"Almost arcade perfect, made better by the fact that you aren't dropping $1.50/game"

In the realm of fighting games, there are now three distinct styles of games. The first is the so-called SFII clone, made usually by Capcom or SNK. Then there is the MK-physics games, which include tekken and Killer Instinct, these games usually have many multi hit canned combos which are relatively easy to pull off, and the all too typical unblockable signified by a brief shimmer of light. These games are great to watch because of the *beatdown your friends* mentality and the brutality of the moves, but most notably there is usually a lack of significant depth. ( I know I will take some flak for saying the about Tekken, but hey... It only took me two working weeks to completely master all of King's multithrows and canned combos and really whoop some ass. That's depth!? )

The third class of fighting game is what i tentatively refer to as experimental/ realistic fighting games. These are games vastly different from eachother but bound by a determination to make you THINK when you play. Games in this genre include Bushido Blade (only the first!), the Tobal Series, and most notably, the Virtua Fighter series of games. These are games with limited canned combos and comparably sublime physics. It turns the fight into a chess match. If you are looking for a fighting game with depth (more depth than any other fighting game in existence, check gamefaqs for proof) and fighting game with a most strategic approach to fighting then Virtua Fighter 3 TB is easily the game you want.

To review each of the game's aspects; Graphics, Sound, Gameplay, Fun, and Overall bang for your buck, I first need to remind that I am reviewing the Japanese release of VF3TB, and a few things may be fixed for the US release (apparently Americans are much more nitpicky about games?). The Graphics in this game are NOT arcade exact. Let's get that clear. However, when you aren't comparing the two, the game's graphics SMOKE anything else. "Wow, You can see their fingers and their teeth when they talk", was something I remember saying the first time I played it. Prepare to be amazed, prepared to be stupefied by the magnitude of these pimply graphics. Okay, so maybe that was a little over the top. There are a FEW graphical glitches but they don't really detract from the experience.

The sound in VF3TB, is awesome, arcade exact in my opinion. The music is especially good. No Complaints here.

If I were to describe the Gameplay to a non VF-otaku, I would describe it as different and at the same time, pleasing. Different because the game seems to move at a different tempo that the fast play of games like Tekken 3. Pleasing because the strategy element of the game makes it feel soooo good when you beat someone using a strategy that you prepared and executed exactly and carefully. The Fun in this game is non-stop for those who enjoy the way it plays. You are constantly learning new techniques and find new applications for old moves. If you are not familiar with the internet community built around vf, then peruse the gamefaqs site for its mammoth encyclopedia of VF knowledge or cruise over to vfhome.com or hardcoregaming.com, both good sources of VF know-how.

If I were to say one thing to a Dreamcast owner, it would be GET VF3TB!!, It sure as hell beats paying to play in an arcade when it is usually $1.50 per game 500 games in an arcade = $750 dollars. I'd rather have you spend that money on a Dreamcast and a VF3TB copy, then the 500+ games are free!

THE BOTTOM LINE: IF YOU OWN A DREAMCAST AND DON'T BUY THIS GAME, PLEASE RETURN YOUR DREAMCAST SO A TRUE VF-OTAKU CAN TAKE IT. CONSIDERING THE DIFFICULTY OF IMPORTING THE DREAMCAST, THIS IS THE ONLY HUMANE OPTION. just kidding folks, but really you are missing out if you don't get it...

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 04/26/01