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Image: Sega

The Sega Saturn port of its 1994 arcade smash hit Virtua Fighter 2 was something special, and still never quite receives the plaudits it deserves for its technical achievements. While the Saturn was a fresh console, with Sega stepping into the 32-bit-led fifth generation, authentically replicating the company's Model 2 arcade technology was a mammoth task.

You only need look at the Saturn release of the original Virtua Fighter (1994) to see that, while a pretty good port, the console was already sweating when tasked to faithfully matching Model 1 technology. And yet, just weeks into it's infancy, the Saturn delivered an amazing port of the fighter's Model 2 sequel.

Much of VF 2's conversional success belongs to AM2's development of the Sega Graphics Library - an operating system custom-built for the Saturn that not only could closely replicate Model 2 visuals, but also render those visuals at a smooth 60 FPS. At the time, many players considered an arcade-quality port of VF2 an inevitability when, in actual fact, it was a small miracle.

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Image: Xevengar

And VF fans wanting an even closer look at that miracle can now do so via this Virtua Fighter 2 Sega Saturn Model Viewer, courtesy of homebrewer "Xevengar". The viewer allows the user to boot up any of the characters from VF 2's roster and inspect their luscious polygonal models, as well as frame-by-frame analysis of their smooth, motion-captured animation.

Support is included for P1 and P2 skins, and all 11 characters (including unplayable boss Dural) are on deck and awaiting your perusal. That's Akira, Pai, Kage, and nobody's favourite, Lion Rafale. Here's a shot of Wolf Hawkfield sitting down, which is strange because, in real life, all he does is deliver Burning Hammers, non-stop, all day, every day.

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Image: Xevengar

After downloading and installing the model viewer, you will need your own Sega Saturn Virtua Fighter 2 CD Image (or an original Sega Saturn disc). From there, use the viewer to access the CD image's "Virtua Fighter 2 (USA) (RE) (Track 01).bin" folder. All the files found there represent the models readable by the viewer.

It's a very niche tool, sure, but interesting nonetheless. A way for veteran VF fans to pass the time, reminding themselves of the excellent fighting franchise's roots while they await the coming of Virtua Fighter Crossroads, which is currently in development at Ryu ga Gatoku Studios and stars Lion's stupid son.