Cyber Troopers Virtual-On

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Cyber Troopers Virtual-On (電脳戦機バーチャロ) is a series of video games created by SEGA. The original game was first released for arcades in 1995. The game features fast, action-oriented gameplay requiring quick reflexes. It has seen four versions to date and has been ported to several video game consoles. Virtual-On features mechs called Virtuaroids, or VRs, that are large robots the player controls in battles against enemy VRs, and its twin-stick control, in which two joysticks, complemented by an array of controls, are used by players.




My first exposure  to the game occurred when I travelled to Japan in Winter of 1996. I stumbled onto the game system while walking through an arcade in Tokyo. I am not usually a video game player, but I was instantly hooked by the vibrant graphics & fun game play and since then became a devoted fan to the series.








Video clips of game here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmWXztfP74g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JZdOxwpzKw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxIZ8D3JHvg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV955BNZTTI

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The machines from the game is referred to as "characters" and not "robots" and because of so the designs are more fantasy-based, outrageous and colorful. Which is one of the main attraction and separates it from all other reality-based mecha series from Japan.



And with each succeeding game, the designs got more and more complicated.



But ever since I first saw these radically cool yet sophiscated designs I have been dying to get my hand on some models kits for them.

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In the past 15 years, some companies in Japan did produce a few small scale model kits and toy figures, but the entire lineup of all the Virtuaroids were never fully released... Until Hasegawa & kotobukiya ambitiously started tackling them!



























And more releases are on the way!


You can buy them here:

HLJ
http://www.hlj.com/hljlist2/?SeriesID=1820&Dis=2&MacroType=InjKit

HobbySearch
http://www.1999.co.jp/search_e.asp?Typ1_c=109&scope=1&urikire=1&andor=0&scope2=0&sortID=0&ItKey=Cyber%20Troopers%20Virtual-On

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A guy on youtube does an amazing job installing lights into these kits:

Raiden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOsztE1MAqE

Temjin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIdJDnPfga0

Fei-yen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBt8ZQ_jBdY

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Hasegawa's next release: 1/100 TG-11-M Guarayakha

http://www.hlj.com/product/HSGVR7

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10107289