Play V-V Online

V-V, released for the Sega Genesis in 1990 by developer Wolf Team, is a vertical-scrolling shooter that arrived during a crowded era for the genre on the platform. It doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, but it carves out a distinct identity through one particularly aggressive mechanic. The game feels like a product of its time, built on familiar foundations but willing to experiment with player interaction in the heat of combat.

You pilot a lone spacecraft through waves of enemy fighters and larger capital ships, with the primary goal being survival through five demanding stages. Your main weapon is a standard forward shot, but the game's signature feature is the ability to latch onto specific enemy craft with a grappling beam, physically ripping their unique weapon systems from them to use for yourself. This creates a constant risk-reward dynamic; you need to get dangerously close to powerful enemies to steal their ordnance, turning their greatest strength against them. The pacing is relentless, and the screen often fills with intricate bullet patterns that demand precise movement. It feels like a constant, high-stakes negotiation between playing defensively and seizing an opportunity to drastically shift the power balance in your favor.