Summary
- Sega has released new in-engine footage of the upcoming Virtua Fighter game.
- This will be the franchise's first entry in about 20 years.
- The game's development will be handled by Sega's own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.
Sega has unveiled new footage that offers a glimpse into the visual and gameplay experience of its highly anticipated new Virtua Fighter game. The Virtua Fighter series, which has been relatively quiet for nearly two decades, is gearing up for a major comeback with this new title. The last fully new game in the series was Virtua Fighter 5, with subsequent releases being remasters and updates.
The most recent major release in the franchise was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, which launched on PlayStation 4 and in Japanese arcades in 2021. This remastered version is set to arrive on Steam in January 2025, just before the new Virtua Fighter game hits the market.
The new footage was showcased during NVIDIA's keynote at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show. The video begins with a brief transitional scene before diving into a simulated combat sequence. While the footage is clearly staged, as indicated by the disclaimer and the perfectly choreographed moves reminiscent of a martial arts film, it provides a tantalizing preview of what fans can expect. With other major fighting game franchises releasing new titles recently, the return of Virtua Fighter could mark the 2020s as a golden era for fighting games.
New Virtua Fighter Footage Highlights Evolving Visuals
Although the clip does not feature actual gameplay, it uses in-engine graphics to give fans a realistic idea of the game's final look. The video shows Virtua Fighter moving away from its traditionally stylized characters and polygonal designs toward a more visually realistic style, striking a balance between the aesthetics of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The trailer prominently features the series' iconic character, Akira, in two different outfits, neither of which include his classic bandanna and spiky hair.
Development of the new Virtua Fighter game is being led by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the Yakuza series and co-developers of the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster with Sega AM2. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is also working on Sega's Project Century.
While details about the new Virtua Fighter game are scarce, project director Riichirou Yamada has hinted at the innovative direction Sega is taking with the title. Despite the mystery surrounding the project, Sega's commitment to revitalizing the Virtua Fighter brand is evident, as they continue to share glimpses of the upcoming game. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi enthusiastically stated during the VF Direct 2024 livestream, "Virtua Fighter is finally back!"
