Virtua Cop

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Model 2
  • Saturn
  • Windows PC

VirtuaCop title.png

Virtuacop Saturn JP SStitle.png

VirtuaCop PC UK Title.png

Virtua Cop
System(s): Sega Model 2, Sega Saturn, Windows PC
Publisher: Sega
Sega Saturn
Samsung (KR)
Windows PC
Sega Entertainment Inc. (US)
Windows PC
Sega PC (EU, BR, JP)
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Saturn
Windows PC
Tec Toy (BR)
Windows PC
Expert Software (US, rerelease)
Windows PC
SKC Softland (KR)
Windows PC
Worldwise Enterprise (TW)
Sound driver:
Sega Saturn
SCSP/CD-DA (18 tracks)
Peripherals supported:
Sega Saturn
Virtua Gun, Shuttle Mouse
Genre: Shooting[1][2]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (Model 2)
JP
¥? ?
Arcade (Model 2)
US
$? ?
Arcade (Model 2)
UK
£? ?






















Sega Saturn
JP
¥5,8005,800 GS-9060
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
JP
(Virtua Gun)
¥7,8007,800 GS-9059
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
US
$59.9959.99[7][8] 81015
ESRB: Teen
Sega Saturn
US
(Stunner)
$79.9979.99[7][8] 81026
ESRB: Teen
Sega Saturn
EU
MK81015-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
EU
(Virtua Gun)
MK81026-50
Sega Saturn
UK
£44.9944.99[11] MK81015-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
UK
(Virtua Gun)
£59.9959.99[11] MK81026-50
Sega Saturn
PL
199zł199
Sega Saturn
PL
(Virtua Gun)
249zł249
Sega Saturn
AU
FVIR10SSC
OFLC: M15
Sega Saturn
BR
193056
Tectoy: 18+
Sega Saturn
BR
(Virtua Gun)
191x31
Sega Saturn
KR
GS-9505J
MK-81015-08
Windows PC
JP
¥8,8008,800 HCJ-0105
Sega Rating: All Ages
Windows PC
JP
(Super 1500 Series)
¥1,5001,500[14] MKW-064
Windows PC
US
85043
ESRB: Teen
Windows PC
US
(Expert Software)
$14.9914.99[15]
ESRB: Teen
Windows PC
DE
DM 100.00100.00[17] MK-85043-50
USK: 16
Windows PC
UK
MK-85043-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Windows PC
UK
(Expert Software)
XP 202019
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Windows PC
PL
Windows PC
AU
(Sega PC Classic)
KFVIR10CDW
OFLC: M15
Windows PC
BR
Tectoy: 13+
Windows PC
KR
Windows PC
TW
NT$1,4801,480

Virtua Cop (バーチャコップ) is an arcade shooter game created by Sega AM2 for Sega Model 2 hardware in 1994. It is the first in the Virtua Cop series. It was one of the first light-gun games to take place in a 3D world, as the first light-gun shooter to use 3D polygons. Sega advertised it as the "world's first texture mapped, polygon action game".[3]

Story

A detective in the player's department uncovered an illegal gun-running operation and was able to trace it back to E.V.L Inc., a powerful crime syndicate. He compiled a large amount of evidence and was ready to take them down, but was soon discovered and assassinated by the criminals. Some of his evidence managed to make its way back to headquarters, and a special task force was put on the case. The policemen Michael Hardy and James Cools must face that organization led by Joe Fang and his followers Kong, the King, and the Boss.

Gameplay

Players assume the role of a police officer - either Michael Hardy, or his partner, James Cools. Played from a first person perspective view, the players must use the light gun to take down the multitude of sharp shooters who come for them. At the start of the game, the player is armed with only a pistol, but more powerful weapons, such as machine guns and shotguns, can be obtained as they progress. These weapons are hidden in breakable objects such as crates, and can be extremely useful when trying to take on the customary end-of-level bosses. There are penalties for shooting civilians.

Virtua Cop was notable for its use of polygonal graphics, which were subsequently used in both House of the Dead and Time Crisis, instead of the two dimensional sprites that were popular for previous games in the same genre. It is also notable for being one of the first games to allow the player to shoot through glass. The game's realistic graphics earned it the "Virtua" title, along with other 3D Sega games such as Virtua Fighter, Virtua Striker and Virtua Racing.

Stages

Notavailable.svg

Arms Black Market (beginner)

Notavailable.svg

Underground Weapon Storage (medium)

Notavailable.svg

Gang Headquarters (expert)

History

Release

300,000 copies of Virtua Cop were sold in Japan during its first week[18].

Legacy

Virtua Cop revolutionized the light-gun shooter genre with its new 3D first-person rail shooter format, including new mechanics like positional body targeting and headshots, revitalizing the genre in the arcades. It also broke new ground by popularizing the use of 3D graphics in shooter games.[19] It inspired 3D light gun shooters such as Time Crisis and The House of the Dead as well as 3D first-person shooters such as GoldenEye 007,[20] which in turn laid the foundations for console FPS games.

Virtua Cop was followed by two sequels, Virtua Cop 2 and Virtua Cop 3. It was bundled Virtua Cop 2 in Japan and Europe on the PlayStation 2 as Virtua Cop: Elite Edition (Virtua Cop Rebirth in Japan) on August 25, 2002 and November 29, 2002 respectively. The "Elite Edition" includes gallery extras and implementation of Namco's G-Con 2 lightgun support.

Sega Logistics Service announced it would end service on Virtua Cop arcade machines on March 31, 2017.[21][22]

Versions

Virtua Cop's arcade success meant it was ported to the Sega Saturn in 1995 and later to PC in 1996. The Saturn version of the game was initially bundled with the Virtua Gun, a light-gun peripheral intended for use with this game. If the user lacks a CRT television, the Virtua Gun cannot be used, and the game must be played with the normal Saturn controller.

The Saturn Virtua Cop was of the first games to use the Sega Graphics Library, and a one-level demo was first demonstrated at '95 Tokyo Toy Show in June 1995[23].

The PC version was known as Virtua City P.D. during development (at least, in North America[24], where it would eventually be known as Virtua Squad). The PC version uses a mouse instead of a light gun, and a variant optimised for the NV1 graphics chipset initially shipped on the same disc[25].

Tiger produced a handheld version as a part of their Laser Games series of minature lightgun games. The folding gun included with this version was relient on infra-red technology.

In 2004, a port was developed for the handheld Nokia N-Gage, but was cancelled by the quality control team before its release. There are very few beta units in existence.

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Virtua Cop Virtua Cop
English (US) Virtua Cop Virtua Cop
Japanese バーチャコップ Virtua Cop
Korean 버쳐캅 Virtua Cop

Production credits

Main article: Virtua Cop/Production credits.

Magazine articles

Main article: Virtua Cop/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Virtua Cop/Promotional material.

Artwork

Physical scans

Arcade version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
87
[26]
Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL
82
[27]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
50
[28]
Arcade (Model 2)
73
Based on
3 reviews

Virtua Cop

Model 2, US (P-Type)
Model 2, US (upright)
Model 2, JP (P-Type)
Model 2, JP (upright)

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
91 №38, p46-47
92 №75
Sega Saturn
92
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
CD Consoles (FR)
100
[29]
Consoles + (FR)
87
[30]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
96
[10]
Digitiser (UK)
84
[31]
Edge (UK)
70
[32]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
75
[33]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
80
[34]
Fun Generation (DE)
80
[35]
Fusion (US) NTSC-U
75
[36]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
90
[37]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
92
[38]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
98
[7]
GamePro (UK)
92
[39]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
95
[40]
Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL
91
[41]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
78
[42]
Hobby Consolas (ES) PAL
90
[43]
LeveL (CZ)
86
[44]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
76
[45]
Maximum (UK)
100
[46]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
84
[47]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
79
[48]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
94
[49]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
75
[50]
Player One (FR)
90
[51]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
84
[52]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
86
[52]
Saturn+ (UK) PAL
91
[53]
Score (CZ)
70
[54]
Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
80
[55]
Sega News (CZ)
87
[56]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[57]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
96
[58]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
90
[59]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
89
[60]
Strana Igr (RU)
60
[61]
Todo Sega (ES)
92
[62]
Ultimate Future Games (UK) PAL
83
[63]
Ultimate Gamer (US) NTSC-U
90
[64]
Última Generación (ES)
94
[65]
Sega Saturn
86
Based on
40 reviews

Virtua Cop

Saturn, JP
Virtuacop sat jp backcover.jpgVirtuacop sat jp frontcover.jpg
Cover
VirtuaCopSaturnJPSpine.jpg
Spinecard
VirtuaCop Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
VirtuaCop SS jp manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, US
VirtuaCop Saturn US Box Back.jpgVirtuacop sat us frontcover.jpg
Cover
Virtuacop sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, US (Stunner bundle)
VirtuaCop Saturn US Box Back Stunner.jpgNospine-small.pngSaturn 80313 box-2.jpg
Cover
Virtuacop sat us nfr disc.jpg
Disc
VirtuaCop Saturn US Box Back NFRS.jpgVirtuacop sat us nfr frontcover.jpg
Jewel Case
Saturn, EU
Virtuacop sat eu frontcover.jpg
Cover
Virtuacop sat eu disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, EU (Virtua Gun bundle)
VirtuaGun Saturn EU Box Back VirtuaCop.jpgNospine-small.pngVirtuaGun EU VC Box Front.jpg
Cover
Virtuacop sat eu disc.jpg
Disc
Virtuacop sat eu bundle backcover.jpgVirtuacop sat eu bundle frontcover.jpg
Jewel Case
Saturn, AU
VirtuaCop Sat AU cover.jpg
Cover
Virtuacop sat eu disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, BR
VirtuaCop Sat BR cover.jpg
Cover
Saturn, BR (Virtua Gun bundle)
VirtuaCop Sat Gun BR cover.jpg
Cover
Saturn, KR
Virtua Cop Saturn KR Box Back.jpgVirtua Cop Saturn KR Box Side.jpgVirtua Cop Saturn KR Box Front.jpg
Cover
Virtua Cop Saturn KR Box Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
Saturn, KR (Virtua Gun bundle)
Virtua Cop Bundle Saturn KR Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngVirtua Cop Bundle Saturn KR Box Front.jpg
Cover

PC version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
576 KByte (HU)
82
[66]
Arcade (UK) PAL
0
[67]
Digitiser (UK)
91
[68]
Intelligent Gamer (US) NTSC-U
75
[69]
LeveL (CZ)
71
[70]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
25
[71]
PC Action (DE)
72
[17]
PC Gamer (US)
70
[72]
PC Games (DE)
82
[73]
Reset (PL)
40
[74]
Score (CZ)
50
[75]
Secret Service (PL)
70
[76]
Windows PC
61
Based on
12 reviews

Virtua Cop

PC, JP
VirtuaCop PC JP Box Back.jpgNospine.pngVirtuaCop PC JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
PC, JP (Super 1500 Series)
VirtuaCop PC JP 1500 back.jpgVirtuaCop PC JP 1500 front.jpg
Cover
VirtuaCop PC JP 1500 disc.jpg
Disc
PC, US
VirtuaCop PC US Box Front.jpg
Cover
VirtuaCop PC US Disc.jpg
Disc
VirtuaSquad PC US Box Back JewelCase.jpgVirtuaSquad PC US Box Front JewelCase.jpg
Jewel Case
PC, US (Expert Software)
VirtuaCop PC US Box Front Expert.jpg
Cover
VirtuaSquad PC US Box Front JewelCase Expert.jpg
Jewel Case
PC, US (Fundever)

PC, EU
VirtuaCop PC EU Box Back.jpgVirtuaCop PC EU Box Spine.jpgVirtuaCop PC EU Box Front.jpgVirtuaCop PC EU Box Spine2.jpg
Cover
VirtuaCop PC EU Disc.jpg
Disc
VirtuaCop PC EU jfront.jpg
Jewel Case
PC, UK (Expert Software)
VirtuaCop PC UK ex back.jpgNospine.pngVirtuaCop PC UK Box Front Expert.jpg
Cover
VirtuaCop PC UK ex jback.jpgVirtuaCop PC UK ex jfront.jpg
Jewel Case
PC, AU (Classic)
VirtuaCop PC AU Box Back Classic.jpgNospine.pngVirtuaCop PC AU Box Front Classic.jpg
Cover
PC, BR
VirtuaCop PC BR Box Back Classic.jpgVirtuaCop PC BR Box Spine.jpgVirtuaCop PC BR Box Front Classic.jpg
Cover
PC, KR
VirtuaCop PC KR Box Front.jpg
Cover
PC, TW
VirtuaCop PC TW Box Front.jpg
Cover

Technical information

Main article: Virtua Cop/Technical information.

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Saturn
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
492,334,752 CD-ROM (EU) MK81015-50, MK81026-50 V1.004
Sega Saturn
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
492,501,744 1995-10-12 CD-ROM (JP) GS-9059, GS-9060 V1.000
Sega Saturn
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
492,334,752 CD-ROM (US) 81026 V1.001

Track list

Saturn version

1. Data track  
2. AM2 Logo (0:09) 
3. Advertise (2:19) 
4. Virtua Cop (0:53) 
5. Stage Select (1:08) 
6. Arms Black Market (4:11) 
7. Underground Weapons Storage (3:38) 
8. Gang Headquarters (3:31) 
9. Kong (1:40) 
10. King (2:39) 
11. President (2:21) 
12. Fang (2:18) 
13. F I N (2:44) 
14. Stage Clear (0:07) 
15. Game Over (0:09) 
16. Name Entry (1:18) 
17. Rage (3:52) 
18. Smarty (4:08) 
19. Time (Not Used) (4:36) 
Running time: 41:41

Extra content

This game has extra content which can be viewed when accessing the disc on a PC.

Saturn (JP) Extra files
Folder / File Type Size description
OMAKE.DAT Compressed (LZH) 142,654 It contains extra image and text file.
THANKS.DOC TXT 1,443 Messages from the developers.


External links

References

  1. File:Virtuacop sat jp backcover.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-30 22:53)
  3. 3.0 3.1 File:VirtuaCop Model2 Flyer.pdf, page 2
  4. Sega Arcade History, Enterbrain, page 133
  5. https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/c_EEEKiKmAo/m/5nh2Copsuu0J
  6. 6.0 6.1 https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/P74s9-jynx4/m/vV-wdwNXnmoJ
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 GamePro, "February 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 58
  8. 8.0 8.1 Press release: 1995-10-30: Sega unleashes exclusive lineup of arcade hits for Sega Saturn
  9. https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/2YD-Uhq4YVM/m/E1IpEyao7ZAJ
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Computer & Video Games, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-12-10), page 30
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Sega Saturn Magazine, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-11-24), page 11
  12. https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/-zPbJ4JxXaY/m/aKhrJtkQcxkJ
  13. http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/athome/pc/vc/vc.htm (Wayback Machine: 1996-12-24 11:34)
  14. http://mario.ed-contrive.co.jp/mediakite/selection.phtml?CategoryID=4&pos=0 (Wayback Machine: 2002-03-02 00:46)
  15. Press release: 1998-09-08: Experience The Ultimate In All-Out Action With New Titles From Expert Software's Sega PC Collection
  16. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1996-11-11), page 37
  17. 17.0 17.1 PC Action, "12/96" (DE; 1996-11-20), page 100
  18. Sega Saturn Magazine, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-12-15), page 7
  19. http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/08/virtua-cop
  20. http://www.zoonami.com/briefing/2004-09-02.php
  21. File:SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement 2016-11 JP.pdf
  22. File:SegaProductsTerminationAnnouncement 2016-12.pdf
  23. Sega Saturn Magazine, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-26), page 44
  24. GamePro, "December 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 102
  25. Press release: 1996-11-08: SEGA ENTERTAINMENT’S VIRTUA SQUAD DELIVERS GAMING JUSTICE ON THE PC
  26. Computer & Video Games, "June 1995" (UK; 1995-05-xx), page 90
  27. Games World: The Magazine, "January 1995" (UK; 1994-11-xx), page 23
  28. Next Generation, "Premiere Issue 1995" (US; 1994-12-08), page 111
  29. CD Consoles, "Décembre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 68
  30. Consoles +, "Décembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 148
  31. Digitiser (UK) (1995-12-08)
  32. Edge, "February 1996" (UK; 1996-01-12), page 78
  33. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 40
  34. Famitsu, "1995-12-01" (JP; 1995-11-17), page 1
  35. Fun Generation, "01/96" (DE; 1995-12-20), page 63
  36. Fusion, "Volume 2, Number 7: February 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 67
  37. GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 1: January 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 18
  38. Game Players, "Vol. 9 No. 1 January 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 78
  39. GamePro, "March 1996" (UK; 1996-01-25), page 26
  40. GamesMaster (UK) "Series 5, episode 12" (1995-12-07, 24:00) (+13:05)
  41. Games World: The Magazine, "February 1996" (UK; 1996-0x-xx), page 46
  42. Game Informer, "January 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 44
  43. Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 70
  44. LeveL, "Září 1996" (CZ; 1996-09-03), page 76
  45. MAN!AC, "01/96" (DE; 1995-12-06), page 50
  46. Maximum, "January 1996" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 143
  47. Mega Force, "Décembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 78
  48. Mega Fun, "01/96" (DE; 1995-12-20), page 34
  49. Mean Machines Sega, "February 1996" (UK; 1995-12-xx), page 58
  50. Next Generation, "February 1996" (US; 1996-01-16), page 164
  51. Player One, "Décembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 118
  52. 52.0 52.1 Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 3" (JP; 1996-01-19), page 78
  53. Saturn+, "Christmas 1995" (UK; 1995-12-14), page 36
  54. Score, "Říjen 1996" (CZ; 1996-10-01), page 113
  55. Sega Magazin, "Januar 1996" (DE; 1995-12-13), page 74
  56. Sega News, "Říjen 1996" (CZ; 1996-xx-xx), page 14
  57. Sega Pro, "February 1996" (UK; 1995-12-28), page 34
  58. Sega Saturn Magazine, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-11-24), page 70
  59. Sega Saturn Magazine, "December 1995" (JP; 1995-11-08), page 189
  60. Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 11
  61. Strana Igr, "Aprel 1996" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 138
  62. Todo Sega, "Enero 1996" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 32
  63. Ultimate Future Games, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-12-14), page 64
  64. Ultimate Gamer, "January 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 66
  65. Última Generación, "Diciembre 1995" (ES; 1995-1x-xx), page 84
  66. 576 KByte, "Február 1997" (HU; 1997-xx-xx), page 13
  67. Arcade, "August 1999" (UK; 1999-06-30), page 99
  68. Digitiser (UK) (1997-01-07)
  69. Intelligent Gamer, "December 1996" (US; 1996-1x-xx), page 78
  70. LeveL, "Únor 1997" (CZ; 1997-02-01), page 1
  71. Next Generation, "February 1997" (US; 1997-01-xx), page 136
  72. PC Gamer, "Vol. 4, No. 1: January 1997" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 226
  73. PC Games, "12/96" (DE; 1996-11-06), page 96
  74. Reset, "Czerwiec 1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 38
  75. Score, "Únor 1997" (CZ; 1997-02-01), page 1
  76. Secret Service, "Styczeń 1997" (PL; 1997-01-01), page 21


Virtua Cop

VirtuaCop title.png

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


Books: Virtua Cop Official Guide Book (1995) | Virtua Cop Kyuukyoku Hon (1996) | Virtua Cop: Crisis City (1996) | Virtua Cop Vol. 2: Gyakushuu no Fang (1996)

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Virtua Cop series of games
Arcade
Virtua Cop (1994) | Virtua Cop 2 (1995) | Virtua Cop 3 (2003)
Sega Saturn
Virtua Cop (1995) | Virtua Cop 2 (1996) | Virtua Cop Special Pack (1998) | Virtua Cop 1-2 Pack (1998)
Sega Dreamcast
Virtua Cop 2 (2000)
Windows PC
Virtua Cop (1996) | Virtua Cop 2 (1997)
LCD handheld game
Virtua Cop (199x)
Sony PlayStation 2
Virtua Cop: Elite Edition (2002)
Virtua Cop related media
Music
Virtua Cop Soundtracks (1996)
Book
Virtua Cop Official Guide Book (1995) | Virtua Cop Kyuukyoku Hon (1996) | Virtua Cop: Crisis City (1996) | Virtua Cop Vol. 2: Gyakushuu no Fang (1996) | Virtua Cop 2 Tai Terrorist Chinatsu Manual (1996) | Virtua Cop 2 Killer Manual (1997) | Virtua Cop 2 Detective Manual (1997)