Stunner games are becoming more common now and it has gotten to a point where we are seeing a new gun game every two weeks. This is a far cry from last year's dismal offerings and the current crop of shooters should keep trigger-happy fans busy. The icing on the cake this year is undoubtedly Virtua Cop 2. Sega commemorates the release of VCop 2 with a new, smaller model of the Virtua Gun and a new gun sight which makes targeting easier. The gun sight is a 'clip-on' accessory that is listed and pictured elsewhere on the NCS 'Whats New' table. Virtua Cop 2 is another commendable arcade port with sharp polygon graphics, good gun-play and responsive gun targeting. The levels in VCop 2 contain more motion and animation than the first VCop. In the first scenario, you'll find yourself in a police car chasing after groups of bad guys who shoot at you from their get-away cars and trucks. As you motor through the highways and streets of the city you've sworn to protect, thugs in helicopters will try to shoot you from the road. As if contending with a bunch of speedy bandits wasn't enough, you're up against enemy air support as well as ground units.The graphics in this part of the game run very smoothly and the feeling of movement as you ride through the streets is very good. If you survive this harrowing ride, you'll get to meet the boss of the level who is a bruiser that hefts all manner of objects at you, from oil drums to vans that are marked 'Virtua Coffee'. The next scenario pits you against a bunch of enemies at a resort which means that there are more than the usual crop of innocents who get in the way in the most untimely of times. The resort seems to be a favorite hangout of the two women of Virtua Fighter as their pictures can be found as you progress through the interior of the complex. The subway level is also replete with pictures of Sarah as you wander through the subterranean corridors, hit the turnstiles and ride on the train. The entire game is on rails but be thankful that you don't have to control the car or your own movement as well as focus and fire at the enemy targets. The latter will keep you busy enough. Virtua Cop is another excellent pre-holiday release from Sega and it should keep Stunner fans happy. The USA version of Virtua Cop 2 is expected on November 21. NCS has tried to keep a certain price parity between USA and Japanese software titles so that there is little regret if you purchase the Japanese version and then see the USA version a few days later at a $20 discount. Virtua Cop 2 by itself (sans Stunner) is in stock at US$50.

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