10 Forgotten Masterpiece Video Games

Because Tekken, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Super Smash Bros. dominate the fighting genre, it's easy to forget about Virtua Fighter. Considering Sega's punchfest was the first 3D fighting game ever, and laid the foundation for many beloved titles, it's a shame Virtua Fighter has been living in the shadows since.

And if any entry in the series deserves more recognition, it's Virtua Fighter 4. Upon its release, there wasn't a single element that didn't receive universal praise. (Even the tutorial was considered a work of art!)

This instalment was touted as the best fighting game since Street Fighter II, due to its balanced roster, jaw-dropping realism, fluid movements, diverse fighting styles, and responsive controls. It's deeply satisfying when the player wins a match, since the gameplay revolves around blocking and counter-attacks, rather than button-mashing, spamming, or dumb luck.

Virtua Fighter 4 was so ahead of its predecessors, it should've elevated the series overnight, allowing Sega's underrated franchise to finally stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the big dogs.

But here we are, over 20 years later, and Virtua Fighter 4 still remains unappreciated.