Previous Next

Pity the poor 32X. This fungal-like attachment to the trusty megadrive promises much, but has been sold out over and over again by sparse support and dodgy games. The eagerly awaited appearance of Virtua Fighter, however, could mean 32X owners may yet have the last laugh.

For the benefit of those who've spent the last year colonising alien planets, Virtua Fighter is the coin-op that rewrote the rule book when it came to beat-'em-ups. Revolving perspectives literally added a whole new dimension to gameplay leaving the likes of Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat looking, well, a little flat. An impressive Saturn conversion was entrusted with the responsibility of selling the public on the machine and, despite a few rough edges, it was damned impressive. Sega have now taken the admirable move of bringing the Virtua Fighter experience to 32X owners. AM2's conversion of the game for the magic mushroom is inevitably going to invite unfair comparisons (unfair, because although the 32X is a fully fledged 32-bit machine, it employs much less sophisticated hardware than the Saturn) but they've done the business in fine style.

All of which is good news for existing 32X owners, and those considering investing in a machine - we can apparently expect to see the game bundled with the 32X at £150 soon...

The 32X gets one up on the Saturn at last with the chance to view your crushing victory/humiliating slaughter from the angle of your choice. It's especially entertaining to check out the soles of your competitors' feet. Suspiciously clean we reckon...

Tournament mode sets up a Premier Division of butt-kicking with the characters of your choice. As if the chance to watch Jeffry slapping himself about wasn't enough fun, you can change your characters' costumes. Sarah looks especially fetching in a bikini top, or what about a nice summer outfit for Wolf? Might cheer him up a bit. Rumours of an 'Akira rah-rah skirt cheat' are, sadly, foundless.

The Saturn's acclaimed coin-op conversion adapted for its 32-bit little brother.

A cunning test of strategy, brawn and fighting technique in a one-on-one battle for martial arts supremacy. But you knew that.

Virtua Fighter. What can I say? One of the milestones in gaming has survived the 32X experience with its dignity intact. OK, so the rough edges of the Saturn version just got a bit rougher, but it's pretty pointless comparing this with the performance of a machine that checks in at around £400.

Sega have clearly cut their cloth with the 32X version, preserving as much as they can in some areas and adding new features to make up for the deficiencies. The multi-angle replays are impressive and the tournament option could add a whole new dimension to any fondue evening.

Best of all, however, is the chance to dress your favourite hard man in shocking pink or a delicate shade of mauve. What more could you ask for?

In short, this is a must for 32X owners and leaves the likes of Cosmic Carnage not so much standing, but lying in a bloody heap.

No-one with a 32X can seriously have anything on their mind except this game. We can tell you that Sega and AM2 have not let you down. This is a superb conversion, as good as anyone here dared hope, and more importantly bound to go down a storm with owners who have had a pretty lean year.

The game captures the spirit of the coin-op, not to mention its speed and smoothness. The graphics are more than satisfactory, almost matching those of the Saturn, and Sega have been shrewd by including exclusive features, such as the replay modes.

This has to be the 32X game of the year, and the promise of better things.

Graphics 91%
P. Clearly less sophisticated than the original Saturn game, but the finest the 32X has to offer.

Animation 94%
P. Incredibly smooth, and especially impressive on the new replay facility.

Music 81%
N. Sounds like the Saturn soundtrack played on a Stylophone.

Effects 85%
N. Sound has suffered in the conversion process, but the necessary prang effects are all here.

Playability 93%
P. This game is the ultimate beat-'em-up on any system, and the gameplay is pretty much intact.

Lastability 93%
P. Just try to turn it off. Go on.

Overall 93%
Rough around the edges, but gameplay is still unsurpassed. An essential purchase.