Virtua Cop 2
Developer - SEGA AM2
Publisher - SEGA
Supervisor - Yu Suzuki
Producer - Shun Arai
Director - Jun Orihara
Programmers - Yoshihiko Toyoshima (Main Programmer), Ken-ichi Yokoo, Kazuhisa Hasuoka, Takashi Atsu
Composers - Maki Morrow
Genre - Light Gun Shooter
Dreamcast Release Dates - 2000 (Japan)
Additional Releases - SEGA Model 2 Arcade (1995); SEGA Saturn (1996); Windows PC (1997)
Current Average Price - $40
Virtua Cop 2 is a light gun shooter arcade game from 1995. Developed by SEGA AM2 (Yu Suzuki’s famed studio that made Virtua Fighter, Virtua Racer, Shenmue, and many more) the game was ported to the SEGA Saturn in 1996, to Windows PC in 1997 (known as Virtua Squad 2 in North America), and to the SEGA Dreamcast in 2000. The Dreamcast version was only released in Japan, but is easily playable by non-Japanese speakers.
The Dreamcast version covered here and in our Let’s Play video (embedded below) is a solid port. While not necessarily a great looking Dreamcast game (the game looks more like a high quality Saturn game) it plays extremely well with a smooth frame rate and crisp graphics.
There are three stages featured in Virtua Cop 2 (Beginner, Medium, and Expert), which are selectable by the player. Within each of these stages there are also decision points where the player can choose the path which they’ll take to the end of the stage, adding deployability. At the end of each stage the player encounters a boss. Once all three stages are completed there’s a fourth stage, which is essentially the final boss fight.
Throughout Virtua Cop 2 the player can earn bonus points by shooting the gun-holding hands of the enemies. These “Justice Shots” therefore incentivize the player to assume a non-violent stance.
Virtua Cop 2 was the second highest selling arcade game for 1996 (selling 7,000 cabinets worldwide). Reviews of the Saturn port were positive, with reviewers recognizing the high frame rate, excellent graphics, and improvements over Virtua Cop. Virtua Cop 2 was described by one reviewer as being like playing a blockbuster action movie. The same opinions can be applied to the later Dreamcast version.
Some minor trivia - in the Cruise Ship stage we can see a poster of Ryo and Shenhua from SEGA AM2’s Shenmue, and artwork from Shenmue also appears on a billboard in the first stage. Watch our full play through and see if you can find these Easter eggs.