Virtua Fighter 2

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Virtua Fighter 2

Developer(s)	Sega-AM2
Publisher(s)	Sega
Designer(s)	Yu Suzuki
Release date(s)	Arcade 1994 Sega Saturn July 23, 1995 July 31, 1995 August 3, 1995 Mega Drive/Sega Genesis 1996 1996 PC September 9, 1997 September 30, 1997 1997
Genre(s)	Fighting
Mode(s)	Up to 2 players simultaneously
Platform(s)	Arcade, Sega Saturn, Sega Mega Drive, Windows, PlayStation 2 (as part of Sega Ages 2500 and Sega Genesis Collection), PlayStation Portable (as part of Sega Genesis Collection), Virtual Console
Input	8-way joystick & 3 buttons, gamepad, mouse & keyboard
Arcade cabinet	Upright
Arcade system(s)	Sega Model 2
Arcade display	Horizontally oriented

Virtua Fighter 2 is the second game in the popular 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.

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.

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, unfortunately, is the only game in the series 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.