![VR Troopers (UE) [!]-01.gif (8051 bytes)](../../dpsightz/gamegear/VR_Troopers_UE_-01.gif)
A cheap, quickly
produced (yet fun) Power
Rangers knock-off, the VR Troopers obviously proved popular enough to
warrant a couple of video games. Barreling into the one-on-one tournament fighter realm,
this portable recreation of the TV show is generic enough to knock it down a few marks.
Its gameplay is acceptable for a general portable release at the time, but not when
compared to the other software on the console. The obvious problem is the lack of combos. It's hard to grasp just how this was programmed, and why someone would think this was proper. With the two-button limitation, the developers worked around that with a d-pad combination to create the games most powerful moves. It's a decent system of play, just not one that's very accurate or innovative.
This is a fast moving game, and without the graphics engine being as strong as it is, this would have killed this one. Backdrops are simply amazing in their detail and color, challenging even some Genesis games. The small roster of characters sport stunning animation at times, and those hits really connect because of it, non-existent combo system or not.
Story mode is typical for the genre, and the three main Troopers are the only choice. In the battle mode, enemies can be selected to slug it out. Some of these make formidable opponents, and their reach becomes difficult to counter or overcome.
![VR Troopers (UE) [!]-04.gif (9011 bytes)](../../dpsightz/gamegear/VR_Troopers_UE_-04.gif)
There's a real
oddball feature here buried in the option menu, and that's to change the size of the
sprites. There are two choices, small and large. Small is the default. Large on the other
hand, blows the sprites up to ridiculous proportions, so huge that their heads are cut off
on the screen. It causes major problems for the game, including hit detection and visuals
that make it impossible to see what's going on.Die-hard fighting game fans may find something of interest here, the loose style of play and gorgeous visuals go a long way to create a new experience for fans of the genre. What's new though doesn't always mean improved. On any other console, this would be panned, but on the Game Gear, it almost fits in as a small, easy-to-play forgettable fighter alongside games like Samurai Shodown.
