REVIEW:  Virtua Fighter Kids is essentially a "90s-kid-friendly" version re-make of Sega's smash hit 3D fighting game, Virtua Fighter 2. VF Kids features all of the characters and stages from VF2, but each character was presented in a super deformed "chibi" style... meaning they have child-like faces, ridiculously large heads, and smaller bodies. Character faces also hosted a variety of facial expressions, and apparently the game was developed to "practice" on the facial & eye animations for Virtua Fighter 3.

 

  
Virtua Fighter Kids has similar mechanics to the original Virtua Fighter 2, but isn't quite as polished technically. What it lacks, it makes up for in "charm" with a hilarious and entertaining art style along with ridiculously cute chibi versions of Virtua Fighter's cast. I give Sega credit for being daring and adventurous enough to release this odd spin-off in 1996.
   

  
The Sega Saturn version of Virtua Fighter Kids included some new FMV sequences over the arcade version and also added programmable button sequences to allow players to test and use pre-made combos. Virtua Fighter Kids is also the only game in the entire VF series to feature character endings (short an sweet, but hey at least they exist)! While Virtua Fighter Kids might've been outshined technically and visually by other arcade fighting games at the time, it was still a charming and eye-catching 3D fighting game—one that definitely stood out with its outside-of-the-box chibi art style and humorous theme.

Page Updated: April 4th, 2025 Developer(s): Sega AM2 Publisher(s): Sega Designer(s): Yu Suzuki                  Producer & Director Toru Ikebuchi         Main Programmer Kazuhiro Izaki         Main Designer Platform(s): Arcade, Sega Saturn Release Date(s): 1996                             Arcade July 26th, 1996          Saturn July 31st, 1996          Saturn Characters:  Akira Yuki, Jacky Bryant, Kage-maru, Lau Chan, Jeffry McWild, Sarah Bryant, Wolf Hawkfield, Pai Chan, Shun Di, Lion Rafale, Dural Featured Video: Related Games: Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Fighter Remix, Virtua Fighter 3, Virtua Fighter 4, Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution, Virtua Fighter 5, Virtua Fighter 5 R, VF5: Final Showdown, VF5: Ultimate Showdown, Fighting Vipers, Fighting Vipers 2, Fighters Megamix, Last Bronx, Bloody Roar, Battle Arena Toshinden 2, Tobal No. 1, Tobal 2, TEKKEN 2, TEKKEN 3, Pocket Fighter    Gameplay Engine  7.5 / 10 Story / Theme  6.5 / 10 Overall Graphics  8.0 / 10 Animation  8.5 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  8.0 / 10 Innovation  7.5 / 10 Art Direction  7.5 / 10 Customization  6.0 / 10 Options / Extras  7.0 / 10 Intro / Presentation  8.0 / 10 Replayability / Fun  6.0 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  7.5 / 10 Characters  8.0 / 10 BOTTOM LINE  7.5 / 10  Review based on Saturn version       Final Words: In more modern times... "big head mode" and retextured stages can enhance a game simply by inputting a secret code or with post-release modding. However... back in the day, kiddos, many game developers (of different genres) would release and sell an entirely new game, just for a few minor upgrades or updates. Humorously, Virtua Fighter Kids is essentially the same game as VF2 with a ridiculous graphics and visual style overhaul. If you were any kind of fan of Virtua Fighter 2, there's definitely something to appreciate about the fact Sega even brought VF Kids into existence. While this out-of-the-ordinary "fan service" game was completely unnecessary... VF Kids is at least visually entertaining, at its worst. As an eagle-eyed appreciator of Virtua Fighter 2's compelling 3D graphics and characters, I have to say it's always been enjoyable to compare the original roster's earlier character models and animations with their hilarious chibi doppelgangers. The bulky 3D character models are charming, and the retextured VF2 stages give the game a fresh appearance. The character facial expressions, especially as they take damage, is an innovative visual element. While the "ouch factor" wasn't as solid due to the characters' stubby limbs, Virtua Fighter Kids showed off the development team's personality and provided the Sega Saturn another "tech demo"... at the least. "Sega does what Ninten-don't?" Next up, VF Kart Racing. That would've been cool. Sega probably should've made a kart racer as a follow-up to VF Kids to compete with Mariokart and all the other kart-racer rip-offs at the time... but VF Kids didn't sell all that great (understandably) and I don't think the visual style had much mass appeal. I'm telling you, a VF Kart Racer sequel would've boosted sales and probably would've kept the Saturn and Dreamcast alive for a few more years. Missed opportunity Sega! In any case, the chibi versions of Virtua Fighter characters are an interesting part of the game's history. In addition to an impressive number of real-life VF Kids Japanese figurines that were created in this style, Virtua Fighter's chibi characters would later appear in Shenmue as in-game figurines that the main character (Ryo Hazuki) could collect. It's interesting how the VF series evolved and crossed paths with and inspired future games like Shenmue in more than a few ways—sharing its animation style and even the same attack animations. ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen    Click Here for all Posters / Box Artwork! Click Here for all Screenshots! FOLLOW    ON:                             TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES