VIRTUA FIGHTER 2 Review for Sega Saturn

Originally published on 10/29/12
Source: http://classicgameroom.com/cgrreviews/2012/10/29/virtua-fighter-2-for-sega-saturn-2/

Released in 1993, the original Virtua Fighter was a revolutionary arcade title from Sega’s AM2 division of software development. Due to the game’s ability to render polygonal graphics, it was the first 3D contribution to the “beat-em-up” genre spear-headed by the release of Capcom’s Street Fighter 2. Virtua Fighter was ported to and released for Sega’s brand-new Saturn system in November 1994. However, the version that appeared on the Saturn vastly differed from the arcade classic in terms of quality, even being outperformed by the game’s Sega 32x counterpart.

Initially anticipated as a game that would adequately demonstrate the power of Sega’s new 32-bit powerhouse, Virtua Fighter failed to please those who expected an accurate port of the arcade game. As an attempt to atone for their mistakes, Sega released Virtua Fighter Remix for the Saturn in 1995, going as far as to give the game away for free to those with registered Saturn consoles. Virtua Fighter Remix is vastly superior to Virtua Fighter’s original Saturn iteration, featuring enhanced character models plus smoother graphics and gameplay.

Released in 1994, Virtua Fighter 2 hit the nail on the head. It was a huge hit for the Saturn, selling more copies than any other game released for the console. The core gameplay elements remained intact, yet the game underwent a graphical overhaul and looked fantastic at the time of its release, running smoothly at 60 frames per second. It was an almost perfect translation from the arcade and would be considered the best looking 3D fighter on the Saturn if not for Tecmo’s Dead or Alive. The character models are improved and the stage backgrounds are much more detailed and memorable than those found in Virtua Fighter or Virtua Fighter Remix.

In addition to being visually ambitious for the time, Yu Suzuki’s Virtua Fighter series also contained a superb fighting engine that had a heavy emphasis on strategy. While games like Fatal Fury and Street Fighter feature projectile based specials, in the Virtua Fighter series such attacks are entirely absent. Instead, Suzuki’s games were more realistic due to the fact that players were required to anticipate their opponent’s next move and capitalize on opportunities to counterattack.

Overall, Virtua Fighter 2 is a balanced fighter. However, heavyweights Jeffrey and Wolf have throws that inflict huge amount of damage- throws that when combined with a body slam puts their opponent on life support within 3 seconds. The jumping physics are weird to say the least, characters float in the air towards their opponent when airborne. However, this is just a minor detail- you won’t spend that much time off the ground anyway. Regardless, a well-timed kick or punch in midair can be very satisfying.

Virtua Fighter 2 is as addicting as it is fun. Due to the game’s challenging difficulty, players are often faced with the “one more game syndrome” upon defeat. While the game has the potential to be frustrating, the fact that it is nearly impossible to put down the controller is a testament to its playability. Despite the fact that Virtua Fighter 2 is challenging, arcade mode can be completed in about a half hour. However, it is a game so deep that while the single player experience may be short, Virtua Fighter 2 definitely takes a while to master and thus has great replay value.

In addition to arcade and versus mode, there is also a team battle mode; ranking mode is also included where players can shoot for game’s high score list with only one credit. The music and sound effects in Virtua Fighter 2 are outstanding as well; the game makes fantastic use of the Saturn’s sound capabilities.

Many gamers have stated that this game hasn’t particularly aged well, but I disagree. Virtua Fighter 2 is a no-brainer for any Sega Saturn/fighting game enthusiast. The fighting style and the game’s engine are still engaging and satisfying today- there’s a reason the core gameplay mechanics pretty much remain the same throughout the series.

DYNAMITE HEADDY Review for Sega Genesis

Originally published on 4/1/13
Source: classicgameroom.com/cgrreviews/2013/04/01/dynamite-headdy-review-for-sega-genesis/

Formed in 1992 by several ex-Konami developers, Treasure has since grown into one of the most consistent video game companies of the last two decades. Classics such as Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga, Gunstar Heroes, and Silhouette Mirage helped define Treasure as a company that could do no wrong in the early to late 1990’s – a development team that would be ringing in the ears of hardcore gamers for years to come. Dynamite Headdy is a very unique, challenging platformer that provides the fantastic gameplay and presentation you’d expect from Treasure but without the huge price tag some of their high profile games command these days.

The game can be best described in one word: unique. Headdy’s individuality is initially evident in the way in which the game is presented. Dynamite Headdy takes place within a play – complete with curtain calls and stage dynamics. Albeit a bit odd, the setting is strangely charming and works well for this title.

The gameplay of Dynamite Headdy is that of a standard platformer, its gimmick being Headdy’s ability to use his head as a projectile as his default attack. He can use his detachable cranium to defeat baddies, cling on to ledges, and even interact with the levels themselves. However, the heart of Dynamite Headdy’s gameplay lies in the various power-ups that can be collected. Most of these power-ups give Headdy additional “heads,” which allow him to attack in a variety of ways; other items allow the player to play bonus games, rest, shrink in size, or even turn Headdy’s head into a vacuum to suck up nearby objects and enemies. However, it is imperative to not pick up items blindly, as some can slow down Headdy for a short period of time.

As is the case with most Treasure games, the boss battles in this game are spectacular. In fact, the game starts with a boss battle: a huge robot chasing Headdy and his friends across twisted terrain before his first encounter with the enemy, Maruyama. Other notable bosses include the eerie Puppet Master and Spinderella, the latter featuring a really cool effect in which the boss spins the background to the foreground and vice versa. This is an especially impressive effect given the Genesis’ hardware capabilities.

The game begins with a training section in which the player can choose to partake, with some really fun mini games to help the user get acquainted with the game’s mechanics. After that, the game begins proper with the opening act – “Toys in the Hood”.

A cool aspect of Dynamite Headdy is that the game frequently changes gameplay styles to keep it from getting stale. In one such level, Headdy is flying in the grasp of a robotic enemy while being swung around backstage – all while trying to avoid crashing into various scenery. At another point in the game, the gameplay inexplicably changes into a horizontal shoot-em-up for a few stages, providing a welcome and challenging surprise. The level climaxes with the incredibly weird ‘Baby Face’ boss, which is one of the highlights of the game. This battle really sums up the Dynamite Headdy experience as a whole in the way that it’s chaotic, strange, original and fun.

Despite Treasure’s utilization of varying gameplay styles throughout the game, most of the time spent playing Dynamite Headdy will consist of traditional platforming; however, the level design is fantastic. It is especially impressive how Treasure is able to incorporate Headdy’s surrounding environment in its level design, which can be changed and manipulated in order to complete puzzles or advance to the next area.

The music in Dynamite Headdy is very good as well. As is the case with several other Genesis games, the tunes are very bass driven, sometimes groovy, melodic, and undeniably catchy. A product of its era, Dynamite Headdy sounds as good as it looks: impressive.

If you are a fan of platforming games, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Support one of the Mega Drive’s unsung heroes, appearing here in his only game. Dynamite Headdy is unique, weird, hectic, and plays damn well.