Virtua Cop 3

Released in March 2003, Virtua Cop 3 might be one of the last titles to become an arcade phenomenon. Published by Sega and developed by Sega AM2, the game was the franchise's previous entry. It was a title that had unique hardware at the time and depended on a light gun to shoot enemies on screen. Virtua Cop 3 offered players a single-player and multiplayer experience and was playable on physical arcades. Veteran gamers will remember that it came in a deluxe or standard cabinet.

Stand Up and Shoot!

Virtua Cop 3 embraces what its predecessors started, with players aiming and shooting their light-gun towards the screen. The entirety of gameplay revolves around how great your aim is, as there isn't any control over directions or the camera. Players are guided through different levels as enemies pop out of hiding and try to kill the players. Precision and speed are essential for gamers to maintain their lives.

A new mechanic is introduced here for the first time, the so-called "bullet time ." This mechanism resembles many of the ones present in the Matrix movies and allows players to slow down time while they shoot bad guys out. This is done by pressing down on a unique pedal, and its duration is dependent on how much of the meter the players have available. How that meter is replenished is through gameplay and eliminating more bad guys.

The Missions, The Guns, The Game

New weapons mean a novelty in the gameplay, and players have more options to face each mission. Virtua Cop 3, for the first time, allows players to switch guns during gameplay. There are five unique weapons for players: H&K g36c, H&K MP&, Benelli Super 90, and the Smith & Wesson Model 629.

The game itself has three main chapters and follows the story of agents Janet Marshall, James Cools, and Michael Hardy as they investigate the three main crime scenes of the game. As Virtua City's newest criminal organization, the ECM, starts to ramp up its activities, players are tasked with stopping the violence.

Chapters, or levels, can be played in whichever order players want to. They are from easiest to harder the "Angel Allow," "Stray Cat," "Owl Strike," and the secret mission "Heaven's Door." This final level has specific requirements to unlock and contains the true ending for Virtua Cop 3.

Summary

There is much to love about this game, especially when coupled with the rarity and nostalgia factor that comes with it. The game has become tough to find, and the ported version that was supposed to come never actually game.

PROS

• Old School Classic
• Extremely Addictive and Fun
• The Hardware Was Very Cool at Release
• Action Packed

CONS

• Very Difficult To Find
• Available Mostly On Arcade
• Very Short Game

There's nothing quite like the trigger-happy action of Virtua Cop 3, the climactic conclusion of this iconic arcade series. Following the dangerous investigations of Virtua City Police Department, players load up and unleash bullets on deadly criminals as they lay down the law. This third and final game offers more excitement than its predecessors, with new guns, gameplay mechanics, and enemies. Best of all, you don't have to think too hard, as Virtua Cop 3 is all about letting loose and gunning down bad guys. For high octane arcade action with a light gun, Virtua Cop 3 is a great choice.

Main Game Features

• Fast and frenzied on-rails shooting action
• Four stages to beat, including one secret final level
• Five unique guns to wield
• Supports up to two players at a time

Story

Virtua Cop 3 takes players to the seedy metropolis of Virtua City, overseen by the justice-dealing VCPD. Across the game's three stages, you play as returning detectives Mike “Rage” Hardy and James “Smarty” Cools, along with their companion Janet Marshall. Although the VCPD has successfully suppressed all previous gangs, a new crime syndicate has risen to power in Virtua City called the ECM. As the ECM rampages around the city, robbing businesses and banks, it's up to Rage, Snooty, and Janet to get to the bottom of things. During their investigation, they uncover a sinister plot that threatens the entire city if left unchecked.

In order to stop the ECM's plans, the VCPD must halt their crimes in three locations around town. In the first stage, Rage and Snooty must recapture a pharmaceutical building which the ECM have overtaken. The second stage sees the criminals ramping up their efforts as they rob a downtown bank, as Rage and Snooty provide backup for the police riot squad. In the climactic third stage, the detective trio must remove the ECM from a military base, thwarting their plans for good. The story in Virtua Cop 3 is much like a simple action movie, but with a science fiction twist at the end.

Gameplay

The real draw to any light gun game is the quality of its on-rails shooting and Virtua Cop 3 is top of the line. This sequel perfects the formula introduced by the first two games, Virtua Cop and Virtua Cop 2, but adds more action and style. In each stage, you must blast through criminals while avoiding your police companions. You have limited health to work with, so shooting with accuracy and prioritizing your targets is key. Thankfully, there's a nice ramp up in difficulty across the three stages, which are separated by their difficulty. Although the first stage is labeled as “Simple” in difficulty, things get very hectic toward the end, raising the challenge by a large margin.

In addition to your police-issue pistol, you can also use five additional weapons, swapping between them at any moment. Each gun type offers advantages in combat and knowing when to use them is key. The magnum is great at dealing high damage, while the Super 90 shotgun, MP7 SMG, and Gewehr 36 are all perfect for taking down large groups. If you're ever struggling to handle all the action at once, you can now slow down time, thanks to the new “ES Mode” mechanic. Drawing inspiration from The Matrix, players can now activate a bullet-time mechanic, giving them extra time to take aim. Overall, shooting feels responsive and action-packed in Virtua Cop 3, which is exactly what gamers are looking for.

Conclusion

Virtua Cop 3 is a classic light gun game that shows us just how fun arcade shooters can be. With six different weapons, four stages, and a wacky plot, there's a lot to enjoy.

Pros

• Light gun gameplay feels great
• Switching between gun types is fast and simple
• New ES system adds style to gunfights
• Final mission is satisfyingly tough

Cons

• Only four levels
• The conclusion to the story is ridiculous
• Graphics could use an update