VR Troopers (USA, Europe)

VR Troopers is a fighting game for the SEGA Genesis that came out during the mid-1990s, directly tied to the live-action TV series of the same name. It was also released on the Sega Game Gear, making it one of those multi-platform licensed games that tried to capture the popularity of the show. The game pits virtual reality themed heroes against each other in standard one-on-one martial arts bouts, a common approach for TV show adaptations of that era.

The player selects a character from the VR Troopers cast and fights through a series of opponents, each round played in an arena that vaguely recalls the show's digital world. Combat relies on punch and kick attacks, blocking, and special moves that can be performed with specific button combinations. There is no complex story mode or RPG elements; it sticks closely to the arcade fighter template, with each victory leading to the next challenger until the final boss.

For fans of the VR Troopers show, this game offers a nostalgic trip back to a time when every 90s kids program got its own beat 'em up or fighter. As a Genesis fighting game, it does not have the depth of Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, but it has a certain charm in its simplicity and direct tie to a quirky series. It is a niche title worth checking out if you are curious about how the show was translated to 16-bit hardware, but it will not change your mind about licensed fighters.