V.I.P.

Overview

V.I.P. is a third-person action game developed by Ubisoft Shanghai and published by Ubi Soft Entertainment for the PlayStation in North America on April 1, 2001, with a European release on November 23, 2001.

A video game tie-in with the action-comedy live-action television series of the same name, V.I.P. follows the bodyguard agency Vallery Irons Protection (V.I.P.) in Los Angeles, led by the dimwitted figurehead Vallery Irons (played by Pamela Anderson), as they guard a plastic surgeon being hunted by a big-name mobster.

Switching between the game's five playable agents, much of the gameplay relies on either quick-time event-based martial arts sequences, on-rails light-gun shooting segments, and puzzle-based hacking mini-games. As players progress through the game, they can unlock bonus photos and clips from the show and of its heroines (several of which are raunchy).

The game later received a PC port on March 15, 2002, along with a PlayStation 2 conversion on August 30, 2002, both of which were released exclusively in Europe. While the PC version is nearly identical to the original game, the PS2 version features re-worked in-game cutscenes and revamped gameplay.

It also received two handheld adaptations by Planet Interactive Development, a 2001 game for the Game Boy Color (released in both North America and Europe) and a 2002 game for the Game Boy Advance (released in Europe only). Both of these games feature different stories (both involving kidnapping) with different gameplay. The GBA version is a side-scrolling action-platformer, while the GBC version includes multiple gameplay genres (from side-scrolling platforming, to top-down driving, to top-down shooting).

Playable Characters

Vallery Irons

Real Life	In-game (PS2)

Vallery loves expensive clothes, shopping and celebrities. She has no bodyguard training at all and fights poorly. However, she is unusually lucky, which is played for laughs in V.I.P..

Tasha Dexter

Real Life	In-game (PS2)

Tasha is an ex-agent excels in tactical thinking and espionage operations. She is a skilful and serious bodyguard who finders herself at odds with the playful Vallery Irons from time to time.

Nikki Franco

Real Life	In-game (PS2)

Nikki is a hot-headed weapons and explosives expert who really likes to blow stuff up. This street smart woman can also handle the fast cars around with unmatched precision.

Kay Simmons

Real Life	In-game (PS2)

Kay is a computer wizard and all-around geek. She takes care of communications and logistics for the V.I.P.

Quick Williams

Real Life	In-game (PS2)

Quick is a hand to hand combat expert and a cool guy. He also has experience in forensics work.

Johnny Loh

Real Life	In-game (PS2)

Johnny is an athletic martial arts expert who brings some zen-balance to the crew.