Virtual On: Cyber Troopers

Virtual On: Cyber Troopers brought to Saturn an arcade concept built around battles between giant combat robots called Virtuaroids in an enclosed arena. Instead of classic fighting-game controls, the game came with a pair of analog sticks operated separately by the left and right hand, creating a genuine sense of piloting a machine – one stick handled movement and dodging, the other aiming and firing, and mastering their interplay was the key to beating an opponent.

For the home version, Sega released a dedicated peripheral, a twin joystick mimicking the arcade control panel, letting players enjoy the same feel as in the arcade without having to awkwardly combine a pad and keyboard. The roster of Virtuaroids offered distinct fighting styles – from fast and nimble machines through balanced models to slower, heavily armored units with stronger firepower and missile barrages – and matches often lasted only a few dozen seconds, making the game ideal for quick, repeated bouts against a friend on a single screen.

The title kicked off a long-running series that, thanks to its unconventional controls and striking robot design, retained loyal fans around the world, and the Saturn version remains a reminder of a time when Sega wasn't afraid to experiment with unusual hardware and peripherals instead of simply porting arcade games unchanged. The design of the individual Virtuaroids also drew on the aesthetics of Japanese mecha series, so the game appealed even to players who otherwise weren't drawn much to fighting games.

Why play it: The unique dual-stick controls and fast robot duels in an enclosed arena offer an experience fundamentally different from classic fighting games.