SEGA bringing Virtual On to XBLA

By Oli Welsh Published 25 February, 2009

Oratorio Tangram version of mech fighter.

SEGA is to convert its cult, twin-stick arcade mech fighter Virtual On Oratorio Tangram to Xbox Live Arcade, according to Japanese games bible Famitsu.

The Japanese magazine's report was spotted by Kotaku. The game will release in Japan in April for 1200 Microsoft Points (GBP 10.20 / EUR 14.40).

The specific version will be Cyber Troopers Virtual On Oratorio Tangram version 5.66, the final incarnation of the NAOMI arcade board that was converted for the Dreamcast. Virtual On hasn't seen a console release since 2003's Marz for the PS2.

It may not be the only Dreamcast game that SEGA looks to revive in this way. Late last year, Siliconera reported that the company had re-registered the trademark for its puzzler ChuChu Rocket as well as Sonic Shuffle, Cosmic Smash and Jet Grind Radio (the Japanese name for the superb graffiti-on-roller-skates adventure Jet Set Radio).

Of course, Rez has already made its way to Xbox Live Arcade, along with Namco's classic NAOMI beat-'em-up Soul Calibur.

Why not speculate on other Dreamcast favourites that might get a second, downloadable chance by heading over to our surprisingly popular round-up of Dreamcast Cult Classics.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (54) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • muscleblade #1 3 years ago

    Sega Dreamcast games on XBLA ftw!!!

  • optimusprym8 #2 3 years ago

    freakin' sweet!

  • DFawkes #3 3 years ago

    I've read the article a few times over, and every time my brain automatically adds Shenmue to the list of re-registered trademarks. Not that it needs re-registered, but it'd be hope in some form.

    Chu Chu Rocket was one of the first online games I played, I'd love an XBLA version of that. Virtual On isn't bad as well, I do like my mech games.

  • berelain #4 3 years ago

    Xbox Live Arcade is becoming home to an amazing lineup of DC games these days. May the trend continue!

    As for Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram, I spent a fortune importing it for the Dreamcast, and played it to death. I will definately be picking this up when it reaches the UK; its 'anime mech fighting at its finest.

  • indafunkyhouse #5 3 years ago

    This is a fantastic game! I picked it up many many years ago when it came out in the States while in Florida and loved it! We need Space Channel 5, Jet Set Radio (dreamcast and xbox versions are both amazing) and not forgetting 18 Wheeler!!

  • Lutz #6 3 years ago

    European release too?

  • Rodster #7 3 years ago

    How about a remake of Sega's Ferrari F355 Challenge for the Dreamcast on XBL? :-D

  • Darkstorm #8 3 years ago

    I can only pray this makes it across to the european marketplace =>

  • Negotiator #9 3 years ago

    Off topic if I get a new HDrive for the 360 can I keep my Gamertag from my old HDrive, or do I have to create a new one.

  • Dizzy #10 3 years ago

    Wow great. Loved VO.

    "Off topic if I get a new HDrive for the 360 can I keep my Gamertag from my old HDrive, or do I have to create a new one. "

    Your GT has nothing to do with your HDD or console. You can "recover" it on any 360 console. A new HDD will just give you some problems playing XBLA games offline.
    Edited by 2 at 25/02/09 @ 09:29

  • Ninja_Tino #11 3 years ago

    Negotiator, you simply have to click on 'recover gamertag', obviously be connected to Xbox Live, type your account name and password etc and then it will, well, recover your gamertag, saves and all. Downloadable content will have to be redownloaded though.

  • BBIAJ #12 3 years ago

    Oooh, JSR on XBLA!?

    Yes please!

  • CHAZBIGPOTATO #13 3 years ago

    Oh hell yeah, this was great. Strangely dont remember this on Dreamcast but enjoyed it on the Saturn.

  • theLU #14 3 years ago

    Jet Grind Radio (the Japanese name for the superb graffiti-on-roller-skates adventure Jet Set Radio).
    I think that should be American and not Japanese, as it clearly says "Set" on my japanese edition.

    EDIT: Well, actually it says "ジェット セット ラジオ", but "Jet Set Radio" is the Euro/Japanese name of the game.
    Edited by 1 at 25/02/09 @ 09:55

  • asphaltcowboy #15 3 years ago

    @Negotiator: It absolutely WILL NOT recover your save games, Ninja_Tino is mistaken. You need a transfer cable ideally (which should come with a new HDD anyway).

  • metalangel #16 3 years ago

    Yup, I imported Jet Grind Radio from Canada and it was definitely Grind in North America only.

  • Toothball #17 3 years ago

    Chu Chu Rocket would be a perfect fit for Live. Multiplayer matches on that were really manic. At the moment though I'm more interested in further word on Outrun. They seem to have gone a bit quiet on that.

  • ryohazuki1983 #18 3 years ago

    Yeah sounds good JSR, ChuChu Rocket etc.

    I expected outrun to be out end of jan, that was stated in a few news articles/the hands-on or preview whatever it was!

  • binky #19 3 years ago

    OMG YES!!!!!!!!!!

  • TheBiGW #20 3 years ago

    Marvel Vs Capcom 2 please :)

  • VicViper #21 3 years ago

    I loved this game back in the day,

    Now all I need is Jet Set Radio and JSRF (handly enough could be a xbox original although I would prefer a XBLA version), maybe Crazy taxi (first one) and Project Justice: Rival Schools 2 (I can dream, it was awsome)

  • aniki Verified Web Developer, YoYo Games Ltd #22 3 years ago

    Why is Chu Chu Rocket not on XBLA already? It would be fantastic, especially now that online console gaming has caught up to where Sega was ten years ago.
    Edited by 2 at 25/02/09 @ 11:12

  • SteveB #23 3 years ago

    Sega Rally 2 without slow down and 60fps please !

  • peterfll #24 3 years ago

    Power Stone of course, you dummies. And Crazy Taxi. And I second JSR\JGR.

  • Eurolamer #25 3 years ago

    Virtua Striker 2000.1, with online mode

  • dog2_99 #26 3 years ago

    Power Stone would be amazing! I am still hoping for a HD version of the Marvel VS Capcom 2 pls Capcom!!! or any of the 'vs' series!!

  • menage #27 3 years ago

    Yes

    Powerstone 2 with 4 player online would be sweet.

  • Daikon #28 3 years ago

    I'm confused. Is this going to be the Arcade version or the Dreamcast version?

  • citizenHUNTER #29 3 years ago

    WOW. I was thinking of this game recently, I only ever played a demo but it was immense from memory, hope it's as I remember (in fact my memory I think is of a Saturn version...?) Even better then this is the DC one.

    Jet Set Radio is a must, would be a massive seller on XBLA since people would actually get it promoted to them and be able to try it out. Coolest game ever, still stands up now as well. I have to say I am loving this DC to XBLA ports, Shenmue is probably out of the question due to the file size (a four disc game might stretch the limits a bit) but maybe they could release it in four segments over XBLA for a cheaper amount per segment? Still seems unlikely for some reason but it could be huge again. Maybe even if it was big enough Sega could get back into it, release all 15 chapters they originally wanted to over a slow but steady DLC release schedule (one can dream).

    This second chance for many of the 'lost' DC games is fantastic, hopefully people will realise how good a select few of us had it before the PS2 came to dominate. People missed some fantastic games, Sega at their best in my opinion. I'd also like to see the Original Sonic Adventure btw.. while not flawless by any means it was actually playable and enjoyable for the most part.

  • Sunyavadin #30 3 years ago

    I've had to use a Dreamcast boot disc to play my Japanese import of Oratorio Tangram for YEARS!
    (Speaking of Jap imports - Yes, my UK and Japanese copies of JSR both say "Set", the US name change made NO sense to me, nor to them it appears, since the sequel on XBox got the correct name everywhere)

    SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much love to them for this!


    Now if they'll just give us ChuChu Rocket!
    Edited by 1 at 25/02/09 @ 12:17

  • FooAtari #31 3 years ago

    If Sega start releasing games like Phantasy Star Online, F355, Shenmue etc with full online functionality I'd buy another 360 in a shot.

  • Malek86 #32 3 years ago

    I say JSR and Shenmue 1/2 is pretty much all we need (aside from a number of shmups).

    Although, I don't know just how big those two games would be. Didn't the first Shenmue use something like 3x1Gb discs?

    On the other hand, JSR seems feasible. Oh, now that I think about it, wasn't Marvel vs. Capcom 2 recently rated again? Could it be the DC version being ported?

  • Monkey_Puncher #33 3 years ago

    Jet Set Radio is all I need.

  • Bagpuss #34 3 years ago

    Does JSRF work on the 360???....

    I miss that game Soooo much.

    Heres the problem though, i've got an NTSC import copy for my modded XBOX, so does that mean IF it works on the XBOX 360, i would only be able to play it on an NTSC Xbox 360?...:(


  • jlaakso #35 3 years ago

    Oh my god YES

    Virtual On is one of the last arcade games I was really into.

  • SpeedyThing #36 3 years ago

    Oh my god! I was literally saying yesterday that someone should revive this gem. I was thinking updated sequel but this will do nicely!

  • Slipstream #37 3 years ago

    What the hell? I was reminiscing about this game with my friend a couple of days ago! This game is brilliant!

  • VicViper #38 3 years ago

    @Bagpuss

    Yes, Yes it does, doesn't upscale unless I've my setting wrong, managed to score a sega touring car/JSRF combo disc (Pal version) in a pawn shop on the cheap and the BC software update added this a while back.

    Still looks as crisp and excellent as when it was released, the only down side is that they removed the spray tag systems where you used the anoluge stick (was in JSR on DC) to paint direction with a right trigger press, wish they'd hadn't taken that out.

    Edited by 3 at 25/02/09 @ 13:34

  • The-Bodybuilder #39 3 years ago

    I would strangle a smurf for a LIVE JSR, I really would.
    And I can't wait for VO. Been hoping for this for a while too.

  • penhalion #40 3 years ago

    It's wierd but, the thing I always liked most about this game was the title "Oratorio Tangram".....no idea why.

  • citizenHUNTER #41 3 years ago

    @ penhalion I always mis-read it as Ontario Tangram and this may explain why to this day I have a soft spot for Canada, lol. What the hell does Oratorio Tangram mean, has it got anything to do with making speeches or another gobbledegooke style Japanese naming game?! Again, thumbs up Sega and XBLA! :D

  • The-Bodybuilder #42 3 years ago

    @ Penhalion
    Me too.

  • ratso #43 3 years ago

    Soul calibur arcade ver was not a noami game

  • Ryze #44 3 years ago

    DAYTONA USA

    please.

  • Scyrenn #45 3 years ago

    Great news... :)

    and Daytona USA please +1

  • kissthestick #46 3 years ago

    come one powerstone and jet set radio!

  • citizenHUNTER #47 3 years ago

    NiGHTS including Xmas NiGHTS.. I know it's Saturn, but c'mon, why not. Improved HD graphics, same music and gameplay, I'd be happy.

  • dog2_99 #48 3 years ago

    NiGHTS including Xmas NiGHTS.. I know it's Saturn, but c'mon, why not. Improved HD graphics, same music and gameplay, I'd be happy.

    you know there was Wii remake right? might be unlikely to come to XBOX

  • Man_s #49 3 years ago

    I honestly believe Sega should really invest in its back catalogue like this way more, instead of baffling its fans with more sub-par Sonic games. And Yakuza 3 (subbed, not dubbed!) too.

  • citizenHUNTER #50 3 years ago

    I know about the Wii version, had a quick play on it at a friends, just not the same with crappy Wii controls. Gimme it on the grandson controller of that original analog pad created especially for nights thank you :D

  • Razorus #51 3 years ago

    Erection.

  • Ninja_Tino #52 3 years ago

    Soooorry.

  • CHAZBIGPOTATO #53 3 years ago

    Yeah yeah chu chu rocket...

    What about a revamped "Fighters Megamix" that was cool. Seeeyaaah!

  • Quak #54 3 years ago

    Well they can't make decent games any more so it makes sense to re-sell the gems from when they could.

    Old Sega games FTW!

    New Sega games FTL.