Summary
Virtua Fighter 3 (1996)
Virtua Fighter 3 is a groundbreaking fighting game released by Sega in 1996. It is the third installment in the Virtua Fighter series, and it was a critical and commercial success, selling over 2.5 million copies worldwide. Virtua Fighter 3 is known for its innovative gameplay, stunning graphics, and diverse cast of characters.
Gameplay
Virtua Fighter 3’s gameplay is a refined version of the system introduced in Virtua Fighter 2. The game features a three-button control scheme (punch, kick, and guard), and players can chain together moves to create combos. Virtua Fighter 3 also introduced a new “Evade” system, which allows players to dodge attacks by pressing the guard button at the right time.
The game’s roster of characters includes 12 fighters, each with their own unique fighting style. The characters range from the series’ mainstay characters like Akira Yuki and Sarah Bryant to new additions like Aoi Umenokoji and Taka-Arashi.
Graphics
Virtua Fighter 3 was one of the first fighting games to use 3D polygon graphics. The game’s graphics were groundbreaking at the time, and they still hold up today. The characters are well-animated, and the backgrounds are detailed and immersive.
Characters
Virtua Fighter 3 features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique fighting style. The characters include:
- Akira Yuki: A Japanese martial artist who uses a style known as Hakkyokuseiken.
- Sarah Bryant: An American martial artist who uses a style known as Jeet Kune Do.
- Pai Chan: A Chinese martial artist who uses a style known as Xingyiquan.
- Lau Chan: A Chinese martial artist who uses a style known as Bajiquan.
- Wolf Hawkfield: A Native American wrestler who uses a style known as Pankration.
- Jeffry McWild: An American boxer who uses a style known as Boxing.
- Kage-Maru: A Japanese ninja who uses a style known as Ninjutsu.
- Shun Di: A Chinese martial artist who uses a style known as Drunken Fist.
- Aoi Umenokoji: A Japanese martial artist who uses a style known as Aiki-jujutsu.
- Taka-Arashi: A Japanese sumo wrestler who uses a style known as Sumo.
Legacy
Virtua Fighter 3 is considered to be one of the greatest fighting games of all time. The game’s innovative gameplay, stunning graphics, and diverse cast of characters have made it a fan favorite for over two decades. Virtua Fighter 3 has also been influential on the development of other fighting games, such as Tekken and Dead or Alive.
Conclusion
Virtua Fighter 3 is a classic fighting game that still holds up today. The game’s innovative gameplay, stunning graphics, and diverse cast of characters make it a must-play for any fan of the genre.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
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