The show takes place in a parallel virtual reality dimension alongside our own. The main ruler of this universe is a creature called Grimlord who sends monsters and robots into our world to conquer it.
The series is an adaptation of Japanese tokusatsu shows like Power Rangers and Choujinki Metalder. It uses a mix of American footage and fight scenes from the Japanese shows.
The Story
The antagonist, Grimlord, sends an arcade game to Tao’s Dojo that ends up sucking protagonists Ryan Steele, J.B. Reese, and Kaitlin Star into Virtual Reality. To escape, they must defeat his Skugs and monsters.
Like Saban’s Power Rangers, VR Troopers youtube was an Americanization of a Japanese tokusatsu series. The show adapted three of Toei Company’s Metal Hero series, including Choujinki Metalder, Uchuu Keiji Shaider, and Jikuu Senshi Spielban. It lasted two seasons before being succeeded by Big Bad Beetleborgs.
In the video game, players can choose to fight as any of the four VR Troopers, each with a special move. The player can also choose between three modes: Story Game, Vs. Battle, and CPU duel. Story Game mode is where the player can battle against the evil mutants and cyborgs of Grimlord’s army. Vs. Battle mode allows the player to battle against a friend or the computer. CPU duel is a simple fight between the player and an opponent controlled by the computer.
The game also includes a special character called Kamelion, who can shapeshift into any of the VR Troopers and use their powers. He is the last boss and is the final fight of the video game. He can also be found in the Story Game mode, where he will be a different color depending on the selected VR Trooper. The game was released on the Sega Genesis in 1995. It was developed by Syrox Developments and published by Sega. There was a version for the Super Nintendo, but it never saw release.
The Characters
When it comes to the characters in VR Troopers youtube you can’t help but feel like they are a part of your family. They are so likable and the fights so well choreographed that you want to see them all win. The characters are the heart and soul of the show and they all have their own unique personality that shines through in each episode.
The main cast of the series includes Ryan Steele, JB Reese, and Kaitlin Star. Each has their own special moves and abilities that make them stand out from the rest of the team. Ryan has his Atomic Shuriken, JB has his Laser Lance, and Kaitlin has her Power Ring.
In addition to the main cast, there are also a few guest stars who pop up every now and then. Air Stryker is a humanoid helicopter who serves as the team’s aerial lieutenant and often accompanies Fighterbot on air attacks. He is an old enemy of Grimlord’s who joined the VR Troopers after he was defeated in the Virtual Dark Fortress.
Another guest is Knighttime, an androgynous humanoid who wears long robes. He is a prince of time who hails from a parallel yet savage virtual reality universe. He battled the Troopers in a dream sequence and revealed that he can shoot glowing projectiles from his mouth.
Lastly, there is Desponda, Despera’s sister who Grimlord hired to destroy the VR Troopers and control his Air Castle. She was a formidable foe who seemed to have multiple forms. However, JB was able to defeat her using his laser lance which caused her to explode into fire balls.
There are many more guest stars that appear throughout the series but they do not get nearly as much screen time as the main characters. There is also a small group of support troops that work alongside the VR Troopers. These include Shoulderbot, Mechanoid, Photobot, Fanbot, and Electrobot. Each of these support robots has their own special skills that they use to fight off the Skugs and monsters. They are usually used as finishers against the tougher enemies that JB and Kaitlin can’t take on their own.
The Music
VR Troopers was the first official sister series to Saban’s most popular “action fighting kid show” at the time, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Like Power Rangers, it was an adaptation of a Japanese tokusatsu children’s program series by Toei Company Ltd. It used a combination of American footage spliced with fight scenes from Japanese shows. Specifically, the three Japanese shows that were adapted into VR Troopers were Space Sheriff Shaider, Jikuu Senshi Spielban, and Choujinki Metalder. Choujinki Metalder provided the footage of Ryan Steele’s season one robotic suit, as well as Grimlord, Virtual Dungeon, Dark Heart, Ivar, Icebot, skugs, and the battle scenes featuring the Skybase, shark cruisers, tanks, and fighter jets.
Unlike Power Rangers, VR Troopers youtube was syndicated, so the monsters were destroyed more violently (split in half, impaled, and decapitated). The show lasted two seasons before being replaced by Big Bad Beetleborgs. In early VR Troopers promos (as seen at the beginning of most Power Rangers home videos), Kaitlin’s last name was referred to as Hall instead of Star, and Professor Hart was played by a different actor with an entirely different voice and personality from the character that would eventually be used in the series.
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack for this show is really good or decent the tunes are catchy and a bit memorable though they could have been better. The fights are cool as well they’re a bit more tactical then Power Rangers in that their one on one so the troopers have to find a way to get past their opponents specialty and find out their weak point. The Troopers themselves look cool they each have their own power suits that make them unique and give them a special ability such as Ryan Steele’s light speed or JB’s powerful laser.
The music used in the shows is a mix of different genres including rock and dance. The opening theme is especially catchy, and it features a vocal performance by singer-songwriter Robbie Cox. The theme song is the only original tune in the show, but it’s a great choice for an action-packed show like VR Troopers.
As with other Saban’s Tokusatsu adaptations, VR Troopers youtube used a combination of American footage spliced with fight scenes from Japanese shows. The American segments came from Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers and Big Bad Beetleborgs, while the Japanese segments came from Choujinki Metalder, Jikuu Senshi Spielban, and Uchuu Keiji Shaider. The show lasted for two seasons before being succeeded by Big Bad Beetleborgs.
Unlike other American kids’ shows, VR Troopers youtube featured more violent destructions of monsters and robots. For example, monsters were often split in half or impaled. In addition, the VR Troopers’ powers caused more damage to their opponents than the Power Rangers’. The show also featured a more mature, realistic style of storytelling than the more juvenile Power Rangers.
Like other teen-age superheroes, the VR Troopers have a lot of angst and are often conflicted about their duties. However, they also have a sense of responsibility to protect the planet. They are not perfect, but they do try to make the right decisions.
It’s unfortunate that VR Troopers was cancelled after only two seasons because it’s a fun and entertaining show. Its cancellation was probably due to the competition from Big Bad Beetleborgs, which was a much more effective, better-produced, and more likable series.