"It is pretty bare bones... but who's complaining?"
For starters, let's get the bad news out of the way. Graphics is where this title sadly suffers. And no, it's not because it's an old game. The reason it suffers is because we all know that the PS2 is more than capable of delivering an arcade perfect version of Virtua Fighter 2. And for some reason that isn't what we got. Don't get me wrong. The game doesn't look just terrible, but it certainly could have been and should have been an arcade duplicate. The character models are just a little on the grainy side and their portraits at the character select screen are unforgivably ugly. There really is no excuse for this with a machine as powerful as the PS2. Even at a bargain price point, Sega should have gone the extra mile to make it look as pretty as it could. That all said, thankfully there is a saving grace. The backgrounds are 100% arcade perfect. They are old mind you, so take that into account. But the levels you saw in the arcade classic are replicated in tact. It really is nice to see a home version of the game that reminds you of that arcade feel. Gone are the still shots from the fantastic (for its time) Saturn port of the game. What you see in the background here is what you saw in the arcade.
The gameplay, I'm happy to report, translated better than the graphics. This is classic Virtua Fighter 2 madness. All the moves and combos you remember are here. Each character has a plethora of hits, kicks, throws, and combos at their disposal. It really makes for an exciting thrill ride down memory lane for those of us that remember VF2 when it was the main arcade draw.
The game sounds just as you remember too. That could be good or bad depending on your point of view. Does it have the crystal clear pounds and smashes of Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution? No. Does it replicate what you heard in the arcade? Yes. There is also an option to select arranged music instead of the original tunes but you'll quickly go back to the originals as they are better and offer a more nostalgic feel.
So can I recommend this game? That all depends. In the end, for the casual gamer I'd have to say no. Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution offers everything this game offers in its Virtua Fighter 10th Anniversary version. It features all of the Virtua Fighter characters up to VF4: Evo with the old Virtua Fighter engine and look. Plus Virtua Fighter 4 is just a more refined game in itself. But keeping in mind that this is an import title, if you are even looking at it then you are obviously not a casual gamer but a hardcore one. And to the hardcore fighter I am split yet again. Here's the breakdown: If you grew up in the 90's and want to relive the glory days of arcade classic fighting, or if you're just a collector that wants some cool bragging points for owning something most people out of Japan don't own, this game is totally up your alley. You can get it cheap and it’s not too hard to find for someone that likes import games. On the other hand, if you are hardcore but don't care about importing or you missed out on Virtua Fighter 2 in arcades, just get Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution. You won't be missing much.
In closing, Sega Ages 16: Vrtua Fighter 2 is good, not great. For the average gamer out there skip it. If you’re an old-school otaku like me, it’s a game worth owning.