Sometime in the future, "Virtuaoid" technology is discovered by the evil DN Syndicate, who seek to use their new knowledge to build more advanced machines than their competitors. They set up a factory on the moon and begin to assemble these large war machines. During initial research, however, it is discovered that these Virtuaoids (VRs) are inherently difficult to control. Only people designated Virtual-On Positive (VO+) can exert the necessary control over the robots. Soon, machines are placed around the world, with built-in transmitters to connect them to real VRs on the moon. In this manner, VO+ people can be found. However, everything is turned upside down by the newly-found sentience of the factory's main computer. Activating the ultimate weapon (codenamed the Sun Cannon), with the intent to destroy Earth, DN is forced to turn their own Virtuaoids against the renegade factory, remotely piloted by unknowing men and women. Thus begins Operation Moongate.

In case you thought the previous paragraph was an introduction to some obscure mecha anime, I'm sorry to disappoint you. It's really the story to Virtual-On: Cyber Troopers, an arcade game put out by the folks at Sega. Essentially a mecha dueling game, Virtual-On pits player against player in a duel to the death (well, best out of five "to the death"). But don't worry folks, since you're remotely connected to your mech, it isn't "real" combat (yeah right, tell that to the folks who play). Sega did a great job with the music and sound, providing great background music to the on-screen action (some truly fanatical people who I know have purchased the soundtrack). And most importantly, the graphics are smooth, bright, and highly detailed.

Virtual-On offers the prospective player eight distinct Virtuaoids to choose from:

Temjin: The "main character" of Virtual-On, Temjin sports a distinctly Gundam-esque design (including a large beam sword). Fairly average in all respects, Temjin is a solid choice for any VO+ individual.

Dorkas: Large, squat, and burly-looking, Dorkas is a sturdy, stable mech (but maybe his short height contributes to this). Probably the most noticeable feature of Dorkas's design is his spiked hammer, which he can fire off at high speeds or use as a club up close.

Fei-Yen: Fast and light, Fei-Yen bears obvious similarities to Sailor Moon (if you can imagine a mecha-ized Sailor Moon). Based on radically different technology, Fei-Yen's weaponry is an unusual mix (she's got a heart-shaped beam weapon).

Beldgor: With a powerful dual missile launcher as his main weapon, Beldgor's designated role as a "Support Attack Battleloid" is clear. At a disadvantage in direct combat and not possessing a high top speed, Beldgor has the odds stacked against him.

Viper II: Based on Temjin's skeleton, Viper II is undeniably faster than him and also undeniably less armored. However, he sports a more advanced and powerful weapons system to make up for the design alterations.

Bal-Bas-Bow: An experimental model, Bal-Bas-Bow relies on levitation rather than locomotion as his means of movement. Also capable of launching his arms to initiate a remote attack on his opponent, Bal-Bas-Bow possesses an unusual approach to combat.

Apharmd: Dressed in military fatigues, Apharmd excels at close combat. Possessing beam tongfers and a blazingly fast attack with them, Apharmd is also fairly heavily armored. This combination makes him particularly fearsome up close.

Raiden: The most heavily-armored Virtuaoid, Raiden also possesses the most damaging weapon, in the form of twin heavy lasers mounted on his shoulders. Equal in cost to twenty Temjin units, Raiden is rightly designated a "Heavy Attack Battleloid."