Virtual On actually on XBLA April 29

Sega preps HD rerelease of arcade twin-stick robot fighting game Oratorio Tangram for Microsoft's downloadable game service.

When Sega's Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram made its North American home debut on the Dreamcast in 2001, it lacked two things: the online play of its Japanese counterpart and a standard controller capable of replicating the twin-stick controls of the arcade game. Those issues will be addressed next week, as Sega has announced an April 29 launch of Oratorio Tangram for Xbox Live Arcade.

Fun fact: Oratorio Tangram is often abbreviated to "VOOT."

Online multiplayer action isn't the only new feature being added for Oratorio Tangram's Xbox 360 debut. Like Sega's Live Arcade rerelease of Rez HD, the new version of Oratorio Tangram will give the game's graphics a high-definition upgrade.

In the past, consoles have not proven a welcome home for previous installments of Virtual On. The arcade original didn't fare well critically when it was ported to the Sega Saturn and performed only marginally better on the PC. More recently, the 2003 PlayStation 2 follow-up Virtual On: Marz failed to impress.

For more on the series, check out GameSpot's review of the original Oratorio Tangram on the Sega Dreamcast.

45 Comments

  • zombey1333

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 6:32 am PT

    Hey, why the burn on Virtual On for Saturn? Between my console and my cd-player (the music was fun) I'm surprised (omg I had typed out "suprised"...facepalm) I didn't wear out the disc :p I may go and play it, feelin nostalgic...

    I was in Sega's Gameworks a few years back for a friends birthday...sat down and began playing this game in the two-seater they had. I didn't leave. I was hooked. Twin Sticks >>> any controller you could possibly imagine for this game.

  • imperial_agent

    Posted Apr 26, 2009 7:25 pm PT

    I remember playing Virtual On on the Sega Saturn. Pretty cool game, intense one-on-one battles. I guess I would be interested if they get the controlls to feel more responsive and simulate mech destruction more satisfactorily.

  • Sambone757

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 10:28 pm PT

    Hopefully they improved the mechanics... any idea of a price range?

  • atomD21

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 5:07 am PT

    I still play VOOT on my Dreamcast! I'm looking forward to the second analog stick.

  • Superion74

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 7:43 pm PT

    Looks like a worthy purchase for XBLA.

  • X-RS

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 3:49 pm PT

    sweeet!!
    finally a real game worth getting of a dl.

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 3:05 pm PT

    For fighting robots, Custom Robo is the king, but since Nintendo is beaing a douche lately, I doubt we'll see another one soon.

  • Gadeos

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 12:30 pm PT

    This game had me stuck for hours. I'm buying it ASAP

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 11:19 am PT

    And I have to agree with everyone that the Sega Saturn version of Virtual was actually pretty good, considering that it had to overcome the obstacle of not having dual-thumbsticks. The button layout of the Saturn controller actually allowed some really good gameplay that was fun. Who cares if it didn't play quite the same as the arcade -- it was still a fun game.

    Dreamcast was a different story. The button configuration of the Dreamcast controller just didn't work well, considering that there was still no dual-thumbstick layout with the Dreamcast control pad.

    Thankfully, with the Xbox 360 version we will finally have all of the best situations for gameplay, control, and online.

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 11:16 am PT

    Virtual On is a great game!

    With the awesome Xbox 360 controller we are finally going to be able to play Virtual On in a way that is just as good, if not better than the arcade.

    I say that because I absolutely love the twin-thumbsticks of the Xbox 360 along with the awesome Triggers. The twin bumper buttons and the rumble will make it so I have more fun playing this Virtual On game than any before it.

    I look forward to seeing you guys online!

  • ralphikari

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 11:04 am PT

    > No non-Sega system deserves to have any Sega game exclusively

    Come back and talk when Sega ported Valkyria Chronicles and Yakuza 3 to the other systems.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 10:29 am PT

    *sigh* as much as I love my PS3 , I do wish the PSN was as good as XBLA.

  • TheArcade

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 10:14 am PT

    @Lord_Alan:

    Agreed Gamespot has a completely biased attitude when it comes to reviewing those games. Shame on you Gamespot! Virtual On for the Saturn was a decent title. You guys goofed up!

    Anyway this is great news, loved Virtual On for the Dreamcast that game was great. Now I finally get to play it with online and the proper controller set up thanks to 360. now all I need is for XBLA to get Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Super Battle Toads, Killer Instinct, Garou Mark of the Wolves and whatever other Arcade hits Microsoft may potentially have planned. Go MS! Go!

  • captainwonton

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 9:11 am PT

    April 29 only says "banjo-tooie"

  • Azwethinkweiz89

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 8:29 am PT

    I remember playing this in the arcades in EPCOT at Disney World..game was intense! With this, Outrun, and the soon to be Marvel vs Capcom 2. XBLA/PSN is finally putting out arcade games many gamers grew up with.

  • Lord_Alan

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 7:49 am PT

    "The arcade original didn't fare well critically when it was ported to the Sega Saturn"

    ...yes, we've all seen Gamespot's fair and balanced Saturn game reviews like a 6 for Burning Rangers and 5.8 for Marvel Super Heroes (!!!), 5.9 for Sonic Jam etc. etc. People who actually played Saturn games properly rather enjoyed it IIRC.

  • aura_enchanted

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 7:09 am PT

    best mech game imo for a console/arcade tower evur! this game was so addictive i remember blowing 10 bucks at a time on this game

  • Hellfury360

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 5:36 am PT

    OMG I remember this back in 1998 i was only 5 played it didnt know what i doin but it was fun..now 11 years later its on console ahh the nostalgia

  • shin_kagato

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 5:32 am PT

    It will probably do better on live arcade as its only going to cost a fraction of the price of the dreamcast/saturn originals. Looking forward to this, even though i have the previous titles it will be easier to get online.

  • pakhair

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 5:24 am PT


    Good

  • method115

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 4:58 am PT

    Wow me and my cousin used to play this all the time. I used the robot who was a female version robotic and shot out hearts for her special.

  • BlueFlameBat

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 4:51 am PT

    Hmm. So upset about the game not coming to PS3, but you seem to be forgetting a third system.

  • lamprey263

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 2:13 am PT

    sweet, I used to love this arcade game, sucks though about the PS3 not getting it on PSN, though there were lots of great Sega arcade games and they'll all make great downloadable games for either systems

  • beekayjay

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 1:22 am PT

    Totally sucks its not coming to PSN. Well, have fun 360 owners! It's a sweet game, one of my favourite mech games from back in the day.

  • CiscoRey

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 12:59 am PT

    I will be beasting with Raiden come next week. >=]

  • chikahiro94 posted Apr 24, 2009 12:53 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    chikahiro94

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 12:53 am PT (hide)

    Wonderful! Just need to see this on the PS3 next. Sorry - Sega fanboy. No non-Sega system deserves to have any Sega game exclusively

    Thank you Sega for gracing these inferior systems with thine games

  • starfoxmcleoud

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 11:41 pm PT

    WTF!! I was thinking about how much I missed playing this in the arcades while at work today. This is freakin' unreal! Can't wait to get my hands on this!

  • faceman420

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 11:04 pm PT

    this game was awesome in arcades

  • TheArcade

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 10:19 pm PT

    THIS is one of the reasons why I pay for Live guaranteed quality titles! Yes!

  • xboxaficionado

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 10:18 pm PT

    @ nini200
    Halo 3 and Ninja Gaiden 2 both have this feature! This is good news

  • nexg3n360

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 10:05 pm PT

    I have such fond memories of this game.. funny thing is when i saw Virtual On was coming to arcade i thought to myself, wtf is Virtual On? I'm really glad it's coming to xbla

  • AncientDozer

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 9:39 pm PT

    Damn your puns. . DAMN THEM!

    But this is pretty cool. I liked Arcade Virtual On. I'll be curious how they adapt it. It's an arcade game, too, so it works out better for us. Even if it isn't spectacular, it'd still be good.

    Also, why not? Loser, maybe they'll be both bought at the same time. First day sales aren't as important as we all like to pretend. It's total sales and if they continue to sell over time, more power to them.

  • losergeek101

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 8:40 pm PT

    why would they release 2 xbla games on the same date ?
    banjo-tooie is proably gonna get a few less sales....

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 7:59 pm PT

    I remember playing this at an arcade Id thought the game deserved more popularity.

  • Gunface1011

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 7:27 pm PT

    I remember playing this at a family fun center lol. i always wondered what the heck it was called. awesome game though.

  • SomeOddGuy

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 7:20 pm PT

    I remember back in the day when I played this game in the arcade. Had so much fun wasting my quarters on this game back when I was around six years old. I certainly won't mind playing this again for the first time in nearly 13 years.

  • Dr_Corndog

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 7:16 pm PT

    I played this game in the arcade a few years ago. Suuuuuch an awesome game.

  • buckyrance

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 6:31 pm PT

    This game rocked back in the day. It is sad that arcades are dead. Many a Saturday at my local arcade, my allowance would vanish in about 15 minutes.

  • nini200

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 6:30 pm PT

    FEI-YEN the knight is back!!!! I still have my Dreamcast copy. That game had the best replay saving I've ever seen. It saves your entire game's replays from beginning to end. You can play the game for hours and it will show you every single thing you've done from start to finish. I've yet to see a game reach this game's level on replays. I Love Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram, it's one of my favorite robot games. I'd destroy you all online in this game. And HD graphical upgrade. *DROOL*

  • JustinSane311

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 6:16 pm PT

    With all of these great games coming out, it makes me sad that arcades are pretty much dead now

  • SearchBomber

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 5:38 pm PT

    Very convenient for me; I saw the Marz Virtuaroids in Super Robot Wars K and I've been wanting to try out a VO game since.

  • Taegre

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 5:34 pm PT

    Woah, it's coming out on my birthday? Why thank you Sega.

  • halo_wars86

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 5:28 pm PT

    i use to love this game. i cant wait i will probably get it first day, it bring me back to the days of the arcades.

  • BtmnHatesRbn posted Apr 23, 2009 5:06 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    BtmnHatesRbn

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 5:06 pm PT (hide)

    Virtual On is Virtually Forgotten.

  • edubuccaneer

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 4:57 pm PT

    If they nail it like they did with OutRun, I'll be sure to check this out.

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