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 exciting new footage that gives fans a glimpse into the visual direction of the upcoming Virtua Fighter game. This marks the franchise's first new entry in nearly two decades, reigniting interest in a series that has been largely dormant since the release of Virtua Fighter 5.
The last major Virtua Fighter release was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, a remastered version that launched for PlayStation 4 and Japanese arcades in 2021. This remaster is set to make its way to Steam in January 2025, paving the way for the new installment in the series.
The new footage was showcased during NVIDIA's keynote at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show. The video starts with a transitional scene before diving into a simulated combat sequence. Despite the disclaimer indicating its staged nature, the choreography is remarkably precise, resembling a scene from a martial arts film rather than a typical fighting game match. With other major fighting franchises releasing new titles recently, the return of Virtua Fighter could mark the 2020s as a pivotal decade for the genre.
New Virtua Fighter Footage Highlights Evolving Visuals
While the showcased clip does not feature actual gameplay, it utilizes in-engine graphics, providing a clear indication of the game's visual style. The footage moves away from the series' traditional hyper-stylized characters and polygonal visuals, embracing a more realistic aesthetic that falls between that of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The trailer features the iconic character Akira in two new outfits, deviating from his classic bandanna and spiky hair look.
The development of this new Virtua Fighter game is being led by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, which is also working on Sega's Project Century. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio previously co-developed the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster with Sega AM2 and is renowned for its work on the Yakuza series, starting with Yakuza 5.
Although details about the new title remain scarce, comments from Virtua Fighter project director Riichirou Yamada hint at Sega's ambitious vision for the game. The company's commitment to revitalizing the Virtua Fighter brand is evident as it continues to share glimpses of the upcoming game. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi declared during the VF Direct 2024 livestream, "Virtua Fighter is finally back!"
