A Casual Look At.. Virtual-On (Sega Saturn)

A casual look at/review of Virtual-On for the Sega Saturn.
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[@danieldussault]

Virtual On Oratorio Tangram for Dreamcast is still one of the best games ever made. So fast, so many moves. I still get nostalgic when listening to the Saturn Virtual on music.

[@Mitjitsu]

One of the better reviews I've seen for this game. There is so many reviewers who don't know how to play the game and think the game sucks as a result of it. Initially, I thought this to, but once I got to grips with the more advanced mechanics and learning to use the geometry of the stages. I then realized the game was much deeper than I first gave it credit for.

[@GameplayandTalk]

Thank you!

[@illastration1]

I had an extensive Saturn collection in the 90s. This and sega rally were my favourites.

[@gunma747j]

the grandfather of twin stick......namco's cyber sled,but Sega enhanced the control of the twin stick! Sega rocks~

[@JimPlaysGames]

Giant robots jumping through the air, shooting each other with lasers and rockets and big laser swords. How can you not love it? Very fun game, especially with an opponent. I think two-player was split-screen though which is always a bit of a pain.

[@SwankeyMonkey]

Thanks Austin. That means a lot coming from you. I love your channel, and your vids are always great. And since we share a lot of the same interests, I thought I'd share my new upload with you that I thought you might like. And I'm glad you did. Thanks again man!

[@equinoxfan82]

I acquired this game not too long ago. Never tried it out, but it did spark my interest. I was under the assumption that this game was far more complex prior to watching this video. It looks awesome though! I’ll bet that versus mode is a blast! Fantastic video as always!

[@JordanHJ]

These need to be more popular!

[@gamesbloke]

This game is taken to another level with the Twin Sticks. Totally worth it if you can a set. Amazing stuff. To be fair its just not the same with the standard pad. Awesome looksee at the game!! :-D

[@kdj29]

Im watching this in March, 2020, I've had this game since 98'., but I finally, after 22 years, got the twin sticks from eBay, just in time for Corvid-19 Corona Virus! So guess what kids? It's so On! Virtul On that is! :p~

[@GameplayandTalk]

That's one I've been wanting to track down again. I don't remember liking it much "back in the day", but watching videos of it more recently, it looks like it will be worth revisiting. :)

[@clarku4]

I've been trying to find out more infomation about this game and this review was extremely informative and very in depth. Awesome.

[@MetalJesusRocks]

I only have the Japanese version, so it's nice to see the menu options in English. I really should give this game another go

[@indierockguitar6875]

The game that changed my life.

[@doom5895]

How?

[@Bangoo21]

Right on, it was Cyber Sled. Thanks. Never knew it had been ported to though.

[@GameplayandTalk]

Yeah, the split screen definitely took some getting used to. Netlinking was great in that regard, but it was hard to find people with a Netlink, let alone a Saturn, back then!

[@GameplayandTalk]

It's certainly a possibility. I can't say for sure, although I do know the PC versions of games that also appeared on the Saturn featured higher video resolutions, like in Panzer Dragoon and Virtua Cop. Now that you mention it, it's interesting looking back at Sonic 3D Blast as well, as while I played it back in the day, I didn't realize the stage visuals were the same as the Saturn version. Interestingly, the bonus stages are different though.

[@dave4shmups]

Nice video Austin, this game looks sweet! You should definitely check out Cyber Sled, by Namco, for the PS1. You can't do any multiplayer on it, but it's similar to Virtual On, and playing against the CPU is really fun!

[@GameplayandTalk]

Hmm, I think there were a few hover-tank style 1 on 1 arcade games, but someone did mention Cyber Sled in a comment below. That was a tank-oriented arcade game that was eventually ported to the PlayStation as well. :)

[@SuperGolemio]

Now, I haven't played any version of Virtual On, so I can't say this for sure--but I'd assume the PC version is a port of the Saturn version. This was a time when Sega was porting a lot of Saturn games to PC, like Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic R, and Panzer Dragoon.

[@valgalder]

man, i also used to play this over Netlink all the time back in the day.. usually with cobracf2.. and of course he kicked my ass most of the time. Such a great game though, and IMO still was much better than the Dreamcast one. Another game that gets really intense with 2 players that know how to play the game.

[@GameplayandTalk]

That's the great thing about Sega's own arcade ports in Japan--most of them seem to be in English (at least in areas like the menus!). They also tend to be slightly cheaper than their US counterparts, and as a result are nice alternatives for those trying to save a few bucks (e.g., Virtual-On, Sky Target, Fighters Megamix). But yes, it's definitely worth revisiting! I dare you to drop it on Drunken Master Paul one night after a night of drinking, haha! I'm sure it would make for a fun video. :)

[@Bangoo21]

I remember playing this with friends at a local bowling alley, tons of fun. There was another arcade game similar to this that I think came out slightly earlier but you piloted different types of hovertanks instead of mechs if I remember correctly. Do you happen to know the game that I'm talking about?

[@GameplayandTalk]

Did I play him as well? I don't remember.. I do recall a couple of people I would play this with via the NetLink. Good times!

[@KASUALKILLAS]

Top Notch Review! Thanks for the great reminders of the golden days :D FYI This game is playable via Xbox 360 Arcade, I hope it comes back to PC..

[@jeffcon123]

Like armored core almost

[@KevinTwiner]

great vid... really good look and a fun review!

[@GameplayandTalk]

Thanks!

[@KouhaiKamen]

wanna see a video for the sequel

[@UFOgospel]

Halo 5 MP is almost half way to Virtual On/CS GO. Not bad at all I think the faster skill based gameplay and depth of new mechanics on a level playing field really bring about a solid competitive mp game. Don't like xbox but looking forward to seeing if halo 5 mp will succeed.

[@GameplayandTalk]

That's a sweet cabinet! Thanks for sharing man! :)

[@ForHeShallSave]

theres more characters and alternative versions too like red temjin and mega tien. jagurandi too

[@GameplayandTalk]

Cool! I didn't know.

[@ForHeShallSave]

Yeah I can't remember how to unlock Jagurandi, but I remember red Tenjim being unlocked by pressing a different button to select him after you've beaten the game (and secret boss) on hard, Also mega Tien is not the last boss, it's a huge machine that constant fires Bal Bas Bows attack at you.

[@SwankeyMonkey]

Austin, I love your vids man. I'm looking at getting a Saturn to Dreamcast controller adaptor so I could play both SS and DC Virtual-On's on my arcade cabinets without having to swap out the dual sticks all the time. I just uploaded a video of my Dreamcast arcade cabinets (and Saturn minicab too) that I know you will really appreciate. It's a new upload, so I'm certain it's pretty low on the Dreamcast searches, so the link is- watch?v=sBCYo9Kn1B0 Let me know what you think man.

[@fireheartis1]

I could get all the way to the end boss, but then got my butt handed too me. It's the hardest boss I've ever fought.

[@calistaharuka3354]

I wonder where can I get the full ost?

[@GameplayandTalk]

If you can't find it to download somewhere, you can play the soundtrack straight from the game disc in a CD player, it uses standard CD audio tracks.

[@GameplayandTalk]

Yeah, he's super slow, but powerful as hell! :)

[@superroboted]

Virual on MArz is a loose port of Virtual On 4. Virtual On 4 is a DLC for Japanese XBox 360.

[@GameplayandTalk]

Virtual On.. 4? What was 3?

[@GameplayandTalk]

OK, reading up on it, it appears MArz IS Virtual On 4, it's not a port of anything. I was unaware there was a part 3, and apparently it was arcade-only.

[@GameplayandTalk]

OK.. sheesh this is confusing. I understand what you mean now--Virtual On Force had a "4" in its title, not to signify that it's part 4, but to signify the four-player feature. So, Marz is a loose port of Force, and Force was later ported to the 360 (and PS3 from what I can tell).

[@superroboted]

Yeah I meant to say Force. I played the arcade version years ago. I bought Marz thinking it would be similar but it's decent. When I got my Japanese 360 I got Virtual On Force after I got Ontaro Tangram DLC. Blown away by the graphics and secrets. I still own the Import version of Ontaro Tangram for the DC. It has an extra mode where you can create custom colors for Virturoids and test them out. It's cool because you can have a sort of two player match without the split screen. Also the original arcade mode has the extra effects on the later space stages. Fun times dude.

[@superroboted]

They have a PS3 port?

[@GameplayandTalk]

Thanks! :D

[@genxtasy9914]

I'm trying to beat Dorkas to complete a sidequests in Yakuza Kiwami 2. Dude is so cheap and I suck

[@LewisLongshanks]

Virtual-On was a Sega Model 2 game. Good overview otherwise.

[@twoquickcapri]

Raiden FTW

[@GameplayandTalk]

Fortunately, it's not quite as hectic as it looks from an outsider's perspective. :)

[@GameplayandTalk]

It was probably better that way. ;)

[@GameplayandTalk]

:D