VR Troopers
From 1994 to 1996, Saban Entertainment created the syndication-only live-action superhero television series VR Troopers. The show attempted to capitalize on the infatuation with virtual reality in the early 1990s as well as the success of Power Rangers. The show used early CGI and video effects with stock material from three separate Metal Hero Series: Superhuman Machine Metalder, Dimensional Warrior Spielban, and Space Sheriff Shaider. This adaptation approach - combining numerous episodes into one — was initially utilized in anime programs such as Robotech and Voltron, but this was one of the first times it was employed for a tokusatsu adaptation. BVS International transferred the VR Troopers copyright to SCG Power Rangers on May 7, 2010. VR Troopers by Saban was the first official "sister series" to the most successful "action fighting kid show" of the time, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Similarly, this was an Americanization of a Japanese tokusatsu children's program by Toei Company LTD. The series was deemed successful, albeit less so than the Power Rangers franchise. Due to extreme circumstances in which many tokusatsu scenes were combined into a single episode, the series quickly ran out of Japanese footage, necessitating the re-use of stock video multiple times. Similarly, another Saban program, Big Bad Beetleborgs, would do well but be canceled owing to a paucity of stock footage. Both series are based on the Japanese Metal Heroes franchise. The show inspired a toy line and a video game for the Sega Genesis and Sega Game Gear consoles.
Released: 1994-09-03
Genre:
Action & Adventure