Virtua Fighter 2

Virtua Fighter 2 is the second game in the Virtua Fighter fighting game series by Sega. It was created by the Sega's Yu Suzuki-headed AM2 and was released in the arcade in 1994. It was subsequently ported to the Sega Saturn in 1995 and Microsoft Windows in 1997. In 1996, a super deformed version of the game, Virtua Fighter Kids, arrived in arcades, ported to the Sega Saturn in the same year. It was also ported to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1996, but because the hardware couldn't handle the complex visuals of the arcade version, it was re-made as a 2D fighter. In addition, Virtua Fighter 2 was converted for the PlayStation 2 in 2004 as part of Sega's Ages 2500 series in Japan. The Genesis/Mega Drive port was re-released on the PS2 and PSP in 2006 as part of Sega Genesis Collection, and on the Virtual Console for the Nintendo Wii on March 20, 2007 (Japan) and April 16, 2007 (North America).

Graphics
VF2 was known for breakthrough graphics at the time. It used Sega's Model 2 arcade hardware to run the game at 60 frames per second at a high resolution with no slowdown. The Saturn version was also extremely impressive for its time, especially given the system's 3D programming difficulties. It became a huge hit in Japan and sold relatively well in other markets notably the UK, where The Prince (Hatim Habashi) was crowned by Sega Europe as the Official UK Virtua Fighter 2 Champion. The arena size could be adjusted up to a very small platform or all the way to 82 meters, which in the genre is considered very large; this is the only game in the series - other than Virtua Fighter Remix - that could have such size adjustments. The physical energy meter could also be adjusted to infinity as well, giving you the advantage when beating opponents in the game or practicing moves against the computer player. Incidentally, players discovered that adjusting the arena to a smaller size and giving the characters infinite health could lead to mock sumo matches, wherein victory is achieved by knocking the other player out of the ring.

Returning Characters

 * Akira Yuki
 * Jacky Bryant
 * Jeffry McWild
 * Kage-Maru
 * Lau Chan
 * Pai Chan
 * Sarah Bryant
 * Wolf Hawkfield
 * Dural

New Characters

 * Lion Rafale
 * Shun Di

Virtua Fighter 2.1
A Japanese-only release. This version featured re-tweaked gameplay, slighty enhanced graphics and the ability to play as a newly-designed Dural. This version was also released in the Sega Ages 2500 series. It is possible to switch to the 2.1 gameplay mechanics in the Saturn port, however none of the other features are updated.

Reception
Famitsu had given Virtua Fighter 2 a 39/40 for the Saturn version.

It has been argued that Virtua Fighter 2 did to 3D fighters what Street Fighter II did for 2D fighters.