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Thanks a million. This is the statement Sega are trying to make in Japan by offering Virtua Fighter Remix as part of a limited edition Saturn package. They reckon they have sold a million units in the first six months since the machine's launch, giving some cause for celebration. Much of that success must go down to Virtua Fighter, the powerhouse of the machine's appeal for a good four months, pre-Daytona, the one clinching reason to own the machine.

AM2 have learned much about their stubborn hardware since they put Virtua Fighter together. All of the glitching that most assumed was a necessary part of the replay sections has been lost. Graphics are the main area of attention, with new textures and more realistic player profiles. The only catch is that none of this is available to the existing Saturn owner, even in Japan. The game is exclusively available with the Campaign 100 Saturn promotion. But will that be the case permanently?

As well as character graphics, the fighting arenas, one for each character, have also benefitted from graphic makeovers. Enhanced texturing gives stonework more detail and solidity, and the choice of colours improves the appearance considerably. The viewpoint is also improved to make the player sprites bigger in combat.

The main difference between the Virtua Fighter versions is in graphic detail. The flat textures of Mk. 1 have been replaced by texture-mapping that owes more to the arcade follow-up, Virtua Fighter 2. Faces in particular look stunningly different, with softer outlines and more colour tones. Judge for yourself!

A collector's edition limited to the 'Campaign 100' Saturns in Japan, using same code as Virtua Fighter. No plans for a UK release.

I'm sure you know your way around Virtua Fighter.

Remember how knocked out we were by Virtua Fighter when it first appeared on the Saturn? Well, Virtua Fighter Remix tops it by fixing thinks you thought weren't busted. Put them together and you notice how much smoother the action is. Side to side the remix is faster and much more pleasing on the eye.

The blockiness has gone, the textures make the player's look eerily human, the backgrounds come into their own. It must be said that very little else has changed, and I'd definitely not recommend this if you have the original.

You probably can't, since it's only part of the Campaign set, and anyone buying an import machine now is a mug. But it's a pity this wasn't ready in time to replace the launch Virtua Fighter. Ho hum.

Cool. Virtua Fighter ranks as one of the greatest Saturn games to date, but the enhanced graphics in this 'Remix' make the original pale into insignificance. Sadly, you're not likely to be able to buy this unless you find a friendly importer, but it really does have to be seen to be believed.

The new look fighters are excellent, and coupled with the already-brilliant gameplay, creates a game which is effectively VF1.5!

Graphics 96%
P. New Texturing and detail on already phenomenal graphics, bring this near to VF 2 standard.

Animation 94%
P. The glitching of the original has been ironed out and it's as smooth as an infant's arse.

Music 91%
P. The music is still impressive, especially Sarah's stage.
N. No musical innovations.

Effects 94%
P. They're still brilliant.
N. Nothing added.

Playability 96%
P. Can't detect any change, but then it's already the DBs.

Lastability 92%
P. Well, we're still playing the first one, so draw your own conclusions.

Overall 95%
One of the world's greatest games made to look even better. But only if you buy another Saturn...