Sega's mechanized battle series, which premiered in arcades in 1995, makes its PlayStation 2 debut with the release of Virtual On: Marz. As a member of the Robotic Special Forces, players must ensure the safety of the galaxy by eliminating potential threats with a combination of explosive firepower and destructive melee attacks. The battles take place across a variety of terrain as players pilot massive mechs called Virtuaroids on missions to defend allied bases, eliminate enemy convoys, or partner with a fellow teammate for two-on-two skirmishes against rival mechs. A key feature of the Virtual On series has been the control scheme, which involves maneuvering the mech using dual analog sticks. Players will encounter more than 40 characters within Story mode, challenge a friend in a split-screen Multiplayer mode, and unlock various bonuses while defending the universe from a sinister force.