VIRTUAL-ON ORATORIO TANGRAM
The one actually respected by people outside of Japan, and the only one that actually got a re-release in XBLA internationally unlike the other games, Oratorio Tangram is essentially the Smash Bros Melee of the Virtual-On series, not just because of it being the highest esteemed outside of Japan [besides Virtual-On on the Saturn, but that's if you even played that one], but also because it adds a lot of new stuff, both at surface level [new Virtuaroids and appearance, faster paced gameplay, airdashes and easy dash cancelling] and at more advanced tech level [Watari Dash, turbo attacks, V-Armor, special attacks for all VRs].
So there's a good chance you are reading this because it's the one you are familiar, or at least it's the game that introduced you to the Virtual-On series [if it wasn't the first game]. Currently there's not much yet here besides the virtual-on runs and the links to the right, but I'll probably expand on some stuff at some point with how there's interesting nuggets of info here and there. Also, the screenshot below is through the Japan Dreamcast version's hidden debug field viewer, if you wondered how I could get that clean of a shot of a stage.
And just like with Cybertroopers Virtual-On, I also made a Boss Analysis video about Ajim [also talking about the playable version] if that sounds interesting to you. Which I hope it is if you're reading this in the first place.
My Virtual-On Runs
- 1CC with Temjin / 5.45 DC [Flycast] / Difficulty 4 / 4'48"88
- 1CC with Temjin / 5.45 DC FOG MODE [Flycast] / Difficulty 4 / 7'06"02
- 1CC with Raiden / 5.45 DC FOG MODE [Flycast] / Difficulty 4
- 1CC with Prototype Temjin / 5.45 DC [Flycast] / Difficulty 4 / 7'24"11
- 1CC with Temjin / 5.66 X360 [Xenia] / Normal Difficulty / 7'23"12
- 1CC with Ajim / 5.66 X60 [Xenia] / Normal Difficulty / 3'54"19
- 1CC with 10/80 Special / 5.66 NAOMI [Flycast] / Normal Difficulty / 7'56"08
PLAYING AS AJIM
I covered this in the Boss Analysis video mentioned above, but unlocking and playing as Ajim depends of what version are you playing at. The only shared connection is that in the Machine Select screen [except for the 360 and PS4's Versus/Training menus], you need to hold down both Turbo buttons for Ajim to appear and be selected.
- Model 3 Arcade MSBS 5.2/5.4 - Ajim will automatically be selectable at any point if the machine is set to a date after the year 2000.
- Dreamcast MSBS 5.45 - Ajim must be defeated by KO in Arcade Mode to unlock, and to be selectable, the date is between the 15th and 31th of any month, as otherwise Ajim won't be selectable even if you beat him and saved. However, you CAN access Ajim in the Japanese version's Virtuaroid Customize option if you're in a date where Ajim would be selectable, even if you haven't unlocked it yet.
- NAOMI Arcade MSBS 5.66 Ajim MUST be time-unlockable by machine usage time since manual date set has no effect here. Unfortunately there's no information about the exact amount of time required for this, but I can confirm that having an Ajim color saved on the VMU will show the slot in the VMU BUT it will be unselectable...so it seems that even that isn't allowed unless the machine has Ajim enabled.
- Xbox 360/PS4 MSBS 5.66 - Ajim will be unlocked if you encounter it in Arcade Mode once, regardless of whether you win or lose.
