Virtual On: Cyber Troopers Receives Unofficial English Translation for PS3

Sega’s Virtual On: Cyber Troopers, a landmark arcade game renowned for its dynamic twin-stick controls and mecha arena combat, has finally become more accessible to Western fans thanks to an unofficial English translation for its PlayStation 3 release.

Developed by Sega and originally hitting Japanese arcades in the mid-1990s, Virtual On set itself apart with distinctive controls, fast-paced action, and mechs designed by celebrated artist Hajime Katoki, known for his work on the Mobile Suit Gundam series. The arcade popularity of Virtual On led to its home console debut with a port for the Sega Saturn at the end of 1996.

Although the 32-bit hardware struggled to fully capture the scale and intensity of the arcade original, Sega’s commitment to authenticity was evident through the release of a custom twin-stick controller for Saturn owners.

This enthusiasm for the franchise continued with a notable 2007 release exclusive to Japan as part of the Sega Ages series on the PlayStation 2, providing fans with a more faithful adaptation. Sega introduced a further enhanced experience in 2012, launching Virtual On: Cyber Troopers on Xbox Live Arcade (Xbox 360) and PlayStation Network (PS3).

These digital ports offered improved visuals and the added benefit of online multiplayer.

However, despite the global release of the 1998 sequel, Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram, on XBLA and PSN, the original Virtual On was never officially localized for Western markets on modern consoles or digital storefronts. This changed recently when Virtual On enthusiast indigotrance developed a comprehensive English language patch for the Japanese PS3 version.

The patch translates all in-game text, making it possible for non-Japanese speakers to experience the classic mech action in English when using the RPCS3 emulator, a popular platform for emulating PlayStation 3 titles on PC.

This grassroots effort marks a significant milestone for fans hoping to revisit—or discover for the first time—the origins of Sega’s innovative arena fighter. Thanks to the dedication of the Virtual On community and advances in emulation, a new audience can now appreciate the full depth of this iconic title, over two decades after its original arcade debut.

With its influential twin-stick controls and enduring design, Virtual On: Cyber Troopers secures its place in the annals of mecha gaming history, now with an English-language experience available to the world.

Sega PS3 English Virtual On: Cyber Troopers Hajime Katoki RPCS3 Sega Ages XBLA PSN