VR Troopers

For the unreleased Sega 32X version, see VR Troopers (32X).

n/a

Mega Drive Game Gear
VR Troopers
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Syrox Developments
Supporting companies: Waterman Designs
Licensor: Saban Entertainment
Peripherals supported: Six Button Control Pad
Genre: Action
Number of players: 1-2 1
Release Date RRP Code US 1995 1576 EU 1995-12 1576-50 PT 1995 MDJSE0141 UK 1995-12 1576-50 BR 199x 046950 US 1995 2559 EU 1995 2559-50 UK 1995 2559-50 BR 199x 077270

VR Troopers is a versus fighting game based on the VR Troopers television show by Saban (a "sister" show to the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers). It was released for the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Game Gear in 1995.

Story

Introduction

The VR Troopers are three teenagers in their late teens: JB Reese, Kaitlin Star, and Ryan Steel. They regularly attend and are teachers at Tao's Dojo, a karate studio. Professor Hart, who is a friend of Ryan's father Tyler, has developed an advanced virtual reality technology. A creature known as Grimlord rules the VR world with his army of mutants who want to conquer reality.

An arcade cabinet has mysteriously been delivered to the dojo. While investigating it, it zaps the protagonists into the virtual reality world, and the VR Troopers must fight their way out.

Gameplay

Mega Drive version

The game is a fighting game based on the television series of the same name. Matches are fought to the best of three rounds. A round is won by draining the opponent's health bar or having more health than the opponent when the timer reaches zero.

In the Story Game mode, the player can choose to play as any of the three VR Troopers and faces a series of opponents in order, including evil clones of the VR Troopers. After each fight, the player must play a "Battle Grid" stage and survive against multiple Skug opponents for a duration (initially 10 seconds, but increasing another 10 seconds each time). If defeated, the player must fight the previous opponent again. The player can change characters before each opponent and can continue only three times if defeated (not counting by Skugs). There are five difficulty levels for computer-controlled opponents (Kids, Easy, Moderate, Hard, and Manic). There is also a Vs. Battle mode, where two players can pick any character and any stage and fight each other, and a single-player CPU Duel mode, where one player can choose any character and stage to play and any character to fight.

Characters move with or and run with or . They jump with and crouch with . They punch with and kick with . Punches and kicks can be performed while standing, crouching, or jumping. Each character also has three special abilities that can be performed by pairing the attack buttons with particular directions. Attacks can be blocked by holding the D-Pad away from the opponent, which reduces (but does not entirely negate) the damage taken from attacks. Blocking can be done while standing or crouching as well as in midair. Some moves cannot be blocked.

In addition to these attacks, every character can perform a roundhouse kick with +K (or +K when facing left), a sweep kick with +K (or +K when facing left), and an uppercut with P when rising from a crouch. After jumping, characters can perform a "rocket air attack" with +K (or +K when facing left), which is a flying kick forward. All of these moves knock opponents over on impact. Characters can throw their opponents by holding the D-Pad toward a nearby opponent and pressing . Throws cannot be blocked, but characters can only be thrown while standing and not while crouching.

Characters

Move lists assume the player is facing right. If facing left, and should be reversed.

On the Kids and Easy difficulty levels, each character's special abilities are mapped to the , , and buttons and have had their recovery times removed.

Heroes

The VR Troopers are playable in every mode, including the Story Game.

	JB Reese
	JB is the "computer wizard" of the group. Move list Name Command Description Laser Lance +P JB thrusts a laser lance that stretches to the other end of the screen. Dive and Roll +P+K JB dashes forward and rolls along the ground. Turbine Kick +K in midair JB spins diagonally downward from the air like a drill.
	Kaitlin Star
	Kaitlin Star is a photographer and budding reporter for the local newspaper. Move list Name Command Description Power Ring +P Kaitlin shoots a fast, ring-shaped projectile across the screen. Punch and Kick P+K Kaitlin punches, then does an axe kick. Use Pistol +P Kaitlin shoots a laser across the screen with her pistol.
	Ryan Steel
	Ryan is the most focused martial artist of the group. Move list Name Command Description Atomic Shuriken +P Ryan shoots an energy shuriken across the screen. Lazer Rush +P+K Ryan charges across the screen, then throws an energy-infused punch. Overdrive Hold  THROW +P+K for 2 seconds Ryan glows, moving and attacking faster for 5 seconds. He also gains increased resistance to melee attacks (but not projectiles).

Villains

These characters appear as opponents in the Story Game and as playable characters in the Vs. Battle and CPU Duel modes.

	Tankotron
	Tankotron is an armored tank robot. Move list Name Command Description Blast +P Tankotron shoots a fire blast across the screen. Hard Shell Hold  THROW +P+K for 2 seconds Tankotron glows, increasing his resistance to melee attacks (but not projectiles) for 5 seconds. Mine +P Tankotron drops a mine on the ground, which explodes after a moment or when it touches an opponent. This move is unblockable.
	Decimator
	Decimator is an expert swordsman and one of Grimlord's key lieutenants. Move list Name Command Description Power Slice +P Decimator swings his sword, sending a tall energy wave across the screen. Switchback +K Decimator disappears and reappears on the other side of the opponent with a sweep kick. Stomp +K in midair Decimator falls with a stomp.
	Kongbot
	Kongbot is large gorilla robot. Move list Name Command Description Bark Blast +P Kongbot spits a small energy blast across the screen. Charge +P+K Kongbot charges across the screen. He is invulnerable while doing this. Spin HOLD P Kongbot ruses forward while spinning like a tornado.
	Darkheart
	Darkheart is a mutant who is actually Ryan's father, Tyler, after being captured by Grimlord. Move list Name Command Description Blast +P Darkheart shoots a fire blast across the screen. Cloak +P+K Darkheart becomes invisible for 5 seconds. Shield Hold  THROW +P+K for 2 seconds Darkheart glows, damaging and knocking over opponents that touch him for 5 seconds. He is invulnerable to melee attacks while the effect is active, but he can still be harmed by projectiles. His damage is also increased and his normal attacks are unblockable for the duration.
	The Magician
	The Magician is a robotic magician and ninja. Move list Name Command Description Magic Globe +P The Magician shoots a magical orb across the screen from his hat. In Hat HOLD P The Magician collapses to the ground under his hat, becoming invincible (but also unable to attack) for 3 seconds. He can pass under his opponent while in this state. He jumps before the duration ends. Switcheroo +P+K The Magician throws his hat across the screen. If it hits his opponent, both players are transformed into random other characters for 10 seconds.

Unplayable

These characters appear only as opponents in the Story Game.

	Skugs
	Skugs are Grimlord's foot soldiers. After each opponent in the Story Game, the player must survive against endless waves of two Skugs at a time until time runs out. If defeated, the player does not have to use a continue but must fight the previous opponent again. The player cannot use special moves in these fights. In matches against other VR Troopers, a Skug transforms into a clone of the Trooper before the match begins.
	Kamelion
	Kamelion is the final boss of the game. It is a robot that can transform into the other characters in the game and use their special abilities.

Stages

Stage are played in order in the Story Game mode (with the Battle Grid fights having their own backdrop). Some stages have a color variation. Players can choose the stage in the other modes (but not the Battle Grid stage or the color variations).

The Swamp

Tankotron is fought here.

The Forest 1

Decimator is fought here.

Ziktor Skyline 1

Darkheart is fought here.

The Scrapyard

Kongbot is fought here.

Ziktor Skyline 2

The Magician is fought here.

VR Skyjet 1

Clone JB is fought here.

The Forest 2

Clone Kaitlin is fought here.

VR Skyjet 2

Clone Ryan is fought here.

Grimlord's Lair

Kamelion is fought here.

Battle Grid

Skugs are fought here.

Game Gear version

The game is a fighting game, similar to the Mega Drive version. The player can choose from two game modes, Story Game and Battle Game. In Story Game, the player can choose from the three VR Troopers; the story differs depending on which character is chosen. In Battle Game, the player may choose from up to eight fighters and complete in a ladder-style tournament.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Developed in the U.K. for Sega of America by Syrox Developments Ltd.

• Program Code: Rob Brooks, Dominic Wood
• Program Graphics: Mark Knowles, Eric Bailey, Jock Green, Mickey Adams, Jim Studt
• Graphics Support: Paolo Ulivi
• Audio Compositions and Programming: Martin Walker
• Original Design: Michael Latham, Syrox

Sega of America

• Executive Producer: Michael Latham
• Producers: Erik Wahlberg, Eric Quakenbush
• Associate Producer: Bill Person
• Marketing: John Garner, Bill Onderdonk
• Licensing: Michaelene Cristini Risley
• Lead Tester: Lance Nelson
• Assistant Lead Testers: Steve Thompson, Scott Snyder, Stephen Perez
• Testers: Mark Lerma, Don Carmichael, Donovan Soto, Fernando Valderrama, Duane Beadles, David Mefford, Sean Davin, Rich Krinock, Chris Johnson
• With special thanks to: Joyce Takakura, Waterman Designs

Saban Interactive

• Executive Producer: J. David Koch
• Producer: Daniel E. Suarez
• With special thanks to: Haim Saban and Peter Dang.

Source:

In-game credits

Game Gear version

• Original Design: Michael Latham, Syrox Developments

Developed in the UK by Syrox Developments

• Programming Team: Dominic Wood, Rob Brooks
• Art Team: Mark Knowles, Eric Bailey, Jon Green, Mickey Adams, Jim Studt
• Assistant: Paulo Ulivi
• Music and Sound: Martin Walker

Sega of America

• Executive Producer: Michael Latham
• Producers: Erik Wahlberg, Eric Quakenbush
• Associate Producer: Bill Person
• Marketing: Lisa Best Wilson
• Licensing: Michealene C Risley
• Lead Tester: John Jansen
• Assistant Leads: Heather Meigs, Jeff Sanders, Brendan Cahill, Joe Cecchin
• Testers: Tony Lynch, Justin Acevedo, Amine Khoury, Steve Perez, Amy Albertson, Paulita Villatuya, Annette Dancel, Sean Davin, Lloyd Kinoshita, Arnold Feener, Victor Quimson, Jeff Hedges, Bine Arceo, Wesley Ng
• Special Thanks: Joyce Takakura, Waterman Designs

Saban Interactive

• Excutive Producer: J.David Koch
• Producer: Daniel E. Suarez
• Special Thanks: Haim Saban, Peter Dang

Magazine articles

Main article: VR Troopers/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Game Gear Print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #51: "Diciembre 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
also published in:

• Hobby Consolas (ES) #52: "Enero 1996" (199x-xx-xx)

Artwork

• 

  Mega Drive US prototype cover

• 

  Game Gear US prototype cover

• 

  Game Gear US prototype cover (alt)

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score 1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) 50 Cool Gamer (RU) 30 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U 38 Fusion (US) NTSC-U 25 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 73 Gamers (DE) PAL 47 Hobby Consolas (ES) PAL 70 MAN!AC (DE) PAL 52 Mega Force (FR) PAL 80 Mega Fun (DE) PAL 76 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 83 Sega Magazin (DE) PAL 64 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 75 Svet Igara (YU) 86 Tricks (RU) 70 Tricks 16 bit (RU) 77 Video Games (DE) PAL 56

	62
Based on 17 reviews

VR Troopers

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, PT
Cover

Mega Drive, BR
Cover
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

{{{{{icon}}}|L}}
Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score Gamers (DE) PAL 47 Hobby Consolas (ES) 79 Mega Force (FR) PAL 80 Mega Fun (DE) PAL 76 Player One (FR) PAL 30 Sega Magazin (DE) PAL 64 Sega News (CZ) 65

	63
Based on 7 reviews

VR Troopers

Game Gear, US
Cover
Cart

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear, FR (blister pack)
Cover

Game Gear, BR
Cover
Cart

Technical information

Main article: VR Troopers/Technical information.

External links

• Sega of America webpage: Mega Drive, Game Gear

References

Metal Hero games for Sega systems
	VR Troopers (1995)
	VR Troopers (unreleased)
	VR Troopers (1995)
	B-Fighter Kabuto (1996) | B-Robo Kabutack (1997)