a Giant Leap Sarah performs a jumping high kick that only hits on the way up, knocking down standing opponents.
Dragon Kick (ドラゴンキック) HOLD RightK while during Giant Leap's ascent Sarah performs a jumping side kick that lasts up until she hits the ground, landing on her hip and getting up moving slightly to either side.
Middle Kick (ミドルキック) K during Giant Leap's ascent Sarah performs a jump kick that only hits airborne opponents.
Move list (Back Attacks)
Name Command Description
Turn Knuckle (ターン・ナックル) P when the opponent is behind Sarah performs a turn around jab punch.
Turn Kick (ターン・キック) K when the opponent is behind Sarah performs a turn around backheel kick which knocks down on hit.
Move list (down attacks)
Name Command Description
Jumping Knee Stamp (ジャンピングニースタンプ) Up P Sarah jumps towards the opponent, using one knee to strike them while using the other leg to balance herself. Also known as Jumping Knee Stomp[23].
High Jump Knee Stamp (ハイジャンプニースタンプ) HOLD UpP Also known as Hi-Jump Knee Stomp[23]. Sarah jumps high up into the air towards the opponent, using one knee to strike them while using the other leg to balance herself.
Move list (special moves)
Name Command Description
Double Punch - Snap Kick PPK
Combo Rising Knee (コンボ・ライジングニー) PPPK
High Kick - Straight (ハイキック・ストレート) KP A high kick into a punch combo.
Rising Elbow (ライジングエルボー) Right P Sarah performs a forward advancing elbow strike.
Double Joint Butt (ダブルジョイントバット) Right PK Sarah performs a Rising Elbow followed by a Knee Kick combination. This move is also called Double Joint Slam[23].
Knee Kick (ニーキック) Right K Sarah performs a flying knee strike. When it hits an opponent, this attack will launch them up into the air.
Toe Kick (トーキック) Down K Sarah performs a forward kick, in which she hits the opponent with the outsole of her boot.
Illusion Kick (イリュージョンキック) HOLD Down-rightKK An follow-up technique for Middle Kick; Sarah performs a middle kick followed by a second kick.
Mirage Kick (ミラージュキック) HOLD Down-rightKKK Sarah performs a middle kick, followed up with two consecutive high kicks.
Somersault Kick Up-left K Same move as Jacky's.
Jackknife Kick Down-right K
Dash Knee (ダッシュニー) RightRight K Sarah performs a lunging knee strike. Its possible to input the command for this move while holding G.
Leg Slicer (レッグスライサー) HOLD DownK+G
Front Suplex (フロントスープレックス) P+G (close to opponent) Sarah's Normal throw technique.
Neck Breaker (ネックブリーカー) RightRight P (close to opponent) Sarah lunges forward and grabs the opponent's neck around her arm then jumps forward, slamming their head into the ground. Also called Neck Breaker Drop (ネックブリーカードロップ)[24].
Back Drop (バックドロップ) P+G (standing directly behind opponent) Sarah's Back throw technique; Sarah performs a belly-to-back suplex on the opponent.
VirtuaFighter Jacky Portrait.png Jacky Bryant
Jacky, older brother of Sarah is a 22-year-old male from the United States. He is a Indy car racer by trade and of blood type A.

Originally Jacky's name was spelt with an "ie" (Jackie). This was changed for the final version.

Move list (normal attacks)
Name Command Description
Straight Lead (ストレート・リード) P Jacky's normal standing punch.
Squat Straight (スクァト・ストレート) P while crouching Jacky's crouching punch. Also called Squatting Straight[25].
Vertical Hook Kick (ヴァーティカル・フック・キック) K Jacky's standing high kick.
Low Kick (ローキック) K while crouching Jacky's crouching low kick.
Middle Kick (ミドルキック) HOLD Down-rightK Jacky's mid-level kick.
Move list (Short Jump attacks)
Name Command Description
Elbow (エルボー) P during Short Jump's ascent Jacky performs a hopping downward elbow strike, which knocks the opponent down on hit.
Step Straight (ステップストレート) P while descending from a Short Jump Jacky performs a step punch after landing from a Short Jump, which knocks down on hit.
Step Hook Kick (ステップフックキック) K during Short Jump's ascent Jacky performs a hopping side kick.
Step Heel Kick (ステップヒールキック) K just before landing Jacky performs a forward step kick after landing from a Short Jump.
Move list (Giant Leap attacks)
Name Command Description
Jump Kick (ジャンプキック) K simultaneously while performing a Giant Leap Jacky performs a jumping high kick that only hits on the way up, knocking down standing opponents.
Middle Kick (ミドルキック) K during Giant Leap's ascent Jacky performs a jump kick that only hits airborne opponents.
Move list (Back Attacks)
Name Command Description
Turn Knuckle (ターン・ナックル) P when the opponent is behind Jacky performs a turn around jab punch.
Turn Kick (ターン・キック) K when the opponent is behind Jacky performs a turn around backheel kick which knocks down on hit.
Move list (down attacks)
Name Command Description
Jumping Knee Stamp (ジャンピングニースタンプ) Up P Jacky jumps towards the opponent, using one knee to strike them while using the other leg to balance himself. Also known as Jumping Knee Stomp[26].
High Jump Knee Stamp (ハイジャンプニースタンプ) HOLD UpP Also known as Hi-Jump Knee Stomp[26]. Jacky jumps high up into the air towards the opponent, using one knee to strike them while using the other leg to balance himself.
Move list (special moves)
Name Command Description
Jab - Straight PP
Punch - Side Kick (パンチサイドキック) PK (close to opponent) A punch into a front leg side kick two hit combo.
Double Spinning Kick KK
Spinning Back Knuckle (スピニングバックナックル) Left P Jacky performs a spinning backfist.
Double Spin Knuckle (ダブルスピンナックル) Left P Left P
Rising Elbow (ライジングエルボー) Right P Jacky performs a forward advancing elbow strike.
Slant Back Knuckle (スラントバックナックル) Down-left P Jacky performs a crouched spinning backfist.
Knee Kick (ニーキック) Right K Jacky performs a flying knee strike. When it hits an opponent, this attack will launch them up into the air.
Somersault Kick Up-left K
Toe Kick (A) (トーキック (A)) Down K Jacky performs a forward kick, in which he hits the opponent with the outsole of his shoe.
Toe Kick (B) (トーキック (B)) Down-right K (close to opponent) This Toe Kick has similar properties to Toe Kick (A), but has an alternate command that can only be performed when close to the opponent. This move can also be input as DownDown-right K.
Spinning Kick (スピニングキック) K+G
Leg Slicer (レッグスライサー) HOLD DownK+G
Northern Light Bomb (ノーザンライトボム) P+G (close to opponent) Jacky's Normal Throw technique.
Neck Breaker (ネックブリーカー) RightRight P (close to opponent) Jacky lunges forward and grabs the opponent's neck around his arm then jumps forward, slamming their head into the ground. Also called Neck Breaker Drop (ネックブリーカードロップ)[27].
Face Crusher (フェースクラッシャー) P+G (standing directly behind opponent) Jacky's back throw technique; while behind the opponent, Jacky puts his arm around the opponent's head and jumps forward, slamming them face first into the ground.
Dural
Dural is the last fighter. Her move set is a amalgamation of all the other Virtua Fighter characters moves. Basic techniques can be performed using the same inputs as the other characters. However, Dural cannot perform a dropkick with Right K during a Giant Leap.

Dural is not normally playable in the Arcade version, being playable only in the home ports via a hidden code.

Move list (down attacks)
Name Command Description
Hishougeki (飛翔撃) Up P Kage's Down Attack. Dural does a high jumping backflip towards the knocked down opponent and then lands on them with both knees. After successfully landing the move on the opponent, Dural does a forward roll, getting up with her back turned towards the opponent. If the opponent dodges this move, Dural lands on her knees, usually behind the opponent and gets up slowly. Unlike Kage, Dural can perform this move from any range.
Move list (special moves)
Name Command Description
Hiji Uchi (肘打ち) Right P Kage's move; Dural performs a forward advancing elbow strike.
Axe Lariat (アックスラリアート) RightRight P Wolf's special move; Dural performs a running clothesline, which knocks down on hit. This move can be dodged by crouching under it.
Toe Kick (トーキック) Down K Jeffry's move. Dural performs a forward kick, in which she hits the opponent with the ball of her feet.
Jackknife Kick Down-right K Sarah's move.
Senpuuga (旋風牙) K+G Pai and Lau's special move.
Tetsuzankou (鉄山靠) LeftRightRight P+K Akira's special move; Dural performs a charging back shoulder lean that knocks the opponent down on hit.
Soukahou (槍下炮) Down-right P near the knocked down opponent Akira's unique Down Attack. Dural strikes the knocked down opponent with a downward punch. The move can be repeated indefinitely, but players must wait a moment between hits.
Brainbuster (ブレーンバスター) P+G (close to opponent) Wolf's normal throw technique; Dural performs a vertical suplex on the opponent.
Kage Gasumi (影霞) LeftRight P (close to opponent) Kage's throw technique.
Splash Mountain (スプラッシュマウンテン) Down-rightDown-right P+K (close to opponent) Jeffry and Wolf's command throw technique.
Giant Swing (ジャイアントスイング) Left Down-left Down Down-right Right P (close to opponent) Wolf's command throw technique. It can also be inputted as Left Down Right P.
Iron Claw (アイアンクロー) Down P (close to crouching opponent) Jeffry's Low Throw technique; Dural grabs the crouched opponent's neck and holds them up in the air, then throws them into the ground.
Powerbomb (パワーボム) Down-right P+K+G (close to crouching opponent) Jeffry's Low Throw technique.
Double Arm Suplex (ダブルアームスープレックス) Down-left P+K+G (close to crouching opponent) Wolf's Low Throw technique.

History

Development

Main article: Virtua Fighter/Development.

Impact

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Prior to Virtua Fighter's release, fighting games (such as Capcom's Street Fighter series) were mostly designed and rendered on sprite-based raster hardware — meaning that both the characters and background scenery were composed of 2D sprites and tilemaps, which when using multiple layers produced a parallax scrolling effect as the screen moved to follow the characters. Virtua Fighter dispensed with the 2D graphics (apart from the backgrounds, which are still 2D), replacing them with flat-shaded triangles rendered in real-time, using the Sega Model 1's 3D rendering hardware, allowing for effects and technologies that were impossible in sprite-based fighters, such as characters that could move tri-dimensionally rather than just backwards and forwards, and a dynamic camera that could zoom, pan, and swoop dramatically around the arena. The game had a more realistic take on the genre, attempting to represent real life martial arts disciplines, making it more of a fighting simulation.[28]

Virtua Fighter's graphics, however, eventually became obsolete due to rapid advances in 3D polygon technology that allowed for rounder, more detailed, textured, higher-polygon-count character models, as seen in Virtua Fighter 2. Nevertheless, Virtua Fighter forever revolutionized the fighting game genre, introducing a more realistic style of gameplay to the genre with its move to 3D.[29]

Legacy

Virtua Fighter was a phenomenal success for Sega, particularly in Japan which was already consumed by arcade game fighting culture. After a slow start, it became one of Japan's highest-grossing arcade games of all time.[30] Its success has guaranteed future entries in the franchise ever since, and is amongst Sega AM2's most recognisable products.

Virtua Fighter was followed by Virtua Fighter 2 in 1994, which sports significantly improved visuals and two new characters. AM2's graphic designers Seiichi Ishii and Kunihiko Nakata would also leave following his work on this game to create Tekken for Namco, seen as an important competitor to Virtua Fighter during the 1990s.

Likewise, programmer Francois Yves Bertrand (credited as F.Y. Bertrand) was headhunted by Atari Corporation and put to work on the Atari Jaguar 3D fighting game, Fight for Life, cited as being a killer app for the system designed to rival the PlayStation and Saturn consoles (though mismanagement at the company led to an unfinished build being released).

Virtua Fighter was adapted into a comic book, published by Marvel Comics. It was released in May 1995, to coincide with the Sega Saturn's North American launch.[31]

Sega Logistics Service announced it would end service on Virtua Fighter arcade machines on March 31, 2017.[32][33]

Virtua Fighter had been given some representation in the Super Smash Bros. series. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Mii Fighter costumes based on Jacky Bryant and Akira Yuki were added to the game as paid DLC, with the Jacky costume being based on his Virtua Fighter 5 appearance, and the Akira costume being based on his appearance in the original game. Akira himself would later appear in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as an Assist Trophy, using his polygonal look from this game.

Versions

As a milestone for both Sega and the fighting game genre as a whole, Virtua Fighter was widely tipped for release on the Sega Saturn console. A port was developed in conjunction with the hardware and was released in Japan as a launch title (before becoming the pack-in game for the subsequent North American and European launches of the console).

Views on the Saturn version are generally mixed, as while its existence led to Sega's console out-selling the PlayStation during its first few months of sale in Japan, it quickly became apparent that the port had been rushed to market with severe graphical and technical issues. Although the disc comes paired with higher quality arranged music inspired by the arcade soundtrack, polygon counts are significantly lower, five-second load times interrupt fights and the screen resolution is reduced over the arcade game.

On the Saturn, Virtua Fighter has issues rendering 3D content, with flickering polygons overlapping in odd ways (some of which occasionally disappear entirely), and animation issues, including an infamous bug where certain characters' feet to point in the wrong direction during their winning poses. The jerky camera of the arcade version is also carried over from the arcade game, and in some situations can behave worse than its arcade counterpart. Similar technical issues would be witnessed in Daytona USA, also created in parallel with the hardware.

By the time of the Western release in mid-1995, Virtua Fighter compared unfavourably to other early Saturn/PlayStation fighting games, such as Battle Arena Toshinden. In response, Sega released Virtua Fighter Remix shortly before the Winter launch of Virtua Fighter 2, which addresses some of the concerns and textures the 3D models. Virtua Fighter Remix quickly became the de facto version of Virtua Fighter, being the new console pack-in and the basis for Virtua Fighter PC.

A version of Virtua Fighter was also released for the Sega 32X, which in Japan debuted after the Saturn version (but before the Saturn version in other territories). Originally planned to be a Sega Neptune launch title, it suffers from even lower polygon counts than the Saturn version and various other cutbacks, but is otherwise relatively faithful to the original, subsequently being cited as one of the better games for the system. While the 32X renders fewer polygons at any one time, they are generally more "stable", with clipping and flickering being mostly absent from the port (although some animation issues still remain). It is also the only 32X game with support for 16:9 widescreen displays.

Both home versions of the game added a "Round-Robin" tournament mode.

The arcade version of the game was re-released on the Astro City Mini in 2020. It notably features upscaled graphics and fully transparent shadows compared to the original.

Ports for mobile phones also exist.

Production credits

Main article: Virtua Fighter/Production credits.

Magazine articles

Main article: Virtua Fighter/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Virtua Fighter/Promotional material.

Photo gallery

Artwork

Physical scans

Model 1 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(UK)
83
[34]
(AU)
90
[35]
Arcade (Model 1)
87
Based on
2 reviews

Virtua Fighter

Model 1, US
VirtuaFighter Model1 US Manual.pdf
Manual
Model 1, JP

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
92
95 Sega Saturn Tsūshin, p6
95 №25, p34-37
Sega Saturn
94
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(SA)
85
[36]
(SA)
90
[37]
(FR)
56
[38]
(FR)
93
[39]
(UK) NTSC-J
94
[40]
(UK) PAL
95
[41]
(IT)
91
[42]
(UK)
93
[43]
(UK)
90
[44]
(US) NTSC-U
75
[45]
(US) NTSC-U
100
[46]
(US) NTSC-U
79
[47]
(CZ)
82
[48]
(JP) NTSC-J
90
[49]
(US) NTSC-U
90
[50]
(US) NTSC-U
85
[51]
(US) NTSC-J
95
[52]
(US) NTSC-U
93
[53]
(UK) NTSC-J
96
[54]
(UK) PAL
93
[55]
(US) NTSC-U
78
[56]
(FR)
90
[57]
(CZ)
85
[58]
(DE)
82
[59]
(DE) PAL
82
[60]
(UK)
100
[61]
(UK) NTSC-J
97
[62]
(DE) PAL
83
[63]
(RU)
83
[64]
(UK) NTSC-J
96
[65]
(UK) PAL
95
[66]
(US) NTSC-J
75
[67]
(FR)
95
[68]
(NL)
92
[69]
(JP) NTSC-J
89
[70]
(UK) PAL
82
[71]
(CZ)
60
[72]
(DE)
87
[73]
(UK) PAL
97
[74]
(UK) NTSC-J
97
[75]
(UK) NTSC-J
95
[76]
(UK) PAL
95
[77]
(AU)
95
[78]
(JP) NTSC-J
90
[79]
(RU)
60
[80]
(ES)
90
[81]
(ES)
92
[82]
(UK) NTSC-J
96
[83]
(UK) PAL
89
[84]
(ES)
88
[85]
(DE) NTSC-J
80
[86]
(US) NTSC-U
80
[87]
Sega Saturn
88
Based on
52 reviews

Virtua Fighter

Saturn, US
Virtuafighter sat us backcover.jpgVirtuafighter sat us frontcover.jpg
Cover
Virtuafighter sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, US (Not For Resale)

VirtuaFighterSaturnUSBack-NFR.jpg

VirtuaFighterSaturnUSDisk-NFR.jpg
Disc
Virtuafighter sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, EU
VirtuaFighter saturn eu cover.jpg
Cover
VirtuaFighter saturn eu cd.jpg
Disc
VirtuaFighterSaturnEUManual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, DE
VirtuaFighter Sat DE cover.jpg
Cover
VirtuaFighter saturn eu cd.jpg
Disc
Saturn, PT
VirtuaFighter Sat PT cover.jpg
Cover
VirtuaFighter saturn eu cd.jpg
Disc
Saturn, AU
VirtuaFighter Sat AU cover.jpg
Cover
VirtuaFighter saturn eu cd.jpg
Disc
Saturn, AU (H/Unit)
VirtuaFighter Sat AU alt cover.jpg
Cover
VirtuaFighter saturn eu cd.jpg
Disc
Saturn, BR
VF Saturn BR Cover Front.jpg
Cover
Virtua-fighter-saturn-manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, Asia
VirtuaFighter Sat Asia Box Back.jpgVirtuaFighter Sat Asia Box.jpg
Cover
VirtuaFighter Sat Asia Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard

32X version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
93 №35, p62/63
92 №18, p59
Sega 32X
93
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
60
[88]
(FR)
80
[89]
(UK)
95
[15]
(US) NTSC-U
76
[90]
(JP) NTSC-J
75
[91]
(DE)
90
[92]
(US) NTSC-U
75
[93]
(US) NTSC-U
85
[94]
(US) NTSC-U
86
[11]
(US) NTSC-U
83
[95]
(UK)
93
[96]
(DE)
80
[97]
(US) NTSC-U
83
[98]
(ES) PAL
92
[99]
(DE) PAL
80
[100]
(FR) PAL
94
[101]
(DE) PAL
88
[102]
(UK) PAL
93
[103]
(US) NTSC-U
75
[104]
(FR)
92
[105]
(JP) NTSC-J
81
[106]
(UK) PAL
95
[16]
(CZ)
94
[107]
(UK) PAL
96
[108]
(UK) PAL
91
[12]
(UK) PAL
94
[109]
(ES)
91
[110]
(ES)
93
[111]
(FR)
75
[112]
(RU)
74
[113]
(US) NTSC-U
80
[114]
Sega 32X
85
Based on
31 reviews

Virtua Fighter

32X, JP
VF 32X JP Box Back.jpgVirtuaFighter MD JP BoxSpine.jpgVF 32X JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
VirtuaFighter MD JP CartTop.jpg
VirtuaFighter MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Virtuafighter 32x jp manual.pdf
Manual
32X, US
VF 32X US Box Back.jpgVF 32X US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Virtua Fighter 32X US Cart.jpg
Cart
Virtuafighter 32x us manual.pdf
Manual
32X, US (Not For Resale Cart)

Virtua Fighter 32X US NFR Cart.jpg
Cart
32X, EU
VF 32X EU Box Back.jpgVirtua Fighter 32X EU Manual.jpgVF 32X EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Virtua Fighter 32X EU Cart.jpg
Cart
VirtuaFighter 32X EU Manual.pdf
Manual
32X, FR (Blister pack)
VF 32X FR Blister Back.jpgNospine.pngVF 32X FR Blister Front.jpg
Cover
32X, PT
VF 32X PT Box Front.jpg
Cover
Virtua Fighter 32X EU Cart.jpg
Cart
32X, AU
VF 32X AU front.jpg
Cover
Virtua Fighter 32X EU Cart.jpg
Cart
32X, BR
VF 32X BR Box.jpg
Cover
Virtuafighter 32x br cart.jpg
Cart
Virtuafighter 32x br manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Virtua Fighter/Technical information.

External links

References

  1. File:Virtuafighter sat jp backcover.jpg
  2. File:VF 32X JP Box Front.jpg
  3. 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-30 22:53)
  4. 4.0 4.1 http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/32x/soft.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-06-19 13:31)
  5. 5.0 5.1 Mean Machines Sega, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-06-30), page 93
  6. Sega Arcade History, Enterbrain, page 129
  7. Mean Machines Sega, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-03-xx), page 51
  8. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19940205-1.2.69.15.3?ST=1&AT=search&K=sega+wywy&P=2&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=sega,wywy&oref=article
  9. Press release: 1995-05-19: Sega Saturn launch takes consumers and retailers by storm
  10. Press release: 1995-09-19: Sega Genesis 32X price comes down to $99
  11. 11.0 11.1 Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 11 November 1995" (US; 1995-1x-xx), page 68
  12. 12.0 12.1 Sega Pro, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-05), page 56
  13. Sega Power, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-10-19), page 53
  14. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1995-11-13), page 3
  15. 15.0 15.1 Computer & Video Games, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-13), page 36
  16. 16.0 16.1 Sega Magazine, "October 1995" (UK; 1995-09-12), page 84
  17. Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1996" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 73
  18. File:VirtuaFighter saturn eu cover.jpg
  19. File:VF 32X US Box Back.jpg
  20. File:VF 32X EU Box Back.jpg
  21. File:Virtuafighter 32x us manual.pdf, page 23
  22. File:Virtuafighter 32x us manual.pdf, page 24
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 File:Virtuafighter 32x us manual.pdf, page 28
  24. File:Virtuafighter 32X jp manual.pdf, page 35
  25. File:Virtuafighter 32x us manual.pdf, page 29
  26. 26.0 26.1 File:Virtuafighter 32x us manual.pdf, page 30
  27. File:Virtuafighter 32X jp manual.pdf, page 37
  28. http://www.hg101kontek.net/virtuafighter/virtuafighter.htm
  29. htt (Wayback Machine: 2001-11-20 06:12)
  30. Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1996" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 28
  31. Game On! USA, "Vol. 1, No. 6" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 12
  32. File:SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement 2016-11 JP.pdf
  33. File:SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement 2016-12.pdf
  34. Computer & Video Games, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-15), page 100
  35. Gamestar, "June 1994" (AU; 1994-xx-xx), page 54
  36. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 21
  37. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 74
  38. CD Consoles, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 126
  39. Consoles +, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 130
  40. Computer & Video Games, "January 1995" (UK; 1994-12-15), page 12
  41. Computer & Video Games, "August 1995" (UK; 1995-07-12), page 32
  42. Computer + Video Giochi, "Gennaio 1995" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 30
  43. Digitiser (UK) (1995-07-10)
  44. Edge, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-22), page 72
  45. Electronic Entertainment, "September 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 80
  46. Electronic Games (1992-1995), "July 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 64
  47. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "July 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 38
  48. Excalibur, "" (CZ; 1995-06-29), page 1
  49. Famitsu, "1994-12-02" (JP; 1994-11-18), page 1
  50. GameFan, "Volume 3, Issue 7: July 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 13
  51. Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 8 August 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 34
  52. GamePro, "March 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 33
  53. GamePro, "August 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 50
  54. (UK) "Series 4, episode 11" (1994-11-29, 24:00) (+8:08)
  55. Games World: The Magazine, "September 1995" (UK; 1995-0x-xx), page 71
  56. Game Informer, "July 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 55
  57. Joypad, "Septembre 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 74
  58. LeveL, "Květen 1995" (CZ; 1995-05-01), page 18
  59. MAN!AC, "01/95" (DE; 1994-12-07), page 9
  60. MAN!AC, "08/95" (DE; 1995-07-12), page 46
  61. Maximum, "October 1995" (UK; 1995-09-01), page 142
  62. Mega, "February 1995" (UK; 1995-01-xx), page 38
  63. Mega Fun, "08/95" (DE; 1995-07-19), page 77
  64. Magazina Igrushek, "3/1995" (RU; 1995-xx-xx), page 56
  65. Mean Machines Sega, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-30), page 16
  66. Mean Machines Sega, "September 1995" (UK; 1995-07-27), page 88
  67. Next Generation, "April 1995" (US; 1995-03-21), page 90
  68. Player One, "Juillet/Août 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 56
  69. Power Unlimited, "Jaagang 3, Jul/Aug 1995" (NL; 1995-06-28), page 36
  70. Saturn Fan, "1995 February" (JP; 1995-01-07), page 32
  71. Saturn+, "Christmas 1995" (UK; 1995-12-14), page 56
  72. Score, "Červen 1995" (CZ; 1995-06-01), page 26
  73. Sega Magazin, "August 1995" (DE; 1995-07-12), page 62
  74. Sega Magazine, "August 1995" (UK; 1995-07-13), page 56
  75. Sega Power, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-15), page 14
  76. Sega Pro, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-29), page 36
  77. Sega Pro, "September 1995" (UK; 1995-08-10), page 50
  78. Sega Megazone, "August 1995" (AU; 1995-0x-xx), page 18
  79. Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 11
  80. Strana Igr, "" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 93
  81. Super Juegos, "Agosto 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 96
  82. Todo Sega, "Agosto 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 32
  83. Ultimate Future Games, "February 1995" (UK; 1995-01-01), page 78
  84. Ultimate Future Games, "September 1995" (UK; 1995-08-01), page 72
  85. Última Generación, "Marzo 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 76
  86. Video Games, "8/95" (DE; 1995-07-26), page 62
  87. VideoGames, "June 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 74
  88. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 257
  89. Consoles +, "Octobre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 136
  90. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 36
  91. Famitsu, "1995-10-27" (JP; 1995-10-13), page 1
  92. Fun Generation, "06/95" (DE; 1995-0x-xx), page 72
  93. Fusion, "Volume 1, Number 5: December 1995" (US; 1995-1x-xx), page 120
  94. GameFan, "Volume 3, Issue 10: October 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 17
  95. GamePro, "November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 68
  96. GamePro, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-10-28), page 29
  97. Gamers, "November 1995" (DE; 1995-10-11), page 34
  98. Game Informer, "October 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 37
  99. Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 82
  100. MAN!AC, "12/95" (DE; 1995-11-08), page 59
  101. Mega Force, "Octobre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 86
  102. Mega Fun, "11/95" (DE; 1995-10-18), page 74
  103. Mean Machines Sega, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-29), page 70
  104. Next Generation, "November 1995" (US; 1995-10-24), page 179
  105. Player One, "Octobre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 122
  106. Saturn Fan, "1995 12-22" (JP; 1995-12-08), page 86
  107. Sega News, "Prosinec 1996" (CZ; 1996-1x-xx), page 29
  108. Sega Power, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-10-19), page 52
  109. Sega Pro, "April 1996" (UK; 1996-02-28), page 26
  110. Super Juegos, "Octubre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 72
  111. Todo Sega, "Octubre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 44
  112. Top Consoles, "Octobre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 97
  113. Tricks, "Vypusk 8" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 28
  114. VideoGames, "October 1995" (US; 1995-09-19), page 84


Virtua Fighter

Virtua Fighter Title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Credits | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Merchandise | Region coding | Technical information


Books: (1994) | (1994) | (1994) | (1994) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995)
Music: (1994) | (1994) | (1994) | (1994) | (1996) | (2023)
Videos: (1994)


Sega 32X
Prototypes: 1995-05-30 | 06-15 | 06-30 | 07-17 | 07-21 | 07-24 | 07-25 | 07-26



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 | R.E.V.O.) (2006-202X)
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
(1994) | (1994) | (1994) | (1994) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1997) | (1997) | (1997) | (2002) | (2002) | (2004) | (2011) | (2012) | (2012) | (2015) | (2021) | (2023) | (2023)
Books
Book
(1994) | (1994) | (1994) | (1994) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1995) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1996) | (1997) | (1997) | (1997) | (1997) | (1997) | (1998) | (1998) | (1998) | (2001) | (2002) | (2002) | (2002) | (2002) | (2002) | (2003) | (2003) | (2003) | (2004) | (2004) | (2004) | (2004) | (2006) | (2006) | (2007) | (2007) | (2010) | (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)