|
Ah...
The Time: Fall 1995, Winter 1995, or Spring 1996 (I'm pretty sure Spring 1996).
The Setting: Lazer X at Merle Hay Mall.
What happened: I go into the awesome game center, checking things out. Playing games here and there. I remember watching this one guy kick some serious ass at Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 3. I see this game called "Virtua Fighter 2." I figured "What the hell? Give it a shot." I popped in two tokens, and select Akira (since he's the cover guy), and I make it to Pai, before getting my ass kicked time and again. I give up. Unable to find Tekken anywhere, I play again, as Akira, get to Pai, owned.
I immediately preferred VF over Tekken. Why? Simple: None of the fancy explosions when you hit someone (I was nine years old at the time) 
I was always and Akira player those first few months. but could never get past Pai. I switched to Lion, button mashed my way to Pai, same deal. I actually think I got past Pai once as Lion. 
Over the next months, I'd always switch between Tekken, Tekken 2 and VF2. I remember finding the original VF at a different game center and was floored at the graphics (What the hell happened? They're all blocky now!)
It was Fall 1996, that I was browsing Software Etc. at Merle Hay Mall, and noticed Virtua Fighter 2. Big red "GENESIS" label on the side of the box art. I went nuts! I grabbed it, and looked at the back. I was so excited! The graphics looked so amazing! I actually thought they looked a bit 3D!
Janaury 1997, I decided to buy a video game. My first game purchase of my life. I couldn't decide between Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 for SNES, or Virtua Fighter 2 for Genesis. I eventually decided on VF, due to my love for the arcade game. My dad took me to Target, I picked up the game, and took it home (I remember telling my dad in the car "Yeah, this guy's name is Akira (I pronounced it "a-ky-ra"), he's the best."). I got home, popped in the game, and started playing as "a-ky-ra". I did the same -> ->, KK move over and over, kicking ass. I wnet aboslutely crazy after I beat Pai.
A month or so later, I'm fighting Sarah, and she's beting me a bit. I like her moves, and decide to pick her as my next fighter. The rest is history. I've been a Sarah player ever since, destroying all who challenge me. 
Anyway, I didn't get to go to a game center for months. I went again in Summer 1997 I believe it was. I stepped up the VF2 machine, picked Sarah, and got to Lion (One stage past Pai! Whoohoo!). I think I actually got to Jeffry at one point.
I went back to Lazer X a few weeks later, and noticed "Virtua Fighter 3" right at the entrance. Right in front. I'm drooling like no other. I step up, select, Wolf, get my assed kicked in one fight. I didn't play VF3 in any shape or form until about four or five years later (I believe it was Spring 2002), when I finally got to play it a second time (Same place as before, Lazer X). I wasn't going to get owned in one fight again (Yes, I remember that first fight clearly. I still do), so I screwed Wolf, and picked my girl Sarah. I got about got past about six or seven fighters, before I hit a road block, and stopped (I only had a couple dollars with me).
I remember first hearing about the Dreamcast and thinking (Bah.. It sucks! It's made by Sega! (I was a Sony fanboy at the time.)) But when I heard about VF3 going to it, I went nuts! I NEEDED a Dreamcast for VF3! Too bad I didn't get my DC until January 9, 2002. I didn't get VF3 for DC until August 2002.
Anyway, I bought my Sega Saturn on August 19, 2000 at 2:59 PM from Funcoland
I bought:
Sega Saturn ($27.99)
Virtua Cop ($1.99)
Daytona USA ($1.99)
Virtua Fighter 2 ($2.49)
RF Adaptor ($2.99)
Mom bought:
CD Cleaner ($14.95)
Fighters Megamix ($16.99)
Subtotal: $69.39
IA TAX 6.00%: $4.16
TOTAL: $73.55
PCM Redeem: $3.95
Cash (Me): $35.00
Check (Mom): $34.36
I was so happy I finally got to have a 3D version of VF2. I played it non-stop, kicking ass, and taking names with Sarah.
I still play my MegaDrive version of VF2 sometimes. You know how people say that it's supid to buy a console for one game? I guess I was pretty stupid.
Saturn - All the VF games
Dreamcast - VF3
Game Gear - VF Animation
32x - VF
Master System - Phantasy Star, and VF (Can't remember exact name).
PS2 - Final Fantasy X (At the time anyway), VF4. Then I bought VF Evolution, and I might import VF Final Tuned in summer, or I might just wait until the American release.
I still need to get the VF4 and Red VF Evolution stick (I think that's the one with Srah on it) for my PS2.
Thank god for VF, where would I be without it? |
(Virtua Fighter-J and House of the Dead-J) 
