Editing Virtua Fighter (video game) (section)

==Reception==
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="float:right; font-size:90%; text-align:center; margin:1em; margin-top:0; padding:0; background:none;" cellpadding="0"
! colspan=4 style="font-size: 100%" | Reception
|-
! colspan=4 | [[Video game journalism|Review scores]]
|-
! rowspan=2 | Publication
! colspan=3 | Scores
|-
! [[Arcade video game|Arcade]]
! [[Sega Saturn]]
! [[32X]]
|-
| ''[[Computer and Video Games]]''
| 83%<ref name="CVG147">{{cite magazine |last1=Skews |first1=Rik |title=Arcade Action: Virtua Fighters |magazine=[[Computer & Video Games]] |publisher=[[EMAP]] |issue=147 (February 1994) |date=January 15, 1994 |pages=100–1 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/4/4c/CVG_UK_147.pdf#page=100}}</ref>
| 94%<ref name="CVG158">{{cite magazine |last1=Patterson |first1=Mark |last2=James |first2=Steve |last3=Lawrence |first3=Eddy (Radion Automatic) |last4=Lord |first4=Gary |title=Sega Saturn exclusive! Virtua Fighter: fighting in the third dimension |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |location=United Kingdom |issue=158 (January 1995) |date=December 15, 1994 |pages=12–3, 15–6, 19 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/8/84/CVG_UK_158.pdf#page=12}}</ref>
| 95%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_168_1995-11_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n37/mode/2up |title=Computer and Video Games – Issue 168 (1995–11)(EMAP Images)(GB) |website=Archive.org |date=November 1995 |access-date=March 11, 2016}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]''
| Positive<ref name="Edge2"/>
| 9/10<ref name="Edge"/>
|
|-
| ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''
| Positive<ref name="EGM51"/>
| 31.5/40<ref name="EGM72"/>
| 29/40<ref name="EGM76"/>
|-
| ''[[Famitsu]]''
|
| 36/40<ref name="Fam335"/>
| 30/40<ref name="Fam358"/>
|-
| ''[[Game Informer]]''
|
| 8/10<ref name="GI">{{cite magazine |title=Legacy Review Archives |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/legacyreviews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214131120/https://www.gameinformer.com/legacyreviews |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 14, 2018 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref>
|
|-
| ''[[GamesMaster]]''
|
| 96%<ref>''[[GamesMaster]]'', episode 73 (series 4, episode 11), November 29, 1994</ref>
|
|-
| ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]''
|
| 90%<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Bures |first1=Julian |last2=Serda |first2=Jason |title=Virtua Fighter vs Toshinden |magazine=[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]] |date=May 1995 |issue=18 |pages=32–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-018/page/n31/mode/2up}}</ref>
|
|-
| ''[[EMAP|Maximum]]''
|
| {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Maximum" />
|
|-
| ''[[Mean Machines Sega]]''
|
| 96%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Saturn Review: Virtua Fighter |magazine=[[Mean Machines Sega]] |date=December 30, 1994 |issue=28 (February 1995) |pages=16–21 |url=https://archive.org/details/mean-machines-sega-magazine-28/page/n15/mode/2up}}</ref>
|
|-
| ''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]''
|
| 97%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Saturn Review: Virtua Fighter |magazine=[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]] |date=January 1995 |issue=29 (February 1995) |pages=38–41 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d3/Mega_UK_29.pdf#page=38}}</ref>
|
|-
| ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]''
| {{rating|3|5}} <br> (''Remix'')<ref name="NG12"/>
| {{rating|4|5}} (original)<ref name="NGen4"/> <br> {{rating|5|5}} (''Remix'')<ref name="NGen10"/>
| {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="NGen11"/>
|-
| ''[[:de:SEGA Magazin|Sega Magazin]]''
|
| 87% (original) <br> 91% (''Remix'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Die Hits de Leser |trans-title=The Reader Hits |magazine=[[:de:SEGA Magazin|Sega Magazin]] |date=February 14, 1996 |issue=28 (März 1996) |page=21 |lang=de |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/5/5d/SegaMagazin_DE_28.pdf#page=21}}</ref>
|
|-
| ''[[Sega Power]]''
|
| 97%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Saturn: Virtua Fighter |magazine=[[Sega Power]] |date=December 15, 1994 |issue=63 (February 1995) |pages=14–5 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c5/SegaPower_UK_63.pdf}}</ref>
|
|-
| ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]''
|
| {{Rating|5|5}} (''Remix'')<ref name="SSM"/>
|
|-
| ''[[Sega Saturn Tsūshin]]''
|
| 38/40<ref name="SST"/>
|
|-
| ''[[Future Publishing|Ultimate Future Games]]''
|
| 96%<ref name="UFG">{{cite magazine |title=The game that killed the 16-bit machines: Virtua Fighter |magazine=Ultimate Future Games |date=January 1, 1995 |issue=3 (February 1995) |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |pages=78–81 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/f/f5/UltimateFutureGames_UK_03.pdf#page=78}}</ref>
|
|-
! colspan=4 | Awards
|-
! Publication(s)
! colspan=3 | Awards
|-
| [[:ja:ゲーメスト大賞|''Gamest'' Awards]] (1994)<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[:ja:Gamest|GAMEST]]|issue=136|language=ja|page=40|url=http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~dummy/gamest/magazine/gamest/v136.html|title=第8回ゲーメスト大賞}}</ref>
| colspan=3 | [[List of Game of the Year awards|3rd Best Game of the Year]], <br> 3rd Best Fighting Game, 6th Best Graphics
|-
| AMOA Awards (1994)<ref name="AMOA">{{cite magazine |title=AMOA Jukebox And Game Awards Nominees Announced |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=July 23, 1994 |page=30 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1994/CB-1994-07-23.pdf#page=30}}</ref>
| colspan=3 | Most Played Videogame (nominee), <br> Most Innovative New Technology (nominee)
|-
| ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly|EGM]]'', ''[[1UP.com|1UP]]'',<ref name=EGM2006>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.1up.com/features/egm-200-greatest-videogames |title=The Greatest 200 Videogames of Their Time |date=February 6, 2006 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |access-date=November 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017222736/http://www.1up.com/features/egm-200-greatest-videogames |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Famitsu]]'',<ref name=Famitsu2006>{{cite magazine | date=March 3, 2006 | title=Japan Votes on All Time Top 100 | url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 | magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] / [[Famitsu]] | access-date=November 24, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723051728/http://www.edge-online.com/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 | archive-date=July 23, 2008 | url-status=dead }}</ref> <br> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''<ref name=cgw150/>
| colspan=3 | [[List of video games considered the best|Best Games of All Time]]
|-
| [[GameSpot]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential_rc/p4_01.html |title=GameSpot Presents: Readers' Choice: 15 Most Influential Video Games of All Time |access-date=March 11, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011120061225/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential_rc/p4_01.html |archive-date=November 20, 2001 }}</ref> ''[[1UP.com|1UP]]''<ref name="1UP"/>
| colspan=3 | Most Influential Games of All Time
|}

===Arcade===
Sega began location testing an early prototype version in Japan prior to the game's demonstration at the [[Amusement Machine Show]] (AM Show) in August 1993. Sega reported it to be their highest-earning location test performance of all time, with each test machine earning a daily average of {{JPY|60,000}} or {{US$|600|long=no|1993}}. At the 1993 AM Show, it was rated the "hit of the show" by many visitors.<ref name="RePlay"/> In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Virtua Fighter'' on their January 1, 1994, issue as being the most-popular upright/cockpit arcade game for the previous two weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 – アップライト, コックピット型TVゲーム機 (Upright/Cockpit Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=464|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=January 1, 1994|page=35|lang=ja}}</ref> It went on to become Japan's highest-grossing [[1994 in video games|arcade game of 1994]],<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Best Videos '94: "Puyo Puyo", "Ridge Racer" DX |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]] |issue=487 |publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]] |date=January 1–15, 1995 |page=36 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19950101p.pdf#page=19}}</ref> and one of the highest-grossing arcade games of all time in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/Ultimate_Future_Games_Issue_02_1995-01_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n27/mode/2up |title=Ultimate Future Games – Issue 02 (1995-01)(Future Publishing)(GB) |website=Archive.org |date=January 1995 |access-date=March 11, 2016}}</ref> According to ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' magazine in 1995, ''Virtua Fighter'' was "the biggest game in Japan since ''[[Super Mario World]]''."<ref name="NG11">{{cite magazine |title=The Art of Virtua Fighter |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |date=October 24, 1995 |issue=11 (November 1995) |page=1 |url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-011/page/n1/mode/2up}}</ref> In North America, ''RePlay'' reported ''Virtua Fighter'' to be the sixth most-popular upright arcade game in February 1994,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Player's Choice – Top Games Now in Operation, Based on Earnings-Opinion Poll of Operators: Best Upright Videos|magazine=RePlay|volume=19|issue=5|publisher=RePlay Publishing, Inc.|date=February 1994|page=6}}</ref> and it went on to be one of America's top five highest-grossing arcade video games of 1994.<ref name="AMOA"/> In the United Kingdom, it was the second top-grossing arcade game in London during early 1994 (below ''[[Ridge Racer (video game)|Ridge Racer]]''),<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Arcade Action |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |location=United Kingdom |issue=149 (April 1994) |date=March 15, 1994 |pages=82–6 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7f/CVG_UK_149.pdf#page=82}}</ref> and went on to be one of the most popular coin-ops of the year.<ref name="CVG158"/>

''Virtua Fighter'' sold more than 40,000 arcade units worldwide by 1996,<ref>{{cite news |title=Virtua Fighter Kids: New Sega Saturn game is way "a-head" of its time |url=https://segaretro.org/Press_release:_1996-09-03:_Virtua_Fighter_Kids:_New_Sega_Saturn_game_is_way_%22a-head%22_of_its_time |access-date=October 11, 2021 |publisher=[[Sega of America]] |date=September 3, 1996}}</ref> with each unit costing between {{US$|15,000|long=no|1993|round=-3}}<ref name="CVG158"/> and £14,000 / {{US$|{{To USD|14|GBR|year=1993|round=yes}},000|long=no|1993|round=-3}}.<ref name="CVG147"/> ''Virtua Fighter'' and ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (1994) became Sega's best-selling arcade games of all time, surpassing their previous record holder ''[[Out Run]]'' (1986).<ref name="SAH">{{cite book |author=Famitsu DC |author-link=Famitsu DC |url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:Sega_Arcade_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf&page=14 |title=セガ・アーケード・ヒストリー |trans-title=Sega Arcade History |chapter=Interview: Akira Nagai — SEGA Representative |series=Famitsu Books |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |date=February 15, 2002 |pages=20–23 |language=ja |isbn=978-4-75770790-0 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820193203/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ASega_Arcade_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf&page=14 |url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/akiranagai/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807024817/http://shmuplations.com/akiranagai/ |date=August 7, 2020 }}).</ref>

Following its demonstration at the 1993 AM Show, ''Virtua Fighter'' received a positive industry reception. ''RePlay'' magazine called "the adaptation of 3-D polygon graphics to video fighting games" a "sensational development that could define and revitalize this already-hot category." California Games CEO Pat Schroeder said ''Virtua Fighter'' "was by far the dawn of a new era of games" with praise for the "computerized 3-D graphics with effects that are unreal" and how it "shows the fighting action" from different angles.<ref name="RePlay"/> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' magazine called ''Virtua Fighter'' "a tantalising glimpse into the future of fighting games employing the same ground-breaking CG computer graphics system as ''[[Virtua Racing]]''." While criticizing the appearance of the "excessively blocky polygonised people," ''Edge'' said "the 3D scrolling, animation and movement are all silky-smooth and very realistic" and that "the fluid animation and imaginative camera angles quickly won the audience over."<ref name="Edge2"/> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' hailed ''Virtua Fighter'' as a demonstration of "just how far video games have come in the last eight years." ''EGM'' made particular note of the advanced graphics, how the camera moves along different axes depending on the fighters' location, the use of multiple viewpoints in the instant replay, the high quality of the gameplay, and the smoothness and realism of the animation.<ref name="EGM51">{{cite magazine|title=Virtua Fighters|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=51|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=October 1993|page=66}}</ref>

In January 1994, Rik Skews of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' magazine, after playing for 1 hour, initially praised the "brilliant 64-bit" 3D graphics, animation and camera work but compared the gameplay unfavorably to ''Street Fighter II''.<ref name="CVG147"/> ''Computer and Video Games'' was later more positive towards the gameplay, stating in December 1994 that the game "combined cutting edge arcade technology with motion capture techniques and some excellent gameplay design."<ref name="CVG158"/> ''Next Generation'' said in 1995 that it epitomized Yu Suzuki's "skill of finding the perfect blend of state-of-the-art technology with solid gameplay" in "the cut-throat world" of arcades.<ref name="NG11"/>

===Ports===
The console port of ''Virtua Fighter'', which was very close to the arcade game, sold at a nearly 1:1 ratio with the Saturn hardware during the Japanese launch.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=Steven L. |author-link=Steven L. Kent |title=[[The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story Behind the Craze that Touched our Lives and Changed the World]] |year=2001 |publisher=Prima Publishing |location=Roseville, California |isbn=0-7615-3643-4 |page=502}}</ref> The [[Future Publishing]] magazine ''Ultimate Future Games'' called ''Virtua Fighter'' the "game that killed" the 16-bit machines.<ref name="UFG"/> The Saturn version sold 630,000 units in Japan, while ''Remix'' sold a further 437,036 units there in 1995, for a combined total of 1,067,036 units sold for the Saturn in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Game Search |url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |website=Game Data Library |publisher=[[Famitsu]] |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref>

On release of the Saturn version, ''[[Sega Saturn Tsūshin]]'' scored the game a 38 out of 40.<ref name="SST">SegaSaturn GameCross Review: バーチャファイター. Sega Saturn Tsūshin. No.1. Pg.6. December 2, 1994.</ref> ''[[Famicom Tsūshin]]'' would score the same version a 36 out of 40 five months later.<ref name="Fam335">おオススメ!! ソフト カタログ!!: バーチャファイター. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.335. Pg.114. May 12–19, 1995.</ref> ''Computer and Video Games'' reviewed a Japanese import in December 1994, stating "the last machine to generate so much interest in this office was the arrival of" the [[Super Famicom]] with ''[[Super Mario World]]''. Steve James praised the "superlative" moves, "amazingly crisp" sound samples, and "totally realistic" action; Mark Patterson, while criticizing the high UK import price of {{£|70–80|long=no|link=yes}} ({{US$|{{To USD|70|GBR|year=1994|round=yes}}–{{To USD|80|GBR|year=1994|round=yes}}|long=no}}), concluded with "credit to Sega for producing an excellent machine, and even more to AM2 for its near-perfect conversion of this fantastic game."<ref name="CVG158"/> In a review of the Japanese release, ''[[GamePro]]'' praised the retention of the fighters, moves, varying camera angles, and controls of the arcade version, as well as the improved voice and sound effects and home version options, and concluded it to be "one of the best games ever bundled with a system".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Saturn ProReview: Virtua Fighter|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=68|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=March 1995|page=31}}</ref> Their later review of the North American release was similarly laudatory, but remarked that ''[[Tekken (video game)|Tekken]]'' and ''[[Battle Arena Toshinden]]'' for the soon-to-launch [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] were even better.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Virtua Fighter|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=83|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=August 1995|page=48}}</ref> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'', which also reviewed the game prior to the Saturn's USA launch, disagreed, contending that "What ''Virtua Fighter'' lacks in ''[Battle Arena] Tohshinden''{{'}}s immediate graphical punch, it makes up for in grinding longevity." They particularly praised the game's depth and realism, and summarized that "The Saturn ''Virtua Fighter'' is, to all intents and purposes, the coin-op game brought home. And away from the arcade, under the harsh light of unhurried examination, its merits grow."<ref name="NGen4">{{cite journal|title=Virtua Fighter |journal=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=4|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=April 1995|page=88}}</ref>

''Maximum'' gave it five out of five stars, calling it "a stunningly close conversion that is quite possibly the best game available for the machine." They remarked that the innovations such as the 3D motion capture remained impressive, as well as the depth and variety of the character's gameplay application: "every fighter has almost limitless scope for coming up with all-new attacks." They also praised the "very clever mixture of superbly exaggerated sound effects coupled with a tangible, realistic impact for every blow."<ref name="Maximum">{{cite journal|title=Virtua Fighter|journal=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=1|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=October 1995|pages=142–3}}</ref> ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' were more subdued in their reaction, but two of their four reviewers commented that it was nearly identical to the arcade version. They scored it 31.5 out of 40 (average 7.875 out of 10).<ref name="EGM72">{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Virtua Fighter|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=72|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=July 1995|page=38}}</ref> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' rated the Saturn version 9/10, stating: "Saturn ''Virtua Fighter'' has all the pulling power of the arcade version, including the swooping, gliding game camera, the stylish polygon characters, the totally convincing animation and the compulsive gameplay&nbsp;... [The graphics] were impressive enough in the original, but on the Saturn, under the kind of intense scrutiny you can never give a game in the arcades, they emerge as simply astounding&nbsp;... It's arguably the first true 'next generation' console game, fusing the best aspects of combat gameplay with groundbreaking animation and gorgeous sound".<ref name="Edge">{{cite web|title=Virtua Fighter Review|url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/virtua-fighter-review/|publisher=Edge Online|date=December 22, 1994|access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref>

''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' gave ''Virtua Fighter Remix'' five out of five stars, saying that it fixed the glitches and graphics of the original game while maintaining the already excellent gameplay.<ref name="SSM">{{cite journal|title=Review: Virtua Fighter Remix + CG Portrait Collection|journal=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=1|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=November 1995|page=94}}</ref> ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' scored ''Remix'' 29 out of 40 (average 7.25 out of 10). The reviewers praised all the game's improvements, but most of them concluded that it was still not worth buying for players who already owned the original game.<ref name="EGM76">{{cite magazine|title=Virtua Fighter Remix Review|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=76|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=November 1995|page=46}}</ref> ''Maximum'' likewise praised the quality of the game and its low price tag, but felt it was not worth buying, with the release of the even better Saturn conversion of ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' less than a month away. They scored it four out of five stars.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Maximum Reviews: Virtua Fighter Remix|journal=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=2 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=November 1995|page=143}}</ref> The staff of ''Next Generation'' gave it five out of five stars, applauding the graphical improvements and glitch fixes. They commented: "Perhaps never in videogame history has a problem such as ''Virtua Fighter'' been so quickly and thoroughly corrected. ''Virtua Fighter Remix'' contains all the great gameplay of the original without any of the weak spots."<ref name="NGen10">{{cite journal|title=Reassuring|journal=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=10|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=October 1995|page=113}}</ref> Scary Larry of ''GamePro'' gave the game a highly positive review for its graphical enhancements and retention of all the excellent gameplay of the original Saturn version. ''GamePro'' also ran two reader-submitted reviews for the game; King Kane argued that the graphical and audio improvements make the game worth trying even for those who are not fans of ''Virtua Fighter'', while Tricky Ricky argued that though the game is an impressive upgrade, the lack of changes to the gameplay make its appeal quickly fade.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Virtua Fighter Remix|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=87|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=December 1995|pages=72–73}}</ref> ''Famicom Tsūshin'' scored ''Virtua Fighter Remix'' a 35 out of 40,<ref>NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: バーチャファイター リミックス. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.344. Pg.31. July 21, 1995.</ref> and the [[Sega 32X]] version of the game a 30 out of 40.<ref name="Fam358">NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: バーチャファイター. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.358. Pg.30. October 27, 1995.</ref> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' reviewed the arcade version of the game, and stated that "The drawback of all Titan games, including ''Remix'', is that the technology isn't as advanced, fast, or powerful as Model 2B [...] and these games are really like playing fast Saturn games in the arcade."<ref name="NG12"/>

''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' scored the 32X version 30.5 out of 40 (average 7.625 out of 10), calling it an excellent conversion given the system it's on, but dated next to the graphically superior Saturn version and especially ''Virtua Fighter Remix'', both of which had already been released.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Virtua Fighter Review|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=75|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=October 1995|page=36}}</ref> ''GamePro'' also noted that the 32X version suffers from more slowdown and fewer polygons than the Saturn version, as well as "tinny sound quality", but praised the additional options not included in the Saturn version and rated it as an overall strong port.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Virtua Fighter|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=86|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=November 1995|page=66}}</ref> A critic for ''Next Generation'' similarly said that the 32X version is not as impressive looking as the Saturn version but has more options and fewer glitches, making it an overall excellent port. He argued that the game was not worth buying a 32X for, since the system was not powerful enough to handle ports of ''Virtua Fighter Remix'' or ''Virtua Fighter 2'' (which was soon to be released for the Saturn), but that it was an essential purchase for those who already own a 32X.<ref name="NGen11">{{cite journal|title=Un-X-Pected!|journal=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=11|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=November 1995|page=177}}</ref>

In 1995, [[Flux (magazine)|''Flux'']] rated the arcade version 16th in its Top 100 Video Games. At the time, they called ''Virtua Fighter'': "The most satisfying fighter in existence."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 1995 |title=Top 100 Video Games |url=https://archive.org/details/flux-issue-4/page/n25/mode/2up |journal=Flux |publisher=Harris Publications |issue=4 |pages=27}}</ref> In 1996, ''Computer Gaming World'' declared ''Virtua Fighter PC'' the 121st-best computer game ever released.<ref name=cgw150>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | title=150 Best (and 50 Worst) Games of All Time | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | date=November 1996 | issue=148 | pages=63–65, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84, 88, 90, 94, 98 }}</ref> In 1996, [[GamesMaster (magazine)|''GamesMaster'']] ranked ''Virtua Fighter'' eighth on their "The GamesMaster Saturn Top 10."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=The GamesMaster Saturn Top 10 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=76}}</ref>