Cyber Troopers Virtual-On, known as Dennou Senki Virtual-On (電脳戦機バーチャロン) in Japan, is an arcade game initially created created for the Sega Model 2B CRX arcade platform by Sega AM3 in 1995.
The release of sequels (specifically the Xbox 360 version of Dennou Senki Virtual-On: Force) has seen this entry in the series retroactively subtitled Operation Moongate (shortened to OMG) - this is a name occasionally referred to in Japanese merchandising but not within the game itself (and not overseas).
The world is under new management. It is the age of economic feudalism; governments have been privatized, multinational conglomerates have carved the world into enterprise zones and sprawling business entities stretch their tentacles into every sector of public and private life.
V.C. 0084
The delicate balace of power maintained by the rival trade consortiums was thrown awry when a lunar-core mining survey commissioned by the DN Group uncovered an extensive ruined outpost of incredible complexity and indeterminate age beneath the desolate surface of earth's moon.
The DN Group appropriated esoteric machinery from the lunar ruins and implemented a revolutionary R&D program under the tighest security blanked - OT (OverTechnology) Systems. Years of secret research culminated in the development and release of a new line of neurally-directed combat droides with battleground precision and attack capabilities far beyond any mechanized warriors produced by the competition.
OT Systems gave DN Group a total monopoly, cementing its dominance of the world economy. But, more disturbingly, the internal security programs of the lunar base were accidentally re-armed by DN Group technicians, unleashing virtual pandemonium on the surface of the moon. "Operation Moongate" was initiated to shut down the base before the chaos could extend to earth.
V.C. 00 a. 0 (Present Day)
The battle for control of the moon is underway, with OT Systems combat machines arrayed against the formidable remnants of the lunar complex defense forces. The DN Group forces have numerical superiority but are being tactically outclassed by the experienced droids defending the base. In a desperate effort to recruit talented virtual pilots, the DN Military Support Division has opened a Test and Training program designed to cultivated maxium combat skills in the shortest possible time. As one of thousands of test candidates, you must prove yourself in a simulation warfare against increasingly powerful DN test droids before qualifying for the Mindshift into real-time combat in teh lunar theater.
Cyber Troopers Virtual-On is a versus fighting game featuring robots known as "Virtuaroids" who are armed with a variety of weapons. The game is played from a third-person perspective with players traversing across a three-dimensional field, attacking each other primarily with projectile weapons. Like other fighting games, the object of the game is to destroy all of your opponents in succession.
Cyber Troopers Virtual-On was designed to accommodate a "twin-stick" control scheme, similar in part to older arcade games such as Robotron 2084 and Smash TV.
Virtuaroids
VR.TEMJIN (MBV-04-G)
The Temjin was the first prototype to be developed by the DN Group. This machine was made for stability and performance. An all-around fighting machine, what the Temjin might lack in advanced technologies, it makes up for with its reliability.
VR.DORKAS (HBV-10-B)
The product of early experimentation with a stronger armored structure, the Dorkas is built slower than other droids, but packs a heavier punch. The long-range and obstacle-clearing power of its hammer attack make it a particularly tough customer in broken-field arenas.
VR.Fei-Yen (SRV-1-A)
The Fei-Yen is the fastest of the DN Group droids, sleek and streamlined for high-speed maneuverability. The R&D team had to cut back on armor and heavy weapons, but the Fei-Yen is rumored to have a devastating secret attack system for last-ditch defense.
VR.BELGDOR (SAV-07-D)
Based on the popular Raiden battle-droid, the Belgdor is a slightly more mobile variant with a formidable homing missile system. The Belgdor doesn't have the one-punch KO capability of a Dorkas or Raiden, but it beats them both in speed and jumping range.
VR.VIPER II (TRV-06K-H)
Developed for fast tactical deployment, Viper II extends the Temjin prototype to a new level of quickness and agility. Sacrifices were made in the Viper II armor and close-range arsenal, but most machines have trouble getting close enough to hit one.
VR.BAL-BAS-BOW (XBV-13-T11)
The Bal-Bas-Bow was released well after the other DN Group battle droids, and it represents a new direction in virtual warfare tech-droids. With longer sustained jumping power and next-generation smart guidance weapons systems, the Bal-Bas-Bow may be the newest stage in battle-droid evolution.
VR.APHARMD (MBV-09-C)
The Apharmd models are designed for use as guerilla shock-troops, with a paid of beam tonfas especially suited for hand-to-hand combat. Turbo speed and sturdy armor make the Apharmd droid a force to be reckoned with on any battleground.
VR.RAIDEN (HBV-05-E)
Raiden droids are feared equally for their dual laser cannons and their strontium-alloy armor. If these machines have a weak point, it's a lack of speed and jumping ability, but they don't need to spend much time trying to get out of anything's way.
Virtual-On was an extremely popular arcade game atthe time of release, which led to the game being ported to the Sega Saturn with significant cutbacks the following year. The Saturn version makes cutbacks to accommodate the weaker graphical hardware over the Model 2 arcade board, but also adds a variety of modes not found in the arcade version. For the authentic arcade feel, Sega manufactured the Saturn Twin-Stick, of which the game was bundled with in Japan - this peripheral was not released in the West.
Two versions of Cyber Troopers Virtual-On exist for Windows PCs - a Japanese and North American port, with the former offering hardwre accelerated graphics. Both are derived from the Saturn version but sport higher resolution graphics, more akin to the arcade original.
The success of the arcade game led to Cyber Troopers Virtual-On becoming a well established franchise in Japan, with plastic models, original soundtracks, trading figurines, light novels and audio drama CDs being among the merchandise released in this region.
Virtual-On was also released as Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 31: Cyber Troopers Virtual-On in Japan with improved graphics, a better quality soundtrack and various other extra features. Two player online versions of the game were also released for the Sega Saturn version in America and Japan for the Sega NetLink and XB∀ND services.
~Other credits~ Testers: Rey Alferez, Nicolas J. Azizian, Anthony Borba, Jesse Caceres, Anthony Chau, Marc Dawson, John Diamonon, David Dodge, Jeff Hedges, Jeff B. Junio, Lloyd Kinoshita, Michael Kwan, Dennis Lee, Christopher Lucich, Grant Luke, Dan Madar, Marcus Montgomery, Mark Paniagua, Dave Portera, Sean Potter, Todd Slepian, Carl Street, Fernando Valderrama, Ferdinand Villar, Polly Villatuya, Peter Young, Michael Weavil Packaging Design: Robert Schonfisch, Eric Smith, Sarah Wittmer Manual: Doulas Sipp Thanks to:Matt Dunbar, Manny Granillo, Mark Lindstrom, Anne Moellering, SEEDY, Undyne Stafford, Bernard Stolar, Tak