Kicking Virtua Striker Ver. 2000.1

We got our little hands on a copy of Virtua Striker 2 Ver.2000.1 (yes, that's the whole title) for the Dreamcast today, and we have screens and movie action to show you. Eager soccer beavers curious about how it plays will be interested to know there is no analog control featured. While this is an odd exclusion, it makes sense, since the regular D-pad emulates the arcade controls to a 'T.' It still stinks not to have an analog control though, but you get used to it.

Actually, playing the game is a little weird. The control, from limited playtime, doesn't seem as responsive as a soccer game should be. In fact, it often feels as if you're not even controlling any of the characters. Annoyingly, when the ball is free, the computer automatically switches control to the player who is closest to the ball. While this seems logical, if you're controlling a player onscreen and guiding the player toward the ball, but there is another player, closer to the ball, offscreen, then the control will switch to that character. This can be quite disorienting sometimes, but with practice, it's expected that you will get used to it.

The game's graphics are sharp, making something like FIFA '99 seem downright Neanderthal in comparison. Each player has a Dynamite Cop level of detail, if not more, and the motion-captured movement of the game's players is excellent. Other gameplay functions like throw-ins, goal kicks, and penalty kicks are handled with a simple two-or-three-button interface, which is highlighted on the actual game screen. Like most real soccer games, scoring is not easy, as wins and losses are often decided by penalty kicks.

Virtua Striker 2 Ver.2000.1 will be landing on US shores in March.