History of Virtua Fighter

[|Virtua Kazama|]

Hello, and welcome to the history of Virtua Fighter. In this thread, we will be talking about the history behind Virtua Fighter. So let's begin with the first game.

Virtua Fighter


Virtua Fighter was released in 1993 on Sega's Model 1 Arcade System. This was the very first 3D Fighter in fighting game history and also the first game to feature ring-outs. Unlike games like Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat, the game uses a 3-Button layout consisting of Punch, Kick, and Guard.The polygonal graphics were breathtaking at the time and garnered success in the arcades for its real-world fighting techniques and its fighting engine. However, the game is noticeable for it's floaty jump mechanics, on which players criticized at the time. But in contrast to 2D fighters, aerial combat wasn't the main focus.

The first Virtua Fighter games would be later ported to home consoles. It was ported to Sega Saturn(1994 JP, 1995 NA), Sega 32x(1995) and PC(1996). The Sega Saturn version was rushed in order to be ready on time for the May 1995 North American release of Sega Saturn. It suffered from inferior visuals, gameplay glitches, and lack of gameplay modes (It only had Arcade, Vs., and Option). As an apology to the fans, SEGA would release an update called Virtua Fighter Remix in July, which was free to Saturn owners at the time. The 32x version had more features than the Saturn version such as Tournament and Ranking, plus the 3D graphics took full advantage of the Genesis' add-on 32-Bit capabilities.

Virtua Fighter Remix


Virtua Fighter Remix was released in both Arcades and Sega Saturn in 1995 as a free gift in the mail to the registered Sega Saturn owners. Remix retains the gameplay from the original, but the only difference is that the game is graphically enhanced. The arcade version of Virtua Fighter Remix is no different from the Saturn version since it uses the ST-V hardware. This version was later ported to the PC and it was developed by Sega AM-1, not AM-2.

Character Roster




The game has 8 starting characters, 1 boss character, and 1 removed character. The characters are:

Akira Yuki - Kung fu teacher from Japan, fighting style is Bajiquan

Pai Chan - Martial arts movie star from Hong Kong, fighting style is Ensei-Ken

Lau Chan - Chef from China, father of Pai, fighting style is Kou-Ken

Wolf Hawkfield - Pro-Wrestler from Canada, fighting style is Professional Wrestling

Jeffery McWild - Fisherman from Australia, fighting style is Pancratium

Kage-Maru - Ninja from Japan, fighting style is with Ninjutsu

Sarah Bryant - College student from San Francisco, California USA, fighting style is Jeet Kun Do (later changed to Martial Arts in Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution)

Jacky Bryant - Race car driver from San Francisco, California USA, older brother of Sarah, fighting style is Jeet Kun Do

Dural - Gynoid-like creature created by Judgement 6, Mother of Kage-Maru, fights with a mix of other characters' moves. She is the boss character and a secret character in the game.

Siba - An Arab fighter that was seen in the prototype of the game. His character model was already made and his photo was seen on some VF1 arcade cabinets. He was later dropped from the game, only to be replaced by Akira.

Other Facts

-(Taken from Localditch.com)While in China doing research for Virtua Fighter, Yu Suzuki met with a master of Hakkyokuken, the techniques used by Akira in the game. During the visit, there was quite a bit of customary drinking as the two parties greeted each other. Later on, during a demonstration, the inebriated master's punches went further than expected, striking Suzuki in the gut. At this point, Suzuki fell to the ground head first, leaving the scar on the left side of his head.

-The prototype version had a different select screen and all characters (except Pai and Wolf) had either different name changes or had their names spelled different. For example:
*Kage-Maru was Yagyu
*Jeffery was Willy
*Lau was Lee
*Jacky's name was spelled "Jackie"
*Sarah's name was spelled "Sara"
*Siba's name was spelled "Shiba"

-The original Virtua Fighter Arcade Cabinet can be found at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

-As previously mentioned, even though Siba was cut from the roster, his photo is still shown in arcade cabinets, mistakenly having Akira's name on it.

-Virtua Fighter, along with Virtua Racing, were a big hit with arcade gaming audiences, and marked the beginning of 3D rendered video games.

[|Virtua Kazama|]

Virtua Fighter 2


Virtua Fighter kicked off the beginning of the 3D fighters back in 1993. One year later, SEGA AM-2 released Virtua Fighter 2 in 1994 in the arcades. The game was operated by Sega Model 2 hardware in order to run the game at 60 Frames per second at high resolution without any slow downs, which was amazing at the time. The graphics on the characters and stages were improved very well done by using texture maps and doubling the polygon count. The gameplay was improved over their last predecessor by adding more moves, two new characters, and more depth while retaining the original gameplay that it had. The arcade release garnered major success in both North America and Japan.

Thanks to major success in the arcades, Virtua Fighter 2 would be later ported to consoles. VF2 was released on Sega Saturn(1995), Sega Genesis(1996), PC(1997), and Playstation 2(2004 as part of the Sega Ages Collection in Japan Only). The Saturn version sold over 1.7 Million Copies worldwide, making it the best-selling Sega Saturn game of all time. Let's compare each version of Virtua Fighter 2 shall we...?

Model 2 Version


The Model 2 version is the definite version. All stages provided 3D backgrounds for extra depth. The PC version is also similar to the Model 2 version as well.

Saturn Version


The Sega Saturn version was less powerful than the Model 2 version, although it was still amazing. The 3D backgrounds that were present during the arcade version were not 3D, but still operated like it was though. Although the hardware that the Saturn used wasn't powerful, the gameplay is still the same as it was on the arcades.

Genesis/Mega Drive Version


Surprisingly, there was a Genesis/Mega Drive version of Virtua Fighter 2. This version was remade into a 2D fighter because of the console couldn't handle the graphics that were in arcades. Unfortunately the two new characters (Shun and Lion) were excluded from the Genesis version. Why they were excluded from the Genesis version is unknown. Other than that, this game was played differently than the others, and was poorly received by fans. Yet, they re-release this version several times on Sega Genesis Collection, Wii Virtual Console, iPhone, etc. IMO, this version should have never existed. PERIOD.

Playstation 2 Version


The PS2 version of Virtua Fighter 2 was released in Japan only as part of the Sega Ages 2500 collection. It was based off the Model 2 version of Virtua Fighter 2, but unlike the Model 2 version the game was criticized for its graphic flaws. But in the end, if you already own a Sega Saturn and VF2, then there is no need for buying this on the PS2. I would just get a Model 2 Emulator and play it on there instead. Or better yet, get this version that I'm about to talk about right now...

XBLA/PSN Version

Recently announced for a Fall 2012 release along with Sonic the Fighters and Fighting Vipers, Virtua Fighter 2 will be released on the Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network. This will be based off the Model 2 version and it will have online mode, spectator mode, the option to switch from 2.0 to 2.1, and I think Dural will be available from the beginning without using a code but I'm not sure yet. This will not be like the PS2 version.

Virtua Fighter 2.1
Virtua Fighter 2.1 was a Japanese-only release in the arcades. This version has re-tweaked gameplay, slightly enhanced graphics, and the ability to play a newly-designed Dural. This version was also released in the Sega Ages 2500 series. The Saturn and PC versions have an option to switch to 2.1, but the only difference is that there is no other features that are updated.

Virtua Fighter Kids


Virtua Fighter Kids was released in 1996 for both the Arcade and Sega Saturn. It was basically a deformed-chibi version of Virtua Fighter 2, meaning they have child-like faces with big heads and small bodies. The characters' facial expressions that were present in this game were used as practice for Virtua Fighter 3. The gameplay was slightly different that it was on Virtua Fighter 2, since it had some elements from Fighting Vipers such as the recovery jump and the K.O. sequences and the ability to create and test pre-made combos. According to the back of the NA Box Art, the game states that it is 20% faster than Virtua Fighter 2. It was also the only Virtua Fighter game to have FMV sequences and character endings.

Character Roster



All 8 characters have returned to Virtua Fighter 2, plus 2 character made their VF Debut.

Returning Characters
Akira Yuki
Pai Chan
Lau Chan
Wolf Hawkfield
Jeffery McWild
Kage-Maru
Sarah Bryant
Jacky Bryant
Dural

New Characters
Shun-Di - Herbal doctor from China, fighting style is Drunken Fist
Lion Rafale - High school student from France, fighting style is Tororu-Ken(Mantis Fist)

Other Facts

-The Saturn version has a secret ending to Virtua Fighter 2, which can be seen here.

-It was rumored that the first Dead or Alive game on the Saturn and Model 2 used the same license engine as VF2.

-When Virtua Fighter Kids came out for the Saturn in Japan, it was released as a promotional item in co-operation with two drink brands, Java Tea and Energen. The title was called Virtua Fighter Kids: Java Tea Edition. The title would be released commercially with Java Tea on the cover. Also, the product placements were removed in the western versions of the game. However, they are only present in the Japanese version (Arcade,Saturn, Java Edition).

-In VF: Kids, Dural is featured with a fishbowl for a head, containing a fish inside.

-The cheat to play as Dural is by highlighting Akira and press Down, Up, Right, A+Left (ironically spelled DURAL).

-There is another stage in Virtua Fighter 2 called Chicago. In order to select that stage, make sure both players pick Jacky and Sarah.

-In VF2, you have the option to adjust the ring size and gain infinite health. This is perfect if you either a beginner of the game or if you want to do a mock Sumo-style match. Virtua Fighter 2 and Virtua Fighter Remix are the only 2 games that can adjust ring size.

-If you switch the version to 2.1, all characters will be shown with their alternate costumes during the opening demo.

-The Saturn version of Virtua Fighter 2 has both arcade music and alternative music.

-In some versions of Virtua Fighter Kids, players can "eat the souls" of other characters. That means that they can change their fighting style and win poses.

[|Virtua Kazama|]

Fighters Megamix


Fighters Megamix was released for the Sega Saturn in 1996 in Japan, 1997 in the North America, and 1998 for Game.com. This is Sega's first crossover fighting game featuring Virtua Fighter 2, Fighting Vipers and characters from other games. This is the only Sega AM-2 fighting game that does not have an arcade release. Intentionally used as an introduction to Virtua Fighter 3, Fighters Megamix took a page of KOF's book by having different characters and styles mixed together. There were open stages from Virtua Fighter (but no ring-out, just infinite stages like Tekken) and walled stages from Fighting Vipers. Virtua Fighter characters obtained moves from Virtua Fighter 3, but the most interesting feature that the game had was the side-step. The side-step was used as avoiding a dangerous blow, which can lead up to an open attack. Sega called Fighters Megamix as the first "real 3D" fighting game in the market.

Gameplay-wise, you can choose to play the game like Fighting Vipers, or Virtua Fighter. Virtua Fighter's gameplay has some elements from Virtua Fighter 3, such as the side-step, while retaining the floating jump mechanics from the previous sequels, while Fighting Vipers gameplay include armor-breaking moves, recovery jumps, and Irish Whips (which is the default for Fighters Megamix). Other than Vs., Survival, and Team Battle, Fighters Megamix features a unique Arcade mode that has 9 subsections. These sections are(in order):

Novice - Course for Beginners
Virtua Fighter - All Virtua Fighter characters
Fighting Vipers - All Fighting Vipers characters
Girls - All female characters
Muscle - Strong characters
Smart Guys - Technical characters
Dirty Fighters - Sneaky characters
Bosses - Boss characters from Virtua Fighter, Fighting Vipers, and others from past courses
Bonus - Secret characters

Character Roster


There are 11 Virtua Fighter 2 characters, 11 Fighting Vipers characters, and 10 Bonus characters. These characters are from different Sega games, unreleased, and original.

Virtua Fighter 2
Akira Yuki
Pai Chan
Lau Chan
Wolf Hawkfield
Jeffery McWild
Kage-Maru
Sarah Bryant
Jacky Bryant
Shun-Di
Lion Rafale
Dural

Fighting Vipers
Grace
Bahn
Raxel
Tokio
Sanman
Jane
Honey(Candy in the NA/EU version)
Picky
Mahler
B.M.
Kumachan/Pandachan

Bonus Characters
Bark the Polar Bear - Bark is a character from Sonic The Fighters. He is a cream bear that wears a scarf and mittens. His alternate costume is a Santa Claus-esque costume. He fights on Virtua Fighter's side and can be unlocked by defeating him on the Muscle course. He retains his old stage from Sonic the Fighters, but the music from Amy Rose's Flying Carpet stage is used instead.

Bean the Dynamite - Bean is a green duck with Sonic the Hedgehog's shoes who also appeared in Sonic the Fighters. His character is based off of an old Sega arcade game, Dynamite Dux. Ironically enough, his alternate costume resembles Bin from Dynamite Dux as well. Bean's bombs are his specialty in Sonic the Fighters and they were retained in Fighters Megamix. Just like Bark, he also fights on Virtua Fighter's side. He is also unlocked along with Bark (see Bark for unlocking). His stage, Dynamite Plant, wasn't in the game, but instead it was Knuckles' South Island stage (for those who don't know what South Island is, it's where Green Hill Zone and others zones from various Sonic games are located).

Deku - An Mexican green bean wearing a hat. He is a original character that fights on Fighting Vipers' side. He is unlocked by completing the Dirty Fighters Course.

Janet - Janet is a cop who appeared in Virtua Cop 2. Her movelist is similar to Aoi Umenokouji from Virtua Fighter 3 and fights on Fighting Vipers' side. She is unlocked by completing the Girls course. Her stage, Virtua City, is based on the first stage on Virtua Cop.

Kids Akira - A chibi-version of Akira from Virtua Fighter Kids. He is unlocked by completing the Virtua Figher course. Kids Akira retains his Virtua Fighter Kids stage.

Kids Sarah - A chibi-version of Sarah from Virtua Fighter Kids. She is also unlocked by completing the Virtua Fighter course. Her stage is Sarah's Virtua Fighter 1 stage, but with neon walls that say "MEGAMIX".

Hornet - A race car from Daytona USA that stands on 2 back wheels and fights with his front. Yes, I said it. A race car as a character in a fighting game. Go ahead, laugh it up. It fights on Fighting Vipers side and can have its armor knocked off, revealing the engine and other parts. It's sound effects are used from Daytona USA, such as screeching tires. The costumes represent his automatic (Red & Blue) and his Manual (Red & Gold) transmissions. Hornet can be unlocked by completing the Secrets course. The stage is actually the Beginner's Course from Daytona USA. ROLLING START!!!!!

Rent-A-Hero - Rent-A-Hero appeared in the game of the same name for the Sega Mega Drive and Rent-A-Hero No. 1 for the Sega Dreamcast and Xbox in Japan only. He fights on the Fighting Viper side. He has a battery life on top of his health meter and once they are drained, then he shuts down. He's also one of the few characters that have projectiles. Rent-A-Hero can be unlocked by completing the Smart Guys course. His stage is the Chicago stage from Virtua Fighter 2.

Siba - A prototype character that was cut from the first Virtua Fighter game. Siba is an Arab in purple and white equipped with a sword that charges with green energy. He is unlocked by completing the Bosses course. His stage is based off of Wolf's Virtua Fighter 3 stage.

URA Bahn - An improved version of Bahn that can be unlocked by completing the Fighting Vipers course. His stage is the outskirts of Old Armstone Town with buildings from Bahn's stage seen in the background.

AM2 Palm Tree - Oh yes this game got some weird characters alright. It's just a palm tree based off of Sega-AM2's emblem. To play as the palm tree, play this game for 84 Hours, then select Kumachan and press Z button.

Mr. Meat (Niku) - Well, the name says it all. You are a big piece of meat. To play as Mr. Meat, boot the game 30 times, then select Kumachan and press X. This will get access to a hidden course.

Differences between the NA and Japan Versions
The rendered images seen in the game's credits can be seen again during the Extra Options menu, which can be unlocked after completing any course at Arcade Mode. There are two different versions of two images that were shown on the Japanese Version and North American version.

In the Japanese version, after completing the Girls course, you get to see this during the credits (and again in Extra Options):



See that? I just hooked you guys up. It's Honey with her Bra and thong on (If you want to see it in action, click here). The North American version had a fully-clothed version of Honey in her Player 2 Alternate from Fighting Vipers (Blue armor and Blond hair). A second change is Tokio with his shirt slightly open from the Smart Guys course ending. Not much of a change though...

Rent-A-Hero's theme from Sega Mega Drive was played in the Chicago stage, complete with a Japanese Sentai Show-styled lyrics. In the North American version, the stage music changed as an instrumental.

Elements from Virtua Fighter 3

-The Virtua Fighter 2 characters have some of their newly-acquired VF3 Movelist.

-Janet's movelist is Aoi Umenokouji's movelist from VF3.

-Siba's stage is based off of Wolf's Desert stage from VF3. The song that was used during VF3's attract mode, Rowdy, appears.

-Jeffery's VF3 theme (Coral Groove) was used for the training mode/Deku's stage.

-Some of the VF2 characters have their VF3 win poses.

-The announcer is the same in VF3.

Other Facts

-All the Fighting Vipers characters have different alternate costumes colors. For example, Mahler's costume was changed because he wore the same thing B.M. did in Fighting Vipers. Honey's P2 costume was changed to yellow armor and brunette hair instead of blue armor and blond hair and she also gained a bonus schoolgirl costume.

-All Virtua Fighter 2 characters retained their old stages, except Dural retains her Virtua Fighter 1 stage. Her Virtua Fighter 2 stage is in the game, but it belongs to Fighting Vipers' Mahler.

-The pixelated blood and flashes that were seen on Fighting Vipers are less visible on Fighters Megamix.

-Bean and Bark from Sonic the Fighters appear in Fighters Megamix as human-sized characters.

-When knocking the top armor off of Deku, he has a duck in his hat. In his alternate costume, it's the Sega Saturn Logo. When he wins with his hat off on alternate costume, it makes a weird vibrating noise. That noise actually came from Sonic the Fighters when Dr. Eggman hovers from his ship with Metal Sonic by his side.

-Honestly, if you want to see the car fight, click on the link that says ROLLING START on Hornet's bio.

-One of the jets from Sega's arcade classic, After Burner, makes an appearance.

-The Japanese version of the game has a mini-game that is unlockable. The mini game is actually matching cards.

[|Virtua Kazama|]

Virtua Fighter 3


Virtua Fighter 3 was released in 1996 for the arcades. It was the first game on the Sega Model 3 system. Instead of traditional squared ring-outs like in previous VF games, this was the first and only VF game to include environments in stages, such as walls, stairs, and slopes. Also people can fall in water, which was really amazing! When characters get ringed-out, they scream when they fall. The graphics improved really well this time around. Characters' eyes can track their opponent's positions and their muscles can flex and relax. SEGA AM-2 upped the gameplay once more. Although the floating jumps are gone, the biggest addition to the game was the Dodge button in which players can sidestep the opponent's move only to get a counterattack. This was the only game to have a 4-button layout. The game was a major success in Japanese arcades, beating out Tekken 2.

Sega was originally planning to port Virtua Fighter 3 to the Sega Saturn, but there was a problem. The Saturn couldn't handle the graphics and the game, meaning that it has to be reduced. Meanwhile, outside of Japan the Sega Saturn sales were declining because of the Playstation and Nintendo 64. Because of that, Virtua Fighter 3 was scrapped for the Saturn release and Sega began focusing on the Dreamcast.

Virtua Fighter 3TB


Virtua Fighter 3TB is an update of Virtua Fighter 3 and was released for the Arcades(1997) and for the Dreamcast(1998 JP, 1999 NA). The gameplay was kept the same from VF3, but the difference is that it involved KOF-Styled Team Battle and a new kick-ass intro. The game was a major success in Japan, but in North America it wasn't as successful as Japan because Soulcalibur was the Dreamcast's fighter of choice in America. On the other hand, like Tekken 4 and Street Fighter 3, VF3 was the black sheep of their series. The fans preferred the game to be more like Virtua Fighter 2. Since then, Sega removed environmental stages and the dodge buttons in later games.

Character Roster


All 11 characters returned from VF2, and 2 more characters made their debut.

Returning Characters
Akira Yuki
Pai Chan
Lau Chan
Wolf Hawkfield
Jeffery McWild
Kage-Maru
Sarah Bryant
Jacky Bryant
Shun-Di
Lion Rafale

New Characters
Aoi Umenokouji - High School Student from Japan, fighting style is Aikijutsu
Taka-Arashi - Sumo Wrestler from Japan, fighting style is Sumo

Other Facts

-There were rumors that the Sega Saturn would have to use a 3DFX-powered upgrade card so that it can run an enhanced port of the game. Unfortunately it was false.

-This was the only game that Taka-Arashi would appear up until Virtua Fighter 5 R. He wasn't in 4, 4: EVO, and 5 because there were technical problems on adding a larger character into the games.

-Kage and Jacky both have a Metal-Pan win pose. To activate it, get a perfect on one round and hold P,K,G,E, and Down as soon as the announcer says K.O. Your character should pose with a victory sign and have a metal pan fall on his head.

-Pai has a secret win pose. To activate it, defeat Akira on his stage with a perfect. If it's done correctly, then Pai will blow a kiss and mock one of Akira's victory taunts.

-On the console version of VF3tb, before and during the match, if you are playing any single player mode (Training, Team Battle, Normal), you get to switch camera angles to isolated view and first-person view. This was the only VF game that did that.

[|Virtua Kazama|]

Virtua Fighter 4


Virtua Fighter 4 was released on 2001 for Arcade using the NAOMI 2 Hardware and 2002 for the Playstation 2. This was the first VF game to be released on another console since Sega's end of console making. It was also the first game to include customization for their characters. The game features Kumite mode and a more helpful training mode. In Training Mode, there are command training, free training, and a trial mode. Gameplay-wise, VF4 went back to their roots by going back to the 3-Button layout (although the evasion system is still in the game). The throw-escape option select is back and better than ever. It allowed players to escape many throws as they could and increased the window so that the players can perform a throw successfully during an unsuccessful evade. New to the gameplay was Sabaki, in which an attack that is doubled as an reversal vs. one or more move types.

For the roster changes other than 2 new characters, one character, Taka-Arashi, was absent from the game because as I previously mentioned on VF3, the developers had problems using him on a VF4 mechanics.

As for the fighting arenas, VF4 returned to the standard square arenas that were used since the first game, along with the inclusion of walled and breakable walled stages based off of VF3 and Fighting Vipers. The reason for that is because to make the game less random and more balanced than VF3. There are many different wall types, such as low unbreakable, low breakable, and high unbreakable. Walls are a good help to stagger characters and keep the juggling going.

Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution


Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution is an update of Virtua Fighter 4 which was released on 2002 in Arcades for the NAOMI 2 hardware and 2003 for the Playstation 2. The game adds two more new characters in the game and the gameplay changes for each character. All the stages were changed in this game, though you can still access the old VF4 stages. For example, Jacky's stage in Virtua Fighter 4 was at night with low, unbreakable walls, but in Evolution, it's at the morning with semi-open walls. Other than Jacky, some characters have Semi-Open walled stages. Graphics were improved from the last game. Quest mode has a new currency system and new items, along with a better ranking system, emblem collecting, and a tracking log. This would later influence other games to have customization such as Tekken 5 and Soulcalibur III. The training mode is better than ever. Other than command practicing, freestyle practicing, and a command trial, there is a Guide mode to help new players understand VF terms.

In the NA version, the game comes with an bonus game, Virtua Fighter: 10th Anniversary, to commemorate 10 years of the franchise.

Virtua Fighter 4: Final Tuned


Virtua Fighter 4: Final Tuned was released in 2004 in the Japanese Arcades only. The only thing that were changed was new stages, more customizable items, and gameplay fixes. Nothing special.

Virtua Fighter: 10th Anniversary


Virtua Fighter: 10th Anniversary is a mash-up of the first VF game and the update of the fourth VF game. It was released in 2003 for the Playstation 2. This game was distributed differently in different regions. In North America as I previously mentioned, it was included on Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution. In Japan, it was shipped as part of a box set, with an art book and a DVD on Virtua Fighter's history called Virtua Fighter 10th Anniversary ~Memory of Decade~. In Europe, it was a promotional item which was never sold at retail.

Elements from Virtua Fighter
-Character models and stages are back. The newer characters gets new models and were based off their first VF appearances.

-Soundtrack from the Arcade Model 1 version is back.

-The jump physics made it's epic return.

-There are no ground juggles in this game

-The plane structure was 2D, although if you throw the character it'll change planes. Lion's special evades still work though.

-Menu and game layouts. Just like the Saturn version, only Arcade, Vs. and Options.

Elements from Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution
-The WHOLE character roster is there.

-All the characters move list can be used there.

-Victory taunts/poses are used.

-Game speed/frame rate is faster this time around.

Character Roster




With the removal of Taka-Arashi, only 12 characters returned to the roster. 2 characters were introduced in Virtua Fighter 4, while the next 2 would be introduced in VF4: Evolution.

Returning Characters
Akira Yuki
Pai Chan
Lau Chan
Wolf Hawkfield
Jeffery McWild
Kage-Maru
Sarah Bryant
Jacky Bryant
Shun-Di
Lion Rafale
Aoi Umenokouji
Dural

Introduced in Virtua Fighter 4
Vanessa Lewis - Security Officer from USA, fighting style is Muay Thai Kickboxing and Vale Tudo. (It was changed to Vale Tudo in VF4: Evolution, and it's currently used today)

Lei-Fei - Shaolin Monk from China, fighting style is Shaolin Kung-Fu

Introduced in Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution
Brad Burns - Kickboxing playboy from Italy, fighting style is Muay Thai Kickboxing.

Goh Hinogami - Judgement 6 Assassin from Japan, fighting style is Judo.

Other Facts
-In Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution, all characters can use their Virtua Fighter 1 models. They can be bought in Quest mode and can be used in different game modes.

-Some stages from the first Virtua Fighter games are playable in Evolution

-Vanessa's fighting style was originally Muay Thai Kickboxing with some elements of Vale Tudo in Virtua Fighter 4, but in Evolution it was changed to offensive style Vale Tudo because of the addition of Brad Burns.

-The game was highly praised by the players with the addition of Training mode

-For the first time ever, Dural gets a newly-designed attire instead of being silver and gold.

-As I previously mentioned earlier, the customization of the VF4 series would later inspire other 3D fighting games like Tekken 5 and Soulcalibur III.

-In the first Virtua Fighter game, Akira's 1P costume was his black Karate outfit and his 2P costume was his white Karate outfit. In Virtua Fighter: 10th Anniversary it's the other way around.

[|Virtua Kazama|]

Virtua Quest


Virtua Quest is a action-adventure game for the Nintendo Gamecube and Playstation 2 released in 2004 in Japan as Virtua Fighter Cyber Generation: Ambition of the Judgement Six and 2005 in North America. I'm gonna be lazy and just paste what I found on Wikipedia, just because I don't feel like typing this up.

The world of Virtua Quest is one where many people shrug off reality, and instead spend their free time in the Nexus, a vast virtual universe. Sei, is a cheerful fellow who's been tapped by his friend, Hayami, into trying out the life of a hunter, one who collects data chips from the far-flung reaches of the Nexus and then sells them for cash. Sei, curious about the occupation, yet slightly intimidated by the dangers involved, reluctantly accepts after a bit of influence from Hayami, and the thought about the bike that they are trying to finish in time for the race in the real world. After completing the Hunters' test and a brief explanation from Hayami about the Hunter's License rankings-LoA, HighA, and ExA- Sei finds the server address for Curio City, and marks his way to the location.

Right after he had just arrived, a strange creature named "Bit" appears from his Hunter's Glove at a blaze of light and announces that he will be his navigator throughout the servers he visits. Sei is fine with this, now that Bit had explained his startling entrance, but not with the fighters that pursued him a few minutes afterwards. Then a girl with aqua-colored hair approaches him and directs him to logout. Sei demands Bit to logout, but the command is not accessible. The girl then tells him to go to a warehouse and find what he needs there, and tells him that he's "in this fight,no matter what. The only person that can defend you is yourself." Sei obeys, and heads to the warehouse, whereas falling through the glass ceiling. He meets a man that bears a vague resemblance to his father, and tells him that he may need to fight, questioning whether he considers to fight for himself or for others. Sei answers a baffled reply to this, and as to rid his anxiety, the man teaches him Sypnapse Break, a special technique bared by Hunters. Once taught this, Sei is confident, and starts his Hunter journey.

While looking around, Bit starts warning that there is a Virtua Soul in the area. Giving him a baffled look, Sei bursts a container and finds this strange cluster of data. "Is this...a Virtua Soul?" he reassures, and begins processing the data in his mind. Meeting a man named Akira that urges him to fight and "forge his path", Sei's attempts are futile, for Akira seems to read Sei's every move. But, he is taught his first Virtua Soul move at least. He wakes up and spots another fighting dummy abduct two Hunters through a window. Sei destroys the window and pursues after them, being sidetracked by more fighting dummies and two more Virtua Souls, as well as an enigma he spots in an elevator that smirks at him.

At the top of the elegant and abandoned building, he meets across a blonde African American in a load of armor. Despite his buff appearance, Sei easily defeated the "root user" as referred by the blue-haired girl, granting him the opportunity to logout, as well as the other hunters.

Back at the Hunter's place, Sei finds Hayami, and asks him about Virtua Souls. Hayami tells him that they are like "ghost data", meaning that they're to the point that they don't exist. Finding this useless, he asks the shopkeeper, and when her explanation isn't any help, he asks a man talking to a woman, and finally he reveals information: A man was rousing him for Virtua Souls, and he vanished in the Wild Corridor, yet another lost Server. Sei gains the server address to the Wild Corridor, and he too vanishes in the location.

Characters

Main Characters
Sei
Toka
Hayami
Bit
Fan
Raudo
Jen
Shut

Judgement 6 Characters
Moon
Hagane
Yari

Virtua Fighter Characters
Akira Yuki
Pai Chan
Lau Chan
Wolf Hawkfield
Jeffery McWild
Kage-Maru
Sarah Bryant
Jacky Bryant
Shun-Di
Lion Rafale
Aoi Umenokouji
Vanessa Lewis
Lei-Fei
Dural

[|Virtua Kazama|]

Virtua Fighter 5


Virtua Fighter 5 was released in 2006 in the arcades and 2007 for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. This entry is known to be more realistic as it can get. The graphics are deeply well done this time around. If you owned an HDTV, you would literally have a nerdgasm. The character models, lightning effects, clothing effects, and textures are really amazing. The clothing adds in a more realistic effect when it's in contact with water, showing that their clothes have gotten wet. The two new characters were more original.

The gameplay is smoother than Evolution. New elements that were added to the gameplay is the Clash System, in which an attack can be cancelled out using a throw leaving both players at +0 frame advantage. Another new element from the game is the Offensive Move, in which you press P+K+G during a evade to angled forward dash. If you press Punch or Kick during an OM, then it will lead to a crumple or a stagger, gaining a crumple opportunity. "Instants", or 0 Frame throws that were seen in Virtua Fighter 3 are back.

When the game was ported to PS3 and 360, there were two different versions. The PS3 version was based off of Ver.B while the 360 version was based off of Ver.C. The 360 version had online, making it the first Virtua Fighter game to have online play, along with new customization items for Version C. On January 16, 2008, SEGA released a patch for the 360 version, in which it improved the online play and changes to Quest mode. SEGA was thinking about releasing a downloadable patch for the PS3 version to include online play, but according to Jay Boor, he says that there are no plans to release a patch for the PS3 version of Virtua Fighter 5. (Sorry PS3 fanboys...)

In Quest mode, the ranking system is different than it was on Virtua Fighter 4.
You got the standard ranking system: 10th-1st Kyu, 1st-10th Dan
If your winning percentage is below 70: Master - Defender - Enforcer - Sentinel - Protector - Guardian - Paladin - Liberator
If your winning percentage is between 70 and 80: Master - Hunter - Raider - Barbarian - Assassin - Slayer - Berserker - Destroyer
If your winning percentage is above 80: Master - Warrior - Veteran - Gladiator - Vindicator - Avenger - Vanquisher - Conqueror

This was confusing to the fans to be honest. I'm not gonna explain why...

Virtua Fighter 5 R


Virtua Fighter 5 R was released on Valentines Day 2008 in the Japanese Arcades only. As an update to Virtua Fighter 5, this game adds two more characters into the mix, bringing a total of 20 characters. The gameplay was retweaked once again. All the characters in that were present in Virtua Fighter 5 gained new customizations, new pre-fight animations and quotes, new win animations, one new costume, and new moves. New to Virtua Fighter 5 R was the Side Block feature, in which players can block an attack from the side. As one new stage has been added, all stages get updated. Now, there are Octagonal stages, one-walled stages, low wall breakable stages, high wall breakable stages, very low walls, semi-open stages, and multi-tiered stages that is from High-unbreakable to Open. Other than the game's new music scores, you also have the option to play classic VF tracks in the game via a code. This is the only Virtua Fighter game that only featured one new character, breaking the tradition of have 2 new characters.

Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown


Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown was released in July 29, 2010 in Arcades. The game will be available for the XBLA and PSN on two different dates. The PSN version will come out on June 5, 2012, while the XBLA will come out on June 6, 2012. The game will be released in a downloadable format. There are more customization items this time around, especially the ones from R bringing up the total to over 14,000 items to use. One more costume was added to the mix, called the S-Type costume in which all characters are in their swimsuits. Once again, characters recieved new pre-fight animations and new win-animations, an updated version of their moveset, new KO animations, tweaked stances, and attacks are clearly reworked to make it look like low, medium, and high attacks. Once again, the stages are updated with a new soundtrack, however the arena is the same as R, but with different backgrounds and environments.

Online play will be on both PSN and XBLA and will be based on the current version that is in the arcades: Version A Revision-1.

Character Roster



In Virtua Fighter 5, two brand new characters made their debut, while all 15 characters returned. In Virtua Fighter 5 R, one character made his debut, while the other one makes his epic return to the series, bringing the roster up to 20 characters total.

Returning Characters
Akira Yuki
Pai Chan
Lau Chan
Wolf Hawkfield
Jeffery McWild
Kage-Maru
Sarah Bryant
Jacky Bryant
Shun-Di
Lion Rafale
Aoi Umenokouji
Taka-Arashi
Vanessa Lewis
Lei-Fei
Goh Hinogami
Brad Burns
Dural

Introduced in Virtua Fighter 5
El Blaze - Luchador from Mexico, fighting style is Lucha Libre.

Eileen - An destined young girl from China, fighting style is Kou-Ken (Monkey-Style Kung Fu).

Introduced in Virtua Fighter 5 R
Jean Kujo - Another brainwashed Judgement 6 assassin from France, fighting style is Traditional Karate.

Other Facts

-El Blaze is modeled after WWE's Rey Mysterio. He also had some of his moves as well.

-Wolf's throws are more authentic as ever. These moves are based off of wrestlers' finishers. He can perform Brock Lesnar's F-5, Triple H's Pedigree, Randy Orton's RKO, Stone Cold Steve Austin's Stunner, HBK's Sweet Chin Music, The Rock's Rock Bottom and People's Elbow, Ric Flair's Chops, Kurt Angle's Olympic/Angle Slam, Goldberg's Jackhammer, JBL's Clothesline From Hell, etc. I can go on all day with this.

-Jeffery's throws are also based off of wrestler's finishers, such as CM-Punk's GTS and Amhed Johnson's Pearl-River Plunge.

-Virtua Fighter 5 R is the only game to have one new character instead of two. In every VF game, there would be 2 new characters.

-You can customize characters to look like other Sega characters and characters from non-Sega games. For example, you can make Sarah look like Ulala from Space Channel 5, customize Akira to look like Ryo Hazuki from Shenmue, customize Jean to look like Dante from Devil May Cry, and customize Kage to look like Geese Howard from Fatal Fury/KOF.

-Final Showdown's training mode is similar to Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution's training mode.

-Since Virtua Fighter 5 R, all characters have alternate win animations with their items equipped.

-The intro camera effects that were used in Virtua Fighter 1-3 and Fighters Megamix returned in Virtua Fighter 5 R.

-In every Virtua Fighter game, the announcer would say "Fight 1, Ready... GO!" or any number referring to that. Most of the time, the text would read "SET 1" or "Round 1" (The only time that the text read Fight 1 was on Virtua Fighter Remix) and then the announcer would say K.O. after the round is over. In Final Showdown, not only there was a new announcer, but he say "Round 1" this time and ends by saying "Knock Out" instead of saying "K.O." Nothing important, but good info nonetheless.

-As I previously stated, Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown used a new announcer.

-One of Eileen's hairstyle customizations includes Honey's hairstyle from Fighting Vipers.

-Goh Hinogami and Jean Kujo are the only two Judgement 6 representatives in the Virtua Fighter roster.

-Jean Kujo is the only character to make his debut in Virtua Fighter 5 R. His name was originally Karateka before the reveal.

-Back in 2010, North American VF fans and Japanese VF fans united to create a petition to bring Virtua Fighter 5 R to consoles. The petition was submitted to SEGA before SEGA decided to reveal Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown that same year.

-In Virtua Fighter 5 R and Final Showdown, all characters have an win animation with their equipped items. Some of them are awesome, some of them are funny, some of them were weird, and some of them are based off of other references such as Lion saving a puppy from a car (present from VF3's CG Ending), Sarah using a ray gun in the similar fashion as Ulala in Space Channel 5, etc.

-In every Virtua Fighter game, the roster goes in a unique order: Akira, Pai, Lau, Wolf, Jeffery, Kage, Sarah, Jacky, etc. Virtua Fighter 5 was the only game to mix the roster up. Virtua Fighter 5 R went back to the order again.