3D accelerator card for PCs that was being done in collaboration with Silicon Graphics and Intel (and based on years of experience on the docking simulations of the Apollo CSM with NASA). Staff from Core Design claimed to have seen the completed 3D accelerator cartridge in action during an early 1997 visit to Sega of Japan, running a demo of the Saturn version of Virtua Fighter 3 with two playable characters. Virtua Fighter 3tb Virtua Fighter 3tb is an update version of Virtua Fighter 3 that features battles between teams of various fighters (the "tb" stands for "team battle"), who fight each other one at a time, as well new moves and other tweaks. This "team battle" version was later released on Sega's Dreamcast console, being one of its launch games, becoming one of the best-selling Dreamcast games in Japan. Virtua Fighter 3 was intended to be a launch title for the Dreamcast in North America, but it was delayed. Although it did eventually come to North America, it wasn't nearly as successful as it was in Japan. Reception Arcade In Japan, Game Machine listed Virtua Fighter 3 on their October 15, 1996 issue as being the most-successful dedicated arcade game of the month. It went on to become Japan's fourth highest-grossing arcade game of 1996, and then Japan's overall highest-grossing arcade game of 1997. Game Machine also listed Virtua Fighter 3tb on their November 15, 1997 issue as being the fifth most-successful dedicated arcade game of the month. In North America, Virtua Fighter 3 had a successful launch in September 1996, drawing large crowds at the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA) show where it was the most anticipated game. Worldwide, the game sold 30,000 arcade cabinets by 1997, including 18,000 in Japan and 12,000 overseas. It was more successful than Namco's rival Tekken 3 (1997) in Japan, whereas Tekken 3 was more successful worldwide. Virtua Fighter 3 received positive reviews from critics. Computer and Video Games reviewed the arcade version in its November 1996 issue and declared that it "is the best 3D fighting game ever." Sushi-X of Electronic Gaming Monthly felt that the traditional fighting styles represented by the two new characters were both executed very well. He said that both the graphics and the combat innovations fully lived up to the high expectations for the Model 3 board, though he was somewhat disappointed that the game