CYBERTROOPERS VIRTUAL-ON
I guess nothing better than to work on a special page dedicated for this very underrated game from a very underrated mini-franchise. If only SEGA ever bothered re-releasing this one outside of Yakuza games...although maybe they never do because of how people struggle to play it in those...
This will also cover some stuff related to the several ports this game has, as some of them have a couple unique features not present in others.
I also made a dedicated BOSS ANALYSIS: Jaguarandi video where I cover almost everything about the feared yet usually ignored secret boss due to the requeriments to face it being to play too slowly [and being easy to bypass if you continue once or twice].
My Virtual-On Videos
- [PS2] Temjin 1CC / Normal / SS
- [M2Emu] Temjin 1CC Try [Failed Final Boss] / Normal / SS
- [SATURN] Jaguarandi 1CC / Hard / EX-S
- [PS2] Jaguarandi 1CC / Fierce [ft. Unofficial Fei-Yen] / SSS
- [WINDOWS] Nerfed Jaguarandi Showcase
- [WINDOWS] Temjin Run but I forced every enemy to be Jaguarandi
- [WINDOWS] My Oldest Temjin Run 4CC / Normal / SS
SEGA SATURN VERSION
The oddest conversion available, with how the rest are either arcade perfect or get pretty close despite their target hardware [old Windows PC port].
Runs in 30fps and is scaled down in visuals [more so in splitscreen], as well as reportedly having some weapon balance differences, but for the sake of casual play, it is serviceable despite everything - as well as having a few exclusive bonuses.
Including a Splitscreen VS mode, a Ranking mode where you choose a single enemy or fight all in order, and access to both the gold attract mode colors for Temjin/Raiden AND Jaguarandi, the latter having a custom launch and continue screen animation.
It doesn't exactly have any more extras besides what I mentioned though, and it seems that the CPUs may be a bit more difficult here than in other versions [at least in Normal].
Also was one of the few Saturn games with NetLink support, with some few videos recorded from back then showing online battles [and a few from setting up Netlink with modern tools in the past few years].
However, the Japan SegaNet version is virtually useless though since it does NOT let you do anything other than change controls and colors if the Modem isn't connected.
The USA NetLink version DOES let you play the game as normal, and even use the extra colors/Jag code, but you CAN'T use the custom colors you make offline - they only seem to be usable in online mode.
Saturn NetLink/XBAND videos- By as as | Virtual-On XBAND Net Battle [Single Rounds - Part 1]
- By as as | Virtual-On XBAND Net Battle [Single Rounds - Part 2]
- By RetroSpectors | Sega Saturn Netlink Match #24 with DreamPi
- By San Te/virtuaroid | Youtube Channel with several Netlink matches [and custom colors]
- By Mampfus Madmar | Local Netlink set up [Two TVs + Twin Sticks]
- By MrMxy | XBAND Online Matches in 2023 [XBAND revival]
WINDOWS VERSION
A surprisingly faithful port for 1996 all things considered, besides the lack of lightning and 30FPS cap on an unmodified version.
Can see this one being a superior choice for VON enthusiasts of the time if they had a compatible PC, with how the game was accurate in gameplay and visuals, along with having split-screen and LAN options.
A fanmade patch hosted somewhere online enables a debug menu, which on top of letting you mess with settings, also includes a setting [Motion 1/1] that lets the game run at 60fps.
See Splitscreen View Options
It does not have Ranking mode from the Saturn version nor unlockable Jaguarandi. But you CAN play as Jaguarandi through Cheat Engine to force it as your virtuaroid - playable but with some side effects [game crashes if VR is set to Jag when about to display the model in the intermissoin - must skip it or temporarily swap to another VR's until the model is gone, game softlocks at the end unless you switch to another VR ID to get a cutscene animation when having to shoot at Nirvana] and even retaining CPU Jaguarandi's armor downgrade if you visit and continue against CPU Jag.
Windows Splitscreen and Online videos- By Vogel von Formosa | PC port split screen play [with 2 Twin Sticks and handcam]
- By Vogel von Formosa | PC port split screen play [part 2]
- By Vogel von Formosa | PC port streaming test [Two PCs + Twin Sticks and handcam]
- By ArcadeStriker | Online Multiplayer test footage [one controller/player]
PLAYSTATION 2 SEGA AGES VERSION
Barring the Japan-only nature [requiring an import or finding it with...other methods], this is by far the most feature complete port of them all.
It only lacks the Training mode the PS3/XBLA and PS4 ports added to fight against a CPU [or dummy] of choice with any VR and stage, it otherwise has nothing to envy those two ports.
This is because not only it HAS split-screen support [which the later ports don't], but also has the Saturn extras [Ranking mode + Jaguarandi] AND more extras exclusive to this version.
Such extras would be Assault Mode [all attacks become melee], Chibi Mode [small VRs], a Gallery for Virtual-On promo material, a Model Viewer, and even if you really want to, a playable Z-Gradt mode. Also includes saving replays for single matches vs the CPU in Arcade Mode or even against another player.
