Virtua Fighter 2

Game Details:

Virtua Fighter 2 was released in 1994 on the Sega Model 2 arcade board and was later ported to the Sega Saturn (SS) and PC. Unlike the popular fighting games of its time, which featured fireballs and superpowers, this title pursued a sense of realism where every strike felt impactful. The character animations were based on motion capture technology, perfectly blending traditional Chinese martial arts with modern fighting techniques. In addition to the ten classic characters, the sequel introduced Shun Di, a Drunken Fist master, and Lion Rafale, a Praying Mantis Kung Fu expert. Its unique three-button system—G (Guard), P (Punch), and K (Kick)—gave rise to incredibly deep combos and psychological mind games, making it widely regarded as the pinnacle of purely skill-based fighting games.

Game Guide:

Defense and Spacing:

Unlike in 2D fighters, blocking in this game requires using the directional buttons. Learning how to escape pressure while blocking and how to win by using the stage edges to score a "Ring Out" are essential skills for beginners. Even when you have a health lead, always be mindful of your positioning to avoid being knocked off the stage by an opponent's combo.

Mastering Launchers:

This is the core of the game's combat. Take the main character, Akira Yuki, for example; once you successfully land his "Elbow Assault" to launch an opponent, you can follow up with powerful additional attacks. While an opponent is airborne, they are unable to block, making it the perfect opportunity to deal massive damage.

Using Command Grabs:

When an opponent is turtling, using a "command grab" (or throw) is the only way to break their guard. Each character's grab timing and commands are different. For example, Wolf's throws are incredibly powerful, but they must be executed at point-blank range.