Kotaku Australia » virtual on

Once Again, $300 Twin Stick Controller Redesigned

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Japanese peripheral maker Hori has revamped its Xbox 360 dual joysticks. Again.

Last month, Hori showed the tweaked US$300 plus sticks with re-modeled the grip and layout.

The sticks were designed so players could play SEGA’s Xbox LIVE Arcade game Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram. Above is the latest and final redesign, which looks even closer to the Dreamcast dual sticks.

Hori, however, has once again to redesign something very important — that hefty price tag.

A Brief History Of Virtual On Twin Stick Controllers [Siliconera]

300 Dollar Dual Joysticks Re-Designed

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:30:00 +0000

When Japanese peripheral maker Hori revealed its ¥30,000 (US$323) dual joysticks for $US15 Xbox LIVE Arcade game Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram, fans of the game were not happy. Pissed, even.

The beef? The layout was all wrong.

Hori has re-modeled the grip and layout. As game site Insert Credit points out, “The sticks are now sculpted more in-line with the Dreamcast original as well as the distance between the sticks themselves.” One thing Hori hasn’t re-modeled: That $US300 price tag.

News: HORI TwinStick re-modelling [Insert Credit]

Here’s Your $300 Stick To Play A $15 Game

Owen Good — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:00:00 +0000

So, Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram has a “devoted fanbase,” which in peripheral makers’ lexicon means “cash geyser.” The XBLA title runs $US15; Hori’s custom stick costs 20 times that. But it misses a big point.

Knoxximus at TheFour11.org notices the twin-stick layout is a little off. See, the label under the left stick says “D-Pad.” Good. That’s one point of any custom 360 stick, get people away from using that hideous D-Pad. But under the right stick, which should control the buttons X, A, B, and Y, instead you see “RS.” As in “ruh roh.”

You can see the row of buttons across the top, further solidifying the point. So Knoxximus loses his shit.

Am I to believe that a controller being made for a port of an arcade game, whose controller was 100% digital, has somehow been incorrectly configured and is hardwired with half-digital/half-analog controls?!? How did Hori fuck this up? Even I, your most basic of modders, understood that the L stick would be wired to the DPad, and the R stick would be wired to ABXY. My friends, I can now sum up my interest in this product with three words…

DO NOT WANT.

So, until Hori gets its act together, this will remain the preferred twin-stick solution for VOOT enthusiasts.

Product Page [Hori]

$US300 Xbox 360 Hori VOOT Twin Stick….REVEALED! [Thanks Mark]

Viper II Gets The Virtual On Model Treatment

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:30:00 +0000

Virtual On model kits have always been popular with giant robot fans, but with the recent release of Oratorio Tangram on Xbox Live Arcade, demand has increased. Hence, this new Viper II.

Released by Kotobukiya, you can pre-order it now for around USD$50 from Hobby Search. As you can see, the detail is pretty great. Especially the pop-out Saturn, which is a neat touch.

Viper II [Hobby Search, via Tomopop]

Virtual On 360 GamePlay Clip May, Yes, Virtually Turn You On

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Free of cutscenes, title screens and marketing fluff, here’s 90 seconds of gameplay footage from Sega’s upcoming HD re-release of Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram for the Xbox 360.

Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram ‘Neutral Zone Battle’ gameplay HD

Virtual On Out (Again) Next Week

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:30:00 +0000

In case you couldn’t tell, we’re excited about the impending return of Virtual On, with Oratorio Tangram about to be released on Xbox Live Arcade eight years after first appearing on the Dreamcast.

And it’s going to be released soon, with Sega today announcing that it’ll be available for download on April 29. The re-release will feature not only multiplayer game modes, but also – like Rez HD before it – updated graphics, giving the game a HD sheen more fitting for this day and age.

Virtual On actually on XBLA April 29 [GameSpot]

How To Best Play Virtual On, Xbox 360 Style

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:30:00 +0000

Virtual On is great. Its return, a blessing. But also a curse! See, part of what made Virtual On so great in the arcades was the game’s twin-stick controller. Which the Xbox 360 doesn’t have.

Even the Dreamcast version had a nice twin-stick peripheral for home use, but on 360, you’re stuck using the control pad. Which might make things difficult. Oh, unless you’re this guy (or somebody who follows his lead).

Two candy sticks, some buttons, a quick wiring job and you’re good to go.

電脳戦機バーチャロンオラトリオ・タングラム [GamerBook, via 1UP]

New Virtual On Figures Appeal To Sexy Maid Mech Fetishist(s)

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:40:54 +0000

While dedicated Twin Stick controllers for the upcoming Xbox Live Arcade re-release of Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram may be nothing more than a pipe dream, we can definitely count on new mech action figures! *snort*

Sega’s already got a pair in the works—the RVR-H8 Raiden II RNA and RVR-87 Specineff—but have added two more. Well, technically one more, in the form of the nimble Fei-Yen Kn, but “she” comes in two separate colour schemes.

The slender maiden of a Virtuaroid is shipping this June for 3,570 yen (about $36 USD) to Japanese retailers. Since my pink and tiger print versions suffered battle damage during a cross-country move, I may have to pre-order.

Two New Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram Figures

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:30:00 +0000

Defying all odds (and expectations), Sega are answering our prayers and bringing Virtual On to the 360, in the form of Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram. Know what that means? It means accompanying merchandise.

Virtual On fans will no doubt be used to the steady stream of figures and models associated with the series, but these two latest – in the form of plastic model kits – are just in time for peoples renewed interest in all things Virtual On.

The sharp, spindly guy is a Specineff, while the fatter, orange mech is a Raiden II. The Specineff will be out in the West in August for US$60, while the Raiden II will be on shelves in October for $75.

New Virtual On XBLA Screens Full Of Mechs Appeal

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:40:51 +0000

Don’t fault us for being extremely excited about the prospects of Virtual On battles via Xbox Live Arcade. Instead, spend that time looking at crisp and clean direct-feed shots of the Sega mech fighter.

True, we’re still holding out hope that Sega will re-issue its bulky twin stick arcade controller for the XBLA release of Virtual On Oratorio Tangram, but have a plan in place if it doesn’t—a total nervous breakdown and vulgarity-laden online meltdown. Perhaps we’ll find solace in the VR customisation option.

Until then, enjoy hi-def pics in our gallery below. Or, catch that trailer you might’ve missed.