Virtua Fighter 2

As far as Virtua Fighter 2 goes, the game is just as much fun as the arcade game, however, the arcade game still wasn't as much fun as it's bitter rival, Tekken 2.

The graphics in Virtua Fighter 2 are quite good, and really show the jump between the technology used in the original and this. The game is much quicker, too, you finally get a flow going when you are playing. The new moves are fantastic, and the animation is perfect. But even with all this Sega didn't pack the game with much to keep you playing.

Where Namco by this time in history had started not only releasing arcade perfect home versions Tekken, Ridge Racer, etc., but these games were BETTER than they were in the arcades. Added to the PlayStation version of Tekken was all sorts of other games for you to play, and new characters to play with. However, when audiences finally witnessed Virtua Fighter 2, many were put off with the straight up fighting style Sega seemed to want to give. Yes it played well, but it wouldn't keep your interest.

The best new feature about Virtua Fighter 2 has to be the addition of two new characters. One, Shun, uses a drunken fighting style which is really a lot of fun to watch. The other is my personal favorite character (new or old), Lion. His fighting isn't out of the ordinary, it's his attitude and sense of humor that wins me over.

Virtua Fighter 2 does hold the award for being the best of the Virtua Fighters ... at least until Virtua Fighter 4 on the PlayStation 2. And really, the game is a wonderful example of what it's like to make a more "realistic" fighting game. Too early.