Mean Machines Sega


Virtua Fighter Kids
By Sega
Sega Saturn (EU Version)

 
Published in Mean Machines Sega #48

Virtua Fighter Kids

In Japan, the Saturn's launch success can be attributed to one game: Virtua Fighter. Like Mario 64 on the N64, there was one copy of VF sold for every machine bought, a staggering indication of the game's popularity. This success was carried over to the superlative sequel, Virtua Fighter 2, which went on to become one of the best-selling Saturn games of all time. And quite rightly so. VF2 is probably the best beat-'em-up on the Saturn, not to mention one of the finest videogames ever created. So when AM2, the programmers of the VF series, announced that they were planning to release a special 'enhanced' version of VF2, we knew we were in for something special.

OK, OK. So the 'Kids' angle is a pretty tenuous enhancement. After all, games like Toshinden and Tekken 2 have a 'Super Deformed' mode thrown in for free. But in those games the big heads provide little more than a cosmetic novelty. In VF Kids, the swollen craniums actually effect the physics of the fighting!

Designed originally for the ST-V arcade board, VF Kids is part of Sega's brand new marketing strategy to draw in a younger audience for the Sega Saturn. In Japan, the Saturn was recently relaunched in a sleeker, cheaper and brighter form as the while Flash Saturn, intended to entice younger gamers away from their SNES's and onto a next-gen console. But the question remains: Does a game aimed at under 15 year olds have what it takes to make it in the big league of Saturn beat-'em-ups? Hmm...

Origin

Cutesy remake of the AM2 classic Virtua Fighter 2, with added FMV garnish.

Game Aim

Smack all the other fighters around a bit to reach the T1000-esque and boss Dural.

You Know - For Kids!

VF Kids is supposed to complement the Flash Saturn relaunch by broadening the appeal of the VF series with an all new, child-friendly 'Kids' mode. Despite the deceptively simple three-button control system (guard-punch-kick) VF2 is one of the most intricate beat-'em-ups ever devised, and while the 'normal' mode of VF Kids retains all the ingenious complexity of VF2, the Kids Mode provides a much simpler control interface that allows for even the most incompetent of VF players to pull off some incredible moves.

Even Nick's patented 'pad wiggling-button bashing' technique can produce some impressive combos! Of course, for anyone with a modicum of ability, the Kids mode is completely useless, unless you happen to have a five year old brother or sister. Or are five. In which case you wouldn't be reading this.

A Whole New World

It's not just the characters' heads that have received a graphical make over - the entire VF world has been completely redesigned in the Chiba 'kids' style. The backgrounds, the music, the fighters' bodies, everything! Akira's stage, for instance, now harbours a comedy pink elephant in place of VF2's fearsome lion statue, while pictures of cute leaping bunnies litter the background!

All of the characters now look and sound like ten year old versions of their VF2 counterparts (even though Shun and Jeffrey still have beards!) albeit with gargantuan water retentive heads. What's more, in keeping with the VF Kids theme, loads of comic touches have been added to the gameplay, such as little puffs of smoke coming off the characters' feet as they run, or they way they look up started whnever a new second player enters the game. Brilliant!

Lights! Camera! Action!

One feature that is guaranteed to delight both newcomers and Virtua Fighter fans alike is the inclusion of a brilliant all new rendered intro, complemented by CG endings for each of the characters! The intro depicts the VF Kids fighting alongside, or indeed against, their senior counterparts in some brilliant full screen FMV action. See for yourselves!

Interestingly, the beta version of VF Kids had the kids taking a bashing from their big brothers, while the final release sees the Kids winning the day. There's also a Kids version of the famous VF2 intro, but to be honest it pales in comparison with the CG spectacular that AM2 have provided.

Virtua Fighter Version 2.3!

As I've already mentioned, VF Kids is more than just a cosmetic enhancement of VF2. For a start, the game runs 20% faster than VF2, allowing for some lightning fast junior kung fu action. What's more, the weight and physics of the fighter's bodies have been tweaked to allow for their gigantic melons, meaning that all new combos and moves can be strung together.

In fact, the combo system on the whole seems a lot more fluent and accessible than VF2, almost as if AM2 were trying to take the game in the user-friendly direction of titles like Fighting Vipers. This is further emphasised by the usage of three way mid-game replays on certain special moves, a feature pioneered in Fighting Vipers. Also, the fighters' swollen bonces add centrifugal force to their movements, resulting in certain finishing combos sending your opponent flying through the air or across the ring. Very satisfying.

Virtual Enigma!

While Japan has fallen in love with the Virtua Fighter series, it seems that Europe is yet to be converted to the joys of AM2's fighting fest. Which is a shame really, 'cos you're all missing out. The key to VFs success is the three-button control system: intuitive, deceptively simple, yet belying a wealth of gameplay depth. The fighting in VF2 (and VF Kids) is all about the balance and posture of your character.

Certain moves (or chains of moves) will commit to an attack on one of three plains (high, medium or low) that takes a specific amount of time depending on the force of the strike. If blocked, the moe proffers a recovery time corresponding to the power of the attack that gives the opponent a split second to counter, or attack with a sequence of their own. It's all very complex, and not worth getting into here but, needless to say, when playing it feels very natural. Like real kung fu! Hi ya!

Five Reasons To Get VF Kids

So, if you already own VF2 (which is after all, a very similar game) why on earth would you want to buy VF Kids?

1. Cool New Look Let's face it, you either love it or hate it. I think the super deformed styling is brilliant, but it's a matter of opinion. The remixed music, the new backgrounds, the big heads: VF kids is funny. Personally, I like a bit of humour with my games, but you may disagree.

2. Improved Gameplay Hardcore VF2 fans will delight at the game engine tweaks in VF Kids. Mid round replays, more cinematic camera angles, dramatic finishes and, most importantly, new combo potential. And it's 20% faster than VF2. VF2.2? Definitely.

3. Cut Scenes Again VF2 fans will love the brilliant intro and character specific rendered endings. These are all of high quality and bear repeated viewing. Filling your cinema with every character's ending is quite a challenge.

4. Option City! VF kids provides a comprehensive front end that allows you to tailor the game to your precise requirements. On top of the usual options (one player mode, two player mode and ranking mode), players can select from a Watch Mode (look at two CPU players go at it), a detailed 'records' screen, and best of all a customer combo screen where you can create your own combos for any character.

5. The Price It was a toss up for number five between the way the characters look up when someone enters the fight (gets me every time) and the fact that Sega are releasing VF Kids over here for only £29.99!

Dan

To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Virtua Fighter Kids is an undoubtably an excellent enhancement of incredible game, but do the extras really warrant the asking price? That, my dear reader, is up to you.

You know the deal: Virtua Fighter 2 Plus, with huge heads and added extras. If you're a real die hard VF2 fan, I'd imagine that this is going to be an essential purchase. And if you've never bought a VF game, but like the look of the Kids' premise, then you aren't going to be disappointed.

But, for the casual VF player, this may prove a tad too similar to VF2 for its own good, even at the low asking price. Personally I love it, but I'm prepared to accept the cynical viewpoint.

Marcus

I think Virtua Fighter 2 is an incredible game that has yet to be bettered. I can't get excited about the slight performance improvements in this version, but can see the funny side in the restyling. It's just a shame that Sega didn't go further.

If they wanted to use the VF2 engine for a new children's game, why not go the whole way and make it completely bonkers? There's a really cute preying mantis working out with Lion in the introduction FMV - why couldn't it have been included in the game?

As it stands, this is a reworking VF purists may disapprove of, and casual players may feel they simply don't need. Younger Saturn novices, however, would be well-advised to consider this as a budget-priced (and pint-sized) introduction to the best fighting game ever.

Verdict

Graphics 93%
P. Hi-res, solid texture-mapped polygons. Plus the whole new 'kids' look is ace!
N. Occasional glitching, as with VF2.

Animation 93%
P. Brilliant character animation running at 60 frames a second. That's as smooth as is actually possible!

Music 92%
P. Catchy 'kids' remixes of the VF2 originals. Check out the Feffrey's reggae beats! Dem is some frosty tunes mon.

Effects 91%
P. Nearly identical to VF2 except for the squeaky kids voices. You'll recognise the 'Press Start' jingle immediately.

Playability 96%
P. It's flickin' VF2 innit?! Thanks to the Kids Mode it's as simple or as complex as you want to make it.

Lastability 95%
P. Incredibly addictive, and mastering a single character takes weeks.
N. Those who own VF2 may find it a bit too similar.

Overall 92%
One for die hard VF fans, young children or those who don't own VF2 and find the kids' premise appealing.